NHL free agent big board 5.0: Expanding to 100 top targets a day before the frenzy
The New York Times • • sports
Key Points:
- NHL teams are gearing up for Wednesday’s free-agent market opening, anticipating significant spending despite the absence of a standout superstar.
- The salary cap increase to $104 million next season is driving up the cost of acquiring talent.
- The top prospects in the 2026 free-agent class include goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky and defensemen John Carlson and Jacob Trouba, both recently with the Anaheim Ducks.
- Many unrestricted free agents have already signed extensions, but those remaining are expected to benefit from high demand in a limited marketplace.
- The free-agent big board has expanded to 100 players, ranked by their potential impact and the level of interest they generate.
