Looking Ahead: 2023-24 Free Agent Frenzy Features Big-Time Talent

The NHL's offseason is in full bloom right now, and fresh off of a wild free-agent frenzy the calmness feels right at home. So far this summer, 170 players have signed contracts totaling a sum of approximately $672,975,000 paid out over 290 contract years. All but a handful of NHLers signed, the stage is mostly set for the 2022-23 season.

With this offseason largely concluded, I went ahead and looked at the names up for new contracts next summer. If you thought this summer was big, next summer is going to be insane. As it stands, there are currently 285 contracts set to expire after the upcoming season, including major stars.

Top Unrestricted Free Agents in 2023:

- Patrick Kane
- Nathan MacKinnon
- Jonathan Toews
- Ryan O'Reilly
- Joe Pavelski
- David Pastrnak
- Vladimir Tarasenko
- Max Pacioretty
- Matt Dumba
- Dylan Larkin
- Jonathan Huberdeau
- Bo Horvat
- J.T. Miller
- John Klingberg
- Tyler Bertuzzi
- Frederik Andersen
- Mackenzie Weegar
- Mackenzie Blackwood
- Ryan Graves
- Alex Nedeljkovic
- Damon Severson
- Dmitry Orlov
- Dylan Strome
- Erik Johnson
- Jordan Staal
- Jason Zucker
- Jonathan Quick

and 257 others...

Eleven months lie between now and 2023 free agency, so there is a high probability this list is cut in half by then. I would expect names like MacKinnon, Horvat, Larkin, O'Reilly and a few others to be signed before free agency. Even so, that is a lot of hockey talent, and we could possibly see a record-breaking amount of money spent on hockey players next summer. A number of high-end restricted free-agents will also need new contracts.

Top Restricted Free Agents in 2023:

- Timo Meier
- Mat Barzal
- Alex DeBrincat
- Pierre-Luc Dubois
- Jesper Bratt
- Jesse Puljujarvi
- Trevor Zegras
- Jamie Drysdale
- Alexis Lafreniere
- Jordan Kyrou
- Spencer Knight
- Troy Terry
- Tage Thompson
- Matt Boldy
- Cole Caufield
- K'Andre Miller
- Ross Colton

..and others. Same disclaimer, most of these players will likely re-sign with their current clubs before the summer.

Top names that I will be watching are Patrick Kane, David Pastrnak, Mackenzie Weegar, Damon Severson, and Dylan Strome among the UFA group. And Meier, DeBrincat, Bratt, Dubois, and Puljujarvi among the RFA group.

An exciting year of hockey awaits us. Filled with drama, the 2022-23 season will feature the rise and fall of some, jaw-dropping highlight reels, and an exciting offseason to cap it all off.

MUST READ

13 minutes ago  |  By Aaron Itovitch Canadian Team Unexpectedly Places 6-Foot-3 Enforcer on the NHL Waiver Wire

37 minutes ago  |  By Aaron Itovitch Elliotte Friedman Hints at Trade of 30 Million Dollar Defenseman to Canadian Team

3 hours ago  |  By Aaron Itovitch 900-Game NHL Veteran Likely to Retire After Refusing to Sign With Canadian Team

3 hours ago  |  By Aaron Itovitch Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving Addresses Struggling Player Nick Robertson in New Interview

6 hours ago  |  By Julien Trekker Terrifying Scene for Carolina Hurricanes Goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov as He Blacks Out on the Ice

19 hours ago  |  By Tom Banks Angry John Tortorella Calls Out One Flyers Player: Trade is Likely Per Elliotte Friedman

20 hours ago  |  By Tom Banks Quinn Hughes Ejected: Suspension May be Coming for the Reigning Norris Winner

22 hours ago  |  By Tom Banks Matvei Michkov Stuns With Crazy Quote in Post-Game Interview Following OT Winner

MORE STORIES