NHL Free Agents 2024: Predictions for Daniel Sprong, Tyson Barrie, Top Remaining Vets

NHL Free Agents 2024: Predictions for Daniel Sprong, Tyson Barrie, Top Remaining Vets0 of 4

Daniel SprongJared C. Tilton/Getty Images

The early waves of NHL free agency, which opened on July 1, have come and gone. Most of the top players who were available this offseason found new homes quickly. Over the past two weeks, most of the top role players have also come off the board.

Heading into Week 3, the flood of player movement has become a trickle, and few big-name veterans remain available. The player pool isn’t completely dry, however, and teams looking to make late additions can still find value.

Here, you’ll find a look at some of the top 2024 free agents who remain unsigned and predictions for where they could land in the coming days.

Daniel Sprong1 of 4

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Forward Daniel Sprong is arguably the only remaining free agent who doesn’t carry significant questions about age, injury or production.

The 27-year-old has become a bit of a journeyman since being drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2015. He spent a little over two seasons in Pittsburgh before he was dealt to the Anaheim Ducks in 2018. He’s played for three franchises since then, most recently with the Detroit Red Wings.

While Sprong isn’t going to add much to the defensive end of the ice, he can provide value as a scoring specialist. Over the past two seasons with Detroit and the Seattle Kraken, he recorded 39 goals and 89 points.

A return to Detroit is unlikely after the team added Vladimir Tarasenko, but Sprong should draw interest from clubs looking for an offensive boost.

The Buffalo Sabres could be an ideal fit for Sprong after they bought out the contract of forward Jeff Skinner—who provided 24 goals and 46 points last season. Buffalo ranked in the bottom 10 in scoring last year and still holds the fifth-most cap space in the league. Adding Spron would make plenty of sense for both parties.

Prediction: Sprong sings with Buffalo Sabres

Tyson Barrie2 of 4

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Defenseman Tyson Barrie saw a diminished role with the Nashville Predators last season and found himself the subject of trade chatter ahead of the deadline.

“Barrie has become somewhat expendable in Nashville, in part because young Spencer Stastney has emerged as a viable contender for time in the back end,” The Athletic’s Joe Rexrode wrote in December.

While Nashville ended up hanging onto Barrie, a reunion feels highly unlikely. However, the soon-to-be 33-year-old can still be a big-time contributor. He’s a three-time All-Star who can give some defensive depth and provide an offensive boost on the power play.

The San Jose Sharks should be interested in adding Barrie. They did sign defensemen Lucas Carlsson and Jimmy Schuldt to two-way contracts this offseason, but Barrie could be the ancillary scoring option that the Sharks need—he had 13 goals and 55 points during the 2022-23 season.

Only the Chicago Blackhawks scored less than San Jose last season, and the Sharks still have $12.8 million in cap space available. Adding Barrie for the coming season would be logical.

Prediction: Barrie signs with San Jose Sharks

Tyler Johnson3 of 4

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A few years ago, Tyler Johnson—who won back-to-back championships with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020 and 2021—would have been one of the hottest names in the early free-agent market.

In his final two seasons with the Lightning, Johnson produced 53 points during the regular season and had eight goals in the postseason. However, he was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in 2021 and has disappeared from the spotlight since.

Injuries have been part of the problem, as has a rebuilding Blackhawks supporting cast. A return to Chicago isn’t likely to happen.

“I’m obviously thankful for being here,” Johnson said in April, per Rob Couch of The Hockey News. “I’ve met a lot of good people, but it wasn’t exactly what I envisioned or wanted.”

Expect Johnson, who will turn 34 later this month, to eye potential playoff contenders for his next stop. Coming off of a seven-year, $35 million contract, he may even be willing to take a team-friendly deal to do so.

The Colorado Avalance, who won the Stanley Cup in 2022 and haven’t missed the postseason since the 2016-17 season, would be an ideal landing spot for Johnson. Colorado could give him the chance to chase another championship, and if Johnson is willing to play on the cheap, he’d be a valuable depth piece for a team seeking another deep playoff run.

The Avalance have $3.9 million in cap space remaining.

Prediction: Johnson signs with Colorado Avalanche

Alexander Nylander4 of 4

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Forward Alexander Nylander is one of the most interesting free agents left on the market because of his recent surge with the Columbus Blue Jackets. The eighth overall pick in the 2016 draft never played up to his draft status with the Sabres Blackhawks or Penguins and spent much of his time developing in the AHL.

However, the 26-year-old was traded to Columbus in February, immediately saw playing time and flashed a ton of potential as a scoring threat. In just 23 games with the Blue Jackets, he recorded 11 goals and four assists.

Columbus made the surprising decision not to tender Nylander and allowed him to become an unrestricted free agent. A return to the Blue Jackets is still possible, but Nylander will likely have to find his next opportunity elsewhere.

Joining brother Williams Nylander and the Toronto Maple Leafs would be a very logical move for the younger Nylander and would make sense for Toronto too. The Leafs cannot afford to do much at this stage of the offseason—they’re actually $1.6 million over the cap—but could use additional wing depth.

Alex Nylander could be the perfect budget flier for Toronto, as his explosion in Columbus probably won’t earn him more than another “prove-it” contract. He played on a one-year, $775,000 deal last season.

Prediction: Nylander signs with Toronto Maple Leafs

*Cap and contract information via Spotrac.