We've been hearing the rumors and reading the reports. Now, it's time for some of the real action to get started.
The NHL free agency market opens up on Wednesday, and a lot of questions about player contracts and destinations will soon be answered.
It's a bit of a weaker class, with some of the big names such as Filip Forsberg and Kris Letang already inking new deals to stay with their respective teams, but there are still some interesting players, like Johnny Gaudreau and Claude Giroux, to watch and see where they sign.
MORE: Every NHL team's biggest offseason need
Here's everything you need to know about the start of NHL free agency in 2022.
When does NHL free agency start?
The market to sign free agents in 2022 begins on Wednesday, July 13, at noon ET.Players that are unrestricted free agents (UFAs) cannot begin meeting and talking with teams until that date and time.
Teams can meet with any of the players currently on their team and negotiate a contract extension prior to the start of free agency. In addition, players who are set to be free agents can be traded to another team, and that club can then sign them before the market opens on Wednesday.
What is the NHL salary cap for 2022-23?
The maximum salary cap figure for the 2022-23 NHL season is $82.5 million. The minimum cap figure is $60.2 million.
The cap maximum increased by $1 million from the 2021-22 season, the first rise in three years.
Which NHL teams have the most cap space in 2022 free agency?
The Ducks, Sabres, and Red Wings enter this offseason with the most available cap space. Buffalo and Detroit especially are expected to make some noise in free agency.
NHL teams' available spending (or "cap space") as of July 12, according to Cap Friendly.
| Team | Cap space |
| Anaheim Ducks | $39,423,333 |
| Buffalo Sabres | $34,054,166 |
| Detroit Red Wings | $31,021,111 |
| Arizona Coyotes | $29,994,166 |
| Calgary Flames | $26,925,000 |
| New Jersey Devils | $25,334,167 |
| Colorado Avalanche | $24,435,000 |
| Seattle Kraken | $22,885,834 |
| Ottawa Senators | $20,731,786 |
2022 NHL free agents: Tracking top players by position
Here is a look at each position and who the top free agents are that could be available to fill that role.
Center
1. Claude Giroux
2. Nazem Kadri
3. Patrice Bergeron
4. Vincent Trocheck
5. Evgeni Malkin
Left Wing
1. Johnny Gaudreau
2. Ondrej Palat
3. Andre Burakovsky
4. Evander Kane
5. Max Domi
Right Wing
1. Valeri Nichushkin
4. Rickard Rakell
5. Reilly Smith
6. Ilya Mikheyev
8. Phil Kessel
Defenseman
1. John Klingberg
2. Josh Manson
3. Ben Chiarot
4. Nick Leddy
5. P.K. Subban
Goalie
1. Darcy Kuemper
2. Jack Campbell
3. Kevin Lankinen
4. Mikko Koskinen
5. Braden Holtby
