Who Are the Best Remaining NHL Free Agents?
Much of the free agency phase is over for the NHL, but there are still plenty of good free agents in the pool. Players from promising prospects to experienced veterans are still on the board waiting for a contract. Some may find a roster in the NHL, but some may go to the AHL, overseas, or ultimately retire. This includes Marc-Edouard Vlasic, Jeff Skinner, Jack Roslovic, and Ilya Samsonov.
Marc-Edouard Vlasic
Marc‑Edouard Vlasic, a Montreal native born March 30th, 1987, was drafted 35th overall by the San Jose Sharks in 2005 and immediately became a cornerstone on their blue line. Debuting in 2006, he went on to play an astonishing 1,323 regular-season NHL games, all with San Jose, ranking him second in franchise history among defensemen. Over his 19 seasons, Vlasic contributed 84 goals and 295 assists, excelled as a premier shutdown defenseman, and established himself as a playoff staple with 142 postseason games, including the 2016 Stanley Cup Finals. During the 2024-25 season, Vlasic faced significant challenges. Hampered by an upper-body injury, he missed substantial time and ultimately appeared in just 27 games. In late June 2025, the Sharks placed Vlasic on waivers with the intent to buy out the final year of his eight-year, $56 million contract and officially bring an end to his nearly two-decade tenure in San Jose. However, Vlasic is hoping to sign with another team, although retirement may be an option.
Jeff Skinner
Jeff Skinner, born May 16th, 1992, emerged as a highly skilled goal-scorer after being drafted 7th overall in 2010 by the Carolina Hurricanes. Over his 15-season NHL career, he has amassed 373 goals and 326 assists across 1,078 regular-season games before joining the Edmonton Oilers as a free agent on July 1st, 2024, with a one-year, three-million-dollar contract. In his debut season with Edmonton, Skinner appeared in 72 games but only registered 16 goals and 13 assists. Importantly, Skinner achieved a significant career milestone by scoring his first-ever NHL playoff goal during Game Five of the Western Conference Finals against the Dallas Stars and had earlier notched his first postseason assist during the first-round series against Los Angeles. These appearances were a part of the only playoff run he was a member of during his NHL career up to this point. He likely hopes to be a part of another playoff run in his next contract, even after his disappointing regular-season performance in Edmonton.
Jack Roslovic
Jack Roslovic, born January 29, 1997, in Columbus, Ohio, was selected 25th overall by the Winnipeg Jets in 2015. Over parts of nine NHL seasons, he’s played for the Winnipeg Jets, Columbus Blue Jackets, New York Rangers, and, most recently, the Carolina Hurricanes. During the 2024-25 regular season, Roslovic posted rather impressive numbers. In 81 games, he scored 22 goals and added 17 assists for 39 points. In the playoffs, he continued contributing: over nine postseason games, he tallied one goal and three assists for four points, though the Hurricanes were eliminated in the Eastern Conference Finals. Roslovic’s season in Carolina redefined his career. After bouncing between teams, he emerged as a top-six winger, delivering a career best in goals and affirming his value with scoring depth and scoring flair. His 2024-25 campaign stands as his most impactful and productive to date. He hopes to have an even better performance next season, no matter his destination.
Ilya Samsonov
Ilya Samsonov, born February 22nd, 1997, in Magnitogorsk, Russia, was selected 22nd overall by the Washington Capitals in the 2015 NHL Draft. He spent early seasons with Washington and later the Toronto Maple Leafs, establishing himself as a reliable starter. On July 1st, 2024, he signed with the Vegas Golden Knights, marking a fresh chapter in his career. In the 2024–25 regular season with Vegas, Samsonov appeared in 29 games, going 16-nine-four with a 2.82 goals-against average and .891 save percentage. While his stats were respectable, ranking roughly top‑30 among NHL goalies in wins, GAA, and save%, Samsonov's 2.82 GAA and .891 SV% were slightly below his career NHL averages. However, that shouldn’t stop Ilya from getting a contract as the last major goalie in free agency.
Conclusion
While players like Roslovic have impressive seasons that are better than normal for them, they can still wind up having to wait several days or longer to sign their next contract. While some players like Samsonov and Skinner have down years, that might not stop them from having a team to play for next season. Injuries can happen to anyone, even players like Marc-Edouard Vlasic, which results in having to wait to sign a deal. No matter the circumstance, it’s possible these players find their next home and start new chapters in their careers. This, however, does not consider the additional possibilities of resigning or going overseas. Ultimately, it will be interesting to see which players go where and what their effects will be next season.
