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The 2023 NHL offseason is in full swing and a majority of the high-profile names have already signed new deals. However, it's never too early to look at next year's free agent cla s, especially after a weak one in 2023. There are plenty of big names that could be hitting the market in the summer of 2024, headlined by Maple Leafs stars Auston Matthews and William Nylander. Both could potentially sign extensions before the year begins or in Nylander's case, might be traded as he's priced himself out of Toronto's range. In addition to Nylander, there have been some players with one year left on their current deals that are in trade rumors, including Connor Hellebuyck, Mark Scheifele, Elias Lindholm and Noah Hanifin. Here is a look at the NHL free agency cla s of 2024. MORE: List of the top 30 NHL UFAs for 2024 There are some notable names at the top of the unrestricted free agent list, with a pair of Maple Leafs taking the top two spots. 1. Auston Matthews, C, Maple Leafs All eyes are on Matthews and the Maple Leafs. The sniping center is one of the best goal scorers in the league, scoring at least 30 goals in every season, hitting 40 five times and potting 60 once. He is currently one of the highest-paid players, and there have been reports that Matthews and the Leafs have already discu sed a contract extension. 2. William Nylander, RW, Maple Leafs Another Leaf tops the 2024 free agent cla s. Nylander has been one of the best top-six wingers over the last few seasons and one of the Dillon Bell Jersey only consistent playoff performers for Toronto. Nylander's camp and the Leafs reportedly "are not close", and that could mean the Swede is traded at some point before hitting free agency. 3. Sebastian Aho, C, Hurricanes The Hurricanes haven't had a "big-name" star in a few years, but Aho plays like one, just without the recognition. The Finn is one of the best, two-way centers in the NHL and has been the driving force behind the Canes' offense for a few seasons now. Carolina has a history of not ponying up to pay its top players, but I don't see that being the case with Aho. 4. Connor Hellebuyck, G, Jets Without a doubt, the best goalie available next summer will be Hellebuyck ... if he hits free agency. The towering netminder might want out of Winnipeg, and it's likely wherever he ends up, he'll sign an extension. Hellebuyck was a Vezina finalist in 2022-23 and won the honor in 2020. He's without a doubt a top-five goaltender in the league. (Getty Images) 5. Steven Stamkos, C, Lightning The heart and soul of the Lightning for over a decade, Stamkos is in need of a new contract next summer. He's overcome the injuries from earlier in his career and remains an elite offensive weapon with one of the best one-timers. It's hard to see the Lightning letting their captain walk. 6. Jake Guentzel, LW, Penguins Guentzel gets overlooked on the Penguins due to the other star players surrounding him, but the 29-year-old has been one of the best top-six wingers since entering the league, however just under a point-per-game rate in his career. He's a pure scoring winger who can threaten to hit 40 goals every year. 7. Mark Scheifele, C, Jets Like Hellebuyck, Scheifele is a current Jet who is likely on the move before next summer. The center is a solid, two-way player who hit 40 goals in a season for the first time last year. Scheifele is a bonafide No. 1 center, who will be an attractive option if he hits the open market. 8. Elias Lindholm, C, Flames Lindholm is one of the more underrated, defensive centers in the league. He's going to be a candidate every year to make a run at the Selke. The Flames want to lock him up long-term, but it's unclear if Lindholm wants to remain in Calgary. 9.Tyler Bertuzzi, LW, Maple Leafs Bertuzzi thought he was cashing in this summer, but with teams strapped for cash, the winger elected to bet on himself and sign a one-year deal with the Maple Leafs. The pesky wing is a top-six scorer and playmaker with a knack for getting under opponents' skin. 10. Noah Hanifin, D, Flames Hanifin is arguably the top defenseman that is going to hit the market next season. The 27-year-old is a steady, top-four blue liner who is a decent contributor at 5 on 5. He's a solid option to quarterback a team's second power play unit. NHL Free Agents 2024, ranked RANK PLAYER TEAM POSITION AGE No. 1 Auston Matthews Toronto Maple Leafs C 26 No. 2 William Nylander Toronto Maple Leafs RW 28 No. 3 Sebastian Aho Carolina Hurricanes C 26 No. 4 Connor Hellebuyck Winnipeg Jets G 30 No. 5 Steven Stamkos Tampa Bay Lightning C 33 No. 6 Jake Guentzel Pittsburgh Penguins LW 29 No. 7 Mark Scheifele Winnipeg Jets C 31 No. 8 Elias Lindholm Calgary Flames C 29 No. 9 Tyler Bertuzzi Toronto Maple Leafs LW 28 No. 10 Noah Hanifin Calgary Flames D 27 No. 11 Joe Pavelski Dallas Stars RW 39 No. 12 Brandon Montour Florida Panthers D 30 No. 13 Tyler Toffoli New Jersey Devils G 32 No. 14 Devon Toews Colorado Avalanche D 30 No. 15 Chandler Stephenson Vegas Golden Knights C 30 No. 16 Jake DeBrusk Boston Bruins LW 27 No. 17 Brett Pesce Carolina Hurricanes D 29 No. 18 Mats Zuccarello Minnesota Wild RW 36 No. 19 Sam Reinhart Florida Panthers RW 28 No. 20 Jonathan Marche sault Vegas Golden Knights RW 33 No. 21 Matt Duchene Dallas Stars C 33 No. 22 Gustav Forsling Florida Panthers D 28 No. 23 Viktor Arvid son Los Angeles Kings RW 31 No. 24 Shayne Gostibehere Detroit Red Wings D 31 No. 25 Mikael Backlund Calgary Flames C 35 No. 26 Ryan Hartman Minnesota Wild C 29 No. 27 Teuvo Teravainen Carolina Hurricanes LW 29 No. 28 Jordan Eberlie Seattle Kraken RW 34 No. 29 David Perron Detroit Red Wings RW 36 No. 30 Jack Roslovic Columbus Blue Jackets C 27 List of the top 15 NHL RFAs for 2023 Looking at the restricted free agents, it's a plethora of young, budding stars. Some players will get bridge deals, contracts with shorter terms that will expire when they are UFAs, giving them more flexibility with their next deal. Others will sign long-term extensions with their current teams. The two most notable names on this list are Elias Petter son and Rasmus Dahlin, both of which are expected to cash in on long-term extensions, as the two have become centerpieces for their respective clubs. RANK PLAYER TEAM POSITION AGE No. 1 Elias Petter son Vancouver Canucks C 25 No. 2 Rasmus Dahlin Buffalo Sabres D 24 No. 3 Matty Beniers Seattle Kraken C 21 No. 4 Martin Necas Carolina Hurricanes RW 25 No. 5 Moritz Seider Detroit Red Wings D 23 No. 6 Carter Hart Philadelphia Flyers G 25 No. 7 Owen Power Buffalo Sabres D 21 No. 8 Ryan Lindgren New York Rangers D 26 No. 9 Dawson Mercer New Jersey Devils RW 22 No. 10 Seth Jarvis Carolina Hurricanes RW 22 No. 11 Brandon Hagel Tampa Bay Lightning LW 25 No. 12 Lucas Raymond Detroit Red Wings RW 22 No. 13 Casey Mittelstadt Buffalo Sabres LW 25 No. 14 Owen Tippett Philadelphia Flyers RW 25 No. 15 Anton Lundell Florida Panthers C 22 Gabe Harris Jr. Jersey |
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