By far the most prestigious name among the players still available, Kane is unlikely to sign a new contract until the start of the season, his agent told Sportsnet. The future Hall of Famer is recovering from hip surgery on June 1. His recovery, estimated at four to six months, suggests a return to play in the first weeks of the calendar. If he fully regains form, the 34-year-old American can still provide (very) good serves, having just registered 57 points in 73 games during a campaign spent mainly with the poor Chicago Blackhawks.
We would have expected the Russian to find takers more quickly this summer. Yet he is still waiting. Postmedia journalist Bruce Garrioch revealed that the Ottawa Senators are very interested in the services of the former St. Louis Blues. A priori, his fate seemed linked to that of Alex DeBrincat, whom the Sens were actively trying to exchange. DeBrincat left a few days ago, but still no trace of Tarasenko in the federal capital. According to Garrioch, again, the Carolina Hurricanes would also try to attract the attacker; these, however, have less leeway financially.
A right-handed defenseman capable of amassing 40 to 50 points should theoretically cause a one-upmanship between the general managers of the NHL. If his name is Tony DeAngelo, it’s less obvious. For the second time in three years, the American has had his contract bought out after his bosses were unable to trade him. In 2021, the New York Rangers showed him the door; this time it was the Philadelphia Flyers who preferred to pay for DeAngelo to play elsewhere. For all his attacking talent, the 27-year-old defender has a painful defensive record and a reputation for not being a ray of sunshine in the dressing room. We can expect that, as he did with the Hurricanes in 2021, he will sign a contract at a discount.
Only 10 goalkeepers won more games (27) than Martin Jones last season. After three miserable years in San Jose and Philadelphia, the 30-year-old bounced back with the Seattle Kraken, posting an enviable 27-13-3 record that, in theory, should have secured him a job in 2023-24. However, general managers also look at other numbers, such as his goals-against average of 2.99 and his abysmal save percentage of .887, one of the worst in the league. It’s been five years since Jones stopped more than 90% of the pucks aimed at him. In 1983, we would not have made much of it. Forty years later, we are elsewhere.
A 50-point tally in 2017-18 made him a rich man. An injury suffered the following season, however, saw him lose his means offensively. At the Minnesota Wild, he lost his place on the power play and was even relegated to the second wave on the penalty kill. Who was a sought-after defender not too long ago has seen his star fade rapidly over the past few years. In this rather weak crop of free agents, one would nevertheless have expected him to sign a contract more quickly. Is it too greedy? Obviously, his next deal will be far from the 6 million he has earned on average for the past five years. This right-hander nevertheless played more than 21 minutes per game last season. He won’t be an orphan for long.
With 48 points last season, including 20 goals, Tatar should have found himself among the hottest strikers of the summer. This is obviously not the case. His case is intriguing. The last time he was a free agent, in the summer of 2021, he had to wait a few days before finding a new team. The 32-year-old Slovak would undoubtedly be more popular if the five-on-five game in the season was recognized as a specialty. In a very attacking club, he collected only four points on the power play. And as has often been the case in the past, he completely died out in the playoffs. This is a recurring problem for the one who, in his 35 playoff games with the Vegas Golden Knights, the Montreal Canadiens and the New Jersey Devils, has amassed only six points. He will find a job, but may have to make serious salary concessions.
The years pass, Jaroslav Halak remains. At 38, he still seems to have some good hockey in him, having given the Rangers 24 starts last season. However, the positions to be filled, across the league, are no longer numerous. For the first time in a long time, the veteran may have to resign himself to playing games in the American League if he does not find better than a third guard contract. Teams that rely on young assistants, such as the St. Louis Blues or the Chicago Blackhawks, could call on him if the experiences of training camp are not conclusive.
At nearly 39, Zach Parise came as no surprise when he said he was flirting with the idea of hanging up his skates. In his team’s end-of-season review, he was adamant that if he continues his career, it will be on Long Island, period. If he maintains this posture, the mystery could unravel on its own. The New York Islanders currently field 14 forwards on one-way NHL contracts. And their payroll slightly exceeds the current ceiling. A return of their veteran would therefore force them to mix up their formation. However, Parise has just signed two consecutive contracts at the minimum wage provided for by the collective agreement binding the league to its players. If he decides to play another season, he would certainly accommodate his employer once again. After collections of 35 and 34 points, the American showed that he still has gas in the tank.
The two center players would obviously have been in high demand had they wanted to test the market, but it is known that they will not play anywhere other than Boston. It just remains to be determined whether or not they will play one more season.
Theoretically, it’s available to all teams. But it smells like retirement to him.
At 38, 37 and 35, respectively, Eric Staal, Paul Stastny and Derrick Brassard obviously see the end approaching. However, the three still amassed between 20 and 30 points last season. Unless they hang up their skates, they could all land a trial contract at the very least.
Quality right-handed defenders don’t run the streets. Ethan Bear, 26, and Cal Foote, 24, are yet to live up to expectations, but it would be surprising if they were still out of work at the start of the schedule.
