Hey everybody and welcome to the most recent High 10! I am Eli Feldman.
Every season, prudent fantasy managers circle gamers getting into the ultimate yr of their contracts. For essentially the most half, historical past proves that pending UFAs elevate their manufacturing with huge paydays in sight. The 2025-26 marketing campaign is especially fascinating, as a gaggle of bona fide superstars are set to hit the unrestricted free company market collectively on July 1, 2026. For fantasy GMs, this presents an additional layer of motivation to observe. Whereas contract standing shouldn’t be the only driver of manufacturing, pending UFAs can present the sting that separates a aggressive fantasy roster from a dominant one.
With this in thoughts, listed below are the High 10 pending UFAs who might form NHL headlines and dictate fantasy outcomes in 2025-26.
(Statistics and contract data courtesy of Frozen Instruments and PuckPedia)
10. Sergei Bobrovsky, G, Florida Panthers
Bobrovsky’s seven-year, $10M AAV deal – one of many richest ever given to a goalie – lastly expires after 2025-26. Whereas his regular-season outcomes have wavered over time, Bob’s playoff pedigree has silenced just about all criticism. Now verging on 37, Bobrovsky nonetheless instructions Florida’s crease and advantages from arguably the NHL’s deepest defensive unit in entrance of him. For fantasy managers, Bob’s lion’s share workload makes him a viable choice in all codecs, regardless of his streaky common season play.
9. Alex Ovechkin, LW, Washington Capitals
At this level, each season Ovechkin performs is historic, however Ovie’s contract yr is the primary of its sort since 2020-2021. Regardless of staring down the barrel of turning 40 years outdated, Ovi continues to ship elite shot quantity and powerplay manufacturing, along with a wholesome dose of hits. The Capitals drastically outperformed expectations final season, however Ovechkin’s function this yr is safe: heavy minutes, bottomless powerplay deployment, and the inexperienced mild to mild the pink lamp at will. Though rumours are swirling about Ovechkin’s potential retirement after this season, Ovie enters 2025-2026 with an insatiable urge for food to attain objectives, surrounded by teammates with equally ravenous appetites to feed him the puck.
8. Jacob Markstrom, G, New Jersey Devils
Markstrom enters the ultimate yr of his deal in New Jersey following his arrival from Calgary to stabilize the Devils’ crease final June. Set to show 36 subsequent January, Marky stays a workhorse starter with dimension and composure, able to carrying a heavy workload. The Devils’ younger, fast-paced roster ought to proceed offering Markstrom with extra aim help than he ever had throughout his enjoying days in Western Canada, although the Devils’ defensive construction stays a piece in progress. For fantasy managers, Markstrom gives quantity begins and the possibility for robust win totals on a playoff-calibre group. In a contract yr, anticipate Marky to show he has a lot left within the tank.
7. Adrian Kempe, RW, Los Angeles Kings
Over the previous 4 seasons, Kempe has emerged as one of the crucial dependable snipers within the NHL, amassing 139 objectives and almost 1,000 pictures on aim. Juice’s pace and launch make him a continuing risk, and his deployment on the highest line and first energy play unit cement his standing as a viable early-round choice in most fantasy codecs. Set to hit the UFA market subsequent July, Kempe will likely be within the midst of his prime at 29 years outdated and on the lookout for his greatest payday but. As regular as they arrive in goal-heavy codecs, Kempe’s pending-UFA standing solely sweetens his attraction in 2025-2026.
6. Kyle Connor, LW, Winnipeg Jets
Like Adrian Kempe, Kyle Connor is without doubt one of the NHL’s most constant scorers, quietly netting seven (!) consecutive 30+ aim seasons (excluding the abbreviated 2020-2021 marketing campaign). KFC is a quantity shooter who thrives on the ability play, making him a perennial supply of robust fantasy manufacturing. Forward of 2025-2026, the Jets’ future path is up within the air, regardless of capturing the Presidents’ Trophy because the NHL’s prime regular-season group final yr, Winnepeg was unable to recover from the hump but once more come playoff time. Nonetheless, amid his prime, a contract yr for Connor probably means sturdiness, consistency, and the potential for an additional monster marketing campaign.
5. Cale Makar, D, Colorado Avalanche
Few defensemen in NHL historical past mix Makar’s elite manufacturing, skating skills, and aptitude. With two Norris Trophies already resting on his bedside tables and point-per-game upside, Makar is arguably essentially the most helpful blueliner in fantasy hockey. His quarterback function on Colorado’s deadly prime powerplay unit means a gradual stream of PPPs, whereas his means to drive play at even power makes Makar an elite fantasy choice. As he heads in the direction of unrestricted free company, Makar may very well be in line for the most important contract ever for a defenseman, solely including extra fireplace to his already sky-high ceiling.
4. Kirill Kaprizov, LW, Minnesota Wild
Because the face of the Minnesota Wild, Kirill Kaprizov‘s pending UFA standing looms massive. Getting into free company at 29, Kirill the Thrill will certainly be on the lookout for a franchise-record-setting mega-deal on or earlier than July 1. His unimaginable mix of skating, creativity, and goalscoring makes Kaprizov a point-per-game lock if wholesome, however that is a giant if, as accidents restricted the sniper to simply 41 video games final season. For fantasy GMs, contract-year Kirill is particularly intriguing, as Minnesota has no selection however to let him run wild in 2025-2026.
3. Jack Eichel, C, Vegas Golden Knights
Whereas a again surgical procedure saga briefly put his profession on maintain in Buffalo, Eichel has rapidly re-established himself as one of many league’s premier facilities, capped by his electrical playoff efficiency throughout Vegas’ outstanding 2023 Cup run. Now getting into a possible stroll yr at 29, Eichel can have the possibility to cross the 95-point threshold for the primary time in his profession alongside new working mate Mitch Marner, supplied Eichel can keep wholesome. Regardless of Marner’s arrival, Eichel anchors Vegas’ PP1, logs heavy minutes at even power, and has ample surrounding expertise to supply persistently. With free company on the horizon, anticipate a motivated Eichel to hit the jackpot this season.
2. Artemi Panarin, LW, New York Rangers
Panarin adopted up a career-best 120 factors in 2023-24 with a comparatively underwhelming 88 factors (37 objectives, 51 assists) in 80 video games final season with the Rangers. Getting into his mid-30s, the Bread Man stays one of many NHL’s elite playmakers and top-tier fantasy wingers, with outstanding imaginative and prescient, fingers, and creativity. Whereas some anticipate age-related regression, Panarin’s skillset is constructed to age gracefully. In a contract yr, and with the Rangers poised to contend within the Metro as soon as once more, Panarin has each cause to ship one other top-10 fantasy season.
1. Connor McDavid, C, Edmonton Oilers
With out query, nothing will dominate NHL storylines extra this season than the contract standing of Connor McDavid. Simply the perfect participant on the planet and in the course of his prime, the hockey world will obsess over McJesus’ choice to remain in Edmonton or discover free company past the upcoming season. For fantasy functions, McDavid’s deal (or lack thereof) is comparatively immaterial – he is a lock for 120+ factors with 140+ level upside wherever he performs. Whereas his generational mix of pace, imaginative and prescient, and offensive dominance makes McDavid the unquestioned first-overall decide in each fantasy format, the added motivation of a possible stroll yr solely raises the chance that 2025-2026 will likely be remembered as McDavid’s best season but.
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That is it for this week! Keep tuned for the following High 10 on Monday, September 8. Have an important week everybody!
