The NHL offseason concluded with the Florida Panthers celebrating their second consecutive Stanley Cup victory on June 17. The 2025 NHL draft, though decentralized, featured numerous memorable moments and celebrity appearances, while free agency saw hundreds of players ink new deals, albeit with less frenzy than previous years.
After a quiet period during July and August, as autumn approaches with its distinct chill, changing leaves, and pumpkin-flavored treats, the hockey world is now gearing up for a fresh NHL season.
To help fans prepare for the upcoming preseason—a critical time for teams to finalize rosters, line combinations, and goaltending strategies—we delve into the most pressing questions facing all 32 clubs.
Atlantic Division
Boston Bruins: Can Jeremy Swayman reclaim his form as a true No. 1 goaltender?
After securing a significant seven-year, $8.25 million per season contract following an impressive 2024-25 campaign where he was crucial for Boston, Jeremy Swayman was expected to perform as an elite, high-paid goalie. However, his performance declined, as he recorded career-lows with an .892 save percentage and 3.11 goals-against average. With Linus Ullmark`s departure, Swayman shouldered a heavy 58-game workload without a consistent partner, which appeared to affect his play.
This season, Boston needs Swayman to elevate his game, especially since the team still lacks a definitive backup. Regardless of the secondary goaltender, Swayman`s ability to prove himself as a true No. 1 will be critical to the Bruins` success.
Buffalo Sabres: Will Buffalo finally end its prolonged postseason drought?
The perennial question for Buffalo centers on their ability to snap their historically long playoff absence. Is the Sabres` rebuild finally complete? It has been 15 years since Sabres fans last witnessed their team in postseason action, with the past decade marking a slow, often stalled, progression. Despite building an enviable young core, Buffalo has repeatedly fallen short of reclaiming a playoff spot.
General Manager Kevyn Adams made a bold move by acquiring the frequently injured forward Josh Norris, who, if healthy, could be a potential top-line center. Additionally, intriguing newcomers Josh Doan and Michael Kesselring join the roster. What impact will these new additions, coupled with anticipated improvements from players like goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (already facing a `tweak` before camp) and forward Jack Quinn, have on Buffalo`s prospects? Every contribution helps. While Ottawa and Montreal have ascended the Atlantic Division ranks more quickly, is it now the Sabres` turn to make a significant push?
Detroit Red Wings: Will John Gibson prove to be a game-changer for the Red Wings?
In recent years, Detroit`s goaltending, while occasionally decent, has lacked consistency. Ville Husso and Petr Mrazek delivered good stretches, but these were often overshadowed by subpar performances, which, combined with Detroit`s weaker defensive play, prevented the Red Wings from reaching their full potential.
However, the midseason arrival of head coach Todd McLellan brought improvement. Now, the team welcomes John Gibson. GM Steve Yzerman`s bold offseason trade for the veteran netminder from Anaheim could be the pivotal factor determining Detroit`s fate this season. While Gibson struggled with the rebuilding Ducks, the Red Wings are a more established team with sufficient talent to support him. He still managed a .911 save percentage in 29 appearances last season, suggesting he can regain his form as a No. 1 goalie. If Gibson demonstrates early on that he is a reliable presence in the crease, confidence should spread throughout the team, providing a much-needed boost. Can Gibson deliver this in his inaugural year? Time will tell.
Florida Panthers: Are the Panthers built for a three-peat championship run?
What Florida GM Bill Zito accomplished this offseason was truly remarkable. While the Panthers were basking in their second consecutive Stanley Cup victory, Zito successfully re-signed key players Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad, and Brad Marchand, and also acquired an intriguing backup goalie in Daniil Tarasov. All seems well, right? Surely, Florida isn`t concerned about their depth, having retained so many core players?
It`s worth considering whether the Panthers might face depth challenges, given their significant salary-cap investment in their top skaters. There`s a strong possibility that internal growth from young talents like Mackie Samoskevich will strengthen Florida`s bottom six. However, Matthew Tkachuk`s health remains uncertain; a torn adductor and sports hernia issue sustained at the 4 Nations Face-Off has persisted and may sideline him at the start of the season. The impact of his return will also be a question. Then, of course, there`s the specter of fatigue. While this has been a concern for Florida before, they`ve demonstrated remarkable resilience by reaching three consecutive Cup Finals and winning the last two. Do the Panthers possess the resolve to achieve it all again?
Montreal Canadiens: Can the Canadiens` youth movement fuel another playoff push?
Montreal surprised many last season, emerging as a postseason contender with a 91-point campaign that secured the second wild-card spot. Was this a fluke, or are the Canadiens more prepared for sustained success than anticipated?
GM Kent Hughes bolstered Montreal`s roster with offseason additions like defenseman Noah Dobson and physical winger Zack Bolduc. Now, the Canadiens are eager to see if their internal growth continues to flourish. All eyes will be on the development of 2024`s fifth-overall pick, Ivan Demidov, the maturation of Lane Hutson, and the progress of Juraj Slafkovsky. The team`s trajectory this year will hinge on a combination of factors: the performance of established stars like Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, the burgeoning talents, and the impact of questionable returnees (what can Kirby Dach offer when healthy?).
While their first-round experience in 2024-25 was valuable, the long-term impact of a regular season filled with sustained success on Montreal`s core confidence is yet to be seen. Hughes has certainly shown confidence in this roster, signaling his belief in their ability to meet last season`s threshold again.
Ottawa Senators: Has Ottawa sufficiently addressed its offensive depth issues?
It`s no secret the Senators struggled to score at 5-on-5 last season, recording the second-fewest even-strength goals in 2024-25. Had it not been for a robust power play, the Senators might not have even made the playoffs. Despite these warning signs, GM Steve Staios made minimal changes to the Senators` lineup in free agency, adding only defenseman Jordan Spence and veteran Lars Eller.
This lack of significant movement suggests Ottawa is relying on internal improvement. This would require better performances from Dylan Cozens, who is still settling in after his trade from Buffalo, and Fabian Zetterlund, a deadline acquisition from San Jose, now that they are acclimated to the organization. But will this be enough to significantly boost the Senators` offense? Claude Giroux is also back, though his line placement is uncertain, and Shane Pinto is expected to be a top offensive contributor after a gold medal-winning performance at the men`s world championships.
Ottawa needs to find its scoring rhythm more consistently this year, which will demand a stronger collective offensive effort.
Tampa Bay Lightning: Can Tampa Bay`s offense maintain its elite scoring level?
It`s easy to overlook that Tampa Bay was the NHL`s highest-scoring team last season, especially given their abrupt first-round playoff exit against Florida. However, the Lightning were formidable offensively throughout the season, averaging 3.56 goals per game and boasting a top-five power play.
Four Lightning skaters surpassed the 35-goal mark, two reached 40+ goals (a feat only accomplished by eight players league-wide), and Nikita Kucherov once again clinched the Art Ross Trophy with 121 points. Consequently, Tampa Bay felt confident in largely retaining its roster of offensive threats. But is this a wise strategy?
Oliver Bjorkstrand and Yanni Gourde will have a better grasp of the Lightning system after joining at the trade deadline. Beyond these, Tampa Bay is banking on Brayden Point, Jake Guentzel, Kucherov, and others to replicate their performances and maintain the team`s status as perennial playoff contenders. Given the Lightning`s consistent ability to keep their spark alive, it wouldn`t be surprising if they maintained their status quo. However, it`s worth questioning how far they can stretch this success as their Atlantic Division rivals continue to strengthen their rosters.
Toronto Maple Leafs: How will Toronto adapt and evolve without Mitch Marner?
The Maple Leafs endured a significant blow by trading Mitch Marner to Vegas before he could depart as a free agent for nothing. With all due respect to Nicolas Roy, the player acquired in that transaction, losing a top-line, 102-point producer who excels in every situation—including as a vital penalty killer—leaves a void that no team would envy filling. Toronto`s success this season will depend heavily on their ability to address this loss.
More responsibility than ever falls on Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Matthew Knies, and John Tavares to anchor Toronto`s top two lines. Depth performances will be crucial to prevent a significant offensive decline. What strategy will head coach Craig Berube employ to guide Toronto into this new chapter for the franchise? It`s important to remember that former president Brendan Shanahan has also left, and new voices are being amplified behind the scenes. This is a period of transition for the Leafs in multiple aspects. How much maturity have they cultivated to navigate the challenges ahead?
Metropolitan Division
Carolina Hurricanes: Did Carolina do enough to resolve its scoring challenges?
The Hurricanes made a significant free-agency acquisition by signing Nikolaj Ehlers to a six-year, $51 million contract. This move was intended to provide the consistent scoring winger Carolina has lacked in previous seasons, particularly during the postseason. However, even with Ehlers in the lineup, Carolina still faces questions about its offensive production.
The Hurricanes have been using Jesperi Kotkaniemi in a second-line center role for which he is not entirely suited. Carolina chose not to re-sign free agent Jack Roslovic, who remains an option for that spot, and there is no obvious upgrade over Kotkaniemi currently. Will Logan Stankoven or Seth Jarvis need to shift from the wing to cover for Carolina`s thin depth down the middle? Or will GM Erik Tulsky explore market options before the season begins? The sting of scoring only 10 total goals in their Eastern Conference finals loss against Florida last spring likely still lingers. If the Hurricanes aspire to reach the Cup Final, they will need the offensive prowess to match their competition.
Columbus Blue Jackets: Will Columbus` defensive struggles derail them once again?
Last season, the Blue Jackets had little trouble scoring goals; their primary challenge was keeping pucks out of their own net. GM Don Waddell`s offseason priority was to address this defensive deficiency, and he did, to an extent. As many top free-agent defensemen were quickly signed on July 1, Waddell opted to re-sign Ivan Provorov to a seven-year, $59.5 million contract.
This means there has been no specific upgrade to a blue line that, despite a Norris Trophy-worthy performance from Zach Werenski, ranked eighth-worst in the NHL for goals against last season (3.26 per game). Considering Columbus also ranked eighth overall in goals scored (with 3.26 per game), it`s clear that defensive shortcomings were a major factor in the Blue Jackets narrowly missing the playoffs. Are they doomed to a similar fate this season? Coach Dean Evason was transparent about the need for defensive improvement; the only question is whether sufficient internal growth can materialize quickly. Steady goaltending would also be beneficial; will the low-risk acquisition of Ivan Fedotov provide Columbus with insurance behind (or alongside) Elvis Merzlikins?
New Jersey Devils: How will Jack Hughes` health impact the Devils` season?
It`s rare for a single player to have the power to make or break a team`s success, but for New Jersey, that player is Jack Hughes. The top-line forward simply hasn`t been available as consistently as the Devils need him to be. Hughes has been plagued by injuries throughout his young career, limited to 62 or fewer games in two of his six seasons, and is currently recovering from shoulder surgery that forced him to miss the final 25 regular-season games and five playoff contests.
Hughes is virtually a point-per-game player when healthy and is undeniably New Jersey`s most impactful skater. But what more can the Devils do to help Hughes maintain his presence on the ice? Is there an issue with their training protocols? Does he require more rest days? Whatever the solution, keeping Hughes healthy and on the ice must be New Jersey`s top priority. The Devils cannot afford to lose more of what a generational talent like Hughes brings to their lineup nightly.
New York Islanders: How will Matthew Schaefer`s arrival influence the Islanders` defense?
The Islanders made a straightforward decision by drafting defenseman Matthew Schaefer first overall in June. The newly 18-year-old possesses all the qualities of a franchise blueliner who will anchor New York`s defense for years to come. The crucial question is whether his NHL career will begin immediately or if the Islanders will ease him into the professional game. This trajectory will have cascading effects throughout the organization.
There is a scenario where Schaefer immediately joins the Islanders` lineup, pairing with Adam Pelech, Alexander Romanov, and Ryan Pulock to solidify their top-four rotation and mark a new era for a New York defensive corps that saw Noah Dobson depart via trade on draft night. Inserting Schaefer directly into this mix would send a strong message about how the Islanders value their prized addition. However, defensemen are known to take longer to thrive in the NHL than forwards, and New York will want to avoid undermining Schaefer`s confidence right out of the gate. It`s a delicate balance, and the Islanders` management of him before their season opener could impact the team`s year in both the short and long term.
New York Rangers: How will Mike Sullivan reshape the Rangers` structure?
There`s no denying that New York needed a new voice behind the bench, and it falls to Mike Sullivan to rebuild the Rangers into a contender. Sullivan`s first task will be determining Mika Zibanejad`s optimal position—center or wing. Zibanejad recorded a disappointing 62 points in 82 games last season, his lowest output in a full campaign since 2017-18. He only started to resemble his former self when moved from center to J.T. Miller`s wing in the latter half of the season. Will this prompt Sullivan to load up the Rangers` offense by keeping Miller and Zibanejad together, or will he return Zibanejad to center to maintain overall team depth?
Beyond Zibanejad`s placement, who will Sullivan identify to compensate for the contributions lost with Chris Kreider`s departure—Will Cuylle, perhaps? Furthermore, how will Sullivan construct the blue line now that Vladislav Gavrikov is in the lineup? Fortunately for Sullivan, he has had a long summer to consider various options for the Rangers. The preseason will be an invaluable period to experiment with different configurations to propel this team back into playoff contention.
Philadelphia Flyers: Have the Flyers sufficiently upgraded in crucial areas?
Philadelphia identified two clear needs after last season: improved center depth and stronger goaltending. The Flyers acquired Trevor Zegras from Anaheim, hoping he could slot into a top-six center role, despite the 24-year-old spending much of the previous two seasons on the wing. Zegras maintains he is more comfortable at his natural center position, which should be welcome news for Philadelphia—provided Zegras` defensive game can match his offensive capabilities. His acquisition was a low-risk, high-reward move for the Flyers, and new coach Rick Tocchet should give him every opportunity to succeed there.
However, the Flyers` goaltending remains a concern. GM Danny Briere brought in veteran Dan Vladar to play alongside Samuel Ersson. Given their respective save percentages last season (.898 SV% and .883 SV%), there`s reason to question if this tandem truly represents an upgrade for Philadelphia. Vladar expressed his desire to play more than 30 games, as he did last year, and if an even workload boosts Ersson`s confidence, the experiment might work. Time will tell if Briere`s offseason changes will significantly impact Philadelphia`s performance.
Pittsburgh Penguins: Would the Penguins genuinely consider trading Sidney Crosby?
There`s no such thing as an untradeable star; if the Edmonton Oilers could trade Wayne Gretzky, it could happen to anyone. Is this the year Pittsburgh executes a once-unfathomable transaction by trading franchise icon Sidney Crosby? If the Penguins were ever to do it, is now the opportune moment?
Crosby is under contract with Pittsburgh through the 2026-27 season, thanks to a team-friendly extension he signed last year. However, the 37-year-old desires (and deserves) more opportunities not just to compete in the playoffs, but to contend for championships. These are opportunities Pittsburgh might not be able to offer him now. The Penguins are a young, hungry team guided by a first-year NHL coach, the newly appointed Dan Muse.
Evgeni Malkin is also in the final season of his contract, signaling that further changes are likely for the Penguins within the next 12 months. It might be in everyone`s best interest—Crosby`s and Pittsburgh`s—to part ways now while the return can aid the Penguins in their ongoing retooling. While seeing Crosby in another NHL jersey would be jarring, he has undoubtedly earned the right to maximize the success of his final career years. However, whether the Penguins can find a suitable trade partner that satisfies all parties remains to be seen.
Washington Capitals: Can Washington`s offense achieve greater depth than before?
The Capitals enjoyed an enviable 2024-25 season, accumulating 111 points as the Eastern Conference`s top team and witnessing Alex Ovechkin break Wayne Gretzky`s all-time goals record. The issue, however, was Washington`s top-heavy structure. They heavily relied on their top six for production, and while Dylan Strome, Ovechkin, Pierre-Luc Dubois, and others gladly delivered impressive outputs, over-reliance on a few players is rarely a championship-winning strategy.
So, the critical question is: Is Washington deeper now than it was last year? Connor McMichael holds a key to this answer. If he can step into a third-line center role for Washington and build on his career-best totals in goals, points, and assists from last season, the Capitals will be in good shape. They would benefit further from knowing how various personnel will be deployed on the wing. With Lars Eller, Taylor Raddysh, and Andrew Mangiapane gone, the Capitals will turn to their internal skaters—like Ryan Leonard and Hendrix Lapierre, plus trade acquisition Justin Sourdif—to fill the gaps.
Washington cannot count on a repeat of the extraordinary years that players like Ovechkin and Strome had in 2024-25. Coach Spencer Carbery will need to maximize the Capitals` collective talent to ensure their success extends beyond just the regular season.
Central Division
Chicago Blackhawks: How much progress will their rebuild make in 2025-26?
To suggest this is one of the most frustrating periods in Blackhawks history is not as hyperbolic as it might sound. The franchise is enduring a fifth consecutive season with fewer than 70 points, their longest such streak since the seven campaigns from 1953 to 1960, when the NHL only consisted of six teams.
Numerous factors contributed to the Blackhawks finishing with the second-fewest points in the NHL last season. They ranked in the bottom 10 for goals scored per game, goals allowed per game, shots per game, shots allowed per game, and team save percentage per 60 minutes. Finding solutions to these challenges is the task awaiting Jeff Blashill in his first season leading a team that aims to find cohesion between its young core, led by Connor Bedard, and a veteran group that added Andre Burakovsky in the offseason.
Colorado Avalanche: Is their current supporting cast sufficient, or do they need further additions?
The signings of Brent Burns and Victor Olofsson highlighted two priorities for the Avalanche this season: the need for proven depth at a team-friendly price. Burns signing for $1 million and Olofsson for $1.575 million demonstrates this value. The second question is whether the Avalanche have enough options within their current supporting cast, or if they should utilize their remaining $1.325 million in projected cap space to acquire more.
Burns is expected to play on the Avalanche`s third defensive pairing with Sam Malinski, while Olofsson appears destined for the third line alongside Ross Colton and Jack Drury. This leaves them with a fourth line that could feature Parker Kelly, Joel Kiviranta, and rookie Ivan Ivan. Complicating the decision to spend their remaining cap space is Logan O`Connor`s recovery from knee surgery; he is slated to return in November or December, meaning they will need cap flexibility for his re-activation.
Dallas Stars: What adjustments will Glen Gulutzan implement to reach the Cup Final?
Are there other questions that could be posed about the Stars? Certainly. However, any worthwhile inquiry ultimately boils down to whether it can be the factor that propels the Stars to win the Stanley Cup, or if they will fall short in a fourth consecutive Western Conference Final—or potentially not even make it back to the conference finals. Championship windows are difficult to open and arguably even harder to sustain over an extended period. Part of the reason the Stars hired Gulutzan, who previously coached the team from 2011 to 2013, was his experience as an Oilers assistant. He has been part of teams that reached the conference finals three times in four years, and the Cup Final two years in a row, with their two most recent appearances following a coaching change.
Minnesota Wild: So… about that Kirill Kaprizov contract extension.
Whenever a star player or a team`s most vital player enters the final year of their contract, it inevitably becomes a primary topic of discussion. The conversation around Kaprizov intensified on September 10 when reports indicated he declined an eight-year extension worth $128 million, which would have given him the highest average-annual-value deal in the NHL.
Wild GM Bill Guerin stated on a podcast later that day that he and Kaprizov`s agent have “a very good relationship” and that both sides were “working through things.” Guerin aimed to prevent the market from going into “an all-out panic mode,” noting his belief that the Wild are “in a really positive place” with their star winger. Nevertheless, this remains a significant question until a new deal is officially signed.
Nashville Predators: Can the Predators find the defensive stability that eluded them last season?
The Predators` 2024-25 challenges can be viewed in two ways. Firstly, Brady Skjei, who played all 82 games, was the only Preds defenseman to play more than 70 games. Alternatively, he was one of 15 defensemen the team deployed throughout a campaign that began with high expectations but concluded with Nashville high in the draft lottery.
Adding Nicolas Hague and Nick Perbix in the offseason provided the Predators with a pair of proven options who have served as top-four fill-ins when needed. However, how will they handle the demands of being consistent top-four options for the first time in their careers? Similar questions exist for Justin Barron and Nick Blankenburg. Barron emerged as a top-four option after being traded to the Predators, and Blankenburg played more games last season than in his previous three combined.
St. Louis Blues: Where do they fit within the Western Conference landscape?
The Blues barely secured a playoff appearance last season. Their offseason moves—adding Nick Bjugstad, Logan Mailloux, and Pius Suter—along with the expectation that prized prospect Jimmy Snuggerud will challenge for a top-six spot, suggest they are positioned for continued playoff contention. But what if the Blues are more than just “a playoff team”? Should they be considered among the top Stanley Cup contenders in the Western Conference?
They return seven players who scored over 16 goals, with the expectation that Snuggerud can join that group. Meanwhile, Suter achieved a career-high 25 goals in 2024-25. Coupled with how they responded to systematic changes made by Jim Montgomery, the Blues should be aiming higher in 2025-26.
Utah Mammoth: Will they make the playoffs in 2025-26?
What exactly prevented the Mammoth from making the playoffs in their first season in Salt Lake City? Was it insufficient goal scoring? Was it goal prevention? Or was it a combination of both? Mammoth GM Bill Armstrong`s offseason actions provided a potential answer to these questions.
Armstrong traded for one of the most sought-after top-six winger options in JJ Peterka, hoping he can help the Mammoth improve upon being 21st in goals per game. Their defensive concerns led to the signings of Brandon Tanev, a proven two-way, bottom-six forward; Nate Schmidt, a veteran top-six defenseman; and goalie Vitek Vanecek. Schmidt and Vanecek, who won the Stanley Cup with the Panthers, now give the Mammoth five players in their defensive setup with a championship ring, joining Ian Cole, Olli Maatta, and Mikhail Sergachev.
Winnipeg Jets: Can their newly formed second line establish continuity amidst change?
Options are not necessarily the challenge facing Scott Arniel and his staff when considering their second line. If anything, it`s more about optimally managing their second-line situation, with the understanding that change might be constant, at least to start the season. Nikolaj Ehlers has departed. Adam Lowry is recovering from hip surgery but reported last week that he targets a late October/early November return. Jonathan Toews is making an NHL comeback after missing the past two seasons due to inflammatory and immune system issues. Gustav Nyquist is seeking cohesion on his third team in the past year, and Cole Perfetti could be poised for a breakout season after scoring a career-high 50 points.
It appears the Jets might start the season with Perfetti, Nyquist, and Toews on their second line, with the understanding that they will need to decide on the strongest possible combination once Lowry returns.
Pacific Division
Anaheim Ducks: Is this the season the Ducks finally return to the playoffs?
While still young, the Ducks` homegrown core possesses varying levels of experience, from Troy Terry entering his seventh season to Cutter Gauthier aiming to build on a 20-goal rookie campaign. Over time, the Ducks have bolstered this group with veterans. What began with acquiring Alex Killorn and Frank Vatrano years ago continued this offseason with the additions of Chris Kreider and Mikael Granlund.
They concluded the 2024-25 campaign with 80 points, their highest total since the 2018-19 season. This gives the Ducks confidence to advance to the next stage of their rebuild—the stage where the rebuild itself is complete. So, is this the season the Ducks transition from a promising project to the latest perennial playoff contender, or will it be a campaign that helps them identify the remaining gaps they must fill to reach that desired destination?
Calgary Flames: How will they handle the Rasmus Andersson situation?
One of the Flames` most important players is entering the final year of his contract. This is nothing new for NHL teams dealing with star players, but it adds significant pressure for Calgary.
