Top 5 NHL centers still available in free agency feat. Michael McLeod | July 8, 2024

The NHL free agency frenzy has calmed down one week into the offseason. While there are plenty of moves to be made, the dust has begun to settle on the most impactful transactions so far. With many of the big names already signed, clubs will be looking to address other crucial needs in terms of depth and positional needs.

Here’s a look at the top five NHL free-agent centers available at this point. While these players may not raise any eyebrows, they could fill crucial positional needs for clubs looking to solidify their depth.

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Top 5 NHL centers still available in free agency

#5: Pierre-Édouard Bellemare

Bellemare is a solid bottom-six depth center who can fill in based on positional needs. He played with the Seattle Kraken last season after spending two seasons with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

CapFriendly shows he’s coming off a league-minimum deal, which could make him an interesting choice for teams looking to fill a void in their bottom six without breaking the bank.

Bellemare played in 40 games, scoring four goals while averaging a touch under ten minutes a night.

#4: Fredrik Olofsson

Olofsson was a fourth-round pick of the Blackhawks in 2014. However, he broke into the league with the Dallas Stars in 2022. The Swede played for the Colorado Avalanche on a league-minimum deal, according to CapFriendly.

Olofsson can play center and the wing, making him a versatile bottom-six forward. He registered nine points in 57 games while averaging 9:45 minutes per game. That’s not bad for a fourth-liner who can plug gaps due to injuries. He should provide any team with much-needed depth and support.

#3: Nick Bonino

Bonino is coming off a $800,000 contract with the New York Rangers. Despite managing only five points in 45 total games last season with the Rangers, he averaged over 12 minutes per game. That sort of ice time could help clubs looking for a physical player to round out their bottom six.

Bonino could represent a solid signing for NHL teams looking for a potentially affordable contract.

#2: Chris Tierney

Tierney played with the New Jersey Devils last year on a one-year, league-minimum deal per CapFriendly. Tierney played in 52 NHL games, producing a total of 12 points. He could provide a solid depth option for young teams looking to groom young players into solid future leaders.

#1: Michael McLeod

McLeod has spent his entire seven-year NHL career with New Jersey Devils. Last season, McLeod played with the Devils on a one-year, $1.4 million deal. He scored 19 points in 45 games averaging over 15 minutes per game.

Teams looking for a reliable and inexpensive NHL fourth-line center can consider McLeod. He seems like a low-risk, high-reward type of player. Clubs struggling to stay under the cap should take a look at McLeod, especially as training camps draw closer.