2026 Scheduling Notes and Free Agency Updates

The NHL recently released their 2026-27 schedule and with the new 84-game schedule it feels like we are closer than ever to puck-drop on the new season. But before we dive in to the quirks and trends of the upcoming schedule, let’s check back in on free agency.

There were two remaining Restricted Free Agent goalies and both of them came to new terms with their clubs before needing arbitration.

One of my favorite dark horse fantasy goalies for next season, Jet Greaves, inked a 3 year, $15 million contract with the Blue Jackets, per puckpedia.com. And while this price point isn’t exactly “bona fide starter” money in today’s NHL, it’s a great upgrade from his previous deal and certainly sets Greaves up to be “a starter” next year in Columbus, at the very least.

Akira Schmid and the Florida Panthers, also, put pen to paper last week by agreeing to a two-year $2 million deal that, coincidentally, ends at the same time as crease mate Jacob Markstrom’s. This is still “prove-it” money for Schmid, but with just 82 games of NHL experience (which is now less than one NHL season) he still has a lot to prove. This deal could give Schmid a golden opportunity to cash in on his next deal, however, just by filling in the blue paint behind a championship caliber club.

Both of these contracts look great in fantasy leagues that use salary caps, too. Greaves signing for $5 million a year, also, indicates that the Leo Carlsson deal has yet to have much of an impact on the goalie market.

Cam Talbot and Connor Ingram, who played 34 games for Detroit and 32 games for Edmonton respectively, have yet to find new homes with any NHL teams.

Peter Mrazk, Matt Murray, and James Reimer are, also, goalies that saw NHL action in 2025 that have yet to secure a contract for 2026.

With most every NHL team's goalie situation currently settled, we will likely have to wait until training camps open before we see any more goalies signing.

On the trade front, fantasy managers still patiently await the outcome of the Hart Trophy winning, Gold Medalist, and Family Feud contestant Connor Hellebuyck's alleged request out of Winnipeg. For Jets fans, however, no news is good news.

Now, on to the NHL schedule.

With the addition of two more games, all teams will now have an 84-game slate. As far as fantasy goalies go, that means two more starts for clear cut No. 1’s, and one more game apiece for tandems.

Rest shouldn’t be as much of an issue this year either, compared to last season’s condensed Olympic schedule. Having more time in between games and dealing with less scheduled back-to-backs means that the workhorse goalies should, again, add an extra couple of games to their total.

Fantasy managers would be wise to keep that in mind when strategizing goalies. Even though tandems and triumvirates are becoming more and more popular in the NHL, any “true starter” on your fantasy roster has a shot at hitting 60 games played this season.

A couple of teams, however, still will have an uphill battle with scheduling and that may affect your fantasy goalies workload and/or performance.

Notably, the Pittsburgh Penguins lead the NHL with 15 back-to-backs. The Bruins, Sabres, Panthers, Senators, and Capitals all have 14.

Conversely, the Flames and Golden Knights have the least amount of back-to-back sets with 8 each, while the Jets are next with 9. There could be slim pickings for Stuart Skinner this year if Hellebuyck remains with the Jets.

For comparison's sake, last season 5 different NHL clubs played 16 scheduled back-to-backs, while another 5 participated in 15.

16 games appears to be the high for any team in a single month. The Seattle Kraken hit this mark in both January and March. Daccord has started 147 games over the past three seasons, but those are long months for a keeper on a middling club. If he can keep up his durability (and his save percentage) he will push for 60 games played in 2026.

And perhaps the most important news from the NHL schedule announcement- the start date. The puck drops for fantasy managers everywhere on Tuesday, September 25.

That’s all for this week, thanks for reading! My name is Garrett Finlay and you can follow me on X @garrett_fi51284 and on Bluesky @garrettfinlay.bsky.social where I am often talking goalies and fantasy hockey. I’ll be back here next Thursday, so until then - Happy Hockeying and good luck out there!

There were two remaining Restricted Free Agent goalies and both of them came to new terms with their clubs before needing arbitration.

Cam Talbot and Connor Ingram, who played 34 games for Detroit and 32 games for Edmonton respectively, have yet to find new homes with any NHL teams.

Peter Mrazk, Matt Murray, and James Reimer are, also, goalies that saw NHL action in 2025 that have yet to secure a contract for 2026.

With most every NHL team's goalie situation currently settled, we will likely have to wait until training camps open before we see any more goalies signing.

Now, on to the NHL schedule.

With the addition of two more games, all teams will now have an 84-game slate. As far as fantasy goalies go, that means two more starts for clear cut No. 1’s, and one more game apiece for tandems.

A couple of teams, however, still will have an uphill battle with scheduling and that may affect your fantasy goalies workload and/or performance.

Notably, the Pittsburgh Penguins lead the NHL with 15 back-to-backs. The Bruins, Sabres, Panthers, Senators, and Capitals all have 14.

For comparison's sake, last season 5 different NHL clubs played 16 scheduled back-to-backs, while another 5 participated in 15.

And perhaps the most important news from the NHL schedule announcement- the start date. The puck drops for fantasy managers everywhere on Tuesday, September 25.