Where Will They Land? Top NHL Free Agents Still Available in 2026
 |
| Patrik Laine |
Still Available: Renowned NHL veterans headline 2026 free agency class. Star players still on the market.
7 Renowned NHL players still free agents in 2026 | Laine, Tarasenko & more...
One month into NHL free agency and the top targets are already off the board, signed to new teams weeks ago.
Players still available in August will probably have to take big salary cuts from last year. For some familiar names, that could mean no NHL contract at all, with options like Europe or retirement on the table.
Here are a few notable veterans still waiting for a call from NHL GMs:
Michael Bunting: Veteran agitator still looking for a fit
The resume
Bunting, 30, finished last year with Dallas. In 74 games he put up 14 goals and 19 assists while carrying a $4.5 million cap hit.
The career arc
He burst onto the scene as a Calder Trophy finalist in 2021-22 after a 63-point year. Since leaving Toronto the next season, it’s been a journeyman path through Carolina, Pittsburgh, Nashville, and a brief stop in Dallas.
Why teams still call
He has a reputation for being tough to handle in the room, but he produces offense and gets under opponents’ skin. That mix keeps GMs interested even as his price likely drops.
Connor Ingram: Oilers playoff fill-in still unsigned
The resume
Ingram, 29, spent last season with Edmonton. In 32 regular-season games he went 16-10-3 on a $1.95 million cap hit.
The career arc
He won the 2024 Bill Masterton Trophy for perseverance and dedication, the same year he posted six shutouts with Arizona. That standout campaign still hasn’t landed him a new deal.
CONNOR INGRAM WAS NOT ABOUT TO LET THAT IN!!! 😤 pic.twitter.com/PcQGPrm5gw
— NHL (@NHL) April 11, 2026
Why teams are cautious
Mental health has been part of the story, he entered the NHL/NHLPA assistance program during that period. Still, he was solid when called on for Edmonton in the playoffs, starting five of six games despite a 3.86 GAA.
Evander Kane: Power forward looking for a bounce-back
The resume
Kane, 34, played last season with Vancouver. In 71 games he finished with 13 goals and 18 assists on a $5.125 million cap hit.
The career arc
It was his lowest scoring year in recent seasons, outside of 2022/23 when he only played half the schedule. The former Canadian world junior champion also didn’t see any time with the Canucks on the power play.
Why teams are still watching
All 25 of his points came at even strength. He also led Vancouver with 92 penalty minutes, still bringing the physical edge and agitation that’s defined his game.
John Klingberg: Resurgent puck-mover still on the market
The resume
Klingberg, 33, played last season with San Jose. In 56 games he posted 10 goals and 17 assists on a $4 million cap hit.
The career arc
Injuries once made it look like his career might end early, but the Swede has shown there’s still plenty left. A two-time world champion, he’s suited up for six different NHL teams over the past five years.
Why teams are interested
He’s set to leave the Sharks as their top-scoring defenseman for 2025/26, and another move looks likely. His offensive instincts from the blue line still make him an attractive option.
Patrik Laine: High-risk, high-reward sniper still available
The resume
Laine, 28, was with Montreal last season. He played just 5 games, recording 0 goals and 1 assist, while carrying an $8.7 million cap hit.
The career arc
The Habs had a great year and a deep playoff run, but the Finn wasn’t part of it. The former 40-goal scorer and 2nd overall pick in 2016 played only five games in October before going on injured reserve for the rest of the season.
Why teams hesitate
Injuries have derailed him for years - 2019/20 in Winnipeg was the last time he hit 60 games. With every setback, teams’ trust drops, and questions about how much drive he still has are starting to surface.
Which team will take a chance on Patrik Laine? pic.twitter.com/ndLgEZDxnd
— Daily Faceoff (@DailyFaceoff) July 30, 2026
David Perron: Veteran leader still bringing grit at 38
The resume
Perron, 38, played last season with Detroit. In 65 games he put up 13 goals and 15 assists on a $4 million cap hit.
The career arc
Age hasn’t dulled the edge. The 2019 Stanley Cup champion with St. Louis is still a workhorse and a natural mentor - always first on the ice, last off, and setting the tone every shift.
Why teams should call
He’s worn seven different NHL jerseys and produced everywhere. That’s 812 points in the regular season and another 64 in the playoffs, plus the kind of veteran presence young teams pay for.
Carson Soucy: Defensive defenseman looking for a reset
The resume
Soucy, 32, played last season with both New York teams. In 76 games total he had 5 goals and 7 assists with a $3.25 million cap hit. He finished the year with the Islanders after a January trade.
The career arc
The move to Long Island didn’t go as planned. The Islanders missed the playoffs, and Soucy struggled to find his footing, posting a minus-10 in 30 games. The big Canadian saw his ice time shrink down the stretch.
 |
| Carson Soucy |
Why teams should call
He’s still a reliable, physical defensive specialist who was in demand not long ago. Even after a tough half-season, a player with his size and shutdown profile shouldn’t be on the market for long.
Logan Stanley: Massive defenseman coming off a career year
The resume
Stanley, 28, played last season with Buffalo. In 76 games he put up 9 goals and 17 assists on a $1.25 million cap hit.
The career arc
One of the NHL’s tallest defensemen, he’s right in his prime. It’s a surprise he’s still unsigned. He was dealt from Winnipeg to Buffalo at the deadline for his first team change, and ended up playing into the playoffs with the Sabres.
Why teams should call
He’s always been defense-first, but the offense spiked this year, 9 goals after scoring just 5 total in his previous five seasons combined. That breakout makes him an intriguing low-cost, stay-at-home option.
Vladimir Tarasenko: Two-time Cup winner still producing at 34
The resume
Tarasenko, 34, played last season with Minnesota. In 75 games he put up 23 goals and 24 assists on a $4.75 million cap hit.
The career arc
He was once one of the league’s elite scorers and now has two Stanley Cups with two different teams to his name. Since leaving St. Louis in 2022/23 after more than a decade there, it’s been a whirlwind - stops in New York, Ottawa, Florida, Detroit, and finally Minnesota.
Why teams should call
The Russian winger hasn’t slowed down much. He’s still a consistent middle-six scorer who brings playoff experience and a steady offensive game, even after all the recent moves.
Eeli Tolvanen: Consistent scorer looking to finish stronger
The resume
Tolvanen, 27, played last season with Seattle. In 78 games he put up 12 goals and 24 assists for 36 points on a $3.475 million cap hit.
The career arc
The Olympic bronze medalist has found a groove offensively. His point totals have been steady the last few years: 31, 41, 35, and now 36.
Why teams should call
The Finnish winger tailed off late, going without a goal in his final 17 games and adding just 4 assists in that stretch. But his track record of reliable secondary scoring still makes him an appealing middle-six option.
No comments:
Leave comment here