Athletistic / Hockey. Authoritative Canadian publication Sportsnet has compiled a ranking of the most intriguing possible unrestricted free agents hitting the market in 2025. Three Russian hockey players are in the top 25.
- At the end of the new season, Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Dmitry Orlov could be without a contract. The 32-year-old Russian signed a two-year contract with the Hurricanes in the summer of 2023. According to the authors of the ranking, Carolina’s defensive line suffered a lot this summer due to the loss of Brett Pesce and Brady Shea, so the possible loss of Orlov could further harm the club’s ambitions.
- Vladislav Gavrikov – Los Angeles Kings: Gavrikov also signed his current contract in the summer of 2023. Most likely, he did so in hopes of re-entering the free agent market under more favorable financial circumstances, expected in the NHL in 2025. However, Vladislav’s contract could be extended during the 2024/2025 season, as he is valued in Los Angeles.
- Ivan Provorov – Columbus Blue Jackets: Provorov ended up in Columbus last offseason. The Blue Jackets were hoping that with his help, they would become a much more competitive club than they were last season. Provorov was the seventh overall pick in the 2015 NHL Draft. Over his eight-year career in the league, he averaged over 23 minutes of action per game while contributing nearly 30 points per season to his team.
It is worth noting that New York Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin was not included in the list, as Sportsnet reports the 28-year-old Russian is very likely to re-sign with the Blue Shirts soon.
Source: Sport
I’m Emma Smith, a dedicated journalist and avid storyteller. I have been writing for news websites for the past 5 years, reporting on hockey news and delivering in-depth analysis of the sport. In my current role as Author at Athletistic, I write about hockey events from around the world to keep followers up-to-date with what’s happening in the sport.
