NHL Free Agent Forward Group Gets Late Boost
Buyouts and players not receiving qualifying offers add some depth to free agent class.
While this year’s class of unrestricted free agent forwards is not the most inspiring, some late additions, via buyouts and restricted free agents not receiving qualifying offers, does make for a more intriguing free agent period.
Most of the big names on this list are on the downside of their careers, so while it might be fine to sign them, the length of the contract and the term involved will play a big role in evaluating any deals.
With Ivan Barbashev signing a five-year, $25 million contract to stay in Vegas, there may not be too many players that are going to surpass the value of that contract.
Buyouts and restricted free agents not getting qualifying offers helps to improve a weak free agent class.
Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci, Jonathan Toews, and Zach Parise among those that could elect to retire rather than hit the open market.
While there are few stars available, there are plenty of top-six forwards that could improve a team’s chances next season.
Here is a look at 50 unrestricted free agent forwards (minimum 10 games in 2022-2023):
Tyler Bertuzzi, LW, Boston (8 G, 22 A, 16:29 ATOI, 52.7 CF%, 52.6 xGF%, 50 GP)
A hard-nosed 28-year-old forward who can score, Bertuzzi did manage just eight goals in 50 games last season but scored on just 7.5% of his shots, compared to a career mark of 14.1%. Bertuzzi will be a hot commodity on the free agent market.
Patrice Bergeron, C, Boston (27 G, 31 A, 17:24 ATOI, 59.8 CF%, 63.2 xGF%, 78 GP)
A living legend, Bergeron turns 38 this summer and is coming off a season in which he won his sixth Selke Trophy as the league’s top defensive forward. If he does return, that would be huge for the Bruins. If he doesn’t, it will leave a massive hole in their lineup.
Matt Duchene, RW, Nashville (22 G, 34 A, 18:19 ATOI, 49.0 CF%, 47.5 xGF%, 71 GP)
While his production fell from his career-high 43 goals and 86 points in 2021-2022, Duchene is still a threat, and the 32-year-old should be a useful addition on a short-term deal.
Patrick Kane, RW, N.Y. Rangers (21 G, 36 A, 19:19 ATOI, 41.6 CF%, 39.5 xGF%, 73 GP)
The 34-year-old won’t be ready for the start of the season as it will take 4-6 months for him to recover from hip resurfacing surgery. The 34-year-old is still capable of scoring but has had poor defensive impacts for quite some time and his teams have been outscored with Kane on the ice during five-on-five play for three straight seasons.
Ryan O’Reilly, C, Toronto (16 G, 14 A, 17:56 ATOI, 50.1 F%, 52.0 xGF%, 53 GP)
Although he is coming off a down season, the 32-year-old had a solid finish with the Maple Leafs and figures to be in demand given the relative mediocrity of this class.
Vladimir Tarasenko, RW, N.Y. Rangers (18 G, 32 A, 16:48 ATOI, 44.6 CF%, 43.7 xGF%, 69 GP)
After erupting for 34 goals and 82 points in 2021-2022, Tarasenko fell to 18 goals and 50 points last season. The 31-year-old should still have some productive years remaining and last season’s decline in production should make his contract demands more palatable.
J.T. Compher, C, Colorado (17 G, 35 A, 20:32 ATOI, 51.0 CF%, 52.5 xGF%, 82 GP)
The 28-year-old is coming off a career season, with improved offensive production and strong defensive play while handling the most ice time of his career. That has changed Compher’s career trajectory but it’s fair to wonder if he can duplicate an outlier season.
Jason Zucker, LW, Pittsburgh (27 G, 21 A, 15:39 ATOI, 55.2 CF%, 57.1 xGF%, 78 GP)
Finally healthy last season, the 31-year-old winger scored 27 goals and 48 points, both the second highest totals of his career. If he avoids injuries, Zucker is a quality secondary scoring threat.
Alex Killorn, LW, Tampa Bay (27 G, 37 A, 17:13 ATOI, 50.1 CF%, 49.1 xGF%, 82 GP)
A core part of the Lightning’s Stanley Cup teams, the 33-year-old just scored a career-high 27 goals and 64 points, which might finally price him out of Tampa Bay.
Max Pacioretty, LW, Carolina (3 G, 0 A, 13:39 ATOI, 64.3 CF%, 69.7 xGF%, 5 GP)
The 34-year-old sniper suffered two torn Achilles tendons last season, and played just five games, but he has scored 46 goals in 92 games across the past three seasons.
David Krejci, C, Boston (16 G, 40 A, 17:12 ATOI, 47.7 CF%, 47.3 xGF%, 70 GP)
Was productive in his return to Boston after a season in Czechia, and the 37-year-old could pack it in. Like Bergeron, Krejci’s decision will make a big difference on the Bruins’ roster for next season, but neither one figures to play anywhere else in the NHL.
Michael Bunting, LW, Toronto (23 G, 26 A, 15:48 ATOI, 51.7 CF%, 55.7 xGF%, 82 GP)
An agitator who has had back-to-back 23-goal seasons, Bunting has benefitted from playing with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner in Toronto, but that also shows that he can be a quality complementary player next to stars.
Connor Brown, RW, Washington (0 G, 0 A, 16:46 ATOI, 51.2 CF%, 41.4 xGF%, 4 GP)
A versatile winger who missed most of last season with a torn ACL, Brown is a 28-year-old two-time 20-goal scorer who can kill penalties.
Tomas Tatar, LW, New Jersey (20 G, 28 A, 15:07 ATOI 57.4 CF%, 62.8 xGF%, 82 GP)
A seven-time 20-goal scorer, the 32-year-old winger is a strong complement to skilled linemates.
Max Domi, LW, Dallas (20 G, 36 A, 17:46 ATOI, 44.7 CF%, 43.2 xGF%, 80 GP)
While his production has gone up and down throughout his career, 28-year-old Domi put up 20 goals and 56 points last season, the second highest totals of his career before adding 13 points in 19 playoff games for the Stars.
Blake Wheeler, RW, Winnipeg (16 G, 39 A, 17:03 ATOI,53.5 CF%, 50.3 xGF%, 72 GP)
Bought out by the Jets, Wheeler will turn 37 this summer and while he is no longer the force that he was during his prime, he is still a capable playmaker who can contribute in a supporting role.
Gustav Nyquist, LW, Minnesota (11 G, 16 A, 17:37 ATOI, 45.6 CF%, 46.5 xGF%, 51 GP)
Injuries have started to catch up with Nyquist, who turns 34 this summer, but he still has the skill to play a secondary scoring role when he is healthy.
Evan Rodrigues, LW, Colorado (16 G, 23 A, 17:51 ATOI, 55.9 CF%, 54.1 xGF%, 69 GP)
He turns 29 this summer and the past two seasons have been the best two seasons of Rodrigues’ career. He can move around the lineup, generate shots, and has shown that he can pull the trigger on the power play.
Daniel Sprong, RW, Seattle (21 G, 24 A, 11:25 ATOI, 54.5 CF%, 56.7 xGF%, 66 GP)
An absurdly efficient fourth-line scorer, Sprong scored so much that he priced himself out of a fourth-line role with the Kraken.
Kailer Yamamoto, RW, Detroit (10 G, 15 A, 16:35 ATOI, 52.9 CF%, 52.6 xGF%, 58 GP)
Traded to Detroit the bought out by the Red Wings, the tiny 24-year-old winger has the skills to score but needs to create more chances offensively if he is going to have sustainable production.
Garnet Hathaway, RW, Boston (13 G, 9 A, 11:48 ATOI, 49.1 CF%, 50.0 xGF%, 84 GP)
A gritty fourth line forward who hits a lot and has scored 27 goals in the past two seasons, 31-year-old Hathaway will draw plenty of interest.
Conor Sheary, LW, Washington (15 G, 22 A, 15:46 ATOI, 47.6 CF%, 49.9 xGF%, 82 GP)
An undersized 31-year-old winger, Sheary has been effective in a complementary role for Washington, with 41 of his 48 goals coming at even strength.
Pierre Engvall, LW, N.Y. Islanders (17 G, 13 A, 13:38 ATOI, 54.4 CF%, 55.6 xGF%, 76 GP)
Lanky forward who can play center, too, Engvall does not use his 6-foot-5 frame to its maximum advantage, but the 27-year-old keeps the puck moving the right direction.
Alexander Kerfoot, LW, Toronto (10 G, 22 A, 14:37 ATOI, 52.4 CF%, 52.9 xGF%, 82 GP)
Turning 29 this summer, Kerfoot is a capable middle-six winger, but he has been a reluctant shooter and when he scores on a career-low 7.5% of his shots, as he did last season, the results are less than ideal.
Miles Wood, LW, New Jersey (13 G, 14 A, 12:06 ATOI, 51.3 CF%, 49.9 xGF%, 76 GP)
Speedy winger who will be 29 next season plays a tough game missed nearly all of the 2021-2022 season but recovered last season. His style of play will generate interest on the open market.
Vladislav Namestnikov, LW, Winnipeg (8 G, 17 A, 12:37 ATOI, 53.1 CF%, 55.8 xGF%, 77 GP)
The versatile forward plays an understated game and has moved around a lot, playing for seven different NHL teams in the past four seasons.
Noel Acciari, RW, Toronto (14 G, 9 A, 14:19 ATOI, 45.1 CF%, 49.3 xGF%, 77 GP)
Hard driving winger delivered 78 hits in 11 playoff games for Toronto, which will assure that the 31-year-old gets plenty of offers in free agency.
Josh Bailey, LW/RW, Chicago (8 G, 17 A, 16:04 ATOI, 48.1 CF%, 44.6 xGF%, 64 GP)
Traded by the Islanders to Chicago, where he was bought out, Bailey played 1,057 regular season games for the Isles. He will look for a fresh start in a middle six role somewhere else.
James van Riemsdyk, LW, Philadelphia (12 G, 17 A, 15:21 ATOI, 50.8 CF%, 53.3 xGF%, 61 GP)
The 34-year-old winger has seen his production dip, but he has terrific hands around the net and could fill a niche net front role.
Jonathan Toews, C, Chicago (15 G, 16 A, 17:43 ATOI, 43.9 CF%, 38.4 xGF%, 53 GP)
There appears to be doubt about whether the 35-year-old three-time Stanley Cup winner is going to continue his career. Health challenges have hit Toews hard in recent seasons and his production has dropped dramatically.
Sam Steel, C, Minnesota (10 G, 18 A, 14:58 ATOI, 52.6 CF%, 51.9 xGF%, 65 GP)
Even though the 25-year-old had his best season after joining the Wild last year, he did not receive a qualifying offer. He is likely worth a look, to see if any of last season’s progress is going to stick.
Nick Bjugstad, C, Edmonton (17 G, 12 A, 16:12 ATOI, 47.0 CF%, 47.5 xGF%, 78 GP)
Towering center scored 17 goals last season, his most since 2017-2018. Bjugstad turns 31 this summer but his play last season should earn him a multi-year offer.
Jesse Puljujarvi, RW, Carolina (5 G, 11 A, 12:14 ATOI, 55.3 CF%, 55.5 xGF%, 75 GP)
The fourth pick in the 2016 Draft, Puljujarvi may just be a bust, but he is a strong play driving winger so he should be able to find a fit in a checking role somewhere.
Morgan Geekie, C, Seattle (9 G, 19 A, 10:27 ATOI, 49.8 CF%, 50.3 xGF%, 69 GP)
A fourth-line center with shaky defensive metrics but decent offensive production in a limited role, Geekie turns 25 this summer and should be able to find a suitable spot to continue in his role.
Zach Parise, LW, N.Y. Islanders (21 G, 13 A, 16:09 ATOI, 47.2 CF%, 50.9 xGF%, 82 GP)
He may be headed for retirement, since he turns 39 this summer, but Parise did score 21 goals for the Islanders last season, so he is not completely washed.
Zemgus Girgensons, C, Buffalo (10 G, 8 A, 12:59 ATOI, 51.8 CF%, 50.4 xGF%, 80 GP)
An excellent checking forward, the 29-year-old has limited upside, but the ability to play solid fourth-line minutes should not be taken for granted, either.
Teddy Blueger, C, Vegas (4 G, 12 A, 12:55 ATOI, 47.3 CF%, 48.7 xGF%, 63 GP)
Did not see much action with the Golden Knights on the run to the Stanley Cup, but he turns 29 this summer and is a reliable fourth-line center.
Tyler Motte, LW, N.Y. Rangers (8 G, 11 A, 12:34 ATOI, 45.7 CF%, 48.3 xGF%, 62 GP)
A hard-driving winger who has a difficult time staying healthy, 28-year-old Motte plays the type of game that contenders love from their depth wingers.
Pius Suter, C, Detroit (14 G, 10 A, 14:04 ATOI, 46.2 XF%, 47.3 xGF%, 79 GP)
Swiss center fell out of favor in Detroit last season, but the 27-year-old has been a capable middle-six forward in three NHL seasons.
Ryan Donato, LW, Seattle (14 G, 13 A, 11:15 ATOI, 52.0 CF%, 51.4 xGF%, 71 GP)
The 27-year-old shoot-out specialist is also a productive fourth-line scorer, putting up 29 even-strength goals in the past two seasons.
Mattias Janmark, LW, Edmonton (10 G, 15 A, 14:40 ATOI, 48.8 CF%, 48.9 xGF%, 66 GP)
A reliable checking winger with offensive limitations, the 30-year-old should have little trouble finding a spot, but he is a low-key signing based on style of play alone.
Oskar Sundqvist, RW, Minnesota (10 G, 18 A, 13:52 ATOI, 44.9 CF%, 46.1 xGF%, 67 GP)
Good size and Stanley Cup experience with the Blues in 2019, the 29-year-old can capably fill a depth role.
Eric Staal, C, Florida (14 G, 15 A, 14:14 ATOI, 50.4 CF%, 50.7 xGF%, 72 GP)
A decent season with the Panthers could keep the 38-year-old in the mix for another year.
Jonathan Drouin, LW, Montreal (2 G, 27 A, 14:54 ATOI, 46.9 CF%, 43.9 xGF%, 58 GP)
Enigmatic and skilled playmaker who could stand to be more aggressive around the opposition’s net. Will a team bet on the 28-year-old’s talent?
Michael McLeod, C, New Jersey (4 G, 22 A, 12:15 ATOI, 50.5 CF%, 50.5 xGF%, 80 GP)
The 25-year-old is a gritty fourth-line center who can’t score. He has 10 goals on 168 shots on goal in the past two seasons but is still worth a shot in a depth role.
Max Comtois, LW, Anaheim (9 G, 10 A, 13:49 ATOI, 42.5 CF%, 39.3 xGF%, 64 GP)
A 24-year-old with good size, and decent hands, Comtois has seen his play drop off for the past two seasons and now he will need a new opportunity somewhere else to get his career back on track.
Danton Heinen, LW, Pittsburgh (8 G, 14 A, 10:45 ATOI, 51.1 CF%, 53.3 xGF%, 65 GP)
After scoring a career-high 18 goals in 2021-2022, Heinen’s production tailed off last season. He turns 28 this summer and while he has limited upside, Heinen is a useful depth option.
Phil Kessel, RW, Vegas (14 G, 22 A, 12:49 ATOI, 45.8 CF%, 47.7 xGF%, 82 GP)
The reigning iron man in the NHL, Kessel said that he intends to play next season and it will be fascinating to see if a team is going to sign the winger whose production has dropped and who will be 36 when the puck drops next season.
Ryan Reaves, RW, Minnesota (5 G, 10 A, 9:19 ATOI, 45.2 CF%, 46.6 xGF%, 73 GP)
Reaves may not be among the most valuable free agents, but he’s a compelling character and the 36-year-old will have multiple suitors because NHL teams tend to think their problems can be overcome with toughness much more easily than they can be overcome by skill.