NHL's visor-less group shrinks to three for 2026-27

Three of the four NHL skaters who skipped visors in 2025-26 hold contracts for 2026-27 after Jamie Benn’s one-year re-signing with the Stars.

Benn, O’Reilly and Bogosian locked in

Jamie Benn signed a one-year deal carrying an $850,000 base salary plus $1.15 million in performance bonuses. The 36-year-old posted 15 goals and 36 points in 60 regular-season games before adding zero points in six playoff contests.

Ryan O’Reilly enters the final year of his four-year contract with a $4.5-million cap hit and ranked second on the Predators with 74 points in 81 games.

Zach Bogosian, 35, appeared in 41 games, recording two goals and six points while posting 47 hits and 37 blocked shots in 14:33 average ice time.

Benn and Bogosian both missed time due to injury; Benn suffered a collapsed lung and later required stitches after a facial fall, wearing a visor for one game upon return.

Reaves faces free-agency uncertainty

Ryan Reaves, 39, completed a three-year, $1.35-million cap-hit contract with the Sharks after skating in 50 games, scoring three goals and leading San Jose with 160 hits.

The Sharks signed Mason Marchment to a five-year, $6.75-million annual deal on July 1, adding size and agitation to an already bolstered forward group that includes new arrivals Darnell Nurse and Jacob Trouba.

Sharks general manager Mike Grier stated on July 2 that Reaves would “probably not” return because the roster’s toughness element had been addressed.

All four visor-less players began their careers before the 2013-14 mandatory visor rule took effect.

Limited roster spots drive the outcome

Reaves’ unsigned status leaves open the possibility that the NHL will carry only three visor-less skaters into 2026-27.

The contrast between O’Reilly’s multi-year security and Reaves’ expiring deal illustrates how age and role specialization now determine continuation.

Benn’s injury history and reduced production further narrow the window for any additional visor-less holdouts beyond the current trio.

If Reaves secures no NHL offer, the 2026-27 season will mark the last campaign featuring players exempt from the visor rule by pre-2013 service time.