Top Landing Spots For Free Agent Eeli Tolvanen
The Seattle Kraken opted not to re-sign the winger, letting him hit the open market on July 1 after he posted 12 goals and 36 points across 78 games while adding a heavy, physical element.
The 27-year-old's size and a dip in his shooting percentage last season are among the factors that have kept him unsigned, but his even-strength scoring remains a legit asset, as 22 of his 36 points came at five-on-five. His previous cap hit was $3.475 million, and his next deal projects in a similar range.
Here are the top landing spots.
Detroit Red Wings
The Red Wings are the team most frequently connected to Tolvanen.
Per David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, with Patrick Kane presumably out, Detroit is looking to replace that piece, and he specifically wondered about Tolvanen as the fit.
Some BIG-NAME free agents are still looking for a new home 👀
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) July 14, 2026
If you could sign just one, who would you take? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/y1xjqPc8yz
Tolvanen is an even-strength wizard whose scoring touch is exactly what the Red Wings need, as the team finished in the bottom third of the league in even-strength offense, and he would have been their most productive bottom-six forward last season.
His 187 hits would also add bite to a Detroit lineup that has cap room to comfortably fit him after already adding Viktor Arvidsson.
Buffalo Sabres
The Sabres make sense given their need to restock up front.
Buffalo entered free agency with more than $21 million in cap space and a clear hole after Alex Tuch was moved out in a sign-and-trade, leaving the team searching for secondary scoring.
Eeli Tolvanen with a VICIOUS hit from behind on... the ref? 😭 pic.twitter.com/IAwmeDGbFC
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) December 17, 2023
Tolvanen would give the Sabres a feisty, goal-scoring winger to help fill that void, and his ability to produce at even strength would be a useful addition for a team trying to end a lengthy playoff drought under new GM Jarmo Kekalainen.
His physical style would also fit a Buffalo group looking to become harder to play against.
Anaheim Ducks
The Ducks are another team with the cap flexibility to add him.
Anaheim reached the playoffs under Joel Quenneville and has significant room after a summer of roster turnover, including the departures of several veterans, giving the ascending club space to bring in a proven scorer.
Tolvanen would provide the Ducks' young core with an experienced middle-six winger who can chip in offensively and bring an edge, complementing their emerging talent as they push toward becoming a consistent playoff team.
Tolvanen should land a contract eventually given his skill set, and with the Red Wings' clear need for even-strength scoring, Detroit continues to look like the most logical fit as free agency drags on.
