The 2018 NHL free agency period begins Sunday, July 1, at noon ET, and should bring with it a healthy dose of rumors, trades and bone-headed signings that usually accompany the first day of the new league year. Not to mention, this year’s class includes perhaps the biggest star to hit the open market in the NHL’s salary cap era.

NHL DRAFT 2018: Team-by-team grades | Winners and losers

John Tavares is now eligible to sign with a team other than the Islanders, who made him the No. 1 overall pick in 2009 and are up against five other finalists to convince the captain to stay put. Thankfully, Tavares Watch should salvage an otherwise unremarkable free agency period that offers little in the way of top-end talent.

But that won’t matter. With the NHL’s salary cap increase from $75 million to $79.5 million, some general managers enter free agency with money burning holes in their pockets.

Below is a glimpse at what this crop has to offer, including a list of top available free agents — both unrestricted and restricted — and a tracker which will update live as news of deals pour in.

NHL free agents 2018: Top 10 unrestricted players

  1. John Tavares, C, Islanders (Signed with Maple Leafs)

  2. James van Riemsdyk, LW, Maple Leafs (Signed with Flyers)

  3. Ilya Kovalchuk, LW, KHL (Signed with Kings)

  4. Paul Stastny, C, Jets (Signed with Golden Knights)

  5. James Neal, RW, Golden Knights (Signed with Flames)

  6. Joe Thornton, C, Sharks (Re-signed with Sharks)

  7. Carter Hutton, G, Blues (Signed with Sabres)

  8. Mike Green, D, Red Wings (Re-signed with Red Wings)

  9. Rick Nash, LW, Bruins

  10. David Perron, LW, Golden Knights (Signed with Blues)

FULL 2018 UFA RANKINGS: Forwards | Defensemen | Goalies

NHL free agent signings tracker, by position

CENTERS

WINGERS

DEFENSEMEN

GOALTENDERS