What to recollect about every NHL crew as pre-season video games start

Summers are all the time brief within the NHL. It looks like simply yesterday the Florida Panthers claimed their second Stanley Cup in a row, and at present sport motion returns.

While you’ve got been away absorbing the summer season, you possibly can be forgiven for lacking or forgetting something that will have occurred over the low season, or the place we left off in sure cities the final time their NHL groups had been lively.

Ah, however we’re again, with pre-season hockey starting this weekend, and simply 18 days away from the beginning of the common season. To make it easier to get again into the NHL mindset, here is one factor you could wish to bear in mind about every of the NHL’s 32 groups.

Anaheim Ducks: Mason McTavish shouldn’t be at coaching camp

A core piece of the younger roster, McTavish nonetheless doesn’t have a contract and is lacking the beginning of coaching camp. He’s seen improved factors per sport totals yearly he is performed within the NHL, and it is a large 12 months for the Ducks to take one other step ahead. Historically, it’s kind of of a combined bag for a way gamers carry out in the event that they miss regular-season motion over prolonged contract talks. McTavish, as a top-six centre, is a key a part of their hopeful push to the playoffs, however he stays an RFA.

Boston Bruins: With aim scoring already a priority, David Pastrnak and ‘load administration’ have come up

In our Bruins crew preview, we identified that Boston solely has two returning gamers who reached 20 targets final season, so that they’ll be hoping for offence from some extra unlikely locations. At least they’ll depend on David Pastrnak, who has scored 40-plus targets 4 seasons in a row, proper? Well, when camp opened on Wednesday, GM Don Sweeney stated Pastrnak would not skate for the primary couple of days as a result of “he had a little tendonitis.” The Bruins are calling it load administration, and the expectation is that Pastrnak will return in full subsequent week, however all of a sudden, this is a vital state of affairs to watch.

Buffalo Sabres: An enormous alternative lies forward for Josh Norris, they usually want him to ship

JJ Peterka had a breakout third season with Buffalo, then requested for a commerce as he was about to change into an RFA. While transferring him to Utah returned a top-four defenceman (Michael Kesselring) and a promising younger ahead (Josh Doan), the very fact is neither of them will exchange Peterka’s 68 factors, which had been second-most on the crew final season. The crew is excessive on Josh Norris, introduced over within the Dylan Cozens commerce, they usually’re hopeful he takes over because the No. 1 centre. When wholesome, Norris has had some sturdy runs, together with a 35-goal season in 66 video games. But his harm historical past is troubling, with a number of shoulder surgical procedures. Norris solely performed three video games after being acquired by the Sabres final season earlier than being shut down with a torn indirect.

Calgary Flames: Rasmus Andersson is nearly actually going to be traded

This state of affairs with Andersson will comply with the Flames all season till they lastly commerce him earlier than his contract expires subsequent July. Heck, crew captain Mikael Backlund stated it was apparent Andersson could be moved sooner or later this season. Whenever Andersson is moved, it should possible open up a big gap in Calgary’s blue line, relying on the return, but in addition create extra alternative for one more proper shooter like rookie Zayne Parekh. The query does not appear to be ‘if’ however ‘when’ this transfer occurs. Flames followers can be hoping for an ideal return that helps set the desk for a promising future.

Carolina Hurricanes: Nikolaj Ehlers has an opportunity to point out what his ceiling really is

In his last season with the Jets, Ehlers scored 63 factors in 69 video games, with a 0.91 factors per sport common that was one of the best of his profession in an 82-game season to this point. He was additionally second on the crew in targets and factors per 60 minutes of five-on-five play, however averaged simply 13:14 of ice time per sport at even energy, eighth amongst Winnipeg forwards. And that basically was the story of his 10 years within the group. Now in Carolina after signing as a free agent, Ehlers absolutely will play within the top-six and positively has an opportunity to be a top-line participant. The Hurricanes, in the meantime, need assistance getting over the playoff hump with offensive gamers who can break a sport open. Ehlers may chase one other profession season and present he can carry extra with elevated minutes.

Chicago Blackhawks: Connor Bedard is taking part in for lots in his contract 12 months

The 20-year-old who was taken first total in 2023, Bedard was invited to Team Canada’s Olympic orientation camp and definitely hopes he can crack that roster. But that could be an uphill battle. In many (most) eyes, Bedard was surpassed by 2024 first total choose Macklin Celebrini, who scored 63 factors in 70 video games in his rookie season, whereas Bedard’s factors per sport declined from Year 1 to Year 2. Bedard now enters this third season, the final of his entry-level contract, however is a long-term, big-money contract a assure? Is one thing shorter-term on the desk? Certainly making the Team Canada lower will assist his aspect of the negotiations.

Colorado Avalanche: Martin Necas is the Mikko Rantanen state of affairs Part 2

The Avs traded Rantanen final season after they did not wish to meet his value, which ended up being the $12 million he obtained in Dallas. The key participant introduced in return for Rantanen was Necas, who himself is now coming into the ultimate 12 months of a contract and will take a look at free company subsequent July. In 30 video games with Colorado, Necas was just below a degree per sport participant and located a house alongside Nathan MacKinnon on the highest line. What if he has one other season like that, or higher? It would not be far-fetched for Necas to hunt round $10 million in that state of affairs, and if that quantity is in any respect uncomfortable for the Avalanche entrance workplace, they might have to contemplate making one other commerce in the very same state of affairs.

Columbus Blue Jackets: Yegor Chinakhov has requested a commerce

The 23-year-old Chinakhov started final season on the highest line, however his ice time started creeping down and an harm in November eliminated him from the lineup for 3 months. His place within the depth chart and manufacturing on the rating sheet did not recuperate down the stretch, and he was made a wholesome scratch on a couple of events. Over the summer season, it got here out that he had requested a commerce. The excellent news is that he is at camp and, in keeping with The Athletic, was the first player from Europe to return to Columbus. Two years in the past, Chinakhov scored 16 targets in 53 video games, and the hope is that extra is on the best way in a Blue Jackets uniform. He’ll should earn again his minutes, and if he does, maybe the request can be rescinded.

Dallas Stars: Jason Robertson is in a really fascinating contract 12 months

Robertson scored 41 targets in 2021-22, then 46 targets and 109 factors in 2022-23 — a celebrity on the rise and in line to be the highest-paid Dallas Star. Since then, he is had back-to-back 80-point seasons and recorded 29 then 35 targets, which actually are usually not dangerous outcomes, however give pause to contemplate what he’ll be constantly able to by way of his prime. Robertson can be an RFA at season’s finish and arbitration eligible, however a one-year award walks him straight to unrestricted free company. Meanwhile, bona fide celebrity Rantanen has already delivered a terrific playoff exhibiting and can make $12 million for the following eight years, seemingly capping Robertson’s worth right here. Dallas continues to be eyeing a Stanley Cup with this group, however we should not dismiss the opportunity of a Robertson commerce relying on how the 12 months goes.

Detroit Red Wings: The ‘Yzerplan’ is coming into its seventh season

Patience is the important thing to a profitable rebuild and the Detroit market has actually been that because the Red Wings have labored by way of some fairly low lows that may hopefully someday repay. Two years in the past, they had been inside a whisker of a tie-breaker of constructing the playoffs, however had been handed by division rivals Montreal and Ottawa, who certified in 2025, whereas Detroit fell brief by 5 factors. They’re not far off, however that endurance is beginning to put on skinny out there; even captain Dylan Larkin expressed some frustration that the entrance workplace did not add extra to assist the crew finally 12 months’s commerce deadline. Marco Kasper completed sturdy final season, giving hope that he can have a breakout season. Simon Edvinsson can be checked out to tackle a better function in his second full season from the again finish, however he’ll miss coaching camp with an harm. Detroit has missed the playoffs for 9 consecutive years, and we now have to surprise what the response could be if that is prolonged to 10.

Edmonton Oilers: In a means, there could be so much driving on two rookies

Connor McDavid continues to be unsigned and that is the largest story within the league proper now. He desires to verify Edmonton is in a superb place to compete over the lifetime of his subsequent deal (whether or not it is long- or short-term), so what does that imply? The goaltending query looms over this crew once more. The ageing roster is one other issue, however this 12 months the Oilers have two intriguing rookies trying to crack the roster in Matt Savoie and Ike Howard. Savoie was a ninth total choose by the Sabres, Howard thirty first total by Tampa Bay (each in 2022), and both one may find yourself taking part in alongside McDavid or Leon Draisaitl. Now we do not wish to make a mountain out of a mole hill right here; McDavid’s resolution is not going to rely on both being a Calder candidate, however actually, if the Oilers get good contributions from these two early-20s gamers, it helps make the longer term look that a lot brighter.

Florida Panthers: Sergei Bobrovsky is a UFA on the finish of the season

The Panthers had been capable of re-sign Aaron Ekblad, Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand when their cap image was extraordinarily tight, so it is laborious to get apprehensive this 12 months when just one core participant is on an expiring contract. Still, Bobrovsky’s state of affairs is an fascinating one. He makes $10 million in opposition to the cap and has been value each penny of that, however turns 37 years previous at present. His play actually does not warrant a pay lower. Will he get a rise? How lengthy would his subsequent deal be for? And what his the succession plan in web now that Spencer Knight is lengthy gone?

Los Angeles Kings: Quinton Byfield was a top-25 scorer within the league from February till the tip of the season

Now that we all know it is going to be Anze Kopitar’s last 12 months within the NHL, there’s some determining what’s going to occur when he is gone, however Byfield is crucial X-factor to step up and exchange him in a 12 months. At the beginning of final season, Byfield was a type of outside-shot looking forward to Team Canada’s 4 Nations roster, however his play wasn’t elevating to make a powerful sufficient case. And in the event you have a look at his season-long totals, Byfield’s 23 targets and 54 factors had been fairly flat from the season earlier than, and he was the fourth-highest scorer on the Kings. However, within the last 32 video games of the season, Byfield notched 31 factors, which put him right into a tie with a number of different gamers for twenty fifth in NHL scoring from Feb. 1 on. Having that vitality all season in 2025-26 could be large for the Kings, and should get Byfield some consideration for Canada on the Olympics after he was already invited to orientation camp.

Minnesota Wild: The worst of the cap ache is over

No longer are the Wild hamstrung by a $14-plus million cap penalty for the long-ago buyouts of Ryan Suter and Zach Parise, and enter the 12 months with $4.41 million in cap room. At that price, they’d have greater than $20 million in deadline day cap house, which might enable them to do just about no matter they need on the commerce market (holding in thoughts playoff lineups should be underneath the $95.5 million ceiling now). Of course, if Kirill Kaprizov extends, he will be a couple of million {dollars} costlier than these penalties, however no less than now GM Bill Guerin has the liberty to buy round for one more large piece to assist elevate the Wild to a different tier of contender and present Kaprizov it is a contender on the best way up.

Montreal Canadiens: They may have back-to-back Calder Trophy winners

After Lane Hutson ran away with rookie of the 12 months final season, Ivan Demidov is the heavy favorite to win it this season. The Russian delivered a aim and an help in two regular-season video games on the finish of 2024-25, then obtained 5 video games of playoff expertise. He torched the competitors finally weekend’s prospect event, signifying he is a lower above that class and greater than prepared for the full-time NHL problem. If Demidov does take this award, it might be the primary time a crew has had gamers win the Calder in back-to-back seasons because the Boston Bruins in 1967 and 1968 with Bobby Orr and Derek Sanderson.

Nashville Predators: Silver lining? They had been the ‘unluckiest’ crew in 2024-25

The Predators had low expectations from the surface two years in the past and made the playoffs. They had excessive expectations final season, and ended far exterior of them. They begin with out anybody anticipating a lot from them once more in 2025-26, so GM Barry Trotz quipped he hopes to show the specialists fallacious three years in a row. It is gloomy in Nashville, however let’s attempt to paint one hopeful image of enchancment. The Predators had the league’s worst PDO final season, with the Twenty ninth-ranked save proportion and Thirty second-ranked taking pictures proportion. Perhaps Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault do have extra offence to present in Year 2 of their contracts, and possibly Juuse Saros can recuperate to be one of many higher goalies within the NHL once more. That, or it is a crew with a veteran core whose finest years are behind them and youthful gamers who aren’t but on the stage to interrupt out.

New Jersey Devils: It’s a contract 12 months for Jacob Markstrom

Before final season, the largest issue holding the Devils again was a weak spot in web — in 2023-24, that they had Vitek Vanecek, Nico Daws and Akira Schmid taking part in most video games. Landing Markstrom in the summertime of 2024 was a game-changer; the Devils improved from a 3.43 GAA to 2.68 and a top-five end within the stat. Midway by way of this season, Markstrom will flip 36, and on the finish of it, he can be eligible to check free company. The Devils do have Jake Allen signed low cost for the long run, however dropping Markstrom would nonetheless put them again into a troublesome spot on the place once more.

New York Islanders: Matt Barzal seems to be on the transfer again to centre

It’s been a couple of years, however head coach Patrick Roy’s intention is to maneuver Barzal again to the center of the ice this season, with Bo Horvat as the opposite intermediary within the high six. These are two gamers who discovered chemistry with each other on the identical line, nevertheless it’s a brand new period on this group, with recent eyes within the entrance workplace attempting to get a deal with on the way to mould the crew from right here. Barzal is taking up this problem coming off proper knee surgical procedure after solely taking part in 30 video games final season. Can he spherical out his sport and be up for the two-way calls for of the place? Will he ever attain or surpass the career-high factors per sport mark he posted as a rookie?

New York Rangers: Artemi Panarin might need one of many extra fascinating contract negotiations

When Panarin signed his seven-year UFA contract with the Rangers in 2019, it made him the highest-paid winger and stayed that means till Mitch Marner surpassed him in 2025. Now Panarin is up for a brand new deal once more throughout an inflationary cap interval the place all salaries are rising, and in a category that features different star wingers like Kaprizov and Kyle Connor. Turning 34 in October, Panarin was nonetheless New York’s highest scorer by way of all of final season’s tumult, however because the crew has modified lots of its elements and considers what else must be reshaped, what quantity would possibly make sense for either side at present?

Ottawa Senators: They’re alleged to lose their 2026 first-round choose

When the NHL got here down on the Senators for not passing alongside the proper no-trade checklist for Evgenii Dadonov, inflicting confusion when the Golden Knights later tried to commerce him to Anaheim, Ottawa was to lose its first-round choose over one of many following three seasons. The Senators determined to maintain their first-rounder in 2024 and 2025, which means their 2026 choose ought to now be misplaced. However, the final time the NHL handed out an analogous punishment, it was the Devils who had been to lose a first-rounder in one in every of three years for circumventing the wage cap with an Ilya Kovalchuk contract. But after the Devils held on for the primary two years, the league determined to rescind that a part of the penalty, and New Jersey by no means misplaced its choose. Might one thing comparable occur in Ottawa, or will the choose be misplaced?

Philadelphia Flyers: Trevor Zegras has a brand new crew and new place

Once a online game cowl boy and new era sensation, Zegras flashed shiny early, however his star has pale in recent times. It’s an enormous contract 12 months for him now, a prove-it 12 months to the league and the Flyers group that he might be the participant he was as soon as touted to be. Under Rick Tocchet, it seems Zegras can be making the transfer again to centre, the place he had spent a lot of the starting of his profession earlier than harm contributed to his offensive decline.

Pittsburgh Penguins: This stands out as the final experience of the Crosby-Malkin period

A dynamic 1-2 punch down the center for a whole era, Crosby and Malkin have had each success collectively, however they enter the ultimate stage of their careers with the Penguins in shambles. There is countless hypothesis about what Crosby would possibly do — would he ask for a commerce and chase one other Stanley Cup elsewhere — however he nonetheless has one other 12 months on his contract. Malkin is within the last 12 months of his deal at age 39, and it might appear unlikely he’d stick round for one more because the Penguins are actually on a distinct timeline.

San Jose Sharks: Yaroslav Askarov ought to lastly get his shot as a No. 1 NHL goalie

When the Predators selected to maintain Saros, they needed to filter Askarov, who was in search of extra NHL alternative however was blocked by the extra senior netminder. His first 12 months with the Sharks was principally nonetheless spent within the AHL, however within the 13 NHL video games Askarov did see, he posted an .893 save proportion and did not precisely steal the present. Former Sharks No. 1 Mackenzie Blackwood was traded out final season, and the crew did not do something over the summer season that will additional block Askarov. It’s his time now, however he has to fulfill the second and seize the job.

Seattle Kraken: They are looking for an identification this season

Three years previous reaching Game 7 of the second spherical, any hope that the Kraken had been on the verge of one thing has pale, and now it is a crew nonetheless attempting to determine what it’s. Small adjustments had been made within the low season to a non-playoff roster, including Ryan Lindgren and Mason Marchment for a contact of “mean” hockey to make the crew a more durable match on a nightly foundation. Former head coach Dan Bylsma was fired after only one season, and now Lane Lambert is the crew’s third coach in its five-year historical past.

St. Louis Blues: Robert Thomas led the NHL in scoring after the 4 Nations break

The most impactful change the Blues made final season was to rent Jim Montgomery as head coach on Nov. 24 after the Bruins let him go — from then till the tip of the common season, St. Louis’ .642 factors proportion was seventh-best within the league. They nonetheless solely simply barely obtained into the playoffs by a tie-breaker. Certainly, Robert Thomas’ contributions down the stretch had been an enormous cause why. From the time groups returned from the 4 Nations break till the tip of the season, Thomas scored 40 factors in 26 video games, finest within the league forward of Nikita Kucherov and Pastrnak. It led to one of the best factors per sport season of Thomas’ profession and provides hope {that a} greater last quantity is on the best way in 2025-26.

Tampa Bay Lightning: Andrei Vasilevskiy completed with the second-best save proportion over an 82-game season in his profession final season

In 2018-19, Vasilevskiy gained his solely Vezina thus far with a .925 save proportion and a couple of.40 GAA. Goal averages have been up since then and, because of this, save charges across the league have fallen — in 2018-19 the common SV% was .910, final season it was .900. And but Vasilevskiy, overshadowed by Connor Hellebuyck’s MVP marketing campaign, was spectacular for the Lightning. In 2024-25, he completed with a .921 save proportion, 2.16 GAA (a profession finest) and the second most targets saved above anticipated.

Toronto Maple Leafs: For the primary time in a very long time, the common season issues

It’s not that the primary 82 video games have had no which means for the Maple Leafs, however the common season has been a predictable saunter by way of the winter for years; a gradual build-up to when hockey actually mattered for a couple of weeks within the spring. The Leafs have not had any hassle qualifying for the playoffs in a protracted whereas, however getting by way of them has been a complete completely different query. Now with one of many Core Four gone, some roster spots to battle for, and a principally greater group of alternative gamers, this Leafs crew has a recent really feel to it and should show that it may well get by way of the common season simply as effectively (if with a distinct model) and be higher designed for post-season hockey after they get there.

Utah Mammoth: They added JJ Peterka, who would have completed second in targets and factors on final 12 months’s crew

The Mammoth appear on the precipice of breaking out, however have some last steps to take. They nonetheless have oodles of wage cap room and future property to maneuver when the proper deal comes alongside, and that is even after making one of many largest commerce splashes of the summer season. Utah acquired Peterka from Buffalo after he requested a commerce out, following his personal breakout season, the place he scored 27 targets and 68 factors. The Mammoth completed twenty first in scoring final season, and Peterka ought to assist elevate them in that division.

Vancouver Canucks: Elias Pettersson stands out as the largest consider Quinn Hughes’ resolution

What an enormous 12 months it’s for the Canucks after a dramatic fall from grace that was distracting at finest and ugly at worst. Their largest concern from right here is the way forward for star defenceman Hughes, who continues to be two years away from UFA, however by subsequent summer season, the crew can be hoping for some readability. Two years in the past, this crew almost knocked Edmonton out in Round 2 of the playoffs. Three years in the past, Pettersson was a 102-point participant. Pettersson was the poster little one for Vancouver’s struggles final season, ending with simply 45 factors whereas making $11.6 million in opposition to the cap. With J.T. Miller lengthy gone, a lot lies on Pettersson returning to kind because the undisputed 1C on this crew, and if he cannot get again near that stage of offence, the Canucks could wrestle once more. And in the event that they do, Hughes would possibly begin pondering of different locations.

Vegas Golden Knights: Jack Eichel is a pending UFA

We’ve gotten used to the Golden Knights taking absolutely the largest swings on gamers, they usually pulled it off once more with the signal and commerce for Mitch Marner, now the NHL’s highest-paid winger at $12 million AAV. He and Eichel determine to come back collectively on Vegas’ high line, and it is not out of the query that the duo turns into the NHL’s most harmful within the common season. But taking a look at Eichel individually, he is coming off a career-best 12 months during which he completed with 94 factors in 77 video games, so he was already in line for a pay hike. With the cap leaping, a sturdy class of 2026 UFAs will reset the market and take it to new heights, however how will Eichel’s extension (assuming there’s one) settle in alongside Marner’s?

Washington Capitals: Pierre-Luc Dubois had a profitable rebound season in 2024-25

Dubois had only one 40-point season in Los Angeles for the Kings to resolve it wasn’t value holding him for the remaining seven years of his contract that got here with an $8.5 million AAV and no-movement clause. So, on to his fourth NHL crew in eight years, Dubois was one thing of a danger with the early promise and powerful playoff showings from his days in Columbus lengthy within the rear view mirror. But there was some magic in final 12 months’s Washington Capitals, and Dubois was a contributor. He rebounded to twenty targets and 66 factors, and when he was on the ice at five-on-five, the Capitals scored 62.39 per cent of all targets — a crew excessive.

Winnipeg Jets: Jonathan Toews is again

After not taking part in in any respect the previous two seasons because of Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome, the results of a fallout from COVID, Toews is making a comeback try along with his hometown crew on a one-year, bonus-laden contract. With Adam Lowry anticipated to overlook the primary month or extra of the season, Toews immediately has nice significance to this lineup too, and should vie for the second line centre spot instantly. It can be fascinating to see how a lot he has to present at 37 years previous and the way lengthy it takes him to get again as much as his full pace.