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Predictions for the top NHL free agents, including Nazem Kadri, Johnny Gaudreau, Evgeni Malkin

Edmonton Oilers general manager Ken Holland has surveyed the NHL free-agent landscape every summer since 1997. What does he see as the 2022 market prepares to officially open Wednesday at noon?

"Lots of teams are tight on the cap, so it's going to be interesting," Holland told ESPN. "And then other teams ... you wonder if they want to spend."

The NHL salary cap is $82.5 million for next season, a rise of just $1 million over last season's ceiling. That doesn't bode well for the NHL's middle class of players who are seeking new unrestricted and restricted free-agent deals.