NHL Notebook: Adrian Kempe, Artemi Panarin, Frederik Andersen headline top UFAs for 2026

While we’re just over a month into the 2025-26 season, it’s never too early to look at the class of talent that might become available next summer.

On Thursday, Daily Faceoff’s Matt Larkin released his Top 25 pending unrestricted free agents of 2026. While a number of players might have new deals by the time the season comes to an end, there are a few notable names he included on his list.

At the No. 1 spot is Los Angeles Kings forward Adrian Kempe. The 29-year-old is on the final year of his current deal, which carries a cap hit of $4.5 million. There are many projections that Kempe’s latest production could lead to him making double digits in his next contract. He’s a sure-fire player to hit 30 goals, and has been a key asset for the Kings in the playoffs.

“There’s a premium on players of his ilk,” Larkin wrote. “And we can expect him to land something in the $10-11-million AAV range unless he signs in a no-tax market.”

A player who’s already in the $10 million-plus area is New York Rangers sniper Artemi Panarin. With the team around him showing great signs of weakness, there’s a wonder if the Russian will be dealt before the trade deadline. That said, if he makes it to market, his value might be less than his current $11,642,857 price tag.

“His future feels cloudy,” Larkin explains. “Panarin will turn 35 next October and has yet to win a Stanley Cup in his career; if the Rangers, who missed the playoffs last season and have struggled to score this season, don’t reverse course and become a contender again, does Panarin want to re-up on a sinking ship? And from Rangers GM Chris Drury’s perspective, would it be risky to re-sign a declining Panarin?”

Larkin also mentioned a couple of goaltenders who could be available next summer. Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky is coming to the end of his seven-year contract, while Carolina Hurricanes backstop Frederik Andersen could be more attractive to a team that needs to be frugal (a la the Edmonton Oilers).

“If the Canes finally give the keys to [Pyotr] Kochetkov, who has another year left on his deal,” Larkin wrote. “Might Andersen seek a larger starting opportunity next season? The Edmonton Oilers could certainly use him.”

Other news and notes…

• The Colorado Avalanche have signed goaltender Scott Wedgewood to a one-year contract extension. The 33-year-old receives a nice pay raise, as the deal will have a cap hit of $2.5 million through the 2026-27 season. The veteran netminder became the first goaltender to reach 10 wins so far this year, and has played admirably with the projected No. 1, Mackenzie Blackwood, recovering from injury.
• In other contract news, the Ottawa Senators have inked forward Shane Pinto to a four-year contract extension. The deal, set to kick in next season, will have an AAV of $7.5 million through the 2029-30 campaign. Pinto is part of the young core in the nation’s capital that is hopeful to make the Sens a powerhouse in the Atlantic Division.
• The Toronto Maple Leafs have placed forward David Kampf on unconditional waivers for the purpose of contract termination. The Swede was suspended by the Leafs last week after he left the team’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Toronto Marlies.