2027 UFA Market Poised for High-End Talent Surge
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Elite names and productive veterans could hit the open market, with several facing unsettled situations as they enter the final years of their current deals.
While the 2026 free agent market was largely quiet, Sportsnet reports that a number of skilled players heading for 2027 unrestricted free agency are in unsettled situations. Top-tier stars including Sidney Crosby, Cale Makar, Nikita Kucherov, and Quinn Hughes could potentially become unrestricted free agents, though the outlet notes it would be a shock to see most of these players switch teams.
Beyond the elite tier, several high-production players are in unsettled situations that could lead to them hitting the market. Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson recently signed a one-year deal that leads him to unrestricted free agency. Sportsnet notes that Stars GM Jim Nill previously agreed to a trade that would have sent Robertson to the Seattle Kraken for the seventh-overall pick in the 2026 draft, a move only stopped by Robertson's refusal to sign an extension in Seattle.
Other players facing potential exits include:
* **Alex DeBrincat (Detroit Red Wings):** Entering the final year of a contract with a cap hit just under $8 million amid organizational changes, including the departure of GM Steve Yzerman and linemate Patrick Kane. * **Drake Batherson (Ottawa Senators):** Coming off a career-high 71-point season on a deal with a cap hit just under $5 million. * **Pavel Zacha (Boston Bruins):** A versatile forward coming off a career-best 30-goal season. * **Ryan O’Reilly (Nashville Predators):** A veteran center nearing the end of a four-year contract signed in 2023.
According to Sportsnet, these players represent a tier of skilled talent that may not be locked into long-term extensions with their current clubs.