​The freedom to sign players in the National Hockey League has cooled considerably since the market opened on July 1, largely in response to the sheer magnitude of the contracts already handed out this summer. Teams are increasingly wary of paying premium prices for players who might not have been their first, or even their second, choice, and the pool of high-quality options is shrinking by the day. This phenomenon is most evident in net, where there are very few reliable possibilities left for clubs seeking depth in goal through free agency.
Today, I’m ranking the five top unrestricted free agent goaltenders who remain unsigned, highlighting a landscape where the pickings are surprisingly slim. At the top of the list is Connor Ingram. While his best statistical season in the NHL wasn’t perfect—posting a 2.60 goals-against average and a .899 save percentage—Ingram did rebound strongly after enduring significant personal challenges in recent years. The 29-year-old is the youngest name among the top free agents and demonstrated he can handle a sizable workload, logging 32 appearances for the Oilers last season.
Next is Cam Talbot. Talbot’s campaign with the Detroit Red Wings resembled Ingram’s year in Edmonton, with the veteran goaltender appearing in 34 games but struggling to a 3.19 GAA and an .883 save percentage. He drops to the second slot largely due to age, as he turns 39 this season. Nevertheless, Talbot has posted solid performances in recent years with both the Los Angeles Kings and the Red Wings, making him a more attractive option than several peers still unsigned.
Petr Mrazek follows at No. 3. His value is complicated by a cloud of questions about his future. The 34-year-old netminder appeared in only 10 games for the Anaheim Ducks last season, posting a 4.07 GAA and an .858 save percentage before sustaining a season-ending injury. Those numbers, even before the injury, would be concerning, making Mrazek a significant risk at this point in his career.
In the fourth spot is Matt Murray. Murray played just five NHL games last season after another injury setback, yet he delivered a solid 2.21 GAA and a .922 save percentage in those brief appearances. He also flashed strong form in the 2024-25 season with the American Hockey League’s Toronto Marlies, recording a 1.72 GAA and a .934 save percentage across 21 games. The big question remains whether clubs will take a chance on an injury-prone goaltender with such a limited track record at the highest level.
Rounding out the list at No. 5 is James Reimer. Despite ongoing retirement chatter in recent years, Reimer keeps returning to the ice. Last season, he played 14 games for the Ottawa Senators, posting a 2.42 GAA and an .886 save percentage. Reimer’s durability and consistency—coupled with his experience and steady resume—continue to make him a credible option for teams seeking a veteran presence between the pipes.
In a market defined by big-money commitments and heightened risk tolerance, the goaltending free-agent pool remains thin and unusually volatile. Each of these five unsigned netminders carries a distinct profile: Ingram offers youth and workload potential; Talbot provides steadiness amid aging; Mrazek invites questions and risk; Murray presents a high-reward, comeback narrative tempered by injury history; and Reimer supplies experience and reliability. For teams building a playoff-contending roster, the decision to invest in any of them will hinge on how much risk they’re willing to absorb and how well the goaltender’s lane fits the team’s broader strategy and medical outlook.