NHL free agency is approaching, and while UFAs take the excitement, the core and future of franchises are locked up via RFAs. 

Young veterans becoming RFAs, including Vince Dunn and Alex DeBrincat will demand raises, although DeBrincat may need a new team before that happens. Pierre-Luc Dubois did just that and signed an eight-year deal with the Jets before being traded to the Los Angeles Kings.

Similarly, top young players coming off bargain deals or entry-level contracts, like Trevor Zegras and Evan Bouchard, will have their first real opportunity to get paid.

Here’s a look at the top 15 RFAs on the market this off-season. Contract information is according to PuckPedia.

2022-23 stats: 82 GP, 27 G, 39 A, 66 P

2022-23 cap hit: $6,400,000

Alex DeBrincat’s name has been more involved in trade talk than contract talk in recent weeks, with the Ottawa Senators shopping the two-time 40-goal scorer. Sens GM Pierre Dorion said on Tuesday that DeBrincat hasn't asked for a trade but isn't looking to sign a long-term contract. The Detroit Red Wings have been a focus of trade speculation for DeBrincat, who was acquired by the Senators prior to the 2022 draft for picks No. 7, No. 39, and a 2024 third-round selection. Ottawa will want to recover some of that, and any new team will be looking at a raise for DeBrincat.

2022-23 stats: 81 GP, 23 G, 42 A, 65 P

2022-23 cap hit: $925,000

It would be hard to argue for a bridge deal for Zegras, who is already producing at the level of players commanding maximum-term deals for upwards of $7 million per season. The Anaheim Ducks will undoubtedly want Zegras locked up at a rate they can afford in the future if and when his production takes the next step. Were Jamie Drysdale not coming off surgery that saw him miss almost all of the 2022-23 season, the Ducks would have three young stars to worry about, a group that also includes Troy Terry. Drysdale will likely have to settle for a short-term deal to show he’s healthy again before seeking his long-term contract.

2022-23 stats: 70 GP, 23 G, 38 A, 61 P

2022-23 cap hit: $1,450,000

Coming off a team-friendly three-year deal with a $1.45 million annual cap hit, Terry’s payday has arrived after leading the Anaheim Ducks in scoring in 2021-22 and finishing second to Zegras this year. Terry has arbitration rights, but the Ducks will certainly look long-term to extend his contract beyond the 2025 off-season when he’d first be eligible for UFA status. It will be interesting to see how close to Zegras’ deal Terry gets and which one of the two signs first to set the price.

2022-23 stats: 81 GP, 14 G, 50 A, 64 P

2022-23 cap hit: $4,000,000

Dunn finished tied for 10th among NHL defenders in scoring this season, recording 64 points while averaging 23:40 on ice. His impact with the Seattle Kraken, leading them into the second round of the playoffs, was undeniable. Dunn finished 11th in Norris Trophy voting as well, signalling his entrance among the NHL’s elite blueliners. Blueliners seldom command the same figures as top-end forwards, but Dunn will likely be asking for term and a significant raise.

2022-23 stats: 79 GP, 9 G, 34 A, 43 P

2022-23 cap hit: $925,000

Miller was tied for 25th in points by a defender and 47th in ice time in the league, playing nearly 22 minutes per night. He was the New York Rangers’ second-ranked defender in ice time, behind Adam Fox, and was deployed in all situations. It’s not often a young, mobile, two-way, top-pairing defender falls into your lap, and the Rangers will look to keep Miller, who will be seeking a significant raise, possibly something north of $5 million annually.

2022-23 stats: 64 GP, 11 G, 38 A, 49 P

2022-23 cap hit: $853,333

Maccelli is an interesting player to value. He was named to the NHL’s all-rookie team and led all rookies in assists. That came a year after leading all AHL rookies in assists, which also came a year after leading all Liiga rookies in assists. His value as a playmaker is immense in Arizona, which will look to bring in a cohort of elite forwards over the next two seasons through the draft. That said, the Coyotes could believe they have better options coming. Maccelli is a prime candidate for a bridge deal, allowing him to prove his worth while keeping his rights tied to Arizona prior to him becoming UFA-eligible.

2022-23 stats: 82 GP, 8 G, 32 A, 40 P

2022-23 cap hit: $863,333

If ‘what have you done lately’ gets you paid, Evan Bouchard will command a massive raise. Despite the Edmonton Oilers’ cap issues with only about $5.8 million in space, souring a relationship with Bouchard is something they cannot afford. What the Oilers also can’t afford is to pay Bouchard anywhere near what they paid Darnell Nurse ($9.25 million per year). Bouchard has back-to-back 40-point seasons to his name, and exploded in the Stanley Cup playoffs recording 17 points in 12 games, totals unheard of for an NHL defender. Edmonton will likely try to employ a bridge deal if they can’t lock Bouchard in long term at a reasonable price.

2022-23 stats: 42 GP, 10 G, 14 A, 24 P

2022-23 cap hit: $894,167

Byram will almost certainly get a shorter-term contract coming into his first RFA off-season. Injuries have prevented Byram from playing a complete NHL campaign in his three seasons of action. When healthy, Byram is undoubtedly one of the top young blueliners in the league and could someday win a Norris Trophy. The Colorado Avalanche will try to find common ground with their young star, albeit on what will likely turn out to be a team-friendly deal.

2022-23 stats: 42 GP, 2.33 GAA, .919 SP

2022-23 cap hit: $1,800,000

The Toronto Maple Leafs got bargain goaltending from Samsonov, who wasn’t the issue in Toronto’s demise. They’d be wise to bring him in for a few more seasons and find someone more reliable than Matt Murray to challenge.

2022-23 stats: 63 GP, 23 G, 18 A, 41 P

2022-23 cap hit: $825,000

Vilardi finally showed consistency in terms of his goal-scoring and getting into the most games in his NHL career, albeit still missing time. His potential to break out remains high. As part of a blockbuster trade sending him to Winnipeg on June 27, the opportunity for an even bigger role awaits Vilardi. If he agrees to a shorter deal now, he could parlay a good season or two into a bigger payday later.

2022-23 stats: 66 GP, 21 G, 25 A, 46 P

2022-23 cap hit: $750,000

Sprong broke out with the Kraken this year, but his value has not been consistently established. Look for a deal in the range of three seasons with a modest raise.

2022-23 stats: 39 GP, 2.10 GAA, .931 SP

2022-23 cap hit: $787,500

Gustavsson is a goaltender the Minnesota Wild bet on last season when they acquired him from the Ottawa Senators. With Jesper Wallstedt in the wings, however, Minnesota isn’t going to throw money and term at Gustavsson blindly. He is still coming into his prime and was one of the NHL’s better goalies down the stretch last year. A raise is in order.

2022-23 stats: 81 GP, 16 G, 23 A, 39 P

2022-23 cap hit: $925,000

The former first overall pick has yet to live up to his potential. Lafreniere deserves a raise but won’t command top dollar or term…yet. The Rangers only have about $11.7 million in cap space as of the morning of June 28 and only have 14 signed players on their active roster.

2022-23 stats: 37 GP, 2.27 GAA, .920 SP

2022-23 cap hit: $925,000

When you’ve got the Vezina Trophy winner ahead of you, it’s hard to demand significant dollars. When you’re as good as Swayman has been for the Bruins, it’s hard to take less than you’re worth. Depending on the Bruins’ cap crunch, Swayman could become a trade chip. Swayman will get a raise, but how much is the question.

2022-23 stats: 78 GP, 40 G, 26 A, 66 P

2022-23 cap hit: $6,000,000

Update (June 28): Signs with New Jersey for eight years at $8.8-million cap hit

Timo Meier was getting a big extension this year, whether it was with the San Jose Sharks or the New Jersey Devils following the trade. Meier hit 40 goals for the first time in his career and looked for a payday, while Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald stated his intent to sign Meier long-term. Meier's cap hit comes below the hefty $10 million on his qualifying offer, but the Devils now have him locked up through 2030-31.

Other RFAs to Watch: Morgan Frost, Noah Cates, Cody Glass, Tanner Jeannot, Shane Pinto, Ross Colton, Trent Frederic, Alex Newhook, Cam York, Simon Benoit, Ethan Bear, Calen Addison, Jamie Drysdale, Tyson Jost, Jesse Puljujarvi