NHL | Free agents to watch

The free agent market opens Monday. Here are the main names to watch.

Steven Stamkos

We did not expect to find his name on the list when the free agent market opened. Steven Stamkos had expressed his desire to stay in Tampa and the Lightning wanted to keep him, but GM Julien BriseBois confirmed Saturday that he expected his captain to test the market. Stamkos has just collected 81 points, including 40 goals, but he is 34 years old. His salary or years demands are probably too high for the Lightning. We’ll let him survey the market and discuss again if necessary.

Last season: 40 goals and 41 assists in 79 games
Impact on payroll last season: 8.5 million

Elias Lindholm

Without doubt the most coveted center. Elias Lindholm is only 29 years old and he had an 82-point season, including 42 goals, just two years ago. Lindholm had a more difficult season, but he redeemed himself in the playoffs with Vancouver, who acquired him at the trade deadline. We can guess the interest of the Boston Bruins in him, since they have a void at this position.

Last season: 15 goals and 29 assists in 75 games
Impact on payroll last season: 4.85 million

Jake Guentzel

Jake Guentzel has been one of the NHL’s top scorers in recent years and, even without Sydney Crosby, he had 25 points in 17 games with the Carolina Hurricanes as of the trade deadline. He was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday, giving them a day’s head start on negotiations. Later this evening, insider Frank Seravalli reported that a deal had been reached between Guentzel and the Lightning. The news has yet to be confirmed by the team.

Last season: 30 goals and 47 assists in 67 games
Impact on payroll last season: 6 million

Jonathan Marchessault

Both parties, Jonathan Marchessault and the Vegas Golden Knights, seemed hopeful of reaching an agreement. This is still not the case. At 33, after a 42-goal season and a Conn-Smythe Trophy in 2023, Marchessault has an interest in finally exploring the market. This could be his last big contract.

Last season: 42 goals and 27 assists in 82 games
Impact on payroll last season: 5 million

Brandon Montour

The Florida Panthers appeared close to terms with forwards Sam Reinhart and Carter Verhaeghe on Friday. Here are two contracts that will increase the team’s payroll. Unless we manage to trade Aaron Ekblad, we will probably have to mourn the loss of the other right-handed defenseman, Brandon Montour, 30, whose offensive production declined last season.

Last season: 8 goals and 25 assists in 66 games
Impact on payroll last season: 3.5 million

Brett Pesce

This 29-year-old right-handed defenseman from the Hurricanes will have no shortage of courtiers. Brett Pesce, a 6’3″ colossus, played on average more than 20 minutes per game during the season, and he is known for his defensive play. His team missed him in the playoffs; he only played the first two games against the Islanders.

Last season: 3 goals and 10 assists in 70 games
Impact on payroll last season: 4.025 million

Jake DeBrusk

Jake DeBrusk’s relationship with the Bruins never seemed stable and happy. But he’s a winger capable of scoring 25 goals per season, except last year when his production dipped to just 19 goals. The Bruins, very wise managers, were probably not ready to give him the moon. With reason.

Last season: 19 goals and 21 assists in 80 games
Impact on payroll last season: 4 million

Nikita Zadorov

Against all odds, Nikita Zadorov was the Canucks’ best defenseman in the playoffs, after being acquired for modest draft picks in November. In addition to facing the opposition’s best players, at 6’6″, 248 lbs, he amassed 8 points in 13 games. Vancouver did everything it could to hold him, to no avail.

Last season: 6 goals and 14 assists in 75 games
Impact on payroll last season: 3.75 million

Sean Monahan

The former Canadian center had a good offensive contribution in the season after his acquisition by the Winnipeg Jets, 24 points in 34 games, but he was content with one assist in five playoff games. Given his injury history, will any club dare to give him a long-term contract? Montreal gave it up in time. He got an interesting pick in exchange, which happened Friday the 26th^e au 21^e rang (Michael Hage).

Last season: 26 goals and 33 assists in 83 games
Impact on payroll last season: 2 million

Chris Tanev

Chris Tanev is a defensive-minded right-shot defenseman who has been a huge asset to the Dallas Stars in the playoffs. There are clubs looking for defensemen of that caliber, and Toronto even picked up his negotiating rights Saturday, even though he turns 35 in December.

Last season: 2 goals and 17 assists in 75 games
Impact on payroll last season: 4.5 million

Matt Duchene

Matt Duchene was a steal for the Stars at $3 million last winter, given his 65-point output. But he’s been up and down since the start of his career and he’s 33 years old. Clubs may be wary of him.

Last season: 25 goals and 40 assists in 80 games
Impact on payroll last season: 3 million