NHL Free Agency: Top Five Power Forwards Available in 2024

Heading into the free agent frenzy on July 1, there has been talk that NHL teams are eagerly searching for power-forward types — players who typically have good size, can play a physical game and also have a nose for the net.

This isn’t a new thing. Last year, Miles Wood was one of the biggest surprises of the first day of free agency when he snagged six years of term at a respectable $2.5-million cap hit from the Colorado Avalanche.

This spring, one of the biggest power-forward names in the mix was Dakota Joshua. The 28-year-old Vancouver Canucks winger knocked on the door of 20 goals this season while also establishing a reputation as a prolific hitter, fearsome fighter and penalty-killing ace.

Joshua didn’t become a full-time NHL player until he joined the Canucks as a free agent in 2022 on a contract that paid just above the league minimum. He improved so much over two years that there were whispers that he could command $4 million or more on a multi-year deal. 

But on Thursday, Joshua opted to take less money to stay in a situation that has worked for him, re-upping with Vancouver for four years at a cap hit of $3.25 million.

That’s a big name off the board, which could increase other NHL teams’ interest in the remaining players who can fill similar roles.

Each is a bit different, of course. Here are the top five that are still in the mix, listed as they appear on THN’s Free Agent Frenzy Top 50 Ranking.

2023-24 cap hit: $5.5 million
2023-24 team: Toronto Maple Leafs
THN.com rank: 12

After putting up 30 goals and 62 points with Detroit in 2021-22, Bertuzzi was seen as more of a scorer than a power forward. But along with 21 goals with the Toronto Maple Leafs last season, Bertuzzi also hit career highs in hits (98), blocked shots (44) and penalty minutes (53). He doesn’t kill penalties, though.

Following a couple of nomadic seasons, it seems like Bertuzzi will be moving on from Toronto. Expect him to be looking for a longer-term deal and a chance to cement a spot in the top six for his new team.

2023-24 cap hit: $4.25 million
2023-24 team: Los Angeles Kings
THN.com rank: 32

At 5-foot-10, Arvidsson isn’t as physically imposing as the other players on this list. But he’s a buzz saw who has cracked 30 goals twice in his career and has a knack for getting under the skin of opponents.

With the Kings last season, back issues limited Arvidsson to just 18 games as he played out the last part of the seven-year contract he signed while still in Nashville. He was healthy for the playoffs, throwing the body at his highest rate yet in the post-season and blocking shots while chipping in three assists in five games against Edmonton.

2023-24 cap hit: $762,500
2023-24 team: Carolina Hurricanes
THN.com rank: 35

Noesen most closely resembles Dakota Joshua’s profile — a late-bloomer whom the Carolina Hurricanes counted on for secondary scoring and tenacious forechecking while on a bargain contract. Noesen also threw a career-high 118 hits last season, but his special-teams minutes came on the power play, not the penalty kill.

Drafted by Ottawa in the first round back in 2011, Noesen has followed a long road to a spot as an NHL regular. While rookie GM Eric Tulsky is attending to a long list of Carolina free agents, Noesen may seek a multi-year payday elsewhere on what will likely be the biggest contract of his career.

2023-24 cap hit: $1.8 million
2023-24 team: Carolina Hurricanes
THN.com rank: 42

Another Hurricane, Martinook turns 32 in July. He has been a consistently effective middle-six forward throughout his career. An important part of the Hurricanes’ penalty kill, Martinook has even earned some Selke Trophy votes while hitting the 30-point plateau in each of the last two seasons.

As he has moved into his 30s, Martinook has maintained his high-energy playing style and delivered some of his best hockey. He’s coming off a three-year deal and will likely be looking for as much term as he can get on his new contract.

2023-24 cap hit $1.4 million
2023-24 team: Vegas Golden Knights
THN.com rank: N/R

Carrier had played just 41 career NHL games with the Buffalo Sabres when he was claimed by Vegas in the 2017 expansion draft. Seven years later, he has a Cup ring and the franchise record for hits by a forward, with 1,116.

At 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, Carrier is a prototypical power forward who can make life miserable for opponents. That includes goalies — in 2022-23, he hit a career high of 16 goals by camping out in the crease.

As he wraps up a four-year deal, Carrier has delivered good value for Vegas. Injuries have been an issue — he played 63 games in 2021-22, 56 in 2022-23 and just 39 last season, although he was healthy enough to return for the playoffs in both of the last two years.

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