The 2024 NHL offseason is underway, with teams pursuing free agents to improve their rosters. As the hockey world holds its breath, the decisions made in the coming weeks will ripple through the NHL as this year’s available players include experienced veterans and promising young talents, each capable of impacting their new team. Here are the top 15 available NHL free agents in 2024.
Gustav Lindstrom #28 (D)
Selected by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2017 NHL Draft, Gustav signed an entry-level contract in 2018 but stayed in Sweden to help Frolunda win the SHL championship. He debuted in the NHL in 2020 and recorded 25 points in 128 games with the Red Wings before moving to the Montreal Canadiens in 2023.
Kevin Shattenkirk #12 (D)
Leading Blues defensemen, Shattenkirk reached double digits in goals during the 2013-14 season. He was critical to the Blues’ playoff runs before being traded to the Capitals in 2017. Kevin battled a knee injury before joining the Lightning in 2019-20 and eventually signed with the Bruins in 2023.
Tyler Johnson #90 (C)
Tyler Johnson signed with Tampa Bay, won the Calder Cup, was named an NHL All-Rookie, and helped the Lightning secure the Stanley Cup in 2020 and 2021. Traded to the Chicago Blackhawks on July 27, 2021, Johnson played 67 games in the 2023-24 season, netting 17 goals and adding 14 assists for 31 points.
Nick Cousins #21 (C)
Drafted No. 68 by the Philadelphia Flyers in 2011, Cousins made his NHL debut in 2015-16, scoring 11 points in 36 regular-season games and averaging 10:59 ice time in the playoffs. He later moved to Vegas, Nashville, and Florida. In the 2023-24 season, Cousins played 69 games and scored seven goals and eight assists.
Kevin Labanc #62 (RW)
In the 2023-24 season, Labanc played 46 games and netted two goals with seven assists for 9 points. After he joined the San Jose Sharks in 2014, Kevin had strong junior seasons and his NHL debut in 2016. He’s known for notable performances like a four-point period in a 2019 Game 7.
James van Riemsdyk #21 (LW)
James became the second US-born player in the top two picks when the Flyers chose him No. 2 overall in the 2007 Draft. He began his NHL career in 2009. In the 2023-24 season, he scored 11 goals, added 27 assists in 71 games, and marked his 1,000th NHL game with the Bruins.
Tyson Barrie #22 (D)
Son of former NHL player Len Barrie, Tyson made a strong debut with the Avalanche, scoring his first goal in 2013. Tyson set a rookie record with an overtime winner on March 30, 2013, and scored 13 goals in 2013-14. In 2023-24, he played 41 games with 1 goal,14 assists, and 15 points.
Tony DeAngelo #77 (D)
Tony DeAngelo led OHL defensemen with 71 points for Sarnia before moving to Sault Ste. Marie, where he won top defenseman awards in 2015. After stints with Arizona, New York Rangers, and Carolina, he signed with Philadelphia in 2022. In the 2023-24 season, DeAngelo had 11 points in 31 games.
Filip Zadina #18 (RW)
Despite a promising start, including a three-point game against the Winnipeg Jets, a fractured ankle cut Filip’s 2019-20 season short. He went on to sign with the San Jose Sharks on July 10, 2023, and in the 2023-24 season, he played 72 games, scoring 13 goals and adding ten assists for 23 points.
Mike Hoffman #68 (C)
In the 2014-15 season, Mike emerged as a key scorer, netting 27 goals for the Ottawa Senators. After trades to San Jose and Florida, he set a Panthers record with a 17-game point streak and hit highs of 36 goals and 70 points. He played 66 games with San Jose in 2023-24, recording 23 points.
Max Pacioretty #67 (LW)
Pacioretty was a first-round pick (No. 22) in the 2007 NHL Draft. After starting with the Canadiens, where he became captain in 2015, Pacioretty moved to Vegas in 2018, netting 22 goals in his debut season. He joined the Capitals in 2023, recording four goals and 19 assists in 47 games in the 2023-24 season.
Jakub Vrana #15 (LW)
Drafted 13th overall in 2014, Jakub started his NHL career in December 2016. After a strong start with Washington, including scoring the game-winning goal in the 2018 playoffs, he was traded to Detroit. During the 2023-24 season, he recorded two goals and four assists in 21 games.
John Klingberg #3 (D)
After a strong NHL debut in 2014, John scored 40 points in his rookie season and finished fifth in Calder Trophy voting. A one-time NHL All-Star, he was traded to the Minnesota Wild in March 2023, where he played 14 games and five assists, totaling 5 points.
Antti Raanta #32 (G)
Antti Raanta began his career in Finland before making his mark in the NHL. He made his NHL debut in 2013 and went on to play for the New York Rangers and Arizona Coyotes. In the 2023-24 season, he played 24 games, earning 12 wins with a 2.99 goals-against average.
Cal Clutterbuck #15 (RW)
In the 2023-24 season, Clutterbuck played all 82 games, bagging seven goals and 12 assists for 19 points. Selected by the Minnesota Wild in the third round of the 2006 NHL Draft, he began his professional career in 2007. He was traded to the New York Islanders in 2013 and helped the team advance in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Top 15 NHL Free Agents Available In 2024