​  NHL free agency opens on July 1 with some intriguing pending UFAs still unsigned.The 2026 class doesn’t include the big names that it could’ve had, since Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel and Kyle Connor are among the star talent that signed contract extensions long ago.That doesn’t mean there are no good players, however. There are pending UFAs who could fit in a team’s top two forward lines, the middle defense pair or the starting goalie role. There’s also suspense as we await Alex Ovechkin’s decision on whether he will play another NHL season or not.Alex Tuch had been the top pending UFA left, but he’s reportedly being traded to the Washington Capitals and signing an eight-year contract extension worth $10.5 million annually.TheHockeyNews.com will go more in-depth on the top five players at each position in the lead-up to NHL free agency. In the meantime, here are the top 50 UFAs. Salary information is according to PuckPedia.1. Rasmus Andersson, D, Vegas Golden KnightsAge: 29Previous cap hit: $4.55 million2025-26 stats: 81 GP, 17 G, 30 A, 47 PTS2. Alex Ovechkin, LW, Washington CapitalsAge: 40Previous cap hit: $9.5 million2025-26 stats: 82 GP, 32 G, 32 A, 64PTS3. John Carlson, D, Anaheim DucksAge: 36Previous cap hit: $8 million2025-26 stats: 71 GP, 14 G, 46 A, 60 PTS4. Sergei Bobrovsky, G, Florida PanthersAge: 37Previous cap hit: $10 million2025-26 stats: 27-23-1, 3.07 GAA, .877 SPNHL Rumor Roundup: Latest On Connor Hellebuyck And Sergei Bobrovsky NHL Rumor Roundup: Latest On Connor Hellebuyck And Sergei Bobrovsky There’s growing speculation over whether the Winnipeg Jets will trade Connor Hellebuyck, plus the latest on Sergei Bobrovsky’s contract talks with the Florida Panthers as his UFA eligibility approaches. 5. Anthony Mantha, LW, Pittsburgh PenguinsAge: 31Previous cap hit: $2.5 million2025-26 stats: 81 GP, 33 G, 31 A, 64 PTS6. Jacob Trouba, D, Anaheim DucksAge: 32Previous cap hit: $8 million2025-26 stats: 81 GP, 10 G, 25 A, 35 PTS7. Mason Marchment, LW, Columbus Blue JacketsAge: 31Previous cap hit: $4.5 million2025-26 stats: 68 GP, 19 G, 26 A, 45 PTS8. Viktor Arvidsson, RW, Boston BruinsAge: 33Previous cap hit: $4 million2025-26 stats: 69 GP, 25 G, 29 A, 54 PTS9. Boone Jenner, C, Columbus Blue JacketsAge: 33Previous cap hit: $3.75 million2025-26 stats: 67 GP, 13 G, 25 A, 38 PTS10. Anders Lee, LW, New York IslandersAge: 35Previous cap hit: $7 million2025-26 stats: 82 GP, 19 G, 23 A, 42 PTS11. Michael Bunting, LW, Dallas StarsAge: 30Previous cap hit: $4.5 million2025-26 stats: 74 GP, 14 G, 19 A, 33 PTS12. Mario Ferraro, D, San Jose SharksAge: 27Previous cap hit: $3.25 million2025-26 stats: 82 GP, 7 G, 16 A, 23 PTS13. Frederik Andersen, G, Carolina HurricanesAge: 36Previous cap hit: $2.75 million2025-26 stats: 16-14-5, 3.05 GAA, .874 SPWhat Will Andersen’s Phenomenal NHL Playoff Cam      ​Read More