NHL Free Agency: Top 10 unsigned RFAs
While the most interesting part of the summer is tracking the unrestricted free agents, we typically see some of the more interesting names on the restricted free agent side.
There was no shortage of names worth following this summer, including Alex DeBrincat, Troy Terry, Vince Dunn, K’Andre Miller, Bowen Byram and Ilya Samsonov, among others. But with training camps about a month away, there’s still a few others to keep a close eye on.
According to CapFriendly, 14 of the league’s 32 teams have under $1 million in cap space, with eight sitting over the cap. A few of those teams still have moves to make, including with RFAs.
This year’s RFA class is like a buffet; there’s so much to offer, from elite game-changing forwards to mobile defensemen and third-line grinders. Let’s take a look at the top 10 remaining RFAs:
Trevor Zegras, C/LW, 22 (Anaheim Ducks)
2022-23 salary cap hit: $925,000
Zegras has taken the patient route, waiting things out similar to Troy Terry. Zegras notched 23 goals and 45 assists for a team-leading 65 points in 81 games last season – the second straight season that he has surpassed the 20-goal and 60-point threshold. The Bedford, New York product has already garnished a list of achievements throughout his young career. He won a 2021 world junior gold medal with the United States, is a Top-10 draft pick and was the EA Sports NHL 23 video game cover boy. In 189 NHL games, Zegras has tallied 49 goals and 90 assists for 139 points.
Jamie Drysdale, D, 21 (Anaheim Ducks)
2022-23 salary cap hit: $925,000
Drysdale appeared in just eight games this season after getting injured early in the season in a game against the Vegas Golden Knights. He had to undergo surgery for a torn labrum. Picking up a season-ending injury is tough for anyone, let alone a 20-year-old just starting his career. The season prior, he notched 32 points in 81 games and produced 12 power-play points in his first full season. Drysdale has registered 40 points over 113 games, emerging as a solid offensive defender.
Shane Pinto, C, 22 (Ottawa Senators)
2022-23 salary cap hit: $925,000
After a setback in 2021-22 following shoulder surgery, Pinto rebounded and scored 20 goals during his freshman campaign. He finished the season with 20 goals and 15 assists for 35 points in 82 games, while starting the season as the league’s rookie of the month for October. Pinto plays a solid two-way game, and while he isn’t flashy, he gets the job done. He is expected to be on the second power-play unit and will get a lot of opportunities to play with Dominik Kubalik, Drake Batherson and Jakob Chychurn.
Evan Bouchard, D, 23 (Edmonton Oilers)
2022-23 salary cap hit: $863,333
Bouchard has become a staple on the Oilers’ blueline. The 23-year-old has notched back-to-back 40-point seasons while seeing his opportunities climb with Tyson Barrie’s trade to Nashville. The Oakville, Ontario native has become the quarterback of the first power-play unit. The arrival of Mattias Ekholm alleviated some defensive-zone pressure for Bouchard, which was nice. Bouchard notched 17 points in 12 games during the Oilers’ Stanley Cup playoff run and is up to 89 points in 184 games.
Alexis Lafreniere, LW/RW, 21 (New York Rangers)
2022-23 salary cap hit: $925,000
The first pick in 2020, Lafreniere notched a career-high 39 points (16 goals, 23 assists) in 81 games last season. His third-line ice time has him averaging 14:25 per night over his first three seasons, and he’s been largely relegated to the second power play. The Rangers would have loved to see much more from a player that dominated the QMJHL in his draft year. Instead, he’s still trying to find his footing.
Morgan Frost, C, 24 (Philadelphia Flyers)
2022-23 salary cap hit: $800,000
The Philadelphia youngin is coming off a healthy, 19-goal, 46-point season. His value has only increasedafter the club traded Kevin Hayes, and the lost season of Sean Couturier last year. While the Flyers do have extra cap space, it seems the route they will be going is a bridge deal. In March, the Aurora, Ontario product told reporters, “I want to be here next year. I want to be here for the long run.” General Manager Danny Briere already took care of fellow RFAs Cam York and Noah Cates with two-year bridge deals, and, soon, Frost could be next.
Calen Addison, D, 23 (Minnesota Wild)
2022-23 salary cap hit: $795,000
During the 2022-23 season, Addison notched three goals and 26 assists for 29 points in 62 games while averaging 16:07 ice time. After the Wild moved on from defensemen Matt Dumba and John Klingberg, Addison will see an increase in minutes, including a promotion to the second pairing. The Wild have just $1.6 million in cap space, so Addison will need to come in cheap, potentially on a bridge deal.
Joe Veleno, C, 23 (Detroit Red Wings)
2022-23 salary cap hit: $894,167
Joe Veleno has become a regular in the Red Wings’ lineup over the past two campaigns. During the 2022-23 season, Veleno tallied nine goals and 11 assists for a career-high 20 points in 81 games. Consistency has been an issue – Veleno went pointless for a 20-game stretch this past season from mid-February to the end of March. There is also the whole ‘stomping incident’ that unfolded at the World Championship. GM Steve Yzerman already inked J.T. Compher, Daniel Sprong, Klim Kostin, and Christian Fischer to deals while also acquiring Alex DeBrincat from the Senators. With spots dwindling down, it seems like Veleno will once again be situated in the bottom six, assuming the Red Wings keep him around.
Logan Stanley, D, 25 (Winnipeg Jets)
2022-23 salary cap hit: $863,333
A few months ago, Stanley reportedly requested a trade out of Manitoba. After dealing with injuries throughout the campaign, the 6-foot-7 defender had three points in 19 games. The former Memorial Cup champion has registered 20 points in 114 games with the Jets. He has just three goals in three years, so offense isn’t really his thing. But Stanley can get in your way and make people miserable, so that’s where he can become valuable.
Tim Berni, D, 23 (Columbus Blue Jackets)
2022-23 salary cap hit: $925,000
The Blue Jackets qualified Swiss defenseman Tim Berni following the 2022-23 campaign, which saw him register just three points. Berni’s calm, poised style of defense matched well with rugged veteran tough-guy Erik Gudbranson as the two spent many minutes together. In a perfect world, the Blue Jackets’ defense will be healthy and reliable next season. With the addition of Damon Severson and Ivan Provorov, plus the emergence of David Jiricek, making the Blue Jackets will be difficult. But Berni’s experience will definitely come in handy in a pinch.