​  Top 30 2026 NHL UFAs: Alex Tuch, Rasmus Andersson, John Carlsson highlight free agent board originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The 2026 unrestricted free agent class isn’t highlighted by the big names we once expected to be available, but there are still plenty of players who can be added to a roster to drastically improve it.With the salary cap rising to $104 million, players are expected to see their salaries drastically increase. A few free agents like Darren Raddysh, Jason Dickinson, and Connor Murphy have already signed extensions, but there are still several players who could be on the move this off-season.Without further ado, let’s reveal our top 30 free agents of the 2026 NHL off-season.$4.75 million, 30 years old79 games played, 33 goals, 33 assists, 66 pointsThe top free agent on our board is Alex Tuch. A perennial 30-goal scorer listed at 6-foot-4 with the ability to play on the power play and penalty kill, Tuch is a true top-six versatile forward. The hype around Tuch has faltered after a very poor second-round series against the Montreal Canadiens, but Tuch is still one of the best power forwards in the NHL.$9.5 million, 40 years old82 games played, 32 goals, 32 assists, 64 pointsThe question isn’t where Alex Ovechkin will re-sign; it’s if he’ll re-sign. We know that if he does return to the NHL, it’ll be with the Washington Capitals, but at the moment, he’s still contemplating it. With a team-leading 32 goals and 64 points, Ovechkin showed he’s still a star in the NHL.MORE: Blues Own Four First-Round Picks Following Jordan Kyrou Trade; Is A Bigger Move Next?$4.55 million, 29 years old81 games played, 17 goals, 30 assists, 47 pointsSimilar to Tuch, Rasmus Andersson’s hype has been dampened by his playoff performance, but despite that, Andersson is now the top defensive target. With his two-way game, Andersson will be a fit for any team’s top four.$8 million, 36 years old71 games played, 14 goals, 46 assists, 60 pointsJohn Carlson has been a model of consistency, and even at the age of 36, Carlson is still a very impactful player. He was a big reason the Anaheim Ducks turned things around late in the season. Carlson will instantly upgrade a contending team’s blueline.$10 million, 37 years old27-23-1, 3.07 GAA, .877SV%Sergei Bobrovsky is an interesting player to watch this off-season. The Florida Panthers still hope to bring him back, according to GM Bill Zito, but with him seeking a near-max term deal at a high price point, contending teams may be scared off. If he lowers his demands, he’ll likely generate plenty of interest.MORE: ‘Until Doors Close, You Never Know’: Panthers GM Bill Zito Provides Update On Sergei Bobrovsky Negotiations$8 million, 32 years old81 games played, 10 goals,      ​Read More