Hello everyone and welcome to the latest Top 10! I’m Eli Feldman.

Each season, prudent fantasy managers circle players entering the final year of their contracts. For the most part, history proves that pending UFAs elevate their production with big paydays in sight. The 2025-26 campaign is particularly fascinating, as a group of bona fide superstars are set to hit the unrestricted free agency market together on July 1, 2026. For fantasy GMs, this presents an extra layer of motivation to monitor. While contract status is not the sole driver of production, pending UFAs can provide the edge that separates a competitive fantasy roster from a dominant one.

With this in mind, here are the Top 10 pending UFAs who could shape NHL headlines and dictate fantasy outcomes in 2025-26.

(Statistics and contract information courtesy of Frozen Tools and PuckPedia)

10.    Sergei Bobrovsky, G, Florida Panthers

Bobrovsky’s seven-year, $10M AAV deal – one of the richest ever given to a goalie – finally expires after 2025-26. While his regular-season results have wavered over the years, Bob’s playoff pedigree has silenced virtually all criticism. Now verging on 37, Bobrovsky still commands Florida’s crease and benefits from arguably the NHL’s deepest defensive unit in front of him. For fantasy managers, Bob’s lion’s share workload makes him a viable option in all formats, irrespective of his streaky regular season play.

9.    Alex Ovechkin, LW, Washington Capitals

At this point, every season Ovechkin plays is historic, but Ovie’s contract year is the first of its kind since 2020-2021. Despite staring down the barrel of turning 40 years old, Ovi continues to deliver elite shot volume and powerplay production, together with a healthy dose of hits. The Capitals drastically outperformed expectations last season, but Ovechkin’s role this year is secure: heavy minutes, bottomless powerplay deployment, and the green light to light the red lamp at will. Although rumours are swirling about Ovechkin’s potential retirement after this season, Ovie enters 2025-2026 with an insatiable appetite to score goals, surrounded by teammates with equally ravenous appetites to feed him the puck.

8.    Jacob Markstrom, G, New Jersey Devils

Markstrom enters the final year of his deal in New Jersey following his arrival from Calgary to stabilize the Devils’ crease last June. Set to turn 36 next January, Marky remains a workhorse starter with size and composure, capable of carrying a heavy workload. The Devils’ young, fast-paced roster should continue providing Markstrom with more goal support than he ever had during his playing days in Western Canada, though the Devils’ defensive structure remains a work in progress. For fantasy managers, Markstrom offers volume starts and the chance for strong win totals on a playoff-calibre team. In a contract year, expect Marky to prove he has plenty left in the tank.

7.    Adrian Kempe, RW, Los Angeles Kings

Over the past four seasons, Kempe has emerged as one of the most reliable snipers in the NHL, amassing 139 goals and nearly 1,000 shots on goal. Juice’s speed and release make him a constant threat, and his deployment on the top line and first power play unit cement his status as a viable early-round option in most fantasy formats. Set to hit the UFA market next July, Kempe will be in the midst of his prime at 29 years old and looking for his biggest payday yet. As steady as they come in goal-heavy formats, Kempe’s pending-UFA status only sweetens his appeal in 2025-2026.

6.    Kyle Connor, LW, Winnipeg Jets

Like Adrian Kempe, Kyle Connor is one of the NHL’s most consistent scorers, quietly netting seven (!) consecutive 30+ goal seasons (excluding the abbreviated 2020-2021 campaign). KFC is a volume shooter who thrives on the power play, making him a perennial source of strong fantasy production. Ahead of 2025-2026, the Jets’ future direction is up in the air, despite capturing the Presidents’ Trophy as the NHL’s top regular-season team last year, Winnepeg was unable to get over the hump yet again come playoff time. Still, amid his prime, a contract year for Connor likely means durability, consistency, and the potential for another monster campaign.

5.    Cale Makar, D, Colorado Avalanche

Few defensemen in NHL history combine Makar’s elite production, skating abilities, and flair. With two Norris Trophies already resting on his bedside tables and point-per-game upside, Makar is arguably the most valuable blueliner in fantasy hockey. His quarterback role on Colorado’s lethal top powerplay unit means a steady stream of PPPs, while his ability to drive play at even strength makes Makar an elite fantasy option. As he heads towards unrestricted free agency, Makar could be in line for the largest contract ever for a defenseman, only adding more fire to his already sky-high ceiling.

4.    Kirill Kaprizov, LW, Minnesota Wild

As the face of the Minnesota Wild, Kirill Kaprizov‘s pending UFA status looms large. Entering free agency at 29, Kirill the Thrill will surely be looking for a franchise-record-setting mega-deal on or before July 1. His incredible blend of skating, creativity, and goalscoring makes Kaprizov a point-per-game lock if healthy, but that’s a big if, as injuries limited the sniper to just 41 games last season. For fantasy GMs, contract-year Kirill is especially intriguing, as Minnesota has no choice but to let him run wild in 2025-2026.

3.    Jack Eichel, C, Vegas Golden Knights

While a back surgery saga temporarily put his career on hold in Buffalo, Eichel has quickly re-established himself as one of the league’s premier centers, capped by his electric playoff performance during Vegas’ remarkable 2023 Cup run. Now entering a potential walk year at 29, Eichel will have the chance to cross the 95-point threshold for the first time in his career alongside new running mate Mitch Marner, provided Eichel can stay healthy. Despite Marner’s arrival, Eichel anchors Vegas’ PP1, logs heavy minutes at even strength, and has sufficient surrounding talent to produce consistently. With free agency on the horizon, expect a motivated Eichel to hit the jackpot this season.

2.    Artemi Panarin, LW, New York Rangers

Panarin followed up a career-best 120 points in 2023-24 with a relatively underwhelming 88 points (37 goals, 51 assists) in 80 games last season with the Rangers. Entering his mid-30s, the Bread Man remains one of the NHL’s elite playmakers and top-tier fantasy wingers, with remarkable vision, hands, and creativity. While some anticipate age-related regression, Panarin’s skillset is built to age gracefully. In a contract year, and with the Rangers poised to contend in the Metro once again, Panarin has every reason to deliver another top-10 fantasy season.

1.    Connor McDavid, C, Edmonton Oilers

Without question, nothing will dominate NHL storylines more this season than the contract status of Connor McDavid. Easily the best player in the world and in the middle of his prime, the hockey world will obsess over McJesus’ decision to stay in Edmonton or explore free agency beyond the upcoming season. For fantasy purposes, McDavid’s deal (or lack thereof) is relatively immaterial – he’s a lock for 120+ points with 140+ point upside wherever he plays. While his generational blend of speed, vision, and offensive dominance makes McDavid the unquestioned first-overall pick in every fantasy format, the added motivation of a potential walk year only raises the likelihood that 2025-2026 will be remembered as McDavid’s greatest season yet.

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That’s it for this week! Stay tuned for the next Top 10 on Monday, September 8. Have a great week everyone!