Last summer, I put together a list of the Top 10 pending UFAs, and characterized the 2026 free agency class one of the most "fascinating" we've seen in a while. Since then, several of the biggest names have signed monster long-term extensions with their respective teams, thinning the herd considerably in advance of July 1.

While the list looks a lot different now, reports surfaced last week that the New York Rangers do not plan to re-sign superstar Artemi Panarin this offseason. Given that one of the league's most productive wingers will likely go to market at the season's end, it's time for a comprehensive update.

Without further ado, here are the league's Top 10 pending UFAs.

(Contract information (courtesy of PuckPedia) and statistics (courtesy of Frozen Tools) current to the afternoon of January 18, 2026)

10.   Evgeni Malkin, C/LW, Pittsburgh Penguins

The thought of Malkin rocking anything other than the black and yellow is unsettling, but that could be the case come October. Even at 39 years old, Geno can still drive play, rack up powerplay points, and swing fantasy matchups with the league's best. With Pittsburgh balancing loyalty against planning for the future, Malkin's future in Pittsburgh is far from guaranteed, and that uncertainty makes him one of the more intriguing pending UFAs around.

9.   Boone Jenner, C/LW, Columbus Blue Jackets

Jenner is a classic hot-ticket pending UFA who's captained the Blue Jackets admirably this year when healthy, piling up 24 points (eight goals, 16 assists) in 34 games, along with a steady dose of shots and hits. If Columbus slips out of the playoff race, Boone will be the type of deadline add teams love, which makes the Jackets' captain a potential second-half difference maker for contenders and fantasy managers alike.

8.   Darren Raddysh, D, Tampa Bay Lightning

Raddysh has 39 points in his last 30 games. He makes under $1 million. He picked the right time to turn into Cale Makar. But is he Erik Gustafsson in disguise? That question mark pushes him down to eighth on the list. If he was a sure thing, he’d be first! Raddysh has stepped up admirably in the absence of Lightning captain Victor Hedman, amassing 42 points (12 goals, 30 assists), including 15 powerplay points (which ranks fifth among defensemen). Currently in the second year of a two-year, $1.95M contract, Raddysh will be in line for a massive payday this offseason if he continues his stellar play in the back half of the season.

7.   John Carlson, D, Washington Capitals

Carlson isn't getting any younger, but still carries plenty of fantasy appeal as a key piece of Washington's powerplay scheme. Rearguards who pile up points don't grow on trees, but Carlson remains one of them, ranking fifth in career points among all active defencemen. If the Caps decide to pass on an extension for the 36-year-old, he'll become a highly coveted commodity among teams in need of offence over the summer.

6.   Nick Schmaltz, C/RW, Utah Mammoth

Schmaltz is the definition of quietly productive, which is exactly what fantasy managers look for from mid-round selections in drafts. With 44 points (18 goals, 26 assists) in 49 games so far, this season is shaping up to be one of Schmaltz's most productive yet. Provided he remains healthy, Schmaltzy will remain a focal point of Utah's offence and continue to pay dividends for managers who took a chance on him on draft day.

5.   Rasmus Andersson, D, Vegas Golden Knights

Puck-moving, right-shot defensemen who can munch minutes often break the bank in free agency, and Andersson is prepping for a big payday. He was included on this list before news broke of his trade to Vegas, but the move to the Golden Knights only raises his short-term ceiling. It's unclear if Andersson would sign an extension with a new team or test the free agency market this summer. But with or without a new contract, joining a contender in Vegas could mean an improved plus/minus, more secondary assists, and elevated powerplay totals in the back half of the season for Andersson.

4.   Kiefer Sherwood, LW/RW, Vancouver Canucks

Sherwood has become one of the most elite banger league beauties around. Already one of the NHL's most prolific hitters, Kiefer pairs relentless physicality with an increasingly real offensive touch, carving out a role that translates extremely well to multi-cat fantasy formats. While his 15.7 shooting percentage through 44 games invites some skepticism, Sherwood's favourable deployment in Vancouver keeps his fantasy floor sturdy. Even if he's dealt before the deadline, forwards who can skate, score, and impose themselves physically are difference makers wherever they play, expect Sherwood to keep his pedal to the metal.

3.   Sergei Bobrovsky, G, Florida Panthers

Given Florida's immense team success over the past few years, it's strange to think of Bobrovsky moving on from Sunrise. However, with the Panthers in danger of missing the playoffs and Bob now 37 years old, there's a chance the Cats decide to switch gears in goal in the offseason. If Bobrovsky hits the market this summer, a goaltending-needy contender could certainly hand him a short-term deal to see what he has left in the tank.

2.   Alex Tuch, LW/RW, Buffalo Sabres

Tuch epitomizes one of the most sought-after player archetypes in the league: a big-bodied power forward who can score and has enough two-way detail to thrive in high leverage situations. While Buffalo has exceeded expectations, it's easy to imagine Tuch dominating deadline chatter come early March. Regardless of whether a change of scenery is in order or not, Tuch is the kind of player who can singlehandedly win fantasy managers their weeks – and championships.

1.   Artemi Panarin, LW, New York Rangers

In search of new direction, the Rangers stunned the hockey world last week by publicly implying that they will not extend Panarin this offseason. Whether this ends with a blockbuster trade or Panarin simply walking in free agency, the Bread Man – and his elite playmaking abilities – appear poised to soon roll out of town. Currently on pace for another 90+ point season, it will be interesting to see which (bread)sticks Panarin will feed in the next chapter of his career. 

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That's all for this week! Follow me on X @SmoothE27 for more fantasy hockey content and analysis, and feel free to DM me with any questions about your team.

Stay tuned for the next Top 10 on Monday, January 26. Have a great week everyone!