As this 2025 free agency frenzy beings to fizzle out, it is fair to say this years free agent market was drier than usual. This was a class lacking in true big fish catches, especially after Mitch Marner.
Now, the 2026 class on the other hand? Absolute Cinema. Next years free agent crop has the potential to be amongst the most stacked classes in history via B/R Open Ice. So as this years free agency winds down, it is worth taking an early look at what next season’s market could look like.
Here is just a short list of some of the top options that could be in play next year: Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, Kirill Kaprizov, Kyle Connor, Artemi Panarin, Martin Necas, Jason Robertson, Alex Ovechkin, Adrian Kempe, Alex Tuch and many more could be available.
At the top of the queue, for now, is the best player in the game Connor McDavid. He is one of the players on this list who is eligible to sign an extension this summer and could very well do so. It will be fascinating to see where those talks go. The possibility of watching Connor McDavid playing hockey in a non Oilers uniform exists.
Kirill Kaprizov and Jack Eichel are some other big fishes that could be a pipe dream like McDavid for many teams. Other players on this list may be more realistic options. As the salary cap continues to rise, teams that missed out this past season may be in luck next year as we could be seeing fireworks next summer.
