According to CapWages.com, there are roughly 389 unrestricted free agents who will be seeking new contracts at 12 p.m. ET on July 1, 2026. Of course, those totals include players on minor league deals, with the bulk of the sum going to NHL stars and superstars.
Considering the Florida Panthers have only $4.6 million in cap space remaining, with a few contracts still to settle, fans expect a very quiet offseason from General Manager Bill Zito.
However, fear not, Panthers fans, specifically those who are looking for something to follow in NHL Free Agency this summer, as 22 former players are seeking big-league contracts. Whether they spent seasons in South Florida or just a few games, they will always be part of the team's history, so fans often track their movements across the league, giving them something new to do starting on Canada Day.
Here’s a look at those players, their recent contracts, and their 2025-26 statistics.
Mason Marchment (F)
- Recent Team: Columbus Blue Jackets
- Recent Deal: 4 x $4.5 millon
- 2025-26 Statistics: 15G - 17A - 32PTS
Vladimir Tarasenko (F)
- Recent Team: Minnesota Wild
- Recent Deal: 2 x $4.75 millon
- 2025-26 Statistics: 23G - 24A - 47PTS
Erick Haula (F)
- Recent Team: Nashville Predators
- Recent Deal: 3 x $3.15 millon
- 2025-26 Statistics: 14G - 24A - 38PTS
Claude Giroux (F)
- Recent Team: Ottawa Senators
- Recent Deal: 1 x $4.75 millon
- 2025-26 Statistics: 14G - 35A - 49PTS
Noel Acciari (F)
- Recent Team: Pittsburgh Penguins
- Recent Deal: 3 x $2 millon
- 2025-26 Statistics: 13G - 12A - 25PTS
Nick Cousins (F)
- Recent Team: Ottawa Senators
- Recent Deal: 2 x $1.587 millon
- 2025-26 Statistics: 9G - 14A - 23PTS
Radko Gudas (D)
- Recent Team: Anaheim Ducks
- Recent Deal: 3 x $4 millon
- 2025-26 Statistics: 2G - 11A - 13PTS
Erik Gudbranson (D)
- Recent Team: Columbus Blue Jackets
- Recent Deal: 4 x $4 millon
- 2025-26 Statistics: 1G - 2A - 3PTS
Kevin Stenlund (F)
- Recent Team: Utah Mammoth
- Recent Deal: 2 x $2 millon
- 2025-26 Statistics: 4G - 14A - 18PTS
Reilly Smith (F)
- Recent Team: Vegas Golden Knights
- Recent Deal: 1 x $2 millon
- 2025-26 Statistics: 16G - 10A - 26PTS
Alexander Petrovic (D)
- Recent Team: Dallas Stars
- Recent Deal: 2 x $775k
- 2025-26 Statistics: 2G - 8A - 10PTS
Vitek Vanecek (G)
- Recent Team: Utah Mammoth
- Recent Deal: 1 x $1.5 million
- 2025-26 Statistics: 5-13-3 / 2.93 GAA / .883 SV%
Mike Reilly (D)
- Recent Team: Carolina Hurricanes
- Recent Deal: 1 x $1.1 million
- 2025-26 Statistics: 1G - 8A - 9PTS
Evgenii Dadonov (F)
- Recent Team: New Jersey Devils
- Recent Deal: 1 x $1 million
- 2025-26 Statistics: 1G - 0A - 1PTS
Noah Juulsen (D)
- Recent Team: Philadelphia Flyers
- Recent Deal: 1 x $900k
- 2025-26 Statistics: 1G - 9A - 10PTS
Garrett Wilson (F)
- Recent Team: Philadelphia Flyers
- Recent Deal: 1 x $775k
- 2025-26 Statistics: 0G - 0A - 0PTS
James Reimer (G)
- Recent Team: Ottawa Senators
- Recent Deal: 1 x $850k
- 2025-26 Statistics: 7-4-2 / 6.05 GAA / .786 SV%
Juho Lammikko (F)
- Recent Team: New Jersey Devils
- Recent Deal: 1 x $800k
- 2025-26 Statistics: 0G - 2A - 2PTS
Ryan Lomberg (F)
- Recent Team: Calgary Flames
- Recent Deal: 2 x $2 million
- 2025-26 Statistics: 4G - 5A - 9PTS
Sergei Bobrovsky (G)
- Recent Team: Florida Panthers
- Recent Deal: 7 x $10 million
- 2025-26 Statistics: 27-23-1 / 3.07 GAA / .877 SV%
Daniil Tarasov (G)
- Recent Team: Florida Panthers
- Recent Deal: 1 x $1.05 million
- 2025-26 Statistics: 13-15-3 / 3.05 GAA / .895 SV%
Donovan Serbrango (D)
- Recent Team: Florida Panthers
- Recent Deal: 1 x $775k
- 2025-26 Statistics: 0G - 8A - 8PTS
Of the 19 players on this list, many will sign new deals with their current teams or elsewhere starting July 1. Meanwhile, many of the names above may not land a contract until later in the month, or even in the summer. Worst case for some of these players, they could end up getting offered a professional tryout deal around training camp.
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