The NHL season has the ability to alter a team’s plans in no time at all. If a poor start has seen their playoff hopes converted to trade, it can happen in a number of situations: when a team has a costly vet, a contract season coming soon or will soon feature a guy that could return great value. These five players could potentially be buzzed about when it comes to trades during the first few weeks of the 2026-27 season.
Monitoo the largest name is probably Connor Hellebuyck. The Winnipeg Jets goaltender, who already has asked for a trade, is facing the team’s attention now more than ever. When Winnipeg is lacking at the start of the season, a back-and-forth of a franchise goaltender might be a viable option not something offseason talking points. Hellebuyck would probably be a nice fit for playoff teams looking for a steady hand in net as a result of his experience, elite career and stellar track record.
Another potential player that could play a more central role in the situation in the upcoming weeks in Detroit is club captain Dylan Larkin. Larkin has been asking for a trade and, if he opens turkeys, it may put further stress on Detroit to find a solution in the market. He has plenty of experience on the top of the bench and will be in demand for additional leadership and production.
If Vancouver makes their decision to change direction, their next forward game could be in the hands of Vancouver Canucks forward Jake DeBrusk. DeBrusk has the ability to score and he has told reporters he doesn’t want to be a part of a rebuild, which may make him an attractive option for teams looking for forward depth.
One more potential trade chip is Calgary’s Morgan Frost. Frost has posted a career-high 43 points in 2025-26 and would be able to entice teams with younger offensive center interest should Calgary be out of the playoff picture.
Last but not least, Alexis Lafreniere, forward for the New York Rangers, is an interesting trade chip. The No. 1 overall pick still has significant value and a poor year could spur the Rangers to a new look in not only the man on the floor, but also the farm system.
Players will not necessarily be dealt with, but having been designated as such may mean they become a bigger deal if their squads aren’t performing well at the start of the season.
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