5 NHL Players on Bad Teams Who Could Help Contenders at the 2027 Trade Deadline

NHL training camps opened this week. Preseason play begins on Sept. 19 and ends on Sept. 26, three days before the puck drops on the 2026-27 regular-season schedule.

The league's 32 general managers will use this period to evaluate their rosters to determine the necessary changes or tweaks for the coming season. All of them hope to be playoff contenders, but only half will be postseason-bound when the season ends in April.

Most will know their fates by the March 1 trade deadline. The non-contenders could be sellers, peddling players on expiring contracts or those who could fetch the best future assets to help them rebuild.

The following are five players on teams we believe will be near the bottom of the league standings who could help playoff-contending clubs. Contract status, salary, skills, and trade market value were factored into this compilation.

Brock Boeser, Vancouver Canucks

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The Vancouver Canucks began rebuilding their roster last season, trading core players like Quinn Hughes, Kiefer Sherwood, Tyler Myers, and Conor Garland. Brock Boeser was also mentioned as a trade candidate, landing the 29-year-old winger at No. 11 on our September NHL Trade Targets Big Board.

Boeser is in the second season of a seven-year contract with an average annual value of $7.5 million and a full no-movement clause. However, Patrick Johnston of The Vancouver Province reported on July 17 that Canucks ownership wants to reduce payroll, which could make Boeser expendable this season.

In his 10 NHL seasons, Boeser exceeded 20 goals seven times, including a career hight of 40 goals in 2023-24. While his production has declined, it could be attributable to the state of the Canucks roster over the last two seasons.

Boeser could entice a contender seeking an experienced scoring wing with cost certainty for the next five seasons. Given ownership's wish to pare down payroll, the Canucks' asking price could be draft picks, prospects, or a young NHL player on an affordable contract.

Alex DeBrincat, Detroit Red Wings

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The Detroit Red Wings have endured a tumultuous offseason. Team captain Dylan Larkin requested a trade; they're searching for a full-time general manager after removing Steve Yzerman from the role, and they must sign restricted free agent defenseman Simon Edvinsson to a new contract.

Those stories have overshadowed Alex DeBrincat's eligibility to become an unrestricted free agent next July. The 28-year-old winger is in the final season of a four-year contract with an average annual value of $7.9 million.

DeBrincat has been among the Red Wings' best players, scoring 39 goals and 70 points in 2024-25 and 41 goals and 85 points last season. The Michigan native could prefer an extension with the Wings, but could become a trade candidate if the next general manager takes the team in a different direction.

Playoff contenders seeking high-scoring wingers could pursue a trade for DeBrincat, despite his limited playoff experience. The Red Wings' asking price could be future assets if they're rebuilding or a promising NHL winger with scoring talent.

Vince Dunn, Seattle Kraken

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Chosen by the Seattle Kraken in their 2021 expansion draft, Vince Dunn is entering his sixth season with the club. The 29-year-old defenseman is also in the final season of his four-year contract and is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July.

Dunn is one of only six players remaining from the Kraken's expansion draft. Unless the two sides agree to a contract extension, he'll be the next original Kraken to depart for another club.

A mobile left-shot defenseman, Dunn plays top-pairing minutes for Seattle at even strength and on the power play. He's been a reliable point producer for the low-scoring Kraken, exceeding 40 points in three of the last four seasons, including a career-high 64 points in 2022-23.

Dunn also has Stanley Cup experience, having won with the St. Louis Blues in 2018-19. He would draw the attention of contenders seeking a first-pairing offensive blueliner. The Kraken could seek draft picks and prospects if they're rebuilding, or peddle him for a young scoring forward.

Ryan O'Reilly, Nashville Predators

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The Nashville Predators' struggles over the past two seasons prompted trade rumors to swirl about Ryan O'Reilly. Despite the veteran center's lack of no-trade protection, the Predators have acted as though he has one.

However, another season outside the playoff picture could force management to approach O'Reilly about landing spots before the March 1 trade deadline. He's in the final season of his contract and is UFA-eligible, meaning they could peddle him for the best possible return on deadline day.

Despite his age, the 35-year-old O'Reilly remains among the league's most respected and effective two-way centers. He's entering his 18th NHL season after finishing 2025-26 with 74 points, which was his second-highest single-season total.

A proven playoff performer, O'Reilly won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2018-19, leading the St. Louis Blues to the Stanley Cup. Contenders will be keen to take on his experience, leadership, and two-way skills. The retooling Predators would likely want a promising NHL player or perhaps a draft pick and a prospect in return.

Zach Whitecloud, Calgary Flames

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Acquired from the Vegas Golden Knights last January, Zach Whitecloud quickly settled in with the Calgary Flames. The 29-year-old stay-at-home defenseman became a stabilizing presence on their young blue line.

Whitecloud's eight NHL seasons, including a Stanley Cup with the Golden Knights, make him a solid veteran addition and a mentor to his younger Flames teammates. Those attributes and his affordable $2.8 million average annual value through 2027-28 also make him a tantalizing trade target.

The Flames currently aren't shopping Whitecloud. Nevertheless, he's been the frequent subject of trade speculation, landing him at No. 8 on our NHL Trade Targets Big Board for September.

Whitecloud could remain a fixture in the rumor mill if the rebuilding Flames are at the bottom half of the standings by the March 1 trade deadline. As their most valuable trade chip, he could fetch young assets like draft picks, prospects, or a young NHL player.

Stats via NHL.com. Contract and salary info via PuckPedia.