Free Agent Eeli Tolvanen's Camp Confirms Talks With Several Teams

Eeli Tolvanen remains without a contract more than seven weeks into free agency, but according to his own camp, that has nothing to do with a lack of interest.

Per Rob Simpson of Pacific North Hockey, Tolvanen's camp has confirmed conversations with multiple NHL teams about a contract. 

Simpson is keeping the specific clubs under wraps while those talks continue, but he did rule out one option definitively.

One Team Confirmed Out

Seattle, where Tolvanen spent the last three and a half seasons, is not among the teams talking to him. 

The Kraken have already moved forward with their forward group, adding Mackie Samoskevich and Curtis Douglas over the summer, while unsigned restricted free agent Jacob Melanson is viewed as the internal answer to replace some of Tolvanen's physical edge after piling up 188 hits in just 36 games last season.

Money reportedly isn't the reason Seattle is out. 

The Kraken actually sit second in the league with $18.4 million in cap space, trailing only Detroit at $19.57 million, so this appears to be a pretty straightforward roster decision rather than a financial one.

Where He Might Land

Two of the league's top cap-space teams have already been floated as fits. The Red Wings, who lead the NHL in space, were linked to Tolvanen back in July, and Calgary, sitting fourth at $14.88 million, was mentioned as a possibility earlier in the offseason as well.

Detroit's appeal would be on a bottom-third even-strength offense that could use his scoring touch. Montreal, still searching for a true second-line center, could pivot to Tolvanen as a winger addition if that center search comes up empty. Carolina was floated as a fit too, provided the Hurricanes have money left over once their Alexander Nikishin situation is settled.

Tolvanen, 27, is a year removed from a 23-goal season and has averaged 211 hits annually over his last three years in the league, a profile that should appeal to teams looking for secondary scoring with an edge. 

He posted a quieter 2025-26, with 12 goals and 24 assists in 78 games on a $3.475 million cap hit.

Pro Hockey Rumors projected a three-year deal worth roughly $4 million annually. 

That kind of term is looking increasingly unlikely this deep into the calendar, and the outlet suggested a one-year "prove it" deal, potentially in that same $4 million range, may end up being his best path back to a multi-year contract next summer.