The 2025 NHL free agency period turned out to be more of a quiet affair than the usual shopping spree. But hockey fans shouldn’t worry – 2026 is shaping up to be absolutely massive.
Most of this year’s big names decided to stay put before July 1 even arrived. The Florida Panthers pulled off quite a feat, managing to keep Sam Bennett, Brad Marchand, and Aaron Ekblad all in the Sunshine State.
John Tavares took a team-friendly deal to stick with Toronto. Matt Duchene found a home in Dallas, while Brock Nelson chose the Maple Leafs. Even Brock Boeser, who briefly tested the waters, ended up back with Vancouver.
The biggest story? Mitch Marner heading to Vegas with a shiny new long-term deal before free agency even started.
That left this year’s market looking pretty thin. Only Nikolaj Ehlers, known for his speed and scoring touch, remains as a notable free agent.
But here’s where it gets interesting: 2026 could be one for the history books.
Just look at who might be available: Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, and Kirill Kaprizov – three of the game’s biggest stars. And that’s just the beginning.
McDavid’s situation is particularly intriguing. After two straight Stanley Cup Final losses, you’ve got to wonder if he’s getting frustrated with Edmonton’s same old problems – not enough scoring depth and shaky goaltending.
Then there’s Kaprizov in Minnesota. The Wild haven’t made it past the first round since he arrived. Will they finally get him an elite center to play with, or might he look elsewhere?
Eichel’s probably the least likely to leave, given how well things are going in Vegas. The Golden Knights are serious contenders, and adding Marner shows they’re all-in on winning.
Other interesting names that could hit the market:
- Sergei Bobrovsky, who’s proven he can win big games
- Alex Ovechkin (if he doesn’t retire)
- Adrian Kempe, who might want out if LA starts struggling
Don’t forget about restricted free agents like Jason Robertson and Martin Necas. They’ll be looking for big paydays and might have some say in where they end up.
Maybe this year’s quiet free agency period will be worth the wait. With just 364 days until the 2026 market opens, hockey fans are already counting down.
