TOP 20 UFAs LIST

As of July 2, 2018 | 4:45pm ET

With the NHL free agent market set to open at 12am on July 1, TFP has outlined whom we believed to be the Top 20 Unrestricted Free Agents still available an we've listed the teams believed to be connected to these players through various newspapers, radio and television reports, cyberspace and our own league-wide sources.

View players with a NTC/NMC

 
 
 
AGE: 27 CAP HIT: $5.5M

AGE: 27
CAP HIT: $5.5M

1. John Tavares, C / New York Islanders
{Agrees to 7-year, $77M deal with Toronto}

All eyes are on John Tavares as he picks from the six teams he met with earlier this week. While there were other interested teams, Tavares is expected to know by the weekend where he plans on going.

Teams believed to have interest:

           
 
AGE: 29 CAP HIT: $4.25M

AGE: 29
CAP HIT: $4.25M

2. James van Riemsdyk, LW / Toronto Maple Leafs
{Agrees to 5-year, $35M deal with Philadelphia}

There's plenty of interest in JVR, but some of the teams in the mix are waiting on Tavares' decision before pushing for JVR, who should command around $7 million, per year, on a new deal.

Teams believed to have interest:

                       
 
AGE: 32 CAP HIT: $7M

AGE: 32
CAP HIT: $7M

3. Paul Stastny, C / Winnipeg Jets
{Agrees to 3-year, $19.5M deal with Vegas}

A number of teams are in need of help up the middle, but it sounds like the Jets are trying all they can to re-sign him. They'll have to move out salary in order to do it, but it sounds like it's heading in that direction.

Teams believed to have interest:

       
AGE: 30 CAP HIT: $5M

AGE: 30
CAP HIT: $5M

4. James Neal, LW / Vegas Golden Knights
{Agrees to 5-year, $28.75M deal with Calgary}

The 'Real Deal' James Neal won't have any issues finding a new home, if he ends up leaving Vegas. He'd like to stay, but if it's not in the cards, he has plenty of teams knocking on his door.

Teams Believed to have interest:

                   
 
AGE: 30 CAP HIT: $3.75M

AGE: 30
CAP HIT: $3.75M

5. David Perron, RW / Vegas Golden Knights
{Agrees to 4-year, $16M deal with St. Louis}

Perron had a career-year with the Knights and given the thin market, he should cash in quite nicely on a multi-year contract with a contending team in need of a boosting its second line.

Teams believed to have interest:

               

6. Jack Johnson, D / Columbus Blue Jackets
Agrees to 5-year, $16.25M deal with Pittsburgh

All signs point to Johnson signing with the Pittsburgh Penguins, as Mark Madden first reported this week. He'll be a good, quality add to a great squad.

TEAMS BELIEVED TO HAVE INTEREST:

  

 

7. Tyler Bozak, C / Toronto Maple Leafs
Agrees to 3-year, $15M deal with St. Louis

The Leafs have interested in bringing Bozak back, but with limited centres available this summer, Bozak could cash in nicely on the open market.

TEAMS BELIEVED TO HAVE INTEREST:
 

8. Mike Green, D / Detroit Red Wings
Agrees to 2-year, $10.75M deal with Detroit

A stable, veteran presence on the backend, Green's game has shifted and it's caught the attention of a number of teams. He's got the option to return to Detroit, but there's a solid chance he bolts for a new team.

TEAMS BELIEVED TO HAVE INTEREST:
 

9. Thomas Vanek, LW/RW / Columbus Blue Jackets
Agrees to 1-year, $3M deal with Detroit

Vanek has attracted a lot of interest, but it sounds like four teams are have made the most traction and Vanek could find a new home early this free agency period.

TEAMS BELIEVED TO HAVE INTEREST:

         
 

10. Calvin de Haan, D / New York Islanders

More than 10 teams have reached out to de Haan about his availability and it everything aligns, he'll sign a deal in the four-year range worth around $3.5 million to $4 million per season.

TEAMS BELIEVED TO HAVE INTEREST:

 

 

11. Patrick Maroon, LW / New Jersey Devils

A solid addition to a contender's third line, Maroon may generate more play in the secondary market once the dust settles (likely quickly) on the big boys.

TEAMS BELIEVED TO HAVE INTEREST:

TBD
 

12. Carter Hutton, G / St. Louis Blues
Agrees to 3-year, $8.25M deal with Buffalo

Hutton's going to be given the opportunity to be a No.1 somewhere, be it with the New York Islanders, Buffalo Sabres or another squad.

TEAMS BELIEVED TO HAVE INTEREST:

 
 

13. Joe Thornton, C / San Jose Sharks
Agrees to 1-year, $5M deal with San Jose

All signs point to the Sharks and Thornton ironing out a 1-year contract worth around $3 million to $4 million per season. A lot depends on what else the Sharks do early in this off-season.

TEAMS BELIEVED TO HAVE INTEREST:
 

14. Ian Cole, D / Columbus Blue Jackets
Agrees to 3-year, $12.75M deal with Colorado

There was plenty of interest in Cole at the trade deadline and there's no reason to think those teams aren't calling him now about playing for their team.

TEAMS BELIEVED TO HAVE INTEREST:
 

15. Riley Nash, C / Boston Bruins
Agrees to 3-year, $8.25M deal with Columbus

At least one Nash might return to Boston, though the interest in Riley appears to be strong that he may take his services elsewhere via the open market.

TEAMS BELIEVED TO HAVE INTEREST:
 

16. Jonathan Bernier, G / Colorado Avalanche
Agrees to 3-year, $9M deal with Detroit

Bernier's received plenty of interest, so far, after a solid season in Denver. He's looking for a chance to platoon to become a No.1 goalie again and could be given a shot this summer.

TEAMS BELIEVED TO HAVE INTEREST:

 

 

17. Tobias Rieder, RW/LW / Los Angeles Kings
Agrees to 1-year, $2M deal with Edmonton

At only 25, Rieder and his speed have attracted a lot of interest league-wide.

TEAMS BELIEVED TO HAVE INTEREST:
 

18. John Moore, D / New Jersey Devils
Agrees to 5-year, $13.75M deal with Boston

Moore adds quality depth to any time's blueline and contenders looking to strengthen their bottom-pair are going to be calling Moore.

TEAMS BELIEVED TO HAVE INTEREST:

TBD
 

19. Leo Komarov, LW / Toronto Maple Leafs
Agrees to 4-year, $12M deal with NY Islanders

Komarov's time with the Maple Leafs seems to be coming to an end. He may be sticking on the East Coast, as TFP reported earlier a deal with the New York Rangers may have been likely, but their rival Islanders may have stepped up to the plate.

TEAMS BELIEVED TO HAVE INTEREST:
 

20. Michael Grabner, RW/LW / New Jersey Devils
Agrees to 3-year, $10.05M deal with Arizona

Teams in need of secondary scoring and speed are going to be taking a look at Grabner quite closely, hoping they can pluck him up at a discount.

TEAMS BELIEVED TO HAVE INTEREST: