One summer ago, we saw the likes of Nazem Kadri, Claude Giroux, Vincent Trocheck, Andrew Copp, Dylan Strome and Ryan Strome all sign with new teams. The 2023 free agent class isn’t the deepest but key signings can reshape rosters enough to impact the standings next season and potentially put a contending team over the top.
Centres like Jordan Staal, Erik Haula, Andreas Athanasiou, David Kampf and Sean Monahan all re-signed with their respective clubs earlier in June, yet there remains a number of difference makers set to hit the open market on July 1.
With that in mind, here are available 10 centres to watch this summer.
Ryan O’Reilly
Age: 32
2022-23 Cap Hit: $7.5M (Blues, Maple Leafs)
The 2019 Conn Smythe and Selke winner played 13 regular-season games with the Maple Leafs after being acquired prior to the trade deadline from St. Louis, plus an additional 11 in the playoffs where he had nine points and averaged just shy of 20 minutes per night. Toronto’s former GM Kyle Dubas spent a 2023 first and third, a 2024 second, a 2025 fourth, plus Mikhail Abramov and Adam Gaudette, as part of the three-team deal that landed them O’Reilly and fellow pending UFA Noel Acciari.
J.T. Compher
Age: 28
2022-23 Cap Hit: $3.5M (Avalanche)
Set career highs in assists, points, shots on goal and ice-time in an increased role on Colorado’s second line one year after Kadri signed in Calgary following the Avs’ Cup-winning season. Compher, 28, is coming off a four-year deal that saw him earn an average of $3.5 million annually.
Patrice Bergeron
Age: 37
2022-23 Cap Hit: 2.5M (Bruins)
The Bruins legend was awarded his sixth career Selke Trophy as the league’s top defensive forward earlier this week at the 2023 NHL Awards. Bergeron also posted 20-plus goals and 50-plus points for a 10th consecutive season at age 37. The Bruins are the only NHL team the elite two-way centre has known. Bergeron is coming off a one-year, incentive-laden deal that paid $5-million and his decision will help determine which direction Boston takes this summer.
David Krejci
Age: 37
2022-23 Cap Hit: $1M (Bruins)
The other veteran Bruins centre is in the same situation as Bergeron, deciding whether he will continue playing. Krejci is coming off his highest goal and points total since the 2018-19 season, posting 16 goals and 40 assists in 70 games in 2022-23.
Matt Duchene
Age: 32
2022-23 Cap Hit: $8M (Predators)
A late addition to this list is the 32-year-old now-former Predator who was placed on unconditional waivers Friday. Duchene is having the final three years of his contract bought out by Nashville. He was originally set to make $20 million over those three seasons and a modified no-trade clause would’ve kicked in prior to 2023-24. Duchene is coming off the ninth 20-goal season of his career, scoring 22 times and adding 34 assists in 71 games this past season.
Jonathan Toews
Age: 35
2022-23 Cap Hit: $10.5M (Blackhawks)
It not entirely clear whether or not the soon-to-be former Blackhawks captain will resume his NHL career but if he does he’ll surely garner interest from contending teams on the open market. Toews, 35, only suited up for 53 games this past season and isn’t expected to sign somewhere on the first day of free agency. After coming off an eight-year, $84-million contract, the future Hall of Famer would come at a fraction of his previous $10.5-million cap hit and add invaluable leadership to any locker room.
Lars Eller
Age: 34
2022-23 Cap Hit: $3.5M (Capitals, Avalanche)
One of only four players in the NHL to play more than 82 regular-season games this past season, Eller split the 2022-23 campaign with Washington and Colorado. The 34-year-old could benefit a team looking to add a veteran body to its bottom six who’s capable of seeing 12-15 minutes per night.
Pius Suter
Age: 27
2022-23 Cap Hit: $3.25M (Red Wings)
The Zurich, Switzerland native has scored at least 14 goals in all three of his NHL seasons since debuting in the league as undrafted free agent with Chicago in 2020. He has spent the past two years with Detroit and only turned 27 earlier this year so there’s still upside.
Other notable UFA centres: Josh Bailey, Nick Bjugstad, Alexander Kerfoot, Noel Acciari, Vladislav Namestnikov, Ryan Donato, Nick Bonino, Teddy Blueger, Tomas Nosek, Paul Stastny, Derek Stepan
COMMENTS
When submitting content, please abide by our submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.