2026 NHL Free Agency Live Grades for the Biggest Deals

The NHL's annual free-agent market opened at noon EDT on Wednesday. Despite a lack of superstar talent among this year's unrestricted free agents, there was the usual frenzy of signings within hours of the market opening.

One reason was the salary cap rising significantly for the third straight year. It climbed from $95.5 million in 2025-26 to $104 million in 2026-27.

As a result, teams are willing to invest in the free-agent market despite the limited available talent compared to previous years.

This summer's notable UFAs included goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, defenseman John Carlson, and winger Anders Lee. They were among the top players on our NHL Free Agency Big Board.

So where did these and other noteworthy UFAs end up during the opening day of free agency? Follow along as we provide the live grades of the day's biggest deals.

Contract info via PuckPedia unless otherwise provided

Los Angeles Kings Land Mats Zuccarello

Bruce Kluckhohn/NHLI via Getty Images

After seven seasons with the Minnesota Wild, Mats Zuccarello is heading for the California sunshine. According to TSN's Chris Johnston, the 38-year-old winger inked a one-year contract worth $1 million with the Los Angeles Kings.

Zuccarello is coming off a two-year contract worth an average annual value of $4.13 million. It's a bargain signing for the Kings, who were seeking more offense after being among the league's lowest-scoring teams. If he performs well, he could earn an extension.

The 5'8", 181-pound Zuccarello is a small but talented playmaking winger who spent the past five seasons as the linemate of superstar winger Kirill Kaprizov. He scored 54 or more points in each of those seasons, including 54 points in 59 games last season.

Zuccarello hoped to return with the Wild, but they are reportedly busy attempting to find a first-line center. He's also getting up in years, and injuries could also start becoming a factor. Still, he should have enough in the tank to provide a boost to the low-scoring Kings at an affordable short-term price.

Grade: A

Vegas Golden Knights Retain Rasmus Andersson

Nicholas Faulkner/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Vegas Golden Knights acquired Rasmus Andersson from the Calgary Flames in January. However, they couldn't afford to re-sign the 29-year-old defenseman until they freed up sufficient salary cap space for 2026-27.

On July 1, the Golden Knights were sufficiently cap-compliant to sign Andersson to a seven-year contract worth an average annual value of $8.5 million. This lands just shy of the $8.65 million to $9.65 million that he was projected to get, but it's still a substantial raise from his previous AAV of $4.6 million.

Andersson skated alongside former Flames teammate Noah Hanifin on the Golden Knights' second defense pairing last season. A skilled all-around defenseman, he had 17 goals and 47 points in 81 games split between the Flames and Golden Knights.

It took Andersson some time to adjust to his new club. Nevertheless, the Golden Knights believe he will be an effective second-pairing blueliner as they attempt to maintain their place among the NHL's Stanley Cup contenders.

Grade: B+

San Jose Sharks Snag Mason Marchment

Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images

After spending the past eight seasons with five NHL clubs, Mason Marchment lands with a team that's giving him a long-term home. The 31-year-old forward has signed a five-year contract with the San Jose Sharks worth an average annual value of $7 million.

That's a substantial raise for the well-travelled Marchment, who is coming off a four-year contract with an average annual value of $4.5 million. It's also a homecoming for him. His father, the late Bryan Marchment, spent six seasons with the Sharks from 1997-98 to 2002-03.

The 6'5", 212-pound Marchment is a big, physical power forward who played an agitating style. He also has a good scoring touch, netting 45 or more points four times, including last season between the Seattle Kraken and Columbus Blue Jackets.

Marchment will also bring experience and toughness to the rebuilding Sharks. If he can fit in well within their system, he could be a worthwhile addition to their lineup

Grade: B+