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Rasmus Andersson, John Carlson highlight top 5 2026 NHL free agent defensemen originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The start of NHL free agency is rapidly approaching, with just four days until pending UFAs are free to sign with whatever team they choose. Soon, teams will have the chance to bring in new talent through the free agent market.
Due to this, we here at The Sporting News will be looking at the top five pending UFAs for each position. In this latest edition of the series, let’s look at this year’s best NHL pending UFA defensemen. Previously, we looked at the top pending UFA goaltenders.
Rasmus Andersson, Vegas Golden Knights
2025-26 Stats: 81 GP, 17 G, 30 A, 47 PTS
With Darren Raddysh no longer on the board, Rasmus Andersson is currently the NHL’s top pending UFA defenseman. While there is a good chance that he will sign a contract extension with the Vegas Golden Knights, it would also make sense if he decided to test the market.
Teams looking to add a top-four defenseman who contributes offensively, plays a steady defensive game, and works in all situations should have Andersson on their radar.
MORE: Top 30 2026 NHL UFAs: Rasmus Andersson, John Carlson, Sergei Bobrovsky highlight free agent board
John Carlson, Carolina Hurricanes
2025-26 Stats: 71 GP, 14 G, 46 A, 60 PTS
John Carlson may be 36 years old, but he is still a very good NHL defenseman. During Day 2 of the NHL draft, Carlson’s UFA rights were dealt to the Carolina Hurricanes from the Anaheim Ducks
The veteran blueliner is still capable of providing strong offense from the point and would be a nice pickup for a team looking for a right-shot defenseman in their top four if the Hurricanes are unable to come to a contract agreement before July 1.
Jacob Trouba, Anaheim Ducks
2025-26 Stats: 81 GP, 10 G, 25 A, 35 PTS, 143 Hits
Jacob Trouba is another notable Ducks defenseman who can hit the market on July 1. After some tough years with the New York Rangers, Trouba bounced back nicely with the Ducks this season and proved that he can still be an impactful top-four defenseman.
Trouba’s extremely physical style of play and toughness should lead many teams to call if he tests free agency. It also doesn’t hurt that he is a former NHL captain and coming off his strongest offensive season in several years.
MORE: Eight 2027 NHL UFAs Who Can Sign Contract Extensions On July 1
Mario Ferraro, San Jose Sharks
2025-26 Stats: 82 GP, 7 G, 16 A, 23 PTS, 137 Hits
San Jose Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro has the potential to land a great contract this summer if he tests free agency. This is because he is this year’s top left-shot defenseman pending UFA.
Furthermore, at just 27 years old, he is a prime candidate to land a long-term contract. Ferraro also provides a bit of everything from the point, so he could be a nice addition for a team looking to boost its second or third pairing.
MORE: Sharks' GM Mike Grier Provides Updates on Pending Free Agents
Ryan Shea, Pittsburgh Penguins
2025-26 Stats: 80 GP, 6 G, 29 A, 35 PTS
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Ryan Shea had a breakout year at the perfect time in 2025-26. Once viewed as a depth defenseman, Shea has cemented himself as one of the NHL’s top pending UFA defenseman after his big season with the Penguins.
If Pittsburgh is unable to re-sign him, he is going to be a very popular target on July 1 as a two-way, puck-moving defenseman at just 29 years old.
More NHL News
- NHL Draft grades 2026: Full results and analysis for every pick in Round 1, from Gavin McKenna to Jaxon Cover
- 2026 NHL free agency: Top 5 goaltenders include several aging veterans
- Top 30 2026 NHL UFAs: Rasmus Andersson, John Carlson, Sergei Bobrovsky highlight free agent board
- 2026 NHL draft Round 1 winners and losers: Sharks strike gold with three picks, Ducks lose two key roster players
- 2026 NHL off-season trade board: Dylan Larkin, Connor Hellebuyck, Jason Robertson highlight impressive list
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