While the 2025 class of unrestricted free agents in the NHL could be best described as mediocre, the 2026 group could be saturated with elite talent.

Although superstars typically come to terms with their respective franchises prior to the opening of free agency on July 1, there’s a list of prospective 2026 UFA’s that will have GM’s salivating.

This list includes premier players such as Artemi Panarin, Kirill Kaprizov, Jack Eichel and Kyle Connor.

All of the aforementioned players are established talents in the NHL with game breaking offensive abilities. However, another pending UFA is the “cream of the crop” in Edmonton Oilers’ superstar Connor McDavid.

The former Erie Otter centre recently completed his 10th season in Oil Country. McDavid’s eight-year contract averaging $12.5 million (U.S.) is set to expire at the conclusion of the 2025-26 season.

Undoubtedly, Oilers GM Stan Bowman will do........

© Peterborough Examiner