Top NHL free agent forwards: Gaudreau to test market

With the NHL free agent signing period having begun, there are several teams in the market for a forward who can boost them into a Stanley Cup contender.
NHL.com takes a closer look at the top unrestricted free agent forwards (listed in alphabetical order):

Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins
It would be a surprise if the 36-year-old center decides to return for another season and it isn't with the Bruins. Bergeron had 65 points (25 goals, 40 assists) in 73 games this season and is an excellent two-way player. He led the NHL in face-off percentage (61.9 percent) and won the Selke Trophy for a record fifth time. Bergeron has 982 points (400 goals, 582 assists) in 1,216 games during 18 seasons with Boston and has played 167 Stanley Cup Playoff games (127 points; 49 goals, 78 assists), winning the Stanley Cup in 2011.
Andre Burakovsky, Colorado Avalanche
The 27-year-old forward had 61 points (22 goals, 39 assists) in 80 regular-season games for the Avalanche and helped the win the Stanley Cup with eight points (three goals, five assists) in 12 postseason games this season. Burakovsky has 295 points (123 goals, 172 assists) in 519 regular-season games for the Avalanche and Washington Capitals, and 47 points (20 goals, 27 assists) in 93 playoff games. He also won the Stanley Cup with the Capitals in 2018.
Max Domi, Carolina Hurricanes
Domi had 39 points (11 goals, 28 assists) in 72 regular-season games for the Hurricanes and Columbus Blue Jackets last season, including seven points (two goals, five assists) in 19 games after he was acquired in a trade by the Hurricanes on March 21. The 27-year-old center has 314 points (101 goals, 213 assists) in 501 regular-season games for the Hurricanes, Blue Jackets, Montreal Canadiens and Arizona Coyotes, and nine points (three goals six assists) in 24 playoff games. He's scored at least 44 points four times in seven seasons.
Johnny Gaudreau, Calgary Flames
Gaudreau, who Flames general manager Brad Treliving said Tuesday will test the free agent market, was tied for second in the NHL this season with 115 points (40 goals, 75 assists) in 82 regular-season games. He led the NHL with a plus-64 rating and set NHL career highs in goals, assists, points, game-winning goals (nine) and shots on goal (262). The 28-year-old forward led the Flames in the playoffs with 14 points (three goals, 11 assists) in 12 games. Gaudreau has 609 points (210 goals, 399 assists) in 602 regular-season games and 33 points (11 goals, 22 assists) in 42 playoff games.
Nazem Kadri, Colorado Avalanche
A broken thumb couldn't stop Kadri from coming back in the playoffs and scoring the overtime goal in his return, a 3-2 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 4 of the Cup Final. The 31-year-old forward had 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) in 16 playoff games to help the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup. He had 28 goals and NHL career highs in assists (59), points (87), power-play points (29) in 71 regular-season games. Kadri has 512 points (219 goals, 293 assists) in 739 regular-season games for the Avalanche and Toronto Maple Leafs, and 44 points (19 goals, 25 assists) in 52 playoff games.
Phil Kessel, Arizona Coyotes
While Kessel's stats have dipped with the Arizona Coyotes the past three seasons, he had 52 points (eight goals, 44 assists) and 14 power-play points in 82 games and is a proven scorer. The 34-year-old forward has 956 points (399 goals, 557 assists) in 1,204 regular-season games for the Coyotes, Pittsburgh Penguins, Maple Leafs and Bruins, including six seasons with at least 30 goals and 12 with at least 20 goals. A two-time Cup winner with the Penguins in 2016 and 2017, Kessel has 81 points (34 goals, 47 assists) in 96 postseason games.
Ondrej Palat, Tampa Bay Lightning
Palat has been an integral part of the Lightning's playoff success the past three seasons with 27 goals, including eight game-winners in 71 postseason games to help them win the Cup in 2020 and 2021 and advance to the Final this season. The 31-year-old forward had 49 points (18 goals, 31 assists) in 77 regular-season games and 21 points (11 goals, 10 assists) in 23 postseason games. Palat has 423 points (143 goals, 280 assists) in 628 regular-season games and 94 points (48 goals, 46 assists) in 138 playoff games.
Reilly Smith, Vegas Golden Knights
The 31-year-old forward has proven to be a valuable top-six forward with 38 points (16 goals, 22 assists) in 56 games for the Golden Knights this season. He also plays in all situations, averaging nearly two minutes per game in power play and shorthanded ice time per game. Smith has 417 points (174 goals, 243 assists) in 686 regular-season games for the Golden Knights, Panthers, Bruins and Stars and 65 points (22 goals, 43 assists) in 84 playoff games.
Paul Stastny, Winnipeg Jets
Stastny had his most points (45) since 2017-18 when he had 53 with the Jets and Blues. The 36-year-old forward had 21 goals and 24 assists in 71 games and would provide veteran leadership and the ability to chip in offensively. Stastny has 800 points (284 goals, 516 assists) in 1,072 regular-season games for the Jets, Golden Knights, Blues and Avalanche and 69 points (26 goals, 43 assists) in 103 postseason games.
Dylan Strome, Chicago Blackhawks
Strome did not receive a qualifying offer from Chicago and will become an unrestricted free agent. The 25-year-old had an NHL career-high 22 goals and had 48 points in 69 games for the Blackhawks this season. He has 170 points (67 goals, 103 assists) in 273 regular-season games for the Blackhawks and Coyotes, and three points (two goals, one assist) in nine playoff games
Ryan Strome, New York Rangers
For teams in need of a playmaking center, Strome could be the answer. The 28-year-old had 54 points (21 goals, 33 assists) in 74 regular-season games for the Rangers this season and nine points (two goals, seven assists) in 19 playoff games to help them advance to the Eastern Conference Final. Strome has 357 points (130 goals, 227 assists) in 621 regular-season games for the Rangers, Oilers and Islanders and 19 points (five goals, 14 assists) in 37 playoff games.