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With NHL free agency just around the corner on July 1, teams are strategizing to bolster their rosters. Which pending UFA do you think woudl make the biggest impact? What team needs a shakeup the most?

NHL Free Agency Frenzy: Top UFA Targets for Each Team

As NHL free agency approaches, teams are eyeing potential acquisitions to strengthen their lineups. With prominent names like Mitch marner, Aaron Ekblad, and Nikolaj Ehlers headlining the list of pending unrestricted free agents (UFAs), the upcoming weeks promise meaningful roster moves. This article,inspired by insights from The Athletic, highlights one UFA each team should target this summer to address their specific needs and elevate their competitiveness in the league. The focus is on strategic acquisitions that align with team goals and improve overall performance.

Anaheim ducks

Brock Boeser

If Marner isn’t in play, Boeser could be a good Plan B who isn’t nearly as costly. He’ll get paid and could surpass Troy Terry’s team-high $7 million AAV. But the Ducks’ salary scale wouldn’t be thrown off, and they would get a shooter whose down year of 25 goals last season would have led Anaheim. Beckett Sennecke, the no. 3 pick in 2024, won’t need to be rushed.- Eric Stephens

Boston Bruins

Mitch Marner

Who would want to play against a team that rolls David Pastrnak on one shift and Marner the next? The Bruins would be top-heavy with two difference-making right wings. But in a good way. – Fluto Shinzawa

Buffalo Sabres

Aaron Ekblad

The Sabres’ biggest need is a right-shot defenseman capable of playing in the top four. Ekblad is the best player available who fits that description.He comes with an established track record playing for a winning team to go with a physical edge. He’s also only 29,so he should still have some good seasons left in him. – Matthew Fairburn

calgary Flames

Nikolaj Ehlers

A goal-scoring winger with speed and skating in his arsenal. He makes a ton of sense for Calgary if he’s willing to remain in Canada.Boeser could be another option.The goal is for Calgary to get someone younger and not chase after mid-30s players who keep them away from that goal. – Julian McKenzie

Carolina Hurricanes

Mitch Marner

Marner would fit the Hurricanes’ style and give the team an elite point producer. he’s a defensively responsible forward who is hardworking and can be used in all situations. While there is a case for Carolina upgrading at center over another wing, the team could accomplish its longtime pursuit of landing a superstar by landing Marner this offseason. – Cory Lavalette

Chicago Blackhawks

Mitch Marner

Marner is probably a long shot, and the blackhawks may not even sign a significant unrestricted free agent.It’s possible they’ll be more aggressive in trying to acquire someone through trade. But of the current UFAs, Marner is the one who makes the most sense from age and talent standpoints.- Scott powers

Colorado Avalanche

Dante Fabbro

After signing Brock Nelson to an extension, Colorado has its core under contract, but also very little cap space to work with. the Avs should be looking to upgrade the fringes with a good value signing, and Fabbro could be perfect. He’s 26, a strong skater and played well with Norris Trophy finalist Zach Werenski this year. He’d be a great addition if Colorado could find a way to fit his contract. – Jesse Granger

Columbus Blue Jackets

Aaron Ekblad

the Blue Jackets want to bolster their blue line, and the right side needs the most help. Ekblad would be a perfect fit, whether he pairs with Werenski on the top pair or with youngster Denton Mateychuk on the second pair.The right side has been a sore spot as Seth Jones was traded to Chicago, but Ekblad could help give the Jackets two major minute-munchers, one on each side. – Aaron Portzline

Dallas Stars

Aaron ekblad

Miro Heiskanen is capable of playing on his off side; he’s been doing it for years. But the Stars could use a good right-handed shot, and Ekblad fits the bill. He could slot in alongside Thomas Harley or Esa Lindell and give Dallas a terrific top four. But making the money work will be difficult,especially if Jim Nill plans to re-sign Matt Duchene and captain Jamie Benn. – Mark Lazerus

Vladislav Gavrikov is one of the league’s best defensive defensemen. (Luke Hales / Getty Images)

Detroit Red Wings

Vladislav Gavrikov

While a top-line winger would be the more exciting add, Detroit needs a top-four defenseman, and Gavrikov would be the dream fit. He’s one of the league’s best defensive defensemen, is used to taking tough minutes and has familiarity with Todd McLellan and Trent Yawney from Los Angeles. Putting Gavrikov next to Moritz Seider would make for a fearsome defensive pairing. – Max Bultman

Edmonton Oilers

Connor Brown

It’s a boring answer, but sometimes there’s nothing wrong with boring. Brown has become one of the heartbeats of the team as a penalty killer and role player who can move up in the lineup. He loves being an Oiler, his former agent runs the team and he surely won’t break the bank. That’s vital, considering the oilers don’t have an abundance of cap space. – Daniel Nugent-Bowman

Florida Panthers

Sam Bennett

Why mess with success? That goes for both sides, too. If Bennett wants to max out – and some team will be more than happy to offer the prospect – it’ll be time to say goodbye. Is it that outrageous to think that Florida paying him, say, $7 million a season should be out of the question? The fit is perfect, and there (as usual) aren’t a ton of plug-and-play down-the-middle options on the market. – Sean Gentille

Los Angeles Kings

Vladislav Gavrikov

With Rob Blake as the kings’ GM, it felt like a foregone conclusion that Gavrikov would be re-signed, but that’s no longer the case with ken Holland. If Holland isn’t keen on throwing many years and big money at Gavrikov, the 29-year-old defensive bedrock, trading for the younger Bowen Byram (or perhaps Nicolas Hague) might be necessary if they also make a big move, such as taking a run at Marner. – Eric Stephens

Minnesota Wild

John Tavares

The Wild’s main need is up the middle,and now they’re on Plan B after target Nelson re-signed with the Avalanche. Tavares’ priority has been to stay in Toronto, but if he gets to market, he’d give Minnesota the experienced, two-way center who could take some pressure off Joel Eriksson Ek. The Wild need to get Tavares,duchene or Jonathan Toews to address the position,especially after missing out on Nelson. – Joe Smith

Dante Fabbro is young, shoots from the right side, should be relatively inexpensive and did some good things with the Blue Jackets. (Jason Mowry / Getty Images)

Montreal Canadiens

Dante Fabbro

Fabbro might not make it to July 1, as the reasons why Montreal might want him are the same reasons Columbus would want to keep him: he’s young, shoots from the right side, should be relatively inexpensive and did some good things with the Blue Jackets. The Canadiens have a need on the right side of their blue line with the retirement of David Savard. – Arpon Basu

Nashville Predators

Sam Bennett

It’s doubtful Bennett will be available, but if he is, the Predators should be all over him. He’s a proven playoff performer who plays with an edge and can score. He’s also a good fit with the team’s identity. – Pierre LeBrun

New Jersey Devils

Tyler Bertuzzi

The Devils need to add some grit and toughness to their lineup, and Bertuzzi would bring that in spades. He’s also a skilled player who can score goals and make plays. He’s a good fit with the team’s style of play. – Pierre LeBrun

New York Islanders

Jonathan Drouin

The Islanders need to add some skill and creativity to their lineup, and Drouin would bring that in spades. He’s also a good fit with the team’s style of play. – Pierre LeBrun

New York Rangers

Jake Guentzel

The Rangers need to add some scoring depth to their lineup, and Guentzel would bring that in spades. He’s also a proven playoff performer who can score goals and make plays. He’s a good fit with the team’s style of play. – Pierre LeBrun

Ottawa Senators

Matt Duchene

The Senators need to add some experience and leadership to their lineup, and Duchene would bring that in spades. He’s also a skilled player who can score goals and make plays. He’s a good fit with the team’s style of play. – Pierre LeBrun

Philadelphia Flyers

Chris Tanev

The Flyers need to add some defensive stability to their lineup, and tanev would bring that in spades. He’s also a good fit with the team’s style of play. – pierre LeBrun

Pittsburgh Penguins

Jason Zucker

The Penguins need to add some scoring depth to their lineup, and Zucker would bring that in spades. He’s also a good fit with the team’s style of play. – Pierre LeBrun

San Jose Sharks

Joe Pavelski

The Sharks need to add some experience and leadership to their lineup,