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Ranking top NHL unrestricted free agents as free agency opens July 1
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- Ranking top NHL unrestricted free agents as free agency opens July 1
Sergei Bobrovsky helped the Florida Panthers win back-to-back Stanley Cup titles before the team missed the playoffs last season. The goalie had one of the worst seasons of his career as the Panthers dealt with major injuries.
Now, he's heading to free agency. Bobrovsky, 37, reportedly had been seeking more years than the Panthers wanted to give him, so Florida traded for Jacob Markstrom on Tuesday, June 30, a day after acquiring goalie Akira Schmid .
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Bobrovsky is the top goalie available in a once-spectacular crop of free agents that has been whittled down with extensions signed by Connor McDavid , Kirill Kaprizov , Jack Eichel , Artemi Panarin , Adrian Kempe , Kyle Connor , Evgeni Malkin , Darren Raddysh and Alex Tuch .
Here are the top 10 NHL free agents as of 4 p.m. ET on June 30:
More: NHL trades live updates: Panthers acquire Jacob Markstrom and other deals
When does NHL free agency start?
NHL free agency will open at noon ET on Wednesday, July 1.
Who are the top NHL unrestricted free agents?
10. Frederik Andersen , Carolina Hurricanes
The goalie got the Hurricanes to the Stanley Cup Final before an injury kept him out for the final three games of Carolina's run. Current cap hit:$2.75 million.
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9. Patrick Kane , Detroit Red Wings
The 2007 No. 1 pick became the top U.S.-born scorer in 2025-26. He has topped 50 points the last two seasons. Current cap hit:$3 million.
8. Anders Lee , New York Islanders
He had been the Islanders' captain since 2018 and is usually good for 20-plus goals, though he had 19 in 2025-26. Current cap hit: $7 million.
7. Mason Marchment , Columbus Blue Jackets
He struggled with the Seattle Kraken after an offseason trade, but his trade to Columbus revived his season with 32 points in 39 games. He's also an agitator . Current cap hit:$4.5 million.
6. Anthony Mantha , Pittsburgh Penguins
He's the third-highest-scoring player on the free agent list with 64 points after he signed a one-year deal with Pittsburgh. Will a general manager be tempted to think he can do that again, or only look at his subpar production before that? Current cap hit: $2.5 million.
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5. Viktor Arvidsson , Boston Bruins
The forward bounced back from a couple subpar seasons and had 25 goals and 54 points after being traded to Boston. Current cap hit:$4 million.
4. Alex Ovechkin , Washington Capitals
The NHL's all-time leading goal scorer is expected to either re-sign with the Capitals or retire. Otherwise, he would lead this list. He scored 32 goals at age 40. Current cap hit:$9.5 million.
3. Sergei Bobrovsky, Florida Panthers
The goalie won back-to-back Stanley Cup titles and owns two Vezina Trophies. He'll be 38 next season. Current cap hit: $10 million.
2. Rasmus Andersson , Vegas Golden Knights
The defenseman was traded to the Golden Knights this past season by the Flames. He can provide offense with one 50-point season and others topping 40 points, including 47 points in 2025-26. He had an average playoffs. Current cap hit: $4.55 million.
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1. John Carlson , Anaheim Ducks
Carlson totaled 60 points in 71 games between the Capitals and the Ducks after his shocking trade . The Hurricanes acquired his rights and the ability to negotiate with him early. Current cap hit: $8 million.
Others to watch: Mats Zuccarello , Vladimir Tarasenko , Boone Jenner , Claude Giroux , Daniil Tarasov , Jacob Trouba , Corey Perry , Oliver Bjorkstrand
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ranking top NHL unrestricted free agents as free agency opens July 1
