Nine Potential Trade Candidates Among Upcoming Unrestricted Free Agents
As the 2026-27 season progresses, several players on expiring contracts could be moved before the trade deadline. The list includes Ryan O'Reilly, Erik Karlsson, Evgeni Malkin, and Quinn Hughes, among others. These players could become available if their teams fall out of playoff contention.
The article identifies Nashville, Pittsburgh, and Seattle as the most likely seller markets, with each team facing distinct pressures. Nashville narrowly missed the postseason last year and made offseason additions, yet the piece suggests their ceiling remains a bubble finish. Pittsburgh's surprising playoff run last season masks a roster that may regress, making both Karlsson and Malkin potential rentals. Karlsson's contract structure — a $10 million cap hit with only $1.5 million in actual base salary — significantly lowers the financial barrier for acquiring teams. Seattle, meanwhile, appears furthest from contention, with Dunn representing their most movable asset among pending free agents.
The list spans different player archetypes: O'Reilly offers two-way reliability at a bargain $4.5 million hit, while Malkin provides pure offensive upside despite defensive liabilities and injury history at age 40. Karlsson's Norris-caliber rebound season and strong five-on-five metrics make him the most intriguing rental on defense. The article notes Crosby is also expiring but implies he stays in Pittsburgh, leaving Malkin as the more plausible legacy trade piece.
This story could influence how fans and front offices across the league calibrate expectations for the upcoming trade deadline. Contending teams may adjust their asset management strategies knowing several high-profile rentals could hit the market, potentially suppressing prices early. For fan bases in Nashville, Pittsburgh, and Seattle, the piece signals that their teams' competitive windows may be closing, which could reshape attendance, merchandise sales, and local media narratives. The financial flexibility of Karlsson's contract and O'Reilly's modest cap hit may also encourage more aggressive deadline activity league-wide.