25 top NHL free agents teams will be dying to sign in 2018

The start of free agency is always one of the busiest days of the NHL offseason, but some players will be more coveted than others. These players’ phones should be blowing up on July 1.

The Stanley Cup Final may be in full swing, but for 29 other fanbases, this is the most wonderful time of the year. Nothing quite says hope springs eternal like the NHL Draft and free agency.

And while the latter always sees players get signed for a substantially higher sum than their market value, there are moments when teams just get it right. For every David Clarkson, Ville Leino or Christian Ehrhoff, there’s a Marian Hossa, Anton Stralman or Joel Ward.

Teams near the bottom of the barrel will use free agency to bolster their draft class and energize a long dormant fanbase. Playoff teams come into July 1 looking to retool their lineup in search of the missing piece or to replace a rental they may have acquired at the deadline. In either case, free agency offers a renewed sense of vigor among every GM, including the one that just won the Cup.

Not every player who goes unsigned into July 1 can expect his phones to be buzzing. Paul Bissonnette hilariously took us through the journey of a bottom-tier free agent who remained unsigned two years ago. On the flip side, players who have earned themselves a sterling reputation, or are just coming off a hot season, should expect to field a ton of calls.

While the 2018 free agent class is headlined by a big fish, like it was two years ago when Steven Stamkos hit the market, there are still plenty of intriguing options out there, including from the two Stanley Cup finalists. A lot can change, and it’s possible that a good chunk of these players may re-sign with their clubs before the July 1 deadline. But whether they stay put or depart for greener pastures, these players should be in line for a hefty raise.