Top 5 remaining NHL free agents who expected to command high salaries feat. Jeremy Swayman | July 9, 2024

After a little more than a week into the offseason, the big-name NHL free agents are off the board. Players like Steven Stamkos, Elias Lindholm and Chris Tanev have found new homes.

However, some key NHL free agents are set to cash as the offseason wears on. So, while summer gets into high gear, let’s take a look at the top five remaining NHL free agents who should get a hefty payday.

Top 5 remaining NHL free agents expected to command a high salary

#5. Tyler Johnson

Tyler Johnson is coming off a solid year with the Chicago Blackhawks, registering 31 points in 67 games. Johnson is coming off a seven-year, $35 million deal originally signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning, per CapFriendly. He was traded to Chicago following the 2020-2021 season after playing there for three seasons.

Johnson is a versatile forward who can play both wings and center. While he won’t score 40 goals or nail 100 points, he is a solid bottom-six forward. He could occasionally jump into a middle-six role if injuries become a major factor.

It’s not expected that Johnson will get a contract worth $5 AAV. Nevertheless, he should command a deal somewhere between $2 to $3 million AAV.

#4. Joe Pavelski

Joe Pavelski is an ageless wonder. He played in all 82 games last season for the Dallas Stars, notching 27 goals and 67 points. According to CapFriendly, the 39-year-old played on a one-year, $3.5 million deal last season. If he wants to continue playing, Pavelski could get another similar deal from Dallas or any other team looking for a veteran middle-six forward.

#3. Ryan Lindgren

Lindgren is an RFA with the New York Rangers. As such, the Rangers hold his negotiating rights, meaning the Rangers will have to pay up to keep Lindgren in New York. Last season, Lindgren scored 17 points in 76 games.

But his value isn’t necessarily in his offensive production. Lindgren emerged as one of the team’s best shutdown defensemen. He played phenomenally well during the playoffs, giving the Rangers a steady presence on the blue line.

Lindgren made $3 million last season, CapFriendly reported. However, the 26-year-old could be looking at $5 million at the very least, given his age, performance and overall quality of play.

#2. Martin Necas

Necas priced himself out of Carolina this season. The 25-year-old netted 24 goals in 77 games last season. The year before, he tallied 28 goals and 71 points in all 82 games.

Necas is one of the top RFA NHL free agents, given his high ceiling. He is coming off a two-year $6 million deal, per CapFriendly. That $3 million AAV should climb substantially this offseason. While the Hurricanes could still pay to keep Necas, another team with more cap space could trade for his rights and then sign him to a massive, long-term deal.

#1. Jeremy Swayman

Jeremy Swayman ranks among the top NHL free agents available in a long time. Swayman signed a one-year, $3.475 million deal following an arbitration hearing, according to CapFriendly. This season, both Swayman and the Bruins opted to bypass arbitration. That situation means the two sides could be close on a deal.

Most analysts have compared Swayman’s potential new deal with the one Juuse Saros got from the Nashville Predators. If that’s the case, Swayman should get a new contract of around $6 to $7 million AAV for seven or eight years.