The NHL’s salary cap is about to jump sharply. That shift makes the 2026 unrestricted free agent forward market one of the most strategically significant in years. Cap ceilings are projected to climb to roughly $104 million by July 1, 2026. Teams will have room to chase difference-making talent. But this class is thinner at the elite end than recent summers. July’s free-agent bidding wars will be defined less by sheer volume of stars. They will be defined by scarcity and leverage. Who’s truly worth the money. Who becomes a short-term fill-in.
The decisions made next summer won’t just fill roster holes. They’ll clarify organizational identity. Will contenders bet on proven offensive engines. Will rebuilders allocate funds to depth scoring that stabilizes a lineup. This is a lean class. It is headlined by a handful of premium wings and dynamic forwards. Every dollar tells a story. Every signing could tilt a Cup window.
The Cap Reality
A projected cap increase from around $95.5 million in 2025 to about $104 million in 2026 fundamentally shifts how teams approach free agency. Extra room doesn’t guarantee smart decisions. It simply raises the stakes of every one. Fewer blue-chip UFAs are available. Many signed long-term before reaching 2026. That leaves the remaining names to dominate July 1 headlines. It also gives them outsized attention.
Ranking the 2026 UFA Forwards
10. Evgeni Malkin — Unrestricted Free Agent (C/LW)
Malkin’s ability to control play in tight spaces and generate offense kept him relevant deep into the 2025-26 campaign. This despite if his age. He is known for elite vision. His puck skill developed over a Hall-of-Fame career. He still creates opportunities from the slot and net front. Teams chasing secondary scoring will watch closely. Teams chasing veteran guidance will watch too. That includes clubs looking for help in the bottom half of the top six. They will view him as a valuable short-term addition. That holds if he hits the open market.
Market value prediction: 1–2 years, $5.5 million AAV.
9. Charlie Coyle — Columbus Blue Jackets (C)
Coyle has carved out a role as a reliable middle-six center. He can contribute in high-leverage situations, on the penalty kill. He went from Boston to Colorado. Then he went to Columbus. Those moves reshaped his usage. He has become a versatile forward who can drive play. He can stabilize a lineup. Teams that prize structure will be attentive. Teams that value forecheck strength will be attentive too. They will also like the occasional secondary scoring. Expect real interest as Coyle reaches unrestricted free agency.
Market value prediction: 3 years, $5.25 million AAV.
8. Michael Bunting — Pittsburgh Penguins (LW)
Bunting brings a mix of grit and scoring. Few forwards combine those traits effectively. He’s developed into a consistent contributor in traffic. He works on the forecheck. Those traits carry special value late in games. They carry value through playoff series. Opponents hate facing him for a reason. His pursuit never stops. His stick work disrupts exits. He generates offense from scrums. He lives in high-danger areas.
Market value prediction: 4 years, $5.0 million AAV.
7. Jordan Eberle — Seattle Kraken (RW)
Eberle remains a dependable secondary scorer. His quick release still matters. His power-play instincts force defenders to stay honest. He may not lead the headlines. His situational scoring does travel. His veteran presence also carries weight. Teams seeking reliable support in the top nine will value that. He has playoff experience who can bury rebounds. He can tip passes in tight quarters. His game scales well with increased ice time.
Market value prediction: 2 years, $3.75 million AAV.
6. Jaden Schwartz — Seattle Kraken (LW)
Schwartz has long balanced offense with steady defensive play. In 2025-26, he continued to provide both. He offered scoring. He offered shutdown ability. That mix makes him ideal for teams needing a versatile winger. He can adapt to multiple roles. His positional play stays strong in the defensive zone. His contributions on the power play still show up. That profile appeals to contenders. It also appeals to transitional teams.
Market value prediction: 2–3 years, $4.5 million AAV.
5. Alex Ovechkin — Washington Capitals (LW)
Even at age 40, Ovechkin remains one of the most dangerous shooters in the league. His one‑timer ability and power‑play gravity still create chaos in opposing defenses, forcing adjustments in coverage schemes. In 2025‑26 he continued to score at an elite clip, reminding everyone that his presence changes how games are played. If he hits free agency, contenders will consider him a short-term sniper. They will see him as a player who can tilt a series. That chase alone could fuel significant July buzz.
Market value prediction: 1 year, $6.5 million AAV with significant bonuses.
4. Nick Schmaltz — Utah Mammoth (C/LW)
Schmaltz blends scoring and playmaking. He also brings strong possession metrics. Those numbers translate across lines. They translate across situations. He is comfortable at center, on the wing. Drives offense. He also contributes defensively. That shows up in advanced numbers like expected goal share. Teams seeking a top-six forward will view him as a foundational piece. They won’t treat him as a secondary option.
Market value prediction: 7 years, $8.25 million AAV.
3. Artemi Panarin — New York Rangers (LW)
Panarin remains one of hockey’s most creative playmakers — He is the kind of forward who doesn’t just score. He makes others better. With 19 goals and 57 points in 2025-26, he continued to terrorize defenses. His vision drives that. His puck control drives that too. The Rangers signaling they won’t extend him before July changes everything. That guarantees multiple contenders with cap space will enter a bidding war. This type rarely reaches open free agency. The looming showdown between contenders could define this UFA class. Detroit and Chicago sit in that conversation. Others will join.
Market value prediction: 4–5 years, $11.5 million AAV.
2. Alex Tuch — Buffalo Sabres (RW)
If there’s a narrative centerpiece for the 2026 UFA class, it’s Tuch. A powerful, complete winger, he blends score-drive effectiveness with net-front physicality. He also brings transition speed. In 2025-26, Tuch scored 18 goals and 42 points in 50 games. That cemented him as one of the league’s most consistent producers. Reports indicate Buffalo is engaged in deep extension talks. But if he reaches July without a deal, expect a best-offer bidding war. It will span term. It will span dollars. Contenders will view him as a top-lane impact piece. They will see a player who can anchor an elite top six for years.
Market value prediction: 8 years, $10.25 million AAV (if available).
1. Artemi Panarin — The Market’s Keystone
Yes, Panarin again. Not because of repetition. Because he defines this class. Elite offensive creators who reach the open market don’t come along often. When they do, they set July’s tone. Panarin’s impact isn’t just goals and assists. It’s how defenses realign to accommodate him. How power plays flow through his hands. It’s how his presence forces match-ups. The cap rise only magnifies this reality. If teams truly believe they are one elite winger away from contention, Panarin is that player. July’s bidding war will reflect it.
Market value prediction: 4–5 years, $11.5 million+ AAV.
The Road Ahead
The 2026 unrestricted forward market isn’t star-deep. The names it does include are impactful. With the cap rising, teams won’t be shy about spending. They will be choosy. In a thin class, the bidding for Panarin and Tuch will dominate July. The rest add depth and context. Veterans like Ovechkin and Malkin do that. So do Schmaltz, Schwartz, Bunting, Eberle, and Coyle. But it’s the top two that will define where dollars flow.
In a lean class, scarcity begets competition. On July 1st, the decisions made between contender and cap sheet will echo into the next decade. The next Cup window won’t wait for hesitation.
Read More: NHL Cap Projection 2026–27: How High Can the Ceiling Go
FAQs
Q1: Who are the top UFA forwards in the 2026 NHL offseason?
A1: The top names include Artemi Panarin, Alex Tuch, and Nick Schmaltz. These players will dominate the UFA market, with bidding wars expected for their services.
Q2: Why is the 2026 UFA forward market thinner than previous years?
A2: Many top forwards, like Mikko Rantanen and Brock Boeser, signed extensions early, reducing the number of elite forwards available.
Q3: Will Alex Ovechkin test free agency in 2026?
A3: Although with Washington, Ovechkin’s potential free agency could spark significant interest from Cup contenders seeking a final push.
Q4: What factors influence UFA value in 2026?
A4: Key factors include age, scoring efficiency, and two-way contributions, with teams placing high value on versatility and all-around play.
Q5: How will the salary cap increase affect UFA signings?
A5: With more cap space available, teams will have more flexibility. But it will raise the stakes of each decision, especially for top-tier free agents.
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