What Alex Ovechkin and Patrick Kane’s Free Agency Means for the NHL’s $104M Cap Era

The NHL Free Agency Landscape: What to Expect in the 2026 Offseason

As the NHL season comes to a close, the focus shifts to the free agency period, which officially begins on July 1. While the Stanley Cup has been awarded and the NHL Draft has taken place, this marks the start of one of the most anticipated events of the offseason. With the salary cap set to increase to $104 million for the 2025-26 season, teams are entering a new era of financial flexibility. This raises questions about how general managers will approach the market—will they prioritize creative contract structures or opt for big-money deals?

Despite the limited number of unrestricted free agents available this year, there are still several high-profile names that could make significant moves. Here’s a look at the top-20 unrestricted free agents heading into the 2026 free agency period.

Top Unrestricted Free Agents to Watch

1. D John Carlson – Carolina Hurricanes (rights acquired from Anaheim Ducks)
2. Age: 36
3. Position: Defense
4. 2025-26 Salary Cap Hit: $8 million

5. 2025-26 Production: 14 goals, 60 points in 71 games

6. G Sergei Bobrovsky – Florida Panthers

7. Age: 37
8. Position: Goaltender
9. 2025-26 Salary Cap Hit: $10 million

10. 2025-26 Production: .877 save percentage, 27-23-1 record in 52 games

11. D Rasmus Andersson – Vegas Golden Knights

12. Age: 29
13. Position: Defense
14. 2025-26 Salary Cap Hit: $4.55 million

15. 2025-26 Production: 17 goals, 47 points in 81 games

16. F Anthony Mantha – Pittsburgh Penguins

17. Age: 31
18. Position: Right Wing
19. 2025-26 Salary Cap Hit: $2.5 million

20. 2025-26 Production: 33 goals, 64 points in 81 games

21. F Alex Ovechkin – Washington Capitals

22. Age: 40
23. Position: Left Wing
24. 2025-26 Salary Cap Hit: $9.5 million

25. 2025-26 Production: 32 goals, 64 points in 82 games

26. D Jacob Trouba – Anaheim Ducks

27. Age: 32
28. Position: Defense
29. 2025-26 Salary Cap Hit: $8 million

30. 2025-26 Production: 10 goals, 35 points in 81 games

31. F Boone Jenner – Columbus Blue Jackets

32. Age: 33
33. Position: Center
34. 2025-26 Salary Cap Hit: $3.75 million

35. 2025-26 Production: 13 goals, 38 points in 67 games

36. F Jaden Schwartz – Seattle Kraken

37. Age: 34
38. Position: Left Wing
39. 2025-26 Salary Cap Hit: $5.5 million

40. 2025-26 Production: 11 goals, 26 points in 50 games

41. D Mario Ferraro – San Jose Sharks

42. Age: 27
43. Position: Defense
44. 2025-26 Salary Cap Hit: $3.25 million

45. 2025-26 Production: 7 goals, 23 points in 82 games

46. G Stuart Skinner – Pittsburgh Penguins

    • Age: 27
    • Position: Goaltender
    • 2025-26 Salary Cap Hit: $2.6 million
    • 2025-26 Production: .888 save percentage, 23-17-9 record in 50 games

47. F Mason Marchment – Columbus Blue Jackets

    • Age: 31
    • Position: Left Wing
    • 2025-26 Salary Cap Hit: $4.5 million
    • 2025-26 Production: 19 goals, 45 points in 68 games

48. F Viktor Arvidsson – Boston Bruins

    • Age: 33
    • Position: Left Wing
    • 2025-26 Salary Cap Hit: $4 million
    • 2025-26 Production: 25 goals, 54 points in 69 games

49. F Anders Lee – New York Islanders

    • Age: 35
    • Position: Left Wing
    • 2025-26 Salary Cap Hit: $7 million
    • 2025-26 Production: 19 goals, 42 points in 82 games

50. F Jack Roslovic – Edmonton Oilers

    • Age: 29
    • Position: Center, Right Wing
    • 2025-26 Salary Cap Hit: $1.5 million
    • 2025-26 Production: 21 goals, 36 points in 69 games

51. F Patrick Kane – Detroit Red Wings

    • Age: 37
    • Position: Right Wing
    • 2025-26 Salary Cap Hit: $3 million
    • 2025-26 Production: 16 goals, 57 points in 67 games

52. F Scott Laughton – Los Angeles Kings

    • Age: 32
    • Position: Center
    • 2025-26 Salary Cap Hit: $3 million
    • 2025-26 Production: 13 goals, 20 points in 64 games

53. F Claude Giroux – Ottawa Senators

    • Age: 38
    • Position: Right Wing
    • 2025-26 Salary Cap Hit: $2 million
    • 2025-26 Production: 14 goals, 49 points in 82 games

54. F Patrik Laine – Montreal Canadiens

    • Age: 28
    • Position: Right Wing
    • 2025-26 Salary Cap Hit: $8.7 million
    • 2025-26 Production: 0 goals, 1 point in 5 games

55. F Erik Haula – Nashville Predators

    • Age: 35
    • Position: Left Wing
    • 2025-26 Salary Cap Hit: $3.15 million
    • 2025-26 Production: 14 goals, 38 points in 81 games

56. F Mats Zuccarello – Minnesota Wild

    • Age: 38
    • Position: Left Wing
    • 2025-26 Salary Cap Hit: $4.125 million
    • 2025-26 Production: 15 goals, 54 points in 59 games

With the salary cap increasing and several high-profile players available, the 2026 free agency period is shaping up to be an exciting time for NHL teams and fans alike. Whether it’s a blockbuster trade or a major signing, the coming weeks will determine how the league reshapes itself for the next season.