Free agents in the NHL have the chance to get better deals when their contracts expire, but this depends a lot on their age and how well they played during the season. A strong year makes it easier for players to ask for more money or longer contracts, while weaker seasons or older age might limit their options.
Defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov: A Top Pick in a Thin Market
Vladislav Gavrikov stands out in a market where quality defensemen are hard to find. After the Los Angeles Kings had another tough year, exiting in the first playoff round, new GM Ken Holland faces decisions about the team’s future. Gavrikov has shown he’s a reliable shutdown defender, averaging over 23 minutes per game and leading the Kings with 140 blocked shots last season. He’s also very durable, playing at least 72 games each season over the last four years.
Gavrikov made nearly $6 million a year with the Kings but will likely get a raise on a long-term deal. There’s even a chance he could return to the Columbus Blue Jackets, though he’s clearly in his prime and will be paid like a top-four defenseman no matter where he plays.
Andrei Kuzmenko: Reviving His Career with the Kings
Kuzmenko struggled with the Calgary Flames this season, scoring just four goals in 37 games while earning a high salary of $5.5 million. Calgary traded him to the Philadelphia Flyers, who then quickly sent him to the Kings. Kuzmenko bounced back in Los Angeles, tallying 17 points in 22 games.
Though some teams may hesitate to offer Kuzmenko a long-term contract, he’ll likely get a deal close to his current salary if he proves himself further. After scoring 39 goals and 74 points in 2022-23 with Vancouver, many teams will hope he can score 25 to 30 goals again, which could raise his asking price.
Kyle Palmieri: Veteran Scorer at 34
At 34, Palmieri’s best years are behind him, but he still produced well for the New York Islanders in the past two seasons, scoring 54 goals and 102 points combined. While he won’t get a long-term deal, he can choose a team that offers a similar or slightly better salary and better playoff chances.
Palmieri has had health issues, but when healthy, he can still score 25 goals and be a valuable secondary scorer on a playoff team.
John Tavares: Facing a Pay Cut After Strong Season
John Tavares was expected to take a big pay cut this offseason. But he surprised many by scoring 38 goals—his best since 2018-19. Even so, his $11 million salary was too high to justify unless he scored 60 goals and got 100 points.
Tavares will likely earn much less if he stays with the Toronto Maple Leafs, with a fair salary between $5 million and $7 million over two or three years. He still has plenty to offer a strong Leafs team, especially if he agrees to a hometown discount to help the team improve around stars William Nylander and Auston Matthews.
Ivan Provorov: A Reliable Blue-Jacket Defenseman
Provorov never matched his 2017-18 season when he scored 17 goals and 41 points. But this year, he still put up seven goals and 33 points and averaged over 23 minutes per game.
While not a Norris Trophy candidate, Provorov’s experience and playing time make him valuable in a market with few top-four defensemen available. He will likely get a raise from his $6.75 million salary on a new long-term deal.
Jack Roslovic: A Bargain Forward on the Rise
Roslovic’s career stalled for a while but picked up again this season with 22 goals and 39 points in 81 games for the Carolina Hurricanes. Although he hasn’t been as productive in the playoffs so far, he is still an excellent bargain at $2.8 million a year.
He should earn a raise on his next contract, likely a three- or four-year deal. If a new team gives him more playing time—Carolina has used him sparingly—his scoring could improve even more.
In the NHL free-agent market, age, recent performance, and team needs shape players’ contract offers. Defensemen like Vladislav Gavrikov and Ivan Provorov remain valuable, while forwards such as John Tavares and Kyle Palmieri face pay cuts or shorter deals due to age. Others like Andrei Kuzmenko and Jack Roslovic hope their recent improvements will earn them better contracts. For teams, balancing salary cap space and player performance is key in building a competitive lineup.
