TOP 40 UFAs: 2025

As of June 1, 2025 | 4:30pm ET

As teams look to improve their clubs going into the 2025-26 campaign, we look at the Top 40 Unrestricted Free Agents set to hit the open market July 1 at 12:00pm ET.

This page will be updated frequently and TFP's panel of experts will outline each player's value. Some players may climb or fall off the list, while others may be added, ahead of July 1.

PLEASE NOTE: Teams linked to players are based off both external media reports and internal sources. Teams linked will be made listed at a TBD date after the Stanley Cup Final concludes.

1. Mitch Marner, RW

All signs point to Marner hitting July 1 and exploring all of his options. As TFP’s David Pagnotta reported this past week, Marner has a select list of teams he would be interested in signing with this summer, with Los Angeles and Vegas believed to be two of the options. Toronto will continue to pry the door open, but the Leafs may begin planning for life without Marner, who put up 102 points this season.

2. Sam Bennett, C/RW

Plenty of speculation surrounds Bennett and his future. With Bennett and the Panthers zeroed in on the Stanley Cup Final, contract talks have taken a backseat, but this may trend towards a similar ending to the one Sam Reinhart had last year, when he signed his new deal with Florida after the Cup. Bennett wants to stay, but will the final number be enough to make that happen?

3. John Tavares, C/LW

Tavares said he is “very optimistic” he can come to terms on a new deal with the Maple Leafs. Toronto will be chatting with his agent this month and look to hammer out a new short-term deal. He will command considerable less than his last AAV, but could a deal in the $5 million to $6 million annual range work?

4. Nikolaj Ehlers, LW

All indications going into this season were it would be Ehlers’ last in Winnipeg. The Jets will surely try to keep him around long-term, and winning can alter someone’s mindset, but we will see if Ehlers and the Jets can extend their marriage. Given the shallow free agent pool, though, Ehlers is among the big fish teams would love to catch.

5. Brock Boeser, RW

Boeser is ready for a change of scenery, and as TFP’s David Pagnotta reported last month, it is a “longshot” that he signs in Vancouver. For teams looking to add some scoring punch in their top-six, Boeser is a top option for them to pursue this July.

6. Aaron Ekblad, RD

The Panthers tried to get Ekblad inked to a new deal last off-season and have had on-again, off-again talks this season. With Ekblad and the Panthers battling for another championship, contract discussions won’t ramp up until later in the month, but unless Ekblad is willing to sign for a “hometown discount” he might have to evaluate his options in the open market.

7. Matt Duchene, C/LW

Duchene voiced his desire to stay in Dallas, but given the club’s tight proximity to the salary cap, if he wants to max out on a multi-year deal, he’s going to have to look elsewhere. After putting up 82 points this season, Duchene is hoping for, what he called, “stability” on his next contract. Given the market, there should be plenty of suitors.

8. Brock Nelson, C/LW

Nelson hasn’t closed the door on signing a new with Colorado, and the two sides are expected to discuss a contract in early-June. We’ll see where they ends up, but if he hits July 1, there will be a number of teams interested in adding him to their rosters.

9. Ivan Provorov, LD

Provorov and the Blue Jackets discussed a contract all season long before putting a half on negotiations in March. With the free agent market one month away, at the time of this first update, Columbus is expected to take another stab at getting Provorov signed to a new, long-term extension.

10. Brad Marchand, RW

Marchand’s focus is on the Stanley Cup Final, right now, but early speculation suggests he is interested in staying in South Florida beyond this season. We’ll see how things go once the Cup wraps up, but seeing Marchand sign a deal with the Panthers is a possibility. Alternatively, given his performance so far in the playoffs, several Cup contenders will be calling if he explores the market.