NHL Free Agency Insights
As the NHL prepares for free agency in less than a month, discussions are ramping up around which players will see significant increases in their salaries. In the world of professional hockey, free agents often eye contracts that better reflect their worth. A player’s recent performance and physical condition can heavily influence whether they receive a lucrative deal or not. Here are six unrestricted free agents (UFAs) who have improved their chances of landing a better contract this offseason.
Key Players to Watch
Vladislav Gavrikov, Defenseman, Los Angeles Kings
Gavrikov emerges as a crucial asset in a sparse market for defensemen. Following a season that saw the Kings fall early in the playoffs, new general manager Ken Holland faces a decision on the 29-year-old defenseman’s future. Over the past season, Gavrikov played an impressive average of 23:05 minutes per game and led his team with 140 blocked shots while participating in all 82 games. After earning $5.875 million annually for the last two seasons, Gavrikov’s performance and prime age suggest he is poised for a significant salary increase, possibly returning to his former team, the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Andrei Kuzmenko, Left Wing, Los Angeles Kings
The 2023 season was challenging for Kuzmenko, who struggled during his stint with the Calgary Flames. With just four goals and 15 points in 37 games, he was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers and subsequently to the Kings. In Los Angeles, Kuzmenko revitalized his career, generating 12 assists and 17 points in just 22 games. His previous peak in the 2022-23 season with the Vancouver Canucks, where he recorded 39 goals and 74 points, leaves teams hopeful for a rebound. While some teams may be cautious about offering a long-term deal, Kuzmenko is likely to receive a contract closer to his previous salary rather than his disappointing cap figure from Calgary.
Kyle Palmieri, Right Wing, New York Islanders
As Palmieri turns 34, he may not be in his peak years any longer, but his contributions on the ice remain strong. With 54 goals and 102 points over the last two seasons, he has proven effective even on a New York Islanders team that has struggled offensively. While he likely won’t see a long-term commitment from any organization, Palmieri has the opportunity to secure a comparable or even slightly higher salary than his $5 million per season if he joins a contender aiming to boost its offense.
John Tavares, Center, Toronto Maple Leafs
Tavares, who was anticipated to take a significant pay cut after a challenging season, exceeded expectations by netting 38 goals—his highest total since 2018-19. Nevertheless, to stay in Toronto, he may need to accept a salary reduction from his previous $11 million annual salary. The Maple Leafs have enough cap space to accommodate both Tavares and restricted free agent Matthew Knies, but Tavares will need to decide how much he is willing to compromise financially to remain a key player on a team with championship aspirations.
Ivan Provorov, Defenseman, Columbus Blue Jackets
Although Provorov has yet to replicate his standout performance from 2017-18 with the Philadelphia Flyers, where he scored 17 goals and had 41 points, he remains a reliable player. Over the past season with Columbus, he tallied seven goals and 33 points while averaging 23:21 minutes of play. His consistent performance ensures he will likely see an increase from his current $6.75 million cap hit, particularly as teams pursue top-four defensemen in what is becoming a tighter market.
Jack Roslovic, Center, Carolina Hurricanes
After displaying promise in previous years with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Roslovic found success with the Carolina Hurricanes, scoring 22 goals and 39 points over 81 games. While he hasn’t made a significant impact in the postseason, his current salary of $2.8 million suggests he is undervalued. Teams looking for secondary scorers might view Roslovic as an attractive option, and his next contract will likely reflect his increased production, with offers for a solid three- to four-year deal expected.
