NHL free agency 2026: Grades, fits for all the big signings
The 2026 NHL offseason has already been busy with a number of huge trades and the NHL draft.
As the free agent deals roll in, ESPN NHL reporters Ryan S. Clark, Kristen Shilton and Greg Wyshynski will be grading the big-name signings, including the player's fit with his new team, terms of the deal and more.
We'll continue to assess the most notable moves through the offseason, so check back for fresh grades as deals are consummated; the newest grades will be listed first. Contract terms are per year.
Draft recap: All 224 picks
Grades for all 32 teams
Winners and losers
July 1
Boone Jenner, F
Washington Capitals
The terms: 4 years, $5.75 million AAV
Grade: B+
Where does he fit?
Jenner will come in to boost the Capitals' third line using his collection of well-established skills. The long-time captain in Columbus might be approaching his mid-30s but is still a reliable contributor (with 13 goals and 38 points in 67 games last year) and playmaker who can move the puck and give Washington some net-front presence. The Capitals have clearly prioritized adding size to their forward group in the offseason, and Jenner (clocking in at 6-foot-2) fits the bill there. He's also an experienced leader and will bring his knowledge to a Capitals' dressing room that is still uncertain about whether its own captain (Alexander Ovechkin) will be returning next season.
Does it make sense?
In the short term, yes. How well Jenner can live up to the deal in its third and fourth seasons remains to be seen. But again, Washington doesn't know (or isn't saying, yet) if Ovechkin will return and while Jenner isn't about to replace what Ovechkin does, he gives the Capitals a good veteran player. The Capitals' lack of center depth cost them last year -- especially when Pierre-Luc Dubois went down with an injury -- and Washington has been serious about getting that shored up for the coming season (and beyond). The Capitals had already targeted Alex Tuch and Jordan Kyrou in previous trades (with Buffalo and St. Louis respectively) to get set in their top six on the wing and now putting Jenner in the mix shows they are serious about improving offensively down the middle, too (although Jenner can play on the wing as well, underscoring his versatility for the Caps from here). -- Shilton
Oliver Bjorkstrand, F
New York Rangers
The terms: 1 year, $4.5 million
Grade: B+
Where does he fit?
Adding Bjorkstrand has a chance to pay off for the Rangers in a few ways.
The first is the consistency. Bjorkstrand is going to get double-figure goals and is a five-time 20-goal scorer. Another facet of that consistency is he rarely misses games, playing in 80, 81, 82, 79 and 80 games in the past five seasons.
Does it make sense?
Perhaps the second reason this could work out well for the Rangers depends on how they look going into the trade deadline. There's a chance they could miss the playoffs again this season, considering they finished last in the extremely competitive Eastern Conference.
If they are in a playoff push, Bjorkstrand gives them someone who can be counted on for two-way play in those crucial moments. And if they are not in the playoff discussion? His one-year contract could allow them to receive some draft capital from a contending team. -- Clark
Sergei Bobrovsky, G
Toronto Maple Leafs
The terms: 3 years, $7 million AAV
Grade: B
Where does he fit?
The Maple Leafs had crease-related questions following last month's trade of Joseph Woll to Philadelphia (and subsequent move of an asset from that transaction -- Samuel Ersson-- to Ottawa). Would it be Anthony Stolarz carrying the load alongside youngster Dennis Hildeby? Or would GM John Chayka get Stolarz some veteran help? Chayka did the latter by going all-in on two-time Stanley Cup champion and two-time Vezina Trophy winner Sergei Bobrovsky (who, ironically, was Stolarz's partner on the Florida Panthers' Cup run in 2023-24).
The only question now is -- what version of Bobrovsky lands in Toronto? Is it Bob at his (late-career) best, carrying the Panthers to three consecutive Cup Finals with high-caliber playoff performances? Or is Bobrovsky's below-average showing in 2025-26 (with a 27-23-1 record and .877 SV%, the worst he has generated in a full NHL season) more of what he'll deliver for the Leafs as their No. 1 or No. 2 in net? Toronto is banking on Bobrovsky to rebound.
Does it make sense?
Toronto needed a second, experienced goaltender (no disrespect to Hildeby). Bobrovsky fits the bill. He is tried and tested, has a relationship with Stolarz and has embraced different roles in recent years, being both Florida's go-to guy and a supportive backup when necessary. It's just an interesting decision -- and investment -- by the Leafs given that it looked like the wheels were coming off for Bobrovsky last season.
There's a long history of success for Bobrovsky, though, so it's a good bet he can bounce back with a new opportunity. His postseason numbers through both Panthers Cup runs were strong (with a .906 SV% in 2024 and .914 SV% in 2025) and there's no accounting for that sort of championship pedigree in a town that's starving to finally manufacture some of its own. The term of Bobrovsky's deal -- given he'll be 38 when next season begins -- could come back to bite Toronto (quickly). But if the Leafs can get a solid two years out of Bobrovsky, then ultimately, it's a signing that was worth making. -- Shilton
Jacob Trouba, D
San Jose Sharks
The terms: 4 years, $8.25 million AAV
Grade: B-
Where does he fit?
The Sharks are one of the Western Conference's fastest rising contenders thanks to the generational talent of Macklin Celebrini and a collection of great young forwards surrounding him. What San Jose didn't have before this offseason was a defensive corps to support them, which is why GM Mike Grier made the blueline his priority. The first step was acquiring Michael Kesselring from the Buffalo Sabres. The next step was signing Trouba, 32, who walked away from the Anaheim Ducks after two seasons. He's a 13-year NHL veteran, a former captain with the Rangers and brings a physicality that the Sharks needed from their defensemen.
Does it make sense?
This signing is going to make the bottom of a lot of free agency rankings and report cards. Trouba is 32 and has lost a step defensively. That makes a four-year term suspect and an $8.25 million cap hit open to criticism. But I'm going to zag here: I like this for San Jose. Trouba does two things really well that can help out the Sharks. His breakout passing remains strong, which will come in handy with this collection of fast scoring forwards. The other thing is Trouba's calling card: Delivering hard, sometimes injurious hits from the back end. The Sharks have some physicality up front, but didn't really have a defenseman that could strike fear in opposing puck carriers that Trouba does.
The years? Given his erosion of skills, that could be an issue. The money? The Sharks have nothing but cap space in the next few years. Add in the veteran leadership component and his familiarity with the division and this signing is better than what some of the reactions are going to indicate. --Wyshynski
Stuart Skinner, G
Winnipeg Jets
The terms: 2 years, $3.75 million annually
Grade: A-
Where does he fit?
At minimum? This is the Jets getting a proven goaltender with a manageable cap hit who can back up Connor Hellebuyck with the intent it should lessen the burden on the three-time Vezina Trophy winner.
Or this is the Jets getting a jump start on the fact they would have an experienced NHL starting goalie if they decide to trade Hellebuyck.
Does it make sense?
The decision around Hellebuyck's future is the most pressing item facing the Jets because of its short-and long-term impact. By getting Skinner, this at least gives the Jets a chance to evaluate all options knowing they'll have someone with experience if and when the time comes to part with the 2025 Hart Trophy winner. -- Clark
Jack Roslovic, F
Toronto Maple Leafs
The terms: 2 years, $4 million annually
Grade: B
Where does he fit?
Roslovic going to the Carolina Hurricanes in 2024-25 saw him tie his previous career high in goals with 22 in 81 games. His lone year with the Edmonton Oilers led to him scoring 21 goals in 69 games.
Adding another consistent 20-goal scorer to a team that was 16th in goals per game during the 2025-26 season should help. He'll provide the Leafs with a top-nine option that has a chance to help them improve from a lottery team back into one competing for the playoffs.
Does it make sense?
Much of that depends upon if the version of Roslovic the Leafs receive is the one that's shown consistency over the last two seasons.
There were times in Roslovic's career when he showed flashes of consistency only to be met with stretches where he struggled to score goals. -- Clark
Mason Marchment, F
San Jose Sharks
The terms: 5 years, $7 million annually
Grade: B+
Where does he fit?
Trading William Eklund before the NHL draft meant the Sharks needed a top-six winger -- even though they would draft Ivar Stenberg with the No. 2 overall pick. Even if Stenberg is NHL ready, the Sharks adding a proven 6-foot-5 winger who can score more 20 goals and play top-six minutes only bolsters their roster.
What Marchment provides is the sort of skill set that can help the Sharks now and going forward with all the young talent they possess, led by Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith, among others.
Plus? There's also the fact that he's going back to a place where there's family history with his late father, Bryan, spending six seasons with the Sharks.
Does it make sense?
Marchment signing with the Sharks appears to be one of those deals that has quite a few advantages for a team that's trying to make a legitimate push for the playoffs after falling four points shy in 2025-26. -- Clark
Viktor Arvidsson, F
Detroit Red Wings
The terms: 2 years, $5 million AAV
Grade: B+
Where does he fit?
Arvidsson will be a second- or third-line guy for the Red Wings, who add some physical presence along with a pretty high-end 5-on-5 scoring ability. He ranked second among Boston's skaters last year in even-strength points (with 45, in what was a 25-goal, 54-point effort through 69 games). Arvidsson also played a role on the Bruins' power play and could help Detroit on their second unit. He's 33, but Arvidsson isn't showing many signs of his age just yet. And while he's not the biggest body (at 5-foot-10), Arvidsson brings some physicality and is a tenacious forechecker, which should help to make Detroit tougher up front.
Does it make sense?
This is a good deal for Detroit. The term is right given Arvidsson's into his 30s, and it's a dollar figure commensurate with what he's done, and can still do, for the Red Wings. Detroit ranked 30th in the NHL last season in 5-on-5 goals so that's the most obvious area Arvidsson can help improve. In general, Detroit had to be eyeing some depth scoring given the uncertainty around Dylan Larkin's status and with Patrick Kane hitting free agency. Even if Kane does re-sign with Detroit, Arvidsson will have a role to play (and a potentially significant one at that) if he can build off one of the best seasons of his career in 2025-26. -- Shilton
Jaden Schwartz, LW
Colorado Avalanche
The terms: 3 years, $3.25 million AAV
Grade: A-
Where does he fit?
Schwartz was an O.K. (Original Kraken), joining the team as a free agent for their inaugural season in 2021-22 after playing 10 seasons with the St. Louis Blues and winning the Stanley Cup in 2019. Last season saw him score 11 goals and 15 assists in 50 games, skating 16:08 per game. His goal-scoring dipped a bit from his 26 goals in 2024-25, but he was still an effective forward. Schwartz moves into Colorado's bottom six, where the Avalanche lost both Ross Colton and Jack Drury via trade.
Does it make sense?
Schwartz wanted to play in Denver. His college hockey days were spent at Colorado College, and he's admired the Avalanche from afar. Hence, the 34-year-old forward took less than market value on a free-agent contract to join GM Joe Sakic's team, as AFP Analytics had him projected at around $4.8 million on a two-year term. He's an ideal depth forward addition: experienced, hard-working, offensively gifted and hungry to play relevant hockey after only making the playoffs once in Seattle. Good player, really good cap number for Colorado -- even if they went one year longer than you'd like for a 34-year-old. --Wyshynski
Mats Zuccarello, F
Los Angeles Kings
The terms: 1 year, $1 million plus bonuses
Grade: B+
Where does he fit?
What makes Zuccarello a hypothetically strong fit is the fact he gives the Kings a top-six winger that can generate goals both for himself and for those around him. The 38-year-old had 15 goals and 39 assists for 54 points in 59 games while averaging more than 18 minutes per game last season with the Minnesota Wild.
His production over 54 games still would have made him the Kings' second-leading scorer last season. Although they're still searching for a top-six center with Anze Kopitar retiring, Zuccarello does give them that experienced presence.
Does it make sense?
Trying to win in the playoffs is hard enough. What makes it even harder was the fact the Kings, who have not made it beyond the first round since 2014, finished the regular season with the fourth-fewest goals per game. -- Clark
Rasmus Andersson, D
Vegas Golden Knights
The terms: 7 years, $8.5 million AAV
Grade: B+
Where does he fit?
Andersson, 29, was acquired from the Calgary Flames last season in a deal that saw defenseman Zach Whitecloud go the other way. The 10-year NHL veteran had 17 points in 33 games for Vegas in the regular season, skating 21:42 per game on average. His ice time jumped to 23:26 per game in the playoffs, but his overall game fell off: six points in 22 games, including just one assist in his last eight playoff games, skating to a minus-3.
Does it make sense?
Despite his postseason dip, Andersson is a solid re-signing with the Knights. He plays a ton, carries the puck well and can generate goals from the blue line. He worked well with Noah Hanifin as a tandem in the regular season, although the duo struggled in the postseason due to Hanifin's upper body injury. If Andersson hit the open market, he would have likely earned more than this AAV -- according to AFP Analytics, he was projected for $8.75 million on a six-year term. For now, it's a move that solidifies the Golden Knights' back end. If this contract doesn't age well, Vegas has been known to find its way out of them in the past. --Wyshynski
