Joe Pavelski is returning to Dallas. Tomas Hertl chose to stay in San Jose. Hampus Lindholm has already found a new home in Boston.
This summer’s potential free agent marketplace has already undergone renovations.
But be clear about this: Impact players are going to be available when the unrestricted free agent opening bell opens on July 13. With three months to go, here are my top 20:
1. Johnny Gaudreau, Calgary Flames: Still don’t understand why the Flames haven’t been able to re-sign him. Gaudreau is 28, and he’s about to record his first 100-point season. He’s leading the NHL in even-strength points and plus-minus (+54). Would say the Flames will figure out how to get him signed, but John Tavares is no longer a New York Islander. Hearing talk around the NHL about Gaudreau playing in the East next season.
2. Claude Giroux, Florida Panthers: Full service center or wing, feisty, competitive, everyone will be watching how well he plays in the postseason.
3. Filip Forsberg, Nashville Predators: He’s 27 and has scored a career-high 38 goals this season. Forsberg has scored 26 or more goals six times. The prevailing wisdom is GM David Poile will get him signed. But he can’t be sure of that. Would Detroit’s Steve Yzerman open up his vault for this consistent Swedish scorer?
4. Kris Letang, Pittsburgh Penguins: Best available defenseman. Plenty of speculation about Montreal general manager Kent Hughes going after his former client. Letang is 34, but still playing at an impact level. Boasts 62 points. Might leave Pittsburgh for the right price and term, but the Penguins will make an effort to keep him.
5. Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins: Believe he has the best chance of re-signing with his current team. Already has hinted that he would take less to stay in Pittsburgh. He and Sidney Crosby should play their entire careers in Pittsburgh. Probably Letang should too. But imagine the New York Rangers with Malkin as their No. 2 center? How about the Los Angeles Kings?
6. Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins: It would be sad if Bergeron doesn’t retire as a Bruin. The Bruins need to get it done. Speculation connects him to Montreal. But Bergeron is a winner and Montreal isn’t ready to win.
7. Nazem Kadri, Colorado Avalanche: The Avs can’t afford him, but how much will teams really give him? Has had an impressive season. But this two-way center comes with baggage.
8. Bryan Rust, Pittsburgh Penguins: Boasts 73 goals over the past three seasons. Consistent scorer. He’s 29. Penguins can’t keep everyone.
9. Reilly Smith, Vegas Golden Knights: Expectation is the Golden Knights will get him extended after the playoffs. They appreciate his ability. Gerard Gallant would like to have him in New York.
10. Ben Chiarot, Florida Panthers: Shutdown defensemen are always in demand. He will have 10 or 12 teams interested.
11. John Klingberg, Dallas Stars: Plenty of teams looking for an offensive defenseman.
12. Evander Kane, Edmonton Oilers: Could re-sign with Edmonton. If he has a strong postseason, he could have several suitors.
13. Nick Leddy, St. Louis Blues: Not his best season, but he is still a quality skater and puck mover. The Islanders need a defenseman and they know him well.
14. Vincent Trocheck, Carolina Hurricanes: Centers are in short supply, making Trocheck more valuable.
15. Andrew Copp, New York Rangers: The Rangers are interested in keeping him. The Red Wings are also looking for a center.
16. Marc-Andre Fleury, Minnesota Wild: Maybe he will retire, but wouldn’t a couple or three teams love to land Fleury for a one-year to try and win a Cup? Washington? Toronto? Minnesota again? Colorado?
17. Rickard Rakell, Pittsburgh Penguins: Teams looking for offense might settle on Rakell. He has scored as many as 37 goals. Looks good as a Penguin.
18. Darcy Kuemper, Colorado Avalanche: His value will depend on how well the Avalanche perform in the playoffs. Four or five teams will be looking for goalies.
19. Josh Manson, Colorado Avalanche: Heading back to the Anaheim Ducks?
20. Mark Giordano, Toronto Maple Leafs: Could re-sign with the Maple Leafs on a one-year deal for a discount rate. Team has benefitted from his arrival.
Also: Andre Burakovsky, Nino Niederreiter, Ondrej Palat, Jack Campbell, Ryan Strome, and Braden Holtby.