NHL Free Agency 2022: Rumors and Predictions Based on Offseason Buzz

When the start of free agency arrived on July 13, the NHL offseason quickly hit its peak. A plethora of players were signing with teams (whether it was with new franchises or their former ones), trades took place and rumors consistently circulated.

Now, things are in a bit of a lull. Most of the top free agents are no longer on the market, and there likely won't be a ton of notable transactions between now and the beginning of training camps in September.

There will be some, though, because numerous key free agents remain unsigned. So while the offseason news is a bit slower right now, it doesn't mean everything is over.

Here's a look at some of the buzz surrounding several players who are still free agents, along with predictions for where each will land ahead of the 2022-23 season.

It's quite clear who the best unrestricted free agent still on the market is: Nazem Kadri. The 31-year-old center is coming off a career season in which he helped the Colorado Avalanche win the Stanley Cup, but he still remains unsigned.

However, there's been plenty of reported interest in Kadri, as expected. But it may now be down to a two-team competition, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

"The Islanders are in it. I thought Colorado was out of it, but someone said to me, don’t be so fast," Friedman said on his 32 Thoughts podcast (h/t Stefen Rosner of NYI Hockey Now). "I think what’s happened here is that the Avalanche are still interested in Kadri, but Kadri knows that if he wants to go back there, [his contract has] got to be in a certain area."

Friedman added that the Avalanche are not willing to trade defenseman Samuel Girard to make room for Kadri. That addresses a primary reason why Colorado may not be Kadri's landing spot: the Avs have only $3.91 million in available cap space (per CapFriendly).

Meanwhile, the Islanders are projected to have $11.185 million in available cap space, giving them a bit more financial flexibility to try to pursue Kadri. So don't be surprised if that ends up being the reason why he ends up in New York by the end of the offseason.

Prediction: Kadri signs with Islanders

Patrice Bergeron has spent his entire 18-year NHL career with the Boston Bruins. Now, the 37-year-old center is a UFA who remains on the market, even though it's seemed like both he and the Bruins have wanted to work out a new deal.

So, why hasn't Bergeron re-signed with Boston yet? According to the Boston Globe's Kevin Paul Dupont, Bruins general manager Don Sweeney is "still trying to budget the return" of not only Bergeron, but also David Krejci, the 36-year-old center who is also still a UFA at this time.

Boston has about $4.76 million in available cap space, per CapFriendly, but the team also has an upcoming arbitration hearing with center Pavel Zacha. That means the Bruins would need to clear room if they want to bring back Bergeron and/or Krejci.

Maybe both won't return to Boston, but it's hard to imagine the Bruins won't find a way to bring at least one of them back. And the prediction here is that will be Bergeron, who continues to play at a high level and brings leadership to their locker room.

Prediction: Bergeron re-signs with Bruins

Even if Phil Kessel is no longer in his prime, he's still a solid offensive player who can fill a spot on the wing. During the 2021-22 campaign, he had eight goals and 44 assists while playing all 82 games for the Arizona Coyotes, his third season with the team.

Now, the 16-year NHL veteran remains unsigned. It would make the most sense for the 34-year-old to sign with a contending team so that he'll have an opportunity to win a third Stanley Cup in his impressive career.

According to Kurt Leavins of the Edmonton Journal, there's been some "smoke" surrounding the possibility of the Edmonton Oilers signing Kessel. He'd give the Oilers an offensive boost, although they're currently over the salary cap and would need to clear space to land him.

Still, it could be a good move for both Edmonton and Kessel. He'd be joining a strong team, and he would likely provide some leadership to several of their young stars.

Prediction: Kessel signs with Oilers