NHL Free Agent Predictions: Who Will Be the Biggest Winners and Losers

As the NHL free agency period approaches, we make our predictions for who will be the biggest winners and losers.

The 2020 NHL Free Agent class

With the NHL Free Agency period just around the corner, we thought it would be a good time to take a look at some of the top names that will be available and make some predictions on where they will ultimately end up signing.

There are a few big names at the top of the list, including former Vezina Trophy winner Sergei Bobrovsky, as well as superstars like Taylor Hall and Artemi Panarin. With so many teams having salary cap space to work with this offseason, there are sure to be some big winners and losers when it all shakes out.

Here are a few of our predictions for who will come out on top when all is said and done.

The top free agents

The NHL free agent market opens on July 1, and there are some big names available.

The top free agents are forwards Kevin Hayes and Mats Zuccarello, defenseman Tyler Myers, and goaltender Robin Lehner.

What will happen with these players? Who will be the biggest winners and losers in free agency?

Here are some predictions:

Kevin Hayes will sign with the Philadelphia Flyers. The Flyers have the salary cap space to sign him, and they need a top-six forward. Hayes is a good fit for the Flyers. He will help them offensively and he can play a solid two-way game.

Mats Zuccarello will sign with the Dallas Stars The Stars need offense, and Zuccarello can provide it. He’s also a good fit because he’s from Texas. The Stars have the salary cap space to sign him, and they’ll be willing to pay him what he wants.

Tyler Myers will sign with the Winnipeg Jets The Jets need a top-four defenseman, and Myers is one of the best available. He’s a good skater and he can contribute offensively. The Jets have the salary cap space to sign him, and they’re one of the few teams that can offer him a chance to win right away.

The best fits for the top free agents

The NHL free agent class of 2019 is one of the most talented groups we’ve seen in recent memory. There are a Number of players who have the potential to change the fortunes of the teams that sign them, and there are also a few who could end up being huge busts.

The biggest winner of this free agent class could end up being Artemi Panarin, who is arguably the most skilled player on the market. The 27-year-old winger has already establish himself as an elite player in the league, and he should be able to command a massive contract on the open market. The team that signs Panarin will be getting a true game-changer, and they’ll be able to pair him with just about any type of player.

There are a number of teams that could benefit from signing Panarin, but the Columbus Blue Jackets might be the best fit. The Blue Jackets are a team on the rise, and they’re in dire need of some offensive firepower. Panarin would instantly make them one of the most dangerous teams in the league, and he would give them a real chance to compete for a Stanley Cup

Marcus Johansson is another Free Agent who could have a major impact on his new team. The 28-year-old winger is coming off a season in which he tallied 30 goals and 58 points, and he’s shown that he can be an elite scorer at times. Johansson will likely be looking for a long-term deal worth around $6 million per year, and there will be no shortage of suitors for his services.

The Boston Bruins seem like they could be a perfect fit for Johansson. The Bruins are in need of some scoring depth, and Johansson would provide them with another threat to opponents. He would also fit well into their system, as he’s proven to be effective when playing with skilled players

There are a number of other free agents who could make an impact on their new teams, but these two players seem like they could have the biggest impact.

The teams that need to spend

The NHL free agency Signing Period begins on July 1, and there are plenty of big names available, including forwards Artemi Panarin, Taylor Hall, Matt Duchene and Jeff Skinner, and defenceman Erik Karlsson.

With that in mind, here are five teams that need to be active in Free agency and five that should stay away:

TEAMS THAT NEED TO SPEND
Boston Bruins
Boston has plenty of salary-cap space and a few needs, including a top-four defenceman and a scoring winger. The Bruins have been linked to Panarin and Hall in recent weeks and could land one or both of them. They should also pursue Duchene or Skinner.

Carolina Hurricanes
The Hurricanes have been busy this offseason, acquiring forwards Andrei Svechnikov, Ryan Dzingel, Warren Foegele and Lucas Wallmark. They still need to add a top-line centre, however, and Duchene would be a Perfect Fit Carolina also needs to address its defence by signing a top-four blueliner.

Columbus Blue Jackets

After losing Panarin and goalie Sergei Bobrovsky in free agency last summer, the Blue Jackets need to restock their offensive cupboards. Columbus has been linked to Hall in recent weeks and could also pursue Skinner. The Blue Jackets should also look to add a veteran goalie to replace Bobrovsky.

Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers have loads of salary-cap space but have yet to do anything with it this offseason. They need to sign a No. 1 goalie – they’ve been linked to former Vezina Trophy winner Craig Anderson – as well as a top-four defenceman. Edmonton has also been mentioned as a potential landing spot for Karlsson.

New York Islanders

The Islanders made some big splashes last summer when they signed forward Anders Lee and defencemen Nick Leddy and Johnny Boychuk to long-term contract extensions They still need to sign star centre Mathew Barzal, however, who is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights. New York also needs to address its goaltending situation after Robin Lehner signed with the Chicago Blackhawks last month.

The teams that need to save

The NHL free agency period begins on July 1 and there are sure to be some big names changing teams. Some teams will be big winners, while others will be left scrambling to save face. Here’s a look at the teams that need to save the most this off-season.

The Ottawa Senators are in a tough spot. They have several Key Players who are due for big raises, including defenseman Erik Karlsson and forward Mark Stone. They also have several players who are potential free agents including goalie Craig Anderson and forwards Mike Hoffman and Jean-Gabriel Pageau. The Senators will need to be very careful with their money if they want to keep all of their key players

The Chicago Blackhawks are another team that could be in for a tough summer. They have several star players who are due for big raises, including forwards Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. They also have several free agents including defenseman Brent Seabrook and forwards Marian Hossa and Artemi Panarin. The Blackhawks will need to be very careful with their money if they want to keep all of their Key Players

The Carolina Hurricanes could also be in for a tough summer. They have several key players who are due for big raises, including defenseman Justin Faulk and forward Elias Lindholm. They also have several potential Free Agents including goalie Cam Ward and forwards Jeff Skinner and Lee Stempniak. The Hurricanes will need to be very careful with their money if they want to keep all of their key players.

The teams that will be active

As the NHL season comes to a close, all eyes turn to the offseason and the free agency period. This is always an exciting time for fans as they speculate who their team will sign and which players will end up on new teams.

There are a few teams that are sure to be active in free agency this year. The Florida Panthers who missed the playoffs this year, are one team that will be looking to make some moves. They have already been linked to a few big names, including Taylor Hall and Tyler Toffoli.

The Detroit Red Wings are another team that is expected to be busy in free agency They have a lot of space under the salary cap and they are in desperate need of some help on offense. They have been linked to a number of forwards, including Blake Coleman and Anthony Duclair.

The Vegas Golden Knights are another team that could be active in free agency this offseason. They have already made a few trades this offseason and they seem poised to make more moves. They have been linked to several forwards, including Evgenii Dadonov and Ilya Kovalchuk.

The teams that will be quiet

NHL Free Agency begins on July 1, and there are a number of big names set to hit the open market. While teams like the Tampa Bay Lightning and Toronto Maple Leafs are sure to be active, there are a few clubs that will be content to sit on the sidelines and let the frenzy play out.

The teams that will be quiet:
Detroit Red Wings – The Red Wings have been clear about their plan to get younger and cheaper, and they’re not going to deviate from that path now. Their lone significant free agent is goaltender Jimmy Howard, who is unlikely to return.

Buffalo Sabres – The Sabres have just over $20 million in cap space, but they’re not going to use it all in one offseason. They’ll be patient as they continue to rebuild.

Edmonton Oilers – The Oilers have been linked to just about every big name on the market, but they’re not going to overspend. They’ll be active, but they won’t break the bank.

New Jersey Devils – The Devils have just over $30 million in cap space, but they’re not going to use it all in one offseason. They’ll be patient as they continue to rebuild.

The players that will get overpaid

NHL Free Agency is set to begin on July 1, and there are sure to be some big signings. While many of the players who hit the open market will sign reasonable contracts, there are always a few who end up getting way more than they are worth. Here are a few predictions for which players will be the biggest winners and losers in NHL free agency this year.

Winner: Taylor Hall
The former Hart Trophy winner is coming off a down year, but he is still just 27 years old and is one of the best wingers in the league when healthy. Hall will almost certainly sign a deal worth over $10 million per year, and he could even approach $12 million per year if a team like the San Jose Sharks get involved. Hall has been linked to the Sharks in recent days, and they have the cap space to make a big offer.

Loser: Tyler Toffoli
Toffoli is coming off a career-high 24 goals, but he is still just a bottom-six forward. The Los Angeles Kings have already said they are not going to give him a big contract, and it seems likely that he will have to settle for something in the $2-4 million range on the open market.

The players that will get underpaid

NHL Free Agency is set to begin on July 1, and there are a number of big name players that will be looking for new contracts. While some of these players will demand and receive large salaries, others will be forced to settle for less money than they are worth. Here are five players that are likely to be underpaid when NHL free agency begins.

1. Jason Pominville – Minnesota Wild
The 33-year-old winger is coming off of a down year, scoring just 13 goals and 35 points in 74 games. However, Pominville has been a consistent scorer throughout his career, averaging over 20 goals and 50 points per season. He will likely have to settle for a short-term contract with a low salary due to his age and the fact that he is coming off of a down year.

2. Radim Vrbata – Arizona Coyotes
Vrbata had a Bounce Back year in 2016-17, scoring 20 goals and 55 points in 80 games. The 36-year-old winger has said that he would like to play one more season before retiring, but he may have trouble finding a team willing to give him a contract. Vrbata will likely have to settle for a low salary on a short-term contract.

3. Mike Cammalleri – New Jersey Devils
Cammalleri had an impressive 2016-17 season scoring 17 goals and 46 points in 61 games. The 34-year-old winger has seen his production decline in recent years but he could still be an effective scorer on the right team. Cammalleri may have trouble finding a team willing to give him more than a one-year contract due to his age and the fact that he is coming off of a down year.

4. Shane Doan – Arizona Coyotes
Doan has spent his entire 21-year career with the Arizona Coyotes, but it is unclear if he will continue playing beyond this season. The 40-year-old winger had a disappointing 2016-17 campaign, scoring just six goals and 27 points in 74 games. If Doan does decide to play next season, he will likely have to sign a short-term contract with a low salary due to his age and the fact that he is coming off of a down year.

5. Jaromir Jagr – Florida Panthers
Jagr had an impressive 2016-17 season, scoring 16 goals and 46 points in 82 games. The 45-year old winger has said that he would like to play until he is 50 years old, but it is unclear if any teams will be willing to give him a contract at his age. Jagr may have trouble finding a team willing to give him more than a one-year contract due to his age and the fact that he is coming off of a down year

The winners and losers of the NHL free agent period

With the NHL free agency period set to open on Oct. 9, there are a few teams that are sure to be active in the market. The Colorado Avalanche Detroit Red Wings Florida Panthers, Montreal Canadiens Nashville Predators New York Islanders Ottawa Senators, Tampa Bay Lightning and Winnipeg Jets all have significant cap space and will be looking to add some impact players.

There are a few marquee names that will be available, including forwards Taylor Hall and Mike Hoffman, goaltender Craig Anderson and defenseman Torey Krug. Some of the other top free agents include forwards Anthony Duclair, Tyler Toffoli and Wayne Simmonds; defensemen Alex Edler, Justin Faulk and Dylan DeMelo; and goalie Sergei Bobrovsky.

With so many teams with significant cap space and so many good players available, it is sure to be an eventful free agency period. Here are my predictions for who will be the biggest winners and losers when it all shakes out.