Former captains and current Cup champs. Top-pair defencemen and elite playmakers. All-world goalies and unique talents enjoying career years.

Yes, even with several franchise studs and key support players signing pocket-padding extensions way before deadline and avoiding the stress of free agency, the NHL’s 2025 UFA class still sets up to be an intriguing one.

And with the salary cap guaranteed to rise by $7.5 million — to $95.5 million — those spendy general managers should have even more budget to splash the pot on the next Steven Stamkos or Jake Guentzel to test the open waters.

Here’s a rundown and ranking of hockey’s best impending unrestricted free agents, plus the latest buzz circulating about their future.

Trade deadline has passed, so free agency now looms large.

1. Mitch Marner
Age on July 1: 28
Position: Right wing
2023-24 salary cap hit: $10.9 million

The latest: Once Mikko Rantanen got traded for a second time (and not for Marner) and signed his eight-year, $96-million extension with Dallas, Marner shot to the top of the charts. And the rest of the pack lags behind the undisputedly most coveted pending UFA of 2025.

The Toronto Maple Leafs superstar, management, and agent Darren Ferris are all on the same page when it comes to handling what could be Marner’s final tour with his hometown team: Silence is golden.

Marner had previously expressed a desire to re-sign, yet he has rebuffed the Leafs’ attempts to negotiate in-season and has now positioned himself to take a run at not only becoming the NHL’s highest-paid winger but highest-paid player.

“Growing up in this area, I’ve always been a Leafs fan. I’ve always wanted this team to succeed and to win just to see what that would feel like fanwise. Now being part of it is very special,” Marner said at training camp.

“It’s my home. It’s the place I’ve grown up. I’ve got many, many memories watching this team play Saturday night hockey with my family. Sitting there for hours watching.”

Marner came up clutch for Team Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off and is on pace for his best and most productive campaign as a Leaf.

So, the onus falls on Treliving — who bought high on peak William Nylander last winter — to either extend Marner at the best rate possible or make some quick adjustments if he walks.

When the Carolina Hurricanes proposed a Rantanen-for-Marner trade at the deadline, Treliving brought the idea to Marner, who refused to waive his no-move clause.

So, here we are: A team unsure if its star winger wants to stay, and an in-demand talent who holds all the power over his future.

2. Nikolaj Ehlers
Age on July 1: 29
Position: Right wing / Left wing
2023-24 salary cap hit: $6 million

The latest: Unlike the monster extensions for centre Mark Scheifele and goalie Connor Hellebuyck signed in 2023 just ahead of their walk years, all is quiet in Winnipeg on the Ehlers extension front.

A frequent subject of trade rumours, the speedy Dane was reportedly open to a change of scenery in the off-season, according to The Fourth Period.

The Jets are the toast of the Western Conference, and the point-per-game winger should have no issue posting his most productive campaign yet under new coach Scott Arniel.

GM Kevin Cheveldayoff has been noncommittal on the topic, often saying that he hopes his Jets win a Stanley Cup with Ehlers in June.

Ehlers himself says everything is business as usual.

If he has come this far, though, one must wonder if it’s worth a peek behind the curtain.

Competing teams would surely try to outbid the Jets for Ehlers’ services this summer in a market thin on 25-goal scorers.

3. Jakob Chychrun
Age on July 1: 27
Position: Defence
2023-24 salary cap hit: $4.6 million

The latest: From his spotty injury history to wearing three sweaters by age 26, there’s been so much commotion in Chychrun’s career, you wonder if the well-rounded defenceman wouldn’t leap at the chance for long-term security.

The left shot has fit in seamlessly with the Washington Capitals — a pre-season dark horse that has leaped to Presidents’ Trophy contention — and it falls on GM Chris Patrick to keep Chychrun in the fold.

“Hopefully (I’m) here for a long time,” Chychrun told reporters in late February. “The sky’s the limit for us.”

The productive Chychrun and the Capitals have been an excellent fit, and there is a growing feeling on both sides that the relationship should continue beyond one season.

That said, Chychrun — who has already touched career highs in goals, points, and plus/minus — now wants all focus to be on a deep playoff run before extension talks intensify.

Until this magical season, the 500-game veteran has appeared in just nine post-season games.

4. John Tavares
Age on July 1: 34
Position: Centre
2023-24 salary cap hit: $11 million

The latest: Already top 70 on the NHL’s all-time scoring list, the still-productive Tavares is not entertaining any notions of quitting.

While his captaincy was removed by the new GM and his ice time chopped by the new coach, the proud Toronto Maple Leaf is still a force in the face-off dot, a threat on the power-play and below the hash marks, and the consummate professional.

Armed with a full no-move clause and understanding he’s up for a pay cut, Tavares has already shown a willingness to sacrifice a little me for the sake of the we.

His agent, Pat Brisson, and Treliving did begin some preliminary extension talks in September — and it’s clear that Tavares wants to stay.

The Maple Leafs, however, are letting things play out. As much as Tavares would like to put pen to paper yesterday, Toronto has other priorities.

Tavares and wife Aryne are raising three young children in the city. He is close to the necessary support of extended family. He has benefitted from multiple outside endorsement deals. And he did score the clinching goal of the one series the Leafs have won since ex-GM Kyle Dubas backed up the Brink’s truck with $77 million.

“I love playing here. It’s a remarkable place to play,” Tavares said last May. “And when I committed here six years ago, obviously I saw a tremendous amount of talent and an amazing hockey market and organization that’s fully committed to winning and doing whatever it can — and I still feel that way.”

Critics will point to Tavares’s age. Defenders will argue that he slid seamlessly into the No. 1 centre role when Auston Matthews got injured and is still producing near a point-per-game pace.

5. Sam Bennett
Age on July 1: 29
Position: Centre
2023-24 salary cap hit: $4.4 million

The latest: When Florida Panthers GM Bill Zito identifies a core piece of his championship roster worth retaining, he usually finds a way to keep his man — with an assist from his state’s tax laws, of course.

Zito prioritized locking up Gustav Forsling, then Sam Reinhart, then Carter Verhaeghe. All re-upped for fair rates.

Now, Zito is grinding away with Bennett, that rare middle-six centre who can score, defend, and truck over an opponent.

That Verhaeghe came in at a reasonable $7 million AAV helps with the Bennett budget.

Leverage rests here with player agent Darren Ferris, who has a reputation for stressing deadlines and knows his client would be coveted leaguewide because of his unique skill-set and the dearth of under-30 centre options.

Ultimately it boils down to this: If Bennett likes the South Florida life, a deal will be made. If he wants top dollar, he’ll find that elsewhere.

No doubt, the Team Canada fourth-liner could spark a bidding war — presumably landing somewhere between $6 million and $7 million per season, depending on term — if he reaches July 1.

6. Brock Boeser
Age on July 1: 28
Position: Right wing
2023-24 salary cap hit: $6.65 million

The latest: Boeser has stumbled after his first 40-goal season, making Vancouver Canucks fans wonder if he’ll be moving to a second team this summer.

GM Patrik Allvin stated publicly that he wanted to decide on Boeser’s future prior to the trade deadline. Then he tried — and failed — to deal the sniper for a decent return. The Hurricanes are one club with some measure of interest.

“If I told you what I was offered for Brock Boeser, I think I would have to run out of here because you would not believe me,” Allvin told reporters on March 7, when asked why he had hung on to the expiring asset.

At that point, Boeser had 18 goals and 38 points through his first 55 games.

The eight-year veteran is aware of Allvin’s comments — which are hardly flattering — but said he hasn’t processed the implications.

“I’m trying not to really think about that,” Boeser told reporters post-deadline. “I honestly have no idea what’s going to happen.

“Anytime you have uncertainty, it’s scary. You know, the unknown is scary, so it’s obviously a little bit of stress involved in that. It’s not a great situation…. I’m still here. I’m still on the Canucks, and that’s my main worry right now.”

7. Aaron Ekblad
Age on July 1: 29
Position: Defence
2023-24 salary cap hit: $7.5 million

The latest: An occasional subject of trade rumours, the second-longest-serving Florida Panther played an integral role in the franchise’s two trips to the fourth round and is finally entering the eighth year of his max-term contract.

Neither Ekblad nor management have projected concern here, despite the uncertainty. But the deadline trade for another righty, Seth Jones, does raise an eyebrow.

Jones comes with retained salary and five more seasons of term. In short, he can serve as Ekblad insurance should the latter walk.

Ekblad already has $62.775 million (state tax free!) in career earnings, but he is one of the few top-pair defencemen under age 30 who could go to market in a summer where the cap spikes.

How is the second-longest-tenured Cat dealing with contract pressure?

“I mean, it’s one of those things. It’s always going to linger around,” Ekblad said. “But at the end of the day, I’m well taken care of. I’m able to go out and play pretty free on a nightly basis and not have to worry about something like that. It’s going to come when it comes. And if it doesn’t, it doesn’t. And life goes on.”

Life, however, is on hold for Ekblad — who got slapped with a 20-game suspension in March for violating the NHL/NHLPA’s performance enhancing substances program.

His ban stretches into Round 1. Does it sour an appetite for an extension?

8. Brad Marchand
Age on July 1: 37
Position: Left wing
2023-24 salary cap hit: $6.125 million

The latest: The former Boston Bruins captain’s ability to produce deep into his 30s and elevate his impact in important moments has made his previous contract look like a bargain.

While it has been difficult for fans to watch Marchand pulling a Florida Panthers sweater over his head, it has been equally difficult for the player to move south and for Bruins GM Don Sweeney to wave the white flag and detonate a chunk of his core.

Marchand met with the Bruins’ brass prior to his last-minute stunning trade with an appeal to negotiate an extension, reportedly through three years.

The money didn’t work, Sweeney decided to get younger, and the sides agreed to send the loyal veteran to a contender he’d like.

“Just had a gap,” the GM said.

The Bruins were prepared to pay Marchand no less than his current $6.125-million AAV, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, but he could fetch more on the open market.

And so, as crazy as it seems, a banged-up and disappointed Marchand will try to win a second Cup with Florida, previously a bitter rival.

“I suspect that it’s going to be a rather seamless transition,” Zito said.

Much like the Cats’ rental of long-serving Flyers captain Claude Giroux in ’22, this one feels like a wait-and-see.

How does Marchand fit? And how far can Florida’s repeat bid go?

9. Adin Hill
Age on July 1: 29
Position: Goaltender
2023-24 salary cap hit: $4.9 million

The latest: Even backstopping the Vegas Golden Knights to the franchise’s lone Stanley Cup only earned Hill a two-year bridge contract.

GM Kelly McCrimmon runs a tight ship and has never been afraid to let his pending UFAs twist in the wind. Hill was chosen to be The Guy in Vegas over backup Logan Thompson, who has already signed his long-term extension in Washington.

While a list of other pending free-agent goaltenders — Igor Shesterkin, Linus Ullmark, Joey Daccord, Mackenzie Blackwood, Karel Vejmelka, Kevin Lankinen, Charlie Lindgren, Jonathan Quick, et al. — have gotten locked up in-season, Hill’s future remains uncertain.

The six-foot-six Team Canada backup has already set career highs in starts and wins this season. Surely, he is gunning for term this time around, and Vegas has significant interest in extending.

Five years seems like the proper wheelhouse, term-wise, for a goaltender who has elevated his game in the playoffs but has also battled injuries in his season.

If Vegas doesn’t double down on Hill, he will be the most coveted goalie on the open market — by a sizable margin.

10. Brock Nelson
Age on July 1: 33
Position: Centre
2023-24 salary cap hit: $6 million

The latest: A late-career surge has Nelson riding a three-season streak of 35-plus goals into his last best chance for another pay day.

With a dearth of legit centremen on the rental market, Nelson fetched a tidy return for GM Lou Lamoriello and the aging New York Islanders at the deadline: blue-chip prospect Callum Ritchie, a first-round pick plus a conditional third.

Leaving the only franchise he’s known, Nelson slides into the 2C role in Colorado between a couple of quality scoring wingers in Jonathan Drouin and Valeri Nichushkin.

Lamoriello did right by the player by trading him to his most desired destination. And with the Avalanche waving goodbye to Mikko Rantanen, GM Chris MacFarland has the cap space to extend Nelson if he makes for a smart fit.

The player holds all leverage, of course, but a deep playoff run could keep this relatively new relationship alive.

Last time the Avalanche had a second-line pivot of Nelson’s pedigree, they won the Cup but lost Nazem Kadri (2022).

“A lot of excitement,” Nelson said after the trade. “I’m jacked up.”

11. Neal Pionk
Age on July 1: 29
Position: Defence
2023-24 salary cap hit: $5.88 million

The latest: Funny. When researching the Winnipeg Jets’ top-four defenceman, we stumbled across a column titled “Jets Should Buy Out Neal Pionk…” That piece was written in May and has aged like a banana in the sun.

Pionk has been worth every penny of his salary in his contract season, ranking second in ice time (22-plus minutes) and among the team leaders in plus/minus while taking a run at 50 points.

With Winnipeg surging into legitimate contender status, the right shot became an easy “own rental” — at minimum.

Much like the case of Ehlers, there is no sense that the player nor GM Cheveldayoff is rushing to extend before the playoffs run their course.

Just because the sides appear to be playing this situation out doesn’t mean they can’t come to an agreement eventually. (Last season, Cheveldayoff waited on Dylan DeMelo but got a deal done.)

Pionk’s uptick in performance is simultaneously boosting the Jets’ place in the standings and the blueliner’s market value.

“The newsflash is, we probably won’t get all of these guys signed, from a UFA standpoint,” Cheveldayoff warned during a late-January address.

“We’ve got, obviously, some RFAs that are performing very well and are in various different stages of their years before unrestricted free agency. We’ll tend to that.”

12. Matt Duchene
Age on July 1: 34
Position: Centre
2023-24 salary cap hit: $3 million

The latest: Cast away by Nashville, Duchene has not only found a niche but thrived with his former city’s greatest rival.

The veteran has already linked consecutive 25-goal, 65-point seasons since getting rocked by 2023’s summer buyout and is tracking his two best plus/minus seasons of his 1,120-game career.

While younger star teammates Wyatt Johnson and Mikko Rantanen strike multi-year, eight-figure extensions, Duchene and his family have reached the stage where happiness and winning are king.

In short, Duchene seems to be slipping into his Joe Pavelski years: short term, reasonable money, stick with a Cup contender.

As thin as the 2025 UFA market is on bona fide centremen, there should be an appetite on both sides to continue this relationship for another state-tax-free run in ’26.

Duchene still has a hunger for the game. So much so, he’d love to play his way onto Canada’s Olympic squad.

More notable UFAs in 2025: Jamie Benn, Jonathan Drouin, Ryan Donato, Jack Roslovic, Brent Burns, Patrick Kane, Claude Giroux, Gustav Nyquist, Dmitry Orlov, Vladislav Gavrikov, Ivan Provorov, Taylor Hall, Kyle Palmieri, Dan Vladar, Ryan Lindgren, Brandon Tanev, Anthony Mantha, Ryan Johansen, Jeff Petry, Andrew Mangiapane, Andrei Kuzmenko, Yanni Gourde, Mikael Granlund, Reilly Smith, Tanner Jeannot, Jeff Skinner, David Savard, Alexander Georgiev, Pius Suter, Tony DeAngelo, Victor Olofsson