The NHL free agency period kicked off on July 1, with teams across the league making significant roster moves in hopes of improving their chances in the upcoming season. With over $1 billion worth of contracts signed or agreed to in just one day, teams took advantage of the rise in the salary cap to fill out their rosters. However, despite many top players finding new homes, there are still plenty of quality players available on the market.
One player that stands out as still unsigned is James van Riemsdyk, a 35-year-old forward who put up 38 points in 71 games for the Boston Bruins last season. He is a reliable scorer and brings a wealth of playoff experience, making him a valuable addition for any contending team. Another notable player on the market is Daniel Sprong, a 27-year-old forward who has put up solid numbers in the past two seasons and remains available for teams looking to add scoring depth.
Justin Schultz also stands out among the unsigned defensemen, with a history of offensive contributions and two Stanley Cup rings from his time with the Penguins. Despite initial flurry of signings in the first week of free agency, there are still 22 teams with significant salary cap space remaining. This presents an opportunity for teams to make more roster moves and improve their chances for success next season.
Among the best remaining forwards on the market are Tyler Johnson, Tanner Pearson, Filip Zadina, Dominik Kubalik, and Kailer Yamamoto. These players offer different skill sets and can help fill out any team’s lineup. On defense, players like Justin Schultz continue to draw interest from teams looking to add depth and scoring ability to their blue lines. Goaltenders are also available for teams looking to bolster their goaltending depth as well as other positions like center or winger that may be lacking quality players on some rosters.
With plenty of talent still out there on the marketplace, teams have options to improve their rosters as we approach midway through free agency period .