NHL.com has fantasy hockey reaction to the biggest free agent signings for the 2025-26 season. For more coverage, visit NHL.com/Fantasy.
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MORE FANTASY COVERAGE:
Top 200 rankings | Keeper / dynasty
Fantasy cheat sheet with EDGE stats
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Marner to Golden Knights
Forward Mitch Marner has been traded to the Vegas Golden Knights by the Toronto Maple Leafs, and signed an eight-year, $96 million contract ($12 million average annual value), boosting their offense and special teams to re-establish them as one of the top Stanley Cup contenders.
The 28-year-old set NHL career highs in points (102; fifth in NHL) and assists (75; third) last season. Since 2018-19, only Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers has more primary assists (366 in 503 games) than Marner (281 in 498 games), who now joins forces with elite center Jack Eichel and gives Vegas one of the best 1-2 punches at right wing along with Mark Stone.
EDGE stats insights: Marner's outlook with Vegas
Projected fantasy draft range: Top 25 overall (7th among right wings)
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Ehlers to Hurricanes
Forward Nikolaj Ehlers has signed a six-year contract with the Carolina Hurricanes, providing a potential boost to their top line, first power play and Stanley Cup chances.
The 29-year-old had an NHL career-high 22 power-play points with the Winnipeg Jets last season and has scored at least 20 goals in eight of his 10 seasons. Ehlers still has untapped potential considering he has only played more than 70 games once in the past five seasons because of multiple injuries and should help the power play for the Hurricanes, who ranked 25th in the regular season (18.7 percent) and worst of the four 2025 conference finalists (15.0 during series against Florida Panthers).
EDGE stats insights: Ehlers' outlook with Hurricanes
Projected fantasy draft range: Top 100 overall (third among Hurricanes)
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Granlund to Ducks
Forward Mikael Granlund has signed a three-year contract with the Anaheim Ducks, boosting their already strong top-nine forward group, addressing their power-play struggles and improving their Stanley Cup Playoff chances.
Granlund, who had his fifth 60-point NHL season (combined for 66 in 83 games with San Jose Sharks and Dallas Stars last season), should play in the top six and on one of Anaheim's power-play units. Anaheim, which ranked last in the NHL in power-play percentage (11.8 percent) last season and 30th of 32 teams in goals per game (2.65), has added experienced forwards in Granlund, 33, and Chris Kreider, 34, this offseason as veterans to complement their impressive young core.
Anaheim's 25-or-younger players include forwards Cutter Gauthier, Mason McTavish and Leo Carlsson, defenseman Jackson LaCombe and goalie Lukas Dostal. The Ducks also recently added top prospects in forwards Beckett Sennecke (No. 3 pick in 2024 NHL Draft) and Roger McQueen (No. 10 pick in 2025 NHL Draft). Granlund was relied upon heavily with the rebuilding Sharks last season and was a top 75 overall player in standard leagues (45 points, 15 on power play, in 52 games) prior to being traded to Dallas.
EDGE stats insights: Granlund ranked highly among forwards in the following categories last season: total skating distance (246.40; 93rd percentile), power-play offensive zone time percentage (60.9 percent; 82nd percentile), midrange shots on goal (51; 81st percentile), long-range shots on goal (18; 87th percentile) and long-range goals (three; 98th percentile).
Projected fantasy draft range: Top 120 overall (second among Ducks)
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Drouin, Shabanov to Islanders
Forward Jonathan Drouin has signed a two-year contract with the New York Islanders, giving him late-round fantasy potential in a top-six role under coach Patrick Roy. New York also signed forward Maxim Shabanov, who joins the NHL from the Kontinental Hockey League, to a one-year, entry-level contract.
Drouin, who frequently played on a line with elite center Nathan MacKinnon for the Colorado Avalanche when healthy the past two seasons, now has a chance to play on the Islanders' top line with center Bo Horvat and wing Mathew Barzal and also the first power play. Drouin had an NHL career high in points per game (0.86; 37 in 43 games) last season and combined for 31 power-play points during his two seasons in Colorado.
Shabanov could also compete for a top-six role and bring exposure to either the top-liners or other fantasy-relevant options in veterans Anders Lee, Kyle Palmieri and/or fellow rookie Calum Ritchie (acquired from Avalanche last season). Shabanov, 24, led the KHL in playoff goals (10 in 21 games) and had more than a point per game during the regular season (67 in 65 games for Traktor Chelyabinsk).
EDGE stats insights: Drouin ranked highly in offensive zone time percentage (48.1 percent; 98th percentile) and top skating speed (23.07 mph; 87th percentile) last season.
Projected fantasy draft range: Outside top 150 overall for both Drouin (sleeper candidate) and Shabanov (rookie)
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Others signees with sneaky fantasy upside: Pius Suter, F, STL; Brent Burns, D, COL; Dmitry Orlov, D, SJS; Anton Forsberg, G, LAK; Corey Perry, F, LAK; Evgenii Dadonov, F, NJD; Dan Vladar G, PHI
