Watch as Danny Briere and the Flyers call upon the voice of boxing, Michael Buffer, to announce Jett Luchanko as the 13th overall selection in the 2024 NHL Draft.
Captains, Stanley Cup champs, top-pair defencemen, and elite scorers.
Yes, even with several franchise studs (Anze Kopitar, Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Sebastian Aho, Mark Scheifele, Connor Hellebuyck) and key support players (Noah Hanifin, Devon Toews, Gustav Forsling, Tom Wilson, Marcus Foligno, Mats Zuccarello, Dylan DeMelo, Nino Niederreiter, Jordan Eberle) signing pocket-padding extensions well before deadline and avoiding the stress of free agency, the NHL’s 2024 UFA class is an intriguing one.
And with the salary cap rising by $4.5 million — the first significant jump since the pandemic — those spendy general managers will have even more reason to splash the pot on this summer’s Johnny Gaudreau.
Here’s a rundown and ranking of hockey’s best impending unrestricted free agents, plus the latest buzz circulating about their future.
1. Sam Reinhart
Age on July 1: 28
Position: Right wing
2023-24 salary cap hit: $6.5 million
The latest: Like Nylander, Reinhart selected a fine season for the best one of his NHL life.
Already a 20-goal man seven times over, Reinhart was a beast in 2023-24, piling 57 goals, 94 points, and sniping the Cup-clinching goal in Game 7.
No wonder the Florida Panthers will take a serious run at extending the forward’s Sunrise days long-term.
“Sam has had a wonderful year, and I’m proud and happy for him,” Panthers GM Bill Zito told The Athletic in April. “Wonderful achievement. I think around 100 players all-time have (scored 50 goals in a season). But I know his focus is on winning. Sometimes the contracts take time. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. I believe we will find the right contract for Sam and the Panthers. If he wants to be one of the top 100 all-time scorers in the playoffs … that’s OK too.”
Reinhart is but one of 13 pending free agents on Zito’s roster, however, and RFA centre Anton Lundell also needs a raise.
The Cats have the flexibility to keep most of the band together, provided the core pieces are willing to take a hair less and fall under an internal cap.
The means Reinhart accepting less than leaders Aleksander Barkov ($10 million) and Matthew Tkachuk ($9.5 million). A winning culture, tax-free state, and balmy winter weather all help matters.
The man would stir a bidding war if he hit the open market, but Reinhart says he “absolutely” wants to stay put.
“That’s obviously the goal — that’s from both sides. We both made that clear. So, time will tell, but that’s option A for sure,” said Reinhart, whose extension talks should heat up now that the on-ice mission is accomplished.
Moments after hoisting Stanley’s mug, Reinhart reiterated: “I don’t want to leave. I want to be here. … This is the best place in the league to play.”
2. Jake Guentzel
Age on July 1: 29
Position: Left wing / Right wing
2023-24 salary cap hit: $6 million
The latest: Despite undergoing ankle surgery last summer, the dangerous winger is one of just three pending UFAs who averaged more than a point per game.
No wonder the Carolina Hurricanes were willing to trade Michael Bunting plus a package of prospects and high conditional picks for Guentzel’s services.
The market is rich for the two-time 40-goal man, with the L.A. Kings, Detroit Red Wings, Vancouver Canucks, and New York Rangers among teams interested.
New Hurricanes GM Eric Tulsky hasn’t given up hope to retain his star forward, however, as NHL insider Frank Seravalli reports the Canes proposed an eight-year, $64-million extension.
Sniper Patrik Laine’s contract ($8.7 million times four years) may be a suitable comparable for Guentzel, who is speeding toward a payday — be it from Carolina or elsewhere.
Age on July 1: 30
Position: Defence
2023-24 salary cap hit: $3.5 million
The latest: Much like teammate Reinhart, Montour had spent years elsewhere before finally finding his best fit with Florida, the new Stanley Cup champs.
And like Reinhart, Montour came into the season with zero protection or contract security, but all signs point to a willingness to extend a working relationship.
The offence-fuelling blue-liner enjoyed a career year in 2022-23 (16 goals, 73 points) that sprung almost out of nowhere.
Prudently, GM Zito was not in a rush to buy Montour stock on July 1, when it was at its highest. Instead, Florida’s front office chose patience, waiting to see how Montour’s shoulder responded from summertime surgery.
Late to get running, the right-shooting Montour didn’t light up the league again, but he’s been solid (eight goals and 25 assists in 66 games).
Montour was a warrior in the ’23 post-season. And puck-moving, right-shot defencemen in their prime aren’t exactly in abundance.
Zito took care of another pending UFA D-man, Forsling, first, signing him to an eight-year extension at a $5.75-million cap hit. Montour will ask for more.
“One day at a time. My goal is to try to keep the core together,” Zito said of Montour’s future on March 8. “At the same time, be respectful that you know people have to make individual decisions.”
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