Top free agent forwards: Hoffman on the market

The NHL free agent signing period began Oct. 9. NHL.com takes a closer look at the top unrestricted free agent forwards remaining on the market (listed in alphabetical order):

Mikael Granlund, Nashville Predators

Granlund scored 30 points (17 goals, 13 assists) in 63 regular-season games and had one assist in four postseason games. The 28-year-old center scored 54 points the previous season with the Predators and Wild and at least 21 goals and 67 points in two seasons with Minnesota from 2016-18. Granlund also has value on the penalty kill, having scored at least one shorthanded goal in each of the past five seasons. He has scored 352 points (111 goals, 241 assists) in 540 regular-season games with the Predators and Wild.
Possible landing spots: Los Angeles Kings, Florida Panthers, Winnipeg Jets, Montreal Canadiens

Mike Hoffman, Florida Panthers

Hoffman likely will have plenty of teams interested after scoring 59 points (29 goals, 30 assists) in 69 games last season, the fourth time in the past five seasons he has had at least that many points. The left wing, who will turn 31 on Nov. 24, has scored at least 22 goals in six straight seasons and is fourth in power-play goals over the past four (49). Hoffman has scored 359 points (172 goals, 187 assists) in 493 regular-season games with the Panthers and Ottawa Senators and can fill a top-line role.
Possible landing spots: Washington Capitals, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Islanders, Colorado Avalanche, Columbus Blue Jackets, Jets, Panthers

Ilya Kovalchuk, Washington Capitals

The 37-year-old left wing scored 26 points (10 goals, 16 assists) in 46 games with the Capitals, Canadiens and Kings last season and has scored 60 points (26 goals, 34 assists) in 110 games since returning to the NHL in 2018 after five seasons in the Kontinental Hockey League. Although he's not as dynamic as he once was, having scored at least 31 goals nine times, Kovalchuk is fourth among active NHL players in goals (443), behind Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin (706), San Jose Sharks forward Patrick Marleau (562) and Penguins center Sidney Crosby (462). Kovalchuk has scored 876 points (including 329 power-play points) in 926 regular-season games with the Capitals, Canadiens, Kings, New Jersey Devils and Atlanta Thrashers.
Possible landing spots: Avalanche, Canadiens, Boston Bruins, Edmonton Oilers, Philadelphia Flyers

Pat Maroon, Tampa Bay Lightning

There likely will be a lot of teams interested in Maroon, who has won the Cup each of the past two seasons. The 32-year-old left wing scored 23 points (nine goals, 14 assists) and was a physical presence (71 penalty minutes) in 64 regular-season games with the Lightning. He scored six points (one goal, five assists) in 25 postseason games and is a veteran with a proven track record. Maroon has scored 229 points (97 goals, 132 assists) in 513 regular-season games with the Lightning, St. Louis Blues, Devils, Oilers, and Anaheim Ducks, and 40 points (17 goals, 23 assists) in 98 postseason games.
Possible landing spots: Lightning, Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, New York Rangers