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The Florida Panthers hoisted the Stanley Cup for the second straight season again on June 17. The 2025 NHL draft was decentralized, however there was no scarcity of memorable moments and celeb cameos. Finally, free company was not fairly as frenetic as in years previous, however lots of of gamers signed new offers.
And then, the hockey world went into its hibernation interval for the remainder of July and August.
But as a chill enters the air, the leaves begin to change colour and plenty of pumpkin-themed objects seem on food and drinks menus, it is time to prepare for an additional NHL season.
To enable you get totally ready for the approaching weeks of the preseason — as groups make closing choices on rosters, lineups and goaltending tandems — let’s check out the largest lingering query for all 32 golf equipment, because of ESPN reporters Ryan S. Clark (Western Conference) and Kristen Shilton (Eastern Conference).
How to look at the 2025-26 NHL season on ESPN networks — together with 100 unique video games and the out-of-market bundle (over 1,050 video games).
No one may fault Swayman for chasing a big-time contract extension after the way in which he carried Boston on the finish of the 2024-25 marketing campaign. But after the netminder secured the bag — with a protracted contract negotiation final summer season culminating in a seven-year deal value $8.25 million per season — he was meant to carry out like one of many league’s highest paid goalies.
That did not occur. Swayman posted career-worst numbers in 2024-25 with an .892 SV% and three.11 GAA. Without a real tandemmate to again him up — as he had with Linus Ullmark earlier than the latter departed to Ottawa — Swayman carried a hefty 58-game schedule and did not put on it effectively.
Boston requires higher this season, particularly contemplating the Bruins nonetheless haven’t got a bona fide backup for Swayman (that will be Boston’s Burning Question, Part II). Regardless of who’s second although, Swayman should show he could be a true No. 1 — and what is going to it imply for the Bruins’ probabilities this season if he cannot?
It’s the overarching theme for Buffalo seemingly yearly: Can the Sabres really snap their traditionally lengthy skid as non-playoff contenders? Or in different phrases: Is Buffalo’s rebuild over but?
It’s solely been …15 years now since Sabres followers noticed their group in postseason motion. And the higher a part of this decade has been an train in gradual progress. For each step ahead Buffalo has taken — most notably constructing its enviable younger core — the Sabres have repeatedly stalled wanting reclaiming a spot as playoff contenders.
GM Kevyn Adams made a dangerous transfer buying oft-injured ahead Josh Norris; but when Norris can keep wholesome, that is a possible No. 1 heart for Buffalo. And the Sabres have intriguing newcomers Josh Doan and Michael Kesselring to fill out their roster.
What affect may these contemporary faces — plus enhancements from gamers like goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (already coping with a “tweak” heading into coaching camp) and ahead Jack Quinn — have on Buffalo’s probabilities? Every little bit helps. Ottawa and Montreal have confirmed to be faster research that Buffalo in rising by means of the Atlantic Division ranks. Is it the Sabres’ time now to do the identical?
It’s not like Detroit hasn’t had first rate goaltending lately. What the Red Wings have lacked is consistency. For all the nice runs Ville Husso and Petr Mrazek managed to place collectively, they inevitably bookended too many subpar stretches that, mixed with Detroit’s below-average defensive play, held the Red Wings again from fulfilling their potential.
Well, the midseason addition of head coach Todd McLellan yielded enchancment. And now, enter John Gibson. GM Steve Yzerman traded for the veteran netminder from Anaheim in a daring offseason transfer that could possibly be the distinction between whether or not Detroit sinks or swims this season.
Gibson struggled a bit with the rebuilding Ducks, however the Red Wings are a extra established group with sufficient expertise to help him. He nonetheless posted a .911 save share in 29 appearances final season, displaying he has the potential to reclaim his kind as a No. 1 goalie. If Gibson can point out early on he is a dependable presence within the crease, then confidence ought to unfold in Detroit and provides the membership a lift that is been lacking. Can Gibson present all that in Year 1? We’ll discover out.
Listen, what Florida GM Bill Zito pulled off this offseason was fairly spectacular. While the Panthers had been basking in a second straight Stanley Cup victory, Zito managed to re-sign Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad and Brad Marchand, whereas additionally buying an intriguing backup goalie in Daniil Tarasov.
All good … proper? Florida cannot be involved about their depth once they’ve stored so many key gamers within the fold … right?
It’s not less than value questioning whether or not the Panthers would possibly run into points there, given all they’ve invested salary-cap-wise of their high skaters. There’s a good chance that progress from inside — from high younger gamers like Mackie Samoskevich — will give Florida fairly an edge of their backside six. But there’s additionally the very fact Matthew Tkachuk’s well being standing is unsure — that torn adductor and sports activities hernia subject suffered on the 4 Nations Face-Off has been an issue for Tkachuk ever since, and should maintain him out to begin the season — and there is no telling what form Tkachuk might be in when he can return.
Then, after all, there’s fatigue. Of course, we have puzzled about that with reference to Florida earlier than and so they’ve proven severe mettle in reaching three straight Cup Finals (profitable the final two). Do the Panthers have it in them to do it another time?
Montreal was a shock postseason contender final season because of a 91-point marketing campaign that supplied simply sufficient juice to safe the second wild-card spot. Was {that a} fluke? Or are the Canadians extra able to step ahead than we thought?
GM Kent Hughes improved Montreal with the offseason addition of defenseman Noah Dobson and bodily winger Zack Bolduc. Now the Canadiens are wanting to see if their inner progress can proceed as effectively.
All eyes might be on how 2024’s fifth-overall choose Ivan Demidov develops, how Lane Hutson retains maturing and what kind of beneficial properties Juraj Slafkovsky could make, too. It’ll be a mix of things — from Montreal’s established stars in Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield — to it is burgeoning skaters and questionable returnees (what does Kirby Dach have to supply when he is wholesome?) that may finally determine what trajectory the Canadiens take this yr.
While their first-round expertise in 2024-25 was precious, there is no telling what an everyday season of sustained success may additionally do for Montreal’s core confidence. Certainly Hughes has put his weight behind this roster to sign his personal assurance that they are able to reaching final season’s threshold.
It’s no secret the Senators struggled to attain at 5-on-5 final season. Ottawa tallied the second-fewest even-strength markers in 2024-25, and if it wasn’t for a robust energy play, it is doable the Senators would not have compelled their method into the playoffs in any respect. Despite what alarm bells could possibly be ringing in that respect from Canada’s capital, GM Steve Staios did not do a lot to change the Senators lineup in free company, save for including defenseman Jordan Spence and veteran Lars Eller.
The lack of serious motion signifies Ottawa is probably going banking on inner enchancment to win the day. That must embody higher performances from Dylan Cozens — nonetheless discovering his method post-trade from Buffalo — and Fabian Zetterlund — a deadline pickup from San Jose — now that they are acclimated to the group. But will that be sufficient to provide the Senators’ offense a real increase? Claude Giroux can be again within the fold — though the place he performs within the lineup is up within the air — and Shane Pinto must be a high offensive driver coming off a gold medal-winning displaying on the males’s world championships.
Ottawa simply wants to search out its mojo extra usually within the coming yr — and that is going to require a stronger collective effort up entrance.
It’s simple to gloss over the very fact Tampa Bay was the NHL’s highest-scoring group final season, given how their playoff run ended (with a first-round thud towards Florida). The Lightning had been formidable up entrance although all season lengthy, averaging 3.56 objectives per sport and proudly owning a top-five energy play.
Four Lightning skaters eclipsed the 35-goal mark, two hit 40-plus (there have been solely eight gamers within the league who reached that benchmark) and Nikita Kucherov received the Art Ross Trophy (once more) with 121 factors.
Suffice to say, Tampa Bay felt assured in operating it again with an identical roster of offensive threats. Is that smart, although?
Oliver Bjorkstrand and Yanni Gourde could have a greater deal with on the Lightning system after coming in on the deadline, however past these new faces Tampa Bay is relying on a repeat from Brayden Point, Jake Guentzel, Kucherov & Co. to take care of their place as perennial postseason contenders. Given how the Lightning regularly discover methods to maintain the spark alive, so to talk, it will not be surprising in the event that they preserve their established order. But it is value questioning how far they will stretch when their Atlantic rivals preserve loading up round them.
The Maple Leafs accepted a real intestine punch when buying and selling Marner to Vegas earlier than he may stroll away (for nothing) in free company. And no disrespect to Nicolas Roy — the returning participant in that transaction — however dropping a top-line, 102-point producer who seems in each scenario — together with as one among your most dependable penalty killers — creates a crater no group would envy attempting to fill. The Leafs’ success this season will rely upon their means to do exactly that.
More duty than ever falls on Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Matthew Knies and John Tavares to anchor Toronto’s high two traces, whereas depth performances might be extra essential than ever to maintain the Leafs from falling too far off a cliff offensively.
What form of technique will head coach Craig Berube make use of to have Toronto evolve into a brand new chapter for the franchise? Don’t overlook: former president Brendan Shanahan is gone, too, and there are new voices behind the scenes being amplified. This is a transitional time for the Leafs in a number of respects. What form of maturity have they cultivated to have the ability to deal with what’s forward?
The Hurricanes landed a giant fish in free company when Nikolaj Ehlers got here on board with a six-year, $51 million contract. That cemented him because the constant scoring winger Carolina’s been missing in earlier seasons (significantly when it got here to the postseason).
But even with Ehlers within the combine, Carolina has inquiries to reply about its offense.
The Hurricanes have been utilizing Jesperi Kotkaniemi in a second-line heart position for which he isn’t wholly suited. Carolina opted to not re-sign free agent Jack Roslovic — who stays a free agent, and could possibly be an possibility in that spot — and there is no apparent improve over Kotkaniemi in the intervening time.
Will Logan Stankoven or Seth Jarvis have to maneuver off the wing to cowl for Carolina’s flimsy depth down the center? Or will GM Erik Tulsky take a look at what’s accessible available on the market earlier than the season begins and make a change? It has to nonetheless sting the way in which Carolina produced simply 10 whole objectives of their Eastern Conference finals loss towards Florida final spring. If the Hurricanes anticipate to advance to the Cup Final, they will must have the scoring prowess to match the competitors.
The Blue Jackets did not have hassle scoring objectives final season. It was retaining pucks out of the online that held Columbus again.
GM Don Waddell’s precedence was addressing the latter subject this offseason and, effectively, he did. Sort of. As among the high free agent defensemen had been snapped up on July 1, Waddell opted to easily re-sign Ivan Provorov to a seven-year, $59.5 million contract.
Meaning there was no particular improve on a blue line that — whereas anchored by a Norris Trophy-worthy efficiency from Zach Werenski — ranked eighth-worst within the NHL in objectives towards final season (3.26 per sport). Considering Columbus was additionally eighth general in objectives scored (with 3.26 per sport), it is clear the defensive deficiencies had been a severe issue within the Blue Jackets falling simply shy of creating the playoffs.
Are they doomed to an identical destiny this season? Coach Dean Evason was clear about Columbus’ want to enhance on the again finish; the one query is whether or not there’s sufficient inner enchancment to make {that a} actuality early and sometimes. Steady goaltending would assist on this regard as effectively; will the low-risk transfer of buying and selling for Ivan Fedotov give the Blue Jackets some insurance coverage behind (or beside) Elvis Merzlikins?
It’s not each group that has a single participant able to making or breaking their success. Jack Hughes is that for New Jersey, although.
The top-line ahead simply is not accessible as a lot because the Devils want him to be. Hughes has been hampered by accidents all through his younger profession, restricted to 62 or fewer video games in two of his six seasons, and presently coming off shoulder surgical procedure that price him the ultimate 25 regular-season video games and 5 playoff contests.
Hughes is virtually a point-per-game participant when he is wholesome, and the 24-year-old is inarguably New Jersey’s finest, most impactful skater. But what extra would possibly the Devils be capable of do in serving to Hughes preserve his on-ice presence? Is there one thing amiss of their coaching protocols? Does he require extra relaxation days? Whatever the recipe for retaining Hughes on the ice finally has be New Jersey’s precedence to determine. The Devils cannot afford to lose extra of what a generational expertise like Hughes can carry to their lineup on a nightly foundation.
The Islanders made a no brainer determination by drafting defenseman Matthew Schaefer at No. 1 general in June. The just-turned 18-year-old has all of the makings of a franchise blueliner who will capably patrol New York’s again finish for years to come back. The query is whether or not that NHL tenure begins instantly, or if the Islanders ease Schaefer into the professional sport. It’s a trajectory that may have ripple results at a number of ranges of the group.
There’s a situation the place Schaefer jumps proper into the Islanders’ lineup, becoming a member of Adam Pelech, Alexander Romanov and Ryan Pulock to punctuate their top-four rotation and begin this new period for a New York protection corps that noticed Noah Dobson depart by way of commerce on draft evening. Throwing Schaefer straight into that blend can be a robust assertion about how the Islanders’ view their coveted new addition. But defensemen notoriously take longer to thrive within the NHL than their ahead counterparts, and New York will not wish to shake Shaefer’s confidence out of the gate, both.
It’s a fragile stability, and the way the Islanders select to handle him forward of their season opener may have short- and long-term results on the group’s yr general.
There’s little doubt New York wanted a brand new voice behind the bench. And it’s going to fall on Mike Sullivan to construct the Rangers again right into a contender.
Sullivan’s first process might be deciding the place precisely Mika Zibanejad must be enjoying — at heart or on the wing. Zibanejad turned in a disappointing 62 factors over 82 video games final season — his lowest output by means of a full marketing campaign since 2017-18 — and it wasn’t till Zibanejad moved from heart to J.T. Miller’s wing within the latter half of the season that he started to seem like himself once more. Will that encourage Sullivan to load up the Rangers offense by retaining Miller and Zibanejad collectively? Or will he put Zibanejad again at heart in order to not disrupt the group’s general depth?
And past the place to put Zibanejad, who precisely will Sullivan discover to make up for the contributions that left with Chris Kreider — taking a look at you, Will Cuylle?
But earlier than we transfer on from the topic of who performs the place, how will Sullivan piece collectively the blue line now that Vladislav Gavrikov is within the lineup? Fortunately for Sullivan, he has had a protracted summer season to consider what would possibly work for the Rangers. The preseason might be a precious time to tinker with the varied choices to get this group again among the many postseason contenders.
Philadelphia had two obvious wants after final season: higher heart depth and stronger goaltending.
The Flyers acquired Trevor Zegras from Anaheim within the hopes he may slot right into a top-six heart position regardless of the 24-year-old having spent the higher a part of the earlier two seasons pushed off to the wing. Zegras maintains he is extra comfy at his pure heart place, and that must be music to Philadelphia’s ears — if Zegras’ defensive sport can match his offensive capabilities. Going after him was a low-risk, high-reward transfer for the Flyers. New coach Rick Tocchet ought to give him each likelihood to excel there.
But then there’s the Flyers’ goaltending. GM Danny Briere introduced in veteran Dan Vladar to play reverse Samuel Ersson, however given the numbers every netminder produced final season (with an .898 SV% and .883 SV%, respectively), there’s purpose to wonder if Philadelphia is really higher off with that tandem. Vladar said his case to swimsuit up in additional than 30 tilts as he did a yr in the past, and if sharing an excellent workload provides Ersson extra confidence when he’s within the crease, the experiment would possibly work.
Time will inform if Briere’s offseason modifications will transfer the needle for Philadelphia.
There’s no such factor as an un-moveable star. If the Edmonton Oilers would commerce Wayne Gretzky, effectively, it may occur to anybody.
Is this the yr Pittsburgh completes a once-unfathomable transaction of its personal by buying and selling franchise icon Sidney Crosby? If the Penguins had been ever going to do it, is now the time?
Crosby is beneath contract with Pittsburgh by means of the 2026-27 season (because of a team-friendly extension he inked final yr). But the 37-year-old desires (and deserves) one other likelihood or two at not simply competing within the playoffs, however contending for the championship. Those aren’t essentially alternatives Pittsburgh can provide him now. The Penguins are younger and hungry, and they’re being guided by a first-year NHL coach within the newly instated Dan Muse.
Evgeni Malkin is within the closing season of his contract, too, signaling that extra modifications are to come back within the subsequent 12 months for the Penguins. It is perhaps in everybody’s curiosity — Crosby’s and Pittsburgh’s — to half now whereas the return might help the Penguins of their ongoing retooling. And whereas Crosby sporting one other NHL sweater can be jarring, there is no denying he has earned the precise to make the ultimate years of his profession as profitable as they are often. But whether or not the Penguins may discover a appropriate associate who checks all of the containers on each side stays to be seen.
The Capitals had an enviable 2024-25 season, producing 111 factors because the Eastern Conference’s high squad — and having Alex Ovechkin break Wayne Gretzky’s all-time objectives document. The downside is, Washington was top-heavy. It leaned on its high six to supply, and whereas Dylan Strome, Ovechkin, Pierre-Luc Dubois & Co. had been glad to oblige with spectacular output, relying an excessive amount of on too few isn’t a championship-winning technique.
So, the query should be requested: Is Washington deeper now than it was final yr?
Connor McMichael is vital to that reply. If he can step right into a third-line heart position for Washington — and construct off his career-best totals from final season in objectives, factors and assists — then the Capitals might be in good condition. They’d be higher off, although, realizing how numerous personnel will deploy on the wing. Lars Eller, Taylor Raddysh and Andrew Mangiapane are gone. The Capitals then will flip to their very own inner skaters — like Ryan Leonard and Hendrix Lapierre, plus commerce acquisition Justin Sourdif — to fill within the gaps.
Washington cannot depend on a repeat of the extraordinary years that guys comparable to Ovechkin and Strome had in 2024-25. Coach Spencer Carbery might want to maximize the Capitals’ collective expertise to see their success stretch past simply the common season.
Suggesting this is among the most irritating stretches in Blackhawks historical past is not fairly as hyperbolic because it sounds.
Having a fifth straight season of lower than 70 factors is the franchise’s longest streak of that regard because it went seven consecutive campaigns of doing the identical from 1953 by means of 1960 — when the NHL had solely six franchises.
Many objects contributed to why the Blackhawks completed with the second-fewest factors within the NHL final season. They had been within the backside 10 in objectives scored per sport, objectives allowed per sport, pictures per sport, pictures allowed per sport and group save share per 60.
Finding an answer to these challenges is what awaits Jeff Blashill in his first season in command of a group that may search to search out cohesion with its younger core led by Connor Bedard and a veteran group that added Andre Burakovsky within the offseason.
Signing Brent Burns and Victor Olofsson was a sign of two objects dealing with the Avalanche coming into the season. The first is the necessity to discover confirmed depth at a team-friendly worth, which is why Burns signing for $1 million and Olofsson for $1.575 million has its personal worth.
The second is: Do the Avs have sufficient choices inside their supporting solid, or ought to they use the remainder of their $1.325 million in projected cap house to take action?
Burns is predicted to play on the Avs’ third defensive pairing with Sam Malinski, whereas Olofsson seems as if he’ll be on the third line with Ross Colton and Jack Drury. It leaves them a fourth line that might have Parker Kelly, Joel Kiviranta and rookie Ivan Ivan.
What complicates the choice to spend their remaining cap house is Logan O’Connor. He underwent knee surgical procedure and is slated to come back again a while in November or December, that means they will want house for him when he does return.
Are there different questions that could possibly be requested in regards to the Stars? Sure. It’s simply that any query that is value contemplating all comes again to if it may be the distinction between the Stars profitable the Stanley Cup or falling in a fourth straight Western Conference finals — or probably not returning to the convention finals in any respect.
Championship home windows are tough to open, with the argument that they is perhaps even tougher to maintain for an prolonged interval. Part of the rationale why the Stars employed Gulutzan, who beforehand coached the group from 2011 to 2013, was his expertise as an Oilers assistant. He has been on groups that superior to the convention finals thrice in 4 years — and the Cup Final two years in a row — with their two most up-to-date appearances coming after a training change.
Any time a star participant or a group’s most vital participant is within the closing yr of his contract, it is all the time going to be a major subject of dialog. The dialogue round Kaprizov additional intensified on Sept. 10 when Frank Seravalli reported that Kaprizov turned down an eight-year extension value $128 million that will have given him the best average-annual-value deal within the NHL.
Wild GM Bill Guerin stated on a podcast later that day that he and Kaprizov’s agent have “a very good relationship” whereas each side had been “working through things.” Guerin said that he did not need the market to enter “an all-out panic mode” whereas noting he believes the Wild are “in a really positive place” with their star winger. But this stays a big query till pen is put to paper on a brand new deal.
The Predators’ 2024-25 challenges might be considered in one among two methods. The first is that Brady Skjei, who performed in all 82 video games, was the one Preds defenseman who performed greater than 70 video games in 2024-25. Another is that he was one among 15 defensemen whom the group used to get by means of a marketing campaign that started with excessive expectations — solely to finish with Nashville being excessive within the draft lottery.
Adding Nicolas Hague and Nick Perbix within the offseason gave the Preds a pair of confirmed choices who’ve been top-four fill-ins when wanted. But how will they deal with being a constant top-four possibility for the primary time of their careers?
The similar questions exist for Justin Barron and Nick Blankenburg. Barron emerged as a top-four possibility after he was traded to the Predators, and Blankenburg performed extra video games final season than he had in his earlier three mixed.
The Blues scraped collectively a playoff look final season. The strikes they made within the offseason — including Nick Bjugstad, Logan Mailloux and Pius Suter — together with the concept that prized prospect Jimmy Snuggerud is predicted to problem for a top-six place, counsel that they’re in a window to return to the playoffs for the foreseeable future.
But what if the Blues are extra than simply “a playoff team”? Should they be included within the group of high Stanley Cup contenders within the Western Conference?
They return seven gamers who completed with greater than 16 objectives, with the expectation that Snuggerud can be a part of that group. Meanwhile, Suter scored a career-high 25 objectives in 2024-25. Couple that with how they responded to systematic modifications made by Jim Montgomery, and the Blues must be setting their sights increased in 2025-26.
Exactly what was it that prevented the Mammoth from making the playoffs of their first season in Salt Lake City? Was it not scoring sufficient objectives? Was it aim prevention? Was it each?
Or was it one thing totally different altogether?
Mammoth GM Bill Armstrong’s actions within the offseason noticed him present a possible reply to these questions.
Armstrong traded for some of the sought-after top-six winger choices in JJ Peterka, with the hope he might help the Mammoth enhance upon being twenty first in objectives per sport. Their defensive issues led to them signing a confirmed two-way, bottom-six ahead in Brandon Tanev, a veteran top-six defenseman in Nate Schmidt and goalie Vitek Vanecek.
Schmidt and Vanecek, who received the Stanley Cup with the Panthers, now give the Mammoth 5 gamers of their defensive setup with a championship ring, becoming a member of Ian Cole, Olli Maatta and Mikhail Sergachev.
Options aren’t essentially the problem dealing with Scott Arniel and his workers in the case of what they will do with their second line. If something, it is extra about what’s the easiest way to handle their second-line scenario, with the belief that change is perhaps the fixed, not less than to begin the season.
Nikolaj Ehlers is gone. Adam Lowry is recovering from a hip surgical procedure however instructed reporters final week that he’s concentrating on a late October/early November return. Jonathan Toews is coming again to the NHL after lacking the previous two seasons with inflammatory and immune system points. Gustav Nyquist is looking for cohesion on his third group prior to now yr, and Cole Perfetti could possibly be in line for a breakout season after scoring a career-high 50 factors.
It seems the Jets would possibly use Perfetti, Nyquist and Toews on their second line to begin the season, with the thought they will face a call about discovering the strongest doable mixture when Lowry returns.
While nonetheless younger, their homegrown core has various ranges of expertise, from Troy Terry going into his seventh season to Cutter Gauthier looking for to construct on a 20-goal rookie marketing campaign. Over time, the Ducks have insulated that group with veterans. What started with getting Alex Killorn and Frank Vatrano years in the past continued this offseason as they added Chris Kreider and Mikael Granlund.
They completed the 2024-25 marketing campaign with 80 factors for the primary time for the reason that 2018-19 season, which supplies the Ducks confidence to achieve the subsequent stage of their rebuild — that stage being the tip of the rebuild itself.
So, is that this the season by which the Ducks transition from promising challenge to the most recent perennial playoff contender? Or is that this the marketing campaign that enables them to grasp what gaps they have to fill in an effort to attain that desired vacation spot?
One of the Flames’ most vital gamers is coming into the ultimate yr of his contract. This is nothing new for them, primarily based on current historical past. But Andersson’s circumstances are totally different from these of Noah Hanifin and Elias Lindholm as a result of this model of the Flames is in rivalry for a playoff spot.
Teams might be prepared to pay a premium for a confirmed top-pairing, right-handed defenseman like Andersson. The Flames want to find out the strongest window for them to maximise any potential return if they can not re-sign Andersson.
Does it make extra sense for them to see how they begin the season earlier than making a call? Do they wait till nearer to the commerce deadline? Could they maintain off in the event that they’re in a playoff spot or shut to at least one on the deadline, and search so as to add assist as a substitute? What can they obtain for him? Or do they probably danger dropping him for nothing?
It’s going to be fascinating to look at this saga play out.
There might be frequent conversations surrounding 2026 free agent Connor McDavid and his future — and if that future consists of staying with the Oilers or heading elsewhere subsequent summer season.
But one other subject that is prone to be raised is whether or not this may be the season by which the Oilers win one other Stanley Cup and, in flip, enable the sport’s premier participant to win a title and stick with the one professional group he has identified.
Edmonton parted methods with veterans comparable to Viktor Arvidsson, Connor Brown, John Klingberg, Evander Kane and Corey Perry in cost-cutting choices this offseason. That opened the door for them to make the commerce for Isaac Howard, with the intent that having younger forwards comparable to Howard and Matthew Savoie can present the Oilers with promising abilities on low cost cap hits.
Like any group, the Oilers face questions on what lies forward, and if there are another modifications that have to be made previous to the postseason. It’s simply that these questions are ramped up with the world’s finest participant on an expiring contract.
Posing that specific query is normally reserved for groups which have received a championship, or ones which might be in a championship window, primarily with the concept that the common season is a mandatory formality to ensure that them to advance to the postseason.
This present iteration of the Kings hasn’t received a championship. Nor has it proven it’s in a tangible championship window. What the Kings have proven is that they are a perennial playoff group that may end with greater than 100 regular-season factors.
But failing to get past the primary spherical for a fourth straight postseason finally price GM Rob Blake his job and led to a summer season overhaul that noticed his alternative — Hall of Famer Ken Holland — signal quite a few veterans. Above all, it is also led to the truth that any of the most important questions in regards to the Kings will not be answered till the tip of the primary spherical of the playoffs.
The strongest signal regarding the state of the Sharks’ rebuild was witnessing the three essential pillars of the younger core — Macklin Celebrini, William Eklund and Will Smith — end within the high 4 on the group in factors in 2024-25. More progress is predicted from that trio this season, with the expectation that goaltender Yaroslav Askarov could possibly be the subsequent promising prospect to carve out a key position.
Part of the group’s progress was fostered because of veterans comparable to Tyler Toffoli. The addition of extra expertise within the type of John Klingberg, Dmitry Orlov and Jeff Skinner this summer season may result in extra beneficial properties.
Is that sufficient for the Sharks to win 30 video games this season? They’ve completed with fewer than 30 wins for 3 straight campaigns. That’s solely the second such sequence in franchise historical past. In reality, the Sharks have received 30 video games simply as soon as since their most up-to-date playoff look in 2019.
Through their first 5 years of existence, the Kraken are already on their third head coach, with Dan Bylsma lasting one season earlier than they employed Lambert. In that point, they’ve gone by means of numerous questions that primarily come again to the identical place: What should the Kraken do to realize consistency all through all aspects of their sport?
Although they had been thirteenth in 5-on-5 objectives and sixteenth in objectives per sport final season, they completed within the backside 10 in high-danger scoring probabilities, whole scoring probabilities and pictures per sport. They additionally had an influence play that was twenty third, with an 18.9% success fee.
Their defensive play additionally confronted struggles, because the Kraken had been within the high 10 in most objectives allowed, most high-danger scoring probabilities allowed and whole scoring probabilities allowed in 5-on-5 play, with a penalty kill that was twenty first with a 77.2% success fee.
There was Elias Pettersson’s decline from ending with 89 factors in 2023-24 to scoring practically half that quantity (45 factors) a yr later. The friction between Pettersson and J.T. Miller going public led to Miller being traded, with the Canucks dropping one other confirmed scoring possibility down the center. That was additional compounded when Pius Suter and his 25 objectives left for the Blues in free company this summer season.
Entering coaching camp, there is a perception that Pettersson may rediscover the spark that allowed him to emerge as a franchise heart. But what does that imply for the remainder of the group?
Second-line heart Filip Chytil, who came visiting within the Miller commerce, has one 20-goal season in his profession, which was additionally his solely 40-point marketing campaign on an NHL résumé that has been interrupted by accidents.
As for the Canucks’ backside six? Teddy Blueger’s two-way consistency makes him a constant contributor who can chip in additional than 25 factors a season. Aatu Raty’s stint with the membership final season included seven objectives and 11 factors in 33 video games, in his longest run within the NHL to this point.
Yes, the Knights made the splashiest transfer of the offseason in touchdown Mitch Marner. But there was main information on the blue line, as Pietrangelo will miss this season whereas recovering from femur reconstruction surgical procedure and would possibly by no means play once more.
That poses questions on how the Golden Knights will fill the void left by a bodily imposing, right-shot, top-pairing defenseman who led them in common ice time and was second in short-handed minutes — whereas attempting to win one other Stanley Cup after profitable one in 2023.
Vegas’ present top-four setup may have Brayden McNabb associate with Shea Theodore on the highest line, whereas Noah Hanifin could possibly be joined by Zach Whitecloud, who misplaced his longtime defensive associate, Nicolas Hague, in a commerce with the Predators. That would slot Kaedan Korczak and Jeremy Lauzon because the third pairing.
Under that potential configuration, Korczak and Whitecloud are the Golden Knights’ solely right-handed defensemen.
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