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The NHL expansion draft and entry draft are behind us. Now, all that’s really left before we hit the long summer months of the offseason is the start of free agency on July 1.
The big draw in free agency is the yearly crop of unrestricted free agents, those players able to sign deals with any team after their contracts have expired. There’s a handful of big names on the list this year, including Washington’s big defensive get Kevin Shattenkirk from this season’s trade deadline. San Jose has a pair of franchise staples in Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau that may test the free agent waters if they do not re-sign with the Sharks.
A few goaltenders are also in the mix this year, with Brian Elliott, Steve Mason, and Ryan Miller leading the pack.
The start of free agency has been lacking in recent years, but it’s hard to say just how busy this one will be.
NHL’s free agency period gets underway at noon ET on July 1.
Top NHL Unrestricted Free Agents
| Player | Team | Position | Age | Games Played | Points | Cap Hit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Team | Position | Age | Games Played | Points | Cap Hit |
| Kevin Shattenkirk | Capitals | Defenseman | 28 | 80 | 56 | $4.25 million |
| Joe Thornton | Sharks | Center | 37 | 79 | 50 | $6.75 million |
| Patrick Marleau | Sharks | Left Wing | 37 | 82 | 46 | $6.67 million |
| Alexander Radulov | Canadiens | Right Wing | 30 | 76 | 54 | $5.75 million |
| Patrick Sharp | Stars | Left Wing | 35 | 48 | 18 | $5.90 million |
| Jarome Iginla | Kings | Right Wing | 39 | 80 | 27 | $5.33 million |
| Jaromir Jagr | Panthers | Right Wing | 45 | 82 | 46 | $4.00 million |
| Justin Williams | Capitals | Right Wing | 35 | 80 | 48 | $3.25 million |
| Karl Alzner | Capitals | Defenseman | 28 | 82 | 13 | $2.80 million |
| Martin Hanzal | Wild | Center | 30 | 71 | 39 | $3.10 million |
| Mike Fisher | Predators | Center | 37 | 72 | 42 | $4.40 million |
| Sam Gagner | Blue Jackets | Center | 27 | 81 | 50 | $650,000 |
| Radim Vrbata | Coyotes | Right Wing | 36 | 81 | 55 | $1.00 million |
| Brian Elliott | Flames | Goaltender | 32 | 49 | N/A | $2.50 million |
| Andrei Markov | Canadiens | Defenseman | 38 | 62 | 36 | $5.75 million |
| Johnny Oduya | Blackhawks | Defenseman | 35 | 52 | 9 | $3.75 million |
| Michael Stone | Flames | Defenseman | 27 | 64 | 15 | $4.00 million |
| Brian Boyle | Maple Leafs | Center | 32 | 75 | 25 | $2.00 million |
| Thomas Vanek | Panthers | Left Wing | 33 | 68 | 48 | $2.60 million |
| Kris Versteeg | Flames | Right Wing | 31 | 69 | 37 | $950,000 |
| Steve Mason | Flyers | Goaltender | 29 | 58 | N/A | $4.10 million |
| Nick Bonino | Penguins | Center | 29 | 80 | 37 | $1.90 million |
| Brian Gionta | Sabres | Right Wing | 38 | 82 | 35 | $4.25 million |
| Nail Yakupov | Blues | Right Wing | 23 | 40 | 9 | $2.50 million |
| Daniel Winnik | Capitals | Center | 32 | 72 | 25 | $2.25 million |