Top NHL Free Agents for the 2022 Season

It’s never too early to start thinking about the next season of NHL free agency Check out our list of the top NHL free agents for the 2022 season.

Forwards

Although the 2022 NHL season is still a ways off, there are already a few top free agents that are beginning to generate interest among teams. These forwards are sure to provide a boost to any offense and could be the difference-maker for a contending team.

Here are the top NHL free agents for the 2022 season:

Brandon Saad – Saad is a two-time Stanley Cup champion and has been one of the most consistent wingers in the NHL over the past few years. He has great speed and is excellent at both ends of the ice.

Jeff Skinner – Skinner is coming off consecutive 30-goal seasons and should be in line for a big pay day. He’s an excellent scorer and would be a great addition to any team’s top six forward group.

Tyler Toffoli – Toffoli had a career year in 2021, scoring 32 goals and 58 points. He’s still just 28 years old and should be able to continue producing at a high level for several more years.

Defensemen

###Defensemen

1. Erik Karlsson ( Anaheim Ducks)
2. Victor Hedman (Tampa Bay Lightning)
3. Drew Doughty (Los Angeles Kings)
4. Duncan Keith (Chicago Blackhawks)
5. Brent Burns (San Jose Sharks)
6. John Klingberg (Dallas Stars)
7. Kris Letang (Pittsburgh Penguins)
8. Alex Pietrangelo (St. Louis Blues)
9. Ryan McDonagh (New York Rangers)

Goaltenders

There are a number of great goaltenders set to become free agents in the 2022 season. Here are some of the top names to keep an eye on:

-Henrik Lundqvist: The veteran netminder is still one of the best in the business, and he could be a valuable addition to any team.
-Tuukka Rask: Another experienced goaltender who would be a valuable addition to any team.
-Pekka Rinne: A former Vezina winner, Rinne is still one of the best goaltenders in the league.
-Carey Price:The reigning Hart and Vezina winner, Price is set to become a free agent for the first time in his career.

Teams in Need of Forwards

Although the 2021 NHL season is just getting underway, it’s never too early to start thinking about the future. In just a few short months, the 2022 NHL Free Agent class will be one of the most talented and star-studded groups in recent memory.

Headlined by potential Hart Trophy winners Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews as well as perennial All-Stars Patrick Kane and Brad Marchand, there will be no shortage of teams looking to add some scoring punch for the 2022 season.

With that said, let’s take a look at five teams who could be active on the Free Agent market this summer in search of some offensive help.

Teams in Need of Defensemen

The NHL free agency class of 2022 is shaping up to be one of the most talented groups in recent memory. A number of teams are in need of defensemen, and there are a number of top-end blueliners set to hit the open market. Here’s a look at some of the teams that could be active in the 2022 free agent market:

– Tampa Bay Lightning The Lightning have one of the best defenses in the league, but they could use another top-pairing blueliner. Brent Burns and Erik Karlsson are both set to become free agents and the Lightning will need to replace one of them.

– Nashville Predators The Predators have been looking for a top defenseman for years, and they finally have some cap space to work with. Seth Jones is set to become a Free Agent and the Predators will need to sign him to a long-term deal.

– Winnipeg Jets The Jets have a great young defense, but they could use an experienced veteran to help mentor them. Dustin Byfuglien is set to become a free agent and the Jets will need to decide if they want to bring him back.

– Pittsburgh Penguins The Penguins have been searching for a top defenseman for some time now. Kris Letang is set to become a free agent and it’s unclear if the Penguins will be able to re-sign him.

Teams in Need of Goaltenders

As the 2021 NHL season comes to a close, teams are already looking ahead to the 2022 season and preparing for the free agent market. One of the most sought-after commodities in the NHL is a good goaltender, and there are a few teams that are in desperate need of one. Here are the top NHL Teams that will be looking for a goaltender in the 2022 free agent market.

Carolina Hurricanes

The Carolina Hurricanes have been one of the best teams in the NHL over the past few seasons, but they have never been able to find consistent goaltending. They made a big splash in the free agent market last offseason by signing Sergei Bobrovsky, but he has not lived up to expectations. The Hurricanes will be looking for a new starting goaltender this offseason and they will have plenty of cap space to make a big splash.

New Jersey Devils

The New Jersey Devils have been one of the worst teams in the NHL over the past few seasons, and their goaltending has been a big reason why. They made a big splash in the free agent market last offseason by signing Cory Schneider, but he has not been able to stay healthy. The Devils will be looking for a new starting goaltender this offseason and they will have plenty of cap space to make a big splash.

Florida Panthers

The Florida Panthers have been one of the best teams in the NHL over the past few seasons, but they have never been able to find consistent goaltending. They made a big splash in the free agent market last offseason by signing Sergei Bobrovsky, but he has not lived up to expectations. The Panthers will be looking for a new starting goaltender this offseason and they will have plenty of cap space to make a big splash.

Free Agent Predictions

The 2022 NHL Free Agency class is looking like it could be one of the best in recent memory, with a number of big-name players set to hit the open market.

Here are our top 10 predictions for who will be the biggest names available in Free agency next summer:

1. Washington Capitals forward Alexander Ovechkin
2. New York Islanders center Mathew Barzal
3. Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy
4. Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy
5. Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi
6. Winnipeg Jets forward Patrik Laine
7. Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar
8. Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Petr Mrazek
9. Minnesota Wild forward Zach Parise
10. St. Louis Blues forward Vladimir Tarasenko

Contract Predictions

Many of the NHL’s top free agents for the 2022 season are still in their prime and will be looking for hefty pay bumps, while others will be focused on finding a team that can contend for a Stanley Cup Here are some predictions for where some of the top names could end up signing.

Forwards

Mitch Marner, Toronto Maple Leafs It’s going to be difficult for the Maple Leafs to keep both Auston Matthews and Marner long-term, but if they can figure out a way to do it, they could have one of the best young cores in the league for years to come. Marner is a restricted free agent this offseason and is reportedly looking for around $11 million per year. It’s unlikely that he’ll get that from Toronto, but something in the $9-10 million range is probably achievable.

Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning Stamkos has been one of the best Goal Scorers in the NHL over the past few years and has helped lead the Lightning to two Stanley Cup Finals Appearances He’s set to become an restricted free Agent this offseason and will likely be looking for a raise from his current $8.5 million annual salary. Tampa Bay will want to keep him around, but with several other Key Players needing new contracts (including captain Nikita Kucherov), they may not be able to afford him. A return to his hometown of Toronto could be in the cards if the Maple Leafs can free up some cap space.

Patrik Laine, Winnipeg Jets: Laine has been one of the most electrifying players in the NHL since he entered the league and has already racked up over 100 goals in just four seasons. He’s set to become a restricted free agent this offseason and is reportedly looking for a contract worth over $9 million per year. The Jets may not be able to afford him at that price tag, so he could end up being traded before next season or signing elsewhere as a free agent in 2022.

Defensemen

PK Subban, Nashville Predators Subban is one of the most dynamic defensemen in the NHL and has been a key player for Nashville since he was acquired in a trade with Montreal back in 2016. He’s set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason and will likely be looking for a raise on his current $9 million annual salary. The Predators would like to keep him around, but with several other key players (including Roman Josi) due for new contracts next season, they may not be able to afford him. A return to Montreal could be possible if Subban is willing to take a pay cut.

Top Prospects

The 2022 NHL Entry Draft will be the 60th NHL Entry Draft It will be held on June 24–25, 2022, at a yet to be determined location.

The 2022 NHL Entry Draft will see the expansion Seattle Kraken make their first ever draft selections as the 33rd team in the National Hockey League

As of May 2021, the top prospects eligible for the 2022 NHL Entry Draft are as follows:

1. Owen Power (D) – University of Michigan ( NCAA)
2. Brandt Clarke (D) – HC Nove Zamky (SVK)
3. Simon Edvinsson (D) – Frolunda HC J20 (SWE)
4. Matthew Beniers (C) – University of Michigan ( NCAA)
5. Dylan Guenther (RW) – Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)

Free Agent Rumors

NHL teams will be looking to sign some of the league’s best players when the free agency period opens on July 1. While there are many talented players set to hit the open market, there are a few who have been rumored to be on the radar of several teams.

one of the most sought-after Free Agents in recent memory. The 27-year-old center is coming off a season in which he posted career highs in goals (45), assists (60) and points (105). He’s also a two-time Stanley Cup champion, having won back-to-back titles with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and 2017.

Other top free agents include defenseman Drew Doughty, winger Evander Kane and goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky.