Early Look at Potential Top 10 UFAs for 2026

The dust hasn't completely settled yet on the 2025 crop of free agents, but with some teams already thinking about cap space for next year, it's never too early to take a peek at what the list of top UFAs for next season could look like, in a dream scenario.

This list, as is, of course, is, indeed, a pipedream for NHL teams everywhere, as most of these All-Stars are quite likely to sign extensions between now and the end of next season. In fact, if any of them don't, something has gone seriously wrong.

Neverthess, just for the fun of it (and because, let's face it, this is just an awesome list to look at), James Mirtle of The Athletic has ranked the Top 10 players whose contracts are expiring at the end of the 2025-26 season, and could, potentially, become UFAs. And what a bumper crop it is:

Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers
Kirill Kaprizov, Minnesota Wild
Jack Eichel, Vegas Golden Knights
Kyle Connor, Winnipeg Jets
Artemi Panarin, NY Rangers
Sergei Bobrovsky, Florida Panthers
Adrian Kempe, Los Angeles Kings
Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
Anthony Stolarz, Toronto Maple Leafs
Filip Gustavsson, Minnesota Wild

Though there were some rumblings after McDavid's post-season comments about not being in a rush to sign an extension, it's still widely expected that he will do so. The only question is for what length—long-term, short-term, or very short-term.

Kaprizov is fully expected to fall off this list as well, as the Wild could be ready to make him the highest-paid player in the NHL.

The Golden Knights are prioritizing an extension with Eichel this summer, as are the Jets with Connor.

Panarin is where things could get interesting on this list. The Rangers aren't commenting on what their plans are for Panarin, and at least one notable insider "wouldn't be shocked if we hear Artemi Panarin's name" in trade talks.

Nobody expects Bobrovsky or Kempe to go anywhere, and with Ovechkin, there's very little chance he's still on this list at the end of the season, whether it's due to retirement, or a decision to spend another year in Washington.

Again, although many on this list will re-sign with their current teams, stranger things have happened in recent seasons (see: Marchand, Brad; Stamkos, Steven; Marchessault, Jonathan, etc. etc.), so it's worth keeping an eye on.