Take Buffalo Sabres forward Alex Tuch off the NHL free agent list.
Tuch, who had been the top available player, is going to the Washington Capitals in a sign-and-trade deal. He will average $10.5 million in his eight-year contract. The Sabres get back a third-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft and forward David Kampf.
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Tuch, 30, has three 30-goal seasons, including 33 goals this past season. His cap hit had been $4.75 million.
It’s the second major recent move by the Capitals, who acquired Jordan Kyrou from the St. Louis Blues and are deep on right wing.
They still don’t know if left wing Alex Ovechkin will return or retire, but one of the NHL all-time leading goal scorer’s factors was whether the team would be competitive after missing the playoffs in 2025-26.
This year’s once-spectacular crop of free agents has been whittled down with Connor McDavid, Kirill Kaprizov, Jack Eichel, Artemi Panarin, Adrian Kempe, Kyle Connor, Evgeni Malkin, Darren Raddysh and now Tuch signing extensions.
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But there are intriguing names left on the board. Here’s what to know about NHL free agency:
When does NHL free agency open?
The free agent market opens at noon ET on July 1.
Who are the top NHL unrestricted free agents?
10. Frederik Andersen, Carolina Hurricanes
The goalie got the Hurricanes to the Stanley Cup Final before an injury kept him out for the final three games of Carolina’s run. Current cap hit: $2.75 million.
9. Patrick Kane, Detroit Red Wings
The 2007 No. 1 pick became the top U.S.-born scorer this past season. He has topped 50 points the last two seasons. Current cap hit: $3 million.
8. Anders Lee, New York Islanders
He has been the Islanders’ captain since 2018 and is usually good for 20-plus goals, though he had 19 in 2025-26. Current cap hit: $7 million.
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7. Mason Marchment, Columbus Blue Jackets
He struggled with the Seattle Kraken after his offseason trade, but his trade to Columbus revived his season with 32 points in 39 games. He’s also an agitator. Current cap hit: $4.5 million.
6. Anthony Mantha, Pittsburgh Penguins
He’s the third-highest-scoring player on the free agent list with 64 points after he signed a one-year deal with Pittsburgh. Will a general manager be tempted to think he can do that again or look at his subpar production before that? Current cap hit: $2.5 million.
5. Viktor Arvidsson, Boston Bruins
The forward bounced back from a couple subpar seasons and had 25 goals and 54 points after being traded to Boston. Current cap hit: $4 million.
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4. Sergei Bobrovsky, Florida Panthers
The goalie won back-to-back Stanley Cup titles and owns two Vezina Trophies. He’ll be 38 next season. Current cap hit: $10 million.
3. Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
The NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer is expected to either re-sign with the Capitals or retire. Otherwise, he’d lead the list. He scored 32 goals at age 40. Current cap hit: $9.5 million.
2. Rasmus Andersson, Vegas Golden Knights
The defenseman was traded to the Golden Knights this past season by the Flames. He can provide offense with one 50-point season and others topping 40 points, including 47 points in 2025-26. He had an average playoffs. Current cap hit: $4.55 million.
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1. John Carlson, Anaheim Ducks
Carlson, the Capitals’ all-time leader in scoring among defensemen, was traded to the Ducks in a shocker. He totaled 60 points in 71 games. Current cap hit: $8 million.
Others to watch: Mats Zuccarello, Boone Jenner, Brent Burns, Jacob Trouba
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Capitals acquire Alex Tuch in sign-and-trade deal with Sabres
