The Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers topped the NHL offseason rankings by making shrewd moves to keep their championship core intact.
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1. Florida Panthers
Re-signing Aaron Ekblad. The Panthers kept all three of their major pending unrestricted free agents in Sam Bennett, Brad Marchand, and Ekblad. But Ekblad’s deal stands out.
The defenseman took less money to stay. His eight-year contract carries a $6.1-million cap hit – one of the most team-friendly deals in the league.
With largely the same roster returning, Florida enters the season as favorites to win a third straight Stanley Cup.
2. Edmonton Oilers
Trading for Ike Howard. The reigning Hobey Baker winner isn’t available every offseason. Howard brings offensive upside at a bargain price.
The skilled winger found his groove at Michigan State. His entry-level cap hit for the next three seasons makes this move especially valuable.
He’s not guaranteed to succeed, but Howard offers more offensive potential than outgoing Sam O’Reilly.
3. Carolina Hurricanes
Signing Nikolaj Ehlers. Carolina needed another dynamic forward. Ehlers’ speed fits perfectly in Rod Brind’Amour’s system.
Getting him signed for six years instead of the typical seven for a high-end free agent was smart business.
4. Vegas Golden Knights
Sign-and-trading for Mitch Marner. The Golden Knights landed the biggest name of the offseason. Marner fits perfectly with a Vegas team built around strong defense.
He adds offensive firepower the franchise hasn’t had outside of Jack Eichel.
5. Dallas Stars
Re-signing Matt Duchene. The 34-year-old has been a great fit in Dallas. He led the Stars in scoring this season despite a disappointing playoff run.
Dallas wasn’t going to replace his production through free agency. Not at the $4.5-million cap hit Duchene accepted.
6. Colorado Avalanche
Signing Brent Burns. The 40-year-old has lost a step. But in a second- or third-pairing role, he can still be effective.
For a $1-million cap hit plus performance bonuses, this was an easy decision. Burns remains one of the best defensemen at getting pucks through to the net.
7. Tampa Bay Lightning
Getting creative with Yanni Gourde. A six-year deal for a 33-year-old seems risky. But it lowered Gourde’s cap hit to $2.3 million.
The Panthers later used a similar approach with Brad Marchand. At least Gourde has a chance to complete his new contract.
8. Winnipeg Jets
Bringing Jonathan Toews home. It’s unrealistic to expect Toews to contribute in the top six. His performance bonus structure is questionable.
But seeing the 37-year-old wear Jets colors will excite Manitoba hockey fans.
9. Toronto Maple Leafs
Trading for Matias Maccelli. The Maple Leafs needed to get younger. They did that by acquiring the 24-year-old from Utah for a conditional 2027 third-round pick.
It’s a buy-low opportunity. Maccelli struggled last season but posted 57 points the year before.
The gifted playmaker could potentially shine alongside Auston Matthews in Marner’s absence.
10. Washington Capitals
Locking up Martin Fehervary. The Capitals extended Fehervary for seven years at a $6-million cap hit. They did it a year before he was set to become a restricted free agent.
He’s a key piece of Washington’s defense going forward. With prices rising, locking him up early made sense.
11. New Jersey Devils
Signing Evgenii Dadonov. The veteran forward scored 20 goals and 40 points last season. The Devils added him for just $1 million in salary plus performance bonuses.
He played throughout Dallas’ lineup, giving New Jersey flexibility for next season.
12. New York Rangers
Signing Vladislav Gavrikov. The 6-foot-3 defenseman is one of the game’s best shutdown players. He’s an immediate upgrade over K’Andre Miller.
The Rangers traded Miller for a package including a first-round pick and prospect Scott Morrow. Getting Gavrikov at a $7-million AAV – $500,000 less than Miller – is excellent business.
13. St. Louis Blues
Signing Pius Suter. The Swiss center was expected to sign a large contract with the rising salary cap. Instead, the Blues got arguably the top pending unrestricted free agent center at $4.125 million annually.
The two-year term keeps it manageable.
14. Los Angeles Kings
Re-signing Andrei Kuzmenko. New general manager Ken Holland spent heavily in free agency – much of it questionably. But retaining Kuzmenko was smart.
The Russian fit well in Los Angeles. Keeping it to a one-year commitment was tidy business.
15. Minnesota Wild
Trading for Vladimir Tarasenko. It’s the only notable move of Minnesota’s summer. But it’s hard to criticize considering they acquired him for future considerations.
Tarasenko struggled last season. On a one-year contract, he’s worth the risk.
16. Montreal Canadiens
Trading for Noah Dobson. Dobson finished eighth in Norris Trophy voting in 2023-24 with 70 points. He struggled to repeat that success last year.
But Dobson is only 25. Mobile, right-shot defensemen who stand 6-foot-4 are rare.
The acquisition price – picks 16 and 17 in the 2025 draft, plus Emil Heineman – was fair. The eight-year, $76-million contract should age well.
17. Ottawa Senators
Trading for Jordan Spence. The Senators needed more options on the right side. Spence provides exactly that.
He’s a young puck-mover who fits nicely on the third pairing alongside Tyler Kleven.
18. Utah Mammoth
Landing JJ Peterka. Utah acquired Peterka while trading from areas of strength. Michael Kesselring and Josh Doan are solid players, but both were secondary pieces.
Peterka adds to Utah’s core after a 68-point campaign. A 30-goal season appears within reach.
19. Columbus Blue Jackets
Re-signing Dante Fabbro. The 27-year-old proved to be an excellent fit alongside Zach Werenski on Columbus’ top pairing.
Fabbro staying with the Blue Jackets made sense for both sides.
20. Detroit Red Wings
Trading for John Gibson. The Red Wings wanted stability in goal. They acquired the best netminder available.
Time will tell if Gibson can return to elite form in a new environment with a lighter workload.
21. Vancouver Canucks
Re-signing Brock Boeser. It was surprising to see Boeser extend after reaching July 1st. Even after a down season, his $7.25-million cap hit came in under expectations.
The Canucks weren’t going to find a free agent of Boeser’s caliber for the same price.
22. Boston Bruins
Drafting James Hagens. Before June’s draft, the Bruins hadn’t selected in the top 10 since taking Dougie Hamilton in 2011.
Boston didn’t overthink it. They took the preseason No. 1 prospect in Hagens, who could look like a steal at seventh overall.
23. Calgary Flames
Locking up Matt Coronato. Coronato’s $6.5-million cap hit could become a bargain with the rising salary cap.
The 22-year-old took a significant leap last season and is positioned to improve further this fall.
24. Anaheim Ducks
Trading for Chris Kreider. Kreider struggled last season, managing just eight assists. But he still scored 22 goals and is one year removed from a 39-goal, 75-point campaign.
The Ducks have cap space, so Kreider doesn’t block future moves. Given the minimal acquisition cost, he’s a worthwhile gamble and quality veteran presence.
25. New York Islanders
Winning the Maxim Shabanov sweepstakes. Taking Matthew Schaefer first overall was obvious, so this move deserves recognition instead.
Shabanov brings skill and has improved year-over-year in the KHL. He was a finalist for MVP this season at just 24 years old.
As a no-risk signing, he could surprise this fall.
26. Buffalo Sabres
Locking up Ryan McLeod. Buffalo made the surprising move to swap former top-10 pick Matt Savoie for McLeod last summer.
The early returns look promising. McLeod scored 20 goals and 53 points and is now under contract through 2028-29 at a reasonable $5-million cap hit.
27. Nashville Predators
Signing Nick Perbix. The 27-year-old defenseman had three solid seasons on Tampa Bay’s third pairing. He could move up the lineup as Roman Josi’s potential partner.
Nicolas Hague was the flashier addition, but Perbix offers better value.
28. Seattle Kraken
Trading for Mason Marchment. Seattle brought in a new head coach, but their offseason moves have been underwhelming overall.
Marchment is an exception. The 6-foot-5 winger adds a different dimension and scores at a 50-plus point pace.
29. Philadelphia Flyers
Trading for Trevor Zegras. The 24-year-old has struggled with injuries and consistency since his 65-point campaign in 2022-23.
Zegras gets a fresh start in Philadelphia. The Flyers added his skill for just the 45th overall pick, a future fourth-rounder, and bottom-six center Ryan Poehling.
That’s a worthwhile risk for a team needing creativity alongside Matvei Michkov.
30. Pittsburgh Penguins
Taking on Matt Dumba’s contract. The Penguins are in asset accumulation mode. They now own seven second-round picks over the next three drafts after getting another from Dallas in the Dumba trade.
Pittsburgh could easily acquire another pick for Dumba at the trade deadline.
31. San Jose Sharks
Signing Dmitry Orlov. The climb out of the basement starts with competent defensemen. Orlov struggled in the conference finals but upgrades San Jose’s inexperienced group.
As long as he gets the puck up ice to Macklin Celebrini and company, it’s a positive move.
32. Chicago Blackhawks
Re-signing Ryan Donato. The 29-year-old enjoyed a career year in 2024-25. He scored more goals (31) than he had total points (30) the previous season.
A $4-million cap hit for four seasons is reasonable and will look like a bargain if Donato maintains similar production.
