Re-ranking the Top 10 2027 NHL Free Agents After Nikita Kucherov's Trade Request

On Oct. 30, the hockey world was stunned to learn that superstar winger Nikita Kucherov had requested a trade after deciding not to sign a contract extension with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Kucherov, 33, is in the final season of his eight-year contract worth an average annual value of $9.5 million. The reigning Hart Memorial Trophy winner is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and would be the top player if he goes to market.

The Lightning released a statement saying they weren't trading Kucherov, but pundits speculated they could change their minds before the March 1 trade deadline. He has a 10-team trade list, but it's currently unknown which teams are on it.

If Kucherov is traded to a new team and signs an extension before July 1, it would further shrink a UFA market already depleted by the off-season extensions signed by Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar, Vegas Golden Knights winger Mark Stone, and Detroit Red Wings forward Alex DeBrincat.

We last examined the best players slated for free agency in 2027 on July 2. Assuming Kucherov were unavailable, we felt it was time to re-rank the top 10 UFA-eligible players.

10. Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings

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The greatest defenseman in Los Angeles Kings' history, team captain Drew Doughty is also among the best blueliners of his generation. He helped them win the Stanley Cup in 2011-12 and again in 2013-14, and in 2015-16 he became the second defenseman in franchise history to win the James Norris Memorial Trophy.

Now 36, Doughty is in his 19th NHL season. He's exceeded the 40-point plateau nine times and remains widely respected for his all-around game and consistency. While age and injuries hampered his performance over the last two years, he still put up seven points in 13 games this season.

Doughty is in the final season of an eight-year contract worth an average annual value of $11 million. He said he's not ready yet to retire and would prefer to continue his career with the Kings. However, management wants to wait until the end of this season before discussing an extension.

If Doughty and the Kings fail to agree to a new contract, he could test the free-agent market. His days of lucrative long-term contracts are over, but he will draw interest from contenders seeking someone with his skills, experience, and leadership on their blue line.

9. Jordan Binnington, St. Louis Blues

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Next summer's UFA market is thin on quality starting goaltenders. Most are now in their mid-to-late thirties with their best seasons behind them.

The same can be said of Jordan Binnington, who turns 34 next July 11. He backstopped the St. Louis Blues to the Stanley Cup in 2019, which helped him land a six-year deal worth an average annual value of $6 million.

Since then, Binnington has struggled with consistency and never regained the heights of 2018-19. However, he proved capable of clutch goaltending during international competition, helping Canada win the 4 Nations Face-Off in 2025 and reach the Gold Medal Game at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

A playoff contender with Stanley Cup aspirations seeking experienced goaltending depth could consider Binnington a worthwhile gamble on an affordable short-term deal.

8. Artturi Lehkonen, Colorado Avalanche

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Artturi Lehkonen doesn't put up points like his linemates Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas. However, the 31-year-old winger's hard-working, two-way style of play has made him a valuable member of the Avalanche's first line.

Lehkonen's game often comes with a physical price. Despite his injury history, he's put up solid numbers, exceeding 20 goals and 45 points in three of the last four seasons. He's on pace for a career-best season, leading the Avalanche with 12 goals in 18 games this season.

It's unlikely that Lehkonen can maintain that production, but his overall game would make him a highly sought-after player in next summer's UFA market. He also has Stanley Cup experience, winning with the Avs in 2022 and reaching the Cup Final in 2021 with the Montreal Canadiens.

Lehkonen is in the final season of a five-year contract worth an average annual value of $4.5 million. He could receive a significant raise on his next deal, especially if he becomes available in next summer's free-agent market.

7. Vince Dunn, Seattle Kraken

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An original member of the Kraken, Vince Dunn has been an invaluable defenseman since the team selected him in the 2021 expansion draft. They will try to convince the 30-year-old left-shot blueliner to sign a contract extension.

Dunn is in the final season of a four-year deal worth an average annual value of $7.4 million. He and defense partner Adam Larsson have been an effective top pairing on the Kraken's blue line.

A mobile puck-moving defenseman, Dunn currently logs over 23 minutes of ice time per game. He also sees time on their special teams. The 6'0, 200-pounder netted 35-plus points in each of the past five seasons, including a career-high 64 points in 2022-23.

Dunn is an alternate captain with the Kraken and also has a championship pedigree, having won the Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues in 2019. His leadership, Cup experience, and big-minute game will draw teams looking to bolster the left side of their defense corps.

6. Ryan O'Reilly, Nashville Predators

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It's been over seven years since Ryan O'Reilly was at the peak of his career. In 2018-19, he had a career-high 77 points and won the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the league's best defensive forward during the regular season. He also won the Conn Smythe Trophy, leading the St. Louis Blues to the Stanley Cup.

O'Reilly's production and performance slowly declined after that, but he bounced back with a 74-point effort with the Nashville Predators last season. The 35-year-old center is currently among the Predators' leading scorers with 17 points in as many games.

Now in his 16th NHL campaign, O'Reilly remains well-respected as a two-way center. Given his skills and experience, he shouldn't have any difficulty landing with another team if he doesn't re-sign with the Predators.

O'Reilly is in the final season of a four-year contract worth an affordable $4.5 million. Teams might be willing to give him a pay bump on his next deal, though it could be for two or three years.

5. Erik Karlsson, Pittsburgh Penguins

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At 36, Erik Karlsson is at the age when a player's best seasons are usually well behind them. While he won't reach the heights that made him the only active three-time winner of the James Norris Memorial Trophy, his puck-moving skills and experience should make him an intriguing free-agent target next summer.

Karlsson is in the final season of an eight-year, $92 million contract with an average annual value of $11.5 million. He'll never make that kind of money again, but he could be a worthwhile addition for teams seeking a veteran right-shot blueliner on a shorter, less expensive deal.

After struggling through his first two seasons with the Penguins, Karlsson improved last season under head coach Dan Muse with 66 points in 75 games. He currently leads the struggling Penguins with 17 points in as many games.

Karlsson is still seeking his first Stanley Cup championship. He could be a solid addition to a contender, especially if paired with a reliable defensive-minded blueliner.

4. Pavel Zacha, Boston Bruins

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Teams in the market for a big, versatile, two-way center will beat a path to Pavel Zacha's door if he's available on July 1. The 6'4", 212-pounder is in the final season of a four-year contract with an average annual value of $4.8 million.

Zacha, 29, is a top-six forward who can play center or wing. After six sometimes difficult seasons with the New Jersey Devils, he came into his own with the Bruins. He's had 57-plus points in three of the last four seasons and is on pace for similar stats this season.

The Bruins reportedly want to re-sign Zacha. However, the resurgence of veteran Elias Lindholm and the promising improvement of young centers Fraser Minten, James Hagens, and Matthew Poitras could make him the odd man out if he proves too expensive to retain.

Given the limited number of quality centers in the trade market, Zacha won't have any difficulty finding a new team if he becomes available on July 1. He could double his money on his next contract.

3. Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins

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The greatest player of his era, Sidney Crosby is in the final season of a two-year deal worth an average annual value of $8.7 million. He's spent his entire 22-season NHL career with the Pittsburgh Penguins, and it's expected he'll re-sign with them if he decides to continue his career.

However, the Penguins have been retooling their roster since 2022-23, resulting in only one playoff appearance during that time. Another missed postseason could tempt the 39-year-old Crosby to test the market to see which team will give him the best shot at one more Stanley Cup run.

Crosby has shown signs of slowing down, but he remains the league's most respected player. His skilled playmaking, championship pedigree, two-way skills, and leadership make him an irresistible free-agent option for clubs with Stanley Cup aspirations.

We again stress that Crosby is more likely to stick with the Penguins if he decides to continue his career for another season. Nevertheless, it would be fun to see which clubs would get into the bidding if he went to market on July 1.

2. Jason Robertson, Dallas Stars

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Nikita Kucherov's potential absence from next summer's UFA market automatically makes Jason Robertson the top forward available if he doesn't re-sign with the Dallas Stars. He's on a one-year, $12 million contract.

A long, sometimes contentious negotiation process led to Robertson getting that deal from the cap-strapped Stars. At one point, he was nearly traded to the Seattle Kraken in June, but his refusal to sign a long-term deal worth $15 million annually scuttled that deal.

Since his full-time rookie season in 2020-21, Robertson has led the Stars with 222 goals and 286 assists for 508 points in 470 games. He's netted at least 80 points in each of the last four seasons, including a career-best 109 points in 2022-23.

An elite scoring winger, Robertson could land a long-term contract worth over $20 million annually if he goes to market next summer. His offensive skills mean he won't be available for long.

1. Quinn Hughes, Minnesota Wild

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If Nikita Kucherov isn't available on July 1, Quinn Hughes will become the top player in next summer's UFA market. The 27-year-old defenseman is in the final season of a six-year contract worth an average annual value of $7.9 million.

Since his rookie season in 2019-20, Hughes ranks second to Colorado's Cale Makar with 508 total points (as of Nov. 8). He's had at least 76 points in each of the last four seasons, including a career-high 92-point performance in 2023-24 that earned him the James Norris Memorial Trophy.

An elite offensive defenseman, Hughes' puck movement, reliable production, and his underrated defensive play should earn him a long-term contract with an average annual value comparable to Makar's $20.4 million starting in 2027-28.

The Wild hope to re-sign Hughes, especially after giving up three top prospects and a first-rounder to acquire him from the Vancouver Canucks. However, he remains coy about his future, and the longstanding rumors that he hopes to reunite with his brothers (Jack and Luke) in New Jersey persist.

Stats and trophy info via NHL.com. Salary cap and contract info via PuckPedia.