2026 NHL Free Agents Still Unsigned: Kane, Mantha, Giroux

The 2026 NHL free agents market opened two days ago and somehow Patrick Kane, Anthony Mantha, and Claude Giroux are all still sitting on the board. That is not normal for July. Usually, the massive names vanish within hours.

This year teams are guarding their cap space. And the result is one of the deepest late-summer UFA pools you will ever see.

Why Is Patrick Kane Still Available?

But here is the catch.

Kane is approaching the later stages of his career, and any team signing him is paying for what he was, not what he is going to be in the coming years. The Red Wings were not a playoff team with him. His defensive game at this stage has become a concern.

And the market has already sent a warning signal.

A notable player recently re-signed with his team for a significantly reduced salary compared to his previous contract. If a franchise captain with that kind of resume is getting less than a million base salary on a one-year deal, what does that tell you about how teams view aging stars right now?

Kane has had a strong career, but the gap between his current performance and what teams are willing to commit to at this stage is exactly the gap keeping the three-time Cup winner unsigned.

Is Anthony Mantha Worth $6M Per Year?

Mantha had a strong recent season. Those are first-line numbers. Any agent would slap those on a contract demand without blinking.

The real kicker: limited production in the playoffs.

He was on the ice for the overtime goal that eliminated the Penguins. And Mantha is nearing his 32nd birthday.

This has "Ville Leino 2011" written all over it. One breakout season inflated by recency bias, a massive payday, then years of regret. Power forwards who score late often regress hard in their early 30s.

A projected $6.35M AAV looks fine in year one and like an anchor by year three.

Some team will talk itself into it.

Some team always does. But if you are a GM with limited cap room, you have to ask whether you want to pay Mantha into his mid-30s or spend that money on someone with a longer track record.

What Other 2026 NHL Free Agents Remain?

Claude Giroux is a reliable option still available. He played all 82 games at age 38 and had a solid point total for his team. He has a long and productive career.

A one-year deal for Giroux on a contender makes a pile of sense.

Then there is Patrik Laine, the most fascinating swing in the entire class. He has been a prolific scorer in the past.

He has a notable career goal total. But he has played just a limited number of games over the last three seasons combined. He is a lottery ticket with a massive jackpot and a real chance of being worth nothing.

A notable defenseman already came off the board, signing a deal with Tampa Bay after the Lightning lost a player to another team. And another prominent player announced his return to his team for another season, coming off a strong campaign.

NHL Free Agency FAQ: Kane, Laine, Giroux

Will Patrick Kane retire? No indication of that. He produced at a first-line clip in Detroit and wants to keep going. The question is which contender adds him, not whether he hangs them up.

Could Laine bounce back? The talent is real. But limited games in recent years is a massive red flag. Any deal will be heavy on incentives.

Is Giroux done? Not even close. 82 games played, solid point total at 38. He is the most reliable option still available.

What To Watch Tonight

The 2026 NHL free agents market is moving slower than usual, but that does not mean it is frozen. Kane wants a contender. Mantha wants term. Giroux wants to keep playing. Laine wants a fresh start. The recent deal in Dallas tells you everything about how brutal this market is for older players.

Watch for a team with cap room to make a move on Kane or Giroux in the next 48 hours. The longer they sit, the more likely a contender gets them at a discount. Who blinks first?