There are just over six weeks until NHL free agency opens on July 1, and teams will be looking to fill holes on their rosters.
Although the free-agent class is short on big names, there are plenty of quality players eligible to hit the open market — many of whom could land shocking contracts, with NHL teams poised to spend plenty of money in a rising-cap environment.
This week, The Athletic asked its NHL staff to play free agency matchmaker and list one pending UFA each team should target this summer.
Chris Johnston’s early NHL free agent big board was used as a starting point, but writers were free to go beyond that list for their picks.
Here’s what they said.
Anaheim Ducks
Jacob Trouba, RHD (Anaheim Ducks)
It could be either Trouba or John Carlson, as both veterans are pending UFAs. Carlson brings natural puck movement and pure offensive instincts from the blue line. The Ducks also surrendered their 2026 first-round pick to get him, so a two-year extension for the 36-year-old could work. Trouba, 32, is younger and had a renaissance season while serving as a strong partner to rising star Jackson LaCombe. Either way, they should hang onto one of their big-minute righties. — Eric Stephens
Boston Bruins
Rasmus Andersson, RHD (Vegas Golden Knights)
The Bruins need help on defense. They really need help on the right side. They tried to trade for Andersson when he was with the Calgary Flames. If they go the UFA route, they won’t have to give up any assets to attack a position of desperate need. — Fluto Shinzawa
Buffalo Sabres
Alex Tuch, RW (Buffalo Sabres)
The Sabres’ top priority should be keeping their big-ticket free agent in Buffalo. Tuch has been an important leader for the Sabres and has proven to be a playoff performer. If he’s willing to take a reasonable contract (below $10 million AAV), the Sabres should keep him around. — Matthew Fairburn
Calgary Flames
No one
The Flames are still rebuilding, so they’re probably better off not splashing the cash this summer. Of course, they’ll look into adding veterans who can help players along. Or even a short-term, prove-it deal to a player who can help their youth movement along. But no need to overdo it in free agency again this season. — Julian McKenzie
Carolina Hurricanes
Frederik Andersen, G (Carolina Hurricanes)
The Hurricanes already have two NHL goalies — Brandon Bussi and Pyotr Kochetkov — signed for next season, just not the one who has won eight straight games to start the 2026 playoffs. Andersen’s postseason performance has thus far silenced his critics, and if he continues to play anywhere close to this level, Carolina will surely want him back in 2026-27. Andersen, who will turn 37 in October, had a $2.75 million cap hit this season, though there are bonuses he may still trigger this postseason. — Cory Lavalette
Pending UFA defenseman Mario Ferraro has spent his entire career in San Jose. (Chris Tanouye / Freestyle Photography / Getty Images)
Chicago Blackhawks
Mario Ferraro, LHD (San Jose Sharks)
The Blackhawks could use a veteran defenseman to bring some stability to their young group. They probably have a little more flexibility on the left side than the right, so someone such as Ferraro could make sense. From his defensive play to his toughness to his puck-moving ability, he could fit in well with what Chicago already has. The main question is whether the Blackhawks would be willing to sign him to a long-term deal. — Scott Powers
Colorado Avalanche
Jaden Schwartz, LW (Seattle Kraken)
The answer here is probably none of the above, but for the sake of writing something more interesting, Jaden Schwartz would be a fantastic addition to Colorado’s already strong bottom six. His offense has dried up a bit, but his motor and pace are still there. — Jesse Granger
Columbus Blue Jackets
Alex Tuch, RW (Buffalo Sabres)
The Blue Jackets had two players on CJ’s list before Coyle’s extension. Now they only have Marchment, but could have another in Boone Jenner. They might keep either or both, but if even one gets away, GM Don Waddell must replace him. Tuch, who has scored 30-plus goals in three of the last four seasons, would give the Blue Jackets a “finishing” boost to help Kirill Marchenko and Adam Fantilli carry the offensive load. He could also help create something in Columbus that’s long been missing: a legitimate power play. — Aaron Portzline
Dallas Stars
John Carlson, RHD (Anaheim Ducks)
The fact is, the Stars’ focus is to re-sign RFA Jason Robertson, who could command north of $12 million a season. That doesn’t leave much room for a big free-agent splash, and GM Jim Nill already said he wouldn’t “blow it up” after a disappointing first-round loss. So the real answer here might be “none of the above.” Still, a right-shot defenseman or a top-six winger would be ideal. It almost certainly won’t happen, but Thomas Harley alongside Carlson on the second pair could be a lot of fun. — Mark Lazerus
Detroit Red Wings
Bobby McMann, LW/RW (Seattle Kraken)
Really, most of the top forwards are names the Red Wings should consider: Tuch, Mason Marchment and even Evgeni Malkin would all help Detroit. I picked McMann, though, because of his power/speed combo on the left wing, which would really suit Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond as a running mate. McMann will surely be looking for a big payday, but he’ll be below Tuch’s stratosphere and probably has more pure offense than Marchment. Any of the above would fit. — Max Bultman
Edmonton Oilers
Alex Tuch, RW (Buffalo Sabres)
The Oilers need a veteran goal scorer with size on the wing. Tuch scored 33 goals in 2025-26 and is the best of this type available. Tuch is 30 and should have several seasons of good production ahead of him. If Tuch plays on a line with Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl as his center, a 40-goal season would be possible. The team would need to offload a veteran with significant cap to make the money work, but Tuch would be worth the investment. — Allan Mitchell
Florida Panthers
Stuart Skinner, G (Pittsburgh Penguins)
Yes, the Panthers beat him in the Cup Final twice before he got traded to the Penguins. With Florida needing two netminders and an aging Sergei Bobrovsky asking for the moon, going with a cheaper tandem makes a lot of sense. (Just look at the teams in the playoffs right now.) Skinner will likely look better behind Florida’s defense. — James Mirtle
Los Angeles Kings
Bobby McMann, LW/RW (Seattle Kraken)
The Kings need centers, and the already limited UFA market further dried up with Coyle re-signing in Columbus. It’s hard to see Malkin and Pittsburgh parting ways, but they can still use scoring up front. McMann, 29, will certainly look to cash in on a career-best 29-goal season between Toronto and Seattle. He’s a late bloomer who skates with purpose, goes hard to the net and has shown some finishing touch the last two seasons. If the price isn’t exorbitant, he’s worth a look. — Eric Stephens
Evgeni Malkin, who turns 40 in July, faces an uncertain future in free agency. (Steph Chambers / Getty Images)
Minnesota Wild
Evgeni Malkin, C/RW (Pittsburgh Penguins)
If Malkin is willing to leave Pittsburgh and the Wild aren’t able to trade for a big-fish center, at least the future Hall of Famer would give them someone with a pulse at their biggest position of need. As we saw in their playoff series against Colorado, with Joel Eriksson Ek out, the Wild’s disadvantage up the middle killed them. Plus, Malkin can still score and is Kirill Kaprizov’s workout buddy. — Michael Russo
Montreal Canadiens
Jacob Trouba, RHD (Anaheim Ducks)
This pick is more in theory than in practice, because the Canadiens tried hard at the trade deadline to add a physical, right-shot defenseman. With the uncertain status of prospect David Reinbacher and the continued right-left imbalance on their blue line, a player such as Trouba on a short-to-medium-term contract would be helpful. Trouba himself is unlikely to sign with Montreal, but he represents a profile they should be after. — Arpon Basu
Nashville Predators
Logan Stanley, LHD (Buffalo Sabres)
The Preds (with a GM still to be named later) should tread lightly in free agency, and not just because it’s a rough class. It’s time for more of a closer look at some of the young guys. But some size and nastiness on the blue line, with a guy who can grow into the next version of the Preds, doesn’t sound too bad. — Joseph Rexrode
Viktor Arvidsson could make sense for a few teams if the price is right. (Maddie Meyer / Getty Images)
New Jersey Devils
Viktor Arvidsson, RW/LW (Boston Bruins)
The Devils need to improve their forward depth, and Arvidsson is the type of player who could fit well. He might command more than New Jersey is willing to offer, but the Devils will likely be looking at forwards to round out their group, and Arvidsson fits the bill. — Peter Baugh
New York Islanders
Viktor Arvidsson, RW/LW (Boston Bruins)
The Islanders shouldn’t be big spenders in free agency. The focus should be on developing their own talent and looking for other up-and-comers on the trade market. It wouldn’t hurt to boost the team’s middle-six depth, and Arvidsson’s pace would fit in with the brand of hockey they’re trying to play. His two-way game and utility could make sense at the right price. — Shayna Goldman
New York Rangers
Mario Ferraro, LHD (San Jose Sharks)
I was tempted to say no one, given the lack of true needle-movers in this year’s UFA class, but the Rangers have stated their desire to add on defense, with a gaping hole on the left side of their second pair. Ferraro is an imperfect option because of New York’s need for better puck-movers on its back end, which isn’t his biggest strength, but he’s a tough, dependable defender and a clear upgrade over the in-house candidates. I could also see them going after a forward on a short-term deal. — Vincent Z. Mercogliano
Ottawa Senators
Bobby McMann, LW/RW (Seattle Kraken)
It wouldn’t hurt for the Senators to add another goal-scoring winger. And it certainly wouldn’t hurt for the Senators to add some speed up the wing. Enter McMann, whose max skating speed of 39.03 ranked in the top 10 this past regular season according to NHL Edge. McMann also nearly hit the 30-goal mark while splitting the year between Toronto and Seattle. — Julian McKenzie
Philadelphia Flyers
Darren Raddysh, RHD (Tampa Bay Lightning)
The Flyers’ power play has been awful for five years running, including a last-place finish during this past regular season. Raddysh had 10 goals and 26 points on the power play this season, and would give the Flyers the big, booming shot that Rick Tocchet is seeking. The Flyers could move Rasmus Ristolainen in the offseason to make room for him, too. — Kevin Kurz
Pittsburgh Penguins
Mason Marchment, LW (Columbus Blue Jackets)
Kyle Dubas knows Marchment extremely well, and he’s a good player who, at 30, is only recently coming into his own. His 6-foot-5 frame is something the Penguins could use. He’s averaged better than 20 goals per season in the last three campaigns. This feels like a natural fit. — Josh Yohe
San Jose Sharks
Darren Raddysh, RHD (Tampa Bay Lightning)
There is the risk of Raddysh’s blow-up 2025-26 season being an anomaly, but he’s got a cannon of a shot and showed he can handle top-pairing minutes. He’d have power-play weapons in San Jose, and the Sharks have had some fine right-shot blueliners in their history. — Eric Stephens
Seattle Kraken
Alex Tuch, RW (Buffalo Sabres)
The Kraken, as their pursuit of Artemi Panarin illustrated before the Olympic break, want to add name-brand star power to their stalemate team. Tuch is the biggest name star player likely to be available on July 1, and accordingly, you’d expect the Kraken — depending on the outcome of their external audit — to be among his primary suitors when the market opens. — Thomas Drance
St. Louis Blues
No one
The Blues are in the midst of a retool that is setting up nicely with the number of high draft picks who are coming in and performing. Jimmy Snuggerud, Dalibor Dvorsky, Otto Stenberg and Theo Lindstein are in the fold, and Justin Carbonneau and Adam Jiricek are on their way. The club doesn’t need to spend now on free agents who don’t fit. If anything, it needs to replace a couple of core players via trade, not through a poor free agency class. — Jeremy Rutherford
Tampa Bay Lightning
Darren Raddysh, RHD (Tampa Bay Lightning)
Raddysh is a prime overpay candidate, considering his offensive breakout this year and the overall state of free agency. But if any team can come to a reasonable deal, maybe it’s the one he clicked so well with this year. Otherwise, it’s back to the drawing board to find another offensive option on the back end, and that’s going to be a real challenge for a team on a budget, without a ton of trade assets and without a deep prospect pool. — Shayna Goldman
Toronto Maple Leafs
Darren Raddysh, RHD (Tampa Bay Lightning)
Raddysh would be a complicated addition. On the one hand, he would help the Leafs in areas of need on the back end — namely, his ability to move pucks effectively and boost the power play with a big shot and QB presence. The complication is that he’s 30 and the Leafs are already flooded with 30-and-over defensemen, but if the Leafs and their new GM John Chayka can’t solve their need back there via trade, there’s a case to make for the Toronto native. — Jonas Siegel
Utah Mammoth
Bobby McMann, LW/RW (Seattle Kraken)
Utah is pretty set on the back end with the MacKenzie Weegar addition, plus the expected growth of Dmitri Simashev. Up front, though, the Mammoth could use a middle-six forward, especially one who could be an upgrade in the spot that Kailer Yamamoto occupied on Logan Cooley’s line. A winger with size, grit and secondary scoring, such as McMann or Marchment, should warrant consideration. — Harman Dayal
Vancouver Canucks
Michael McCarron, C (Minnesota Wild)
The rebuilding Canucks should use July 1 to break the wage scale for players. How do you catch up to 31 other NHL teams, and out-accumulate them over a reasonable five-year time frame, after all, if the cap keeps increasing and very few teams feel much pressure to make difficult decisions on their good players? You become an inflationary force. Short-term, eye-popping money deals to players with safe resale value. McCarron, a 6-foot-6, tough-as-nails, right-handed center, is the perfect target. — Thomas Drance
Vegas Golden Knights
Rasmus Andersson, RHD (Vegas Golden Knights)
The Golden Knights didn’t trade Zach Whitecloud, a prospect, a first-round pick and a conditional second-round pick to watch Andersson walk in free agency. The offensively-minded defenseman has been a nice fit in Vegas. When he’s aggressively activating in the offensive zone, he can be a game-changer. — Jesse Granger
Washington Capitals
Alex Tuch, RW (Buffalo Sabres)
We’ll ignore the most pressing candidate (Alex Ovechkin) and the funniest one (Malkin) in favor of the obvious pick. The market on Tuch will be silly, but he makes even more sense for the Capitals than other teams. They were in on Nikolaj Ehlers last summer, and Tuch would be a fit in terms of age (30, right in the Tom Wilson/Jakob Chychrun/Pierre-Luc Dubois zone) and role (top-six winger). — Sean Gentille
Winnipeg Jets
Mason Marchment, LW (Columbus Blue Jackets)
Winnipeg would be better if it added a top UFA such as Rasmus Andersson or Darren Raddysh, but top UFAs don’t often choose Winnipeg. I’ve gone further down CJ’s list for Marchment because he’s a scorer and a shift disturber, and the Jets need help on both fronts. The 6-foot-5 left wing wouldn’t fix all that ails Winnipeg, but Marchment could be a stylistically needed boost. — Murat Ates
