Ranking the NHL's top pending unrestricted free agents

The 2023 unrestricted free-agent class lacks the sexy headliners from past years. Still, the group features several middle-of-the-lineup type players who can be valuable commodities if placed in the right role.

Age - listed as of July 1, when free agency opens - factored into the order. We're not ranking them on the players they used to be; we're ranking them on the players they project to be moving forward.

Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci were excluded from this list since they would both likely retire before playing for any NHL team outside of the Boston Bruins.

1. Dmitry Orlov

Position: LD
Age: 31
Last team: Bruins
2022-23 cap hit: $5.1M

Orlov played some of the best hockey of his career during his brief stint with the Bruins after the trade deadline. Whether he returns to Boston or not, he showed he still has lots left in the tank as a top-pairing defenseman.

2. Tyler Bertuzzi

Position: LW
Age: 28
Last team: Bruins
2022-23 cap hit: $4.75M

Bertuzzi is just one year removed from producing 30 goals and 62 points in 68 games, so he has plenty more to offer than he displayed in 2022-23. He thrived in the postseason despite Boston's early exit, tallying five goals and five assists in seven contests.

3. J.T. Compher

Position: C
Age: 28
Last team: Avalanche
2022-23 cap hit: $3.5M

Compher made the most of his big workload last season, registering a career-high 52 points while driving play at both ends of the ice. He's set to cash in as one of the few established centers in this class in a perennial center-needy league.

4. Tristan Jarry

Position: G
Age: 28
Last team: Penguins
2022-23 cap hit: $3.5M

Jarry has been extremely consistent since establishing himself in the NHL over the last four seasons, making the ninth-most starts among goalies while posting a .915 save percentage.

5. Ryan O'Reilly

Position: C
Age: 32
Last team: Maple Leafs
2022-23 cap hit: $7.5M

O'Reilly may not be the Conn Smythe and Selke Trophy winner from 2019, but he can still play an extremely valuable role as a two-way middle-six center on a contender.

6. Ivan Barbashev (signed)

Position: LW
Age: 27
Last team: Golden Knights
2022-23 cap hit: $2.25M

Barbashev and the Golden Knights agreed to a five-year contract carrying an average annual value of $5 million on June 28.

Barbashev earned himself a lot of money with his exceptional postseason, recording 18 points in 22 games while being a physically-imposing beast.

7. Alex Killorn

Position: LW
Age: 33
Last team: Lightning
2022-23 cap hit: $4.45M

Killorn is aging like a fine wine, as he just set new personal bests for goals, assists, and points. He's also a strong two-way forward with a knack for getting under his opponent's skin.

8. Evan Rodrigues

Position: RW
Age: 29
Last team: Avalanche
2022-23 cap hit: $2M

Rodrigues has long been an analytics darling. But his strong underlying numbers finally translated to offensive production over the last couple of seasons, leading to a career-high 0.57 points-per-game mark in 2022-23. He's a quality second-line winger.

9. Ryan Graves

Position: LD
Age: 28
Last team: Devils
2022-23 cap hit: $3.167M

Graves moves pretty well for a player of his stature of 6-foot-5, 220 pounds. His underrated two-way game makes him a perfectly capable No. 4 defenseman.

10. Matt Duchene

Position: RW
Age: 32
Last team: Predators
2022-23 cap hit: $8M

Duchene's buyout from the Predators came as a surprise. Was he worth his $8-million cap hit? No. But the speedy, skilled, versatile forward still has lots to offer offensively.

11. Vladimir Tarasenko

Position: RW
Age: 31
Last team: Rangers
2022-23 cap hit: $7.5M

Tarasenko still has some game-breaking offensive ability in him, but he's become a defensive liability in recent years. Being on the wrong side of 30 with a lengthy injury history will raise red flags, too.

12. Michael Bunting

Position: LW
Age: 27
Last team: Maple Leafs
2022-23 cap hit: $950K

Bunting has the necessary hockey IQ, hands, and edge to his game to be a complementary top-six forward alongside two legitimate play drivers. But his lack of discipline can get him into trouble at times.

13. Jason Zucker

Position: LW
Age: 31
Last team: Penguins
2022-23 cap hit: $5.5M

Zucker's previous two campaigns were rough, but he picked the right time for a bounce-back season. He scored the second-most goals of his career in 2022-23 while bringing a new element of physicality to his game by racking up a personal-best 197 hits.

14. Adin Hill (signed)

Position: G
Age: 27
Last team: Golden Knights
2022-23 cap hit: $2.175M

Hill and the Golden Knights agreed to a two-year contract carrying an average annual value of $4.9 million on June 30.

Hill has never played more than 27 games in a campaign. However, his spectacular performance during the Golden Knights' Stanley Cup run (.932 save percentage in 16 games) has certainly earned him a sizeable payday.

15. Joonas Korpisalo

Position: G
Age: 29
Last team: Kings
2022-23 cap hit: $1.3M

Korpisalo has produced far more bad seasons than good ones in his eight-year NHL career, but he was downright superb in 2022-23.

16. Frederik Andersen

Position: G
Age: 33
Last team: Hurricanes
2022-23 cap hit: $4.5M

Anderson likely would've cashed in had he entered free agency after the 2021-22 campaign when he won the Jennings and finished fourth in Vezina Trophy voting. However, an inconsistent and injury-riddled campaign - a theme for him in recent years - will likely lead to a short-term commitment as a 1A or 1B option in a platoon.

17. Jordan Staal (signed)

Position: C
Age: 34
Last team: Hurricanes
2022-23 cap hit: $6M

Staal and the Carolina Hurricanes agreed to a four-year contract carrying an average annual value of $2.9 million on June 25.

Staal's 10-year contract has finally ended, but it's difficult to envision the Hurricanes captain leaving Carolina at this point in his career. He remains an excellent shutdown center, so there will be a market for his services.

18. Max Pacioretty

Position: LW
Age: 34
Last team: Hurricanes
2022-23 cap hit: $7M

*2021-22 stats

Pacioretty scored at a 40-goal pace the last time he was healthy. However, he was limited to five games in 2022-23 after tearing his Achilles twice in five months. It's hard to envision him being the same player after those two major injuries.

19. Patrick Kane

Position: RW
Age: 34
Last team: Rangers
2022-23 cap hit: $10.5M

Kane was given a four-to-six-month recovery timeline after undergoing hip resurfacing surgery in early June. Nicklas Backstrom underwent the same surgery last summer, and he looked like a shell of his former self this past season. Kane also has a lot of mileage on his tires, but the name value could still be tantalizing for some teams.

20. Scott Mayfield

Position: RD
Age: 30
Last team: Islanders
2022-23 cap hit: $1.45M

If the 6-foot-5, 220-pound Mayfield is paired with a strong skater and puck-mover, he can survive in a top-four role thanks to his size and defensive prowess.

21. Erik Haula (signed)

Position: C
Age: 32
Last team: Devils
2022-23 cap hit: $2.375M

Haula and the New Jersey Devils agreed on a three-year contract carrying an average annual value of $3.15 million on June 23.

Haula is a perfectly capable third-line center who's trustworthy in his own end and can chip in offensively.

22. Tomas Tatar

Position: LW
Age: 32
Last team: Devils
2022-23 cap hit: $4.5M

Tatar can still thrive as a middle-six winger in an offensive role. His underlying numbers have remained excellent over the years.

23. Brian Dumoulin

Position: LD
Age: 31
Last team: Penguins
2022-23 cap hit: $4.1M

Dumoulin is still solid defensively, although he may benefit from a less demanding role at this point in his career.

24. Shayne Gostisbehere

Position: LD
Age: 30
Last team: Hurricanes
2022-23 cap hit: $4.5M

Gostisbehere moves the puck well and can quarterback a top power-play unit. If he's used properly in a sheltered, offensive role, he can shine.

25. Matt Dumba

Position: RD
Age: 28
Last team: Wild
2022-23 cap hit: $6M

Injuries have taken their toll on Dumba, and he's not the player he used to be. However, he still has a lot of heart and plays bigger than his 6-foot, 181-pound frame.

26. Max Domi

Position: LW
Age: 28
Last team: Stars
2022-23 cap hit: $3M

Domi has been a defensive liability in recent years, but he's got an edge to his game and can create offense in a middle-six role.

27. John Klingberg

Position: RD
Age: 30
Last team: Wild
2022-23 cap hit: $7M

Klingberg is still gifted offensively and can run a power play. But he's a major defensive liability who needs to play sheltered minutes.

28. Connor Brown

Position: RW
Age: 29
Last team: Capitals
2022-23 cap hit: $3.6M

*2021-22 stats

A torn ACL in October limited Brown to just four games in 2022-23. When healthy, he's a hardworking two-way winger.

29. Radko Gudas

Position: RD
Age: 33
Last team: Panthers
2022-23 cap hit: $2.5M

Gudas is as mean and nasty as they come, making him a perfect third-pairing defenseman for a team looking to make a deep playoff run. He's underrated analytically, too.

30. Luke Schenn

Position: RD
Age: 33
Last team: Maple Leafs
2022-23 cap hit: $850K

Schenn was a solid safety valve for Quinn Hughes in Vancouver, and he performed even better in that role with Morgan Rielly in Toronto during the playoffs. He can thrive if he's paired with a premier puck-mover, though his minutes must be limited.

31. Jonathan Drouin

Position: LW
Age: 28
Last team: Canadiens
2022-23 cap hit: $5.5M

Drouin is in dire need of a fresh start after a turbulent ending to his tenure in Montreal. A deft playmaker, he could be motivated to produce on a one-year, prove-it deal.

32. Kailer Yamamoto

Position: RW
Age: 24
Last team: Oilers
2022-23 cap hit: $3.1M

As the youngest UFA on this list - by far - Yamamoto is no doubt an intriguing commodity. He's also a former first-round pick and 20-goal scorer. But his 5-foot-8, 153-pound frame gives him obvious limitations, and he doesn't make up for it with lightning-quick speed.

33. Semyon Varlamov

Position: G
Age: 35
Last team: Islanders
2022-23 cap hit: $5M

Varlamov can still be the 1B in a platoon goalie setup or an overqualified veteran backup.

34. Antti Raanta (signed)

Position: G
Age: 34
Last team: Hurricanes
2022-23 cap hit: $2M

Raanta and the Hurricanes agreed to a one-year contract carrying an average annual value of $1.5 million on July 1.

When healthy, Raanta is an excellent veteran backup netminder.

35. Carson Soucy

Position: LD
Age: 28
Last team: Kraken
2022-23 cap hit: $2.75M

A solid third-pairing defender who brings size (6-foot-5, 208 pounds), grit (143 hits), and the ability to play both sides.

36. Alexander Kerfoot

Position: LW
Age: 28
Last team: Maple Leafs
2022-23 cap hit: $3.5M

Kerfoot is a good defensive forward who can play center in a pinch but is best suited on the wing. His biggest flaw is his lack of finishing ability.

37. Pierre Engvall

Position: LW
Age: 27
Last team: Islanders
2022-23 cap hit: $2.25M

Engvall is 6-foot-5 and skates like the wind. However, his lack of intensity and physicality can frustrate coaches and fans alike.

38. Blake Wheeler

Position: RW
Age: 36
Last team: Jets
2022-23 cap hit: $8.25M

Wheeler is still a gifted playmaker and power-play specialist, but his effectiveness at five-on-five has waned in recent years. He no longer drives play offensively the way he used to, and he's a liability defensively.

39. Conor Sheary

Position: LW
Age: 31
Last team: Capitals
2022-23 cap hit: $1.5M

Sheary consistently bags 15-20 goals per season and is reliable enough defensively to play up and down the lineup.

40. Gustav Nyquist

Position: RW
Age: 33
Last team: Wild
2022-23 cap hit: $5.5M

Nyquist had a strong postseason, recording five assists in six games. He showed he can still produce if deployed in a sheltered, middle-six role.

41. Noel Acciari

Position: RW
Age: 31
Last team: Maple Leafs
2022-23 cap hit: $1.25M

Acciari knows his role and plays it to perfection. He's a heart-and-soul player who hits everything in sight and will block any shot.

42. Garnet Hathaway

Position: RW
Age: 31
Last team: Bruins
2022-23 cap hit: $1.5M

Hathaway is extremely physical, excellent defensively, and can occasionally chip in with a goal, making him an ideal bottom-six winger.

43. Erik Gustafsson

Position: LD
Age: 31
Last team: Maple Leafs
2022-23 cap hit: $800K

Gustafsson's playing time was drastically reduced after a deadline trade to the Maple Leafs, with Toronto making him a healthy scratch in nine of 11 playoff games. But he still excels at moving the puck and quarterbacking a power play.

44. Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Position: LD
Age: 31
Last team: Canucks
2022-23 cap hit: $8.25M

Ekman-Larsson was a serviceable top-four blue-liner during his first season in Vancouver, but he fell off a cliff this past year. There's no question that injuries contributed to his decline. If Ekman-Larsson's fully healthy, he's an interesting buy-low option considering he'll be playing without the pressure of a mammoth contract.

45. Pius Suter

Position: LW
Age: 27
Last team: Red Wings
2022-23 cap hit: $3.25M

Suter posted great defensive metrics last season - both at even strength and the penalty kill - and has shown he can pot around 15 goals per year.

46. Miles Wood

Position: LW
Age: 27
Last team: Devils
2022-23 cap hit: $3.2M

A physical, north-south winger with some goal-scoring upside, Wood is an intriguing flier - even if his underlying numbers are suspect.

47. James van Riemsdyk

Position: LW
Age: 34
Last team: Flyers
2022-23 cap hit: $7M

Van Riemsdyk has slowed down with age. However, he can still find ways to score with his good hands around the net.

48. Cam Talbot

Position: G
Age: 35
Last team: Senators
2022-23 cap hit: $3.67M

Talbot didn't play well in 2022-23. But his save percentage never dipped below .911 in the three seasons prior, suggesting he still has value as a backup.

49. Justin Holl

Position: RD
Age: 31
Last team: Maple Leafs
2022-23 cap hit: $2M

Holl took a lot of heat in Toronto, though he's a serviceable third-pairing defenseman who excels on the penalty kill.

50. Connor Clifton

Position: RD
Age: 28
Last team: Bruins
2022-23 cap hit: $1M

Clifton is hitting free agency at the right time, as he's coming off a season in which he set career highs in games, points, hits (208), and blocks (120).

(Salary information: CapFriendly)
(Analytics sources: Natural Stat Trick, Evolving-Hockey)