Kings star lands extension; who are the top remaining free agents?
Los Angeles Kings forward Adrian Kempe, the top player on USA TODAY’s free agent list, is off the market.
Multiple reports said Kempe has agreed to an eight-year, $85 million contract extension. The $10.625 million cap hit will make him the team’s second-highest-paid player behind defenseman Drew Doughty ($11 million).
Kempe, 29, has spent his entire NHL career with the Kings. He has had two 35-goal seasons and one with 41. That production is important because captain Anze Kopitar is retiring at the end of this season.
Details on Adrian Kempe’s contract extension and the top remaining free agents after he reached his deal:
Adrian Kempe contract details
He’ll average $10.625 million in his eight-year contract extension, which kicks in next season. He’s averaging $5.5 million in his current four-year deal.
Kempe is the Kings’ leading scorer this season with 19 points in 19 games.
He also has been named to Sweden’s Olympic team.
Top remaining free agents
10. Jaden Schwartz, Seattle Kraken
He’s the Kraken’s leading scorer with 14 points in 18 games and is tied for the team lead with seven goals. He’s a six-time 20-goal scorer. Current cap hit: $5.5 million
9. Kiefer Sherwood, Vancouver Canucks
He was the runaway leader in hits last season and is first again this season. He also has 12 goals. Current cap hit: $1.5 million
8. 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. Current cap hit: $7 million.
7. Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
The NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer is 40. He’s off to a slow start with five goals this season, including his 900th. He’ll either re-sign with Washington or retire. He hasn’t indicated his plans. Current cap hit: $9 million.
6. 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.
5. 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.
4. Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins
The 39-year-old has expressed an interest in playing more and he’s making a case with 23 points in his first 19 games. He has won three Stanley Cup titles in his storied career. Current cap hit: $6.1 million.
3. 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.
2. 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 top that with 21 points in 18 games. Current cap hit: $5.85 million.
1. 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 started slowly this season but is up 17 points in 19 games. Current cap hit: $11,642,857.
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.
- New Jersey’s Jacob Markstrom, two years, $12 million.
- Colorado’s Scott Wedgewood, one year, $2.5 million
- Los Angeles’ Adrian Kempe, eight years, $85 million
