It's no secret that this summer's crop of unrestricted free agents leaves something to be desired. However, there are several combinations of player and destination that would still be compelling for one reason or another.

Some of the biggest names on the market, like Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci, and Jonathan Toews, appear destined to either remain with the only NHL teams they've ever played for or retire. But that doesn't mean there aren't any other intriguing potential scenarios.

Here's a handful of UFA signings we'd welcome, even if they may not be the most likely moves.

Avalanche scoop up Orlov

Dmitry Orlov won't come cheap, especially after he improved his stock with a strong stretch run for the Boston Bruins. But the talented blue-liner would surely entertain the possibility of joining the 2021-22 Stanley Cup champions and the likes of Cale Makar and Devon Toews on the back end.

Orlov is a left-shot defenseman. While Toews fills that role on Colorado's top pairing alongside Makar, the Russian could conceivably slot into the team's second pairing. Jack Johnson is the current lefty in that duo, but he's a 36-year-old pending UFA who's been one of the NHL's worst rearguards in recent years. Bowen Byram also shoots from the left side, but he played on the right when paired with Johnson in the top four.

The Avalanche will have $19.575 million in cap space when they put Gabriel Landeskog on long-term injured reserve for next season. Colorado has quite a few pending UFAs to consider re-signing, including forwards J.T. Compher, Evan Rodrigues, and defenseman Erik Johnson. But adding Orlov to the mix would make the Avalanche's must-watch group of defensemen even better and could be a move to get Colorado back to the championship round.

Oilers reel in Tarasenko

As fun as it was at times to watch Vladimir Tarasenko play with the various talented New York Rangers forwards, it would be even better to see him line up alongside one of the absolute best players in the league in Edmonton Oilers superstar Leon Draisaitl. The Oilers made it to the conference final two seasons ago and got bounced by the eventual champion Vegas Golden Knights in the second round this spring. They should continue to bolster Connor McDavid's supporting cast.

Specifically, the Oilers would be wise to upgrade at the RW2 slot currently occupied by Kailer Yamamoto, and it appears Edmonton is leaning toward moving the 24-year-old. That's where the Russian affectionately known as the "Tarasenk Show" comes in. The ex-St. Louis Blues playmaker will be 32 in December, and he didn't fill the net last season like he has in the past. But inserting him onto a line with Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins would be beneficial for all three players and enjoyable for fans to watch.

Edmonton will need to re-up young defenseman Evan Bouchard and consider bringing back several others. The club could also get back into the Erik Karlsson trade talks. However, Tarasenko to Edmonton is an appealing match if they can make the money work.

Pacioretty comes home to Canadiens

Max Pacioretty's future with the Carolina Hurricanes is uncertain, to say the least. The team has 15 pending free agents of various varieties to consider signing and only around $16 million available once Andrei Svechnikov's $7.75-million cap hit goes back on the books.

To be fair, Pacioretty's future in the NHL is uncertain as a whole, given that he's still recovering after tearing his Achilles tendon for the second time in five months in January. Still, how great would it be to see the former Canadiens captain return to Montreal on a one-year deal that could be the last contract of his career?

Pacioretty scored three goals in five games with the Canes before sustaining his second tear and was productive in his four seasons with the Golden Knights prior to that. No one expects him to regain his old form or even be healthy for the start of next season. But even if Pacioretty doesn't suit up until December or January, it would be fun to see the 34-year-old winger back in Canadiens colors while mentoring Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky.

Sabres snag Dumba

Dumba is still a relatively solid and experienced top-four defenseman despite injuries limiting him in recent years. The Sabres will be looking for more stability on the back end to allow Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power to freely quarterback the offense. Dumba could slot in with Power on the second pairing. His offensive game fell off last season, but he still averaged 21:16 of ice time. Only Orlov logged more among pending UFA blue-liners.

Dumba's expected goals for and scoring chances for percentages at five-on-five sat below 50% in 2022-23. However, his 4.92 individual expected goals in those situations ranked 39th in the NHL among rearguards - just behind the likes of Kris Letang, Rasmus Andersson, and Morgan Rielly. More reliable defensive defensemen like Scott Mayfield and Brian Dumoulin will likely be available in free agency. But those guys are older than Dumba and on the wrong side of 30.

The Wild defenseman certainly isn't perfect, but he's still only 28 years old. Locking him into a lengthy contract would be ill-advised, and there will likely be available rearguards with higher offensive upside than Dumba, like Orlov, Erik Gustafsson, and Shayne Gostisbehere. But again, they're all older than Dumba, who would better fit Buffalo's long-term vision as a team that's on the rise but not yet a Cup contender.

Kraken grab a Golden Knights goalie

The triumphant Golden Knights have a slew of decisions to make ahead of free agency, three of which involve goaltenders. Vegas has three pending UFA netminders in Adin Hill, Laurent Brossoit, and Jonathan Quick, and the Seattle Kraken have a rather glaring need at the position.

Philipp Graubauer's locked in with the Kraken through 2026-27 thanks to his regrettable contract. But Seattle should move on from pending UFA Martin Jones, who was one of the NHL's worst netminders in goals saved above expected and goals saved above average at five-on-five this past season.

Hill's agent recently said that he'd prioritize trying to get his client re-upped in Vegas. Still, the Kraken should make a play for the 27-year-old whose strong play this spring helped the Golden Knights win the Cup. If Seattle can't get Hill, Brossoit would be a decent consolation prize. There are undoubtedly better goalies on the market, but seeing Seattle land a netminder from Vegas would enhance the recent expansion teams' burgeoning divisional rivalry.

(Salary source: CapFriendly)

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Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith wholeheartedly believes Salt Lake City should be the NHL's next venture.

"I think, for a whole host of reasons, we're not only ready, but hockey would thrive here the same it has in Seattle and also in Vegas," Smith told The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun.

Smith has been in contact with commissioner Gary Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill Daly to express his sincere interest in bringing a team to Utah. The billionaire also raised eyebrows in April when he tweeted that bringing hockey to the state is "in motion."

A Salt Lake City NHL franchise could temporarily share Vivint Arena with the Jazz, a venue that Smith says can seat 14,000 for hockey events. The Los Angeles Kings have played preseason games at the venue numerous times since 2018.

It's unclear when the league may want to expand again after bringing in the Vegas Golden Knights and Seattle Kraken in recent years, but there could be a relocation fit with the Arizona Coyotes. The club's future is in limbo after its latest bid for a new arena failed, and Daly said earlier this month that the clock is ticking for the Coyotes to find a long-term solution.

Smith is adamant Salt Lake City is the answer.

"Everything is close," he said. "We're the fastest-growing state. We're the youngest state. You look at our Utah Jazz, we sold out like 240 straight games in the NBA with three different makeups of a team, right? The fans, when they go in, they go in. We're starting to see this massive movement toward in-person sports, and I think it's definitely on the rise, and I'm really intrigued with hockey."

He added: "From my standpoint, we have a huge opportunity to build something unique. And I think hockey is a big catalyst for that. I think we can create an experience that's both incredible for the NBA and for hockey."

Smith became the majority owner of the Jazz in 2020. He also bought Real Salt Lake of the MLS in 2022 along with New Jersey Devils and Philadelphia 76ers owner David Blitzer.

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Calgary Flames veteran Tyler Toffoli doesn't intend to sign an extension, reports Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli.

Toffoli is entering the final year of his contract, which carries a $4.25-million cap hit, and will hit unrestricted free agency in the summer of 2024. The Flames are likely to make the 31-year-old available for trade, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

The Flames have a glut of 2024 free agents whose decisions will likely shape the path of the organization. Elias Lindholm, Mikael Backlund, Noah Hanifin, Chris Tanev, and Nikita Zadorov are all also one year from hitting the open market.

Hanifin is reportedly likely to be traded this offseason, and Lindholm and Backlund are leaning toward not signing extensions, Seravalli indicated.

Tofolli, Lindholm, and Backlund were three of Calgary's four leading scorers this past season.

The Flames parted ways with general manager Brad Treliving and head coach Darryl Sutter after missing the playoffs this season. Calgary's disappointing campaign came on the heels of losing Johnny Gaudreau in free agency and trading Matthew Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers last summer.

At his introductory press conference, new Flames GM Craig Conroy said the club can't enter the season with seven UFAs. He vowed not to let another star player leave for nothing after the Gaudreau saga.

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Matt and Blake unpack all of Patrik Allvin's comments from Wednesday, including: the 11th overall pick, Elias Pettersson's contract, Brock Boeser's summer, Tyler Myers' standing and area in need of improvement, Ethan Bear's RFA status, the health of Tanner Pearson and Ilya Mikheyev and the work ahead this summer. Frank Corrado stops by with his thoughts on the Oliver Ekman-Larsson buyout, Boeser's summer training, Myers' play in his own zone, the merits of trading up from 11, and free-agent targets among defence. Rob Williams on trading up in the draft, the missing scoreboard at Rogers Arena, new names/faces for Canucks in-house content, and why Alex Mogilny wasn't a Hall-of-Fame snub in comparison to Pierre Turgeon.

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Can you believe it? The World Junior Championship is heading back to Ottawa, Ontario in 2025.

"We are thrilled that the IIHF World Junior Championship will return to Canada and our nation’s capital in 2025," said Pat McLaughlin, COO of Hockey Canada. "The bid that was submitted to host the World Juniors in Ottawa was exceptional, and we cannot wait for fans throughout Canada and the world to experience the celebration of hockey for themselves."

The Canadian Tire Centre, home of the NHL's Ottawa Senators, will be the primary venue and host 17 games, including both semifinals and medal games. The 9,000-seat TD Place, home of the OHL's Ottawa 67's, will serve as the secondary venue, hosting 14 games.

Ottawa last hosted the world juniors in 2009, when Canadian fans were blessed with one of the most thrilling games the event has ever seen. Trailing Russia 5-4 in the semis, Jordan Eberle scored one of the most iconic goals in tournament history, tying the game with 5.4 seconds left in regulation to force overtime.

Eberle also scored the shootout winner, giving Canada a berth in the final. The Canadians then dispatched Sweden 5-1 in the gold-medal game. John Tavares was named tournament MVP.

Halifax and Moncton played host to the 2023 tournament, which Canada won for the 20th time. The 2024 edition is taking place in Gothenburg, Sweden.

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The final point Connor Bedard tallied in his brilliant draft season was a fluke.

Bedard's Regina Pats faced elimination from the Western Hockey League playoffs when a teammate rebounded his shot from distance in a hectic scramble. Saskatoon Blades defenseman Tanner Molendyk deftly poked the puck in mid-air away from the goal line. Saskatoon's goaltender headed it backward into the net.

The assist was Bedard's 20th point of the opening-round divisional showdown. He bent the series to his will, though the Blades laughed last. They vanquished the Pats in Game 7 before a sellout throng of 14,768 fans at Saskatoon's SaskTel Centre.

"Playing in front of that loud crowd where the building felt like it was going to collapse, it was pretty fun," Molendyk said in a recent interview. "It was like an NHL feel."

The excitement was warranted. A destructive offensive force, Bedard does what he feels like when he handles the puck. Beyond him, his peer group is deep. Prospects from all over Western Canada could be picked in rapid succession next Wednesday night when the NHL draft gets going in Nashville.

Eight first-rounders taken in theScore's latest mock draft hail from the WHL. No other feeder league produced more than five. The best forwards in the batch are complete players who star in every phase of the game. Snipers, playmakers, and electrifying skaters are available further down the board.

The cohort's talent is prodigious. Five draft prospects - Bedard, Zach Benson, Riley Heidt, Andrew Cristall, and Koehn Ziemmer - finished in the top 10 in WHL scoring in 2022-23. Lukas Dragicevic's 27-game point streak is the longest ever authored by a WHL defenseman.

Netminders shine out west, too. Led by Carson Bjarnason, the Brandon Wheat Kings starter who stood tall in Bedard's division, four WHL goalies outrank the finest puck-stopper from Ontario or Quebec in NHL Central Scouting's North American rankings.

"It's a great time for the Western Hockey League," said Marty Murray, the retired NHL forward from Manitoba who is the Wheat Kings' head coach and general manager. "It was fun, but not so fun sometimes to be on the bench against those high-end prospects night in, night out. At the end of the day, it's a treat."

Bedard, an all-world shooter and hockey mastermind who turns 18 in July, was the main attraction in every rink the Pats toured.

The North Vancouver native produced more five-point performances (eight) than zero-point outings (five) during the regular season. His 1.25 goals per game - 71 in 57 - are the most in the WHL since 1991.

Fans worldwide know about his capabilities. Bedard dangled Slovak defenders at separate World Junior Championships to score off a sweet give-and-go sequence and net an overtime beauty in knockout play.

He's bound for the Chicago Blackhawks at first overall. Benson will be snapped up later in the night. The go-to scorer for the Winnipeg Ice, a league finalist this past season, is physically slight but also agile, elusive, feisty, and an advanced hockey thinker.

Benson influences the action loudly and subtly. He buried eight game-winners in his draft year, trailing only Bedard's 11. He one-upped the Pats prodigy in shorthanded goals (6-5). Benson is disruptive on defense - "He's got one of the best sticks I've seen in the 'Dub," Molendyk said - and savvy when he battles for possession.

"He puts his body in places that other guys don't. He'll bump you before he gets the puck. He'll do the little things that go unnoticed," Molendyk said.

"Even as a 15-year-old kid, we were really impressed with his two-way game," said Ice head coach James Patrick. "When the play changes directions, he stops on a dime and he's right back on his pursuit. The word 'fly-by' is not in his vocabulary."

Nate Danielson, co-captain of the Wheat Kings at 18 years old, is similarly attentive and effective everywhere on the ice.

Smooth on the move at 6-foot-2, the center from Red Deer, Alberta, takes big faceoffs, carries the puck gracefully, and has recorded two point-per-game seasons in Brandon. His coach says he's versatile and no-maintenance.

"I view him as a 200-foot center who can transport the puck. I think he's got an outstanding future ahead," Murray said. "(What) excites me is that he can be effective in a lot of ways on the offensive side, from speed to finesse to the power game."

Brayden Yager's explosive, pinpoint release helped him rack up 34 goals for the Moose Jaw Warriors in 2021-22. The Canadian Hockey League rookie of the year that season rounded out his game as a WHL sophomore, doubling his assist total to 50.

"He's got a shot that can beat goaltenders from anywhere. But he doesn't want to be thought of as a one-trick pony," Moose Jaw head coach Mark O'Leary said. "He talked an awful lot about being responsible in all three zones, where I could trust him to play in all situations, and being more of a playmaker. I think he showed both those things this year."

Over in British Columbia, Cristall's craftiness and creativity with the puck wowed Kelowna Rockets supporters. Samuel Honzek left Slovakia's top pro league to join the Vancouver Giants and showcased his motor, slick hands, and fast stride at 6-foot-4.

Heidt is a clever and nifty pure passer from the Prince George Cougars. He tied Bedard for the WHL assist lead with 72 by sensing openings before they materialized and teeing up Ziemmer, the power winger to his right, for blasts.

"He's got that passing deception. He can look guys off. It's a special skill set that he's got," Cougars head coach and GM Mark Lamb said.

"You don't get that many assists without having pretty incredible vision," said Yager, Heidt's former youth teammate in Saskatchewan. "I played with him growing up pretty much my whole life. Scored a lot of goals playing with him. He seems like he's able to find people all over the ice."

Defensemen in this WHL class get overshadowed, but two could be selected in Round 1.

Sparking offense is Dragicevic's specialty. He controls the puck calmly, is quick to jump into the rush, and can shoot or facilitate as the Tri-City Americans' power-play quarterback. Scouts argue his gap control and defensive awareness need refinement, but no draft-eligible blue-liner in the CHL racked up more points (75 in 68 games).

Molendyk throws crunching hits for the Blades and is impressively mobile. His production (37 points) undershot expectations, but his breezy skating unlocks offensive opportunities. Molendyk sidesteps forecheckers, scoots up ice in transition, and dances with the puck at the offensive blue line to open shooting lanes.

"He already skates at an NHL level. His edges are great. His lateral movement, overall speed, and agility is probably the best in the league that I've seen," Blades associate coach Dan DaSilva said.

Defensively, DaSilva added, "He's pretty physical. He shuts down plays fast. It goes back to his skating. The way he's able to close in on players, they think they have more time and space than they have, and all of a sudden he's right there in their face."

Once Chicago drafts Bedard, touted forwards from every hockey superpower will follow him off the board. Probable No. 2 pick Adam Fantilli is from small-town Ontario and stars for the University of Michigan. Massachusetts native Will Smith, Sweden's Leo Carlsson, and Matvei Michkov of Russia are comparably talented.

Western Canadian prospects could headline the rest of the round. The WHL has produced more high picks lately than the Ontario Hockey League and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. This year's group has a good chance to consolidate that advantage.

The WHL's identity has evolved over time. Skill abounds league-wide. Speed is emphasized more than it was in past decades. But coaches and players maintain that their particular brand of hockey remains gritty, tests the body and mind, and demands resilience.

Bus rides to faraway barns can crisscross four provinces and veer into Washington or Oregon. Certain WHL road trips take two weeks to complete. O'Leary said players appreciate that the schedule and weather are arduous: "They take pride in finding ways to be great regardless of the circumstance."

"It's a grind. I think that's pretty relatable to how it gets at the next level and the NHL," Danielson said. "Getting in late. That's something that helps all of us."

The style of play taxes a prospect, too. Skaters with different strengths can flourish out west if they're willing to pay a price.

"There's still room for the big, physical defenseman and the teams that play an intimidating style," Patrick said. "You go into Red Deer. You know it is going to be intense and it is going to be physical from the drop of the puck. I'd say the same in Lethbridge."

The Ice coach added, "When I think about a player like (Benson), he competes as hard as anyone. Plays with pace. You're going to go into those buildings, you know that they're going to target you. Get to the puck first, move it, keep your feet moving to not get hit, and then how do you battle to get inside?"

Western Canada is vast, and this prospect group's upbringings spanned the region. Molendyk was raised in scenic snowmobiling country in the 600-person British Columbian village of McBride. Danielson rooted for Ryan Nugent-Hopkins as a young Red Deer Rebels fan and spent untold daylight hours skating on a neighborhood pond with his older brother.

"There would be some days you'd have to run home in your skates. Your laces would be frozen, and we couldn't get them off," Danielson said. "That's really where it all started. A love and a passion for the game grew from there."

As kids, some prospects crossed paths with budding NHL greats. Leon Draisaitl, the Prince Albert Raiders' leading scorer in 2014, visited one of Yager's youth practices with teammate Josh Morrissey that year and handed the awestruck 9-year-old a stick.

"It's hung up in our garage," Yager said.

This year, everyone witnessed Bedard's excellence from up close. Entire crowds buzzed when he touched the puck and expanded his highlight reel. Coaches who fretted about containing his dazzling rushes still felt lucky to be part of the spectacle. Prince George hosted the Pats once and was fortunate to limit Bedard to a pair of snipes, Lamb said: "He could have scored 10 goals that night."

On Moose Jaw's nights off, O'Leary sometimes drove 40 minutes to Regina to take in Pats contests from the stands.

"You can do all the game-planning and talk about him as much as you want," O'Leary said, "but he's so good and so dangerous all the time. It doesn't matter whether he's killing a penalty or on the power play or anything in between. (To see him) score when there's seemingly nothing there, it's fun to watch as a fan."

Defending him is less enjoyable, but the Blades withstood Bedard's 20-point postseason barrage, delighting the SaskTel Centre faithful. When Saskatoon's playoff run ended, DaSilva raved over the phone about Molendyk's ferocity as a competitor and desire to handle the toughest matchups.

Being in the spotlight suits Molendyk, the coach said. At 18 years old, he's convinced Molendyk could take an NHL shift.

"Just by the way he skates, he'd be more than fine," DaSilva said. "I'm not saying he'd go out there and dominate or have five points. But with the way he skates, you'd notice him in an NHL game. You could put him on the ice even against some of the best players in the world."

Nick Faris is a features writer at theScore.

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The 2023 unrestricted free-agent class lacks the sexy headliners from past years. Still, the group features several middle-of-the-lineup type players who can be valuable commodities if placed in the right role.

Age - listed as of July 1, when free agency opens - factored into the order. We're not ranking them on the players they used to be; we're ranking them on the players they project to be moving forward.

Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci were excluded from this list since they would both likely retire before playing for any NHL team outside of the Boston Bruins.

1. Dmitry Orlov

Position: LD
Age: 31
Last team: Bruins
2022-23 cap hit: $5.1M

Orlov played some of the best hockey of his career during his brief stint with the Bruins after the trade deadline. Whether he returns to Boston or not, he showed he still has lots left in the tank as a top-pairing defenseman.

2. Tyler Bertuzzi

Position: LW
Age: 28
Last team: Bruins
2022-23 cap hit: $4.75M

Bertuzzi is just one year removed from producing 30 goals and 62 points in 68 games, so he has plenty more to offer than he displayed in 2022-23. He thrived in the postseason despite Boston's early exit, tallying five goals and five assists in seven contests.

3. J.T. Compher

Position: C
Age: 28
Last team: Avalanche
2022-23 cap hit: $3.5M

Compher made the most of his big workload last season, registering a career-high 52 points while driving play at both ends of the ice. He's set to cash in as one of the few established centers in this class in a perennial center-needy league.

4. Tristan Jarry

Position: G
Age: 28
Last team: Penguins
2022-23 cap hit: $3.5M

Jarry has been extremely consistent since establishing himself in the NHL over the last four seasons, making the ninth-most starts among goalies while posting a .915 save percentage.

5. Ryan O'Reilly

Position: C
Age: 32
Last team: Maple Leafs
2022-23 cap hit: $7.5M

O'Reilly may not be the Conn Smythe and Selke Trophy winner from 2019, but he can still play an extremely valuable role as a two-way middle-six center on a contender.

6. Ivan Barbashev

Position: LW
Age: 27
Last team: Golden Knights
2022-23 cap hit: $2.25M

Barbashev earned himself a lot of money with his exceptional postseason, recording 18 points in 22 games while being a physically-imposing beast.

7. Alex Killorn

Position: LW
Age: 33
Last team: Lightning
2022-23 cap hit: $4.45M

Killorn is aging like a fine wine, as he just set new personal bests for goals, assists, and points. He's also a strong two-way forward with a knack for getting under his opponent's skin.

8. Evan Rodrigues

Position: RW
Age: 29
Last team: Avalanche
2022-23 cap hit: $2M

Rodrigues has long been an analytics darling. But his strong underlying numbers finally translated to offensive production over the last couple of seasons, leading to a career-high 0.57 points-per-game mark in 2022-23. He's a quality second-line winger.

9. Ryan Graves

Position: LD
Age: 28
Last team: Devils
2022-23 cap hit: $3.167M

Graves moves pretty well for a player of his stature of 6-foot-5, 220 pounds. His underrated two-way game makes him a perfectly capable No. 4 defenseman.

10. Vladimir Tarasenko

Position: RW
Age: 31
Last team: Rangers
2022-23 cap hit: $7.5M

Tarasenko still has some game-breaking offensive ability in him, but he's become a defensive liability in recent years. Being on the wrong side of 30 with a lengthy injury history will raise red flags, too.

11. Michael Bunting

Position: LW
Age: 27
Last team: Maple Leafs
2022-23 cap hit: $950K

Bunting has the necessary hockey IQ, hands, and edge to his game to be a complementary top-six forward alongside two legitimate play drivers. But his lack of discipline can get him into trouble at times.

12. Jason Zucker

Position: LW
Age: 31
Last team: Penguins
2022-23 cap hit: $5.5M

Zucker's previous two campaigns were rough, but he picked the right time for a bounce-back season. He scored the second-most goals of his career in 2022-23 while bringing a new element of physicality to his game by racking up a personal-best 197 hits.

13. Adin Hill

Position: G
Age: 27
Last team: Golden Knights
2022-23 cap hit: $2.175M

Hill has never played more than 27 games in a campaign. However, his spectacular performance during the Golden Knights' Stanley Cup run (.932 save percentage in 16 games) has certainly earned him a sizeable payday.

14. Joonas Korpisalo

Position: G
Age: 29
Last team: Kings
2022-23 cap hit: $1.3M

Korpisalo has produced far more bad seasons than good ones in his eight-year NHL career, but he was downright superb in 2022-23.

15. Frederik Andersen

Position: G
Age: 33
Last team: Hurricanes
2022-23 cap hit: $4.5M

Anderson likely would've cashed in had he entered free agency after the 2021-22 campaign when he won the Jennings and finished fourth in Vezina Trophy voting. However, an inconsistent and injury-riddled campaign - a theme for him in recent years - will likely lead to a short-term commitment as a 1A or 1B option in a platoon.

16. Jordan Staal

Position: C
Age: 34
Last team: Hurricanes
2022-23 cap hit: $6M

Staal's 10-year contract has finally ended, but it's difficult to envision the Hurricanes captain leaving Carolina at this point in his career. He remains an excellent shutdown center, so there will be a market for his services.

17. Max Pacioretty

Position: LW
Age: 34
Last team: Hurricanes
2022-23 cap hit: $7M

*2021-22 stats

Pacioretty scored at a 40-goal pace the last time he was healthy. However, he was limited to five games in 2022-23 after tearing his Achilles twice in five months. It's hard to envision him being the same player after those two major injuries.

18. Patrick Kane

Position: RW
Age: 34
Last team: Rangers
2022-23 cap hit: $10.5M

Kane was given a four-to-six-month recovery timeline after undergoing hip resurfacing surgery in early June. Nicklas Backstrom underwent the same surgery last summer, and he looked like a shell of his former self this past season. Kane also has a lot of mileage on his tires, but the name value could still be tantalizing for some teams.

19. Scott Mayfield

Position: RD
Age: 30
Last team: Islanders
2022-23 cap hit: $1.45M

If the 6-foot-5, 220-pound Mayfield is paired with a strong skater and puck-mover, he can survive in a top-four role thanks to his size and defensive prowess.

20. Erik Haula

Position: C
Age: 32
Last team: Devils
2022-23 cap hit: $2.375M

Haula is a perfectly capable third-line center who's trustworthy in his own end and can chip in offensively.

21. Tomas Tatar

Position: LW
Age: 32
Last team: Devils
2022-23 cap hit: $4.5M

Tatar can still thrive as a middle-six winger in an offensive role. His underlying numbers have remained excellent over the years.

22. Brian Dumoulin

Position: LD
Age: 31
Last team: Penguins
2022-23 cap hit: $4.1M

Dumoulin is still solid defensively, although he may benefit from a less demanding role at this point in his career.

23. Shayne Gostisbehere

Position: LD
Age: 30
Last team: Hurricanes
2022-23 cap hit: $4.5M

Gostisbehere moves the puck well and can quarterback a top power-play unit. If he's used properly in a sheltered, offensive role, he can shine.

24. Matt Dumba

Position: RD
Age: 28
Last team: Wild
2022-23 cap hit: $6M

Injuries have taken their toll on Dumba, and he's not the player he used to be. However, he still has a lot of heart and plays bigger than his 6-foot, 181-pound frame.

25. Max Domi

Position: LW
Age: 28
Last team: Stars
2022-23 cap hit: $3M

Domi has been a defensive liability in recent years, but he's got an edge to his game and can create offense in a middle-six role.

26. John Klingberg

Position: RD
Age: 30
Last team: Wild
2022-23 cap hit: $7M

Klingberg is still gifted offensively and can run a power play. But he's a major defensive liability who needs to play sheltered minutes.

27. Connor Brown

Position: RW
Age: 29
Last team: Capitals
2022-23 cap hit: $3.6M

*2021-22 stats

A torn ACL in October limited Brown to just four games in 2022-23. When healthy, he's a hardworking two-way winger.

28. Radko Gudas

Position: RD
Age: 33
Last team: Panthers
2022-23 cap hit: $2.5M

Gudas is as mean and nasty as they come, making him a perfect third-pairing defenseman for a team looking to make a deep playoff run. He's underrated analytically, too.

29. Luke Schenn

Position: RD
Age: 33
Last team: Maple Leafs
2022-23 cap hit: $850K

Schenn was a solid safety valve for Quinn Hughes in Vancouver, and he performed even better in that role with Morgan Rielly in Toronto during the playoffs. He can thrive if he's paired with a premier puck-mover, though his minutes must be limited.

30. Jonathan Drouin

Position: LW
Age: 28
Last team: Canadiens
2022-23 cap hit: $5.5M

Drouin is in dire need of a fresh start after a turbulent ending to his tenure in Montreal. A deft playmaker, he could be motivated to produce on a one-year, prove-it deal.

31. Semyon Varlamov

Position: G
Age: 35
Last team: Islanders
2022-23 cap hit: $5M

Varlamov can still be the 1B in a platoon goalie setup or an overqualified veteran backup.

32. Antti Raanta

Position: G
Age: 34
Last team: Hurricanes
2022-23 cap hit: $2M

When healthy, Raanta is an excellent veteran backup netminder.

33. Carson Soucy

Position: LD
Age: 28
Last team: Kraken
2022-23 cap hit: $2.75M

A solid third-pairing defender who brings size (6-foot-5, 208 pounds), grit (143 hits), and the ability to play both sides.

34. Alexander Kerfoot

Position: LW
Age: 28
Last team: Maple Leafs
2022-23 cap hit: $3.5M

Kerfoot is a good defensive forward who can play center in a pinch but is best suited on the wing. His biggest flaw is his lack of finishing ability.

35. Pierre Engvall

Position: LW
Age: 27
Last team: Islanders
2022-23 cap hit: $2.25M

Engvall is 6-foot-5 and skates like the wind. However, his lack of intensity and physicality can frustrate coaches and fans alike.

36. Jesper Fast

Position: RW
Age: 31
Last team: Hurricanes
2022-23 cap hit: $2M

Fast lives up to his name, using his speed to serve as an effective, checking-line winger.

37. Evgenii Dadonov

Position: RW
Age: 34
Last team: Stars
2022-23 cap hit: $5M

Dadonov salvaged a poor regular season with a strong playoff run, racking up four goals and six assists in 16 postseason games.

38. Conor Sheary

Position: LW
Age: 31
Last team: Capitals
2022-23 cap hit: $1.5M

Sheary consistently bags 15-20 goals per season and is reliable enough defensively to play up and down the lineup.

39. Gustav Nyquist

Position: RW
Age: 33
Last team: Wild
2022-23 cap hit: $5.5M

Nyquist had a strong postseason, recording five assists in six games. He showed he can still produce if deployed in a sheltered, middle-six role.

40. Noel Acciari

Position: RW
Age: 31
Last team: Maple Leafs
2022-23 cap hit: $1.25M

Acciari knows his role and plays it to perfection. He's a heart-and-soul player who hits everything in sight and will block any shot.

41. Garnet Hathaway

Position: RW
Age: 31
Last team: Bruins
2022-23 cap hit: $1.5M

Hathaway is extremely physical, excellent defensively, and can occasionally chip in with a goal, making him an ideal bottom-six winger.

42. David Kampf

Position: C
Age: 28
Last team: Maple Leafs
2022-23 cap hit: $1.5M

Kampf is best suited in a fourth-line center role, although he can be a 3C if necessary. He won't generate much offense, but he can soak up tough defensive minutes.

43. Erik Gustafsson

Position: LD
Age: 31
Last team: Maple Leafs
2022-23 cap hit: $800K

Gustafsson's playing time was drastically reduced after a deadline trade to the Maple Leafs, with Toronto making him a healthy scratch in nine of 11 playoff games. But he still excels at moving the puck and quarterbacking a power play.

44. Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Position: LD
Age: 31
Last team: Canucks
2022-23 cap hit: $8.25M

Ekman-Larsson was a serviceable top-four blue-liner during his first season in Vancouver, but he fell off a cliff this past year. There's no question that injuries contributed to his decline. If Ekman-Larsson's fully healthy, he's an interesting buy-low option considering he'll be playing without the pressure of a mammoth contract.

45. Pius Suter

Position: LW
Age: 27
Last team: Red Wings
2022-23 cap hit: $3.25M

Suter posted great defensive metrics last season - both at even strength and the penalty kill - and has shown he can pot around 15 goals per year.

46. Miles Wood

Position: LW
Age: 27
Last team: Devils
2022-23 cap hit: $3.2M

A physical, north-south winger with some goal-scoring upside, Wood is an intriguing flier - even if his underlying numbers are suspect.

47. James van Riemsdyk

Position: LW
Age: 34
Last team: Flyers
2022-23 cap hit: $7M

Van Riemsdyk has slowed down with age. However, he can still find ways to score with his good hands around the net.

48. Cam Talbot

Position: G
Age: 35
Last team: Senators
2022-23 cap hit: $3.67M

Talbot didn't play well in 2022-23. But his save percentage never dipped below .911 in the three seasons prior, suggesting he still has value as a backup.

49. Justin Holl

Position: RD
Age: 31
Last team: Maple Leafs
2022-23 cap hit: $2M

Holl took a lot of heat in Toronto, though he's a serviceable third-pairing defenseman who excels on the penalty kill.

50. Connor Clifton

Position: RD
Age: 28
Last team: Bruins
2022-23 cap hit: $1M

Clifton is hitting free agency at the right time, as he's coming off a season in which he set career highs in games, points, hits (208), and blocks (120).

(Salary information: CapFriendly)
(Analytics sources: Natural Stat Trick, Evolving-Hockey)

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