Erik Karlsson - Age 36 - Buffalo Sabres
CK FG DI SK ST EN DU PH FO PA SC DF
61 41 90 97 68 88 95 91 25 78 61 85
What a season for EK65, wow. Who couldn't use a bona fide number 1 D-man and true PP QB? I imagine Sumit will go balls to the wall trying to add him to the Shark-Tank, but there will be some other big players swimming around. He's another prized UFA that might command close to full-term just in order to ensure him putting pen to paper.
Prediction - Signs in Columbus for a base salary of $8,111,111 x 4 as Jesse sends a cannon-sized shock through the league announcing his return.
Seth Jones - Age 31 - Boston Bruins
CK FG DI SK ST EN DU PH FO PA SC DF
73 44 89 76 80 88 69 93 25 71 54 89
I once took Seth Jones in the 1st round of an inaugural sim-league draft because I was so high on him. While he hasn't quite had the career I expected him to have, he's always been a marquee name, and currently still features very solid rates. Coming off a run to the cup final with Greg, he's expecting to get paid handsomely.
Prediction - Signs in Montreal for a base salary of $5,500,000 x 5 as Vardy figures he should have at least one D-man on his roster whose name people recognize.
Victor Hedman - Age 35 - Edmonton Oilers
CK FG DI SK ST EN DU PH FO PA SC DF
67 44 90 78 92 76 57 78 25 71 48 87
With Darren Raddysh out of the way in Tampa, things were looking up for a short time for Hedman. That was, until John Carlson came to town. That's okay from a sim perspective, though, as Hedman has managed to put up pretty solid rates even if he's not the go-to PP1 guy for the Lightning.
Prediction - Signs in Edmonton for a base salary of $4,250,000 x 4 as Leon finds a way to hold on to some of his expensive and stacked roster.
Drew Doughty - Age 36 - Buffalo Sabres
CK FG DI SK ST EN DU PH FO PA SC DF
69 43 83 74 77 87 92 75 25 59 49 83
Well, it's looking like things are getting close to the end for this future Hall of Famer. He's had a fantastic career, but time catches up with all of us... even sim GMs (see Great Uncle Rich's Hurricanes). These days, he's probably a serviceable bottom-pairing player for a contender, and maybe a second-pairing guy for a middle-tiered club.
Prediction - Signs in New Jersey for a base salary of $2,500,000 x 3 as Ken's got some cap space and could use some defensive depth.
Dougie Hamilton - Age 33 - Detroit Red Wings
CK FG DI SK ST EN DU PH FO PA SC DF
76 45 81 73 88 83 94 79 25 66 60 82
This might be one of the more intriguing 2026 UFAs, seeing the incredible 2nd half resurgence he had last season. Luke Hughes is a nice young player, but Hamilton took the PP1 duties by the horns of the devil and ran with them down the stretch. He's never had fantastic DF, but has always contributed with other solid rates, including great SC. At 33, he might be able to land himself a 4-5 deal here.
Prediction - Signs in Winnipeg for a base salary of $2,995,000 as Doc decides he doesn't love his current 3rd D-pairing.
Jacob Trouba - Age 32 - Colorado Avalanche
CK FG DI SK ST EN DU PH FO PA SC DF
83 55 88 74 79 86 98 66 25 64 53 95
I think there will be a few GMs who are fans of Trouba's size, grit, and 2-way game and will have him down as a main target this summer. Solid durability too for those scared of injuries. He's looked both good and bad at times over the past couple seasons, but currently he looks great.
Prediction - Signs in Nashville for a base salary of $3,250,000 as Sheds' massive cash roll will be burning a hole in his pocket, and needs to replace those D-men leaving town.
Mike Matheson - Age 32 - Seattle Kraken
CK FG DI SK ST EN DU PH FO PA SC DF
71 43 86 85 73 90 95 64 25 68 50 99
One of the most underrated defensemen in the NHL, Matheson has been pushed down the depth chart in Montreal a bit, but has continued to perform splendidly. Rex used to place his name on the trade block almost daily, but has since realized just how solid of a player he is. Matheson's 99 DF will have BRHL GMs foaming at the mouth.
Prediction - Signs in Ottawa for a base salary of $2,000,000 x 4 as Brayden looks to snag a stud defender to flip for picks during the 2026-27 regular season.
Adam Larsson - Age 33 - Washington Capitals
CK FG DI SK ST EN DU PH FO PA SC DF
78 44 85 75 77 83 99 63 25 56 50 93
Larsson is a very un-sexy name. So much so that I don't even know what to write about him. Mr. Reliable, I guess, would be a good name for him. A great 2nd pairing guy to shore up anyone's D-corp and PK units.
Prediction - Signs in Chicago for a base salary of $1,505,000 x 3 as Dave can't keep his hand off of boring D-man with solid defensive rates for long.
Colton Parayko - Age 33 - Nashville Predators
CK FG DI SK ST EN DU PH FO PA SC DF
77 55 90 79 87 85 97 62 25 53 48 93
I'm surprised Parayko is only 33. It feels as if he's been around for 20 years now. He is a beast on the blue line, featuring an 87 ST, and is both physical and defensive, yet manages to stay out of the box. He should garner a flurry of activity as both a real-life favourite and a sim-type darling.
Prediction - Signs in Calgary for a base salary of $1,750,000 x 5 as Kevin uncharacteristically splurges during free agency for some better defensive depth than he currently has.
Erik Cernak - Age 29 - Pittsburgh Penguins
CK FG DI SK ST EN DU PH FO PA SC DF
83 67 67 79 87 72 81 62 25 50 48 93
UFAs at 29 years young always somewhat puzzle me in our league. But I'm not here to ask questions about contracts. Just to tell you what crazy things people will do. He's not going to put up points for you, but he should be able to limit the opponents from racking them up. Strong, physical, and gritty, he'd be a nice addition to any team and will definitely get a full 5 years.
Prediction - Signs in Pittsburgh for a base salary of $2,000,000 x 5 as the new guy doesn't want to lose a 29 year old stud defender to the field.
Connor Hellebuyck - Age 33 - Edmonton Oilers
Okay, so I've said a few different players will be intriguing to watch. Which is true. But no one will be more interesting than Hellebuyck. Partly because no one even knows where he'll play in the NHL next season, but also because his current rates aren't even that good. It will be the big rebound that GMs will be hoping for... or the silly ones... banking on. This should be a fantastic battle to observe.
Prediction - Signs in San Jose for a base salary of $12,345,678 x 5 as Sumit gambles away millions in hopes he returns to his old form through his mid 30's.
Philipp Grubauer - Age 34 - Ottawa Senators
Now on to a free agent that will garner all the interest from GMs who need a goalie to help them win this season. He has great rates, but isn't really a sure-fire starter anymore. The ending to whatever contract he signs could very well look a little ugly, also. I'm thinking GMs won't want to go past 2-3 years on him, but for sure will command that 3rd season on his deal.
Prediction - Signs in St Louis for a base salary of $3,750,000 x 3 as Eric looks over his current goaltending situation and determines it needs a massive upgrade.
Alex Lyon - Age 33 - Buffalo Sabres
Another tendy who had a surprisingly decent season, Lyon should also get interest from GMs needing a goalie now. And just like Grubauer, the end of the deal could get ugly if he doesn't manage to maintain decent playing time. Most contenders have a goalie locked up, so someone will either overpay for a backup or he'll just have to be an average starter for someone else.
Prediction - Signs in Buffalo for a base salary of $2,222,900 x 4 as Jared scans the market and realizes that utilizing Lyon's hometown discount is his best option for goaltending help.
Anthony Stolarz - Age 32 - Los Angeles Kings
His rates are pretty subpar at the moment, but unless you believe in Bobrovsky righting the ship in Toronto, Stolarz should still be rewarded with somewhat decent playing time, and can't be any worse than last season. He's not super old and does not have a ton of wear on his tires, so there will be teams lining up to take a flier on him.
Prediction - Signs in Toronto for a base salary of $2,500,000 x 4 as Garrett scoops up another Maple Leaf for his franchise.
Alex Nedeljkovic - Age 30 - Montreal Canadiens
Do you still believe in Ned? He was a very promising young goalie once upon a time, and being only 30 years young right now, I'm sure someone still does. Playing in a backup role currently in San Jose isn't the worst gig, so he will have chances to showcase that he can still compete to be a 1B-type goalie.
Prediction - Signs in Edmonton for a base salary of $2,125,000 x 5 as Leon adds depth to his only thin position.