Report: Several Big-Name NHL Free Agents Nearing Decisions
"We should get word on which multiple free agents have finally found new homes over the next few days," Pagnotta wrote in his Sunday column for The Fourth Period. "The likes of Michael Bunting, Patrik Laine, Carson Soucy (PTO in Columbus), Vladimir Tarasenko and Philipp Kurashev are evaluating options."
Group That's Lingered Deep Into September
All five names have been available since free agency opened in July, and their continued availability has puzzled people around the league.
Elliotte Friedman said on a recent podcast that he was surprised Laine, just 28 and the No. 2 overall pick back in 2016, still hadn't signed anywhere, adding that Laine appears to have specific situations he'd prefer to join rather than simply taking the first offer available.
David Pagnotta: We should get word on which multiple free agents have finally found new homes over the next few days. The likes of Michael Bunting, Patrik Laine, Carson Soucy (PTO in Columbus), Vladimir Tarasenko and Philipp Kurashev are evaluating options - Fourth Period (9/27)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) September 27, 2026
Tarasenko's case is similarly surprising given his production. He posted 23 goals and 47 points in 75 games with Minnesota last season, respectable enough that most expected a deal to come together well before now, with one report suggesting he may ultimately have to settle for something closer to $3.5 million annually after making $4.7 million last year.
Soucy has already taken a step toward a resolution, landing a professional tryout with Columbus rather than waiting on a guaranteed contract offer.
The Options Are Narrowing Fast
With most rosters already finalized and opening night just days away, the realistic pool of teams still looking to add is shrinking by the day.
Any team still needing depth at forward now has urgency to act, since the alternative for these players is increasingly a PTO or a minor league deal rather than a guaranteed NHL contract.
