The NHL's annual free-agent market opens at noon ET on July 28. Over the next several days, we can expect to see general managers get into bidding wars for the best unrestricted free agents.
This year's salary cap remains at $81.5 million, which could affect free agents' potential destinations and how much money they might receive.
Several of the top would-be free agents, including Boston Bruins winger Taylor Hall and Edmonton Oilers center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, signed new contracts with their current clubs before July 28. Nevertheless, stars such as defenseman Dougie Hamilton and goaltender Philipp Grubauer will draw plenty of attention from rival GMs.