Even with several big names already off the board, the NHL’s free agency will see many teams land big talents and flex the muscle of the league’s record-level salary cap.
The NHL’s free agency window opens at noon ET Wednesday, and while it almost certainly won’t be as frenetic as the NBA’s comparable period, attention is still focused on a collection of notable talents. Among them:
Sergei Bobrovsky. The Panthers goaltender has won two Stanley Cups in Florida and two Vezina Trophies. Though Bobrovsky turns 38 in September and had a more downbeat season in 2025–26, he’s still by many accounts the top available talent. The Panthers, meanwhile, traded for Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom on Tuesday, further signaling that Bobrovsky almost certainly won’t return to Florida.
John Carlson. The veteran defenseman, most recently with the Ducks, is one of the top-scoring players at his position, posting a 60-point season in 2025–26 between Anaheim and Washington. The Stanley Cup champion Hurricanes have exclusive negotiating rights with Carlson until free agency opens.
Rasmus Andersson. The Golden Knights defenseman was part of the team’s run to the Stanley Cup Final after joining the team in a midseason trade with Calgary. The 29-year-old is considerably younger than many other top available free-agent players.
