NHL Free Agents 2026 Rumors and Predictions for Flyers, Sharks

The free agency period in the NHL continues to generate rumors and reports about potential players making jumps to new teams and other organizations hoping to retain the stars they currently have.

Who are those stars and what is the latest on their status?

Find out in this collection of buzz from the game's most trusted insiders.

Flyers, Adam Fantilli Update

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The Philadelphia Flyers took a major swing with their otherworldly offer sheet for Anaheim Ducks star Leo Carlsson and missed out on acquiring the budding superstar. Fans should not expect another massive offer sheet.

Anthony Di Marco reported in his Daily Faceoff Mailbag that, "It may be unpopular, but the Flyers are likely done for the summer. They took their big swing when they offer-sheeted Carlsson in an attempt to land a top-line center; there is nothing else that makes much sense right now."

He specifically noted, "They aren't offer-sheeting Columbus Blue Jackets forward Adam Fantilli."

Fantilli is a restricted free agent and another high-potential young star, who scored 24 goals and 35 assists, in 18:54 of ice time.

He is a big, explosive skater who can score on his own or set up scoring opportunities for his teammates. He has tremendous upside and it is not surprising that the Flyers, a team looking to add dynamic players to a roster of young talent, would be linked to him.

While the organization may not be gearing up to sign him to an offer sheet now, a future union could set Philly up for long-term success.

Interest in Canadiens Defenseman

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David Pagnotta reported that teams are interested in restricted free agent Arber Xhekaj.

The 25-year-old is a bruising, intimidating force with great strength and a punishing slap shot. He is an enforcer that teams need to help set a tone and protect the blue line.

His physicality is his greatest asset and one that contending teams would love to have, hence the interest.

One of those teams, according to Pagnotta, is Philadelphia. While that contradicts Di Marco's report about the Flyers, it is certainly an addition the team would not mind adding yet this offseason as it looks to build on the upward momentum it experienced following its first playoff berth since 2020.

RFA Cutter Gauthier to Set the Market?

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Pagnotta also reported that the deal fetched by restricted free agent Cutter Gauthier of the Anaheim Ducks will, ultimately, impact the deal that the San Jose Sharks offer Will Smith.

Di Marco reported on TSN Radio that RFA Cutter Gauthier's next contract could carry an AAV of $16-17 million per season. That would put him between teammate Leo Carlsson and Blackhawks star Connor Bedard as the second highest-paid player in the NHL.

Gauthier scored 69 points last season, with 41 of them being goals.

Like Gauthier, Smith is a creative scorer who can find the net from anywhere on the ice.

Di Marco expects the Ducks and Gauthier to get a deal done. What that means for Smith and the Sharks, another explosive young team with tremendous upside, remains to be seen.