5 Free Agents Who Could Sign Overseas

Not every good hockey player can make the cut in the NHL or get the opportunity they think they deserve or very well may deserve. It's a good thing that there are still some good professional hockey leagues around the world, most notably in Russia, Sweden, and Finland. There have already been a handful of players to sign overseas and I don't think that number is done rising. Here are some more players who could find their way to another professional hockey league overseas ahead of next season.

Ville Husso

Ville Husso was great for the St. Louis Blues in the 2021-22 season, but it was short lived. The Detroit Red Wings signed him to a deal he wasn't worth because of one very good season and they immediately regretted it. That three-year, $4.75 million AAV deal ended this year and the 30-year-old is a UFA. He was demoted to the AHL last season and this season and played for two different AHL trades as he was moved over to the Anaheim Ducks. He may be able to find a third string job in the NHL, but would get a much better shot at starting in a top professional league back in his home country of Finland.

Jesse Puljujarvi

Jesse Puljujarvi has really fought through a lot since coming back from injury, but he just can't seem to stick in the NHL or with a team. The former fourth overall pick and now 27-year-old has played for four different teams in the past three seasons including the Edmonton Oilers, Carolina Hurricanes, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Florida Panthers. He puts up good numbers in the AHL, but even with his work ethic and strong defensive play style, his offensive numbers just don't transfer over to the NHL. He most recently played for his home country of Finland at the World Championship last year and did well. He also most recently played in Liiga in 2020-21, so I can see him returning home sooner than later.

Lukas Rousek

Lukas Rousek is a late round draft pick by the Buffalo Sabres that got lost in the shuffle and never really got his opportunity. At 26 years old, he is past the age where we can call him a prospect anymore. There have just been a lot of good young forwards coming through the Buffalo organization for him to be given a good look. He has put up over 40 points in each of his last three AHL seasons and played in Czechia, where he is from, in 2020-21. Even with good AHL numbers, it will take a lot for a team to find a role in their lineup for him with only 17 games of NHL experience under his belt.

William Lagesson

William Lagesson has been a solid AHL talent and extra in the NHL his entire career. The 29-year-old has 107 NHL games and the maximum games he's played in a season has been 40 last season. The native of Sweden last played overseas in 2020-21 as well. There is no NHL team that will have him on the roster to start the season and it will take a number of injuries for Lagesson to get into a decent amount of NHL games again. He will likely head to Sweden or somewhere around there to find a multi-year contract.

Rasmus Asplund

Rasmus Asplund had his shot in Buffalo in 2021-22 and didn't do that poorly with eight goals and 27 points in a full season, but he didn't really get a chance after that, playing just 52 games in the NHL in the three seasons since. He puts up good offensive numbers in the AHL, but also hasn't put up a point in the NHL since 2022-23. He plays internationally for Sweden, so there is a good chance he just heads there, gets a better contract and stability, and thrives.

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