NHL Free Agents 2024: Rumors, Predictions for Steven Stamkos, Elias Lindholm and More

The beginning of NHL free agency is nearly here. The market opens Monday at noon ET, and unsigned players will then have the opportunity to explore all of their potential options for the 2024-25 season.

A few notable names are expected to hit the free-agent pool. While some still may end up re-signing with their former team, others could be on the move.

The Florida Panthers will be looking to keep together a core that just led them to the franchise's first Stanley Cup, while the league's 31 other teams will aim to bolster their rosters for the upcoming year.

Here's a look at some of the buzz surrounding several pending unrestricted free agents, along with predictions for where each will sign.

Steven Stamkos has spent his entire 16-year NHL career with the Tampa Bay Lightning, and he has been their captain since 2014. He's led them to a pair of Stanley Cups while also being among the top players in hockey for more than a decade.

However, the center may not be returning to the Lightning, which swung a trade with the Carolina Hurricanes for forward Jake Guentzel on Sunday, perhaps to provide an offensive boost in case Tampa Bay can't re-sign the 34-year-old.

According to Luke Fox of Sportsnet, the Detroit Red Wings are "very interested" in Stamkos. Another team that could be a suitor is the Nashville Predators, who Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman predicted will be the winners in the Stamkos sweepstakes.

Nashville hasn't won a playoff series since 2018, despite making it to the postseason five of the six years since then. Stamkos' playoff experience could push the Preds over the top, which is why they'll pay big to land the two-time All-Star.

Prediction: Stamkos signs with Nashville

Elias Lindholm played for two NHL teams during the 2023-24 campaign. He spent 49 games with the Calgary Flames (tallying nine goals and 23 assists), then got traded to the Vancouver Canucks and played 26 games (six goals and six assists).

Now, the 29-year-old center is an unrestricted free agent. And he could be playing with another team by the start of the 2024-25 season.

David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reported that talk of the Boston Bruins having interest in Lindholm is "getting louder and louder." The 11-year NHL veteran could provide an offensive boost to Boston, which got knocked out of the playoffs in the second round by Florida this past season.

While there may be other suitors for Lindholm, it would make sense for both him and the Bruins to work out a deal, as it seems like a strong fit. The prediction here is that something will get done.

Prediction: Lindholm signs with Boston

Stamkos may not be the only player to switch teams this offseason after spending his entire NHL career with one team. After nine seasons with Carolina, Brett Pesce could soon be on the move once free agency begins.

Friedman reported that it's widely expected Pesce will soon sign with the New Jersey Devils. It seems like a logical move, considering they recently traded defenseman John Marino to the Utah Hockey Club.

Marino could be replaced by the 29-year-old who has been a consistent presence on the blue line for the Hurricanes in recent years. He tallied three goals and 10 assists while recording a plus/minus of plus-10 in 70 games during the 2023-24 season.

It would be surprising if Pesce doesn't end up in New Jersey at this point, with Friedman's report making it sound like something is imminent.

Prediction: Pesce signs with New Jersey