Take another potential free agent off this summer’s list.
Utah Mammoth forward Nick Schmaltz signed an eight-year contract extension on Wednesday, March 11 with a cap hit of $8 million. That will make him the team’s third-highest player behind Logan Cooley ($10 million cap hit next season) and Mikhail Sergachev ($8.5 million).
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Schmaltz, 30, ranks second on the team in goals (24), assists (35), and points (59) in 62 games. He already has passed his career best in goals and is on pace to shatter his top season in points (63 last season).
He had been No. 2 on USA TODAY Sports’ most recent list of top potential free agents and is the latest player to come off what had been an impressive class.
Kirill Kaprizov signed a record extension and has been joined by Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, Kyle Connor, Martin Necas, Artemi Panarin, Adrian Kempe, Kiefer Sherwood and Schmaltz.
Here are some of the top remaining pending unrestricted free agents:
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NHL trade tracker: Who changed teams in 2025-26
Feb. 24: The Pittsburgh Penguins acquire defenseman Samuel Girard and a 2028 second-round pick for defenseman Brett Kulak.
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NHL trade tracker: Who changed teams in 2025-26
Feb. 24: The Pittsburgh Penguins acquire defenseman Samuel Girard and a 2028 second-round pick for defenseman Brett Kulak.
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NHL trade tracker: Who changed teams in 2025-26
Feb. 4: The Los Angeles Kings acquired left wing Artemi Panarin from the New York Rangers in exchange for forward Liam Greentree and conditional third-round (2026) and fourth-round (2028) picks.
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NHL trade tracker: Who changed teams in 2025-26
Feb. 4: The New Jersey Devils acquired forward Nick Bjugstad from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for forward Thomas Bordeleau and a conditional fourth-round pick.
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NHL trade tracker: Who changed teams in 2025-26
Jan. 27: The New York Islanders acquired left wing Ondrej Palat, a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for forward Maxim Tsyplakov.
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NHL trade tracker: Who changed teams in 2025-26
Jan. 26: The New York Islanders acquired defenseman Carson Soucy from the New York Rangers in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
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NHL trade tracker: Who changed teams in 2025-26
Jan. 20: The San Jose Sharks acquire forward Kiefer Sherwood from the Vancouver Canucks for second-round picks in 2026 and 2027, plus defenseman Cole Clayton.
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NHL trade tracker: Who changed teams in 2025-26
Jan. 19: The Vegas Golden Knights acquire defenseman Rasmus Andersson from the Calgary Flames for defenseman Zach Whitecloud, defense prospect Abram Wiebe, a conditional first-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft and a conditional second-rounder in 2028.
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NHL trade tracker: Who changed teams in 2025-26
Jan. 16: The Anaheim Ducks acquire winger Jeffrey Viel from the Boston Bruins for a 2026 fourth-round pick. Anaheim will give up the better of the fourth-rounder previously acquired from Philadelphia and Detroit.
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NHL trade tracker: Who changed teams in 2025-26
Jan. 8: The San Jose Sharks acquire goaltender Laurent Brossoit, defenseman Nolan Allan and a 2028 seventh-round pick from the Chicago Blackhawks for defensemen Ryan Ellis, Jake Furlong and a 2028 fourth-rounder.
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NHL trade tracker: Who changed teams in 2025-26
Dec. 29: The Pittsburgh Penguins acquire forward Yegor Chinakhov from the Columbus Blue Jackets for forward Danton Heinen, a 2026 second-round draft pick and a 2027 third-rounder.
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NHL trade tracker: Who changed teams in 2025-26
Dec. 19: The Montreal Canadiens acquire center Phillip Danault, right, from the Los Angeles Kings for a 2026 second-round pick.
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NHL trade tracker: Who changed teams in 2025-26
Dec. 19: The Columbus Blue Jackets acquire forward Mason Marchment from the Seattle Kraken for a 2026 fourth-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick.
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NHL trade tracker: Who changed teams in 2025-26
Dec. 12: The Minnesota Wild acquired Quinn Hughes from the Vancouver Canucks for Marco Rossi, Zeev Buium, Liam Ohgren and a 2026 first-round pick.
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NHL trade tracker: Who changed teams in 2025-26
Dec. 12: The Edmonton Oilers acquired Tristan Jarry and Samuel Poulin from the Pittsburgh Penguins for Stuart Skinner, Brett Kulak and a 2029 second-round pick.
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NHL trade tracker: Who changed teams in 2025-26
Oct. 24: The Vancouver Canucks acquire forward Lukas Reichel from the Chicago Blackhawks for a 2027 fourth-round pick.
Top remaining free agents10. Anthony Mantha, Pittsburgh Penguins
He has rebounded in his first year in Pittsburgh with 24 goals and 48 points. Current cap hit: $2.5 million.
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9. Charlie Coyle, Columbus Blue Jackets
The Blue Jackets held onto their free agents at the deadline because the team has turned things around since Rick Bowness was named coach. With 51 points, he’s on pace to set a personal best. Current cap hit: $5.25 million.
8. Anders Lee, New York Islanders
He has been the Islanders’ captain since 2018 and is good for 20-plus goals. He had 29 last season. Current cap hit: $7 million.
7. Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
The NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer is 40. He’ll either re-sign with Washington or retire. He hasn’t indicated his plans. Current cap hit: $9 million.
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6. Sergei Bobrovsky, Florida Panthers
The goalie has won back-to-back Stanley Cup titles and two Vezina Trophies. He’ll be 38 next season. Current cap hit: $10 million.
The 39-year-old has expressed an interest in playing more and he recently said the Penguins would wait until after the season to negotiate. He’s averaging a point a game but has dealt with an injury and had an ill-timed five-game suspension. Current cap hit: $6.1 million.
4. John Carlson, Anaheim Ducks
Carlson, the Capitals’ all-time leader in scoring among defensemen, was traded to the Ducks in a shocker. He ha 46 points in 55 games. Current cap hit: $8 million.
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3. Rasmus Andersson, Vegas Golden Knights
The defenseman was traded to the Golden Knights this season by the Flames. He can provide offense with a 50- and a 49-point season. He’s at 36 points this season. Current cap hit: $4.55 million.
2. Darren Raddysh, Tampa Bay Lightning
The defenseman is having a breakout season with 17 goals and 58 points and filled in well while Victor Hedman was out twice with injuries. Current cap hit: $975,000.
1. Alex Tuch, Buffalo Sabres
The forward can score (two 36-goal seasons) and also kills penalties. He’s at 28 goals this season for the surging Sabres. He wants to stay in Buffalo and general manager Jarmo Kekalainen wants to keep him. Current cap hit: $4.75 million.
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Which 2026 free agents have signed extensions recently?
Minnesota’s Kirill Kaprizov, eight years, $136 million, a record for its total amount and $17 million cap hit
Edmonton’s Connor McDavid, two years, $25 million. The $12.5 million cap hit equals his current one and places him second on the team behind Leon Draisaitl.
Edmonton’s Jake Walman, seven years, $49 million
Winnipeg’s Kyle Connor, eight years, $96 million, richest contract in team history
Edmonton’s Mattias Ekholm, three years, $12 million
Vegas’ Jack Eichel, eight years, $108 million
Colorado’s Martin Necas, eight years, $92 million
New Jersey’s Jacob Markstrom, two years, $12 million
Colorado’s Scott Wedgewood, one year, $2.5 million
Los Angeles’ Adrian Kempe, eight years, $85 million
Montreal’s Mike Matheson, five years, $30 million
Tampa Bay’s Ryan McDonagh, three years, $12.1 million
Los Angeles’ Artemi Panarin, two years, $22 million
San Jose’s Kiefer Sherwood, five years, $28.75 million
Seattle’s Jordan Eberle, two years, $11 million
Utah’s Nick Schmaltz, eight years, $64 million
What is the NHL salary cap for 2025-26 and beyond?
The 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons could have minor adjustments up or down based on revenues:
2025-26
Upper limit: $95.5 million
Lower limit: $70.6 million
2026-27
Upper limit: $104 million
Lower limit: $76.9 million
2027-28
Upper limit: $113.5 million
Lower limit: $83.9 million
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Utah’s NIck Schmaltz re-signs; top remaining NHL free agents