Top 30 2026 NHL UFAs: Alex Tuch, Rasmus Andersson, John Carlson highlight free agent board

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The 2026 unrestricted free agent class isn’t highlighted by the big names we once expected to be available, but there are still plenty of players who can be added to a roster to drastically improve it.

With the salary cap rising to $104 million, players are expected to see their salaries drastically increase. A few free agents like Darren Raddysh, Jason Dickinson, and Connor Murphy have already signed extensions, but there are still several players who could be on the move this offseason.

Without further ado, let’s reveal our top 30 free agents of the 2026 NHL off-season.

1. Alex Tuch, RW, Buffalo Sabres

$4.75 million, 30 years old
79 games played, 33 goals, 33 assists, 66 points

The top free agent on our board is Alex Tuch. A perennial 30-goal scorer listed at 6-foot-4 with the ability to play on the power play and penalty kill, Tuch is a true top-six versatile forward. The hype around Tuch has faltered after a very poor second-round series against the Montreal Canadiens, but Tuch is still one of the best power forwards in the NHL.

Alex Tuch signed an eight-year, $10.5 million AAV contract with the Washington Capitals. Washington and the Buffalo Sabres completed a sign-and-trade, with the Sabres receiving David Kampf and a 2027 third-round pick.

2. Alex Ovechkin, LW, Washington Capitals

$9.5 million, 40 years old
82 games played, 32 goals, 32 assists, 64 points

The question isn’t where Alex Ovechkin will re-sign; it’s if he’ll re-sign. We know that if he does return to the NHL, it’ll be with the Washington Capitals, but at the moment, he’s still contemplating it. With a team-leading 32 goals and 64 points, Ovechkin showed he’s still a star in the NHL.

MORE: Blues Own Four First-Round Picks Following Jordan Kyrou Trade; Is A Bigger Move Next?

3. Rasmus Andersson, D, Vegas Golden Knights

$4.55 million, 29 years old
81 games played, 17 goals, 30 assists, 47 points

Similar to Tuch, Rasmus Andersson’s hype has been dampened by his playoff performance, but despite that, Andersson is now the top defensive target. With his two-way game, Andersson will be a fit for any team’s top four.

4. John Carlson, D, Anaheim Ducks

$8 million, 36 years old
71 games played, 14 goals, 46 assists, 60 points

John Carlson has been a model of consistency, and even at the age of 36, Carlson is still a very impactful player. He was a big reason the Anaheim Ducks turned things around late in the season. Carlson will instantly upgrade a contending team’s blueline.

5. Sergei Bobrovsky, G, Florida Panthers

$10 million, 37 years old
27-23-1, 3.07 GAA, .877SV%

Sergei Bobrovsky is an interesting player to watch this off-season. The Florida Panthers still hope to bring him back, according to GM Bill Zito, but with him seeking a near-max term deal at a high price point, contending teams may be scared off. If he lowers his demands, he’ll likely generate plenty of interest.

MORE: 'Until Doors Close, You Never Know': Panthers GM Bill Zito Provides Update On Sergei Bobrovsky Negotiations

6. Jacob Trouba, D, Anaheim Ducks

$8 million, 32 years old
81 games played, 10 goals, 25 assists, 35 points

Another right-handed veteran defenseman from the Ducks appears on our free agent board, as Jacob Trouba comes in the sixth spot. Trouba is a physical defenseman who has rounded out his game as he ages.

7. Anthony Mantha, RW, Pittsburgh Penguins

$2.5 million, 31 years old
81 games played, 33 goals, 31 assists, 64 points

Anthony Mantha has faced his fair share of criticism throughout his NHL career, but with the Pittsburgh Penguins, everything came together. Mantha obliterated his career highs and finally demonstrated the consistency his former teams had been begging for.

8. Mason Marchment, LW, Columbus Blue Jackets

$4.5 million, 31 years old
68 games played, 19 goals, 26 assists, 45 points

Size, production, physicality, and experience - Mason Marchment is the perfect addition to any contending team’s top nine. While his playoff production with the Dallas Stars wasn’t always stellar, he brought a physical element the team needed.

MORE: 4 Potential Free Agent Destinations For Blue Jackets' Mason Marchment

9. Viktor Arvidsson, RW, Boston Bruins

$4 million, 33 years old
69 games played, 25 goals, 29 assists, 54 points

Viktor Arvidsson needed a bounce-back year with the Boston Bruins, and he delivered. Following a slew of injuries and disappointing campaigns, the 33-year-old needed to show he was still a reliable middle-six scorer.

10. Michael Bunting, LW, Dallas Stars

$4.5 million, 30 years old
74 games played, 14 goals, 19 assists, 32 points

It was an odd season for Michael Bunting. While he hasn’t been able to replicate the production he once had with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Bunting has still proven to be a strong player. The Stars acquired him at the trade deadline, but he went on to appear in just 13 regular-season games and one playoff game. The right system could help Bunting find his game once again.

11. Anders Lee, LW, New York Islanders

$7 million, 35 years old
82 games played, 19 goals, 23 assists, 42 points

Anders Lee is another veteran forward who is in the downswing of his career but still brings valuable intangibles. Lee has been the captain of the New York Islanders for the past eight seasons, but he also brings a physical edge and a net-front presence. Lee won’t be available for long when he hits the free agent market.

MORE: Letting Anders Lee walk hurts the Islanders' depth, but it's a necessary move

12. Boone Jenner, C, Columbus Blue Jackets

$3.75 million, 33 years old
67 games played, 13 goals, 25 assists, 38 points

Health is a concern for Boone Jenner, who hasn’t played 70 games since the 2019-20 season. Yet, he’s still among the better defensive centers in the NHL, and as the captain of the Columbus Blue Jackets for the past five seasons, he brings leadership as well. Jenner can be a terrific shutdown third-line center on a playoff team.

13. Mario Ferraro, D, San Jose Sharks

$3.25 million, 27 years old
82 games played, seven goals, 16 assists, 23 points

Mario Ferraro is a shutdown defender willing to block shots and sacrifice his body to make a play. Ferraro has gone a bit under the radar due to San Jose being a bottom-of-the-barrel team, but if he signs with a playoff contender, he’ll get his flowers for his stout defensive game.

14. Patrick Kane, RW, Detroit Red Wings

$3 million, 37 years old
67 games played, 16 goals, 41 assists, 57 points

Patrick Kane might not be the dominant offensive force he once was, but the 37-year-old is still an excellent playmaker capable of playing on the top power-play unit. He might not be able to drive a line offensively, but he’s still incredibly dangerous with the puck on his stick. Although Kane seems to like Detroit, with Dylan Larkin’s trade request, we could see Kane move on this off-season.

MORE: Should Detroit Bring Back Patrick Kane On Veteran Friendly Deal?

15. Frederik Andersen, G, Carolina Hurricanes

$2.75 million, 37 years old
16-14-5, 3.05 GAA, .874SV%

Frederik Andersen proved a lot of doubters wrong when he guided the Carolina Hurricanes to the Stanley Cup final. He might not have been in between the pipes when they clinched the Cup, but he was crucial to their success beforehand. Andersen may not be able to handle the workload of No. 1 duties, but he can be very effective as a tandem goaltender.

16. Mats Zuccarello, 38, RW, $4.125M, 59GP 15G 39A 54PTS (Minnesota Wild)

17. Jaden Schwartz, 33, LW, $5.5M, 50GP 11G 15A 26PTS (Seattle Kraken)

18. Stuart Skinner, 27, G, $2.6M, 23-27-9, 2.99 GAA, .885SV% (Pittsburgh Penguins)

19. Scott Laughton, 32, C, $3M, 64GP 13G 7A 20PTS (Los Angeles Kings)

20. Brett Kulak, 32, D, $2.75M, 83GP 1G 11A 12PTS (Colorado Avalanche)

21. Erik Haula, 35, C, $3.15M, 81GP 14G 24A 38PTS (Nashville Predators)

22. Jack Roslovic, 29, C, $1.5M, 69GP 21G 15A 36PTS (Edmonton Oilers)

23. Ryan Shea, 29, D, $900,000, 80GP 6G 29A 35PTS (Pittsburgh Penguins)

24. Nick Blankenburg, 28, D, $775,000, 61GP 8G 16A 24PTS (Colorado Avalanche)

25. Andrei Kuzmenko, 30, LW, $4.3M, 52GP 13G 12A 25PTS (Los Angeles Kings)

26. Claude Giroux, 38, C/RW, $2M, 82GP 14G 35A 49PTS (Ottawa Senators)

27. John Klingberg, 33, D, $4M, 56GP 10G 17A 27PTS (San Jose Sharks)