NHL free agency opens at noon ET on Wednesday, July 1, and a lot more could go on than just unrestricted free agents changing teams.
The unrestricted free agent pool includes two-time Stanley Cup winner Sergei Bobrovsky and defensemen John Carlson and Rasmus Andersson.
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Players whose contracts run out in 2027 are free to sign extensions. Key players in that group are reigning MVP Nikita Kucherov, Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar, Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes and San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini.
Big-name restricted free agents such as Jason Robertson, Connor Bedard, Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier also need new contracts for next season.
Trades might be the best way for a team to improve, with Dylan Larkin, Zach Werenski, Connor Hellebuyck, Darnell Nurse and others reportedly in play.
Follow along for live updates and breaking news as NHL free agency opens:
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More: Who are the top NHL unrestricted free agents as free agency opens July 1?
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Every first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft
No. 1 Toronto Maple Leafs: Gavin McKenna
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Every first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft
No. 1 Toronto Maple Leafs: Gavin McKenna
(Bruce Bennett, Getty Images)
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Every first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft
No. 2 San Jose Sharks: Ivar Stenberg
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Every first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft
No. 3 Vancouver Canucks: Caleb Malhotra
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Every first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft
No. 4 Buffalo Sabres: Daxon Rudolph
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Every first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft
No. 5 New York Rangers: Alberts Smits
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Every first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft
No. 6 Calgary Flames: Carson Carels
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Every first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft
No. 7 Seattle Kraken: Chase Reid
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Every first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft
No. 8 Winnipeg Jets: Viggo Bjorck
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Every first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft
No. 9 San Jose Sharks: Keaton Verhoeff
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Every first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft
No. 10 Nashville Predators: Wyatt Cullen
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Every first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft
No. 11 St. Louis Blues: Tynan Lawrence
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Every first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft
No. 12 New Jersey Devils: Alexander Command
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Every first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft
No. 13 New York Islanders: Malte Gustafsson
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Every first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft
No. 14 Columbus Blue Jackets: Oscar Hemming
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Every first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft
No. 15 Anaheim Ducks: Nikita Klepov
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Every first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft
No. 16 St. Louis Blues: Maddox Dagenais
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Every first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft
No. 17 Utah Mammoth: Ethan Belchetz
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Every first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft
No. 18 Washington Capitals: Oliver Suvanto
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Every first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft
No. 19 Los Angeles Kings: Elton Hermansson
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Every first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft
No. 20 Buffalo Sabres: Ilia Morozov
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Every first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft
No. 21 San Jose Sharks: Ryan Lin
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Every first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft
No. 22 Pittsburgh Penguins: Liam Ruck
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Every first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft
No. 23 Detroit Red Wings: J.P. Hurlbert
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Every first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft
No. 24 Vancouver Canucks: Adam Novotny
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Every first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft
No. 25 Ottawa Senators: Jonas Lagerberg Hoen
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Every first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft
No. 26 Montreal Canadiens: Gleb Pugachyov
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Every first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft
No. 27 Philadelphia Flyers: Maksim Sokolovskii
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Every first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft
No. 28 Anaheim Ducks: Marcus Nordmark
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Every first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft
No. 29 Vegas Golden Knights: Juho Piiparinen
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Every first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft
No. 30 Calgary Flames: Jack Hextall
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Every first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft
No. 31 Nashville Predators: Tommy Bleyl
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Every first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft
No..32 Ottawa Senators: Jaxson Cover
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When does NHL free agency open?
NHL free agency opens at noon ET on Wednesday, July 1.
Zach Werenski reportedly vetoes trade
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports that the Blue Jackets had a verbal agreement on a trade with the Stars, but Norris Trophy winner Zach Werenski vetoed it. Stars defenseman Thomas Harley would have been part of the return package, Friedman said.
Who are the top free agents?
Two-time Stanley Cup winner Sergei Bobrovsky is heading to free agency after the Panthers couldn’t reach a deal and the team acquired two goalies. Here are the top NHL free agents:
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NHL free agency 2026 live tracker: Latest signings, trades, news and rumors
