The NHL offseason has begun following another thrilling Stanley Cup Playoffs. With the Florida Panthers having clinched their second consecutive championship by defeating the Edmonton Oilers, significant attention remains focused on South Florida.
Several key players from the Panthers roster, including forwards Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand, and defenseman Aaron Ekblad, are set to become unrestricted free agents when the market opens on July 1st at noon ET. It is widely expected that Panthers General Manager Bill Zito will make strong efforts to keep all three players if possible.
In addition to this prominent Panthers trio, Toronto Maple Leafs superstar Mitch Marner stands out as arguably the biggest name anticipated to be available to potential suitors in free agency this summer.
Marner and the talented Panthers players are certainly not the only marquee individuals who will be testing the open market. Let`s delve into ten of the most significant names expected to attract considerable interest from NHL franchises on July 1st.
Mitch Marner (C, Maple Leafs)
Without question, Marner is the top prize of the 2025 free agent class. He has been a cornerstone of the potent Toronto Maple Leafs forward group in recent seasons. However, it appears increasingly likely that he will sign with a new team this summer. Marner perfectly timed his career-best 102-point season (27 goals, 75 assists), which led the Maple Leafs, for his upcoming free agency. As a dynamic playmaker, he is poised to dramatically enhance the top line of any NHL team he joins next season and beyond. He is certain to receive the largest contract on the open market, and rightfully so. Teams such as the Vegas Golden Knights, Utah Mammoth, and Carolina Hurricanes are frequently mentioned as strong potential destinations for the star forward.
The Utah Mammoth are aiming to build momentum after a respectable first season in Salt Lake City and generate buzz in a new market. However, it`s difficult to envision the Golden Knights not pursuing a player of Marner`s caliber with aggressive intent. This franchise is known for making bold moves and will find ways to adjust their cap situation to accommodate him. The projected rise in the salary cap could also be a factor, potentially allowing Marner to sign a shorter-term contract, which might also benefit teams like the Golden Knights.
Prediction: Marner signs with Vegas Golden Knights
Sam Bennett (C, Panthers)
The Panthers` achievement of winning back-to-back Stanley Cups is truly exceptional. When a team reaches such heights, difficult decisions often arise concerning the retention of their top talent. Bennett, who earned the Conn Smythe Trophy for his outstanding playoff performance, is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent and is arguably the Panthers` most crucial free agent. Bennett was sensational throughout the team`s Stanley Cup victory, leading all players in the postseason with 15 goals. His remarkable ability to establish position and produce from the front of the net is second to none, and he simply possesses a keen sense for scoring.
Should Bennett explore offers from other teams, he will be a highly sought-after commodity in free agency. Ultimately, Bennett seems to have found a spectacular fit in South Florida. With the Panthers showing no signs of decline in the near future, the organization will undoubtedly make every effort to keep Bennett in their locker room.
Prediction: Bennett re-signs with Florida Panthers
Brock Boeser (RW, Canucks)
The Vancouver Canucks appear to be undergoing a period of transition this offseason. Forward J.T. Miller has reportedly been traded to the New York Rangers, and coach Rick Tocchet has apparently returned to his former team, the Philadelphia Flyers. Now, Boeser could also be changing addresses when he enters free agency. Boeser is a skillful goal scorer who can find the back of the net from various spots on the ice. After recording a strong 40-goal campaign in 2023-24, Boeser saw a slight decrease in production this past season, but he is still expected to be among the top available forwards on the market.
The Minnesota Wild are a very logical fit for Boeser, given his roots in Minnesota. Teams like the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs are also potential destinations for the star winger. If the Maple Leafs ultimately lose Marner in free agency, it would not be surprising to see them target Boeser to help replace some of that lost production within their top-six forward group.
Prediction: Boeser signs with Toronto Maple Leafs
Nikolaj Ehlers (LW, Jets)
Nikolaj Ehlers has spent his entire ten-year NHL career with the Winnipeg Jets since being selected 9th overall in the 2014 NHL Draft. Ehlers has consistently provided offensive production when healthy. While he has missed significant time due to injuries in recent years, he is still expected to be high on many teams` wish lists this summer. Ehlers may not be a first-line winger at this point in his career, but he is an excellent fit on a team`s second line.
Ehlers is not expected to command the same high salary as players like Marner or Bennett, offering a nice middle-ground value for a team looking to contend. If the Carolina Hurricanes are unable to sign Marner, Ehlers would be a solid addition to their top-six forward group. The Utah Mammoth could also be a good potential landing spot, especially considering they were close to the playoff race in 2024-25.
Prediction: Ehlers signs with Mammoth
Brad Marchand (LW, Panthers)
While Sam Bennett took home the Conn Smythe Trophy during Florida`s Stanley Cup run, Brad Marchand was equally essential to the team`s postseason success. Marchand was acquired just before the trade deadline and proved to be a tremendous addition. The veteran winger posted 10 goals and 20 assists during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, with six of those goals coming in the Stanley Cup Final series. Even at 37 years old, Marchand demonstrated his continued value and remains a very attractive player on the open market.
The key question is whether Marchand will want to leave South Florida. He appears to have integrated seamlessly with his new teammates, even reportedly treating them to Dairy Queen during the postseason. Considering the success Marchand has achieved with the Panthers, it`s hard to imagine the Panthers organization not doing everything within their power to keep him in Florida.
Prediction: Marchand re-signs with Panthers
Aaron Ekblad (D, Panthers)
It is well known that the Panthers organization will face significant decisions this summer after winning the championship. Aaron Ekblad, who has spent his entire 11-year career with the Panthers, is slated to become an unrestricted free agent. Throughout his tenure in Florida, Ekblad has been a rugged, physical defenseman and was a crucial part of the team`s defense during the postseason. While he may not possess the offensive skills of defensemen like Cale Makar or Zach Werenski, Ekblad can certainly contribute offensively, having tallied double-digit goals in three of the past five campaigns. He is also still only 29 years old.
Following Florida`s Stanley Cup win, Ekblad made it clear that his desire was to remain with the franchise. The Panthers will undoubtedly attempt to pull out all the stops and try to re-sign Bennett, Marchand, and Ekblad. However, keeping three players of that caliber, who are expected to command fairly high yearly salaries, is a very difficult task. Ultimately, I believe Bennett and Marchand might be higher priorities, potentially leading to Ekblad departing. The Detroit Red Wings could be a logical landing spot, as Ekblad still has plenty of tread on his tires and could provide leadership to anchor Detroit`s young defensive core.
Prediction: Ekblad signs with Red Wings
John Tavares (C, Maple Leafs)
John Tavares signed with the Maple Leafs as a free agent back in 2018 and remained with the franchise for the duration of his seven-year contract. Tavares certainly experienced an up-and-down tenure in Toronto, but he did accumulate 222 goals in his seven seasons with the team. At 34 years old, Tavares is still a very capable scoring threat, which was evident in his 38-goal season recently. He remains a center who can effectively slot into a team`s top-six forward group and produce on a nightly basis.
Reports suggest that the Maple Leafs have an interest in bringing Tavares back on a contract with a lower average annual value, but nothing has materialized yet. If Tavares decides to explore options with other teams in free agency, it is possible that he could leave the Maple Leafs. If a younger team looking to contend comes calling, it would not be a huge shock if he took his talents elsewhere.
Prediction: Tavares signs with Canadiens
Vladislav Gavrikov (D, Kings)
While Aaron Ekblad is likely considered the top free agent defenseman available, Vladislav Gavrikov is not far behind. Gavrikov has spent the past two seasons with the Los Angeles Kings after the franchise acquired him from the Columbus Blue Jackets at the 2023 trade deadline. The 29-year-old has developed into a very strong two-way defenseman over his career, although he is not typically known for significant offensive production. Gavrikov is notably durable, having played at least 72 games in each of the past four seasons.
It is likely that the Kings organization will make every effort to persuade Gavrikov to remain in Los Angeles. After all, he recorded his second-highest point total (30) this past season. As the Kings aim to make it out of the opening round of the playoffs and potentially challenge teams like the Oilers, Gavrikov would be a significant part of that potential success.
Prediction: Gavrikov re-signs with Kings
Mikael Granlund (C, Stars)
Mikael Granlund was one of the more underrated player pickups made prior to the NHL trade deadline. Granlund was very productive during the Dallas Stars` playoff run, including recording a hat trick performance against the Winnipeg Jets in Game 4 of their second-round series. The 33-year-old is still capable of compiling double-digit goal seasons and is likely to be a valuable veteran presence desired by Stanley Cup contenders.
Granlund found success in Dallas down the stretch, so a reunion between the two sides cannot be ruled out. However, a team like the Carolina Hurricanes might make sense, given how top-heavy they appeared throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Granlund could provide Carolina with solid middle-six forward depth, helping them compete with teams like Florida in the Eastern Conference if they miss out on signing a top name like Marner.
Prediction: Granlund signs with Hurricanes
Claude Giroux (C, Senators)
At 37 years old, Claude Giroux may not be the superstar forward he once was, but he is still expected to draw a considerable amount of interest on the open market. The former Philadelphia Flyers captain has spent the past three seasons with his hometown Ottawa Senators and has remained very productive. Giroux is still a very capable playmaker, which was evident in his 50-point performance (15 goals & 35 assists) this past season. He also brings extensive postseason experience to the table for any team that would acquire his services.
The Hearst, Ontario native originally signed with the Senators to play close to home, and even helped the franchise reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs this past season. With Giroux still without an extension so close to free agency, it could indicate that the veteran forward is considering testing the market. If the Senators are unable to retain Giroux, the Philadelphia Flyers could stand a chance of luring him back to the City of Brotherly Love. Giroux was drafted by the Flyers and would provide a phenomenal veteran voice in a young locker room.
Prediction: Giroux signs with Flyers
