Best remaining NHL free agents after Avalanche signing

Another key 2026 NHL free agent is off the list after forward Martin Necas signed an eight-year extension with the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday, Oct. 30.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports the deal averages $11.5 million a year and is front-loaded, includes $60 million in signing bonuses and has a full no-movement clause in the first seven years of the extension.

Necas arrived from the Carolina Hurricanes in last season’s stunning Mikko Rantanen trade and has 41 points in 41 games with the Avalanche. The deal will place him second in Colorado behind Nathan MacKinnon ($12.6 million cap hit).

The 2026 NHL free agent class had been one of the strongest in years, but Kirill Kaprizov (a record deal that will make him the NHL’s top-paid player), Connor McDavid (team-friendly deal), Jack Eichel, Kyle Connor and now Necas have signed extensions.

There are plenty of quality players left. Here are the best of the remaining free agents:

10. Anders Lee, New York Islanders

He has been the Islanders’ captain since 2018 and is good for 20-plus goals. He had 29 last season and is averaging about a point a game this season. Current cap hit: $7 million.

9. Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals

The NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer is 40. He’ll either re-sign with Washington or retire. He hasn’t indicated his plans. Current cap hit: $9 million.

8. Jacob Markstrom, New Jersey Devils

He helped stabilize the Devils’ goaltending last season and get them back to the playoffs. He just returned from an injury. Current cap hit: $6 million.

7. John Carlson, Washington Capitals

Carlson is the Capitals’ all-time leader in scoring among defensemen and is a key to their power play. He’s the one who sets up Ovechkin’s one-timers. Current cap hit: $8 million.

6. Sergei Bobrovsky, Florida Panthers

The goalie has won back-to-back Stanley Cup titles and two Vezina Trophies. He’ll be 38 next season. Current cap hit: $10 million.

5. Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins

The 39-year-old has expressed an interest in playing more and he’s making a case with 16 points in his first 11 games. He has won three Stanley Cup titles in his storied career. Current cap hit: $6.1 million.

4. Alex Tuch, Buffalo Sabres

He can score (two 36-goal seasons) and also kills penalties. He wants to stay in Buffalo. Current cap hit: $4.75 million.

3. Nick Schmaltz, Utah Mammoth

He keeps improving every year. The winger usually gets 20-plus goals and 60-plus points, and he’s threatening to blow past that with 17 points in 11 games. Current cap hit: $5.85 million.

2. Artemi Panarin, New York Rangers

The 33-year-old forward scored 120 points two seasons ago, and although he and the rest of the team dropped off last season, he still had 89 points. He’s often in the 90-point range. He’s off to a slow start for him with seven points in 11 games. Current cap hit: $11,642,857.

1. Adrian Kempe, Los Angeles Kings

The winger has two 35-goal seasons and a 41-goal one. The Kings will need to hang on to that type of production, especially with Anze Kopitar retiring after this season. Current cap hit: $5.5 million.

Which 2026 free agents have signed extensions recently?

• Minnesota’s Kirill Kaprizov, eight years, $136 million, a record for its total amount and $17 million cap hit.
• Edmonton’s Connor McDavid, two years, $25 million. The $12.5 million cap hit equals his current one and places him second on the team behind Leon Draisaitl.
• Edmonton’s Jake Walman, seven years, $49 million
• Winnipeg’s Kyle Connor, eight years, $96 million, richest contract in team history.
• Edmonton’s Mattias Ekholm, three years, $12 million.
• Vegas’ Jack Eichel, eight years, $108 million.
• Colorado’s Martin Necas, eight years, $92 million.