Significant changes can occur even the day before free agency starts, let alone a full year out from the major event.
Just before the market opened this July, players like Aaron Ekblad, Brad Marchand, Mitch Marner, and Ivan Provorov either extended their contracts with their existing teams or, as Marner did, bypassed traditional free agency via a sign-and-trade to his new team.
Actions on June 30th can significantly influence the excitement of July 1st. Naturally, many potential unrestricted free agents (UFAs) don`t wait until the last minute, opting to extend with their current teams within the year prior to their contract expiring.
Therefore, any speculation about a free agent class a year in advance requires numerous disclaimers.
Nevertheless, we won`t let prudence entirely spoil the classic fun of discussing potential free agents.
Having just passed a relatively quiet 2025 free agency period 10 days ago, it feels like a good moment to start looking ahead to the prospects of the 2026 class.
Before diving in, let`s revisit some of those important caveats.
Several exciting names are associated with the summer of 2026. However, it`s uncommon for superstar players such as Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, Artemi Panarin, Kirill Kaprizov, or Kyle Connor to actually reach the open market.
While Panarin notably moved as a UFA in 2019, instances like that are rare. Typically, when top players do reach free agency, there are signs leading up to it, as was the situation when Panarin departed Columbus for the Rangers.
Connecting the world`s best player to free agency naturally creates significant buzz – imagine the possibilities! – but it`s wise to temper expectations regarding that scenario.
A specific group of players to consider are Russian veterans who might retire after their current contracts expire. Alex Ovechkin will be 40 in September, and any potential season at age 41 would almost certainly be with the Washington Capitals. Evgeni Malkin turns 39 soon, and his upcoming season in Pittsburgh might be his last in the NHL.
Sergei Bobrovsky, turning 37 in September, is slightly different; he likely has a season or two remaining after the upcoming one. However, these seasons will probably be dedicated to pursuing further championships with the Florida Panthers, likely on a contract with a significantly lower cap hit than his 2019 UFA deal.
Veterans Anze Kopitar and John Carlson, both highly skilled, have played their entire careers with a single team. It`s particularly difficult to envision Kopitar ever playing elsewhere. Similar loyalty is expected from slightly younger captains like Adam Lowry and Boone Jenner, who have also spent their entire NHL careers with one franchise.
Mattias Ekholm has played for two teams, but it seems improbable that the 36-year-old would do anything other than continue his pursuit of championships in Northern Alberta with the Oilers next summer. The same applies to fellow Swedish veteran Jacob Markstrom, 35, who appears well-situated with a solid New Jersey Devils team.
Is it possible any of these players could change teams in the next year? Certainly. However, the likelihood is they will remain with their current clubs.
So, where might we see significant spending on July 1st next year?
The eight players listed below are potential UFAs who appear more likely than many others, for various reasons, to become available on the open market next summer. While circumstances can quickly shift, let`s look at some compelling players who would undoubtedly attract significant interest if their services were available to the highest bidder a year from now.
Rasmus Andersson, Defence, Calgary Flames
Among the players discussed, Andersson is perhaps the most likely to be playing for a different team – or potentially two – in the next year. The long-serving Flames defenceman, turning 29 in October, is currently a common name on off-season trade lists. If Calgary finds a suitable trade partner, a deal could occur at any point before the season begins. A swift trade might even include a contract extension, eliminating Andersson`s status as a pending UFA.
However, if Andersson – reportedly selective about where he`d sign an extension – isn`t traded until closer to the 2026 trade deadline, there`s a strong possibility he could serve as a rental player for one team before becoming a highly sought-after right-shot defenseman on the open market.
Teams would certainly be eager to acquire him.
Martin Necas, Right Wing, Colorado Avalanche
Could the Avalanche trade a top pending UFA winger for the second consecutive season? The trade of Mikko Rantanen in his contract`s final year surprised many, highlighting that high-profile pending UFA situations can be unpredictable.
The late-January trade sending Rantanen to Carolina (before he eventually signed with Dallas) brought Necas to the Avalanche. Necas, an RFA last summer, signed a two-year deal reportedly with the intention of reaching the open market in 2026.
Necas appears interested in experiencing UFA status. If Colorado cannot secure a long-term deal for the 26-year-old, he would be incredibly appealing on the open market as a tall winger still in his prime.
Alex Tuch, Right Wing, Buffalo Sabres
Following the Panthers` second consecutive championship, built on having skilled yet difficult-to-play-against players, Alex Tuch – standing six-foot-four, 220 pounds with scoring ability – fits the mold of a player many teams seeking playoff success would covet.
Duncan Priestley