Check out the latest on notable pending unrestricted free agents such as the Sabres Alex Tuch, the Golden Knights’ Rasmus Andersson, and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPORTSNET: Luke Fox recently examined the rumors involving some of the notable players in this year’s thin unrestricted free-agent market.

Topping the list is Buffalo Sabres winger Alex Tuch. The 29-year-old Tuch earned an average annual value of $4.75 million on his current deal, and could reportedly seek a deal comparable to Adrian Kempe’s new eight-year contract ($10.625 million AAV) with the Los Angeles Kings. The Sabres’ opening bid was reportedly $8 million annually.

Buffalo Sabres winger Alex Tuch (NHL Images)

Talks between the two sides have cooled, but Fox indicated they remain in contact and there’s mutual interest in getting a deal done. Sabres GM Jarmo Kekalainen remains hopeful of getting an extension in place before July 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tuch has been an invaluable part of the Sabres’ rise this season. They have over $13 million in cap space for 2026-27 with 21 active roster players under contract, so there’s room to sign him to a big raise. Perhaps a compromise between $9.5 million and $10.2 million might be found before July 1.

The Vegas Golden Knights want to re-sign defenseman Rasmus Andersson, whom they acquired from the Calgary Flames in January. He carries an AAV of $4.55 million on his current deal.

Fox pointed out that the Golden Knights only have $3.78 million in projected cap space for next season with 17 active roster players under contract. They’ll have to perform some “roster surgery” to free up the cap space. Hanging over this situation is the status of sidelined defenseman Alex Pietrangelo. He’s on long-term injury reserve this season, but has one more season left on his contract with an AAV of $8.8 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pietrangelo could end up on permanent LTIR if he’s unable to return from his season-ending injuries. Even then, as Fox noted, they still might have to move another player to free up sufficient cap space to re-sign Andersson and fill out the rest of their roster.

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Darren Raddysh’s career year will put him in line for a big raise over his current cap hit of $970,000. Fox speculates the 30-year-old blueliner could seek something comparable to defense partner JJ Moser’s eight-year deal with an AAV of $6.75 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Lightning have $15.23 million in projected cap space for next season and 21 active roster players under contract. They could afford that raise for Raddysh, but Fox also observed they’ll need as much cap space as possible kept free to sign superstar Nikita Kucherov to a new deal before his UFA eligibility next summer.

Fox also weighed in on several aging superstars, such as Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals, Evgeni Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins, and John Carlson of the Anaheim Ducks.

The greatest goal scorer of all time, Ovechkin could retire from the NHL after this season and return to Moscow to finish his playing career. However, if the 40-year-old winger wants to return for another season, Capitals owner Ted Leonsis will make it happen.

Malkin has met multiple times with Penguins management. The 39-year-old center has improved this season, and he’s indicated a willingness to return for another season or two. Both sides have agreed to wait until the offseason to continue talks. A one-year contract would take Malkin through the final season of long-time teammate Sidney Crosby’s contract.

The Ducks acquired Carlson from the Capitals at the trade deadline. Fox wondered if a two-year contract, perhaps with performance bonuses, might keep the 36-year-old defenseman in Anaheim.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It wasn’t that long ago when having Ovechkin, Malkin, and Carlson in the same UFA class would’ve generated considerable excitement about where they might land and how expensive their new contracts might be. However, they’re all past their playing prime with retirement on the horizon. Their days of landing lucrative long-term deals are over.

Ovechkin and Malkin are more likely to return with their current clubs next season. It’s not a certainty, but at this stage of their careers, playing for other NHL teams isn’t the ending they (or their fans) want to see. Carlson could test the UFA market, but that will depend on how the remainder of this season with the Ducks plays out.

The Columbus Blue Jackets are hoping to re-sign forwards Charlie Coyle and Mason Marchment. They must also make decisions on team captain Boone Jenner and defenseman Erik Gudbranson. Cap space isn’t an issue, and Coyle has fit in well with the Blue Jackets, but it remains to be seen if he’ll stick with them or test his luck in free agency.

Jacob Trouba has been a good fit with the Anaheim Ducks. His performance, and that of his teammates, will determine if he has a future in Anaheim beyond this season.

Stuart Skinner of the Pittsburgh Penguins is the best option for goalies 30-and-under in this year’s UFA market. His inconsistencies have been well-documented, but his career save percentage above the league average and back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals will ensure he won’t have difficulty landing elsewhere if he goes to market on July 1.

Others worth watching include Penguins winger Anthony Mantha, and Seattle Kraken forwards Bobby McMann and Jaden Schwartz.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As Fox indicated, this summer’s UFA pool is very shallow. That’s why there’s an expectation that teams will put more focus on the trade market to address their roster needs. Still, some of the players on this list could end up cashing in, though Tuch and maybe Andersson are the only ones who’ll get anything close to expensive long-term deals.