Kent Hughes will really have the opportunity to make a big splash next summer

So here's an early preview of what's in store for the next free agent period, and it's going to be a very spectacular one.

This summer (so far), 170 players have signed contracts, totaling more than $673 million, with cumulative terms of 290 years.

Many observers are already looking ahead to the next crop of free agents, as 285 contracts will expire in the NHL, including the pacts of several star players.

This will be the perfect time for many general managers, like Kent Hughes, to make a big splash.

Top unrestricted free agents in 2023:

- Patrick Kane
- Nathan MacKinnon
- Jonathan Toews
- Ryan O'Reilly
- Joe Pavelski
- David Pastrnak
- Vladimir Tarasenko
- Max Pacioretty
- Matt Dumba
- Dylan Larkin
- Bo Horvat
- J.T. Miller
- John Klingberg
- Tyler Bertuzzi
- Frederik Andersen
- Mackenzie Weegar
- Mackenzie Blackwood
- Ryan Graves
- Alex Nedeljkovic
- Damon Severson
- Dmitry Orlov
- Dylan Strome
- Erik Johnson
- Jordan Staal
- Jason Zucker
- Jonathan Quick

and 257 others...

Some of the players on this list will be signing contract extensions in the next few months, like Nathan MacKinnon (most likely), but there will be plenty of big names left.

Let's note that we obviously have to cross Jonathan Huberdeau's name off this list, he was going to become free as a bird in 2023, but he just signed for eight years with the Flames.

Best RFA's in 2023:

- Timo Meier
- Mat Barzal
- Alex DeBrincat
- Pierre-Luc Dubois
- Jesper Bratt
- Jesse Puljujarvi
- Trevor Zegras
- Jamie Drysdale
- Alexis Lafreniere
- Jordan Kyrou
- Spencer Knight
- Troy Terry
- Tage Thompson
- Matt Boldy
- Cole Caufield
- K'Andre Miller
- Ross Colton

So it will be really interesting to watch, especially for Pierre-Luc Dubois. Also, what kind of contract will Kent Hughes give to Cole Caufield?

It's going to be a big move, once again, in the next few months!