Re-Ranking the Top 10 NHL Free Agents Still Available

This summer's unrestricted free-agent market was already thin on quality talent before it opened on July 1. Over a month later, it's become even thinner.

Most of the best available players were quickly signed during the opening day. Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Defenseman John Carlson joined the Tampa Bay Lightning, and Anders Lee headed west to the Utah Mammoth.

As July progressed, the signings slowed significantly. The most notable saw Patrick Kane return to the Chicago Blackhawks, Claude Giroux head back to the Ottawa Senators, and Anthony Mantha join the New Jersey Devils.

With all the best players on our Final 2026 NHL Free Agency Big Board all signed, it's time to re-rank the top 10 NHL UFAs still available. Several noteworthy veterans remain unsigned who could be of interest to teams seeking affordable, experienced depth.

10. Cam Talbot

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Now 39, Cam Talbot is the oldest player on our list. Nevertheless, the ongoing need for experienced goaltending depth could see the 13-year NHL veteran land with another club this season.

Talbot completed a two-year contract with the Detroit Red Wings worth an average annual value of $2.5 million. He had a record of 12-9-6 in 34 appearances last season as John Gibson's backup.

Given his age, Talbot might have to earn a job on a professional tryout offer in training camp next month. If he does well, he could be a cost-effective backup on a one-year, $1 million deal.

9. Nick Blankenburg

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NHL teams seeking an affordable, mobile defenseman in his late-twenties in this summer's free-agent market could be drawn to Nick Blankenburg. The 28-year-old blueliner completed a two-year contract with an average annual value of $775,000 and could probably be signed to double that amount on a similar term.

Blankenburg began his five-season NHL career with the Columbus Blue Jackets before signing a two-year deal with the Nashville Predators. He was shipped to the Colorado Avalanche at the 2026 March trade deadline, finishing the season with a career high of 24 points in 61 games.

The 5'9", 176-pound Blankenburg is small in stature, but he doesn't shy away from playing a physical game. His offensive skills could make him an effective addition as a second- or third-pairing defenseman, especially on the power play.

8. Reilly Smith

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A 15-year NHL veteran, Reilly Smith's best seasons occurred during his initial tenure with the Vegas Golden Knights from 2017-18 to 2022-23. He exceeded the 50-point plateau four times and helped the Golden Knights win the Stanley Cup in 2023.

Smith spent the next two seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers before returning to the Golden Knights at the 2025 trade deadline. However, the 35-year-old winger was hampered by injuries last season, with 26 points in 69 games, and only appearing in seven playoff contests.

Coming off a one-year, $2 million contract, Smith might have to accept a similar deal with another NHL club for 2026-27. Still, his experience and two-way skills could make him an affordable option for teams seeking a third-line winger.

7. Connor Ingram

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The need for reliable and affordable goaltender depth around the NHL should enable Connor Ingram to land with another club before training camps open in September. He had a record of 16 wins, 10 losses, and 3 overtime losses in 32 appearances last season with the Edmonton Oilers, sporting a 2.60 goals-against average.

Ingram, 29, spent the previous four seasons with the Nashville Predators, Arizona Coyotes, and Utah Mammoth before joining the Oilers. He completed a three-year contract with an average annual value of $1.95 million.

The 6'1", 218-pound Ingram will likely end up with a one-year contract for around the same cap hit that he earned on his previous deal. He should be a solid addition for teams seeking insurance between the pipes.

6. Michael Bunting

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A well-travelled, versatile forward, Michael Bunting has played for the Arizona Coyotes, Toronto Maple Leafs, Carolina Hurricanes, Pittsburgh Penguins, Nashville Predators, and Dallas Stars in his seven NHL seasons.

Bunting completed a three-year contract worth an average annual value of $4.5 million. That was likely the most lucrative deal he'll have in his career, as he's gone from the giddy heights of first-line duty during his tenure with the Maple Leafs to seeing checking-line duty with the Stars.

Now 30, Bunting still has value as a physical checking forward who can skate on either wing and has a decent scoring touch. His experience and adaptability after bouncing around the league could land him a one-year, $2.5 million deal with an NHL club seeking help among their bottom-six forwards.

5. John Klingberg

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After spending his first eight seasons with the Dallas Stars, John Klingberg has spent the past four with the Anaheim Ducks, Minnesota Wild, Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, and San Jose Sharks. The 33-year-old defenseman completed a one-year, $4 million contract with the Sharks.

Injuries have hampered the puck-moving Klingberg, who had six seasons with 40-or-more points with the Stars. He had 10 goals and 27 points in 56 games last season with the rebuilding Sharks, but he also had a plus-minus of minus-13.

Klingberg could still have value for clubs seeking offense from their blueline, particularly in power-play situations. Paired with an experienced "stay-at-home" defenseman, his experience and playmaking abilities could be enticing on a one-year deal between $2 million and $3 million.

4. Logan Stanley

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A big, physical shutdown defenseman, the 6'7", 231-pound Logan Stanley spent most of six seasons with the Winnipeg Jets before being shipped to the Buffalo Sabres at the March 2026 trade deadline. He's completing a two-year contract worth an average annual value of $1.3 million.

Stanley enjoyed a career-high of nine goals and 17 assists for 26 points in 76 games with Winnipeg and Buffalo, with the bulk of that production with the Jets. He struggled during his brief tenure with the Sabres, especially during their second-round series against the speedy Montreal Canadiens.

Among the younger players in the UFA market, the 27-year-old Stanley was rumored to be seeking a four- or five-year contract worth $5 million annually. At this stage, he'll likely have to settle for another short-term deal worth around $2 million per season with a club seeking a sizeable shutdown defenseman.

3. Patrik Laine

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The second-overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft, Patrik Laine had superstar potential during his early NHL seasons with the Winnipeg Jets, including a career-best 44-goal performance in 2017-18. However, injuries and inconsistency have left the 28-year-old winger a shadow of his former high-scoring self.

As a power-play specialist with the Montreal Canadiens, Laine had a 20-goal performance in 2024-25. Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes credited the sniper with helping his rebuilding club reach the 2025 playoffs, but injuries limited him last season to just four games.

Having completed a four-year contract with an average annual value of $8.7 million, Laine won't get that kind of deal at this stage of his career. However, he could still be valuable to teams seeking scoring punch on the man advantage on a one-year, "prove-it" deal for around $1 million.

2. Eeli Tolvanen

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One of the youngest players on this list, Eeli Tolvanen began his NHL career with the Nashville Predators before being traded to the Seattle Kraken. It was with the latter that he developed into a versatile two-way forward with decent playmaking skills capable of skating on either wing.

Tolvanen, 27, is coming off a two-year contract worth an average annual value of $3.8 million. He'll likely have to accept another short-term deal for between $3.5 million and $4 million annually instead of a more expensive long-term deal.

Inconsistency has been a bit of an issue for Tolvanen. He had a career-high of 41 points in 2023-24 and 23 goals in 2024-25, but he's been unable to elevate his production any higher. Still, he would make a solid addition to a club seeking a younger, middle-six forward.

1. Vladimir Tarasenko

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Last season was a bounce-back performance for Vladimir Tarasenko. After tallying 33 points with the Detroit Red Wings in 2024-25, he was traded to the Minnesota Wild, where he netted 23 goals and 47 points in 75 games last season.

Now 34, Tarasenko is no longer the six-time 30-plus goal scorer of his youth with the St. Louis Blues. However, he proved last season that he's still a capable middle-six scoring forward. He's also a two-time Stanley Cup champion whose experience could make him attractive to playoff contenders.

Tarasenko completed a two-year contract with an average annual value of $4.8 million. At this stage, he could end up with a one-year deal worth around $3.5 million or a two-year contract at $4 million annually.

Stats via NHL.com. Contract info via PuckPedia.