Predicting where the most intriguing UFAs land

The 2024 class of unrestricted free agents may be lacking a surefire superstar talent, but it more than makes up for it with its depth. Several of these players will be looking to cash in with long-term deals as the salary cap makes its first significant jump since the pandemic.

With free agency opening Monday, we take out our crystal ball and predict where the most notable UFAs end up. The order of each player's appearance on the list is based on their predicted average annual value.

Ages as of Oct. 10 (the start date of last season).

Editor's note: Sam Reinhart (Panthers), Jake Guentzel (Lightning), and Patrick Kane (Red Wings) were removed from the list after reportedly signing deals before the market opened.

Brady Skjei

Age: 30
Position: LD
Prediction : Signs with Predators on 7-year deal with $8M AAV

The Predators have the most cap space of any team that made the 2024 playoffs. They could desperately use some help up front, but finding a replacement for Ryan McDonagh on the second pairing is also a big need. Skjei is the most complete defenseman in the class. He could handle tough matchups on the second pairing and help ease captain Roman Josi's burden.

Steven Stamkos Mark LoMoglio / National Hockey League / Getty

Age: 34
Position: LW/RW/C
Prediction : Signs with Red Wings on 3-year deal with $7.5M AAV

Even after clearing cap space Saturday, GM Julien BriseBois said Stamkos will test the open market. If the Lightning strike out on Guentzel, perhaps they circle back to Stamkos, but we don't see that happening in this universe.

Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman clearly has something up his sleeve after paying a second-round pick to get Jake Walman's contract off the books. It was Yzerman who convinced Stamkos to stay in Tampa Bay eight years ago. Could he convince him to come to Detroit and help the Red Wings get over the hump? It's possible.

Brandon Montour

Age: 30
Position: RD
Prediction : Signs with Kraken on 5-year deal with $7M AAV

The Kraken have money to spend, and while adding scoring punch up front might be a more pressing need, Montour - one year removed from a 73-point campaign - is the best offensive defenseman in the class. Vince Dunn and Adam Larsson are a mainstay top pairing, but Montour would fit nicely with the towering Jamie Oleksiak to round out a stellar top four on defense.

Elias Lindholm

Age: 29
Position: C
Prediction : Signs with Bruins on 6-year deal with $6.5M AAV

The Bruins have had a gaping hole down the middle of the ice since Patrice Bergeron retired. Nobody can replace a franchise icon of Bergeron's ilk, but Lindholm boasts several similar qualities - right-handed, good two-way game, can play the bumper on the power play. After a down year split between the Flames and Canucks, Lindholm joins the Bruins at a perceived discount. There's a chance he can thrive in Jim Montgomery's system alongside David Pastrnak and/or Brad Marchand.

Jonathan Marchessault David Becker / NHL / Getty Images

Age: 33
Position: RW/LW
Prediction : Re-signs with Golden Knights on 4-year deal with $6.5M AAV

Marchessault could probably get a higher AAV elsewhere on the open market after a career-high 42-goal season, but the Day 1 Golden Knight opts to stay in Vegas with the help of an extra year of term.

Brett Pesce

Age: 29
Position: RD
Prediction : Signs with Devils on 6-year deal with $6M AAV

The Devils have holes on their blue line after trading away Kevin Bahl and John Marino this offseason. They reportedly cleared cap space in an attempt to target Pesce, and it makes sense. Pesce could serve as a rock-solid, steady presence on the right side of a pair with young phenom Luke Hughes.

Matt Roy

Age: 29
Position: RD
Prediction : Signs with Ducks on 5-year deal with $6M AAV

The longtime Los Angeles Kings defender takes the short drive down the coast to join Anaheim, who have deeper pockets and outbid its in-state rivals. The Ducks' blue line is full of youthful left-handed options with Pavel Mintyukov and Olen Zellwerger, and veteran Cam Fowler is still under contract for a couple more years. But bringing in Roy would give them another option - in addition to Radko Gudas - to play tough minutes on the right side.

Teuvo Teravainen Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty

Age: 30
Position: LW/RW
Prediction : Signs with Predators on 5-year deal with $6M AAV

The Predators would surely feel pretty good with themselves if they're able to leave free agency with a pair of former Hurricanes in Skjei and Teravainen. "Turbo" can play high in the lineup in an offensive role or lower on a shutdown line, and can help both the power play and the penalty kill. A versatile, responsible player like Teravainen seems to be the kind of guy GM Barry Trotz would covet.

Tyler Toffoli

Age: 32
Position: RW/LW
Prediction : Signs with Kings on 4-year deal with $6M AAV

Toffoli started his career in L.A. Could he end it there, too? The fit makes sense. The Kings need to replace some offense up front after losing Pierre-Luc Dubois and, potentially, Viktor Arvidsson, who's a pending UFA. Toffoli is coming off back-to-back 30-goal seasons and would bring good vibes to the dressing room as a member of L.A.'s 2014 Cup-winning team.

Sean Monahan

Age: 29
Position: C
Prediction : Signs with Blue Jackets on 4-year deal with $5.5M AAV

The Blue Jackets need to find a way to get Johnny Gaudreau going, as that seven-year investment has not paid off after two seasons. So why not bring in his former running mate in Calgary? Monahan's time with the Flames didn't end well, as he dealt with injuries. But he's healthy now and coming off a stellar 26-goal, 59-point season. Could he and Gaudreau recapture their magic in Columbus? The Jackets could use a veteran, top-six forward.

Nikita Zadorov

Age: 29
Position: LD
Prediction : Signs with Maple Leafs on 5-year deal with $5M AAV

Toronto still needs another top-four defenseman, even after acquiring Chris Tanev's rights on Saturday. GM Brad Treliving tried to acquire both Tanev and Zadorov during the regular season, as he knows both from his days in Calgary. Treliving also covets size and nastiness on the blue line, and the 6-foot-6, 248-pound Zadorov brings exactly that. Zadorov, coming off a strong postseason with the Canucks in which he became a favorite among the media for his soundbites, seems built for the spotlight in Toronto.

Jake DeBrusk

Age: 27
Position: LW/RW
Prediction : Signs with Canucks on 1-year, $5M deal

The Canucks strike out on Guentzel, but get a pretty intriguing consolation prize in DeBrusk, one of the youngest UFAs available. DeBrusk could certainly get a longer-term deal if he wants, but it wouldn't be shocking if he looked to rebuild his value after a down year, then cash in big time in 2025. DeBrusk has reached the 25-goal mark three times in his career, but he could easily pot 30-plus playing in Vancouver alongside Elias Pettersson or J.T. Miller.

It's worth noting that DeBrusk's father, Louie, was teammates with Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet for two seasons with the then-Phoenix Coyotes.

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