Way-Too-Early Predictions for the 2027 NHL Trade Deadline
It's been a week since the NHL's annual free-agent market opened, but an already shallow pool of talent has been largely drained.
This is usually the point in the offseason when the business of hockey begins to slow down. However, the lack of quality free-agent talent and the sharp rise in the salary cap have sparked anticipation that this could be a busier-than-usual summer in the trade market.
Several significant moves have already occurred. Brady Tkachuk was shipped to the Florida Panthers, Jordan Kyrou and Alex Tuch were dealt to the Washington Capitals, Blake Coleman was traded to the Minnesota Wild, Vincent Trocheck was sent to the Utah Mammoth, and Darnell Nurse was moved to the San Jose Sharks.
Kyrou, Coleman, and Trocheck were frequent fixtures in our NHL Trade Block Big Boards throughout last season, especially at the March trade deadline. That got us thinking ahead about which players might be among the notable trade candidates by next March's deadline.
Follow along as we look at five players we predict could be on the move by March 2027, the reasons why we believe they'll be trade candidates, and which clubs could be potential landing spots.
Jordan Binnington to the New Jersey Devils
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After missing the playoffs last season, the New Jersey Devils fired general manager Tom Fitzgerald. They replaced him with former Florida Panthers assistant GM Sunny Mehta, who traded starting goaltender Jacob Markstrom to the Panthers last month.
Moving Markstrom freed up $6 million in salary-cap space, but left the Devils with backups Jake Allen, Nico Daws, and David Rittich as their goalies. Some observers suggested they could target Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets, but there's no certainty he'd waive his no-movement clause to join the Devils.
Mehta could start the regular season with his current goaltending trio; however, if they can't get the job done, it could cost the Devils a playoff berth. That could force the New Jersey GM into the trade market for a starter with championship experience, such as Jordan Binnington of the St. Louis Blues.
Binnington is a year away from unrestricted free-agent status. The Blues could start the season with the 32-year-old goalie sharing the duties with Joel Hofer, but they could be ready to move him before next year's trade deadline. He could be a fit with the Devils if they're not on his 10-team no-trade list.
Alex DeBrincat to the Buffalo Sabres
2 of 5
The Buffalo Sabres ended a 14-year playoff drought last season, finishing first in the Atlantic Division and reaching the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. That performance will put them under pressure this season to do even better and take the next step toward Stanley Cup contention.
Having traded Alex Tuch to the Washington Capitals, the Sabres could be in the market for a top-six winger by the trade deadline if they haven't addressed that need by then. If the Detroit Red Wings are out of playoff contention again, winger Alex DeBrincat could be available.
The 28-year-old DeBrincat is in the final season of a four-year contract with an average annual value of $7.9 million. He isn't a power forward like Tuch but has reached the 40-goal plateau three times in his nine NHL seasons, including in 2025-26 with the Red Wings.
DeBrincat has only one postseason under his belt, as do most of the Sabres' core players. The chance to play for a contender in his contract year could push his game to new heights. He could become a good fit in Buffalo, provided they're not on his 16-team no-trade list.
Vince Dunn to the Toronto Maple Leafs
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The Toronto Maple Leafs have made a series of roster changes since John Chayka took over as general manager in May. They added goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, defenseman Darren Raddysh, and forwards Jack Roslovic, Nick Paul, Colton Sissons, Teddy Blueger, and 2026 first-overall pick Gavin McKenna.
Earlier in this offseason, defenseman Morgan Rielly agreed to submit a list of trade destinations. However, he could remain on the Maple Leafs blue line when the regular season begins. Whether they move him or not, they could still use another experienced puck-moving defenseman.
If the Maple Leafs return to playoff contention, Vince Dunn of the Seattle Kraken could become a trade target by the March trade deadline. He's tallied 50-plus points in five of the last six seasons. The 29-year-old blueliner is UFA-eligible next summer and could be available if the Kraken are out of contention.
Dunn carries a cap hit of $7.4 million for this season. The Maple Leafs are currently squeezed for cap space. However, the Kraken could retain part of his remaining cap hit to free up sufficient room for the Leafs to take on the Mississauga, Ontario native.
Ryan O'Reilly to the Minnesota Wild
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It's no secret the Minnesota Wild have been in the market for depth at center since last season. General manager Bill Guerin is seeking someone to center his first line. Rumors linked the Wild to Vincent Trocheck before he was traded to the Utah Mammoth, and to Dylan Larkin of the Detroit Red Wings.
Larkin has requested a trade, with the Wild among his four preferred destinations. However, Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman could set an asking price that Guerin can't match, potentially leaving the Wild to enter 2026-27 still searching for that elusive top-line center.
If that issue remains unaddressed by the March trade deadline, Guerin could opt for a rental player to keep his club's Stanley Cup window open. Ryan O'Reilly of the Nashville Predators could be a possibility, as he is in the final season of his contract with an affordable $4.5 million cap hit.
O'Reilly won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2019, leading the St. Louis Blues to the Stanley Cup. The 35-year-old center is seven years older now, but his experience and leadership could make him an effective two-way option. He'll also be more affordable than Larkin, perhaps costing a draft pick to acquire.
Zach Werenski to the Tampa Bay Lightning
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On June 26, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported that Zach Werenski was reluctant to sign a contract extension with the Columbus Blue Jackets, who had been gauging the trade market for the 28-year-old defenseman. With two years left on his contract, there was no certainty that Werenski would be traded.
Four days later, Werenski vetoed a trade to the Dallas Stars. TSN's Darren Dreger believed he wanted to go to an Eastern club like the Tampa Bay Lightning or Toronto Maple Leafs. Shortly afterward, Werenski and Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell issued statements saying he was staying in Columbus.
Werenski indicated he wanted to help the Blue Jackets become a playoff contender. What was missing from his and Waddell's statements was any talk of a contract extension. If the Blue Jackets struggle again, perhaps Werenski will change his mind and ask to be moved at the trade deadline.
Given Werenski's $9.6 million average annual value, the Lightning have more projected trade deadline cap space than the Maple Leafs to acquire him. The Blue Jackets will likely want a good defenseman in return. Maybe the Lightning could tempt them with JJ Moser as the centerpiece of the deal.
Stats and standings via NHL.com. Contract and salary cap info via PuckPedia.
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