Charles Dickens opened “A Tale of Two Cities” with: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness” – currently what the hockey world calls, free agency.
Some of the biggest names in the game will be available come 12 p.m. ET on July 1 as unrestricted free agents. Where they’ll land is anyone’s guess, but the salary cap rising only $2 million to $81.5 million does impact who can reel in a big fish and who will net a group of minnows.
NHL FREE AGENCY 2019: Complete list of all 31 teams’ RFAs, UFAs
Already off the list is one of the biggest fish of them all in defenseman Erik Karlsson, who signed a mega-contract – eight-year, $92 million – to stay in San Jose. Philadelphia also concluded a trade-and-sign with Kevin Hayes, reuniting the forward with his former head coach Alain Vigneault.
As for the restricted free agents, will we see the first offer sheet since 2013? The list of players available consists of the superstars of today and tomorrow – especially in Mitch Marner, Jordan Binnington, Brayden Point and Mikko Rantanen. The only question is whether or not a GM will risk their next four first-round draft picks for one of these surefire stars.
Sporting News has all the top free agent signings for you right here.
NHL free agency tracker: Full list of signings in 2019
Top 50 UFA players available
Player Pos. 2018-19 team(s) 2019-20 team
1. Artemi Panarin LW Blue Jackets Rangers (7 years, $81.5 million)
2. Matt Duchene C Senators/Blue Jackets Predators (7 years, $56 million)
3. Sergei Bobrovsky G Blue Jackets Panthers (7 years, $70 million)
4. Joe Pavelski C Sharks Stars (3 years, $21 million)
5. Corey Perry RW Ducks Stars (1 year, $1.5 million)
6. Robin Lehner G Islanders Blackhawks (1 year, $5 million)
7. Wayne Simmonds RW Flyers/Predators Devils (1 year, $5 million)
8. Mats Zuccarello LW Rangers/Stars Wild (5 years, $30 million)
9. Marcus Johansson LW Devils/Bruins Sabres (2 years, $9 million)
10. Gustav Nyquist C Red Wings/Sharks Blue Jackets (4 years, $22 million)
11. Tyler Myers D Jets Canucks (5 years, $30 million)
12. Jake Gardiner D Maple Leafs
13. Anders Lee LW Islanders Islanders (7 years, $49 million)
14. Ryan Dzingel C Senators/Blue Jackets Hurricanes (2 years, $6.75 million)
15. Anton Stralman D Lightning Panthers (3 years, $16.5 million)
16. Micheal Ferland LW Hurricanes Canucks (4 years, $14 million)
17. Patrick Marleau C Maple Leafs
18. Semyon Varlamov G Avalanche Islanders (4 years)
19. Joe Thornton C Sharks
20. Petr Mrazek G Hurricanes Hurricanes (2 years, $6.25M)
21. Brett Connolly RW Capitals Panthers (4 years, $13 million)
22. Brandon Tanev LW Jets Penguins (6 years, $21 million)
23. Brian Boyle C Devils/Predators
24. Cam Talbot G Oilers/Flyers Flames (1 year, $2.75 million)
25. Justin Williams RW Hurricanes
26. Dion Phaneuf D Kings
27. Valeri Nichushkin RW Dallas Stars
28. Ron Hainsey D Maple Leafs Senators (1 year, $3.5 million)
29. Derick Brassard C Penguins/Panthers/Avalanche
30. Pat Maroon LW Blues
31. Valtteri Filppula C Islanders Red Wings (2 years, $6 million)
32. Joonas Donskoi RW Sharks Avalanche (4 years, $15.6 million)
33. Jason Spezza C Stars Maple Leafs (1 year, $700,000)
34. Mike Smith G Flames Oilers (1 year, $2 million)
35. Curtis McElhinney G Hurricanes Lightning (2 years, $2.6 million)
36. Andrej Sekera D Oilers Stars (1 year, $1.5 million)
37. Tyler Ennis LW Maple Leafs Senators (1 year, $800,000)
38. Deryk Engelland D Golden Knights Golden Knights (1-year, $700,000)
39. Noel Acciari C Bruins Panthers (3 years, $5 million)
40. Nathan Beaulieu D Sabres/Jets Jets (1 year, $1 million)
41. Thomas Vanek LW Red Wings
42. Luke Schenn D Ducks/Canucks Lightning (1 year, $700,000)
43. Pierre-Edouard C Golden Knights Avalanche (2 years, $3.6 million)
44. Riley Sheahan C Penguins/Panthers
45. Richard Panik RW Coyotes Capitals (4 years, $11 million)
46. Gregg McKegg C Hurricanes Rangers (1 year, $750,000)
47. Ryan Hartman RW Predators/Flyers Wild (2 years, $3.8 million)
48. Jason Pominville RW Sabres
49. Keith Kinkaid G Devils/Blue Jackets Canadiens (1 year, $1.75 million)
50. Michael Del Zotto D Blues Ducks (1 year, $750,000)
Top 20 RFA players available(next page)
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