The final four teams in the Stanley Cup playoffs are ready to face off in the conference finals starting on May 20.
The Colorado Avalanche and Vegas Golden Knights meet in the Western Conference final, while the Carolina Hurricanes and Montreal Canadiens meet in the Eastern.
After the Stanley Cup Final is awarded in June, the offseason will begin with the 2026 NHL Draft on June 26 and then free agency on July 1.
Here are the top 15 unrestricted free agents available this summer.
1. Alex Tuch, RW
2025-26 (Age 30): 33 goals, 33 assists, 19:00 average time on ice
Alex Tuch blossomed into a formidable offensive threat with Buffalo the past five seasons and could be looking at a big pay raise from his $4.7 million annual cap hit.
2. Darren Raddysh, Defense (right-handed)
2025-26 (Age 30): 22 goals, 48 assists, 22:42 average time on ice
An incredible breakout season for Darren Raddysh with Tampa, jumping from 37 points to 70 points in one season.
3. Anthony Mantha, RW
2025-26 (Age 31): 33 goals, 31 assists, 15:11 average time on ice
Anthony Mantha had a career-high 64 points, a huge return for a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins this season.
4. Evgeni Malkin, C
2025-26 (Age 39): 19 goals, 42 assists, 17:36 average time on ice
Will this future Hall of Famer really leave Pittsburgh? Decision time for Evgeni Malkin.
5. Alex Ovechkin, RW
2025-26 (Age 40): 32 goals, 32 assists, 17:27 average time on ice
Same question for Alex Ovechkin: Does the all-time leading goal scorer really leave Washington?
6. Viktor Arvidsson, RW
2025-26 (Age 33): 25 goals, 29 assists, 14:36 average time on ice
Former Predators winger Viktor Arvidsson had a relatively healthy season for Boston. He’s still a high-energy, forechecking menace with scoring ability.
7. Rasmus Andersson, Defense (right-handed)
2025-26 (Age 29): 17 goals, 30 assists, 23:12 average time on ice
The best under-30 defenseman on the market, Rasmus Andersson is expected to sign an extension in Vegas, but nothing is official.
8. John Carlson, Defense (right-handed)
2025-26 (Age 36): 14 goals, 46 assists, 24:11 average time on ice
The Ducks’ surprise trade deadline acquisition, John Carlson is still a force on the back end. But will he choose to go back to Washington?
9. Mats Zuccarello, C
2025-26 (Age 38): 15 goals, 39 assists, 18:39 average time on ice
Mats Zuccarello is getting old, but he has been a model of consistency for the Wild.
10. Patrick Kane, RW
2025-26 (Age 37): 16 goals, 41 assists, 17:42 average time on ice
Don’t rule out a retirement announcement, but maybe Patrick Kane goes back to Chicago for one final season?
11. Marcus Johansson, C
2025-26 (Age 35): 15 goals, 34 assists, 15:25 average time on ice
Marcus Johansson will get a nice pay raise from his $800,000 salary this season with Minnesota.
12. Bobby McMann, C
2025-26 (Age 29): 29 goals, 17 assists, 15:56 average time on ice
Bobby McMann was one of Toronto’s best stories this season. He was flipped to Seattle for two picks at the deadline, then scored 10 goals in 18 games for the Kraken.
13. Vladimir Tarasenko, RW
2025-26 (Age 34): 23 goals, 24 assists, 14:56 average time on ice
Vladimir Tarasenko earned $4.7 million with Minnesota. That seems like a reasonable price in free agency for him, but where does he go now?
14. Mason Marchment, LW
2025-26 (Age 30): 19 goals, 26 assists, 17:22 average time on ice
Mason Marchment has played for five teams in seven seasons, finishing this year with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Maybe this summer he finds a more long-term home.
15. Claude Giroux, C
2025-26 (Age 38): 14 goals, 35 assists, 16:18 average time on ice
Another potential retirement candidate, Claude Giroux’s production has declined steadily the past five seasons.
Othee free agents include Anders Lee (35), Erik Haula (35), Boone Jenner (32), Jack Roslovic (29), Eeli Tolvanen (27), Corey Perry (41), Jamie Benn (36), and Brent Burns (41).
Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex at jdaugherty@gannett.com. Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @alexdaugherty1. Also check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Who are the top NHL free agents? Ranking the 15 best available