New NHL Free Agents Predictions Amid Rumors on 2026 Landing Spots

The free agent rumor mill continues to churn out reports on some of the most storied stars in modern NHL history, with veterans and champions such as Claude Giroux and Patrick Kane headlining the most recent collection of rumors from industry insiders.

What are the game's most trusted reporters saying about those future Hall of Famers, and what is Chicago Blackhawks star Connor Bedard expected in his restricted free agency year?

Find out in this collection, including landing spot predictions for each.

Latest on Claude Giroux's Future

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Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported on Monday that Claude Giroux and the Ottawa Senators are closing in on a contract agreement.

Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen previously reported on rumors that Giroux was headed for a reunion with the Philadelphia Flyers, "Not so fast; sources close to Giroux told The Ottawa Citizen late Friday that 'he hasn't made his decision yet' on where he's headed."

He added, "The Toronto Maple Leafs have also spoken with Giroux's camp and remain keenly interested."

Giroux scored 14 times and added 35 assists this past season, proving that he can still be a solid contributor. His veteran leadership and proven success on the ice make him an asset to teams that need that presence in the locker room.

That he still possesses great hockey IQ and vision makes him that much more desirable.

While a return to Philadelphia to close out his career feels like the right call for one of the Flyers' most beloved players, it reportedly won't happen.

Prediction: Giroux indeed signs with Ottawa

Patrick Kane Update

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Detroit Red Wings fans should temper their hope that future first-ballot Hall of Famer Patrick Kane will return to the organization.

Elliotte Friedman reported on his 32 Thoughts podcast, "I don't know that I expect him to go back to Detroit," (h/t The Hockey Writers).

The organization wants Kane back, and the idea of replacing his production (16 goals, 41 assists) is a task it wants nothing to do with, given the uncertainty surrounding star Dylan Larkin and whether he gets traded this offseason.

Still, there is a very real possibility that the 37-year-old moves on, with both Toronto and his hometown Buffalo Sabres previously mentioned as potential suitors.

The Sabres appear to have the inside track, and a return home would be a fitting way to close out one of this generation's finest careers.

It would also give a young locker room a leader who has reached the pinnacle of hockey, winning three Stanley Cup titles during the great Chicago Blackhawks dynasty.

Prediction: Kane signs with Buffalo

Connor Bedard Asking Price

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Chicago Blackhawks No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, Connor Bedard, is a restricted free agent and thanks to one insider, we have an idea of his asking price.

The Fourth Period's Irfaan Gaffar reported that Bedard "is seeking a deal worth around the same $17 million AAV figure Kirill Kaprizov is making with the Minnesota Wild."

Bedard scored 30 times and assisted 45 last season.

The 20-year-old entered the league with enormous expectations, with some labeling him the future of hockey and others looking to him to guide the Blackhawks out of a dark period. While he has been a quality player offensively, his defensive struggles and inability to right the ship in the Windy City have some not quite ready to call him a success.

Considering Bedard's play resembles Kaprizov's, it makes sense that he would label his contract expectations after the veteran. However, he has not quite matched the level of play of the Wild's wing and still has considerable work to do to convince fans in Chicago that he is everything they expected him to be when he was the undisputed top pick three years ago.

Prediction: Bedard eventually re-signs with Chicago, looking to complete unfinished business