Top 5 Remaining Pending UFAs for 2026 After Recent Spate of Signings

Artemi Panarin, NY Rangers forward, skates during warmup

It's a little early to be thinking summer of 2026, but it's safe to say that the July 1 free agent bonanza that everyone around the NHL was looking forward to has taken a big hit in recent weeks. Several huge names have decided to re-up with their teams on big-money extensions (some long-term, one very notable one on a short-term).

But now that Kirill Kaprizov, Kyle Connor, Jack Eichel and Connor McDavid have taken themselves off the market, let's have a look at the biggest names still out there that could hit unrestricted free agency next July if extensions with their current teams don't get done.

Artemi Panarin, New York Rangers

The Blueshirts reportedly asked their star forward and perennial scoring leader to give them a hometown discount on an extension, and he apparently refused. The Bread Man is wrapping up a seven-year deal with an already-massive $11.6 million cap hit. And after recording a career-high 49 goals and 120 points just two seasons ago, you can bet he's looking to cash in at an even higher amount with the rising cap. He could be one to make it to the open market.

Adrian Kempe, LA Kings

Insider Frank Seravalli, among many others, feel that Kempe will be re-signing with the Kings, though things are getting a bit sticky in the negotiations. A recent report indicates that the Kempe camp brought a pretty high-priced comp to the table. Nevertheless, he'll certainly wind up above the $10M mark, perhaps well above it.

Martin Necas, Colorado Avalanche

This whole situation just further illustrates the huge mistake the Avalanche made in trading, rather than re-signing, superstar Mikko Rantanen last season. The $12 million price tag they were so afraid of isn't too far off from what they'll now have to pay Necas on an extension (it'll cost them "80% or 90% of what Rantanen would have cost", per Seravalli). Is Necas almost 90% of the player Rantanen is? Certainly not at this point in his career.

Alex Tuch, Buffalo Sabres

This is another one, like Kempe, that just doesn't sound like it'll get to free agency next July. Or even to next month. Tuch and his hometown Sabres have had some fruitful discussions of late, and it does sound like they'll get something done.

Rasmus Andersson, Calgary Flames

The only thing that should keep Andersson from getting to the open market is if the Flames finally pull the trigger and trade him to a preferred destination (Vegas, anyone?) so that he can turn around and immediately sign an extension in his new landing spot.

Other big names who are pending UFAs include Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin, but it's unknown if either of those two are looking to continue their careers after the 2025-26 season.