Top 50 NHL UFAs: Andersson, Carlson, Bobrovsky Lead 2026 Free Agency Class
NHL free agency opens on July 1 with some intriguing pending UFAs still unsigned.
The 2026 class doesn't include the big names that it could've had, since Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel and Kyle Connor are among the star talent that signed contract extensions long ago.
That doesn't mean there are no good players, however. There are pending UFAs who could fit in a team's top two forward lines, the middle defense pair or the starting goalie role. There's also suspense as we await Alex Ovechkin's decision on whether he will play another NHL season or not.
NHL Rumor Roundup: Latest On Connor Hellebuyck And Sergei Bobrovsky
There's growing speculation over whether the Winnipeg Jets will trade Connor Hellebuyck, plus the latest on Sergei Bobrovsky's contract talks with the Florida Panthers as his UFA eligibility approaches.
5. Anthony Mantha, LW, Pittsburgh Penguins
Age: 31
Previous cap hit: $2.5 million
2025-26 stats: 81 GP, 33 G, 31 A, 64 PTS
6. Jacob Trouba, D, Anaheim Ducks
Age: 32
Previous cap hit: $8 million
2025-26 stats: 81 GP, 10 G, 25 A, 35 PTS
7. Mason Marchment, LW, Columbus Blue Jackets
Age: 31
Previous cap hit: $4.5 million
2025-26 stats: 68 GP, 19 G, 26 A, 45 PTS
8. Viktor Arvidsson, RW, Boston Bruins
Age: 33
Previous cap hit: $4 million
2025-26 stats: 69 GP, 25 G, 29 A, 54 PTS
9. Boone Jenner, C, Columbus Blue Jackets
Age: 33
Previous cap hit: $3.75 million
2025-26 stats: 67 GP, 13 G, 25 A, 38 PTS
10. Anders Lee, LW, New York Islanders
Age: 35
Previous cap hit: $7 million
2025-26 stats: 82 GP, 19 G, 23 A, 42 PTS
11. Michael Bunting, LW, Dallas Stars
Age: 30
Previous cap hit: $4.5 million
2025-26 stats: 74 GP, 14 G, 19 A, 33 PTS
12. Mario Ferraro, D, San Jose Sharks
Age: 27
Previous cap hit: $3.25 million
2025-26 stats: 82 GP, 7 G, 16 A, 23 PTS
13. Frederik Andersen, G, Carolina Hurricanes
Age: 36
Previous cap hit: $2.75 million
2025-26 stats: 16-14-5, 3.05 GAA, .874 SP
What Will Andersen's Phenomenal NHL Playoff Campaign Fetch Him In Free Agency?
Carolina Hurricanes goalie Frederik Andersen's spectacular post-season dominance has silenced his critics while propelling Carolina toward a Stanley Cup. But what will the veteran netminder get on the open market when he becomes a UFA this summer?
14. Patrick Kane, RW, Detroit Red Wings
Age: 37
Previous cap hit: $3 million
2025-26 stats: 67 GP, 16 G, 41 A, 57 PTS
15. Mats Zuccarello, RW, Minnesota Wild
Age: 38
Previous cap hit: $4.125 million
2025-26 stats: 59 GP, 15 G, 39 A, 54 PTS
16. Jaden Schwartz, LW, Seattle Kraken
Age: 33
Previous cap hit: $5.5 million
2025-26 stats: 50 GP, 11 G, 15 A, 26 PTS
17. Stuart Skinner, G, Pittsburgh Penguins
Age: 27
Previous cap hit: $2.6 million
2025-26 stats: 23-17-9, 2.92 GAA, .888 SP
18. Scott Laughton, C, Los Angeles Kings
Age: 32
Previous cap hit: $3 million
2025-26 stats: 64 GP, 13 G, 7 A, 20 PTS
19. Brett Kulak, D, Colorado Avalanche
Age: 32
Previous cap hit: $2.75 million
2025-26 stats: 83 GP, 1 G, 11 A, 12 PTS
20. Erik Haula, C, Nashville Predators
Age: 35
Previous cap hit: $3.15 million
2025-26 stats: 81 GP, 14 G, 24 A, 38 PTS
21. Jack Roslovic, RW, Edmonton Oilers
Age: 29
Previous cap hit: $1.5 million
2025-26 stats: 69 GP, 21 G, 15 A, 36 PTS
22. Patrik Laine, RW, Montreal Canadiens
Age: 28
Previous cap hit: $8.7 million
2025-26 stats: 5 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 PTS
Canadiens' Patrik Laine Is NHL's Most Intriguing Free Agent This Year
There could be some teams willing to buy low on Laine this summer.
23. Ryan Shea, D, Pittsburgh Penguins
Age: 29
Previous cap hit: $900,000
2025-26 stats: 80 GP, 6 G, 29 A, 35 PTS
24. Claude Giroux, RW/C, Ottawa Senators
Age: 38
Previous cap hit: $2 million
2025-26 stats: 82 GP, 14 G, 35 A, 49 PTS
25. Nick Blankenburg, D, Colorado Avalanche
Age: 28
Previous cap hit: $775,000
2025-26 stats: 61 GP, 8 G, 16 A, 24 PTS
26. Andrei Kuzmenko, LW, Los Angeles Kings
Age: 30
Previous cap hit: $4.3 million
2025-26 stats: 52 GP, 13 G, 12 A, 25 PTS
27. John Klingberg, D, San Jose Sharks
Age: 33
Previous cap hit: $4 million
2025-26 stats: 56 GP, 10 G, 17 A, 27 PTS
28. Eeli Tolvanen, RW, Seattle Kraken
Age: 27
Previous cap hit: $3.475 million
2025-26 stats: 78 GP, 12 G, 24 A, 36 PTS
29. Logan Stanley, D, Buffalo Sabres
Age: 28
Previous cap hit: $1.25 million
2025-26 stats: 76 GP, 9 G, 17 A, 26 PTS
30. Vladimir Tarasenko, RW, Minnesota Wild
Age: 34
Previous cap hit: $4.75 million
2025-26 stats: 75 GP, 23 G, 24 A, 47 PTS
31. Ilya Mikheyev, RW, Chicago Blackhawks
Age: 31
Previous cap hit: $4.75 million
2025-26 stats: 77 GP, 18 G, 18 A, 36 PTS
Blackhawks Can Afford To Give Ilya Mikheyev Money, But Not Term
The Chicago Blackhawks are likely to lose Ilya Mikheyev to free agency, but it is more about term than money.
32. A.J. Greer, LW, Florida Panthers
Age: 29
Previous cap hit: $850,000
2025-26 stats: 78 GP, 17 G, 15 A, 32 PTS
33. Oliver Bjorkstrand, RW, Tampa Bay Lightning
Age: 31
Previous cap hit: $5.4 million
2025-26 stats: 80 GP, 12 G, 20 A, 32 PTS
34. Alex Kerfoot, C, Utah Mammoth
Age: 31
Previous cap hit: $3 million
2025-26 stats: 34 GP, 7 G, 6 A, 13 PTS
35. David Perron, LW, Detroit Red Wings
Age: 38
Previous cap hit: $4 million
2025-26 stats: 65 GP, 13 G, 15 A, 28 PTS
36. Connor Ingram, G, Edmonton Oilers
Age: 29
Previous cap hit: $1.95 million
2025-26 stats: 16-10-3, 2.60 GAA, .899 SP
37. Andrew Peeke, D, Boston Bruins
Age: 28
Previous cap hit: $2.75 million
2025-26 stats: 77 GP, 5 G, 9 A, 14 PTS
38. Cam Talbot, G, Detroit Red Wings
Age: 38
Previous cap hit: $2.5 million
2025-26 stats: 12-9-6, 3.19 GAA, .883 SP
39. Jeremy Lauzon, D, Vegas Golden Knights
Age: 29
Previous cap hit: $2 million
2025-26 stats: 68 GP, 1 G, 12 A, 13 PTS
40. Nick Jensen, D, Ottawa Senators
Age: 35
Previous cap hit: $4.05 million
2025-26 stats: 61 GP, 4 G, 13 A, 17 PTS
41. Jamie Oleksiak, D, Seattle Kraken
Age: 33
Previous cap hit: $4.6 million
2025-26 stats: 78 GP, 5 G, 10 A, 15 PTS
42. Kasperi Kapanen, RW, Edmonton Oilers
Age: 29
Previous cap hit: $1.3 million
2025-26 stats: 41 GP, 8 G, 9 A, 17 PTS
43. Teddy Blueger, C, Vancouver Canucks
Age: 31
Previous cap hit: $1.8 million
2025-26 stats: 35 GP, 9 G, 8 A, 17 PTS
44. Beck Malenstyn, LW, Buffalo Sabres
Age: 28
Previous cap hit: $1.35 million
2025-26 stats: 81 GP, 7 G, 7 A, 14 PTS
45. Tony DeAngelo, D, New York Islanders
Age: 30
Previous cap hit: $1.75 million
2025-26 stats: 76 GP, 5 G, 30 A, 35 PTS
46. Jamie Benn, LW, Dallas Stars
Age: 36
Previous cap hit: $1 million
2025-26 stats: 60 GP, 15 G, 21 A, 36 PTS
47. Radko Gudas, D, Anaheim Ducks
Age: 36
Previous cap hit: $4 million
2025-26 stats: 56 GP, 2 G, 11 A, 13 PTS
48. Brent Burns, D, Colorado Avalanche
Age: 41
Previous cap hit: $1 million
2025-26 stats: 82 GP, 12 G, 23 A, 35 PTS
49. Corey Perry, RW, Tampa Bay Lightning
Age: 41
Previous cap hit: $2 million
2025-26 stats: 72 GP, 17 G, 20 A, 37 PTS
50. Victor Olofsson, LW, Calgary Flames
Age: 30
Previous cap hit: $1.575 million
2025-26 stats: 78 GP, 13 G, 18 A, 31 PTS
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This story was originally published June 24, 2026 at 4:02 PM.