After the first four days of the NHL’s free-agent frenzy, most of the available talent is now off the market. But for the right price, there are still decent-enough players looking for work. What players of note are left? That’s the focus of this column.
Here are our picks for the top players remaining as UFAs, listed on their most recent teams:
1. Ilya Samsonov, G, Vegas Golden Knights
We have Samsonov at the top of our list not because we believe he’ll get the most money out of all the players we’ve listed here, but rather, because the goaltending market is not at all deep, guaranteeing Samsonov will get a solid shot at earning playing time somewhere.
The 28-year-old’s numbers last year with Vegas – including a 2.82 goals-against average and a .891 save percentage – aren’t going to knock anyone’s socks off, and his next salary won’t be much more than the $1.8 million he made as a Golden Knight last year. But if he’s part of a tandem where his playing time is somewhat limited to 40 games or fewer, Samsonov could prove to be a smart investment.
2. Jack Roslovic, C, Carolina Hurricanes
Roslovic has bounced around the league in recent years, playing on the Columbus Blue Jackets, New York Rangers and Hurricanes since 2022-23. But Roslovic tied his personal best in goals this past season, with 22 markers to his credit.
Any team seeking offense could do much worse than signing Roslovic, who earned only $2.8 million in 2024-25 and may aim to get back to the $4-million per season he was making in 2022-23 and 2023-24. He’s still relatively young at 28 years old, and Roslovic’s soft hands and nose for the net are valuable skills he’s looking to parlay into a multi-year deal.
3. Matt Grzelcyk, D, Pittsburgh Penguins
Just about all defensemen of consequence are off the board, leaving Grzelcyk as the best available option. The 31-year-old had a career year on offense with the Penguins last season, posting 39 assists and 40 points.
Any team seeking help on offense should be taking a long look at Grzelcyk, who earned only $2.75-million last season and is likely aiming for a two or three-year contract with a slightly higher annual payday. But after suffering through misery in Pittsburgh last season, Grzelcyk may choose to sacrifice some money to play on a team that’s a virtual lock to make the playoffs in 2025-26.
4. Victor Olofsson, LW, Vegas Golden Knights
Only three years ago, Olofsson was earning $4.75 million and generating 28 goals in a single season for the Buffalo Sabres. But he had a down season for Buffalo in 2023-24, and accepted a pay cut to only $1.075-million with the Golden Knights last season.
OIofsson’s role in Vegas was smaller than it was in Buffalo, but he still managed to post 15 goals and 29 points while averaging only 14:30 of ice time in 56 games in 2024-25. Teams in need of depth on the wing should be in the race to sign Olofsson, but like Grzelcyk, he may also prioritize playing on a Cup contender.
5. Max Pacioretty, LW, Toronto Maple Leafs
The 36-year-old Pacioretty once again had difficulty staying healthy last season, appearing in only 37 games and potting five goals and 13 points in that span. But Pacioretty roared back in a major way in the playoffs, posting three goals and eight points in 11 post-season games.
Pacioretty earned $873,770 with Toronto last season, and while he may get a slight raise into the $1-million-per-year range, his priority could be playing close to his Michigan home, and that means he may be choosing between the Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings to sign what could be his final NHL contract. Retirement could also be an option for Pacioretty, but if he does play, his professionalism and evolution into a physical forward will be very valuable to a team looking for help on its third or fourth line.
6. Joel Kiviranta, LW, Colorado Avalanche
The 29-year-old Kiviranta was playing on a league-minimum contract in Colorado for the past two seasons, but in 2024-25, he had a breakout year of sorts, with 16 goals and 23 points in 79 games with the Avs. Kiviranta averaged only 12:31 of ice time in Denver last season – a modest career-best for the Finn – but as a plugger on an above-average squad, he could flirt with the 20-goal plateau and wind up being a terrific gamble for a team.
The Avalanche have the money to bring Kiviranta back, but a lack of agreement at this point may signify they want to move in a different direction. Sooner or later, though, one team or another will bring in Kiviranta as a depth addition.
7. Robby Fabbri, C, Anaheim Ducks
Staying healthy has been a serious challenge for the 29-year-old Fabbri, who has yet to play a full 82-game season in his nine NHL seasons. And last year, Fabbri appeared in only 44 games with the Ducks, posting just eight goals and 16 points. But the year prior, as a member of the Red Wings, Fabbri matched his career-high of 18 goals, and he did it in only 68 games.
Fabbri earned $4 million in 2024-25, so his next contract is likely to include a significant pay cut. But if he can stay in the lineup, Fabbri has the finishing skills to get close to the 20-goal mark once again.
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