May 30, 2021; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Dougie Hamilton (19) and Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Ondrej Palat (18) battle over the puck during the second period in game one of the second round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
This summer, there are a number of high unrestricted free agents about to hit the market. Some names like Alex Ovechkin are unlikely to do hit July 27th. Many teams are wisely leaving key players unsigned in order to protect other players under contract in the July 21st expansion draft.