2025 NHL Team Offseason Assessment

Florida Panthers

Florida`s General Manager, Bill Zito, earns top marks for successfully retaining crucial players from the Panthers` recent championship runs. Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad, and Brad Marchand all signed long-term deals, deals where they reportedly left money on the table compared to exploring free agency, indicating the appeal of winning. Zito also secured a promising young goaltender in Tarasov to potentially upgrade the backup position behind Sergei Bobrovsky.

Additional subtle moves, like acquiring Petry to replace the departing Schmidt and re-signing depth forward Tomas Nosek, further strengthened the roster. By also adding Brandon Bussi and Nolan Foote, Florida`s depth, a key factor in their long playoff runs, remains a significant advantage. Zito`s smart management has positioned Florida to be elite next season and potentially establish a true dynasty.

Anaheim Ducks

The Anaheim Ducks arguably had one of the most impactful offseasons in the NHL. Their competitive “window” isn`t about winning a championship immediately, but leveraging a young, talented core on cost-effective contracts to spend more in other areas, for now. They did this by trading for Chris Kreider, who has two years left at a $6.5 million AAV. Moving Gibson and Zegras freed up $12.15 million in salary.

Some of these savings were used to sign top-nine forward Mikael Granlund. The assets acquired in their trades allowed GM Pat Verbeek to fill roster needs at reasonable prices. Post-July 1, Verbeek seems to have ample cap space left to sign restricted free agents Lukas Dostal, Drew Helleson, and Mason McTavish to new deals, completing a very successful period of adjustments.

St. Louis Blues

Blues GM Doug Armstrong didn`t require extensive changes this offseason, but the three significant moves he made were highly effective. Armstrong could afford to part with Bolduc because the team already had six forwards who scored over 18 goals, plus factoring in the potential role for top prospect Jimmy Snuggerud. Trading Bolduc for defenseman Logan Mailloux provides a promising young option on the blue line, especially knowing Torey Krug won`t play next season.

By signing Nick Bjugstad, the Blues added an experienced, physically imposing third-line center capable of anchoring the bottom six. Acquiring Pius Suter on a two-year contract gives the Blues one of the strongest center depth charts in the league and adds another forward who surpassed the 18-goal mark last season, solidifying their forward group efficiently.

Utah Mammoth

The Utah Mammoth are now strongly positioned to either be a playoff team this season or come very close. They executed one of the offseason`s biggest trades to acquire JJ Peterka and immediately secured him with a five-year extension, adding a significant top-six scorer. This move left Mammoth GM Bill Armstrong with substantial cap flexibility to sign veteran players in other areas.

The arrival of Nate Schmidt increases the team`s proven defensive options to seven players under contract, offering depth against injuries or potential trade flexibility to address other needs. Adding Brandon Tanev and Vitek Vanecek provides further veteran presence and depth, making the Mammoth a much more competitive and complete team heading into the season.

Carolina Hurricanes

Carolina finally addressed a key area of need. After multiple attempts to bring in a top-six scoring winger, GM Erik Tulsky succeeded by signing highly sought-after free agent Nikolaj Ehlers to a significant six-year, $51 million contract. This instantly provides the offensive firepower the Hurricanes have been seeking for at least the past two years.

Before signing Ehlers, Tulsky also completed a clever sign-and-trade with the New York Rangers for K`Andre Miller, a promising defenseman who should enhance Carolina`s defensive group, especially following Brent Burns` departure to Colorado. While Ehlers is an excellent addition, Tulsky still needs to address the team`s second-line center position, though there is time remaining before the season to potentially resolve this.

Despite this remaining need, the moves Carolina has made are more than enough to solidify their status as favorites to contend for another Eastern Conference Finals appearance or go even further in the playoffs.

Montreal Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens have signaled their intent to challenge for a playoff spot this season. GM Kent Hughes ensured this by completing a significant trade with the New York Islanders for defenseman Noah Dobson, a right-shot player, and signing him to an eight-year deal with a substantial $9.5 million AAV. While costly, the move is considered worthwhile.

Montreal has been rebuilding for a considerable time, and now is the moment to capitalize on the prime years of players like Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki. Dobson is expected to be a vital contributor to the Canadiens` future success. Bringing in Dobson also allowed Hughes to trade Logan Mailloux, whose opportunity in Montreal was reduced, to St. Louis for Zachary Bolduc, a reliable 22-year-old depth scorer. Hughes also added Kaapo Kahkonen to create more competition in the goaltending position. The Canadiens appear to have executed the right moves to make their 2025 playoff appearance a starting point, not a one-off event.

New York Islanders

There`s a sense of new direction for the Islanders. With new GM Mathieu Darche, the team drafted Matthew Schaefer first overall, acquiring a top defensive prospect they haven`t had in a long time. While losing Noah Dobson is a blow, the return package – first-round picks used on Viktor Eklund and Kashawn Aitcheson, plus forward Emil Heineman – allowed Darche to significantly boost the team`s prospect pool and future outlook. He also addressed immediate needs by signing veteran forward Jonathan Drouin and extending deals for Adam Boqvist and Simon Holmstrom. After needing a new identity for some time, the Islanders under Darche seem to be finding their path towards a fresh start.

Philadelphia Flyers

The highlight of Philadelphia`s offseason was trading for Trevor Zegras from Anaheim, hoping he can develop into a top center. If this gamble pays off, it will be a success for GM Danny Briere, tapping into a player`s potential without giving up significant assets. Briere also smartly secured Cam York with a reasonable five-year extension ($5.15 million AAV). His drafting, including selecting Porter Martone, further positions Philadelphia well for future success.

For the upcoming season, Zegras and veteran Christian Dvorak are expected to boost the offense, while Dan Vladar adds goaltending competition. These moves suggest Philadelphia is progressing beyond a full rebuild towards becoming more competitive.

San Jose Sharks

San Jose GM Mike Grier`s strategy focused on improving the current roster during a promising rebuild. He brought in veterans like Dmitry Orlov, John Klingberg, Philipp Kurashev, Adam Gaudette, and Alex Nedeljkovic who can guide young players and potentially become trade assets later. Adding Michael Misa, the second overall pick, strengthens a group already featuring Yaroslav Askarov, Macklin Celebrini, William Eklund, and Will Smith.

Three of the veteran signings are on one-year deals, and Gaudette is on a manageable two-year contract ($2 million annually). If the Sharks aren`t playoff contenders by the deadline, these players can be moved for future draft picks. The team also has eight defensemen, suggesting a potential trade before the season starts. These moves position the Sharks for immediate improvement while maintaining flexibility.

Boston Bruins

Boston added several forwards through free agency and one trade for Viktor Arvidsson. However, GM Don Sweeney did not acquire a much-needed true top-six winger. Instead, he strengthened the bottom six, potentially requiring some of these players to take on larger roles. The most questionable move was signing Tanner Jeannot to a five-year, $17 million contract ($3.4 million AAV) through age 33. While he brings physicality, the Bruins critically need more scoring, and it`s uncertain if Sweeney`s moves have effectively addressed this, especially with only two players scoring over 20 goals last season.

Detroit Red Wings

GM Steve Yzerman deserves credit for finally finding a new team for John Gibson in a trade that also upgraded Detroit`s goaltending, a key offseason priority. However, Yzerman seemed largely content with this being the main change. He added depth with bottom-six wingers Mason Appleton and James van Riemsdyk, and a third-pairing defense option in Jacob Bernard-Docker, but otherwise, the Red Wings are set to start the season largely as they finished the last one.

While depth is valuable, the Red Wings needed more significant additions on defense and potential top-six scoring help. These areas may still require attention, as Yzerman`s approach this offseason seemed conservative beyond the Gibson trade.

New Jersey Devils

New Jersey didn`t aim for a complete roster overhaul, but GM Tom Fitzgerald made logical moves to enhance the team. Connor Brown provides valuable depth, experience, and leadership for the bottom six, as could Evgenii Dadonov. These players should easily fill bottom-six roles. The Devils also retained some of their own free agents, signing Jake Allen to a five-year deal during a goalie shortage league-wide and extending trade deadline acquisition Cody Glass for two years. The main outstanding item, acknowledged by Fitzgerald as a priority, is signing restricted free agent Luke Hughes to a long-term contract. More moves to improve the top six might depend on finalizing Hughes`s deal, leaving some uncertainty but overall solid depth additions.

New York Rangers

The Rangers made a bold move early by pursuing Vladislav Gavrikov, one of the top available defensemen. GM Chris Drury signed him to a significant seven-year, $49 million contract. This move necessitated trading restricted free agent K`Andre Miller to Carolina for draft picks and prospect Scott Morrow. The long-term impact of trading Miller for Gavrikov remains to be seen, but it was the path Drury chose to acquire Gavrikov. Other moves were more subtle, including extending Will Cuylle and adding depth forward Taylor Raddysh. The success of the Rangers` offseason will largely hinge on Gavrikov`s fit and performance on their defensive corps.

Vegas Golden Knights

Vegas made strategic depth signings, retaining Brandon Saad and Reilly Smith on one-year deals. Moving Nicolas Hague allowed them to acquire depth forward Colton Sissons and defenseman Jeremy Lauzon. The most significant move was the sign-and-trade for Mitch Marner, adding a top NHL star by including Nicolas Roy in the package. GM Kelly McCrimmon and the Knights` front office once again found a way to land a blockbuster player, keeping them among the West`s top contenders. However, the announcement that Alex Pietrangelo will miss next season (and potentially longer) due to injury creates significant questions about their defense given the absence of their top defenseman.

Calgary Flames

Flames GM Craig Conroy stated that once their free agency targets were signed elsewhere, the team stuck to its plan of relying on its young players. Conroy emphasized providing opportunities for these prospects, hoping they will be motivated to work harder and make the team after seeing the limited activity on July 1. This approach, focusing on homegrown talent, is seen as a way to potentially transition from narrowly missing the playoffs to making them in future seasons. It`s a cautious strategy, not only for the message it sends to prospects but also because it allows the Flames to allocate funds to re-sign restricted free agents like Connor Zary and Morgan Frost, who signed a two-year extension.

Edmonton Oilers

New contracts for Evan Bouchard and Trent Frederic significantly impacted Edmonton`s challenging offseason, particularly concerning cap space management. Like other teams in a championship window, the Oilers aimed to maximize their cap dollars strategically. GM Stan Bowman`s decision to trade Evander Kane ($5.125 million cap hit) was followed by signing Andrew Mangiapane and Curtis Lazar ($4.375 million combined), effectively stretching their budget. The team is also looking to manage salary concerns by giving larger roles to young players like Matt Savoie and evaluating if 29-year-old Czech forward David Tomasek can earn a roster spot. The offseason saw several departures, necessitating cost-effective replacements and internal growth.

Los Angeles Kings

Following his first offseason leading the Kings, GM Ken Holland faces questions about the use of cap space. Was signing two free agent defensemen the most effective approach, particularly when an additional $1.5 million per year might have kept Vladislav Gavrikov? Holland utilized the Kings` cap space to add multiple players, reinforcing the bottom-six forward group, defensive depth, and backup goaltending. The effectiveness of these cumulative additions in helping the Kings advance past the first round of the playoffs remains uncertain, suggesting a strategy focused on volume and depth rather than retaining key individuals or adding top-end talent.

Minnesota Wild

Moving on from Frederick Gaudreau provided the Wild with cap flexibility, enabling them to trade for Vladimir Tarasenko. Tarasenko adds a potential top-six forward in an offseason where many sought-after options remained with their current teams. Bringing back Nico Sturm, a two-time Stanley Cup champion, after a three-year absence provides additional bottom-six depth and can serve as a replacement for Gaudreau. However, the team still has key decisions to make, including a new contract for restricted free agent Marco Rossi and determining how to best use remaining cap space – whether by adding veterans to fill holes or relying on prospects from one of the league`s strong farm systems.

Nashville Predators

The Predators` disappointing finish in 2024-25 highlighted roster deficiencies that needed addressing this summer, specifically targeting experienced players. GM Barry Trotz began this process by acquiring Eric Haula, an experienced top-nine, two-way winger and eight-time 20-goal scorer who can also anchor the penalty kill. Trotz also added defensemen Nicolas Hague and Nick Perbix, both of whom have filled top-four roles previously. The question remains whether they can handle these responsibilities on a permanent basis in Nashville. These moves aim to add experience and depth but carry some uncertainty regarding their roles.

Seattle Kraken

New GM Jason Botterill effectively leveraged the Kraken`s cap space, crucial in his first offseason. He started by trading Andre Burakovsky and his $5.5 million cap hit to Chicago. He then capitalized on Dallas` cap issues to acquire Mason Marchment, a winger with consecutive 22-goal seasons, and added Frederick Gaudreau from Minnesota, a reliable two-way center for the bottom six. The Kraken retained enough space to sign Ryan Lindgren in free agency and re-sign restricted free agent Tye Kartye, with Ryker Evans and Kaapo Kakko still needing new deals. Botterill`s moves addressed needs by taking advantage of other teams` cap situations.

Tampa Bay Lightning

Tampa Bay`s offseason signings have been modest, which is understandable given their limited cap space and lack of major roster holes. GM Julien BriseBois prioritized protecting scoring depth by extending Yanni Gourde and Gage Goncalves, then added Pontus Holmberg and Jakob Pelletier to further bolster forward depth. Pelletier, in particular, is expected to contribute significantly to the bottom six. However, BriseBois did not retain free agent Nick Perbix or sign a replacement defenseman, leaving the Lightning potentially thin on the blue line. Unless further moves are planned, Tampa Bay appears largely unchanged from the end of last season, neither notably improved nor worse off.

Vancouver Canucks

Some optimism exists in Vancouver following the offseason. The Canucks re-signed highly sought-after free agent Brock Boeser, and goaltender Thatcher Demko and forward Conor Garland also signed contract extensions. However, questions remain about the allocation of funds. Many wonder if the $5.125 million AAV committed to top-six winger Evander Kane, acquired via trade, could have been better used to address the center position. The team also faces uncertainty about replacing Pius Suter in the bottom six and creating the cap space needed to potentially add another forward before or during training camp. While key players were retained, significant questions persist about roster balance and depth.

Winnipeg Jets

Anticipating the departure of Nikolaj Ehlers, the Jets needed to fill the void in their offense. Signing Gustav Nyquist to a one-year deal aims to help maintain the scoring balance that saw 12 players score over 10 goals last season. Tanner Pearson, with nine seasons of 10+ goals, could also contribute to this effort. Future Hall of Famer Jonathan Toews was also added, though his contribution is uncertain due to past health issues. Despite these arrivals, the Jets still have over $18 million in cap space and need to finalize a contract with restricted free agent Gabriel Vilardi, who finished third on the team with 27 goals last season. The focus is on retaining offensive output despite key departures.

Ottawa Senators

Perhaps Ottawa`s most notable offseason move was extending Claude Giroux for one year. Retaining the veteran forward and team leader was GM Steve Staois`s stated priority. Staois also reinforced the right side of the defense by acquiring Jordan Spence, a potential upgrade over the departed Travis Hamonic. Lars Eller, who scored 10 goals last season, offers additional punch for the fourth line. While these moves are decent, it remains uncertain if they are significant enough to help Ottawa keep pace in the highly competitive Atlantic Division.

Goaltending is also a question mark, with Anton Forsberg gone and 22-year-old Leevi Merilainen signed to back up Linus Ullmark. This tandem`s effectiveness is untested. It`s possible Staois simply swapped similar players, risking complacency. Alternatively, the fresh energy from making the playoffs last season could propel the team forward. Time will ultimately reveal the outcome.

Pittsburgh Penguins

So far, this has been a rather unremarkable offseason for the Penguins, but this might be GM Kyle Dubas`s strategy. Pittsburgh is in a challenging middle ground, not fully rebuilding but also not quite equipped for a deep, final playoff push (an attempt that hasn`t worked well before). In this context, Dubas`s straightforward signings are acceptable. Anthony Mantha and Justin Brazeau should provide solid depth for the bottom six, and there`s opportunity for Parker Wotherspoon and Alexander Alexeyev to earn third-pairing minutes on defense. Trading Alex Nedeljkovic puts the spotlight on younger goalies like Joel Blomqvist, but it also suggests Dubas might not be finished making moves. Perhaps free agency was just the beginning, and long-discussed trades, possibly involving Erik Karlsson, are still in the works.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Without question, the Maple Leafs are a weaker team following the departure of Mitch Marner. The positive aspect is that GM Brad Treliving managed to acquire some assets for Marner in a sign-and-trade with Vegas, receiving depth forward Nicolas Roy. Treliving continued to add third and fourth-line forwards in Matias Maccelli and Michael Pezzetta. While these players could prove valuable, they do not come close to replacing Marner`s impact. The question is, what more could Toronto have done?

Ideally, Treliving would have continued making moves. Adding another scoring winger capable of playing in the top six would be a significant boost, and the Leafs could also use help on the blue line. Securing extensions for John Tavares and Matthew Knies was undoubtedly important and positively impacts their grade. However, how Toronto overcomes the loss of Marner will be a major factor in determining their success next season.

Buffalo Sabres

Buffalo effectively addressed their own restricted free agents, signing key players like Jack Quinn, Ryan McLeod, and Ryan Johnson to new deals. The return of Michael Kesselring from Utah in the JJ Peterka trade also strengthens the team`s defense on the right side, an area previously lacking depth. Beyond these actions, Buffalo has done little else to significantly improve for the upcoming season. There were no major splashes or notable free agent acquisitions on July 1, despite having ample cap space. This apparent unwillingness to invest in improvement is concerning for fans and ownership alike, especially as the team potentially faces a 15th consecutive season without making the playoffs. It`s difficult to justify the Sabres` passive approach when they possess the resources to make impactful moves.

Chicago Blackhawks

Opinions are divided on the Blackhawks` offseason. Some argue they should have been more active, using their significant cap space to acquire proven scorers to address last season`s offensive struggles and defensive needs. Others believe their current approach is correct, focusing on evaluating their young core, which includes 15 players under 25 and one of the league`s most promising pipelines. Adding Andre Burakovsky via trade and signing Sam Lafferty provides some veteran presence and depth, but doesn`t fundamentally change the team`s trajectory. The focus remains on the development of their prospects.

Colorado Avalanche

The decision to sign veteran defenseman Brent Burns to a one-year contract reflects a larger trend for teams in a championship window like the Avalanche. They face the annual challenge of rebuilding or adjusting their bottom six forwards and third defense pairing. Finding and signing cost-effective players for these roles remains GM Chris MacFarland`s mission leading up to training camp. Having over $4 million in cap space provides flexibility, which they aim to maximize to strengthen a roster that has failed to advance beyond the second round since winning the Stanley Cup in 2022. While Burns is a notable name, the team saw several depth players depart.

Dallas Stars

The decisions made by Stars GM Jim Nill that led the team to three consecutive conference finals now present cap challenges. Extensions for the Stars` core players consumed significant cap space, necessitating trades like Mason Marchment to Seattle and allowing players like Cody Ceci, Evgenii Dadonov, and Mikael Granlund to sign elsewhere in free agency. The most significant addition so far is the return of Radek Faksa, who spent last season with the Blues. Even with limited additions, the Stars project to be over the cap and will need to shed salary to be compliant by opening night, limiting their flexibility to make further additions if needed.

Washington Capitals

It wasn`t for lack of trying that Washington didn`t address their needs more effectively. GM Chris Patrick pursued Nikolaj Ehlers until he chose Carolina. Following that, Patrick could only re-sign Anthony Beauvillier, a capable player but not the top-six threat Ehlers would have been. This reflects the unpredictable nature of free agency. The Capitals added defensive depth with Declan Chisholm, but otherwise haven`t made significant changes to suggest they will be a much tougher team next season. Patrick has time before training camp to potentially make trades to improve the roster and will need to be proactive this summer.

Columbus Blue Jackets

Columbus had a list of potential free agent targets but ultimately made limited additions. Instead of acquiring a top-six winger or a right-side top-four defenseman, GM Don Waddell controversially signed his pending free agent defenseman Ivan Provorov to a massive seven-year, $59.5 million contract, considered a significant overpayment. The forwards Waddell did bring in, Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood, primarily replace departing bottom-six players like Justin Danforth and Sean Kuraly. These moves do not meaningfully improve the Blue Jackets` competitive prospects. If Waddell doesn`t make further impactful changes this summer, Columbus, which narrowly missed the playoffs last season, appears set for more of the same.