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Summer Synopsis: Winnipeg Jets

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Now more than a month into the new league year, the bulk of the heavy lifting has been done from a roster perspective.  Most unrestricted free agents have found new homes, the arbitration period has come and gone, and the trade market has cooled.  Accordingly, it’s a good time to take a look at what each team has accomplished this offseason.  We begin with a look at Winnipeg.

Expectations weren’t particularly high for the Jets heading into last season on the heels of a coaching change and the roster from an ugly first-round exit largely remaining intact.  But Winnipeg was a big surprise, winning the Presidents’ Trophy for the team with the most points during the regular season while making it to the second round in the playoffs.  There have been more changes roster-wise this time around but the core largely remains intact, meaning expectations will be higher than they were at this point a year ago despite being in a tough Central Division.

Draft

1-28 – D Sascha Boumedienne, Boston University (Hockey East)
3-92 – F Owen Martin, Spokane (WHL)
5-156 – F Viktor Klingsell, Skelleftea (Sweden U20)
6-188 – D Edison Engle, Dubuque (USHL)
7-220 – F Jacob Cloutier, Saginaw (OHL)

Boumedienne entered last season as one of the more intriguing blueliners in that he was already getting exposed to college hockey, playing at Boston University.  While he held down a regular role, it wasn’t a particularly prominent one which caused him to slide down some rankings.  While his output was rather low, he was behind some key offensive defenders so the hope is that over time, Boumedienne will be able to grow that part of his game, helping pave the way for him to become a second-pairing blueliner down the road.  While the Jets have strong defensive depth today, their prospect cupboard at that position is a little thinner so he should fill that gap nicely.

Martin, a Manitoba native, dealt with a fractured foot that cost him a couple of months last season but he was still a productive player with Spokane with 34 points in 39 regular season games, giving his draft stock a boost in the process.  More of a two-way player, Martin is probably four seasons away from being NHL-ready.

The other three players have similar timelines as well.  Klingsell was productive in Skelleftea’s junior system but still has to work his way up to the pro ranks over there, a process that will take some time.  Engle is expected to move to the OHL next season as a one-and-done player, beginning his college tenure in 2026-27, meaning Winnipeg could hold his rights for up to five seasons.  As for Cloutier, he played his first full OHL campaign last season and fared pretty well with 47 points in 67 games.  They’ll only have two years to sign him as things stand as the changes to draft rights only change in the next CBA.

Trade Acquisitions

While the Jets had a fair amount of roster turnover this offseason, none of it has come from the trade front so far.

UFA Signings

D Kale Clague (one year, $775K)*
F Walker Duehr (one year, $775K)*
F Phillip Di Giuseppe (one year, $775K)*
F Samuel Fagemo (one year, $775K)*
D Haydn Fleury (two years, $1.8MM)^
F Cole Koepke (one year, $1MM)
F Gustav Nyquist (one year, $3.2MM)
F Tanner Pearson (one year, $1MM)
G Isaac Poulter (one year, $775K)*
F Mason Shaw (one year, $775K)*^
F Jonathan Toews (one year, $2MM plus $5MM in performance incentives)

*-denotes two-way contract
^-denotes re-signing

Toews was the headliner from this group, agreeing to terms a week and a half before free agency started.  He didn’t play at all last season as he recovered from Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome so there are some questions about his ability to last the season and if he can fill the second-line center vacancy that has been somewhat of a revolving door in recent years.  The bonuses are tied to games played (and some playoff success) which isn’t a shock and hedges their bets in case he’s unable to make it through an 82-game campaign unscathed.  Toews had 31 points in 53 games in 2022-23, his last NHL season.  If he can produce around that point-per-game rate, he’ll be able to play a key role for them.

Nyquist is coming off a down year, notching just 28 points after putting up a career-high 75 in 2023-24.  Still, he’s a middle-six winger who can help deepen the attack while also potentially slotting in on the penalty kill.  For one year, it’s a reasonable move, especially if they think his offense will bounce back this season.

Pearson needed a training camp PTO to eventually land a deal with Vegas and became a valuable fourth liner while Koepke was a regular for the first time last year in Boston, adding some physicality to their fourth line.  Both players are likely to play similar roles on a new-look fourth line for Winnipeg next season.  The remainder of their signings are of the depth variety though a handful of their two-way forwards could plausibly see time with Winnipeg at some point in 2025-26.

RFA Re-Signings

F Morgan Barron (two years, $3.7MM)
D Tyrel Bauer (one year, $775K)*
F Parker Ford (two years, $1.6MM)*
D Isaak Phillips (two years, $1.6MM)*
D Dylan Samberg (three years, $17.25MM)
F Gabriel Vilardi (six years, $45MM)

*-denotes two-way contract

Vilardi was the big ticket for GM Kevin Cheveldayoff to deal with this summer.  The centerpiece of the return for Pierre-Luc Dubois last summer, Vilardi had his best season by a significant margin, tallying 27 goals and 34 assists in 71 games during the regular season, setting personal bests across the board including in games played.  Two years away from UFA eligibility, the question was would both sides commit to a long-term deal and clearly, they were comfortable doing so.  This deal ensures that a key cog of Winnipeg’s forward group is sticking around for the long haul; it’s particularly notable after another key cog departed on the open market last month.

There was quite a gap to bridge in the arbitration filings between Samberg and the team but they settled on this contract, a deal that buys Winnipeg an extra two years of club control.  He’s coming off a breakout year, one that saw him move from being a depth defender to a key part of their top four and their top shutdown option.  It’s not always easy to find the proper market value for that type of player but the Jets are banking on Samberg staying at this level moving forward.

Barron is likely to be the lone holdover from the fourth line, a role he has filled for the last couple of seasons after being deployed on the third line a bit more often in 2022-23.  A natural center, he has primarily played on the wing since becoming a regular with Winnipeg but it wouldn’t be surprising to see him shift over since last year’s fourth line center isn’t with them for the upcoming season.

Departures

F Mason Appleton (Detroit, two years, $5.8MM)
D Dylan Coghlan (Vegas, one year, $775K)
G Chris Driedger (Chelyabinsk, KHL)
F Nikolaj Ehlers (Carolina, six years, $51MM)
F Axel Jonsson-Fjallby (Brynas, SHL)
F Rasmus Kupari (Lugano, NL)
F Simon Lundmark (Tampa Bay, two years, $1.55MM)*
F Brandon Tanev (Utah, three years, $7.5MM)
F Dominic Toninato (Chicago, two years, $1.7MM)*

*-denotes two-way contract

Ehlers is the obvious headliner from the group.  He had suggested in the past that he felt that he should be getting more ice time given his success when healthy so it wasn’t a shock that he tested the open market although he may have a similar role with Carolina than he had in Winnipeg.  When healthy, Ehlers has been a consistent 20-plus goal-scorer and while the Jets added some forward depth, none of their acquisitions are likely to reach that mark, creating a void that’s going to need to be filled by committee.

Appleton wasn’t able to replicate his breakout 36-point effort from 2023-24 despite being a middle-six regular for most of the year.  While the two aren’t necessarily the same player stylistically, Nyquist is likely to take his spot on the roster.  Tanev was a trade deadline acquisition with an eye on adding some grit to the fourth line.  He was decent in that role down the stretch but moved on in free agency with Koepke effectively being his replacement.

Kupari opted to sign overseas in early June, a move that came as some surprise.  But clearly, he was looking to play somewhere where he could have more of an offensive opportunity and he’ll get that in Switzerland.  He received a two-year deal, one that walks him right to UFA eligibility although Winnipeg issued a qualifying offer to retain his rights in the short term.  Jonsson-Fjallby and Toninato didn’t see much NHL action last season but have been among the regular recalls in recent years.  Players like Duehr and Di Giuseppe figure to take those spots on the depth chart.

Salary Cap Outlook

By structuring Toews’ contract with $5MM of bonuses and not adding any big-ticket contracts in free agency, Winnipeg is in pretty good shape to start the season with a little over $3.8MM in cap space, per PuckPedia.  A good chunk of that money could ultimately be used to pay for some of the bonuses that Toews reaches but if the Jets are in contention heading toward the trade deadline, they could instead spend their cap room on win-now help, pushing some of the bonuses onto their 2026-27 cap in the process.  Cheveldayoff has left himself some decent wiggle room heading into the season.

Key Questions

Will Connor Be Extended? Two years ago, Connor Hellebuyck and Mark Scheifele signed long-term extensions entering the final year of their deals, keeping Winnipeg in a spot to be competitive at a minimum for the long haul.  Last year, Ehlers clearly didn’t do the same.  What will happen to this year’s core player on an expiring deal, Kyle Connor?  He has notched at least 30 goals in four straight years and is coming off a season that saw him score 41 goals and 56 assists for a career-best 97 points.  A legitimate top-line scorer, Connor appears to be well on his way toward landing a contract with at least a double-digit AAV.  The Jets have the cap space to give him that type of deal but will they be able to get it done?

Will Winnipeg Move Some Defensive Surplus? With Fleury re-signing just before free agency, Winnipeg fits itself with nine defensemen on one-way contracts.  Considering it’s unlikely they’ll carry just 12 forwards and nine defenders, something has to give.  Ville Heinola, their former top prospect, hasn’t played much between injuries and being a waiver-blocked healthy scratch last season but they might get a bit of interest in his services.  Logan Stanley once had a trade request in play and after five seasons with the Jets, he still hasn’t progressed past being a low-minute third-pairing piece when he’s in the lineup.  But, at six-foot-seven, someone would take a flyer on him.  If Fleury is eyed as the ideal seventh option, both Heinola and Stanley are on the outside looking in.  Will they find a trade for one or try to sneak one through waivers?

Can Perfetti Take The Next Step? Winnipeg has taken the slow and steady route with Cole Perfetti.  The 10th overall pick in 2020 has seen his playing time managed carefully to the point where he only nudged past the 15-minute mark for the first time last season, a year that saw him reach 50 points.  With Ehlers gone and their newcomers being more secondary options, it feels like Perfetti should have a chance to secure a bit more playing time.  If he has success in that role, he’d go a long way toward helping replace the offense Ehlers brought to the table while positioning himself nicely for a trip through restricted free agency next summer when he’ll have salary arbitration rights for the first time.

Photos courtesy of Jamie Sabau (Toews) and Terrence Lee (Vilardi and Connor)-Imagn Images. 

Snapshots: Robertson, Tkachuk, Draft

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Despite signing a one-year deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs just yesterday, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman spoke on his 32 Thoughts podcast about the possibility of forward Nicholas Robertson being traded and noted a link between Robertson and Pittsburgh Penguins’ GM Kyle Dubas.

This represents the second consecutive summer that the forward has been linked to Pittsburgh, and Friedman’s report comes just a day after Robertson and the Maple Leafs avoided arbitration with a one-year, $1.825MM contract.

“I’ve had a couple people ask me about the possibility of Nick Robertson in Pittsburgh. They got the arbitration settled on Saturday, but the Maple Leafs need to clear some bodies there. They have a lot of them,” he said. “I think that the Maple Leafs have work to do. I don’t know what their timeline is, but they need to do some things before puck drop.”

To Friedman’s point, the Maple Leafs currently have 14 forwards on one-way deals for next season. Robertson, 23, posted 15 goals and 23 points in a bottom-six role last season for Toronto. He added two points in three playoff games. He also averaged a career-high 12:00 per game of playing time.

Elsewhere in the Eastern Conference:

  • Friedman also provided an injury update on Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk, who revealed after winning the Stanley Cup that he had been playing through a torn adductor muscle throughout the postseason. Friedman shared his belief that Tkachuk will miss a big chunk of the regular season, but sees a path for him to be ready for the Olympics next winter. “I think (the Olympics) is a huge deal for him. But I do think he’ll miss the start of the year and a chunk of time after that,” he said. Tkachuk, and his brother, Brady Tkachuk, played a huge role in the 4 Nations Face-Off and are expected to be a focal point of the U.S team at the Olympics if healthy.
  • Despite fan (and possibly league) dissatisfaction with the decentralized draft format, teams voted to continue with it in 2026. And Friedman suggests that the decision was largely driven by teams’ desire to protect their internal information. While the vote was closer this year (20-12 in favor of keeping it decentralized), Friedman isn’t convinced that additional votes will soon push for a return to the traditional draft format. “I really thought, because of how (Gary) Bettman was opening ripping the GMs about this, I thought it was going to change,” he said. “It’s obvious to me that these teams that voted to keep it the way it is really value the secrecy.”

Pacific Notes: Kempe, Celebrini, Mueller

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With the Los Angeles Kings recently finalizing a three-year, $12.3 million contract with restricted free agent Alex Laferriere, the team can now shift its focus to veteran Adrian Kempe, per Scott Coffman of Mayor’s Manor.

Kempe, who has spent his entire nine-year career with the Kings, has one year remaining on his four-year deal that comes with a $5.5MM cap hit. Given Kempe’s steady offensive production, his current deal stands as one of the most team-friendly contracts in the league. However, his next deal is expected to see a significant increase. And as Coffman outlines, the NHLPA and NHL recently agreed to a new CBA, meaning Kempe is theoretically the last Kings player eligible to sign an eight-year extension.

Last season, Kempe scored 35 goals and 73 points in 81 games, marking his third straight season with at least 67 points. He also added 10 points in six playoff games. Still just 28 years old, Kempe already ranks 10th in team history in goals (194). And it appears Kempe will be adding those totals for years to come, as both Kempe and GM Ken Holland have stated on record their desire to get a long-term extension done.

Elsewhere in the Pacific Division:

  • Though limited in experience and facing stiff competition, San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini is taking steps to make Team Canada’s Olympic roster, reports Max Miller of Sharks Hockey Digest. Named unanimously to the 2024-25 All-Rookie Team, Celebrini was named as one of the 42 invitees (and 26 forwards) to Team Canada’s Olympic Orientation Camp, which is set to run August 26-28. Celebrini, 19, posted 25 goals and 63 points in 70 games during his rookie season, which propelled him to a third-place finish in Calder Trophy voting. Being chosen to represent his country in the Olympics and play alongside stars like Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, and Connor McDavid would be a tremendous opportunity for Celebrini’s development, and a welcome sight for the Sharks.
  • Vancouver Canucks prospect Ty Mueller had a standout season in the AHL last year and is aiming for even more in the upcoming campaign, per NHL.com’s Chris Faber. Last season, Mueller, 22, was named an AHL All-Star, won a Calder Cup with the AHL’s Abbotsford Canucks, and made his NHL debut, appearing in two games toward the end of year. In 64 AHL games, Mueller posted 12 goals and 39 points, and added 12 points in 24 playoff games. Drafted by the Canucks in the fourth round of the 2023 Draft (105th overall), Mueller is looking to build upon last season’s success and make a true impact in Vancouver. Known for being defensively responsible, Mueller led Abbotsford in plus/minus last season and feels he can bring that skillset with him to the next level. “Here and there, I’ll sit and think about how cool it was to get that opportunity, and it just motivates me even more to get to the next level and be someone who can stay up there,” he said.

 

Jack Roslovic Still Undecided On Next Team

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Though forward Jack Roslovic remains unsigned more than a month into free agency, it’s not for a lack of interest. According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman on his 32 Thoughts podcast, the 20-goal scorer has multiple suitors, with over five teams reportedly vying for his services, and Roslovic is currently taking his time to evaluate his options.

The Carolina Hurricanes signed Roslovic to a one-year, $2.8 million deal for the 2024-25 season, and he delivered by tying his career-high of 22 goals—more than any other remaining free agent. However, Roslovic’s career has been marked by inconsistency, as evidenced by his slump in the second half of the season, where he managed just five goals.

Friedman believes that some remaining free agents are hesitant to sign contracts that could soon be viewed as too much of a bargain, and that might be where Roslovic currently stands in the process. With that said, Elliotte Friedman suggests there are upwards of six teams interested in him, including the Toronto Maple Leafs.

“He’s the best available player remaining. And, obviously, he hasn’t found anything he 100 percent likes. But there are definitely a few teams poking around there. I’ve heard five or six teams. So, he needs to get to something he feels comfortable with,” Friedman said.

A two-time 20-goal scorer, Roslovic is still just 28 years old and could provide valuable third-line production in the right system. In 526 career games across nine seasons, the forward has produced 260 points across stops with the Winnipeg Jets, Columbus Blue Jackets, New York Rangers, and Hurricanes. Before the start of free agency, ProHockeyRumors had Roslovic as the 20th-best option on the free agent market, with a projected three-year, $10.5MM contract ($3.5MM AAV). While those numbers are unlikely to be achieved this late in the process, Friedman’s report indicates that a deal is likely to materialize soon.

Predators’ Spencer Stastney Considered Retirement Before 2024-25 Season

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Nashville Predators defenseman Spencer Stastney joined Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas on the 32 Thoughts podcast to speak out about the challenges he’s faced with continuing his hockey career. Stastney opened up about a long struggle with mental health challenges and defeated feelings towards his hockey career. He shared that those feelings peaked at the end of the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs, and pushed him as far as job-searching and pulling together the paperwork needed to file for retirement. He was just 24 at the time.

Stastney hit that low point amidst some of the brightest moments of his young career. He moved to professional hockey in 2022, following a productive four years at the University of Notre Dame. Stastney stood out in his rookie AHL season thanks to his shutdown defense, even despite scoring just 19 points in 72 games on the full season. His early showings were enough to earn the first eight NHL games of his career, where Stastney chipped in his first two assists.

A strong start at the AHL level earned Stastney great standing headed into the 2023-24 season. He took full advantage of the opportunity – netting 20 points in 44 AHL games, and four points in 20 NHL games before the end of the regular season. But through it all, he shares that his feelings of anxiety towards the sport were growing. Stastney took part of the 2023-24 season off to attend the NHLPA’s Player Assistance Program. He returned in time for the postseason, and appeared in both the Stanley Cup and Calder Cup Playoffs. But Stastney shares that by the time Milwaukee was defeated, he was happy that the season was over.

It was that feeling – relief juxtaposed by his teammates’ anguish over an early exit – that pushed Stastney to consider calling his career to an early close. He shared that he didn’t feel his feelings were fair to his teammates, and that he quickly felt that stepping away from the sport to pursue other work would provide the reset he needed. He moved forward with those feelings, even as his agency filed for contract arbitration and successfully earned a two-year contract extension.

But a new deal wasn’t going to be what spurred Stastney back into the sport. Instead, he details extensive consultations with the Nashville Predators’ team therapist as the thing that helped him to realize and address the roots of his feelings. Stastney skipped Nashville’s training camp for the 2024-25 season, and didn’t return to the ice until early December. He quickly returned to a top-pair role in Milwaukke when he came back, and earned an NHL call-up after just 10 games in the minor leagues. Stastney would effectively split the 2024-25 season between the major and minor rosters, netting three points in 23 NHL games and 17 points in 26 AHL games.

Those performances, and a renewed sense to continue moving forward with hockey, is where Stastney sits now. He emphasized that he’s still figuring out his relationship with the sport, but intends to move forward as a continued member of the Predators organization. He’s a true shutdown defender, with a great reach and imposing physical presence, even in a lanky build. The Predators have shown clear trust in Stastney’s ability to handle a depth NHL role – and a full season of determination could be all it takes to earn a full-time spot on the NHL roster.

While Stastney figures out his path forward, the Predators will rest assured that their patrol over player’s mental health continues to effectively serve their organization. The 32 Thoughts Podcast harkened back to former Predators Brian McGrattan and Jordin Tootoo, who both worked with Nashville’s therapy team and the NHLPA Player Assistance Program during their own time in the organization. Both went on to have successful, decade-long careers in pro hockey. Their ability to overcome challenges, and a clear focus on prioritizing player health, is a hardy show of resilience for any players facing similar challenges.

Mathias Laferriere Signs In Slovakia

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Free agent forward Mathias Laferriere has decided to take his talents overseas. He has signed with HK Spisska Nova Ves of Slovakia’s Tipsport Extraliga, the team announced on social media. Laferriere spent all of last season in the AHL. His year was split between the Springfield Thunderbirds and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins following a Spring trade that sent Corey Andonovski to Springfield.

Laferriere’s 2024-25 campaign was a muted one. He scored just 18 points across 55 games on the season – 10 in 33 games with Springfield, and eight in 22 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. The performance marked a new low for the slight-framed winger, after he totaled 26 points in 50 games of the 2022-23 season, and 25 points in 68 games in 2023-24. Those performances were a healthy ramp up from Laferriere’s nine points in 56 games as an AHL rookie in 2021-22 – but it seems he couldn’t maintain the stout production through a change of teams.

Instead of lamenting in AHL bottom-sixes, Laferriere will test his talents overseas. This will mark the first European hockey of his career, after he grew up through Canadian youth hockey, played American pros, and never made a national team roster. Laferriere was drafted by the St. Louis Blues in the sixth round of the 2018 Draft, on the heels of scoring 41 points in 67 games with the QMJHL’s Cape Breton Screaming Eagles.

He’s a lanky winger who leans on finesse and athleticism to make good plays along the boards. Those attributes could prove a helpful boost to a HK Spisska Nova Ves roster that stood on top of Slovakia’s pro league at the end of last season. Laferriere will join former AHL and ECHL pro Damien Giroux in the move to Slovakia. Despite quaint AHL scoring, sources available to Pro Hockey Rumors suggest that Laferriere was recruited by pro clubs in multiple European countries, and should have the chance to earn a middle-six role with his new club.

Is Kirill Kaprizov Worth A Record-Setting Contract?

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All signs point to the Minnesota Wild signing All-Star winger Kirill Kaprizov to a massive extension this summer. Recent reports suggest that the Wild will likely sign Kaprizov to an eight-year, $120MM contract. This deal would surpass Leon Draisaitl’s contract for the league’s highest average annual value (AAV). Still, it would fall $4MM short of Alex Ovechkin’s record for the largest contract ever signed in the NHL. This raises the question: Is Kaprizov worth such a significant investment?

Unfortunately, Kaprizov is coming off the worst season of his career thanks to injuries. He finished the campaign with 41 games played in the regular season, and another six in the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs. Although he missed half the season, he scored 25 goals in 56 games, finishing third on the team in scoring and 16th in Hart Memorial Trophy voting.

Finishing that high in team-scoring for a playoff team while losing half the year to injuries is a testament to Kaprizov’s value. Since joining Minnesota for the 2020-21 NHL season, he’s scored 185 goals and 386 points in 319 games, far and away the highest on the team over that stretch.

Kaprizov’s contract demands ultimately come down to one equation. Assuming he’s signed to the $15MM figure, Minnesota must ask if he’s worth 14.4% of their cap for the 2026-27 season, and even less throughout the subsequent years.

It’s a fairly easy equation to sort through. Over the past five years, Kaprizov has been directly involved in 386 goals scored by the Wild. To understand his impact, we can analyze his point contribution to the total number of goals the entire team has scored during that period.

Since Kaprizov began his career, Minnesota has scored 1,197 goals. Factoring in Kaprizov’s contributions, it’s easy to ascertain he’s been involved in 32.2% of the Wild’s goals, despite missing many games due to injuries.

Given that he’s accounted for one-third of the team’s offense since coming into the league, it seems like an easy investment to make for the Wild. Unfortunately, his injuries are cause for concern, and they could become an issue throughout negotiations when agreeing to a final dollar amount.

Regardless, the good news is that Minnesota appears to realize exactly what they have in Kaprizov. Their only pathway to contention runs through him, and they’re seemingly ready to recognize him financially for that.

His hypothetical $15MM AAV won’t last long as the league’s highest, with Connor McDavid prepared to earn more on his next contract with the Edmonton Oilers, or elsewhere. Still, although it’s not commonplace to make wingers some of the league’s highest-paid, Kaprizov is worth every penny.

Photo courtesy of Nick Wosika-Imagn Images.

Boston Bruins Hoping For A Reset

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It doesn’t take a committed hockey fan to know that the 2024-25 season was a disappointment for the Boston Bruins. After finishing as one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference during the 2023-24 campaign with 109 points, Boston fell well short of the postseason last year with a 33-point difference in the standings.

The reset button was first hit at last year’s trade deadline, when the Bruins traded Trent Frederic, Max Jones, Justin Brazeau, Charlie Coyle, Brad Marchand, and Brandon Carlo for a collection of prospects and draft capital. By trading away several role players and their captain, Boston opened itself up to a change in leadership and culture.

To some, there hasn’t been enough change to the Bruins’ identity with Cam Neely and Don Sweeney remaining in their leadership positions after a disastrous campaign. Still, we already know that David Pastrňák and Charlie McAvoy will lead the changes, and hopefully a renaissance, on the ice.

Marco Sturm, the new head coach, understands the changes needed for the Bruins to return to contention, as he mentioned in his introductory press conference. Sturm plans to draw inspiration from Boston’s culture during his playing days in the organization in the late 2000s and early 2010s.

When asked about the transition from the old guard, Sturm was quoted as saying, “We’ve got to reestablish the whole thing because these guys are not here anymore. So, now it’s going to be up to us and the new group to lead this group to a new era.”

Similarly, Sweeney spoke about Boston’s ability to be harder to play against this season, saying, “I think we’ve always been a team, since I’ve been here, that prides ourself in that. That’s the defensive structure I talked about. At times last year, even when we had our group, we were an easy out. I can’t stand for that. So, we are going to reestablish that.”

Unfortunately, Sturm won’t have the most talented locker room at his disposal. Boston largely added around the fringes this offseason, adding Tanner Jeannot, Sean Kuraly, Viktor Arvidsson, Michael Eyssimont, and Jordan Harris. The summer additions have made the Bruins a more complete team, though they are not necessarily better.

There’s no doubting that Boston has plenty of work to do in their quest back toward contention. It likely won’t come this year in arguably the toughest division in the league. Still, it’ll be interesting to see how Sturm’s new system and cultural influence is received in the locker room throughout the regular season.

East Notes: Barnhill, Guimond, Bohlsen, Mayer

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One of the New York Rangers’ quality defensive prospects has changed his collegiate commitment. According to Mike McMahon of College Hockey Insider, instead of waiting until next season to join Northeastern University, defenseman Sean Barnhill will join Michigan State University for the upcoming campaign.

This summer’s 70th overall selection, the Scottsdale, AZ native recently completed his first and only season with the USHL’s Dubuque Fighting Saints. It was a modest offensive output for Barnhill, scoring four goals and 12 points in 54 games with a +9 rating, adding another assist in seven postseason contests.

What he lacks in offensive talent, he makes up for on the defensive side of the puck. Standing at 6’5″ and 214 lbs, Barnhill uses his reach effectively and has the foot speed to keep up with smaller forwards. Despite transferring to the NCAA level a year early, opposing forwards will have difficulty finding their way to the net through Barnhill.

Other notes from the Eastern Conference:

  • Despite being drafted 169th overall by the Detroit Red Wings back in the 2023 NHL Draft, netminder Rudy Guimond has finally committed to a collegiate program for the upcoming season. Guimond announced on his Instagram that he will be attending Harvard University this fall, after playing the last two years with the USHL’s Cedar Rapids RoughRiders and the QMJHL’s Moncton Wildcats. He had an outstanding season in Moncton last year, finishing with a perfect 16-0-0 record in 16 games, a .940 SV%, a 1.73 GAA, and three shutouts.
  • The Hershey Bears, AHL affiliate to the Washington Capitals, have made a pair of free agent signings, according to a team announcement. Forward Kaden Bohlsen and defenseman Connor Mayer will join the Bears for the upcoming 2025-26 campaign. Bohlsen is coming off a quality season with Minnesota State University (Mankato), while Mayer spent a few games last season with the AHL’s Colorado Eagles.

Salary Cap Deep Dive: Carolina Hurricanes

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Navigating the salary cap is one of the most important tasks for a front office.  Teams that can avoid total cap chaos by walking the tightrope of inking players to deals that match their value (or compensate for future value without breaking the bank) remain successful.  Those who don’t often see struggles and front office changes.

PHR will look at every NHL team and give a thorough look at their cap situation for the 2025-26 season.  This will focus more on players who are regulars on the roster versus those who may find themselves shuttling between the AHL and NHL.  All cap figures are courtesy of PuckPedia.  We’re currently covering the Metropolitan Division, first up are the Hurricanes.

Carolina Hurricanes

Current Cap Hit: $84,855,709 (below the $95.5MM Upper Limit)

Entry-Level Contracts

F Jackson Blake (one year, $905.8K)
D Alexander Nikishin (one year, $925K)
F Logan Stankoven (one year, $814.1K)

Potential Bonuses
Nikishin: $3MM
Stankoven: $32.5K
Total: $3.0325MM

Blake and Stankoven will be on very team-friendly contracts for one more season before their long-term agreements kick in.  We’ll cover them in more detail at that time while noting that Stankoven’s bonus is tied to games played; as long as he stays healthy, that should easily be met.

Nikishin’s long-awaited NHL debut wound up taking longer than expected as he didn’t suit up for Carolina right away after joining the team, leading to some brief concern that a formal agreement wouldn’t be finalized.  But he ultimately signed and projects to be a regular for the Hurricanes this season.  Some of the $1MM of ‘A’ bonuses might be reachable but the $2MM of ‘B’ bonuses are highly unlikely.

Signed Through 2025-26, Non-Entry-Level

G Frederik Andersen ($2MM, UFA)
F Mark Jankowski ($800K, UFA)
F Tyson Jost ($775K, UFA)
D Mike Reilly ($1.1MM, UFA)

Potential Bonuses
Andersen: $750K

Jankowski was a late-season pickup from Nashville and fared well with eight goals down the stretch.  However, he has largely been a depth piece in his career so while a small raise is coming his way no matter what thanks to the pending increase in minimum salary, his next deal might not land too much higher than that.  Jost was up and down last season and had a very limited role when he was in the lineup for the Hurricanes.  As things stand, he’s someone who’s likely to remain around the minimum salary.

Reilly missed most of the season while recovering from a procedure on his heart to correct an issue discovered while he was out with a concussion.  He has been more of a sixth or seventh defender in recent years and projects to land in that same range with the Hurricanes.  That should keep him around this range moving forward.

When healthy, Andersen has been a decent starter but staying healthy has been a big challenge.  He has failed to reach 35 games in three straight years and four of the last five.  That particular games played mark is notable as that’s the first threshold of his bonuses for $250K with another $250K coming at 40 games (plus $250K if Carolina makes it back to the East Final and he plays in half the games or more).  There isn’t much risk with this contract as if the injury issues return, he’s still a lower-cost second option while if he’s healthy and meets those bonuses, he’s probably going to provide a lot of value at that price.  Because of the injuries, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him going year-to-year from here on out with structures similar to this.

Signed Through 2026-27

D Jalen Chatfield ($3MM, UFA)
D Shayne Gostisbehere ($3.2MM, UFA)
G Pyotr Kochetkov ($2MM, UFA)
F Jordan Martinook ($3.05MM, UFA)
F Jordan Staal ($2.9MM, UFA)

Martinook was more of a depth player over his first few seasons with the Hurricanes but has become one of their more versatile forwards and is often deployed in the middle six.  The end result has been three straight seasons over 30 points.  But even with the cap set to jump, it’s hard to forecast a sizable raise on his next contract.  A few more years with a small raise might be doable though.  Staal, on the other hand, took a big pay cut on this deal to stick around.  He’ll be heading for his age-39 year in 2027-28 so a one-year deal with incentives is likely if he decides to keep playing with the combined value coming in around his current price tag.

Gostisbehere was brought back last summer for a second stint with the team to be a depth player at even strength but a power play specialist.  He was exactly that, notching 27 of his 45 points with the man advantage.  The even strength limitations and his smaller stature limit his earnings upside but this is a niche role he can fill for a few more years.  If he has a couple more years of 40-plus points, an AAV starting with a four next time is doable on a short-term deal.  Chatfield had largely been a third-pairing player until last season when he was trusted with a bigger role.  He isn’t a big point producer but if he gets through these next two seasons around the 18-19-minute mark at the level he played last season, he could push past $4MM as well in 2027 on a longer-term agreement than the three-year pact he inked last summer.

Kochetkov’s contract was a curious one.  Signed back in late 2022 with hardly any NHL time under his belt, it has aged pretty well so far as he has carried the bulk of the work for the first two seasons of the agreement.  While his overall consistency is a bit spotty compared to some netminders, the good outweighs the bad and if you have a strong-side platoon goalie at this price, you’re doing well.  If Kochetkov continues on this trajectory, his next deal could land around the $5MM mark.

Signed Through 2027-28

F Taylor Hall ($3.167MM, UFA)

Hall was the other part of the original Mikko Rantanen deal but unlike Rantanen, he decided he wanted to stick around.  The former Hart Trophy winner certainly isn’t that caliber of player anymore although he’s still a decent secondary scorer.  Even if he’s on the third line, if he stays around the 42 points he had last season, Carolina should do fine with this deal.  He’ll be almost 38 heading into 2028-29, however, so one-year contracts are likely beyond this one.

Signed Through 2028-29

F Eric Robinson ($1.7MM, UFA)
F Andrei Svechnikov ($7.75MM, UFA)
D Sean Walker ($3.6MM, UFA)

Svechnikov bypassed the bridge contract to sign a max-term agreement four years ago with the hope that he’d be providing surplus value in the back half.  He’s not quite there yet especially coming off a down year but his performance the previous two seasons suggests he can get to that level still.  At a minimum, he’s a second liner with good size and physicality and with the forecasted jumps coming to the cap, he could beat this deal four years from now, even if he stays at his 2024-25 form.  Robinson had a career year last season, fitting in extremely well in Carolina’s system for the first time, earning a four-year agreement in the process.  For someone who has reached double digits in goals in three of the last four years, there’s a good chance this deal works out well in the long run.

Walker’s career year in 2023-24 landed him a five-year deal last summer and it looked like he had established himself as a second-pairing blueliner.  His usage last season was a step back, however, ranking last out of their six regular defenders.  This price tag is on the high side for a sixth option but right now, it’s a luxury they can easily afford.

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