As NHL free agency has commenced since early July, marked by a considerable amount of activity, notable drama continues to unfold within the marketplace. Prominent figures such as Brock Boeser, Vladislav Gavrikov, Nikolaj Ehlers, and Mikael Granlund were swiftly removed from the market. Nonetheless, not every valuable unrestricted free agent signed quickly, leading to an uptick in interest surrounding restricted free agents last week. With the free agency period approaching the three-week mark, several significant names remain available, and a few pivotal transitions are yet to take place. This article aims to explore the latest developments in the NHL and offer informed predictions.

Among the top free agents still available is center Jack Roslovic, who had a commendable regular season with the Carolina Hurricanes. The 28-year-old forward fell out of the team's rotation during the playoffs but registered 39 points, including 22 goals, over the course of 81 games prior to the postseason. Having played on a one-year deal last season, Roslovic appears to be seeking more long-term stability this offseason, which may explain his current unsigned status. According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, the Toronto Maple Leafs have expressed interest in acquiring Roslovic, while the Vancouver Canucks have also become significant players in the pursuit after trading Dakota Joshua and freeing up some cap space. Reports from Rick Dhaliwal of CHEK and The Athletic indicate that there have been discussions between Vancouver and Roslovic's representatives. Notably, the Canucks had previously contemplated adding Roslovic in the prior offseason before ultimately opting for Jake DeBrusk. Given this new opportunity to acquire Roslovic, a signing with Vancouver in the near future seems plausible.

Another prominent name in free agency is defenseman Matt Grzelcyk, who recently completed a one-year term with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Despite his 5'10" frame, Grzelcyk proved to be a resilient competitor, achieving a career-best tally of 40 points last season, significantly contributing to power-play strategies. Prior to the trade deadline, Grzelcyk was involved in trade talks but expressed a desire to remain with the Penguins, which ultimately came to fruition. However, indications suggest that he may not return to Pittsburgh, as the team is reportedly shifting their focus following the signings of Parker Wotherspoon and Caleb Jones. Despite concerns about his size, Grzelcyk could be a valuable depth addition for contending teams. The Colorado Avalanche might consider him as a secondary option behind Devon Toews and Sam Girard, while the Los Angeles Kings could seek him as a replacement for the departed Gavrikov. Additionally, a return to the Boston Bruins, where Grzelcyk spent his first eight seasons, appears to be a logical move that could see him reintegrated into the team's defensive lineup.

The goaltending landscape this offseason has been rather limited, and options continue to dwindle. Ilya Samsonov stands out as one of the most notable free agents remaining, having posted a decent record of 16-9-4 with the Vegas Golden Knights last season. After joining Vegas on a one-year deal, Samsonov aimed to explore the market this offseason according to reports from Luke Fox of Sportsnet. Although he had a respectable overall performance, his level of play diminished towards the end of the season, resulting in no playoff appearances. As a backup option, Samsonov may need to reconsider his asking price given the lack of significant interest so far. With Adin Hill and Akira Schmid deemed the top choices in Vegas, the Golden Knights are unlikely to retain Samsonov. However, if he opts for a team-friendly deal, he could find a role as an understudy elsewhere. Teams such as the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Calgary Flames could value his veteran presence behind young talents like Joel Blomqvist and Dustin Wolf. Furthermore, the Edmonton Oilers might explore opportunities to enhance their goalie depth with Samsonov, although they plan to prioritize trade options initially. Recent insights from Hockey Insider Frank Seravalli reveal that Edmonton had shown interest in Arturs Silovs before his trade to Pittsburgh. It remains a possibility that Samsonov may take additional time to find an accommodating situation.