NHL Free Agency: The Top 20 Names To Keep An Eye On

NHL free agency is just a day away with Wednesday being the first day the market to sign free agents opens up. Expect a hectic July 13th starting at noon ET as different teams look to acquire some players to benefit their team for the future.

There are a lot of names to keep an eye on when free agency starts, and we want to tell you about 20 important players to watch. Any of these 20 NHL players could be picking the future Stanley Cup Champion with their decision to sign with a certain franchise.

So without further ado let’s talk about the top 20 free agents to keep an eye on.

1. Johnny Gaudreau

Johnny Gaudreau is definitely going to have a big day when free agency rolls around on Wednesday. Gaudreau put up 115 points this past season and is expected to sign with a team trying to win a championship. Gaudreau will be 29 when next season starts and this is definitely is opportunity to get a big contract.

2. Claude Giroux

Things did not work out for Claude Giroux in Florida. He went to win a Stanley Cup but is coming back without a championship. Giroux is definitely going to be careful when it comes to picking his new team. He is going to want to sign with a franchise close to winning a championship.

3. Nazem Kadri

Nazem Kadri is going to make some money. After an amazing Stanley Cup Playoff run, Kadri won his first Stanley Cup in the NHL. Now he has an opportunity to choose his own destiny when it comes to where to sign.

4. Vincent Trocheck

Centermen Vincent Trocheck put up 51 points with the Hurricanes this past season. He is in a contract year and he is looking for a pay raise this summer. it will be interesting to see where he lands.

5. John Klingberg

John Klingberg is definitely one of the top defensemen available this summer. He is going to be making a lot of money when all is said and done and it will be interesting to see where he ends up considering he has spent his entire career up to this point in Dallas.

6. Ondrej Palat

Ondrej Palat has been one of the Lightning’s best forwards in the Stanley Cup playoffs the past few seasons. He is a player that any championship roster would like to have and he is someone that a lot of teams would go out of their way to offer a good deal to right now.

7. Evgeni Malkin

Evgeni Malkin has spent his entire career in Pittsburgh but is now looking to test the waters on free agency. This is going to be fun to watch.

8. Evander Kane

After the Edmonton Oilers gave him his second chance this season, Evander Kane is looking for a bit of a pay raise. It will be interesting to see who gives Kane the contract he thinks he deserves.

9. Max Domi

Max Domi put up two goals and five assists in 19 regular-season games with the Hurricanes after being traded from Columbus. He definitely has not been as strong as he might have liked this past season but he could be a good depth addition for a team this upcoming year. Maybe Edmonton would like to add Domi to the mix.

10. David Perron

David Perron has signed every contract with the St. Louis Blues, but now it seems like he could be going elsewhere. Perron has experience and a lot of playoff success, he would be a great addition for a team looking to add some star power through free agency.