Tarasenko, Bunting and Laine bet on patience as NHL UFA market stalls

As the 2026-27 NHL season sits right around the corner, several notable veteran forwards are still without contracts. Wingers Vladimir Tarasenko, Michael Bunting and Patrik Laine remain on the open market, a sign of how tight the landscape has become for mid-tier unrestricted free agents.

Productive wingers, but no deals on the table yet

On performance alone, all three have recent numbers that would normally attract multiple suitors looking for scoring depth. At 34, Tarasenko is coming off a 23-goal, 47-point year in 75 games with the Minnesota Wild. Bunting, 31, produced 14 goals and 33 points over 74 games split between the Nashville Predators and Dallas Stars.

Laine, 28, dealt with health issues in 2024-25, but when he was relatively healthy he recorded 20 goals and 33 points in 52 games with the Montreal Canadiens. None of these veterans is expected to settle for a league-minimum contract, which makes fitting them under tight salary structures a challenge for many clubs.

Cap squeeze and injuries shaping the UFA market

The salary-cap environment is a major factor. Data cited from PuckPedia indicates that 16 teams currently have less than $3 million in cap space, leaving limited room for meaningful additions. In this climate, middle-of-the-lineup players can find themselves squeezed between their salary expectations and what teams can realistically offer.

As a result, many UFAs appear to be in wait-and-see mode. The focus is on organizations that might suffer a significant injury early in the season. When key players land on injured lists and cap space opens up, the case for adding a proven winger such as Tarasenko, Bunting or Laine becomes much stronger.

European options and the value of staying ready

If NHL interest does not materialize at the level these players are seeking, the KHL and other top European leagues remain viable alternatives, offering the potential for compensation closer to their perceived value. That overseas path lingers in the background while the North American market remains quiet.

In the meantime, today’s NHL veterans typically maintain game-level conditioning throughout the off-season, and these unsigned forwards are likely no exception. The goal is to be able to step into a lineup with minimal adjustment once an opportunity arises. For Tarasenko, Bunting, Laine and other remaining UFAs, patience and preparation may ultimately be the keys to securing their next NHL home.