The NHL’s break between seasons is gearing up to commence, succeeding another unforgettable Stanley Cup Playoffs. Following the Panthers’ consecutive triumph against the Oilers, all attention is fixated on South Florida.
Forwards Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand, along with defenseman Aaron Ekblad, are all preparing to become unrestricted free agents once the free agency window commences on July 1 at noon ET. Panthers’ general manager Bill Zito will likely strive to exert every effort to retain all three players if feasible.
In addition to the Panthers’ trio, Toronto Maple Leafs’ luminary Mitch Marner stands as the foremost prominent individual poised to be obtainable to the most generous bidder during free agency.
Marner and the Panthers’ skilled trio will assuredly not constitute the sole prominent individuals slated to enter the open market this summer. Let’s examine 10 of the most significant individuals accessible for NHL franchises to enlist on July 1.
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Austin Nivison
Mitch Marner (C, Maple Leafs)
Without question, Marner represents the ultimate prize of the 2025 free agency selection. Marner has been instrumental in shaping the talented assembly of forwards within the Toronto Maple Leafs in recent times, yet it seems practically inevitable that he will ink a contract elsewhere this summer. The star center optimally timed his performance to establish a fresh career pinnacle in points (102), amassing 27 goals and 75 assists to steer the Maple Leafs. Marner functions as a playmaker poised to substantially elevate an NHL franchise’s primary offensive unit in the upcoming season and further. He will unquestionably command the loftiest compensation package among all free agents in the open market, and with justifiable cause. The Vegas Golden Knights, Utah Mammoth, and Carolina Hurricanes stand out as teams that align favorably for the seasoned athlete.
The Mammoth are endeavoring to capitalize on an impactful initial season in Salt Lake City and cultivate fervor within a nascent market. Nevertheless, it remains challenging to anticipate the Golden Knights refraining from exhausting all avenues to secure a player of Marner’s distinction. This franchise consistently pursues ambitious acquisitions and will allocate resources to ensure efficacy. The anticipated surge in the salary cap could additionally exert influence, as Marner might opt to commit to a more abbreviated agreement, potentially favoring the Golden Knights. Prediction: Marner signs with Vegas Golden Knights
Sam Bennett (C, Panthers)
The accomplishments of the Panthers, marked by successive Stanley Cup victories, are undeniably extraordinary. Whenever a team attains the degree of triumph enjoyed by Florida, intricate choices must be rendered concerning the retention of their premier talent. Bennett, recipient of the Conn Smythe Trophy, will function as an unrestricted free agent and arguably the foremost desirable free agent accessible to the Panthers. Bennett showcased exceptional performance throughout the team’s Stanley Cup conquest, notably leading the NHL postseason with 15 goals. His adeptness at dominating strategic positions in proximity to the net remains unparalleled, while he additionally manifests a proclivity for directing the puck into the net.
Should Bennett entertain propositions from rival teams, he will emerge as a highly sought-after commodity in free agency. Ultimately, Bennett has genuinely unearthed an idyllic scenario in South Florida. With the Panthers exhibiting no indications of deceleration imminently, the organization will mobilize all available resources to sustain Bennett within their locker room. Prediction: Bennett re-signs with Florida Panthers
The Vancouver Canucks are encountering a moderate restructuring phase this offseason. Initially, forward J.T. Miller was exchanged for assets from the New York Rangers, and coach Rick Tocchet elected to leverage his proficiency with his prior team, the Philadelphia Flyers. Presently, Boeser might be altering residences as he gains eligibility for free agency. Boeser embodies a resourceful goal-scoring entity capable of locating the back of the net from virtually any location on the ice. Following a 40-goal campaign in 2023-24, Boeser did experience a decline in production this past season, yet he continues to project as one of the foremost attainable forwards in the market.
The Minnesota Wild align favorably for Boeser, given his Minnesota origins. Teams such as the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs additionally constitute logical destinations for the star winger. Should the Maple Leafs forfeit Marner during free agency, it would not prove surprising to witness them endeavoring to supplant that production among their top-six forwards with Boeser. Prediction: Boeser signs with Toronto Maple Leafs
Ehlers has devoted his entire 10-year career to the Jets, having been selected as the No. 9 overall pick in the 2014 NHL Draft. Ehlers has been a consistent generator of offensive output whenever he is on the ice. While he has encountered substantial periods of absence due to injury in recent years, he will likely remain near the zenith of numerous teams’ prospective acquisitions this summer. Ehlers might not function as a top-line winger at this juncture in his career, yet he embodies an exceptional addition to a team’s second offensive unit.
Ehlers will not command the level of financial commitment demanded by Marner or Bennett, thereby affording a favorable middle-ground value proposition for a contender. Should the Hurricanes forfeit Marner, Ehlers would constitute a dependable augmentation to their primary six forwards. The same rationale applies to the Mammoth, given their proximity to playoff qualification during 2024-25. Prediction: Ehlers sign with Mammoth
Brad Marchand (LW, Panthers)
While Bennett might have secured the Conn Smythe Trophy during Florida’s Stanley Cup campaign, Marchand proved equally crucial to the team’s postseason triumph. Marchand’s acquisition occurred mere moments before the trade deadline and ultimately constituted a monumental enhancement. The seasoned winger amassed 10 goals and 20 assists throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs, with six of those goals materializing in the Stanley Cup Final. Even at 37 years of age, Marchand vindicated his worth and would continue to represent an exceedingly compelling commodity in the open market.
The fundamental question concerns whether Marchand desires to depart from South Florida. He seemingly assimilated seamlessly with his newfound teammates, even escorting them to Dairy Queen throughout the postseason. Considering Marchand’s accomplishments with the Panthers, it proves difficult to envision the Panthers refraining from expending every conceivable measure to retain him in the Sunshine State. Prediction: Marchand re-signs with Panthers
Aaron Ekblad (D, Panthers)
It remains no secret that the Panthers will necessitate significant activity this summer following their championship victory. Ekblad, who has dedicated his entire 11-year career to the Panthers, is slated to transition into an unrestricted free agent. Ekblad has manifested as a rugged, physically imposing blue-liner throughout his tenure in Florida and represented an integral component of the team’s defensive corps during the postseason. While he might not conform to the mold of a Cale Makar or Zach Werenski from an offensive perspective, Ekblad can assuredly propel the puck into the net. He has amassed double-digit goal tallies in three of the preceding five campaigns and remains merely 29 years of age.
Following Florida’s Stanley Cup conquest, Ekblad articulated unequivocally that his aspiration involved remaining with the franchise. The Panthers will undoubtedly endeavor to exhaust all available alternatives and seek to re-sign Bennett, Marchand, and Ekblad. Retaining three players of that caliber, who will command comparatively substantial annual salaries, presents a formidable undertaking. Ultimately, I surmise that Bennett and Marchand could constitute the more paramount priorities, potentially culminating in Ekblad’s departure. The Red Wings could serve as a logical destination, considering that Ekblad retains considerable service life and could anchor Detroit’s nascent defensive foundation. Prediction: Ekblad signs with Red Wings
Tavares finalized an agreement with the Maple Leafs during free agency in 2018 and remained affiliated with the franchise for the duration of his seven-year contract. Tavares unquestionably experienced an inconsistent tenure in Toronto, yet he did accumulate 222 goals throughout his seven seasons with the team. At 34 years of age, Tavares persists as a highly proficient scoring threat, as evidenced by his 38-goal campaign this season. Tavares persists as a center capable of slotting into a team’s top six and generating output on a nightly basis.
It appears that the Maple Leafs harbor an inclination to reacquire Tavares on a diminished average-annual-value contract, yet no definitive agreements have materialized as of yet. Should Tavares elect to communicate with rival teams during free agency, he might depart from the Maple Leafs. Should a more youthful team aspiring to contend solicit his services, it would not prove exceedingly surprising if he elected to leverage his abilities elsewhere. Prediction: Tavares signs with Canadiens
While Ekblad is potentially regarded as the premier free agent defenseman, Gavrikov remains in close proximity. Gavrikov has invested the preceding two seasons with the Kings, following the franchise’s acquisition of him from the Blue Jackets at the 2023 trade deadline. The 29-year-old has evolved into an exceedingly formidable two-way defenseman over the course of his career, yet he will never inspire awe from an offensive standpoint. Gavrikov manifests exceptional durability, having logged a minimum of 72 games in each of the preceding four seasons.
It remains probable that the Kings will mobilize every conceivable measure to induce Gavrikov to remain in Los Angeles. After all, Gavrikov did register the second-highest point total (30) of his entire career this past season. As the Kings endeavor to advance beyond the opening round and potentially circumvent encountering the Oilers, Gavrikov would constitute a substantial component of that prospective success. Prediction: Gavrikov re-signs with Kings
Granlund emerged as one of the more undervalued acquisitions preceding the NHL trade deadline. Granlund demonstrated considerable productivity during the Stars’ playoff endeavor, notably amassing a hat trick performance against the Jets during Game 4 of their second-round series. The 33-year-old remains capable of compiling double-digit goal seasons and will likely function as a veteran presence coveted by a Stanley Cup contender.
Granlund encountered success in Dallas down the stretch, thereby precluding the dismissal of a reunion between the two sides. Nevertheless, a team such as the Carolina Hurricanes might align favorably, considering their top-heavy composition throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Granlund would afford Carolina dependable middle-six depth and bolster their capacity to contend with Florida in the Eastern Conference should they forfeit Marner. Prediction: Granlund signs with Hurricanes
At 37 years of age, Giroux might not embody quite the superstar forward that he once did, yet he will elicit a considerable degree of interest in the open market. The former Flyers luminary has devoted the preceding three seasons to his hometown Senators and has remained remarkably productive. Giroux persists as a highly proficient playmaker, as evidenced by his 50-point performance (15 goals & 35 assists) this past season. He additionally imparts a wealth of postseason experience to any team that secures his services.
The Hearst, Ontario native initially inked a contract with the Senators to compete in close proximity to home and even facilitated the franchise’s qualification for the Stanley Cup Playoffs this past season. With Giroux still lacking an extension in such close proximity to free agency, it might signify that the seasoned forward is contemplating testing the market. Should the Senators prove unable to retain Giroux, the Flyers could stand a chance of enticing Giroux back to the City of Brotherly Love. After all, Giroux was drafted by the Flyers and would serve as a phenomenal veteran voice within a youthful locker room. Prediction: Giroux signs with Flyers
