NHL Free Agency 2024: Predictions for Vladimir Tarasenko, James van Riemsdyk, More

NHL free agency kicked off Monday with a flurry of signings, with teams spending $745.8 million in the first hour alone.

Top stars such as Steven Stamkos and Elias Lindholm found new homes early and teams made calculated moves in the name of beefing up their rosters, all with the hope of hoisting the Stanley Cup as the sport's best team.

There are still quality free agents available, players who may not have encouraged first-day spending but who can come in and be genuine difference-makers for organizations, both on and off the ice.

Who are they and where might they land?

Find out the answers to those questions with this preview.

Vladimir Tarasenko hoisted the Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers at the end of a thrilling Game 7 victory over the Edmonton Oilers but for whom he will continue his career remains a mystery.

The 32-year-old right winger was a 55-point player for the world champions last season, with 23 goals and 32 assists. He finished with a +13 rating in his 15:44 of ice time.

Tarasenko is a speedy player and an excellent puck handler who can do wonders for any team that needs right-wing depth.

The Sharks, Blackhawks, Kraken, and Ducks all need substantial help at the position and for whom Tarasenko would be an immediate upgrade.

The question is just how infectious winning that Stanley Cup is and whether he would settle for more money (or increased playing time) to go to a team that is not yet ready to contend. Otherwise, a team like the Vegas Golden Knights, Stanley Cup champions in 2022-23, might be an option, especially given the number of players they have already lost in free agency.

A veteran player who has bounced all over the league since leaving the St. Louis Blues, Tarasenko could find money with any of the aforementioned clubs but after hoisting the Cup and knowing the talent that exists on the Panthers roster, it would behoove him to find a way to make a return to the team possible.

Prediction: Tarasenko re-signs with Florida

James van Riemsdyk signed a one-year deal to remain with Boston a season ago and for a bit, it looked like the best deal in the league. In fact, at one point, he was on his way to a 50-point campaign.

Then, he slowed down. Amid a slump and illness that saw him lose 15 points, he limped through the rest of the season and finished with 38 points on 11 goals and 27 assists. His fall off may very well ensure he does not return to the team this offseason.

van Riemsdyk is an excellent passer who would benefit a team that needs depth at the wing position. A veteran player who has taken the ice for the Philadelphia Flyers and Toronto Maple Leafs before his time in Boston, he also knows how to weigh expectations in big markets.

He will likely seek to play for a contending team but after a rash of signings Monday, van Riemsdyk may find his best suitors in teams looking to rebuild for the future. A veteran presence who can use his puck handling and passing to set up others, a team like the San Jose Sharks or Seattle Kraken could utilize him to be that 40-50 point guy.

Whether he still has one of those seasons in him is the question.

Prediction: van Riemsdyk signs with a rebuilding team (Sharks, Blackhawks, Blue Jackets)

The Winnipeg Jets freed up cap space by buying out defenseman Nate Schmidt's contract Monday. If he clears unconditional waivers, the team will pay $2.717 million this season while the veteran player becomes a free agent.

The 32-year-old is coming off a season in which he scored just 14 points in 16:48 of ice time, while falling from a top tier role to a bottom one. Still, he is a stingy defender who would benefit a team who needs to beef up that part of its roster.

The Anaheim Ducks, San Jose Sharks, Detroit Red Wings, and Columbus Blue Jackets could all benefit from having a veteran player, with a strong locker room presence, and stout defense come on board.

Schmidt provides all of them and would do so fairly affordably, without stepping on the toes of any developing young players. He would come off the bench, shut opposing offenses down, and likely know what role he needs to play at this point in his career to best help the organization.

While neither of those four teams mentioned are likely to contend for a Stanley Cup anytime soon, any one of them will allow Schmidt to continue his career and be a part of the development of their futures.

Prediction: Schmidt lends veteran leadership, defensive acumen to a young, rebuilding squad