Free agency has shifted a few important pieces around the NHL board, from Tampa Bay’s blue line to Toronto’s crease and a familiar face heading back to Chicago. John Carlson, Sergei Bobrovsky, Mason Marchment, Patrick Kane and Anders Lee each land in situations that could reshape special teams, top-six usage and the playoff picture in 2026-27.
Quick facts
- John Carlson joined the Tampa Bay Lightning on a two-year deal.
- Sergei Bobrovsky signed for three years with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
- Mason Marchment agreed to a five-year contract with the San Jose Sharks.
- Patrick Kane is back with the Chicago Blackhawks on a two-year contract.
- Anders Lee signed a three-year deal with the Utah Mammoth.
Carlson gives Tampa Bay another high-end option beside Victor Hedman and fills a power-play opening created when Darren Raddysh was moved to the Maple Leafs. The 36-year-old recorded 14 goals and 46 assists in 71 regular-season games split between Washington and Anaheim last season.
After arriving in Anaheim in a March 5 trade, Carlson produced four goals and 10 assists across 16 games. He added six assists in 12 postseason games as the Ducks won a playoff series for the first time since 2017.
Since entering the League in 2009-10, Carlson’s 278 power-play points rank fifth among NHL defensemen. Only Erik Karlsson, Hedman, Drew Doughty and Roman Josi have more in that span.
His shot remained a weapon last season: Carlson’s hardest attempt was clocked at 99.77 mph. He also ranked at or above the 90th percentile among defensemen in high-danger shots on goal, midrange attempts, midrange goals and goals from long range.
Toronto, meanwhile, has reunited Bobrovsky with Anthony Stolarz. The 37-year-old went 27-23-1 in 52 appearances, including 51 starts, for Florida last season, posting a 3.07 goals-against average, an .877 save percentage and four shutouts.
Bobrovsky’s recent playoff resume is considerably stronger. The two-time Vezina Trophy winner backstopped the Panthers to consecutive Stanley Cups in 2024 and 2025, both secured against the Edmonton Oilers, and went 32-15 with a 2.26 GAA, .910 save percentage and five shutouts over 47 playoff games in those two runs.
Marchment heads to San Jose after a productive stretch in Columbus. Following his December arrival with the Blue Jackets, he scored 15 times in 39 games, tying for second on the club, while his 32 points and 0.82 points per game ranked third on the team during that period.
The 31-year-old often skated alongside Adam Fantilli and Kirill Marchenko in Columbus. In San Jose, he could find himself with Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith, adding a physical scoring winger to the Sharks’ young core.
Marchment has reached at least 19 goals in each of the past three seasons and has averaged 91 hits over the last six campaigns. Limited to 68 games last year, he still ranked in the 79th percentile among forwards in both midrange shots on goal, with 44, and midrange goals, with six; he has also scored 10 or more high-danger goals in three straight seasons.
Kane’s return to Chicago brings him back to the franchise with which he won Cups in 2010, 2013 and 2015. He turns 38 on Nov. 19, but finished last season with 57 points in 67 games for Detroit and should be in the Blackhawks’ top six and on the first power-play unit.
The veteran playmaker could work with Anton Frondell, Frank Nazar and Roman Kantserov while Connor Bedard recovers from shoulder surgery. Bedard is expected to miss the beginning of the season, but his eventual return would give Kane another elite center option.
Utah adds Lee, a longtime net-front presence who should strengthen both the top six and the power play. The 35-year-old has scored 20 or more goals 10 times and has averaged 24.8 per season across the last five years.
Lee has delivered at least five power-play goals in each of the past five seasons and in 10 of the last 12. Since 2014-15, his first full NHL campaign, he is one of only five players with at least 298 goals, 2,248 shots and 1,458 hits; Alex Ovechkin, Chris Kreider, Jamie Benn and Filip Forsberg are the others.
His recent category production remains unusually broad. Since 2021-22, Lee is one of seven NHL players with at least 124 goals, 990 shots and 607 hits, and he has finished among the League’s top 10 in high-danger shots in four consecutive seasons. He led all players with 132 such shots in 2024-25.
Player tracking has consistently reflected Lee’s work around the crease. In every season since tracking began in 2021-22, he has ranked in at least the 97th percentile among forwards in high-danger shots and no lower than the 88th percentile in high-danger goals. Clayton Keller, Logan Cooley and Dylan Guenther are potential linemates in Utah.
Other movement to watch
Several other signings carry potential lineup and scoring implications: Chris Kreider to Montreal, Jack Roslovic to Toronto, Jaden Schwartz to Colorado, Oliver Bjorkstrand to the New York Rangers, Viktor Arvidsson to Detroit, Boone Jenner to Washington and Jacob Trouba to San Jose.
Two notable newcomers begin the season with injury concerns. Goaltender Frederik Andersen is with Edmonton, while forward Mats Zuccarello joined the Los Angeles Kings.
