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The free NHL agency starts tomorrow. The food frenzy, however, has already begun. Kris Letang (Pittsburgh), Filip Forsberg (Nashville), Marc-Andre Fleury (Minnesota) and Valeri Nichushkin (Colorado) are among the key players who have signed new contracts to stay with their teams. Toronto and Ottawa made a major change yesterday that sent goalkeeper Matt Murray to the Leafs. The move and treatment in last week’s draft included the disembarkation of Chicago Senators Alex DeBrincat’s 40-goal double scorer.
And these are just snacks. Here’s a look at some of the big unrestricted free agents who are expected to be on the table when the signing period opens Wednesday at noon ET:
Johnny Gaudreau: The tiny Calgary winger bet a lot on himself playing the final year of his contract instead of taking the security of a long-term deal. Now 28-year-old Gaudreau is on the verge of taking advantage after scoring his career highs in points (115) and goals (40) to finish second in the scoring race behind Connor McDavid. Calgary have another star hitting free agency Matthew Tkachuk, but his restricted status means the Flames have the power to match any offer made to the 42-goal young striker.
Nazem Kadri: The two-way center-back comes from an outstanding year that saw him score 87 points, the best of his career (in just 71 games) and win his first Stanley Cup. Colorado could let 31-year-old Kadri walk in as they just handed Nichushkin a big eight-year contract and might want to keep free agent striker Andre Burakovsky and defender Josh Manson in the fold.
Evgeni Malkin: Sidney Crosby’s teammate for three Stanley Cup championships is testing free agency for the first time after 15 seasons in Pittsburgh. In a couple of weeks Malkin’s 36th birthday will be approaching, he has always had trouble staying healthy and averaged less than one point per game over the past two seasons. But the former MVP and two-time goal-scoring champion could still make a splash for a contender who understands how to handle his workload and keep him fresh for a playoff.
Evander Kane: Given his inconsistency on the ice and his countless problems, including an admitted gambling problem, allegations of abuse by his separated wife (which an NHL investigation concluded were unfounded) and a 21-match suspension for presenting a fake COVID- Vaccination Card 19: Kane is unlikely to ever reach another long-term deal. But teams could be tempted by the 30-year-old’s performance in this year’s playoffs, where he scored 13 goals in 15 games for an Edmonton team that took a risk in late January after San Jose left him. cut down.
Claude Giroux: At 34, the former Philadelphia star is pretty far from her best days. But he racked up 23 points in 18 regular-season games after being traded to Florida and was the team’s second top scorer in the playoffs. The Panthers may be looking to change things, however, after suffering a humiliating second-round sweep at the hands of Tampa Bay.
John Klingberg: The best defender on the market had 47 points in 74 games with Dallas last season. It may not seem like much, but reliable defenders who can contribute offensively have proven to be irresistible to thirsty GMs. Teams in need of Blueliner that are lost or unable to pay Klingberg could turn to Nick Leddy of St. Louis. Louis, Josh Manson of Colorado or PK Subban of New Jersey.
Darcy Kuemper: With Marc-Andre Fleury opting to stay in Minnesota, Kuemper is probably the best goalkeeper on the market after helping Colorado in the Stanley Cup. Teams that can’t get it could go for Jack Campbell, whose days in Toronto seem numbered after yesterday’s change for Matt Murray. Read more about some of the best players available at the free NHL agency here.