NHLTR's Top-10 Trade Candidates Heading Into 2026-27 Season

The 2026-27 NHL season is just around the corner and while we've seen some major moves throughout the summer months, there's expected to be some star players traded to kick off, and throughout the season leading up to trade deadline in March.

Let's jump right in, here's the top-10 trade candidates to watch heading into the 2026-27 season:

Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets: Low-hanging fruit first, Hellebuyck went public with his trade demands and pushed the Winnipeg Jets into a corner to move him. Talks picked up at the NHL Draft but the Buffalo Sabres wouldn't cave into the massive demands from Jets' GM Kevin Cheveldayoff. For now, Hellebuyck remains a Jet, but don't expect to see him start the season in Winnipeg. Buffalo, Carolina, Utah, Colorado, and San Jose remain listed as the top suitors.

Quinn Hughes, Minnesota Wild: Hughes won't be signing an extension during the season as his agent's agency recently mentioned how Hughes wants to wait and see how the Wild fair this year. Hughes continues to be linked to the New Jersey Devils, and considering how close he is to being free to sign there, you can't blame him for waiting. One note - Hughes doesn't have any trade protection and can be dealt anywhere this season.

Dylan Larkin, Detroit Red Wings: Larkin asked out as he and Steve Yzerman never saw eye-to-eye, and even though Yzerman is out as GM, Larkin still wants to move on to the next chapter of his career. Don't be shocked to see Larkin and Hughes included in the same trade, potentially a three-way deal. Larkin is open to Minny, Vegas, Florida, or Dallas, but don't be shocked to see other teams get involved.

Jason Robertson, Dallas Stars: What an interesting summer for the scoring winger, as Robertson blocked trades to St. Louis and Seattle, and pissed off a bunch of people in the process. The scoring winger ended up signing a one-year deal for $12 million, but that doesn't mean the trade rumors are going away anytime soon. It's going to take a massive haul to get the Stars to budge in season. 

Erik Karlsson, Pittsburgh Penguins: The veteran defenceman is entering the final season of his contract, and don't be surprised if Kyle Dubas cashes in before March's trade deadline, regardless of how well the Penguins are playing. Those close to Karlsson feel he's destined to join the Toronto Maple Leafs next summer.

Adam Fox, New York Rangers: Speaking of right-handed mobile defenceman, Fox had his name come up a lot over the course of the summer. The Rangers are moving in the wrong direction, and it could be time to cash in on their best defenceman. Fox has three years left on his contract at $9.5 million and owns a full no-movement clause until July, when it changes to a 16-team no-trade clause.

Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings: Let's keep the training moving here, Doughty has been told by the Kings they won't be offering him a contract extension throughout this season. The Kings want to see how the team fares now without Anze Kopitar, and with an aging roster. Don't be shocked to see Doughty moved before March's deadline to a contender if the Kings are out of the playoff picture.

Ryan O'Reilly, Nashville Predators: If it was up to just O'Reilly, he'd finish his career in Nashville, but new exec Chris MacFarland may have other ideas. O'Reilly had an agreement with management that they wouldn't trade him last season without his consent, we'll see if that still applies as he enters the final season of his contract. The Montreal Canadiens are already lurking.

Morgan Frost, Calgary Flames: Frost is a pending unrestricted free agent on a team that's heading for the basement of the league this season. Craig Conroy will be looking to cash in on Frost closer to the trade deadline, and don't be shocked to see a team jump in and get ahead of the market earlier. Frost is coming off a great season and could be poised for 25 goals this year.

Jared McCann, Seattle Kraken: McCann remains on a very underwhelming Kraken roster and is coming off an injury-riddled year, however, when he did dress, McCann filled the score sheet with 40 points in just 52 games. McCann is entering the last year of his contract at $5 million AAV, and owns a 10-team no-trade clause. If the Kraken struggle this season, which many are expecting, look for McCann to be hitting the rental market.