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Erik Karlsson Is Playing His Best Hockey In Years

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When the Penguins acquired defenseman Erik Karlsson from the  Sharks in August 2023, they envisioned him giving their big three (Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang) one last push for a playoff run. Two and a third years into the experiment, the results haven’t been promising, as Pittsburgh missed the playoffs in back-to-back seasons and has entered into a rebuild — or at least, that’s what they believed.

However, Karlsson and the big three have the Penguins in contention for a playoff spot some 26 games into the season, in a year when they expected to be one of the worst teams in the league. Karlsson is nowhere near the offensive producer he was during the 2022-23 season when he won the Norris Trophy and registered 101 points, but he has been in good form this year and has provided Pittsburgh with more of a two-way presence on their back end.

When Pittsburgh started the season, the left side of their defense looked like a black hole because they had very little depth at that position, and it was expected to be the team’s Achilles’ heel. Fortunately for Pittsburgh, recent signee free agent Parker Wotherspoon stepped up and claimed one of the spots in the top six.

Not long after, Wotherspoon was paired with Karlsson, and together they have become Pittsburgh’s top defensive pairing. There were no expectations for Karlsson or Wotherspoon this season. Still, under the guidance of first-year head coach Dan Muse, Karlsson appears to be a completely different player, and Wotherspoon has become a meaningful NHL defenseman for the first time in his short professional career.

Using the eye test, Karlsson looks like a different player compared to the past two seasons. He is playing a more focused defensive game and has shown more defensive awareness than he has in a long time. His skating in the defensive zone has been effective in recovering to get back into position, closing gaps, and, along with his instincts, breaking up plays.

On the offensive side, Karlsson remains a fantastic playmaker, still demonstrating the elite vision that has helped him win three Norris Trophies. Even if his goal-scoring isn’t what it once was, he is still an elite offensive player who could be ready to break out.

Even if his offensive stats hover around 55 to 60 points, which is about where they are this season (one goal and 17 assists in 26 games), Karlsson’s play away from the puck makes his lower offensive totals easier to accept. In fact, Karlsson and Wotherspoon have not only formed a solid defensive pairing, but they have also been highly effective at killing penalties and are Pittsburgh’s most-used defensive duo when shorthanded. Their even-strength play has been strong as well, with Karlsson and Wotherspoon limiting high-danger scoring chances, demonstrating a defensive awareness rarely seen in Karlsson’s game.

Karlsson appears more comfortable on the ice, playing loose and fast, a stark contrast to the last few years, when the 35-year-old seemed as though Father Time had caught up with him. A perfect example is this past Monday in a game against the Flyers.

With the game tied 1-1, Karlsson collects the puck, bursts out from behind his own net, skates straight to the middle of the ice in the offensive zone and drives right at the two Flyers defenders. He then cuts to the right and makes a tape-to-tape cross-ice pass to Bryan Rust, who spots the trailer (Crosby) for a one-timer that ends up in the back of Philadelphia’s net. It’s a goal that Karlsson didn’t start a year or two ago, and it highlights the change in his work rate.

It also makes one wonder where Karlsson and the Penguins will finish this season. It might even be better if not for a significant injury bug that swept through the room at the start of November, bringing down Noel Acciari, Rickard Rakell, and Justin Brazeau, among others. The injuries effectively removed one forward from each line and put the Penguins in a position where their depth was tested in November, and quite frankly, they don’t have much depth.

You could argue that Karlsson has been lucky, and that some of his mistakes are being offset by Wotherspoon’s consistent performance and the efforts of his goalies. This idea is valid, as Karlsson and Wotherspoon have been on the ice together for 14 goals for and 10 goals against (a 58.3% goals share) while their expected goals share is just 47.3%, with projections of 15.1 goals scored and 16.8 goals conceded (all numbers via MoneyPuck). These data points do tell a story, and there might be some truth to Karlsson being fortunate, but they don’t reflect Karlsson’s own defensive contributions, which have been excellent this year compared to previous seasons.

Speaking of the Penguins’ goaltending, there is a case to be made that many of the Penguins’ shortcomings as a team have been masked by the exceptional goaltending they’ve received so far. Tristan Jarry has been excellent to start the year, with a goals saved above expected of 8.2, and Arturs Silovs has also been good with a 2.5 goals saved above expected (all numbers courtesy of MoneyPuck). That kind of goaltending can’t be expected to continue for the rest of the year, especially in Jarry’s case, who has a history of struggling in the second half of the season. But, for now, it’s a significant reason that Pittsburgh is in contention for the postseason, along with the play of Karlsson and other veterans.

A consistent feature of Pittsburgh this year has been its veteran stars, including Karlsson. He’s remained a dependable presence for the team and could step up further as the season approaches the Olympics. Karlsson is clearly driven by something, and the Olympics are as good an assumption as any.

There is also the possibility that Karlsson understands the situation he’s in. Karlsson was expected to be traded in the summer, but that never happened, which means he might be stuck in Pittsburgh until next year or until his contract expires at the end of the 2027 season. The Penguins will likely make moves next summer to speed up their rebuild—Josh Yohe of The Athletic has repeatedly expressed this belief. Looking at the mix of young prospects and veterans still playing at a high level, it all makes sense. Pittsburgh isn’t a Stanley Cup contender right now and probably won’t be for a few more years. However, with the 2025 draft selections that they made and a potential superstar goalie in Sergey Murashov, that timeline could shift very soon.

If Karlsson stays with the team next season, it could be his best opportunity to chase a Stanley Cup. Even if he doesn’t, there will be motivation to extend his career beyond the 2026-27 season, and factors like money and his choice of destination will also serve as strong motivators. 

Photo by Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Which NHLer Is Most Likely To Seek A Contract Termination?

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The NHL has recently experienced an unusual trend: an increase in players choosing to forgo guaranteed contracts that still owe them millions to find a playing situation that better suits them. This process involves the player clearing standard waivers with the team anticipating they’ll refuse to report to their AHL affiliate, creating a breach of contract that allows the team to place the player on unconditional waivers, before ultimately finalizing the contract termination.

Last year, Brandon Saad did this by walking away from the remaining year and a half of his deal and over $3MM in salary. This summer, forward Conor Sheary followed suit, foregoing the final year of his contract and saving the Lightning $1.5MM. Just a few weeks ago, Maple Leafs forward David Kämpf also stepped back, forfeiting over $2MM in salary. More recently, Alexandre Texier left the Blues and signed with the Canadiens for roughly half his previous salary. In effect, all these players essentially halved their earnings to find situations better suited to them, raising the question: who might be the next player to break their current contract?

Dozens, if not hundreds, of players under NHL contracts could be described as unhappy with their playing time. However, most, if not all, would be satisfied with the current NHL paychecks they receive. Players such as Ryan Graves, Tristan Jarry, and Ville Husso will not be included for purposes of this article. While they are veterans who have earned good money in their NHL careers, they are still early in their lucrative new deals, and they have spent time in the AHL over the last calendar year. This piece will focus on players in a unique position regarding their contracts who might be willing to walk away from guaranteed money if they can’t be moved via trade or waivers.

Penguins forward Philip Tomasino is the top name on the list and has already been made available to every NHL team this month after he was placed on waivers by the Penguins and eventually assigned to the minors after passing through. Signed to a one-year, $1.75MM deal last offseason, many fans were surprised when the Penguins non-tendered him in the summer, only to re-sign him to that one-year pact.

The move kept his salary lower, but Tomasino has still failed to provide any value to Pittsburgh this season, with just one assist in nine NHL games. Tomasino also started slowly last year with Nashville, posting a single assist in his first 11 games before a midseason trade to Pittsburgh sparked a turnaround. Hence, a comeback isn’t out of the question.

Clearly, passing on waivers showed a complete lack of interest in Tomasino at his current price, but at league minimum, teams might be more willing to take a shot. However, the chances of that happening seem low, as the Penguins likely aren’t keen to use up a salary retention slot on him, and Tomasino likely doesn’t want to leave the highest salary he’s earned in his NHL career. There’s always a possibility that the Mississauga, Ontario native stays in the AHL for the rest of the season, but given his six points in three AHL games, he might find a way to work his way back to the NHL, just like teammates Graves and Jarry did over the past year.

Next up is a player who is nearly 10 years older than Tomasino: defenseman Erik Gustafsson of the Red Wings. Like Tomasino, Gustafsson is in the final year of his contract and trying to maintain his NHL career, but that is where many similarities end. Gustafsson is a ten-year NHL veteran nearing the end of his playing career, whereas Tomasino is just beginning his.

Not so long ago, Gustafsson was regarded as a capable third-pairing defenseman. Many praised the Red Wings for signing him to a two-year, $4MM contract in July 2024. That deal proved to be ill-fated. Gustafsson’s play declined last season, especially on the offensive side. His puck handling was sloppy, and he wasn’t the same contributor as in previous years.

This poor performance led to a demotion this season, with the 33-year-old playing most of his games in the AHL with the Grand Rapids Griffins. Credit to Gustafsson for stepping up and performing well in the AHL, but it does raise questions about whether he will finish the year in Detroit. The Wings might consider trading him or putting him on waivers (again), but given his recent play and salary, that seems unlikely.

Another factor in Gustafsson’s situation is the fact that he’s made $2MM or more in just three NHL seasons. One of these was the shortened 2020-21 season, which had a 56-game schedule, meaning Gustafsson’s $3MM AAV effectively amounted to a $2MM salary that year. This income would have been subject to deferrals, escrow, agent fees, and taxes, so Gustafsson actually received less than half of it. Aside from that, Gustafsson is nearing the end of his career and has earned somewhere in the range of $10MM-$12MM (gross income), so he probably isn’t willing to walk away from $1.5MM without at least the promise of another contract elsewhere.

Another Detroit defenseman who might seem like a contender is Justin Holl, who is also 33 years old and in the final year of his contract. Holl signed a three-year, $10.4MM deal with the Red Wings in July 2023, but that contract has proven to be poor value for Detroit. Like Gustafsson, Holl was a turnover machine last season and has ended up in the AHL this year. The signing never made much sense from the start, as Holl has always been a fairly average defenseman, and not the type you rush to overpay on July 1, which is precisely what Detroit did.

Holl is probably still an NHL defenseman and could likely find a role if he didn’t have a $3.4MM price tag attached. However, to move him, Detroit would probably need to include an asset and retain salary. Since he’s a pending UFA, they won’t go through the trouble. Considering he has earned over $15MM in his career, you would think Holl might be inclined to leave his contract early if given the chance. Still, it seems unlikely because this is probably his last big NHL payday, and he can wait until summer to sign a two-way deal for league minimum.

Another player to consider is Oilers winger Max Jones. Jones was acquired last season from the Bruins and played 19 games down the stretch, but didn’t contribute much with just a goal and an assist. Jones can skate and hit; beyond that, his abilities are pretty limited. He is in the second year of a two-year, $2MM deal, and since he’s earning one-way money, it’s unlikely he would walk away from it to pursue another job. Jones has spent the entire season in the AHL after passing through waivers in October, and he’s probably best served to ride out his current contract and hope for a promotion to the NHL. The 27-year-old is lucky to have time on his side and can look for a two-way contract in the off-season, but if he chooses to opt out, he’ll likely find a two-way league minimum deal that puts him in the same position he’s in now, just wearing a different jersey.

Other players who might consider terminating their contracts soon include Jets forward Tanner Pearson. Pearson has been receiving fourth-line minutes in Winnipeg and has faced challenging assignments in that role. He’s got just three goals and an assist in 23 games this season. However, with a $1MM salary, he might choose to stay the course and play the hand he’s been dealt. It’s unlikely that Pearson would find a team willing to give him a top-nine role at this stage of his career, so he’s probably best advised to stay in Winnipeg under contract.

Another possibility could be Oilers goaltender Connor Ingram, but his play in the AHL this season has been atrocious, with a 3-3-2 record and a .873 SV%. Ingram is making $1.95MM in the final year of his deal and is probably best served continuing to cash his cheques and trying to improve his game to get back to the NHL. Ingram is also in a position with the Oilers where it might be his best route back to an NHL lineup, given the issues Edmonton’s goaltending has faced this year.

A few final names of players who could be contenders to terminate their current contracts mutually include defensemen Daniil Miromanov of the Flames and Kyle Burroughs of the Kings, as well as forward Carl Grundström of the Flyers. These three players are in the final years of their deals, earning over $1MM this season, and are currently playing in the AHL.

Connor McDavid Should Have Explored Free Agency

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Oilers superstar Connor McDavid struggled to find the words to describe the team’s 8-3 loss to the Dallas Stars on Tuesday night. The decision dropped the Oilers’ record to 10-10-5 for the season, and McDavid looked defeated during his post-game interview.

The team is grappling with the same issues that have plagued them since McDavid joined the NHL in the fall of 2015. Edmonton’s secondary offensive support for McDavid and Leon Draisaitl is minimal, and their goaltending remains a significant concern. Considering the Oilers have faced these problems for so long, it makes one wonder why a generational talent like McDavid chose to sign on for two more years of this, especially given the bargain he struck when he signed for just $12.5MM a season.

McDavid’s choice to sign with Edmonton before even considering free agency might become one of the biggest “what-ifs” in NHL history. However, McDavid opted for stability in a familiar market, with a team that has been competitive for most of his NHL career.

Ultimately, McDavid decided to stay loyal to the Oilers, but the two-year term seemed like a warning shot to Edmonton. So far, that warning appears to have fallen on deaf ears. The timing of McDavid’s extension was quite unusual. The superstar had a clear route to unrestricted free agency, which could have been one of the most incredible stories in NHL history if it had come to pass.

McDavid had the chance to be the highest-profile player in NHL history to reach free agency since Wayne Gretzky in 1996. He held leverage against the Oilers and could have waited out the season, sparking a bidding war for his services. This would have boosted his star power and changed what a superstar’s career could look like. Instead, McDavid chose familiarity, even though the timing of his decision wasn’t convenient.

McDavid’s signing has delayed his free agency by 24 months, and some people dismiss this decision by arguing that McDavid will still get paid and reach free agency after the salary cap has significantly increased. While both points have some truth, the counterargument is compelling. Instead of becoming a free agent at 29, McDavid will do so at 31. It might seem minor, but many NHLers see their skills decline after 30.

Another factor is that when McDavid finally signs, the new CBA rules on contract length will apply, meaning the maximum deal with his current team will be seven years, and he’ll only be able to land six years on the open market. Although this one-year reduction isn’t a significant issue, it will likely cause McDavid to leave money on the table on his next deal.

In terms of missed opportunities, McDavid would have been the first generational player in NHL free agency to test the market in the prime of his career. While it would have made great theater for the NHL, it would also have been an opportunity for McDavid to shift the league’s balance of power toward whichever team he joined, while helping reset the salary structure for superstar NHLers. McDavid is clearly not a $12.5MM player, but like many top NHLers before him, he took a ‘hometown discount’ to stay with his current team.

For some NHLers, taking that discount has worked out well (Sidney Crosby, Steven Stamkos, Nathan MacKinnon). Far more often, the savings from a reduced salary cap are wasted. Even Crosby, who traded tens of millions of dollars to play on consistently competitive teams, saw many of those seasons marred by costly mistakes on depth players with inflated cap hits (Jack Johnson, Erik Gudbranson, Nick Bjugstad). Crosby essentially subsidized poor roster decisions with his lower cap hits, and would no doubt do so again, given the Stanley Cup championships Pittsburgh has won during his career.

McDavid’s decision to re-sign essentially upholds the NHL’s long-standing tradition of superstars taking less money to stay with their team, and no doubt he did so while feeling loyalty to the Oilers fans who have endured the same heartbreaks he has. The reality is, McDavid has gone through a decade without winning the Cup, despite multiple front-office makeovers, coaching changes, cap mismanagement, and an inability to surround him with real depth. And while the depth has improved over the last few years, the “we’re almost there” mentality won’t put a Stanley Cup ring on McDavid’s finger.

All of this to say, McDavid probably owed it to himself to explore free agency at least to see if a team with a more precise winning blueprint could emerge, giving him a better chance at a title. July 1, 2026, would have offered a window into that, but McDavid chose not to look, and it could come back to haunt him if he never wins a championship. McDavid had all the leverage, which makes his decision baffling, because exploring free agency didn’t require him to leave Edmonton. He could have casually explored his options, had discussions with teams, listened to their pitches, and then re-signed with Edmonton—something that might have pushed the Oilers to step up their game and get creative with their roster. But the Oilers didn’t need to worry about losing McDavid, and it seems this has led to some apathy across the organization, as they don’t seem to be a group hungry to win.

Generational players across all leagues have frequently tested free agency. NBA superstar LeBron James famously took his talents to Miami nearly 15 years ago, and MLB superstar pitcher Paul Skenes will likely follow suit one day. It’s common, and not all players do it because they’re leaving; they do it for a variety of reasons. They can because the process gives them power, and it’s one of the few times they get to fully control their own destiny.

McDavid could have taken a different route, but he didn’t. While he’s given the Oilers a short leash to build a winner around him, he could have kept that leash even tighter, which might have pushed the Oilers to solve their roster issues more quickly. It could also have generated a story that might have become a sensation across all platforms—a broader narrative focusing on a star-driven tale on a smaller scale than MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani’s. The buzz would have been enormous and arguably the biggest NHL story since the Oilers traded Gretzky to the Los Angeles Kings.

Moving on could have been a great branding opportunity for McDavid to become even more mainstream, but he chose the safe, comfortable route in Edmonton. It’s a loyalty decision, and it’s completely understandable given that the Oilers have been close to a title in the last two years and he has built a bond with his teammates. For his legacy, though, he might need to chase greatness in a different city in the next two and a half years.

Breaking Down The Top Value Trades Of The 2025 Offseason

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We’re only just past the quarter mark of the regular season, but some of last offseason’s trades have already proven valuable for specific teams. While it’s difficult to judge a trade based on a small sample size, some moves have yielded such early gains that it’s clear the trade was a win, especially considering the low cost to acquire the player.

Notably missing from the list is Golden Knights forward Mitch Marner; however, since the move was expected in free agency, it was not included. Clearly, it’s been a significant acquisition for Vegas. Nonetheless, given the article’s tone, it was left off the list.

The first trade involves the Blackhawks acquiring forward André Burakovsky from the Kraken in exchange for forward Joe Veleno, who was subsequently bought out. Initially, this move didn’t attract much attention, but early this season, it’s clear that it’s a great deal for Chicago. Burakovsky, a two-time Stanley Cup champion, was a very productive scorer before joining the Kraken, surpassing 44 points in three consecutive seasons with the Avalanche before signing a five-year, $27.5MM contract as an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2022. While Burakovsky addressed a definite need for Seattle, there were concerns at the time that head coach Dave Hakstol’s system might negatively affect his numbers. That’s precisely what happened, as his production dropped to 30 goals and 62 assists in 177 games over three seasons with Seattle. Multiple significant injuries didn’t help those numbers.

From Seattle’s perspective, this summer’s trade was a salary dump aimed at moving a player who wasn’t making a significant contribution. Chicago correctly saw an opportunity to acquire an offensive forward at a low cost, and it has worked out very well so far. The 30-year-old Burakovsky has scored seven goals and added eight assists in 18 games, and he is now being used in more favorable offensive roles with better zone starts and more ice time alongside Connor Bedard. However, several warning signs with Burakovsky could lead to issues later, including his unsustainable shooting percentage (26.9%) and a PDO (104.8) that is likely to decline.

When the Anaheim Ducks acquired Chris Kreider from the New York Rangers, many fans believed that Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek had done the Rangers a favor regarding salary cap issues. The trade sent Kreider and a 2025 fourth-round pick to the Ducks in exchange for prospect Carey Terrance and a 2025 third-round pick. The cost to acquire Kreider was minimal, as the 34-year-old is set to earn $6.5MM in the final two years of his contract and had his stats drop significantly last season, with 22 goals and just eight assists in 68 games. The Ducks probably saw Kreider as a valuable veteran leader who could score goals and be tough to play against. He’s demonstrated that so far, with 10 goals and six assists in 19 games. Kreider isn’t going to shoot 24% for the rest of the season, but even if he regresses to his career average (15.3%), he should still score 30 goals again, making this trade a significant win for the Ducks.

Next on the list was a very quiet transaction that has paid off significantly so far: the Penguins’ trade for goaltender Arturs Silovs. The trade sent prospect Chase Stillman and a 2027 fourth-round pick back to the Canucks. It was an interesting gamble for the Penguins, but one that made a lot of sense given their goaltending situation at the time. Silovs had just been named the MVP of the Calder Cup Playoffs with AHL Abbotsford and had shown potential as an NHL goaltender in previous seasons. With the Canucks locking in Thatcher Demko and Kevin Lankinen on long-term deals, it seemed likely Silovs would be moved, especially since he might have been claimed on waivers at the start of this season. Vancouver did well to get what they did for him, but the Penguins have found a reliable netminder at a low cost, and given his age, he could be an NHL goalie for many years.

The risk with Silovs has always been his consistency, and that remains a concern even though he’s posted good numbers this season. In 11 games, the 24-year-old is 4-3-4 with a .908 SV% and a 2.74 GAA. His underlying numbers look even better as he’s posted a 5.8 goals saved above expected (per MoneyPuck). The season is still early, but so far, this looks like a big win for the Penguins. Silovs might not be an NHL starter long-term, but if he keeps up his current play, he could become a reliable backup to Pittsburgh’s goalie of the future, Sergei Murashov.

Sticking with the Metropolitan Division, we examine the Trevor Zegras trade to the Flyers. The 24-year-old was traded by the Ducks on June 23, in exchange for center Ryan Poehling, the Blue Jackets’ 2025 second-round pick (No. 45 overall), and Philadelphia’s 2026 fourth-rounder. The return to the Ducks seemed underwhelming at the time, and after Zegras’ start to the season, it feels even less impressive. Through 21 games in Philadelphia, Zegras has scored seven goals and 14 assists, while Poehling has just one goal and five assists in 16 games.

The Ducks essentially had to move Zegras, whose play had fallen off considerably in Anaheim and who needed a fresh start elsewhere. The Flyers were more than happy to take a chance, and so far, it has worked out well. While some of Zegras’ success this season has been due to favorable deployment and a fair bit of luck, his level of play feels the most sustainable among all the players on the list. He is shooting slightly above his career average, his PDO is marginally higher, and his usage aligns well with his skills. All that said, none of this is a significant departure from his time in Anaheim, but Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet and his staff have managed to get more out of Zegras. It’s worth noting that Tocchet has a track record of getting the best from enigmatic players, with Phil Kessel being a prime example during their time together in Pittsburgh. If Tocchet has truly found a way to maximize Zegras’ potential, it will go a long way in helping the Flyers regain relevance. 

Photo by Danny Wild-Imagn Images

The Flames Have To Pick A Direction

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The Flames are expected to be active in the trade market, but don’t expect a complete teardown. Team president Don Maloney opposes the idea, telling Sportsnet’s Eric Francis that a last-place finish is “the farthest from our mind.”

Calgary has tasted precious little playoff action over the last decade and a half, appearing in the postseason just five times since 2009 and not at all in the previous three seasons. This lack of meaningful hockey likely means that the fans and the franchise don’t want to stomach a full-scale rebuild that could mean another three to five consecutive seasons – at least – without playoff action.

That being said, floating the idea of stripping the roster down to the studs isn’t surprising given that the Flames have hit the bottom of the standings and have some veteran players who probably aren’t part of the team’s future. Defenseman Rasmus Andersson is a pending UFA and will attract plenty of interest from contending teams as the season approaches the trade deadline. Nazem Kadri remains a top target for teams, although Calgary seems relatively lukewarm about trading the veteran center, with Maloney commenting that Calgary needs more Kadri’s and not less. Most of the trade speculation isn’t the main issue on the ice, but it’s definitely a consideration for some players. Last year, Calgary seemed ready to take a step forward this season, but after a rough start, the rest of the year’s outlook appears uncertain.

Calgary experienced a quiet summer, leaving them uncertain about their short and long-term plans. They are not a contender at the moment, but they also do not appear fully committed to a rebuild, creating an interesting dynamic similar to the one the Capitals had a few years ago. Back then, they made forward-looking moves in the interim, hoping to retool on the fly.

That strategy proved very successful for Washington last season, as they became one of the top teams in the NHL. It seems to be a blueprint other teams are adopting to avoid the lengthy rebuild that became common in the 2000s and 2010s. While it has worked for Washington and helped the Penguins through part of this season, it’s a gamble because the risk is becoming a non-playoff team that neither qualifies for the postseason nor gets a high draft pick. That’s where Pittsburgh has been over the past three seasons, and a similar situation occurred with the Flames before trading Jarome Iginla to the Penguins in 2013.

Calgary has several desirable players who could bring future assets in the trade market. The aforementioned Andersson and Kadri are the top trade chips, but the Flames also have several other pending UFAs. Forward Ryan Lomberg and defenseman Jake Bean are both in the last years of their contracts, and although neither is a high-impact player, they should have a market as the deadline nears. Lomberg is a former Stanley Cup winner who doesn’t get much ice time in Calgary and is a frequent hitter. He has just three goals and 11 assists in 100 games as a member of the Flames, but he wasn’t signed for his scoring. Despite being undersized at just 5’9”, Lomberg plays a high-energy game and can get under opponents’ skin. All of these traits are highly valuable during the playoffs, which should make him an easy trade for the Flames, but he might not return much in a deal.

Bean is another player on an expiring deal who probably won’t fetch much if Calgary decides to move him. The 27-year-old has been a virtual non-factor since signing a two-year, $3.5MM deal in 2024, with nine points and a -7 rating in 77 games. For someone whose puck-moving ability is his calling card, that’s simply not enough output. As such, he’s become a frequent healthy scratch, only skating in three of Calgary’s last 11 contests.

Andersson, Lomberg, and Bean are the Flames’ notable UFAs this season, but apart from Andersson, they won’t significantly contribute to building future assets. This puts the team in a tricky position if they don’t plan to move Kadri. Should they trade their UFAs, keep everyone else, and wait until next summer to restart their rebuild? Should they approach next summer with caution, like they did this past year? Or should they completely tear down the roster and rebuild around Dustin Wolf and their younger stars? Flames general manager Craig Conroy will need to answer these questions soon, as the answers will shape the team’s direction. It’s okay to change course if circumstances change, but if Calgary doesn’t develop a clear plan soon, it risks losing its direction.

Nobody expected them to be Stanley Cup contenders this season, but the hope was that the young players would continue to develop. Since it’s still early in the season, there is time for that to happen. Some players have already moved up to the NHL (Wolf, Matt Coronato, Zayne Parekh), with more expected to follow in Cole Reschny and Hunter Brzustewicz. However, it’s fair to question whether the Flames will have enough top-tier talent when they’re ready to compete, which makes it essential to gather future assets for current veterans – especially when those veterans likely won’t be part of the Flames’ next competitive window.

The Kadri discussion is confusing, but it might be the Flames playing a long game to get the best value for the 35-year-old. Calgary doesn’t have many top-tier players to trade, and Kadri could be one of their last chances to acquire valuable pieces for the future. After posting an impressive 35 goals and 32 assists in 82 games last season, Kadri has started slowly this season with just four goals and 10 assists in 22 games. While his numbers look to be dropping off, it is fair to point out that he is shooting just 5.6% this season, compared to 12.5% last year and 10.9% over his 17-year NHL career. If he regresses to the mean, he should still pot 25 goals this season and will remain in demand on the trade market.

Calgary might hit a boiling point soon if they keep losing, and it could turn into a situation where they try to move every player over 30 who isn’t Mikael Backlund. While that might be the plan, it’s hard to see anyone trading for Jonathan Huberdeau and his hefty contract. But a player like Blake Coleman might generate some interest (with money retained), or even defenseman MacKenzie Weegar could be moved, despite still having plenty of term left on his deal. Coleman has actually garnered the most tangible interest of the Flames’ trade chips thus far in the season and has already been linked to a return to the Devils.

Regardless of what Calgary does, it’s hard to imagine them continuing the season in their current direction. They have more young players coming up and still have veterans who can perform at a high level. While Huberdeau’s contract isn’t going to age well, the rising salary cap will lessen its impact.

Breaking Down The Early Free-Agent Victories

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At the quarter mark of the NHL regular season, there are some early wins for teams that took a chance on the free agency market. While some of the higher-priced free agent signings, like Mitch Marner of the Golden Knights and Mikael Granlund of the Ducks, might be obvious choices for this piece, we will focus on some of the more under-the-radar signings that have delivered fantastic results so far.

Avalanche forward Victor Olofsson was a late addition to the team’s roster, signing a one-year deal on Aug. 20 for $1.575MM. For most of his career, Olofsson was a fairly one-dimensional perimeter scorer who primarily shot the puck well. That all changed last season, when he made a solid defensive impact with the Golden Knights and contributed decent depth scoring with 15 goals and 14 assists in 56 games. He still dealt with injuries, which have been an issue in his career, but his performance was enough for AFP Analytics to project that the 30-year-old would sign for three years at a cap hit of $3.41MM.

However, Olofsson’s injury history and inconsistent play likely kept his market soft. This was great news for Colorado, which signed him up. He’s been excellent to start the year with six goals and nine assists in 22 games. As good as Olofsson has been at five-on-five, he has done a lot of damage with the man advantage, registering six points thus far, which is quite a number given that he had just eight points on the power play last year.

Olofsson was effectively signed to replace a departing Jonathan Drouin, whose salary could no longer fit within the Avalanche’s cap structure, as Drouin was able to secure a two-year, $8MM contract with the Islanders. Colorado had Drouin on a discount for the previous two seasons, and the Ste-Agathe, Quebec native impressed for the Avalanche, recording 30 goals and 63 assists in 122 games over those two seasons. Drouin kept his game simple with Colorado and used his skill set to be as effective as possible.

His free-agent market was limited because fit was an essential part of the equation, but he seems to have found a good fit with the Islanders, recording 14 points in 22 games. What makes Drouin’s start really promising is that he hasn’t scored much on the power play, with just three assists in 80 minutes of time on the man advantage. Last season, he had 12 points in 132 power-play minutes for the whole season, and if he can get back to that level of production at five-on-four, his numbers will look great at the end of the year.

It’s now been six years since the Ducks bought out Corey Perry, and many wondered what his career prospects were as he approached his mid-30s. Perry reinvented himself, shifting from a scoring power forward to more of a net-front presence and pest. Since the buyout, Perry has played for six different teams and reached the Stanley Cup Finals—and lost—five times. The 40-year-old signed this summer with the Kings, agreeing to a one-year deal for $2MM plus an additional $2MM in potential performance bonuses. To start the season, Perry has been on a hot streak, scoring seven goals and adding five assists in 14 games while playing nearly 15 minutes a night. His ice time is the highest it’s been since 2018-19, though it’s likely unsustainable for the entire season, as is his current production. However, even if he slows down in the later stages of the year, he should still net at least 30 points, which is excellent value for the contract he signed. Ultimately, the Kings signed Perry for his playoff impact; however, his start to the regular season has been a bonus so far.

Jack Roslovic has faced challenges navigating unrestricted free agency, settling for one-year deals below market value in consecutive summers. This year, he waited until Oct. 8 to secure a new contract, agreeing to a one-year deal worth $1.5MM with the Edmonton Oilers. Roslovic has responded by starting the season strongly, with seven goals and eight assists in his first 21 games. His fit in Edmonton seems natural so far, which makes sense given his speed and skill. Roslovic was an unusual fit with Carolina last season but made the most of it, recording 22 goals and 17 assists in 81 games. Suppose he can maintain his current pace until season’s end. In that case, it’s unlikely he’ll need to sign another one-year deal, especially since he has worked on and improved other parts of his game, notably his faceoff ability, which was questionable early in his career. Roslovic is making the league sit up and take notice of him, and he’s likely hopeful they will consider him in free agency next summer.

Shifting back to the Metropolitan Division, the Penguins made a couple of under-the-radar signings on July 1 that have paid off big time early in this season. Justin Brazeau signed a two-year, $3MM deal in free agency this past summer. Very little attention was paid to the move, which isn’t surprising given that Brazeau didn’t break into the NHL until he was 25 and had just 95 career NHL games across two seasons. However, the New Liskeard, Ontario native showed enough in his short career for the Penguins to take a chance on him, and so far, the returns have been excellent—he has six goals and six assists in 12 games. Now, an unfortunate upper-body injury has slowed Brazeau’s season, just as he was gaining traction on a line with Evgeni Malkin and Anthony Mantha. Brazeau will likely miss a couple more weeks, but if he continues to trend in the right direction, the Penguins will have a bargain forward on their hands for another season and a half.

Parker Wotherspoon was another shrewd signing on July 1 by Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas. The 28-year-old played well last season in a bottom-pairing role and signed with Pittsburgh, likely sensing that there was an opportunity for a bigger role on the left side of the team’s defense. The Penguins entered the summer with arguably the worst left side in the NHL and made some depth moves to create competition and improve the position. So far, it has worked, as Wotherspoon has secured a spot alongside Erik Karlsson and has become the team’s top pairing. Wotherspoon is signed for another season after this one as part of his two-year $2MM deal, and like Brazeau, could provide Pittsburgh with a major contributor at a bargain basement price for one more season. He’s approaching a career high in points and has been part of rejuvenating Karlsson’s game, providing him with a reliable defensive partner for the first time since his days in Ottawa.

There is always an inherent risk when signing players in free agency. Olofsson, Drouin, and Perry have all proven to be reliable veterans earlier in their careers and weren’t considered high-risk signings. Still, it’s not surprising to see them contributing as they are, given their past performance and their strong showings last season with their previous teams. For Brazeau and Wotherspoon, signing them was essentially a no-risk decision for Pittsburgh, and they have worked out exceptionally well. Dubas did well to sign them for an additional season, a low-risk gamble that could pay off significantly if the rest of the season unfolds well. Neither man has contributed at this level before, and it will be interesting to see if they can maintain this pace throughout the entire season.

Can The Maple Leafs Turn Things Around?

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The Maple Leafs have faced a tough start to the season, hovering around the .500 mark while adopting a high-risk style of hockey. After 20 games, they’re 9-9-2 and have only six wins in regulation, placing them seventh in the Atlantic Division. Toronto’s offense has been among the league’s best at 3.50 goals per game, managing to outscore its issues at times, but its defense has been nearly nonexistent and ranks at the bottom of the league. The Maple Leafs are going through a bit of an identity crisis as we reach the quarter mark of the season, and with injuries starting to pile up, it’s understandable to wonder if they can turn things around.

Several lingering issues remain for the Maple Leafs, some new and others dating back to last season and beyond. Toronto’s defense has struggled to start this season, after finishing eighth in the league in goals against last year. However, the blame can’t be placed solely on their defensive efforts, as this isn’t a new problem; it’s been around since last season, though masked by elite goaltending. Toronto’s shot and goal metrics have been trending downward for a while now, and this could be a case of the Maple Leafs regressing back towards the mean.

Speaking of goaltending, Toronto’s netminders have struggled this year after being a strength last season, thanks to the excellent play of Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll. This season, Stolarz has had a tough start, posting a 3.51 GAA and a .884 SV%. As for Woll, he just returned against the Blackhawks this past Saturday. The Maple Leafs’ defensive issues could be addressed mainly with even average NHL goaltending. Still, it’s challenging to imagine Toronto getting the same level of goaltending as last season, which might continue to expose defensive vulnerabilities.

The Maple Leafs have spent many games this season trading high-quality chances with their opponents. While this approach works when their goaltending is elite, it becomes less effective when their netminder is below replacement level. The game on Nov. 15 against Chicago is a prime example, as Woll returned to the lineup and stopped 29 of 32 shots, four of which were of the high-danger variety. Playing loosely worked for a while against the Blackhawks, as the Maple Leafs held a 19-9 edge in high-danger chances, but they surrendered the lead in the third period for the second time in a week, ending up on the wrong side of a 3-2 score. There were positives to take from the game, including dominance in high-danger chances at five-on-five as Toronto had 16 to Chicago’s six, per Natural Stat Trick.

Defensive lapses are not the only issue facing this team right now, as injuries to key players have accumulated, forcing many of Toronto’s depth players to perform beyond their usual roles. Having Max Domi as a second-line center is not ideal and clearly contributes to Toronto’s recent decline. Domi is a good passer and has solid offensive skills, but he is not a top-nine center, let alone a second liner. Ideally, Domi would play on the wing on the third line, but injuries are testing the Maple Leafs’ depth, and someone has to move up when players go down.

Defensively, the loss of Brandon Carlo and Chris Tanev has pushed Philippe Myers into the lineup. No disrespect to the 28-year-old, but he is not a top-six NHLer, as recent performances – including the game against Chicago – have shown. Myers wasn’t signed to be a top-six Maple Leafs defender, but circumstances are what they are, and sometimes depth players need to step up when injuries mount. The recent waiver claim of Troy Stecher will likely send Myers back to the press box as a healthy scratch, but it’s hardly fair to expect Stecher to be the solution either. The Maple Leafs need to get healthy on defense (and at forward and in net) if they want any chance of making the playoffs, which leads us to a thought on the minds of Maple Leafs fans everywhere.

On the same night the Maple Leafs lost to the Blackhawks, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reported that the Maple Leafs are looking for roster-for-roster trades. It makes sense for Toronto to explore this, especially since they don’t have a first-round pick until 2028 and lack significant prospect capital unless they consider trading Easton Cowan, which they aren’t considering. The Maple Leafs reportedly tried to acquire defenseman Rasmus Andersson last season from the Calgary Flames, as well as forward Brayden Schenn from the St. Louis Blues. TSN’s Darren Dreger doesn’t see a fit for Toronto and Andersson, given how little trade capital the Maple Leafs have, and the Flames might not want to do business with their former general manager.

General manager Brad Treliving has a few players they can consider trading, such as Max Domi, Nicholas Robertson, or even Carlo, but who and what he chooses to move will depend on what he sees as a need. It’s fair to say the Maple Leafs need a defenseman, but they could also benefit from an impact forward to slot into their top six. Toronto didn’t adequately replace Mitch Marner, and although their offense is rolling, they still have a gap on their top two lines. They don’t need to acquire a player of Marner’s caliber, but they certainly need a reliable performer who can push some of Toronto’s depth players down the lineup to their proper spots.

Right now, things don’t look good for Toronto this season, and the team clearly lacks confidence, as shown by their on-ice behavior whenever they give up a goal. There aren’t many signs that the team is about to turn things around, but there are reasons to stay hopeful. If Toronto can get healthy, that will give them a boost. With Woll back and Stolarz not far from returning, their goaltending should improve soon. If they can make one or two small trades for immediate help, that should help the depth players find their proper roles, making the team stronger overall. None of this is sure to happen, and Toronto could keep slipping, but the season isn’t over yet—even if it doesn’t look promising.

Assessing The Senators’ Center Situation

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The Senators addressed a significant internal matter this week by securing a four-year contract extension for center Shane Pinto worth $30MM. The deal guarantees Ottawa’s center depth until at least 2030, as Tim Stützle and Dylan Cozens are already signed until then with cap hits similar to Pinto’s new deal ($8.35MM for Stützle and $7.1MM for Cozens). With the middle of the ice locked in Ottawa for the foreseeable future, it’s fair to wonder how the centers will line up moving forward.

Pinto’s $7.5MM cap hit certainly caught some attention across the league. Still, with the salary cap expected to rise significantly over the coming years, it’s clear that the NHL’s economic landscape will look very different soon. AFP Analytics had projected Pinto to earn nearly $6MM annually on a five-year extension; however, that estimate was made before Pinto started this season with seven goals in six games – although he has just two in 13 contests since. Ottawa’s current line combinations have Pinto centering the third line, although it’s given almost identical ice time to Cozens’ second line.

With Pinto’s increase in usage, it’s fair to wonder how Cozens would respond to being moved down the lineup. When he is playing well, Cozens is a terrific transition player who does a lot of damage off the rush and can tuck away garbage goals. However, when he is off his game, he doesn’t do enough away from the puck to justify a top-six job, and his defensive work is subpar. The same can’t be said for Pinto, who, granted, doesn’t have the same offensive track record as Cozens, but plays a better two-way game and can still get to the dirty areas of the ice to clean up rebounds.

The dynamic down the middle for Ottawa will be fascinating to watch in the coming year or two, particularly if Pinto can maintain his current offensive pace. Pinto’s career high in points is 37 from last year, while Cozens’ career high came in 2022-23 when he had 31 goals and 37 assists for 68 in 81 games. Since that season, Cozens has regressed offensively, tallying just 47 points in each of the last two seasons. However, since being acquired in the trade from the Sabres last March, Cozens has registered 12 goals and 18 assists in 39 games, which translates to a 63-point pace over an 82-game season. If Cozens can maintain his offensive production going forward, it would likely solidify him as the Senators’ second-line center, unless Pinto takes a massive step offensively.

Pinto’s overall game is probably the best suited for third-line duties out of all the Senators’ pivots. Pinto has been in the role for a few years now and has excelled with his terrific two-way play. He takes on tough matchups, kills penalties, and takes the bulk of the defensive zone starts. Examining this raises the question of whether Ottawa would be best served by maintaining the status quo in the future, as it best suits the players’ skill sets.

Then, there’s the morale factor. It’s tough to say what was promised behind closed doors, but a safe bet is that Pinto knows his role with Ottawa for the foreseeable future, and clearly, whatever that role is, it suits him just fine. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have signed for another four seasons. Hypothetically, even if signing in Ottawa wasn’t Pinto’s first choice, he did give up two UFA seasons to do so, which suggests he probably doesn’t dislike the current setup or his assigned role. There’s also the possibility that Ottawa had to overpay Pinto to keep him in a lesser role. Pinto is aware of the situation; he can see the depth at the center position and likely understands that not everyone gets to make flashy plays or be on the top power play and in the top six. Pinto knows his role and signed up for it, which makes it easier to keep him in the 3C position.

The same can’t be said for Cozens, who didn’t sign up for a demotion with the Senators, nor did he sign with the Senators at all. Cozens agreed to a seven-year deal in Buffalo before he was traded to Ottawa, meaning he didn’t choose the team or the role he’d play there and was thrown into both. Now, Cozens probably isn’t too upset about being moved from a perennial losing team to one that is finding its identity and developing as a group. But, from an outsider’s perspective, the chance of him being demoralized with a third-line role is much higher than with Pinto, who has already been in that role and signed up for another four years of it.

Will The Penguins Contend For The Playoffs?

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The Penguins entered the season with modest playoff hopes, at best. After 17 games, they sit sixth in the Eastern Conference with a 9-5-3 record. Although they’ve cooled off recently, they remain competitive and are dealing with numerous injuries to Rickard Rakell, Justin Brazeau, Filip Hallander, Tristan Jarry, Joel Blomqvist, Caleb Jones, and Noel Acciari.

Some might look at that list and dismiss the talent of those players, but it means they are without four regular forwards, one of their top six defensemen, and half their goaltending tandem. That’s a significant hurdle early in the season, especially for a team whose depth isn’t particularly strong. It raises the question: Can Pittsburgh weather this storm and realistically compete for a playoff spot this year?

The simple answer is yes. The talent level is aging, but it remains. The Penguins continue to rely on Sidney Crosby (11 goals and 20 points in 17 GP) and Evgeni Malkin (21 points in 17 GP) at forward, both of whom have been excellent early in the year, as has Erik Karlsson on the back end. The main question facing the Penguins, aside from dealing with injuries, is whether a team this old can maintain this level of play over a full 82-game schedule.

In Malkin’s case, it’s less apparent because he started last season strong as well, especially in October, when he went on a tear with a 3-11–14 scoring line in 12 games. His numbers then declined significantly as the season progressed. Crosby, however, usually improves as the season progresses, which suggests he might reach another level this year – an impressive feat considering he’s 38 years old.

Karlsson also appears to be a different player this season, and it will be interesting to see how his season unfolds. He seems more committed defensively and has been much more responsible with the puck this year, while demonstrating his elite skill and skating ability. His possession numbers back that up – only Parker Wotherspoon, his partner, has a higher shot-attempt share at even strength among Penguins defenders than Karlsson’s 50.7%. If he can keep this level of play throughout the year, alongside Malkin and Crosby, the Penguins have a strong chance of making the playoffs.

Then there is the wild card: Pittsburgh’s goaltending. Jarry remains an unpredictable performer. He’s been a two-time All-Star before, but he’s also shown inconsistency when the pressure ramps up. In any other year, you might see Pittsburgh’s goaltending as a weakness that could push them out of the playoffs, as has been the case in recent seasons. However, this year feels different for the Penguins, with Arturs Silovs, who has played very well early on, and rookie sensation Sergei Murashov, who just made his NHL debut earlier this week. These two young players, along with Jarry and even Blomqvist, form a very respectable rotation, even if they are largely unproven at the NHL level. Together, their .911 SV% ranks second in the league behind only the Blackhawks.

The cynic might examine Pittsburgh’s goaltending and argue that it is unproven, therefore unreliable, and perhaps (in the case of Jarry) a potential obstacle to their postseason chances. In most years, that might be true, but considering Jarry’s recent track record, it’s tough to see Pittsburgh giving him much leniency regarding his performance, and they probably wouldn’t hesitate to send him to the AHL if he doesn’t meet expectations. Pittsburgh did that several times last year, and since they’ve already sent high-priced defenseman Ryan Graves to the minors, they have no qualms about hurting the feelings of their veteran players.

Speaking of Graves, his signing on July 1, 2023, was supposed to mark the start of a lengthy stint on Pittsburgh’s defense, where he’d be in the Penguins’ top four. That hasn’t come to pass, and Graves was sent to the AHL to begin the season. Graves accepted the demotion professionally and went down to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, where he dominated the AHL, recording a goal and six assists in 10 games along with a +9 rating. However, the reality remains that his play in Pittsburgh has been poor for two seasons, and if he can’t put together a solid stretch of performance at the NHL level, he’ll find himself back in the AHL.

Graves’ inability to remain an NHL player has created uncertainty on the left side of the Penguins’ defense. Up to this point in the season, Ryan Shea, Wotherspoon, Caleb Jones, and, to a lesser extent, Graves have held the fort and been steady enough to support a surging Karlsson and a struggling Letang. Shea, Wotherspoon, Jones, and Graves all deserve credit for their efforts, as they are all asked to play above their typical roles and are doing a decent job, especially considering what they are paid (outside of Graves, who is making $4.5MM this year).

Shea and Wotherspoon, in particular, have been a surprise, as neither man was expected to be more than a fifth or sixth defenseman. There is a fair argument that they are both currently top-four defenders on the Penguins. Shea is a real surprise, and granted, his success thus far is somewhat predicated on luck with a 103.7 PDO. But he’s already set a career high in points in just 17 games and hasn’t been a liability in the top four.

The same can be said for Wotherspoon with a 103.6 PDO, but his play has been less about luck and more about playing a responsible, sound defensive game. There is nothing flashy about Wotherspoon, and he isn’t going to put up much offense, but he does have a bit of a track record of success from last year in Boston, although that was playing 18 minutes a night in a third-pairing role. In Pittsburgh, Wotherspoon has been a terrific top-pairing partner for Karlsson and has replicated what Marc Methot used to offer Karlsson a decade ago in Ottawa, without all the physicality. Wotherspoon has been able to support Karlsson’s play in a way that has allowed the three-time Norris Trophy winner to play his game without the fear of the puck always ending up in the back of the Penguins’ net. Wotherspoon has been one of several pleasant surprises for the Penguins this season, and perhaps the most important given the lack of depth on the left side of their defense.

Many pundits believed the Penguins were a few years away from competing and saw some of their free agency signings this year as patchwork moves to fill out the lineup, but they have proved to be much more than that. Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas entered free agency knowing the team wouldn’t be big spenders; instead of spending a lot, Dubas chose short-term, low-risk bets on players who had either dealt with injuries (Anthony Mantha) or lacked opportunity (Brazeau and Wotherspoon). Whether by design or luck, Dubas has rebuilt the Penguins’ farm system and NHL roster, and it looks likely they will be in the playoff hunt as the season continues, barring a collapse or multiple injuries.

Summer Synopsis: Anaheim Ducks

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With the regular season now upon us, 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 accomplished over the offseason.  Next up is a look at the Anaheim Ducks.

The Ducks have been rebuilding for several years and have built one of the top prospect systems in the NHL. They’ve done this by drafting high for several years, with many of those players becoming NHL regulars, and more on the way. The team has supported these young players with veterans, but it has yet to show tangible results in the NHL. However, with plenty of young talent coming up, the Ducks are ready to finally move out of the rebuild and compete for a playoff spot.

Draft

1-10 – C Roger McQueen, Brandon (WHL)
2-45 – C Eric Nilson, Djurgårdens Jr. (J20 Nationell)
2-60 – D Lasse Boelius, Ässät Jr (U20 SM-sarja)
3-72 – F Noah Read, London (OHL)
4-101 – D Drew Schock, U.S. National U18 (NTDP)
4-104 – G Elijah Neuenschwander, HC Fribourg-Gottéron U20 (U20-Elit)
5-136 – D Alexis Mathieu, Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)
5-159 – LW Émile Guité, Chicoutimi (QMJHL)
6-168 – D Anthony Allain-Samaké, Sioux City (USHL)
7-200 – F Brady Turko, Brandon (WHL)

The Ducks chose a lanky center with the tenth overall pick, hoping that his skating, size, and playmaking abilities would translate to the NHL and elevate McQueen to a top-six center. McQueen plays a two-way game and has good hockey sense. He has a strong wrist shot and can deliver accurate passes through traffic to find teammates. He does need to improve his skating, but projects as a reliable NHL center.

With the 45th overall pick, the Ducks selected another center. Nilson sees the ice very well and can play at a good pace, but he also knows when to slow things down to draw in defenders and set up teammates in open space. He’s also a responsible defender and rarely finds himself out of position, paying close attention to the details at both ends of the rink. While he doesn’t possess a lot of speed and isn’t overly flashy, Nilson should be able to develop into a middle-six forward given how high his floor is.

With the latter second-round pick, the Ducks drafted Boelius from Finland. The mobile defenseman has an excellent first pass, is patient with the puck, and works well from the offensive blueline, directing pucks to the net through traffic. Boelius also plays a physical game and isn’t afraid to battle in the corners and in front of the net. His offensive game still needs development to reach the NHL level, but given his all-around play, he could potentially become a top-four defenseman.

In the third round, the Ducks selected London Knights forward Read, a north-south winger who skates with a lot of pace and is a superb forechecker. He is an excellent skater, which helps him in transition—a key strength in his game. Read produces most of his offensive output on the rush and is more of a depth scorer than a top-tier option. Since he is responsible and plays a quick game, he should be able to contribute at the NHL level in a depth role at least.

Trade Acquisitions

F Chris Kreider (from New York)
G Petr Mrazek (from Detroit)
F Ryan Poehling (from Philadelphia)

The Ducks have been bringing in veterans for the past few years and continued to do so this summer, adding veteran forward Kreider to their young forward group. Kreider is coming off a tough final season in New York, as the 34-year-old tallied just 22 goals and eight assists in 68 games. Those numbers represented a steep drop for the former 50-goal scorer and eventually led to him being moved west to Anaheim.

Kreider remains a highly productive NHL player who can be a net-front presence and often scores in close. He still plays a strong transition game despite losing some speed; he remains a threat to score many goals, using his speed and size to reach prime scoring positions. He likely won’t hit 50 again, but he’s still a threat to pot 30 goals, which would be an excellent return for Anaheim over the next two seasons.

Poehling was acquired in the Zegras trade and contributed to an underwhelming return for the young forward. Poehling, a former first-round pick (25th overall in 2017), has moved around the league with Anaheim being his fourth NHL team. The 26-year-old enjoyed two productive seasons in Philadelphia, setting career highs in points in consecutive years. His speed is expected to suit Anaheim well, and he can be a threat in transition, leveraging his underrated passing and subtle skills to create plays and set up teammates.

UFA Signings

F Mikael Granlund (three years, $21MM)
G Ville Husso (two years, $4.4MM)

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

The Ducks dipped their toes into the free agent market, securing one of the top offensive talents with a three-year deal worth $7MM annually. The contract caused sticker shock, especially since just two summers ago, Granlund was considered a salary-cap dump when the Pittsburgh Penguins traded him as part of a package to the San Jose Sharks for Erik Karlsson. Granlund struggled in Pittsburgh but found his form in San Jose, tallying 105 points in 121 games before being traded to Dallas this past February.

Granlund didn’t put up the same numbers in Dallas, but he was still productive, recording seven goals and 14 assists in 31 games before adding five goals and five assists in 18 playoff games. That was enough for Anaheim to pay a hefty price for the 33-year-old on a contract that might not look great in a year or two, considering Granlund’s age.

The Husso contract was another puzzling move, as the Ducks signed a goaltender for multiple years who hasn’t looked like an NHL goalie in quite some time. Husso played well in St. Louis during 2021-22, earning Vezina Trophy consideration. However, he has been average or worse since then, including last year when he was demoted to the AHL at one point and ultimately traded from Detroit to Anaheim. Husso has started the season strong in the AHL with the San Diego Gulls, and it will be interesting to see how much NHL time he gets over the next two years.

RFA Re-Signings

G Calle Clang (one year, $775K)
RW Sam Colangelo (two years, $1.7MM)*
G Lukas Dostal (five years, $6.5MM)
D Drew Helleson (two years, $2.2MM)
D Jackson LaCombe (eight years, $72MM)
C Mason McTavish (six years, $42MM)
F Jan Mysak (one year, $775K)
F Nikita Nesterenko (two years, $1.575MM)
C Tim Washe (two years, $1.625MM)*

*-denotes two-way contract

Anaheim was busy this summer as it continued trying to lock down its future stars with long-term contract extensions. They still have a lot of work to do next summer, but this past offseason helped solidify much of their future. The most significant contract extension went to defenseman LaCombe, who signed an eight-year deal worth $9MM annually. While that price tag may raise some eyebrows, LaCombe tends to fly under the radar in Anaheim, but as their top defenseman last season, he excelled in nearly every aspect of the game, finishing the year with 14 goals and 29 assists in 75 games. Although those offensive numbers don’t scream $9MM defenseman, the NHL’s economic climate has shifted, and LaCombe is a complete two-way defenseman. Nearly every statistic saw a significant jump last season, making it understandable why the Ducks felt they had to lock down the 24-year-old before that $9MM AAV started to push north of $10MM if he had another strong season. It’s a gamble for the Ducks, but one they hope will pay off in the coming years with a rising salary cap.

The Ducks also signed McTavish to a new six-year contract. The 22-year-old made a significant leap last year, scoring 22 goals and 30 assists in 76 games. McTavish is evolving into a top-tier offensive player and could very well become the Ducks’ leader in that area if he improves his skating and attention to detail. But even if his skating stays the same, he’s smart enough to play through it and remain effective in the offensive zone; however, his defensive play needs improvement and is an area of concern for both the Ducks and McTavish.

In the crease, the Ducks exchanged Gibson to Detroit and signed their goalie of the future, Dostal, to a five-year extension. The 25-year-old posted relatively modest numbers by traditional standards, with a 3.10 GAA and a .903 SV%, but a closer look at his stats reveals that Dostal’s numbers were dragged down by playing behind a very weak defense. His stats improve when you analyze more advanced metrics, as he finished 17th in goals saved above expected per 60, which is quite impressive considering how poor the Ducks’ defense was last year. The Ducks are betting on Dostal’s ongoing development, and he could become a bargain if the team’s defense improves and he can play behind an average or better unit in their own zone.

Departures

F Justin Bailey (signed in AHL)
G Oscar Dansk (signed in Czechia)
F Robby Fabbri (remains unsigned)
G John Gibson (traded to Detroit)
D Oliver Kylington (signed in Sweden)
RW Brett Leason (signed with Washington, one year $775K)
C Josh Lopina (signed in ECHL)
C Isac Lundeström (signed with Columbus, two years $2.6MM)
F Brock McGinn (remains unsigned)
F Carson Meyer (signed with Buffalo, two years $1.55MM)
F Carey Terrance (traded to New York Rangers)
F Trevor Zegras (traded to Philadelphia)

*-denotes two-way contract

The Ducks finally made a move with Gibson, trading him to the Detroit Red Wings for Mrazek and a couple of draft picks. It was a move fans had been waiting for a while, but Gibson’s poor play in recent years made it seem almost impossible to move him. Thanks to a bounce-back season last year, Anaheim was able to capitalize and send Gibson and his $6.4MM cap hit to Detroit, clearing one of the last remaining players from Anaheim’s previous contention window. With Dostal already the heir apparent, trading Gibson was an easy decision for general manager Pat Verbeek.

Zegras was the second Ducks player traded out who had been with the team long-term. The enigmatic forward remains an incredibly talented, though underperforming, player who needed a fresh start after some injury troubles in recent seasons. The return for Zegras from Philadelphia was underwhelming, to say the least; however, Zegras hadn’t done the Ducks any favors with his play last year. The 24-year-old had just 12 goals and 20 assists in 57 games last season and posted some of the lowest underlying numbers of his career. There are certainly deficits in his game, as he isn’t overly fast or physical, and he turns the puck over way too much, but his skill is high-end, and if he puts it together in his prime, he could be special.

Salary Cap Outlook

The Ducks currently have just under $14.5MM in available cap space, with projects extending to $54.8MM at the NHL Trade Deadline. That’s a substantial amount of room for the rest of the season, which basically means they can add anyone during the season. However, they probably won’t do that because they’ll have some significant extensions to give out next summer to players like Cutter Gauthier and Leo Carlsson. They also need to account for LaCombe’s new contract next season, which means that a large portion of cap space will quickly be used up.

Key Questions

Can they finally compete for a playoff spot?

The Ducks have been a very entertaining team to watch and have started the season strongly. Now, nearly a quarter of the way through the year, it’s clear they’re vying for a playoff spot. They probably can’t maintain their current pace, but even if they finish the rest of the year with a .500 record, they’ll still be in the hunt for a postseason spot.

Which young players will take a step forward?

The Ducks have a bottomless prospect pool with a lot more help on the way. They’ve locked up several young players, and it’s fair to wonder who else will position themselves for a long-term deal. Carlsson, Gauthier, and Beckett Sennecke all seem to be on track to become top-six forwards for Anaheim, with each player looking to take the next step in their development as they aim to establish themselves as offensive NHL forwards.

Can the defense actually defend?

Anaheim’s defense has been a significant liability over the last few seasons, allowing high shot volumes, struggling to kill penalties, and being inconsistent in every aspect of the game. With a new coaching staff in place, all eyes will be on the defensive core to see if they can actually tighten things up and support their goaltenders. Anaheim has many issues to address at the back end, and even something as straightforward as reducing high-danger scoring chances would go a long way towards becoming a playoff team.

Photo by Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

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