Top 25 NHL UFAs of 2027: Does Quinn Hughes make it to market?
It’s never been more fun to be a pending UFA in the NHL.
The free-agent landscape is forever changed in the rising-cap era, which has seen increases from $88 million to $95.5 million to $104 million in consecutive seasons, with a spike to $113.5 million coming in 2027-28. It’s easier for teams to retain their core players and, with the cap projected to hit $127.5 million by 2028-29 and – gasp – $150 million by 2029-30, salaries are exploding at an unprecedented level. The highest-paid NHL player made $12.5 million a year as recently as 2023. That number belonged to Connor McDavid, and he might double it on his next deal when it commences in 2027-28.
So as we look at this list of top 2027 UFAs, we’re not just exploring who could go to market in July; we’re also peeking at who will score monster paydays with their current clubs before going to market.
After a sneak peek at the top 10 in the summer, we grow the list to 25 players now. Ages as of July 1, 2027. Contract information courtesy of our partners at PuckPedia.
1. Quinn Hughes, D, Minnesota Wild
Age: 27
2026-27 cap hit: $7,850,000
Does the Connor Hellebuyck trade increase or decrease the odds of Quinn joining his brothers in New Jersey? The Devils only project for $16.8 million in 2027-28 cap space at the moment. That’s not enough to sign Hughes, who will command $20 million per year at minimum on his next deal. Could he still sign it with the Wild? General manager Bill Guerin is pretty (publicly) exasperated with the process and suggests little is happening on the negotiation front, but the Wild remain a Stanley Cup contender, and I still wonder if the ideal play from Hughes is to sign a three-year deal that walks him to 2030 free agency at the same time as Jack.
2. Nikita Kucherov, RW, Tampa Bay Lightning
Age: 34
2026-27 cap hit: $9,500,000
Over the course of his current deal, which commenced in 2019-20, Kucherov won his second Hart Trophy, his second and third Art Ross Trophies and two Stanley Cups and led the playoffs in scoring on both of those title runs. Kucherov, one of the century’s greatest pure scorers, is entitled to whatever he wants, despite the fact he’s been quite a playoff disappointment the past few seasons. It’s understandable that he feels like he’s been treated by Lightning GM Julien BriseBois with “poor communication and respect.” Not only am I hearing Kucherov is permanently done with the Lightning, but I’ve also been told he’s in no rush to ink an extension on a new team right away. He still is close to his Lightning teammates and to coach Jon Cooper, so it’s not inconceivable that Kucherov plays out this season with the Bolts and walks July 1. The next seven months should be very interesting.
3. Jason Robertson, LW, Dallas Stars
Age: 27
2026-27 cap hit: $12,000,000
Since 2020-21, Robertson’s first full season, only 10 players have more points. He’s one of the most consistently productive left wingers in hockey, and he’s in his prime at 27. Yet the Stars have continuously valued him lower than he values himself, with seemingly every contract he’s signed with them requiring a lengthy and contentious negotiation. That they agreed on a one-year deal to avoid arbitration and walk him to 2027 free agency was a disaster for Dallas. In the current rising-cap climate, Robertson can use Kirill Kaprizov’s $17-million AAV as the baseline. Per the collective bargaining agreement, after signing his one-year deal, Robertson can’t put pen to paper on an extension until Jan. 1, 2027 at the earliest. There should be motivation for him to go to market lest he get lowballed by Dallas again, but the Stars will also have to consider moving him in a “hockey trade” if they fear they’ll lose him for nothing.
4. Sidney Crosby, C, Pittsburgh Penguins
Age: 39
2026-27 cap hit: $8,700,000
There was a lot of handwringing leading up to Crosby’s previous extension, largely because the Penguins were bottoming out as a franchise at the time, and some questioned whether he’d want to play out the remainder of his career with no chance at chasing a Stanley Cup. But the Pens were trending upward again last season, halting a three-season playoff drought while modestly restocking their prospect pool, so the decision to re-sign seemed easier for Sid this time around. Unfortunately, the Pens are back to struggling, looking little like a playoff team early this season. Does that open the door for the long-rumored Crosby-to-Montreal rental? Never say never, but I don’t see him ever changing jerseys, not after more than 21 seasons. When Crosby spoke to a small group of reporters, myself included, days before training camp began, he didn’t seem worried or stressed about his next deal at all, adopting an “It’ll get done when it gets done” posture.
5. Erik Karlsson, D, Pittsburgh Penguins
Age: 37
2026-27 cap hit: $11,500,000
Karlsson turned back the clock for an outstanding age-37 season with the Pens, finishing ninth in Norris voting. He’s still a minutes eater and excellent offensive weapon at his relatively advanced age. Will he still make sense in Pittsburgh after this season, though? That’s debatable. The Pens need to get younger, and we’ve heard whispers of a Karlsson & Ottawa homecoming for years, which makes sense given his wife is from there. After racking up coin across his eight-year deal at an $11.5-million AAV, might Karlsson return to Canada’s capital on a team-friendly cap hit next summer? That’s the prediction here. He’s also trending toward being a popular Trade Deadline rental option should Pittsburgh not get its season on track.
6. Vince Dunn, D, Seattle Kraken
Age: 30
2026-27 cap hit: $7,350,000
There will always be a robust market for high-end offensive defensemen, so Dunn should get a raise over his current AAV as long as he maintains his strong standard of play in 2026-27. Even in a down 2025-26 for his surface numbers, he was a good play driver, and he averages 53 points per 82 games since joining the Kraken for their inaugural season in 2021-22, so he’ll attract a significant bidding war if he goes to market. Dunn might also become a popular in-season trade candidate during his walk year, though the Kraken are staying in the playoff hunt early on.
7. Ryan O’Reilly, C, Nashville Predators
Age: 36
2026-27 cap hit: $4,500,000
O’Reilly remains a strong shutdown center who is elite on faceoffs, he’s coming off the second-best offensive season of his career, and he’s producing a point per game this season, so he’s as valuable as ever and should command a higher AAV on this next deal after the no-state-tax Preds landed him for a relative bargain three years ago. They seem to be determined to compete in the present, judging by the flurry of moves made by new GM Chris MacFarland over the offseason, but O’Reilly will be an extremely popular Trade Deadline rental target should the Preds disappoint again.
8. Shayne Gostisbehere, D, Carolina Hurricanes
Age: 34
2026-27 cap hit: $3,200,000
‘Ghost Bear’ will never be confused with his teammate Jaccob Slavin. Pure defense is not Gostisbehere’s strength. But he can drive the play in his own end just fine in sheltered minutes, and he remains a low-key great source of offensive play driving. Over the past five seasons plus the first quarter of this one, he’s 15th among all NHL blueliners in points. It remains to be seen if the wily Hurricanes, who only have three D-men under contract for next season right now, choose to pay Gostisbehere his proper market value or try to find their next Gostisbehere at a bargain price.
9. Pavel Zacha, C, Boston Bruins
Age: 30
2026-27 cap hit: $4,750,000
In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king. In the land of no centers on the market, a second-line-caliber one might end up being paid like a first-liner. Zacha’s career-best 30 goals in 2025-26 were fuelled by unsustainable 22.9 percent shooting; predictably, he’s regressed to around his career norm this season and is pacing for 17 goals in 84 games. Zacha isn’t a true difference maker, but he’s big, pretty well-rounded, strong on faceoffs and just skilled enough that he can gel with other high-end players. His open-market value is likely much higher than what the Bruins are willing to pay to extend him, so a divorce might make sense for both sides. But if GM Don Sweeney knows that’s going to happen, will it make Zacha a logical in-season trade chip?
10. Artturi Lehkonen, LW, Colorado Avalanche
Age: 31
2026-27 cap hit: $4,500,000
Lehkonen was a heckuva get for the Avs at the 2022 NHL Trade Deadline. He scored four game-winning goals during their Stanley Cup run that spring, and he has been a productive top-six forward for them overall, averaging 30 goals per 82 games. He’s such a tough UFA to appraise, though. He’s frequently banged up; his high in games played since coming to Colorado is 70. He’s also playing out of his mind so far this season, burying 12 goals in his first 16 games, scoring on a hilarious 35.3 percent of his shots. Even once he regresses, the hot start could yield a career-best season stat line. The top-heavy Avs begin paying Cale Makar $20.4 million per season next year and have $12.52 million in projected cap space. How much of that will they want to devote for Lehkonen? He reportedly wants to remain an Av, but he could price himself out of the Mile High City if he keeps up this pace.
11. Jared McCann, LW, Seattle Kraken
Age: 31
2026-27 cap hit: $5,000,000
Since joining the Kraken in 2021-22, McCann averages 31 goals per 82 games, and he peaked with a franchise-record 40 in 2022-23. With max shot power in the 90th percentile, McCann remains a dangerous goal scorer – who hasn’t had the opportunity to skate alongside elite teammates during his prime years. He could be a highly profitable addition for a team with a star-caliber center who needs a finisher.
12. Artem Zub, D, Ottawa Senators
Age: 31
2026-27 cap hit: $4,600,000
A rangy defenseman with shutdown skills who usually plays top-pair minutes, Zub is due for a major raise over his current AAV, especially in a rising-cap climate in which top-four defensemen aren’t making it to market as much. With most of their high-end players inked to long-term contracts and more than $28 million in projected cap space, the Sens are well positioned to prioritize re-signing Zub. There’s no excuse not to.
13. Alexandre Carrier, D, Montreal Canadiens
Age: 30
2026-27 cap hit: $3,750,000
Carrier plays a simple, effective defensive game built on guile and positioning rather than brute force. He’s an underrated part of the Habs’ D-corps and a fixture on their top penalty-kill unit. It’s going to cost them to keep him, though. Playing in Montreal has raised his profile; he’s no longer the hidden gem he was as a Nashville Predator. He’ll be a popular target if he makes it to market, especially since he’s a right-handed shooter.
14. Justin Faulk, D, Detroit Red Wings
Age: 35
2026-27 cap hit: $6,500,000
Faulk’s best years are behind him, but he’s a minute-munching, right-shot defenseman who still skates quite well for his age, so there will be a decent market for him on a short- or medium-term deal – at the Trade Deadline as a rental if and when the Wings end up sellers and again in free agency.
15. Morgan Frost, C, Calgary Flames
Age: 28
2026-27 cap hit: $4,375,000
Frost is two years younger than Zacha and might still have a higher ceiling as an offensive player, albeit a different one stylistically. The Flames may have to pay a premium to retain him with the center market projecting to be so thin. Frost’s agent, Darren Ferris, is notorious for trying to walk his players to UFA status. That said, Frost declared last month that he wants to stay in Calgary. So maybe he ends up part of GM Craig Conroy’s long-term plan rather than the latest in a long line of veterans sold off since he took over the post.
16. Blake Coleman, C, Minnesota Wild
Age: 35
2026-27 cap hit: $4,900,000
He can play multiple positions in a team’s middle six, he kills penalties, and he has a pair of Stanley Cup rings. Coleman should be in demand this summer. That said, hitting his mid-30s might bring down his value in terms of the percentage of the cap he’ll eat. The AAV might stay the same when we factor in the cap jump from $104 million to $113.5 million.
17. Evgeni Malkin, C, Pittsburgh Penguins
Age: 40
2026-27 cap hit: $5,500,000
We know Pens GM Kyle Dubas is determined not to have the will-he-or-won’t-he discussion. He’s made that very clear. Is it because ‘Geno’ is done as a Penguin after this year? Is it because he’ll simply retire? Or will the Pens just reassess everything after the season? The situation isn’t easy to read. Whatever happens, Malkin has reached the stage of his legendary career at which he’s signing one-year deals from here on out. But if he wants to continue playing in pursuit of a Stanley Cup, it will mean signing elsewhere. The Pens are nowhere close to challenging for one again.
18. Rasmus Ristolainen, D, Philadelphia Flyers
Age: 32
2026-27 cap hit: $5,100,000
The Flyers probably should’ve sold high on Ristolainen last year. His minutes are way down, and he’s struggling along with their entire D-corps, currently grading out as a fifth-percentile defensive player. Nevertheless, there will be a market for his size, reach and physicality.
19. Drew Doughty, D, Los Angeles Kings
Age: 37
2026-27 cap hit: $11,000,000
Doughty is a Kings legend, a future Hall of Famer and the team’s current captain. He’s also unsigned for next summer, and there’s a case to be made it would make more sense for both parties to split up. The Kings, the NHL’s oldest team, need to get younger. And if Doughty wants a chance at another championship, it doesn’t look like that will happen in L.A. Still, since he has his rings, it’s understandable if he simply wants to retire as a King.
20. John Gibson, G, Detroit Red Wings
Age: 33
2026-27 cap hit: $6,400,000
Gibson’s career pattern: he stands on his head on a subpar team that struggles to support him, then eventually he starts to wilt under the tough workload. Gibson was outstanding for the Red Wings last season under duress. This season: ironically, just as Detroit’s defensive play has improved, he’s struggling, badly outplayed by Daniil Tarasov – who will rank north of Gibson on the next version of this list if the hot start continues – and Gibson is now injured to boot. If the Wings are ready to try a Tarasov/Trey Augustine duo in net, they’ll walk away from Gibson in July if they don’t trade him before the deadline. It would be intriguing to see Gibson join an elite defensive team for a change.
21. Dmitry Orlov, D, San Jose Sharks
Age: 35
2026-27 cap hit: $6,500,000
With the Sharks beefing up their blueline in the offseason, Orlov has been reduced to a third-pair guy early in 2026-27, and he has struggled badly. The other team gets almost 60 percent of the chances when Orlov is on the ice at 5-on-5 – and he’s not facing elite competition in his minutes, either. He should still find a home as a No. 5 or 6 blueliner, but his peak years are behind him.
22. Carter Hart, G, Vegas Golden Knights
Age: 28
2026-27 cap hit: $2,000,000
The Golden Knights gambled on Hart overcoming rink rust after he missed a season and a half leading up to being tried for, and acquitted of, sexual assault. He’s been an above-average goaltender in flashes since returning, especially on his heater late in the 2025-26 regular season, and a below-average one in flashes, especially during the 2025-26 Stanley Cup Final. He hasn’t been good enough to secure himself the surefire No. 1 job with Vegas long term, so his next contract might come down to whether he wants to be more of a platoon goalie on a contender or try to earn a bigger share of starts on a weaker team.
23. Jalen Chatfield, D, Carolina Hurricanes
Age: 31
2026-27 cap hit: $3,075,000
The Canes are such a dominant play-driving team that it can be difficult to judge which of their D-men are elite and which ones are the product of the system. Chatfield’s underlying data is awesome – he was a 95th-percentile defender last season and sits in the 75th this season – but his quality-of-teammate rating is enormously high. He has some upside, especially with max skating speed in the 80th percentile, but he’s also somewhat of a wild card if he leaves Carolina.
24. Ryan Hartman, C, Minnesota Wild
Age: 32
2026-27 cap hit: $4,000,000
With the Wild opting for a super line with Joel Eriksson Ek between Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy, Hartman isn’t getting his typical scoring-unit opportunities, and his numbers are suffering early this season. That said, he’s a center, and he’s only a year removed from a 23-goal season. He could be plenty useful to a lower-end team looking to play him a lot more.
25. Scott Wedgewood, G, Colorado Avalanche
Age: 34
2026-27 cap hit: $2,500,000
There are two schools of thought to consider with Wedgewood. One is not to overreact to the small sample size, which has been horrific early this season. The other is to zoom out at his entire career and identify his stellar 2025-26 as the actual anomaly for someone who had otherwise been a strong backup goaltender. As recently as last winter, Wedgewood seemed to be playing his way into a life-changing contract at starter’s money, but the Avs have recommitted to Mackenzie Blackwood amid Wedgewood’s struggles, and it feels like he’s regressing toward No. 2 goalie status.
Other 2027 UFAs of note: Daniil Tarasov, Darcy Kuemper, Chris Kreider, Lawson Crouse, Jordan Binnington, Brandon Carlo, Mats Zuccarello, Claude Giroux, Jason Zucker, Andrew Copp, Anton Forsberg, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Evan Rodrigues, Maxim Shabanov, Alex Lyon, Eeli Tolvanen
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