NHL · 1 hour ago

Ranking the Top 20 NHL Free Agents This Offseason

Grant White

Host · Writer

20. Stuart Skinner
At his best, Stuart Skinner would be a top-five player in this year's free agency class. Inconsistency prevents him from earning that distinction.

Splitting time between the Oilers and Penguins, Skinner finished last season with a combined 2.92 goals against average and 88.8% save percentage. That's unlikely to result in the opportunity to earn a starter's gig with most other teams, but he's proven to be a competent starter in short bursts.

Again, Skinner was chased from the starter's crease in the postseason. With the right structure in front of him and more consistent performances, Skinner could recapture his All-Star form.
1. Darren Raddysh
If we’re basing our predictions on last year’s performances alone, low-key, Darren Raddysh is the best player available in this year’s NHL free agent class.

The rearguard was a monster in all facets of the game. He had a career-best 70 points last season, a 57.1% expected goals-for rating, and played a prominent role across all strengths.

A coveted right-shot defenseman, Raddysh will command a hefty price on the open market.
2. Rasmus Andersson
Rasmus Andersson was one of the premier targets ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline this season. His tenure with the Golden Knights got off to a bit of a rocky start, but there’s still plenty to like about Andersson.

Another right-shot defenseman, Andersson has an elite analytics profile. He put together a 55.9% expected goals-for rating in Vegas while contributing to 3.8 high-danger chances per game at five-on-five.

The market for Andersson’s services will be more robust than what we saw at the trade deadline. We’re predicting he doubles his $4.5 million salary from this season.
3. Jason Robertson
A restricted free agent, Jason Robertson and the Stars could be headed for a messy divorce this offseason. Dallas is reportedly open to moving their premier scorer, and it could use the cap space to re-tool its defense.

Robertson’s scoring prowess is undeniable. He’s coming off a 45-goal campaign and has eclipsed 40 tallies in three of the last five seasons. That puts Robertson at 444 points across 402 games, including a 109-point effort in 2022-23.

Moving on from their 26-year-old scoring winger could be a fatal move, but the Stars may welcome a qualifying offer and take draft picks as compensation.
4. Alex Tuch
Alex Tuch is another premier scoring winger who should get a pay raise this offseason. A three-time 30-goal scorer, a reunion with the Sabres appears unlikely in free agency.

Tuch earned $4.75 million last season, a discounted rate for a scorer of his caliber. Moreover, he reached that milestone in three of the previous four seasons with a limited supporting cast in Buffalo.

Many contending teams would like to reinforce their middle-six with a player of Tuch’s caliber. That could turn into a bidding war and a lengthy contract.
5. Trevor Zegras
Another restricted free agent, Trevor Zegras could be a more realistic target for a team looking to make a qualifying offer for a scoring winger.

Zegras concluded his lone season in Philadelphia with a career-best 26 goals and 67 points. That was the third time in his six-year career in which he eclipsed the 20-goal plateau and the first time that he didn’t finish with a minus rating.

Surely, Zegras would bolster most teams’ middle-six. Coming off a $5.75 million deal, the draft pick compensation would be much less onerous than teams potentially looking at Jason Robertson.
6. Sergei Bobrovsky
Aging goaltenders face a steep decline in the NHL, and Sergei Bobrovsky is on the edge of collapse. Still, with a weak goaltending free agent class, several teams could look to the Russian netminder to stabilize their blue paint.

A two-time Stanley Cup and a Vezina Trophy winner, Bobrovsky is coming off the worst statistical campaign of his career. He posted an 87.7% save percentage and 3.07 goals against average, which will undoubtedly be a factor in negotiations this offseason.

Bobrovsky fell out of favor in Florida, but Stanley Cup-winning goaltenders don’t often roam into free agency. Expect a modest offer and Bobrovsky to suit up for at least one more campaign.
7. Jacob Trouba
Jacob Trouba plays a more classic defensive role than modern-day blueliners. While he’s coming off a 35-point season, any team canvassing Trouba this offseason won’t be looking to maximize his offensive value.

Trouba is a shutdown defenseman. He starts 43.5% of his shifts in the defensive zone and has earned a reputation for his mind-bending hits. That has helped him endear himself to his teammates and made Trouba one of the most respected locker room leaders.

After the Ducks’ success this season, Trouba may elect to sign at a discounted rate to stay in Anaheim. If not, he could get a raise to go elsewhere.
8. John Carlson
He may be getting a little long in the tooth, but John Carlson proved he’s still a top-tier NHL defender.

Carlson had a resurgent campaign. He totaled 60 points in 71 games, his highest total since 2021-22. However, offensive production came at the expense of his defensive responsibilities. Carlson had another 118 turnovers this season, marking an unflattering downward trajectory.

Teams will be wary of inking Carlson to an extended contract. Expect him to prioritize winning before he rides off into the sunset.
9. Connor Bedard
Inarguably, Connor Bedard is more skilled than any other player on this list. But he hasn’t had the start to his career that many expected and the chances of him moving this offseason are slim.

Bedard hasn’t developed into the game-changing forward many expected him to be. His play is analogous to the Blackhawks’ struggles as a whole. The former first-overall player is a staggering -98 across three NHL seasons, and he’s been better than a point per game only once over that stretch.

Chicago remains a bottom-feeding team, and Bedard hasn’t been the transformative player he was drafted to be. That opens the door for a potential qualifying offer, but it’s more likely that he’s traded than offer sheeted.
10. Anthony Mantha
Inconsistency has limited Anthony Mantha’s ceiling throughout his career, but he’s coming off his best statistical campaign to date. Several teams will be knocking at his door, hoping to add Mantha on a bonus-laden deal.

Mantha’s 33 goals this season were the best of his career, and nearly as many as his last three seasons combined. But with a shooting percentage approaching 20.0% over that stretch, he’s clearly got a lot of offensive upside.

Mantha found his rhythm in Pittsburgh, and he could be tempted to stay in the Steel City. Some teams may dangle a few extra years on a deal to try and lure him away.
11. Bobby McMann
Bobby McMann had a breakout campaign in 2025-26. The speedy winger recorded 29 goals with two different teams, setting a career-best in goals and points. That will be his biggest bargaining chip at the negotiating table.

The Kraken unlocked McMann’s full scoring potential. The Canadian totaled 10 goals and 14 points in just 18 games played, yielding a 17.2% shooting percentage. Those are big numbers in today’s game, albeit across a small sample size.

Many teams will covet McMann as a middle-six contributor. Still, there are some who may be willing to pay him as a top-six forward.
12. Boone Jenner
Few players straddle the line between grit and skill as well as Boone Jenner. The Jackets’ power forward wanders into free agency, looking for one last payday.

Jenner has spent his entire career in Columbus, and the most likely scenario is that he re-ups with the Blue Jackets. Failing that, he would be a solid depth option on a contender.

It’s been two seasons since Jenner made his lone All-Star appearance or recorded at least 20 goals. We will probably see more grit than skill as Jenner wanders into the autumn of his career.
13. Scott Laughton
Scott Laughton has bounced around over the past couple of seasons. He’s played for three different teams across that stretch, fulfilling a depth role with scoring potential at each stop.

Laughton has recorded at least 11 goals in five straight seasons, despite most of his zone starts coming in the defensive end. That skillset is valued at the center position, and there are teams willing to overpay for those services.

As was the case at the trade deadline, look for contending teams to get in on the Laughton sweepstakes this offseason.
14. Connor Murphy
Connor Murphy's value exploded with the Oilers. He showcased his defense-first approach and proved to be a quality shutdown defender.

Murphy was acquired by the Oilers partway through the season, which could prove to be a turning point in contract negotiations this offseason.

Hulking right-shot defensemen are a commodity, and Murphy is one of the few gems. A reunion with the Oilers is on the table, but several teams will be looking to steal him away.
15. Mason Marchment
Mason Marchment didn't fit in with the Kraken, and Seattle was quick to cut its losses during the regular season. After a resurgent showing in Columbus, Marchment is heading into free agency on strong footing.

The 30-year-old forward accumulated 32 points in 39 games with the Blue Jackets, coming up one goal shy of his third straight 20-goal season.

Given the lack of depth in this year's free agent class, Marchment will have plenty of leverage at the bargaining table. Expect at least another four-year deal with a moderate increase in his $4.5 million salary.
16. Viktor Arvidsson
Viktor Arvidsson had a bounce-back year with the Bruins, but we're not convinced he's operating on sustainable groundwork. Still, he could get paid in an underwhelming free agency class.

Arvidsson didn't fit in with the Oilers. The Swede put up just 27 points in 2024-25, forcing his move to Beantown. While he responded with a 25-goal and 54-point campaign, that puts Arvidsson below his previous career-highs of 34 goals and 61 points.

Many teams will be looking to bolster their middle-six with Arvidsson. But as we've seen, he's not a perfect fit everywhere he goes. Now 33-years-old, his production will inevitably decline.
17. Anders Lee
For the past 14 years, Anders Lee has been a mainstay of the Islanders' lineup. In the autumn of his career, we expect Lee to test the free agent waters to see if he can win a Stanley Cup elsewhere.

Lee is the epitome of a two-way player. Over the past three seasons, he's totaled 133 points while finishing a cumulative +5. He plays hard minutes in the defensive zone without compromising offensive production.

Many contenders will covet Lee as a middle-six contributor. The winger would be wise to see what offers are out there when the free agency window opens.
18. Patrick Kane
Even after all these years, Patrick Kane's still got it. The future Hall of Famer has 55 or more points in all but one of his 19 professional seasons, and will be looking for another short-term deal to extend his career.

Most notably, Kane maintained his offensive production with improved defensive metrics last season. He finished the year with 14 goals and 57 points in 67 games, finishing as a -1, his best mark since 2019-20.

Kane's sustained production should attract attention from several teams. If he wants to continue playing and chase hockey's Holy Grail, he has to look outside of Detroit, though.
19. Mario Ferraro
Mario Ferraro has come a long way in his NHL career. He remains a defense-first rearguard, starting just 36.2% of his shifts in the attacking zone; however, his shutdown abilities improved immensely in 2025-26.

Throughout his seven-year career, Ferraro is a staggering -121 across 490 NHL games. Still, he had the best statistical year of his career last season. The Sharks' defender finished just -1 and put up a career-high 23 points while finding his footing against premier competition.

Ferraro's coming out party coincides with his free agency year. Teams may be wary of whether he can replicate that success next season, but we like the direction Ferraro is heading.
20. Stuart Skinner
At his best, Stuart Skinner would be a top-five player in this year's free agency class. Inconsistency prevents him from earning that distinction.

Splitting time between the Oilers and Penguins, Skinner finished last season with a combined 2.92 goals against average and 88.8% save percentage. That's unlikely to result in the opportunity to earn a starter's gig with most other teams, but he's proven to be a competent starter in short bursts.

Again, Skinner was chased from the starter's crease in the postseason. With the right structure in front of him and more consistent performances, Skinner could recapture his All-Star form.
1. Darren Raddysh
If we’re basing our predictions on last year’s performances alone, low-key, Darren Raddysh is the best player available in this year’s NHL free agent class.

The rearguard was a monster in all facets of the game. He had a career-best 70 points last season, a 57.1% expected goals-for rating, and played a prominent role across all strengths.

A coveted right-shot defenseman, Raddysh will command a hefty price on the open market.

Ranking the Top 20 NHL Free Agents This Offseason

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