NHL Rumor Mill – July 28, 2026
A look ahead to next summer’s UFA class, and an updated look at who’s left in this summer’s UFA market in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau recently reported that winger Jason Robertson of the Dallas Stars joined eight prominent players in next summer’s unrestricted free-agent class.
Robertson, 26, avoided salary arbitration by signing a one-year contract with the Dallas Stars. He’ll be eligible for UFA status next July.
Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson (NHL Images).
The UFA Class of 2027 also includes Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes, Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov, and Colorado Avalanche blueliner Cale Makar.
Other notables are goaltender Jordan Binnington of the St. Louis Blues, winger Alex DeBrincat of the Detroit Red Wings, netminder Carter Hart of the Vegas Golden Knights, and goalie Scott Wedgewood of the Colorado Avalanche.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Crosby, Hughes, Kucherov, and Makar could all sign extensions with their current clubs before next July. Robertson could also be re-signed, but the fact the Stars were prepared to trade him to the Seattle Kraken suggests his future in the Lone Star State remains uncertain.
Binnington will likely be moved by the March 1 trade deadline. Hart could be cut loose by the Golden Knights if he remains inconsistent. DeBrincat could move on if the Red Wings continue to be on a treadmill to nowhere. The cost of re-signing Makar could leave the Avalanche with insufficient cap space for Wedgewood.
DAILY FACEOFF: The already thin NHL unrestricted free-agent market got thinner last week when Patrick Kane returned to the Chicago Blackhawks, signing a two-year, $16 million contract.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kane returning to the team where he had his best seasons is a nice feel-good, full-circle story, but the Blackhawks overpaid for the privilege.
Winger Patrik Laine, defenseman Logan Stanley, wingers Vladimir Tarasenko, Michael Bunting and Eeli Tolvanen, and goaltender Cam Talbot are the top-five players still available.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Laine, 28, has been mentioned as a possible reclamation project on an affordable one-year, “prove-it” contract. Stanley was reportedly seeking a four or five-year deal worth $25 million, but he’ll likely end up on a much shorter deal for less money.
Tarasenko has been linked to the Buffalo Sabres, Edmonton Oilers, Montreal Canadiens, and Ottawa Senators. Still, there’s no indication he’s getting closer to a deal. Bunting has value as a cost-effective depth forward, but clubs aren’t in much of a rush to sign him.
It’s still surprising that the 27-year-old Tolvanen hasn’t been signed yet. It’s believed his asking price and the drop in his production last season are the reasons why.
Other notables include goaltender Cam Talbot, defenseman John Klingberg, winger James van Riemsdyk, goaltender Connor Ingram, forward David Perron, and center Adam Henrique.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Time has caught up with most of those players. Some of them could end up on professional tryout offers when training camp opens in September.
Where are all the rumors that Kucherov or Crosby or Makar may want to test free agency or are not willing to sign extensions???
Oh we just save that nonsense for Mcdavid 😉
Kidding.
Where were you two summers ago when pundits had Crosby signing with at least half-a-dozen different clubs?
Caught up in the Mcdavid drama I guess lol
1Oilerfan. What did you expect when McDavid only signed for 2 years in the middle of his prime.
Dont worry Oilerfan. Those McDavid rumours are really going to ramp up next summer after a 1st round exit next spring lol.
Kidding.
Laine in a 1 yr cheap to EDM? Depth scoring pp2 focal point
Is he unsigned bc his asking price is high? Or lack of staying healthy
Rumor is he’s unsigned because they just offer him PTOs.
One dimensional player, lack of staying healthy, mental issues, etc…
Yah, Babcock will love his high energy, two way play lol
I like Laine, he’s a sniper with a great attitude, excellent work ethic, has his body and mind in the right place.
Habs play an up tempo game that relies on pace and rotating places on the ice and he doesn’t fit into that style but every pp has a sniper at the circle and that’s his comfort spot.
Every team can use that including Montreal. I’d sign him again.
Part of me wishes that he goes to Sweden or Switzerland for a year then come back baggage free to the NHL.
Dont worry Oilerfan. Those McDavid rumours are really going to ramp up next summer after a 1st round exit next spring lol.
Kidding.