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Summer Synopsis 2025

Summer Synopsis: Los Angeles Kings

at CDT | by 6 Comments

With training camps now almost 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 has accomplished this offseason.  Next up is a look at the Los Angeles Kings.

The Kings made a major shuffle in this front office, opting to part ways with general manager Rob Blake mutually in favor of former Detroit GM Ken Holland. It was an interesting direction for the Kings to take, but they were clearly drawn to Holland’s championship pedigree and the decades of experience he brings to the position. The Kings are hoping that Holland can provide more innovative roster construction to a team that has been bounced from the playoffs in the first round by the Edmonton Oilers in four consecutive seasons. Whether or not Holland can do that remains to be seen, but some of his roster decisions this summer raised eyebrows.

Draft

1-31 – D Henry Brzustewicz, London (OHL)
2-59 – F Vojtěch Čihař, HC Energie Karlovy Vary (Czechia Extraliga)
3-88 – F Kristian Epperson, Saginaw (OHL)
4-120 – D Caeden Herrington, Lincoln (USHL)
4-125 – F Jimmy Lombardi, Flint (OHL)
5-152- G Petteri Rimpinen, Kiekko-Espoo (Liiga)
6-184 – F Jan Chovan, Tappara U20 (U20 SM-sarja)
7-196 – F Brendan McMorrow, Waterloo (USHL)
7-216 – D Will Sharpe, Kelowna (WHL)

The Kings used a first-round pick on a right-shot defenseman, which is probably what they should be doing with their top picks. Brzustewicz is a mobile, two-way defender who plays a cautious, risk-averse game. He avoids unnecessary chances but jumps into the rush when it’s right. The downside of being so careful is that it can cause poor decisions under pressure, something Brzustewicz needs to improve—especially when opposing forwards apply pressure on the forecheck. He can work on this back in London this season, and if he adds size, it should boost his confidence when taking hits to make plays.

Čihař does a lot of good things away from the puck, using his speed and footwork to pivot quickly and engage in the forecheck. He won’t shy away from the front of the opposition’s net and is a tough player to play against along the wall. His offense is a bit raw right now, but he does display good hockey sense, and if his playmaking and passing improve, he could become a middle-six forward in the NHL.

Epperson could become a valuable pick after recording 27 goals and 53 assists in 58 OHL games last season. He works hard and is tenacious on the forecheck, as well as in transition. Epperson is the perfect complement to high-end skill players, as he can force turnovers and create trouble in the offensive zone. This worked well last season with the 2025 second overall pick, Michael Misa. If he keeps up the same work ethic, he could become a regular on the Kings’ bottom six.

Fourth-round pick Herrington is another right-shot defenseman with offensive upside. He is aggressive on the rush and eager to contribute to the attack. Although there are concerns about his defensive game, with good coaching and guidance, Herrington could develop into an offensive NHL defenseman. This type of player is worth taking a chance on late in the draft because his natural offensive skills can be improved through coaching, and his weaknesses can hopefully be addressed.

UFA Signings

F Joel Armia (two years, $5MM)
D Cody Ceci (four years, $18MM)
F Martin Chromiak (one year, $775K)*
G Pheonix Copley (one year, $775K)
D Brian Dumoulin (three years, $12MM)
G Anton Forsberg (two years, $4.5MM)
F Corey Perry (one year, $2MM)

Ken Holland was busy during the first few days of free agency, signing several depth veterans and using up cap space in the process. The decisions to sign Dumoulin and Ceci drew significant criticism, with many pointing out the length and cost of contracts for two veterans who are likely to be the Kings’ bottom pairing this season. The issue for Los Angeles, and probably the reason for signing players like Dumoulin and Ceci, is that they had gaps to fill in their defense, and their depth problems (especially on the left side) could force Dumoulin to log top-four minutes. However, Ceci should be on the third pairing if everyone stays healthy, playing behind Drew Doughty and Brandt Clarke.

Dumoulin remains a capable player, but at 34 years old, he’s not suited for top four minutes. He has two Stanley Cups to his name and played significant minutes on those Pittsburgh teams, but that was nearly a decade ago, and Dumoulin hasn’t been that defenseman since 2020. Over the past five years, Dumoulin has struggled with possession metrics as his even-strength play has fluctuated. Once, he had the skating ability to consistently maintain reasonable gap control and break away from forecheckers to make strong first passes. Still, as he’s slowed down, both skills have become less impactful. Dumoulin can still disrupt plays and keep the puck out of dangerous areas, but he often takes penalties trying to do so, which wasn’t an issue when he was quicker on his feet.

The Ceci signing remains confusing and might be a move Holland regrets quickly. Ceci has many tools that make him an interesting player and has always managed to earn his coaches’ trust, despite inconsistent results. He isn’t as bad as he’s often accused of being, but he’s not a top-four NHL defenseman either, and he’ll be paid like one until he’s 35. Ceci’s performance varies significantly from year to year; in many seasons, his results indicate he’s a below-replacement player. In other seasons, when he’s sheltered, he posts good results (for example, 2020-21 with Pittsburgh), but at $4.5MM a season, you expect some consistency. Ceci isn’t that far removed from one of the best seasons of his career, but his last three playoff runs (two with Edmonton and one with Dallas) have been horrendous and have led to him being a healthy scratch at times. Not ideal for a player being paid the way he is.

Moving on to the forwards, the Kings made two depth signings for Armia and Perry. Perry guarantees a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals; at least, that’s what recent history suggests. Perry has appeared in five finals over the past six years with four different teams, consistently proving himself as a warrior come playoff time. The 40-year-old recorded 19 goals and 11 assists in 81 regular-season games last year, then exploded for 10 goals and four assists in 22 playoff games. Perry should continue to be a reliable agitator come playoff time, which could be interesting if the Kings face the Oilers for a fifth straight playoff.

Armia won’t score much in Los Angeles, having topped 30 points only once in his NHL career. The 32-year-old should reach around 25 points and will contribute on the penalty kill. He isn’t afraid to engage physically and should boost the Kings’ forecheck while remaining defensively aware. Armia is a reliable signing for the Los Angeles team. It should handle some of the Kings’ more challenging defensive duties, which could be beneficial against a potent offensive team like the Oilers.

RFA Re-Signings

F Alex Laferriere (three years, $12.3MM)

There might not be a player in the NHL who enjoys skating the puck more in transition than Laferriere. He made significant progress last year, both physically and mentally, shaking off scouts’ concerns about his skating and establishing himself as a talented playmaker with good speed. Although there were doubts about his skating style being awkward, after recording 19 goals and 23 assists in 77 games last season, Laferriere is proving his critics wrong. The Chatham, New Jersey native is a strong forechecker and has become more responsible defensively over the past year. This should help him start the season in the top six and likely also on the Kings’ second power play unit.

Departures

D Vladislav Gavrikov (signed with New York, seven years $49MM)
F Tanner Jeannot (signed with Boston, five years $17MM)
D Caleb Jones (signed with Pittsburgh, two years $1.8MM)
G David Rittich (signed with New York Islanders, one year $1MM)
D Jordan Spence (traded to Ottawa)
F Jack Studnicka (signed with Florida, one year $775K)*
F Samuel Fagemo (signed with Winnipeg, one year $775K)*

*-denotes two-way contract

The Kings’ signing of Ceci and Dumoulin was essential after Spence was traded and Gavrikov left via free agency. The loss of Gavrikov will significantly affect the Kings, as it forces Mikey Anderson into the top pairing and disrupts the depth on the left side, likely pushing Dumoulin into the top four. Gavrikov’s departure and Dumoulin’s signing effectively amount to a swap from the Kings’ perspective—and it’s not a particularly good one. While both play a straightforward stay-at-home game, Gavrikov can handle shutdown minutes at the top pairing, whereas Dumoulin is better suited for third-pairing roles. The 29-year-old Gavrikov doesn’t hit much or do much with the puck, but he can produce around 30 points and is very disruptive defensively, especially at the blue line, where he can disrupt transition plays and zone entries. The Kings will feel Gavrikov’s absence deeply.

The Spence trade to Ottawa is one that Holland might want to revisit someday. While it was hard to see him playing third-pairing minutes again next year, it was probably the best move for Spence, who was going to earn just $1.5MM this year—significantly less than new third-pairing defender Ceci. The Kings protected Spence last year, and his defensive metrics were excellent during those minutes, as he led all Los Angeles defensemen in goal share and xGoal share. However, he was behind Brandt Clarke on the depth chart and thus seen as expendable, even though the trade return was underwhelming.

Salary Cap Outlook

The Kings currently have just under $1.9MM available in cap space with one roster spot open (according to PuckPedia). If they add an entry-level contract (ELC) or a league minimum deal to reach 23 players, it will leave them with approximately $1MM in cap space. This should be enough of a buffer to handle injuries, but it won’t leave much room if they want to make a mid-season acquisition.

In the long run, the Kings have $33.725MM available in cap space for next summer (assuming no trades or signings before then), with 15 players already signed. That might seem like a sizable amount, but it doesn’t include a potential replacement for Anze Kopitar or an extension for Adrian Kempe, which AFP Analytics estimates to be around $9.2MM mark per season. The Kings will also need to decide on Clarke’s future, who is projected for a long-term deal around $7MM or a bridge deal around $3.5MM.

Key Questions

Is the older defense actually better?

Moving on from Gavrikov and Spence to Dumoulin and Ceci makes the Kings’ defense older and slower, which isn’t ideal when many teams in the Western Conference prioritize speed. It remains to be seen if the Kings are a better team than they were last season, but on paper, it’s hard to say they are. Their defense definitely isn’t better, and while they didn’t make wholesale changes on the backend, the moves they did make could reveal some flaws in their lineup.

Have the Kings already passed their window of contention?

A few years ago, the Kings were a team on the rise, seeming poised to become a force in the Western Conference for years to come. However, some poor trades and unfortunate player development have caused them to fall behind Edmonton, Dallas, Las Vegas, and Colorado. It’s possible the Kings could still have some deep playoff runs, but given the strength of their competition and the flaws in the roster, they might never make a significant playoff push with this group.

How hot is Jim Hiller’s seat?

Hiller’s seat was likely warm when the Kings and general manager Rob Blake mutually agreed to part ways. As this season kicks off, the pressure is expected to intensify. Hiller is only in his second full season as the Kings’ bench boss, but traditionally, general managers prefer to hire their own coaches, and Ken Holland has inherited Hiller. If the Kings start slowly, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them make a change for a new head coach.

Photo by Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images

Summer Synopsis: Minnesota Wild

at CDT | by 3 Comments

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 has accomplished this offseason.  Next up is a look at Minnesota.

The Wild recovered nicely after missing the playoffs in 2023-24, making it back to the postseason in 2024-25 despite again being ravaged by injuries. The forward progress was met with a quick elimination by the Golden Knights in the first round, but increased cap space and the continued progression of their recent high-end draft picks mean more opportunities for growth in Minnesota in 2025-26.

Draft

2-52: D Theodor Hallquisth, Orebro U20 (Sweden U20)
4-102: F Adam Benak, Youngstown (USHL)
4-121: F Lirim Amidovski, North Bay (OHL)
4-123: F Carter Klippenstein, Brandon (WHL)
5-141: D Justin Kipkie, Victoria (WHL)

Minnesota made the most out of perhaps the lowest draft stock in the league this season. They were missing capital at the top and bottom of the class, but still landed a haul that should offer up unique upside. Second-round defender Hallquisth is an exciting leader of the bunch, offering up a mean and gritty style that makes him a fantastic shutdown option. But it will be hard not to get excited over 5-foot-7 playmaker Benak, who has long stood as the face of Czechia’s international youth teams. Benak is a cool, calm, and collected play-driver who slid in the draft because of his frame, but showed he can play well above it at training camp.

The trio behind Minnesota’s top picks will each offer solid depth. Amidovski was a fundamental piece in North Bay’s offense last season, offering quick reactions and minimal mistakes in all three zones. Klippenstein was a main play-driver for Brandon all year long, though his lanky frame and awkward skating didn’t result in as many goals as one may expect. Perhaps the most interesting of the bunch is defender Kipkie, whom the Arizona Coyotes previously drafted in the fifth round of the 2023 NHL Draft. He didn’t sign with Arizona (or Utah) despite staying on a steady course of improvement with the Victoria Royals. Minnesota could prove a beneficiary of Kipkie’s decision to re-enter the draft. He was a core piece of the Royals’ last season and is set for a top-four role at Arizona State University this season.

Trade Acquisitions

F Vladimir Tarasenko (from Red Wings)

The Wild shifted around draft capital ahead of draft weekend, but otherwise stayed relatively quiet on the trade market. Their only splash was the acquisition of Russian scorer Tarasenko, with nothing more than future considerations headed back to the Detroit Red Wings. It could prove a lucrative swap for Minnesota right out of the gates. Tarasenko – once a routine 30-goal scorer – managed 11 goals and 33 points in 80 games with the Red Wings last season. He’s three seasons removed from his last 30-goal campaign, but has quickly clicked with Minnesota’s other top Russians, like Kirill Kaprizov and Danila Yurov. That bond has earned Tarasenko a top-six role throughout training camp. Whether he offers a surge back to scoring or merely Cup-winning precedent, reeling in a high-usage, veteran winger for no cost will be a nice plus on Minnesota’s summer.

UFA Signings

F Nico Sturm (two-years, $4MM)
G Cal Petersen (one-year, $775K)*
D Matt Kiersted (two-years, $1.6MM)*
F Nicolas Aube-Kubel (one-year, $775K)*
D Ben Gleason (one-year, $800K)*
F Tyler Pitlick (two-years, $1.5MM)*

* denotes two-way contract

Quieter than their presence on the trade market was Minnesota’s presence on the free agent market. Their early-summer transactions did very little to make a significant impact. Their only one-way contract was awarded to former Wild centerman Sturm, who won a Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers after a Trade Deadline move from the San Jose Sharks last season. His season was relatively quiet overall, though, marked by just 14 points in 70 games, including the postseason. It was Sturm’s second Cup win, after also supporting the Colorado Avalanche in their 2022 championship. Sturm has been a career bottom-six center. He has 92 points and 86 penalty minutes in 331 career games – and 36 points and 25 penalty minutes in 111 prior games with the Minnesota Wild.

RFA Re-Signings

F Michael Milne (one-year, $775K)*
F Marco Rossi (three-year, $15MM)
G Chase Wutzke (three-year, $2.9MM)*

Minnesota’s summer was headlined by its contract negotiations with top young center Marco Rossi. After what seemed like an endless stream of rumors – which included trade rumors and speculation around his playoff usage – the two sides compromised on a well-paying, bridge contract. The $5MM yearly price tag could quickly look like a bargain for Rossi, who had a career year with 24 goals and 60 points last season. He has played in every single Wild game dating back to the start of 2023-24, and looked well capable of supporting top-line minutes in the absence of Joel Eriksson Ek last season. Rossi is a young, former top-10 pick who appears on the cusp of a breakout. He’ll have three years to vindicate that standing, and could earn a major payday and lineup role on the other side.

Departures

F Devin Shore (signed with Sparta, Czechia)
F Frederick Gaudreau (traded to Seattle)
F Brendan Gaunce (traded to Columbus)
D Declan Chisholm (traded to Washington)
F Adam Raska (signed with Sparta, Czechia)
D Ryan O’Rourke (signed with Laval, AHL)
F Graeme Clarke (signed with Capitals)
F Luke Toporowski (signed with Hershey, AHL)
D Cameron Crotty (signed with Senators)
D Chase Priskie (signed with Sibir, KHL)
F Gustav Nyquist (signed with Jets)
D Jon Merrill (unsigned)
F Justin Brazeau (signed with Penguins)
G Marc-Andre Fleury (retired)
F Travis Boyd (signed with Maple Leafs)
G Troy Grosenick (unsigned)
F Tyler Madden (unsigned)

There’s no question the Wild lost some depth this summer. Still, despite the quantity, they didn’t lose much quality. Nyquist and Brazeau, who were acquired at the 2024-25 trade deadline, combined for three goals and nine points in 41 games down the stretch, providing little value.

Chisholm, who was traded to the Capitals before the start of free agency, is coming off a two-goal, 12-point campaign and proved to be a solid contributor, albeit in limited action. Despite the solid campaign, Minnesota boasts one of the best defensive cores in the league, supplemented by a full year of David Jiricek and Zeev Buium for the 2025-26 season. Furthermore, the team is expecting Jonas Brodin to return in the relatively near future.

Lastly, the most notable departure this past offseason was Gaudreau. Finishing fifth on the team in scoring with 19 goals and 37 points in 82 games, Gaudreau was a key middle-six center for the Wild last year. Regardless, like their other departures, the Wild have the internal depth to sustain such a loss, and a few up-and-coming prospects that could fill in.

Key Extensions

F Kirill Kaprizov (eight-year, $136MM)
G Filip Gustavsson (five-year, $34MM)

The Wild tidied up two important pieces of business on the eve of the 2025-26 season. They started with a record-breaking extension for superstar winger Kaprizov. The deal will carry a $17MM cap hit each season – an incredible burden, but a seemingly fitting one for a player as do-it-all as Kaprizov is. He’s the true motor of Minnesota’s offense when he’s at full health. He pops up in seemingly every play and creates waves of top-tier scoring chances all on his own. Kaprizov has only crossed the 100-point mark once – but he managed three-straight 40-goal seasons from 2021 to 2024, and was on pace for 50 goals and 112 points before injury cut last season in half. He’ll have one more year to prove he can be a top-tier superstar before he embarks on a long-term contract that seems sure to end with Kaprizov enshrined by the Wild.

Backstopping Kaprizov’s flashy offense for the last three seasons has been steady play from Gustavsson. He has been impressive since arriving in Minnesota, kicking off his tenure with the team with a .931 save percentage in 39 games of the 2022-23 season, good for second-best in the league. That momentum helped him win over the starter’s crease in 2023-24, and after a shaky first year, he made good on the role with a .914 Sv% in 58 games last season. Both his games played and save percentage ranked sixth in the league. Minnesota acknowledges those performances with a nicely-paying extension, though the five-year term brings up tough questions about how the team plans to deploy top goalie prospect Jesper Wallstedt.

Salary Cap Outlook

According to PuckPedia, the Wild open the 2025-26 campaign with approximately $3.545MM in cap space. This provides ample space for them to strengthen their fourth line during the trade deadline season, for a roster that has minimal gaps when healthy. Furthermore, General Manager Bill Guerin has done an excellent job locking in Minnesota’s core, with Tarasenko and Zuccarello being the only two pending unrestricted free agents of significance. Impressively, assuming no new contracts are signed, and the upper ceiling of the salary cap hits $104MM, the Wild will enter next offseason with approximately $17.156 in salary cap space even after factoring in Kaprizov’s mammoth extension.

Key Questions

How Far Will This Team Get In The Postseason? Since the 2012-13 season, Minnesota has only missed the postseason twice. Still, despite being a consistent playoff team, they haven’t reached a Western Conference Final since the 2003 Stanley Cup playoffs and have yet to see a Stanley Cup Final in their 26-year history. Their top player, Kaprizov, typically does his part in the postseason when healthy, though a few bad performances from other key contributors usually prove costly. As mentioned, Guerin has done a stellar job locking in the team’s core. Regardless, that will only mean something if the Wild can be more competitive when the hockey matters most.

Is It Time To Trade For A Top-Line Center? Outside of Kaprizov’s extension, Rossi’s contract situation played a large role in Minnesota’s offseason. He performed well last season, scoring 24 goals and 60 points in 80 games, though his disappearance in the postseason had many clamoring for his ouster. The Wild signed Rossi to a three-year, $15MM contract, walking him into his last year of restricted free agency after the 2027-28 season. If Rossi falters again, the team has an in-house candidate to take over as the center of the first line in Eriksson Ek, although his playstyle is better suited for the second forward unit. Given their projected cap space for next season, the Wild may be better served using Rossi and one of their first-round selections from the three upcoming NHL Drafts to pursue a notable center addition on the trade market to put next to Kaprizov and Matt Boldy.

Photo courtesy of Brett Holmes-Imagn Images.

Summer Synopsis: Montreal Canadiens

at CDT | by 2 Comments

With training camps 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 has accomplished this offseason.  Next up is a look at Montreal.

The Canadiens were hoping to be in the mix for the playoffs last season and a late-season surge not only allowed them to do that, but it also allowed them to sneak into the postseason, perhaps a little earlier than anticipated.  While they were quickly dispatched by Washington in the opening round, their movement this summer suggests that they’re expecting to take another step forward in their rebuilding process this season.

Draft

2-34 – F Alexander Zharovsky, Ufa (MHL)
3-69 – F Hayden Paupanekis, Kelowna (WHL)
3-81 – D Bryce Pickford, Medicine Hat (WHL)
3-82 – G Arseni Radkov, Tyumen (MHL)
4-113 – F L.J. Mooney, U.S. U18 (NTDP)
5-145 – G Alexis Cournoyer, Cape Breton (QMJHL)
6-177 – D Carlos Handel, Halifax (QMJHL)
6-189 – D Andrew MacNiel, Kitchener (OHL)
7-209 – D Maxon Vig, Cedar Rapids (USHL)

It’s not very often that a team trying to emerge from a rebuild trades two first-round picks instead of adding to its prospect cupboard but the Canadiens did just that, dealing the 16th and 17th selections (forward Victor Eklund and defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson) as part of a draft-day swap that saw them add a top-pairing defenseman, a move we’ll get to shortly.

They also made a pair of moves on the second day of the draft, trading up for their first two selections, including two second-round selections to get Zharovsky.  The winger showed lots of raw offensive skill in Russia’s junior league last season before making his KHL debut in the playoffs.  He’s likely at least a couple of years away from being considered to move to North America but if he develops as planned, he could be a top-six piece down the road.

Paupanekis was the other player they moved up for.  A big center who showed some flashes of offensive upside with a capable defensive game, they’re hoping that he could be a bottom-six option down the road.  Pickford was picked in his second year of eligibility after averaging nearly a point per game in the regular season while adding 24 points in 18 playoff contests.  He’s eligible to turn pro next season and could be an intriguing offense-first blueliner in a few seasons.

The rest of Montreal’s selections qualify as longer-term projects.  Mooney is the headliner from the list, a player whose skill level is pretty high offensively with a ceiling higher than many drafted ahead of him.  However, he’d also be one of the smallest players in the NHL if he makes it which undoubtedly contributed to his drop on draft day but midway through the draft, Montreal felt it was worth the gamble.

Trade Acquisitions

F Zachary Bolduc (from Blues)
D Noah Dobson (from Islanders)
D Gannon Laroque (from Sharks)

The Canadiens swung arguably the biggest trade of the summer to bring Dobson in from New York.  Included in the swap was an eight-year, $76MM sign-and-trade contract, making him the highest-paid skater in franchise history in terms of AAV.  Clearly, Montreal feels that his drop in points to 39 (down from 70 the year before) is something that isn’t going to be continued while they’ll be counting on him to take a step forward in his defensive game as well.  If all goes according to plan, they’ll have a right-shot top-pairing defender locked up through his prime years, checking off a key part of their rebuilding checklist although with Lane Hutson in the fold, he may not get as many prime offensive chances as he did with the Islanders.

Bolduc comes over in a one-for-one swap with St. Louis that saw a pair of 2021 first-round picks get moved for each other.  Bolduc had a strong second half last season, ultimately coming up just short of 20 goals while also bringing a bit of physicality to their bottom six.  Montreal will be expecting him to pick up where he left off and fill a similar role with them this season.  As for Laroque, he was acquired merely as a contract matcher in the swap with the Sharks.  He didn’t play at all last season and wasn’t invited to camp this year, suggesting his playing days are likely done.

UFA Signings

F Alex Belzile (one year, $775K)*
F Sammy Blais (one year, $775K)
D Nathan Clurman (one year, $775K)*
D Marc Del Gaizo (one year, $775K)*
G Kaapo Kahkonen (one year, $1.15MM)
F Joe Veleno (one year, $900K)

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

As has been the case under GM Kent Hughes, Montreal largely stayed on the sidelines when it came to free agent additions this summer.  Their most expensive signing – Kahkonen – is likely to start in the minors (assuming he clears waivers), a sign of how little they spent here.  Veleno, bought out by Seattle back in June, is someone who should break camp with the Canadiens but is likely ticketed for a limited role to start the year.  Blais is on the borderline for a roster spot while the others are all ticketed for the minors.

RFA Re-Signings

G Jakub Dobes (two years, $1.9MM)
F Sean Farrell (one year, $775K)*
D Jayden Struble (two years, $2.8MM)
D William Trudeau (one year, $775K)*

*-denotes two-way contract

Struble’s first two seasons were nearly mirror images of each other.  There were times when he flashed top-four upside and other stretches where he struggled to simply get in the lineup.  This bridge deal allows both sides more time to see if there’s a full-time spot for him in Montreal while it’s front-loaded, yielding a cheaper qualifying offer two years from now.

Dobes started the season in the minors but a late-December recall saw him get off to quite the start, winning his first five games, including several against some of the better teams in the league.  On the flip side, he struggled more down the stretch and with fewer than 20 games played (including playoffs), he’s still rather inexperienced.  Montreal will be hoping that he can shoulder a bit more of the workload after Sam Montembeault was among the league leaders in games played last season.

Departures

F Joel Armia (signed with Kings, two years, $5MM)
F Alex Barre-Boulet (signed with Avalanche, one year, $775K)*
F Christian Dvorak (signed with Flyers, one year, $5.4MM)
F Brandon Gignac (signed with Kloten, NL)
F Rafael Harvey-Pinard (signed with Penguins, one year, $775K)*
F Emil Heineman (trade with Islanders)
D Noel Hoefenmayer (signed with Sochi, KHL)
G Connor Hughes (signed with Lausanne, NL)
G Gustav Lindstrom (signed with Djurgarden, SHL)
D Logan Mailloux (trade with Blues)
F Michael Pezzetta (signed with Maple Leafs, two years, $1.55MM)
G Cayden Primeau (trade with Hurricanes)
G Carey Price (trade with Sharks)
D David Savard (retirement)
F Xavier Simoneau (NHL rights relinquished but signed AHL deal with Laval)

*-denotes two-way contract

In the NHL, the center market is often a market of its own.  The contract given to Dvorak is a good example of that.  He has yet to record 40 points in a season but his defensive game and faceoff ability coupled with a scarcity of available options yielded this deal, one that agents will undoubtedly be trying to use as a benchmark moving forward.  Armia was another longer-term bottom-six piece in Montreal who is moving on.  While he hasn’t produced enough offensively to live up to his first-round draft selection, he has carved out a viable career as a strong checker.  Filling their roles defensively could be challenging for the Canadiens this season.

Heineman was the other piece in the Dobson swap.  He got off to a strong start in his first full NHL season before being hit by a car in Utah, landing him on IR and upon his return, his production dropped.  Nonetheless, the Isles feel he still has another level to get to.  Still just 23, Heineman has been traded three times now for quality players, Sam Bennett, Tyler Toffoli, and Dobson.  Pezzetta was a regular on the roster for the past few years but played sparingly overall, being healthy scratched more than 50 times.

Savard was another fixture on Montreal’s penalty kill and was eighth in total blocked shots last season.  However, he was struggling as the season went on and knew by the playoffs that he was nearing an end to his playing days.  Dobson is his replacement, though he’ll play a much bigger role overall.  Dobson’s addition also was enough security to part with Mailloux in the Bolduc trade.  Mailloux has shown himself to be a strong offensive defenseman in the minors and even in his brief taste of NHL action.  His defensive game is an area of some concern and the Blues will be hoping to help him take some steps forward on that front as he looks to be a full-time regular for them this season.

With Price entering the final year of his contract and an early-September bonus paid, the Canadiens gave up a fifth-round pick to send him to the Sharks, allowing themselves to get out of LTIR.  He hasn’t played since a five-game stint late in 2021-22 and won’t play again.  Primeau was the backup heading into last season but struggled mightily, leading to his clearing waivers and Dobes coming up.  However, he finished strong in the minors which was enough for Carolina to send a seventh-round pick for him to add to their goalie depth.

Salary Cap Outlook

The Price trade significantly altered Montreal’s cap situation for the upcoming season.  Instead of being several million deep into LTIR and facing a certain bonus overage penalty for the fourth year in a row, they have over $4.5MM in cap space, per PuckPedia.  While they’ll want to keep a significant chunk of that for bonuses (around half of that), that should still allow them to bank ample in-season flexibility to cover injuries and, if they’re in a push for a playoff spot, try to make a late-season addition or two.

Key Questions

What Will Laine Bring To The Table? Patrik Laine’s first season with Montreal was certainly eventful.  He suffered a knee injury in the preseason, causing him to miss nearly two months.  Upon returning, he became a power play dynamo, finishing fourth in the league in power play goals scored with 15 (two off the lead) despite missing 30 games.  However, he only managed five goals at even strength and as the season went on, his playing time and role dropped amid concerns about his five-on-five play.  The end result was a career-low ATOI.  Now healthy, he’s entering a contract year and it feels like he’s a big Wild Card heading into the season.  Can he re-establish himself as a legitimate top-six threat at even strength and position himself for a long-term agreement?  Or will he continue to be primarily a power play gunner, something that would have him staring down a significant dip in pay from his $8.7MM AAV.

How Will They Fill The 2C Role? While Montreal made a big move to add Dobson on the back end, they weren’t successful in adding an impact center, something they and many other teams struck out on.  As a result, they enter the season with largely the same options and questions as before.  Can Kirby Dach stay healthy and take a step forward in his development?  While Alex Newhook has started on the wing two straight years, he has finished down the middle each time.  Can he be a full-time option and push for that spot?  Recently, Oliver Kapanen has seen some preseason action in that role but he has just two assists in 18 games thus far in his early NHL career.  Can one of them step up or will that be a weak spot again this season?

What Type Of Impact Will Demidov Have? The Canadiens were able to get Ivan Demidov out of his KHL contract late in the season, allowing him to get into a couple of regular season games and their five playoff outings, showing flashes of the upside that made him the fifth overall pick just a year ago.  Can he have a similar type of impact as fellow countryman Matvei Michkov and give Montreal a second offensive line, something they’ve been lacking for a while?

Photos courtesy of Wendell Cruz and Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images.

Summer Synopsis: Nashville Predators

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With training camps 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 has accomplished this offseason.  Next up is a look at the Nashville Predators.

The Predators are a team that many felt would compete for a Stanley Cup last season after they made a massive splurge in free agency the previous summer, acquiring Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, and Brady Skjei. However, the high-priced spending spree had the opposite effect on Nashville, as the team became slow and disjointed, and was never able to put together a solid stretch of play to gain any traction. This summer, general manager Barry Trotz was much more conservative, opting to tweak a few things and run it back next season in the hopes that last year was an anomaly.

Draft

1-5 – F Brady Martin, Sault-Ste Marie (OHL)
1-21 – D Cameron Reid, Kitchener (OHL)
1-26 – F Ryker Lee, Barrie (OHL)
2-35 – D Jacob Romback, Lincoln (USHL)
2-58 – G Jack Ivankovic, Brampton (OHL)
4-122- D Alex Huang, Chicoutimi (QMJHL)
6-163 – D Daniel Nieminen, Lahti Pelicans (Liiga)

Nashville will be hoping that Martin develops into a top-line player sooner rather than later, especially given their lack of depth at center. Martin is offensively capable, but what is more valuable than his scoring ability is his overall game and his capacity to play in various roles and assignments. Some scouts consider him a Swiss-Army knife who can adapt to many different roles. He has a high compete level and isn’t afraid to get physical, which should help him if his offensive game doesn’t immediately translate to the NHL or develops more slowly as he turns pro. Martin isn’t a pure scorer, but his floor in the NHL is likely as a top-nine forward, either at center or on the wing. Some believe he might be better suited to the wing, but given Nashville’s needs, he will be given every opportunity to become their center of the future.

With their second of three first-round picks, the Predators moved up in the draft to select OHL defenseman Reid. The Kitchener Rangers defender isn’t the most consistent defensively and can feel pressure with the puck in the defensive zone. Still, his offensive instincts are strong, and he is seen as a potential power-play quarterback.

With their third and final pick of the first round, the Predators picked Lee, a scoring forward who may take some time adjusting to the NHL before he settles in. Lee can struggle with consistency, which could be problematic as he attempts to become a full-time NHL player. Lee isn’t projected to be a topline forward, but he should be an excellent NHLer who surpasses 50 points per season.

With their second-round pick, the Predators drafted a very large defenseman in Rombach. Standing 6’6”, Rombach will intimidate opponents with his size and his mean streak, while playing a reliable defensive game. His offensive skills are limited and may require improvement if he hopes to make it to the NHL, as well as adjusting to the league’s speed. He is a project in many ways, but the Predators have a knack for developing their defenseman, so he should be in a good position for his growth.

Trade Acquisitions

D Nicolas Hague (from Vegas)
F Erik Haula (from New Jersey)

The Predators acquired Hague and a conditional third-round pick in exchange for forward Colton Sissons and defenseman Jeremy Lauzon. The Predators were quick to then sign Hague to a four-year extension worth a total of $22MM. The deal, in theory, made sense for Nashville as they needed help on the backend; however, the execution left a lot to be desired as the trade and subsequent contract extension received heavy criticism.

Nashville needed help on the right side, and Hague effectively slides into Nashville’s third pairing, which is probably where he belongs, given his skill set. The problem is that Hague slides into the left side, and this makes the trade and the $5.5MM AAV more puzzling. The idea might be to flip Roman Josi to the right side, but then it pushes Hague into the top four, which isn’t ideal. The main issue with giving Hague that money is that he isn’t suited for that role and will likely be forced to play above his perfect slot.

Haula was acquired from the Devils on June 18th in exchange for defenseman Jeremy Hanzel and a 2025 fourth-round pick. It’s reasonable to question why Nashville believed this move was necessary and to wonder what Nashville will gain from Haula at this stage of his career. Last year was a lacklustre season for the 34-year-old in nearly every statistical category, as his offense declined significantly along with his underlying numbers. At a $3.15MM cap hit, Haula isn’t a bargain, but he isn’t a drain on the salary cap either, or he’s signed for just this season. There’s a chance he bounces back into the 40-point range, and if he does, this trade is a win for Nashville. However, if he has a season similar to last year, it won’t be viewed positively in hindsight.

The trade was probably a result of Nashville desperately needing help in their bottom six, and although Haula isn’t exactly a game-changer, he provided a modest upgrade. The worst-case scenario for Nashville is that Haula and/or the team struggle, and he gets traded at the deadline for a package similar to what Nashville sent to the Devils.

UFA Signings

D Nicklaus Perbix (two years, $5.5MM)

GM Barry Trotz focused on strengthening his defensive core by signing Perbix to a two-year deal. The 27-year-old is a three-year NHL veteran who does a solid job of carrying and moving the puck and can add some offense. Despite his skills, he did turn the puck over quite a bit last year, which he will need to work on since he won’t be as protected in Nashville as he was in Tampa Bay.

Perbix has a good size at 6’4”, 209 lbs, but he doesn’t hit a lot, recording just 50 hits last season in 74 games. He had six goals and 13 assists last season, marking a decline from the previous year, when he scored two goals and had 22 assists in 77 games.

Nashville needed to strengthen the right side of its defensive core, and while there is nothing inherently wrong with Perbix, he isn’t likely to crack the top four, and if he does, it wouldn’t reflect well on the state of the Predators’ defensive core.

RFA Re-Signings

D Nicolas Hague (four years, $22MM) 

As mentioned earlier, the Hague extension presents issues because AFP Analytics projected him for a two-year deal at just over $2.6MM per season. That $5.2MM total package was exceeded by the $5.5MM AAV Hague actually received, which could be problematic if he performs as he has in the past. Hague’s contract aligns with extensions given to other defensemen, like Marcus Pettersson of the Vancouver Canucks; however, Pettersson was a pending UFA and is a much better all-around defenseman and a proven top-four option.

Departures

F Kieffer Bellows (signed in Sweden)
D Marc Del Gaizo (signed with Montreal, one year, $775K)*
F Grigori Denisenko (signed in KHL)
D Mark Friedman (signed in Sweden)
D Jeremy Lauzon (traded to Vegas)
D Jake Livingstone (unsigned UFA)
F Ondřej Pavel (signed in Finland)
D Luke Prokop (signed with AHL Bakersfield)
F Colton Sissons (traded to Vegas)
F Jakub Vrana (signed in Sweden)
F Jesse Ylonen (signed in Sweden)

*-denotes two-way contract

The good news for Nashville is that not much talent left the organization this summer. However, there is an argument that as much or more talent departed as returned, at least at the NHL level. The Hague trade with Vegas effectively sent away Sissons, who is a defensive bottom-six forward that can contribute a bit offensively and handles tough minutes, as well as Lauzon, a very physical defenseman who doesn’t contribute offensively but isn’t much of a downgrade from Hague.

It’s fair to wonder if Hague and Haula are significant upgrades over Sissons and Lauzon, especially considering Hague and Haula make $9MM a season combined. At the same time, Lauzon and Sissons earn less than $3.5MM together. Adding the extra costs to acquire Hague and Haula results in a confusing set of transactions from Nashville’s point of view.

The remaining departures are mainly tweeners and AHL players who never really figured into Nashville’s future and won’t have much impact. Vrana was a good gamble at the end of last season when Nashville claimed him off waivers; however, he wasn’t a fit, recording two goals and an assist in 13 games. Vrana signed in Sweden this summer, and at 29, it’s unlikely he’ll return to the NHL. The same could probably be said for Friedman, who had a few stints in the NHL but couldn’t stick with Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Vancouver, or Nashville.

Aside from Sissons and Lauzon, none of the other players who left Nashville received one-way NHL money, which shows just how weak the group was.

Salary Cap Outlook

The Predators have plenty of cap space for the upcoming season, with just over $9.34MM available (according to PuckPedia), and they could add key players to their lineup midseason if they decide. Next summer, they will have around $40MM in cap space and need to address a few RFAs, but they might also make a splash in free agency if they choose to, although this may not be the best move considering general manager Barry Trotz’s recent free agent signings. The Predators aren’t in a bad spot with the cap, but if their pricey veterans perform the way they did this past season, Nashville could be in for a world of cap hurt, as their high-priced veterans have term remaining and would become very difficult to move.

Key Questions

What is Josi’s future?

Josi experienced headaches and fatigue last season and was eventually diagnosed with postural tachycardia syndrome, also known as POTS. Josi is now back at full strength and participating in the Predators’ training camp, optimistic about his future. The 35-year-old is only a year away from being a Norris Trophy finalist and played well last season when healthy. If he can regain his form and stay healthy, it will significantly help the Predators in regaining relevance.

Who will be the top centers?

The Predators’ center depth currently leaves much to be desired, as they lack a true 1C, and will have to rely on Ryan O’Reilly in the top spot by default. Some might suggest Stamkos could fill that role as well, but at this stage of his career, he’s better suited to the wing. O’Reilly would be a better fit as the 2C, but the Predators aren’t in a position to deploy him in a role that matches his skillset. The second-line center spot is still open, but the most likely candidate is Fedor Svechkov, who had a mediocre rookie season last year and is aiming to improve.

Can the offense bounce back?

The Predators’ top offensive players underperformed last season, except for Filip Forsberg. It was a significant decline for Stamkos and Marchessault, and the Predators will count on both players to bounce back and regain some of the scoring they displayed during their free agent walk years two seasons ago. Stamkos, in particular, experienced a sharp drop, going from a point-per-game player with the Lightning to a modest 53 points in 82 games, which is below his usual level. Marchessault’s offensive stats weren’t far off his career averages, but his turnovers were terrible, and he’ll need to improve that if he hopes to re-establish himself.

Photo by Brett Holmes-Imagn Images

Summer Synopsis: New Jersey Devils

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With training camps 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 has accomplished this offseason.  Next up is a look at the New Jersey Devils.

The Devils crashed and burned last season under the weight of expectations, injuries and instability. The club went from being a Stanley Cup contender to dropping out of the first round of the playoffs pretty quietly. Now, with a group that is a year older and has some battle scars, the expectation is that they should bounce back and compete in the Eastern Conference once again. There are still some salary cap concerns to address, but the Devils have one of the top rosters in the East and should be a playoff team at the very least, and potentially a contender to win the Metropolitan Division.

Draft

2-50 – F Conrad Fondrk,  U.S. National Team Development Program (USNTDP)
2-63 – RW Benjamin Kevan, Des Moines (USHL)
3-90 – F Mason Moe, Madison (USHL)
4-99 – G Trenten Bennett, Kempville (CCHL)
4-114 – F Gustav Hillstrom, Brynäs IF (SHL)
6-161 – RW David Rozsíval, Bílí Tygři Liberec (Czechia U20)
6-178 – D Sigge Holmgren, Brynäs IF (J20 Nationell)

The Devils didn’t have a first-round pick this year and only selected midway through the second round, taking Fondrk with the 50th overall pick. He’s the kind of high-risk, high-reward choice that the Devils should target with their limited draft options. Fondrk has excellent playmaking skills and can create space for himself using his hockey IQ. His style is very similar to Tampa Bay forward Jake Guentzel. Fondrk can play on the wing or at center, and his versatility will be a valuable asset, complemented by his good shooting and passing skills.

Now, for the downside, Fondrk has a notable injury history, having suffered a leg injury last year that prematurely ended his season. His defensive game isn’t strong either, but he may be able to improve it with NHL-level coaching. Additionally, his play along the boards isn’t anything to write home about, which could hinder his chances of becoming a regular NHLer if his other offensive skills don’t adapt well to the NHL game.

Kevan was a late second-round pick and projects as a top-nine forward who can contribute secondary offense and be a nuisance for opposing teams. He has good hockey instincts in tight and should be a challenge for opposing goalies to play against if he can fill out. His speed isn’t top-end, but it’s adequate to assist him on the forecheck. There are some issues with his consistency, especially his goal-scoring, which can dry up at times in the USHL. Clearly, that problem will only become more challenging as he moves up the ranks in professional hockey.

In the third round, the Devils picked Moe, who adds a two-way presence to their pipeline. Moe isn’t likely to be a high scorer, but his playmaking is solid, and he plays a safe, steady game. To make the NHL, he’ll need to bulk up since he probably isn’t destined for a top-six spot, and if he wants a checking role, he’ll need to become tougher to play against.

Bennett was a fourth-round pick, and he’s the type of goaltender teams should consider taking a chance on in later rounds. You can’t teach or develop what Bennett possesses, and that is size. Standing at 6’8”, Bennett is evident in the net. However, he’s still raw and will be a project for the Devils, which is acceptable when drafting in the later rounds. His positioning is solid, which isn’t too surprising given his size, but his rebound control and tracking are significant concerns, and there are potential issues with his composure. Bennett isn’t likely to make an NHL lineup anytime soon, and his career will largely depend on how well he can be coached and adapt to the adjustments his coaches will try to make to his game.

Trade Acquisitions

C Thomas Bordeleau (from San Jose)
D Jeremy Hanzel (from Nashville)

The trade involving Bordeleau was a solid deal for the Devils, as they swapped an older AHL player, Shane Bowers, for the younger Bordeleau, who is still a prospect but is nearing the end of his development at 23 years old. Bordeleau has good speed and decent puck skills, but is slightly undersized and has yet to establish himself as a regular NHL player. His AHL offensive numbers are solid, giving the San Jose Barracuda a secondary scoring option.

In the NHL, Bordeleau has six goals and 12 assists in 44 games, averaging 15:04 of ice time per game. Last season, the Houston, Texas native played in just one game with the Sharks and was largely blocked by a logjam of forwards in San Jose. Being traded to a much deeper team in New Jersey might not immediately open a clear path for Bordeleau to reach the NHL. Still, if the Devils face numerous injuries again, there could be an opportunity for him to be called up and try to establish himself as a regular NHL player.

Hanzel arrived in New Jersey with a fourth-round pick in the Erik Haula trade. He was probably more of an afterthought in the deal, but he could have an impact in the AHL this season. At 22 years old, he’s worth considering for the Devils, as his puck skills and vision could translate well to the AHL if he improves some other aspects of his game. The chances of him playing in the NHL are almost zero, but if he finds some consistency, it could help him stay in the AHL.

UFA Signings

D Calen Addison (one year, $775K)*
G Jake Allen (five years, $9MM)^
F Connor Brown (four years, $12MM)
F Dennis Cholowski (one year, $775K)
F Angus Crookshank (two years, $1.55MM)*
F Evgenii Dadonov (one year, $1MM)

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

The Devils began free agency by re-signing Allen to a surprising five-year contract extension. The length of the deal caught many off guard, as did the AAV of $1.8MM, which was significantly lower than projections. AFP Analytics had forecasted a two-year, $7MM contract for Allen, but he took roughly half that AAV and secured an additional three years. Last season, Allen was outstanding and was considered the top goaltender on the free agent market, making his contract even more unexpected. He had the ninth-highest goals saved above expected in the NHL last season at 18.4, and surpassed all the expectations set for him.

Adding Brown came with a steep cost in terms of the deal’s length, but it slightly exceeded projections. AFP Analytics forecasted Brown to have a three-year contract at $2.92MM per season, so he modestly surpassed those figures on both duration and salary. Brown has struggled with scoring over the past three seasons, but regained his form last year with 13 goals and 17 assists in 82 games, which aligns more closely with his career averages. The deal for Brown involves significant risk due to his ongoing scoring struggles and injury history in previous seasons. There is considerable upside to the contract, but if Brown regresses to his 2022-24 numbers, it could become problematic.

Dadonov is a strong buy-low candidate for the Devils and could be a depth scoring option after tallying 20 goals and 20 assists in 80 games last season. It was surprising to see the 36-year-old accept such a low cap hit and term. AFP Analytics estimated that Dadonov would sign a two-year deal at $3.25MM per season, meaning New Jersey might have a steal if Dadonov can match his production from last year. While he doesn’t skate and play as aggressively as he used to, he still skates well, passes effectively, and currently has a good offensive touch.

RFA Re-Signings

F Thomas Bordeleau (one year, $775K)*
G Nico Daws (two years, $1.625MM)*
F Cody Glass (two years, $5MM)
D Luke Hughes (seven years, $63MM)
F Nathan Legare (one year, $775K)*
F Marc McLaughlin (one year, $775K)*

*-denotes two-way contract

There was some debate about whether the Devils would non-tender Glass, but in the end, they decided to retain his rights and offered him a two-year contract at the same pay he was earning on his previous deal. It was an excellent outcome for Glass, who was a salary cap casualty last summer in a trade to the Penguins and was eventually moved to the Devils at the NHL Trade Deadline. Glass hasn’t been able to reproduce all the talent that made him a top-six draft pick. Still, he has a clear skill set that makes him an NHL player. His game is straightforward; he’s strong defensively, but he hasn’t been able to find much offensive production at the NHL level and probably never will live up to his draft position. That said, he’s an NHL fourth-line center, and a pretty solid one at that.

Finally, the Devils were able to lock in Hughes long-term, and although it took some time, they are surely happy with the result. Hughes’ absence could have become problematic if it leaked into the regular season, but fortunately, both sides agreed to an extension. Hughes carries the puck a ton and might be the fastest defensive skater in the league. His passing and playmaking are terrific and continue to develop, and he will likely keep getting better over the next few years, which should make his $9MM AAV a bargain very soon.

Departures

F Nathan Bastian (signed with Dallas, one year, $775K)
F Shane Bowers (traded to San Jose)
F Justin Dowling (signed with New York Rangers, two years, $1.55MM)*
D Brian Dumoulin (signed with Los Angeles, three years, $12MM)
F Nolan Foote (signed with Florida, one year, $775K)*
D Santeri Hatakka (signed in SHL)
F Erik Haula (traded to Nashville)
F Curtis Lazar (signed with Edmonton, one year, $775K)
G Isaac Poulter (signed with Winnipeg, one year, $775K)*
F Daniel Sprong (signed in KHL)
F Tomáš Tatar (signed in Switzerland)

*-denotes two-way contract

The Devils didn’t experience many significant losses this offseason, apart from a few depth forwards and Dumoulin. The Dumoulin contract was one of the most surprising of the offseason and was mainly overshadowed by his teammate Cody Ceci’s deal, which raised even more eyebrows.

Dumoulin remains a solid professional, able to keep the puck out of dangerous areas in the defensive zone and to move the puck effectively, thanks to decent passing skills. He still maintains reasonable gap control. Although he’s lost his quick first step in recent years, he has adapted to it. However, this has started to lead to more penalties when he loses a step or his man gets past him.

The loss of Haula, Lazar, and Tatar affects the bottom six somewhat, but general manager Tom Fitzgerald did a good job offsetting those moves by adding Brown and Dadonov and keeping Glass. The Devils gave up some defensive depth in reshuffling their bottom six, but they should gain more scoring depth from their third and fourth lines, which could ease some pressure on their top six.

Salary Cap Outlook

The Devils had just over $5MM available in cap space for the upcoming season with a 22-man roster, which did not include the salary of RFA defenseman Luke Hughes, who appears to have signed a long-term extension worth $9MM annually. This will put New Jersey over the salary cap by approximately $4MM. The Devils will likely place Johnathan Kovacevic on the LTIR to start the season. Still, due to the new CBA rules, they will only save $3.8MM of his $4MM salary, meaning they will need to do some additional maneuvering to become cap compliant at the start of the year.

Key Questions

Can the team stay healthy?

The Devils actually finished near the bottom of the league in man games lost, ranking ninth with 169 total games lost. The issue for New Jersey was the timing of the injuries and who they lost to injury. The Devils lost superstar forward Jack Hughes in early March and missed defensemen Jonas Siegenthaler and Dougie Hamilton for extended periods at the end of the year. With key players missing, the Devils stumbled down the stretch and were easily eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. If they hope to make an impact in the playoffs, it will be crucial for the team to stay healthy when the games matter most, from April to June.

Can they become a better even-strength team?

Last year, the Devils boasted one of the best power plays in the NHL and had an above-average penalty kill. That was encouraging because their even-strength scoring wasn’t robust, with only 172 goals in 82 games. The team mainly struggled to produce offense last season, and they will be counting on some of their summer additions to make a significant impact. It will also be the coaching staff’s job to optimize the lineups and deployment to maximize each player’s potential.

What does Hamilton’s future look like?

With the impending cap crunch, speculation has arisen that the Devils might consider trading Hamilton and his $9MM cap hit to another team. The 32-year-old has three years remaining on his contract and is still a productive player for New Jersey, but they need to move out money, and Hamilton makes a lot of it. There is a 10-team trade list that would make a move difficult, but there would still be a market for him, as he is a right-shot defenseman who can contribute offensively.

Photo by Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images

Summer Synopsis: New York Islanders

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With training camps 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 has accomplished this offseason.  Next up is a look at the New York Islanders.

The Islanders are a team in transition at the moment, having missed the playoffs last season and winning the NHL Draft Lottery. The team dealt with numerous injury issues last season, as well as some uneven play from the top players when they were healthy. They didn’t make significant changes this summer on the ice, but off the ice, Mathieu Darche took over general manager duties from Lou Lamoriello. Darche didn’t make any significant additions to the roster, opting for a conservative approach to retooling a veteran team that’s in the midst of a transition. The Islanders enter this season as a major unknown, which could work in their favor as they try to return to the postseason.

Draft

1-1 – D Matthew Schaefer, Erie (OHL)
1-16 – F Victor Eklund, Djurgårdens IF (HockeyAllsvenskan)
1-17 – D Kashawn Aitcheson, Barrie (OHL)
2-42 – F Daniil Prokhorov, HC Dinamo Saint Petersburg (MHL)
3-74 – F Luca Romano, Kitchener (OHL)
4-104 – F Tomas Poletin, Lahti Pelicans (Liiga)
5-138 – D Sam Laurila, Fargo Force (USHL)
6-170 – G Burke Hood, Vancouver (WHL)
7-202 – RW Jacob Kvasnicka, U.S. NTDP (USHL)

The Islanders weren’t expected to make much impact in the first round after drafting Schaefer; however, the Noah Dobson trade with the Montreal Canadiens generated a lot of buzz and earned New York two extra first-round picks, which they used to select Eklund and Aitcheson. This move could effectively reset the Islanders’ core for years to come.

Schaefer is expected to join the NHL roster this season and is seen as a potential franchise defenseman. He is intelligent with the puck, agile, and performs well both defensively and during transitions. He dealt with some injuries last season and might need to have his playing time limited in his first NHL year.

Eklund was a draft steal and could be a valuable pick for the Islanders at 16. Some scouts ranked Eklund in their top five a month before the draft, or at least in the top 10, but he fell to the middle of the first round and will likely have a chip on his shoulder as he tries to prove his critics wrong. Eklund’s size is a concern, but he plays bigger than he is and has no issues initiating contact, as he’s a relentless forechecker who plays well below the goal line, making good use of his puck-handling skills.

Aitcheson is another prospect who isn’t afraid of physical play and enjoys mixing it up. He’s not overly tall at 6’1”, but he can fight, battle in the corners, and clear the front of the net. He’s also capable offensively, as he likes to jump into the rush and is a solid puck carrier who can lead the play in transition.

In the second round, the Islanders picked Prokhorov, whose size stands out every time he’s on the ice. He’s tough to compete against at 6’6” and 209 lbs, but he has some defensive weaknesses, as he occasionally drifts out of position and lacks strong anticipation skills when not in possession of the puck. Offensively, his shot is decent but could use more accuracy. He also shows a bit of a lack of vision when handling the puck, which limits his options. All the necessary tools are there for Prokhorov, but he’ll be a project for the Islanders.

Outside of the first two rounds, it’s hard to gauge what the Islanders have. Romano probably has the most upside among the players picked in later rounds, but he will need to add size and strength if he hopes to be an everyday NHLer. Romano is mobile and a great puck-handler, which should create opportunities to play with skilled teammates. He’s also defensively responsible and could potentially be a penalty killer since he’s unafraid to battle in the corners and do the dirty work if needed. If he adds size, the Islanders will have found a steal in the third round.

Trade Acquisitions

LW Emil Heineman (from Montreal)

The Islanders acquire Heineman from the Canadiens along with two first-round picks for defenseman Dobson. In the short term, it’s clearly a big boost for the Habs, but the Islanders did well to get everything they did in the trade. Heineman isn’t a throw-in and should develop into a solid middle-six NHLer. He has a fantastic shot and can use it from various angles. His skating is also an asset, as he has a quick first step and can create separation from opponents to open up passing lanes for his teammates. His skating also helps him bother opponents while he’s on the forecheck, and he isn’t afraid to lay a hit on opposing defensemen.

While he has some strong offensive tools, Heineman isn’t going to carry the play on his own, and his passing leaves something to be desired. He isn’t likely to rack up many primary assists, which could limit his point production. He also experienced some inconsistency in his rookie season, but the Islanders are hopeful he can find stability with them and become a reliable contributor.

Heineman works hard and is quite strong on the opposite side of the puck. However, he sometimes overworks himself in the D zone, which leads to overcommitting and losing his position. With proper coaching, this can be fixed, but for now, his enthusiasm may work against him if he gets too eager when defending the zone.

UFA Signings

D Ethan Bear (one year, $775K)*
D Tony DeAngelo (one year, $1.75MM)^
F Jonathan Drouin (two years, $8MM)
F Matthew Highmore (one year, $775K)*
D Cole McWard (one year, $775K)*
G David Rittich (one year, $1MM)

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

The Islanders didn’t make any big moves this offseason, but they did strengthen their forward group by adding Drouin, who is a good buy-low candidate. Drouin’s defensive game wasn’t strong for most of his career until 2023-24, when he simplified his offensive approach while playing with Colorado and became much more disciplined defensively. His numbers reflected that change, but his defensive play regressed to his norm last season, possibly due to injuries. Drouin has excellent vision and playmaking skills and should continue to rack up points as long as he stays healthy.

The risk in signing Drouin is that his simplified game was mainly due to his playing alongside top players in Colorado. There’s a chance his weaknesses could be exposed with the Islanders if he can’t perform with their top forwards. At the very least, he should produce .5 points per game, and if he can improve his defensive game to match his 2023-24 performance, he’ll be a valuable signing at $4MM a year.

Bear signifies a strong value signing after putting up excellent offensive numbers in the AHL last season. He will likely serve as a depth option for the Islanders this season but could be called upon to join the NHL lineup if injuries arise, similar to last year. Bear hasn’t played in the NHL since the 2023-24 season, but he was a reliable puck-moving defenseman during his time with the Edmonton Oilers.

DeAngelo returned to the Islanders after signing mid-season last year. He did what he usually does on the ice and posted good offensive numbers (four goals, 15 assists in 35 games), but performed poorly in the defensive zone. He received plenty of ice time in limited games, averaging over 23 minutes a night, which the Islanders will likely try to reduce if they have a healthy defensive core. If DeAngelo can stay disciplined and on the ice, his contract should be beneficial and offer good value to New York. However, if he reverts to some of his old habits, the Islanders are only on the hook for the season and can easily waive him without any long-term consequences. It’s a worthwhile gamble for the Islanders at this stage of their retool.

Rittich wasn’t very good last season, but he managed to secure an NHL contract with a $1MM guarantee. He posted a -11.4 goals saved above expected over 34 games with Los Angeles, but the Islanders probably won’t play him that much. Chances are, he will see limited NHL action since the Islanders have a reliable backup in Semyon Varlamov, who had injury issues last season. This is an insurance signing for New York, and it’s okay, even if Rittich’s game has some flaws; he’s suitable as a third-string option.

RFA Re-Signings

F Liam Foudy (one year, $775K)*
F Marc Gatcomb (one year, $900K)
RW Julien Gauthier (one year, $775K)*
F Emil Heineman (two years, $2.2MM)
RW Simon Holmström (two year, $7.25MM)
D Travis Mitchell (one year, $775K)*
D Alexander Romanov (eight years, $50MM)
F Maxim Tsyplakov (two years, $4.5MM)

*-denotes two-way contract

The extension to Romanov will be interesting to watch as he ages. The 24-year-old hits hard and blocks a lot of shots, but he was also responsible for many turnovers last season. Some might argue that he’s a good puck mover, but it’s worth questioning how much of that was him simply finding Dobson in a good spot and letting his partner do the work. Romanov will face a more challenging situation moving forward, and if he continues on his current path, this contract could prove to be a steal. However, if turnovers persist and he regresses without Dobson, the contract could ultimately prove to be a bad deal.

Holmstrom’s re-signing was a smart move, as he is the type of forward coaches appreciate. Holmstrom plays a cautious, consistent game and doesn’t take many risks or create numerous opportunities for his teammates. That said, he’s a reliable finisher when chances arise and is a strong enough forechecker to be disruptive.

Tsyplakov had a strong first season in the NHL and should have every chance to be the Islanders’ third-line center this year. His two-way game suits the role, and his ability to drive play could eventually help him move into the top six if he continues to adapt to the North American style of play. There’s a lot to like about the 27-year-old’s game, especially if he can improve his finishing and tidy up his penalty habits, as he took far too many penalties. His two-year deal offers plenty of value, and he could be a key contributor for the Islanders throughout the contract.

Departures

D Samuel Bolduc (signed with Los Angeles, one year, $775K)*
F Cal Clutterbuck (retired)
D Noah Dobson (traded to Montreal)
F Hudson Fasching (signed with Columbus, one year $775K)*
D Grant Hutton (unsigned UFA)
F Fredrik Karlström (signed in SHL)
F Matt Martin (retired)
D Mike Reilly (signed with Carolina, one year, $1.1MM)
G Jakub Skarek (signed with San Jose, one year $775)

*-denotes two-way contract

The Islanders created a significant gap in their lineup when they traded Dobson to the Canadiens. Still, they were in a position to do so after winning the draft lottery and selecting Schaefer first overall. Obviously, his development and play this season will determine how much they’ll miss Dobson, but the Islanders seem confident that he can help fill some of the void the trade left.

Outside of Dobson, the Islanders didn’t lose much from their lineup this summer. Clutterbuck and Martin’s retirements open up some roster spots on the fourth line for some of New York’s prospects to compete for, while Reilly had become an afterthought on the Islanders’ backend and didn’t play much last season, dressing in just 18 games.

Some leadership will be lost with Clutterbuck and Martin leaving, but Martin stayed with the franchise in other roles, and the Islanders have plenty of other veterans who can step up and serve as voices in the dressing room.

Salary Cap Outlook

The Islanders are unexpectedly close to the NHL salary cap, with only $1.625MM remaining and one spot open on the 23-man roster, which will likely go to Schaefer. This leaves them little room to manoeuvre if they face injuries like last season or want to make significant changes during the season. It seems the Islanders are taking a wait-and-see approach before deciding on their retooling strategy, and with limited flexibility, that probably makes the most sense.

Key Questions

Will Schaefer be ready to make an impact in the NHL this season?

This will be an interesting question to see answers to eventually. Not every first overall pick is ready to play in the NHL right away. Many are, but defensemen tend to take longer to develop, and the Islanders might not want to push Schaefer too hard, too quickly. That said, the Islanders didn’t make any active moves to shield him in the lineup, which suggests they believe he’s ready to make an impact this year. The difference between him being prepared or being sent back down could make or break the Islanders’ season, which will put some severe pressure on the rookie.

Can they improve their special teams?

Last year, the Islanders ranked second-worst in the NHL for both power play and penalty kill. If they had improved even slightly in either area, their season could have been very different. Moving to this year, all eyes are on the team to see if they can boost their special teams. New York made significant changes behind the bench by bringing in Ray Bennett, who was the Colorado Avalanche’s power-play coach, along with former NHL defenseman Bob Boughner, who was the Detroit Red Wings’ penalty kill coach. The personnel on the ice will also shift, with Dobson gone, but newcomers Schaefer and Drouin could both see time on the man advantage and provide a boost. Drouin has consistently scored double-digit points with the man advantage in his career, and his passing and playmaking should be a welcome addition to the Islanders’ power play unit.

What’s the goalie situation & depth behind Ilya Sorokin?

When Sorokin is playing at his best, he ranks among the top five goaltenders in the NHL. Last season, he wasn’t at his best but was far from being the main reason the Islanders struggled. Sorokin remained consistent even as the team around him faced significant injuries, including his backup Varlamov, who played only ten games last year and wasn’t near his usual level. The 37-year-old Varlamov has dealt with hip issues before, but is now recovering from knee surgery and reportedly isn’t close to returning to practice with the team. This makes signing Rittich a necessary insurance policy, as he could take over as the regular-season backup if Varlamov stays out for an extended period.

Photo by Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Summer Synopsis: New York Rangers

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With training camps underway, 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.  Next up is a look at the Rangers.

A triumphant President’s Trophy-winning campaign in 2023-24 preceded a jarring nosedive in Manhattan last year. It was the second time in franchise history the team missed the playoffs entirely after having the best regular-season record in the trophy’s existence and just the fourth time it’s happened altogether. That resulted in some drastic in-season trades and some notable offseason movement as well as the Rangers aim to return to playoff contention in 2025-26.

Draft

2-43 – F Malcolm Spence, Erie (OHL)
3-70 – D Sean Barnhill, Dubuque (USHL)
3-89 – D Artyom Gonchar, Magnitogorsk (MHL)
4-111 – F Mikkel Eriksen, Färjestad (Sweden U20)
5-139 – D Zeb Lindgren, Skellefteå (Sweden U20)
6-166 – F Samuel Jung, Kärpät (Finland U20)
6-171 – D Evan Passmore, Barrie (OHL)
7-203 – D Felix Färhammar, Örebro (Sweden U20)

The Rangers held the No. 12 pick in the draft but needed to pick between sending this year’s or next year’s first-round pick to the Penguins to complete the conditions they attached when they sent the pick to the Canucks for J.T. Miller (Vancouver flipped the pick to Pittsburgh in the Marcus Pettersson deal). They opted to retain the unprotected 2026 selection and part ways with a lottery pick in what was viewed as a weaker 2025 class.

Nonetheless, they managed to snag a player in Spence that many prognosticators believe has first-round talent anyway. The physical winger was once viewed as a potential top-10 selection and saw his stock tumble somewhat, but most still had him as a top-25 choice – or at least a late first – heading into the draft. He was among the Otters’ top scorers last year with a 32-41–73 line in 65 appearances and is now heading to the University of Michigan. He already slots in as the No. 4 prospect in their system, according to NHL.com.

The Rangers’ depth picks had a European slant to them aside from a pair of big North American defenders. Barnhill was a combine standout and fits New York’s ethos of drafting for size – the righty clocks in at 6’6″ and 214 lbs. The Arizona native only had 12 points in 54 USHL games last year, but projects solely as a shutdown threat at the NHL level anyway. Like Spence, he’s making the jump to a Big 10 school and will suit up for Michigan State this fall. Passmore has nearly the exact same frame and is also a righty.

Gonchar, the nephew of longtime NHL star Sergei Gonchar, headlines the European contingent. He’s comparatively undersized at 6’0″ and just 157 lbs but was the first left-shot rearguard the Blueshirts took. He had a 7-18–25 scoring line in 50 Russian junior games last year, his first real showing at the country’s top U20 flight, and has already made the jump to North America with the OHL’s Sudbury Wolves for 2025-26.

Eriksen was one of two Norwegians taken in the draft and was the country’s top player at the Division 1A World Juniors last year, also posting 43 points in 40 Swedish junior league games. Lindgren is a mobile 6’1″ lefty who’s already off to a great start back in juniors with Skellefteå this year, recording five assists through his first five games. Jung is a Polish-born Czech national who checks in at 6’3″ and 172 lbs and went undrafted in 2024. He transitioned from Finland’s U18 league to its U20 one last year and will remain with Kärpät’s junior program for 2025-26, already notching a 4-4–8 line through seven games. Färhamar, a 6’1″ lefty, also looks like a promising depth puck-mover and has four assists through his first four games this year.

None outside of Spence are legitimate needle-movers in the Blueshirts’ pool, but it was among the better classes they’ve roped in over the past few years among its depth contingent.

Trade Acquisitions

D Scott Morrow (from Hurricanes)
F Carey Terrance (from Ducks)

The Rangers didn’t pick up any bona fide NHLers via trade this summer but did land Morrow, who’s trending toward a spot on the opening night roster, as the principal piece of the return from Carolina for K’Andre Miller. The 2021 second-rounder was offensively dominant during his time in college with UMass and looked mostly comfortable in the pro environment last year, his first after three years in school.

He has just 16 NHL games to his name, 14 coming in multiple call-ups with Carolina last year. He already looked like a capable third-pairing piece and power-play option with six points while averaging 15:48 per game. Whether his defensive game develops enough for him to be a top-four piece remains to be seen, but the Rangers don’t really need him to be one with Adam Fox, William Borgen, and Braden Schneider all chewing up time on the right side for the near future.

Terrance was the only other player who changed hands in the Chris Kreider deal, which also included a pick swap. His two-way game down the middle made him the No. 7 prospect in the organization after his pickup, per Steven Ellis of Daily Faceoff. He’s already under contract and will jump to the pro level with AHL Hartford this year. The New York native captained the OHL’s Erie Otters last year, skating with Spence, and had a 20-19–39 line in 45 games.

UFA Signings

F Justin Dowling (two years, $1.55MM)*
F Trey Fix-Wolansky (one year, $775K)*
D Vladislav Gavrikov (seven years, $49MM)
D Derrick Pouliot (two years, $1.55MM)*
F Taylor Raddysh (two years, $3MM)

*-denotes two-way contract

The Rangers were already close to the contract limit with existing deals entering 2025-26, so their number of signings was understandably limited. They did have one of the largest-magnitude deals of the UFA period by landing Gavrikov, who was the top defenseman to actually reach the market on July 1, to a max-term deal. The 29-year-old has been a quality two-way piece since entering the league six years ago but broke out in a big way with the Kings last year, averaging north of 23 minutes per game while Drew Doughty missed significant time. Those were high-quality minutes too, with Gavrikov churning out 30 points and a +26 rating with a 53.7% Corsi share at even strength in heavy defensive deployment.

Gavrikov will serve as the best partner Fox has ever had on his left flank, a significantly more stable and offensively capable option than his longtime partner Ryan Lindgren. He’s the clear No. 1 ahead of a rather thin left side behind him and will see a similar workload in 2025-26, with greater potential for point production playing with one of the league’s best offensive threats from the blue line in Fox.

Raddysh was the only other pickup with a seven-figure cap hit. The 27-year-old was a 20-goal threat with the Blackhawks a couple of years ago but has fallen on harder times since. He skated in 80 games with the Capitals last year, averaging 12:22 per game and contributing 27 points. He’s brought in as a higher-ceiling bottom-six piece than some of the other names they already had and could challenge for a consistent top-nine role depending on how many minutes New York’s younger wingers push for.

Dowling, Fix-Wolansky, and Pouliot are all AHL depth, although the former could work his way onto the roster as a veteran fourth-liner or press box fodder.

RFA Re-Signings

G Talyn Boyko (one year, $775K)*
F Brendan Brisson (one year, $775K)*
F William Cuylle (two years, $7.8MM)
F Adam Edstrom (two years, $1.95MM)
G Dylan Garand (one year, $775K)*
F Juuso Pärssinen (two years, $2.5MM)
F Matt Rempe (two years, $1.95MM)
D Matthew Robertson (two years, $1.55MM)*

*-denotes two-way contract

While the Rangers had a few NHL-caliber RFAs to re-up, none of them reached the magnitude of Cuylle, who many feared might have been at risk for an offer sheet. While it wasn’t a long-term marriage, they did get that all-important bit of business done right on July 1 to keep that from looming over either side’s heads over the summer, understandable as they looked for a drama-free offseason to lead into a calmer regular season.

A 2020 second-round pick, Cuylle emerged as a true top-nine piece and potential long-term top-six fixture in 2024-25. In his second full NHL season, he managed 20 goals and 45 points in 82 games to tie for fifth on the team in scoring while racking up 301 hits, fourth in the league and the most by a Rangers player since the stat started being tracked in 2005. He’s back for two more years at an extremely team-friendly $3.9MM cap hit and could be in line to at least double that in 2027 if his current trajectory continues.

Edstrom, Pärssinen, and Rempe were the other notable RFA skaters in need of new deals. They all received cap hits in the $900K-$1.25MM range but all project to play bottom-six roles for the club on opening night. Edstrom and Rempe are towering fourth-line wingers who averaged under 10 minutes per night last year but combined for 17 points, 211 hits, and 94 PIMs. Pärssinen was a late-season trade pickup from the Avalanche and closed out the year with five points in 11 games. He’ll look for more consistent time in the lineup this year, potentially starting the season as the club’s third-line center.

Boyko and Garand will comprise the Blueshirts’ primary AHL tandem in Hartford this year. Brisson and Robertson slot in as organizational depth as well, although the former was a first-round pick by the Golden Knights in 2020 and requires waivers to head to the minors.

Departures

F Nicolas Aubé-Kubel (signed with Wild, one year, $775K)*
D Calvin de Haan (signed with Rögle, SHL)
D Zachary Jones (signed with Sabres, one year, $900K)*
F Arthur Kaliyev (signed with Senators, one year, $775K)*
F Chris Kreider (traded to Ducks)
D K’Andre Miller (sign-and-trade with Hurricanes)
D Chad Ruhwedel (retired)

*-denotes two-way contract

The Rangers spent much of the season trading away big-name talent in hopes of a locker room refresh. That continued into the summer with Kreider, who spent 13 years and nearly 900 games in New York. A nightmarish 2024-25 campaign saw the three-time 30-goal scorer manage only 22 tallies and eight assists for 30 points in 68 appearances, though, and the Rangers weren’t keen on keeping him at $6.5MM per season for two more years after that. He’ll look for a resurgence in Anaheim while the Rangers opened up flexibility to retain younger names like Cuylle, sign Gavrikov, and graduate younger forwards to meaningful minutes.

Miller is also a considerable departure. He’d been their second-pairing lefty for quite some time, essentially stepping into the role out of the gate in 2020 after being a first-round pick two years prior. He was coming off an underwhelming 7-20–27 scoring line in 74 games, though and, with questions around his individual defensive skills looming over what might have been a considerable payday as an RFA this summer, the Blueshirts opted for a sign-and-trade with Carolina. The Canes get Miller locked in long-term on an eight-year deal with a $7.5MM cap hit as a result.

All the other names were fringe pieces who wouldn’t have had an impact on their 2025-26 opening night lineup had they stayed in the organization. Jones was once a promising puck-mover but never advanced beyond a No. 7 role in parts of five NHL seasons. Ruhwedel, de Haan, and Kaliyev spent most of their time in the press box last year while Aubé-Kubel was in the AHL after getting picked up from the Sabres at the trade deadline.

Salary Cap Outlook

The Rangers are very nearly in forced emergency recall range, with their projected 23-man opening night roster projected to leave them with $778K in cap space, per PuckPedia. That’s enough for a league-minimum recall in the event of an IR placement, but nothing else, at least to start the campaign while their cap space slowly accrues.

Key Questions

Can Igor Shesterkin Return To Form?

Shesterkin signed an eight-year, $92MM extension midway through last season, the largest deal ever handed out to a goalie. That was given to him during the worst campaign of his six-year NHL career by a considerable margin. His numbers were only slightly above average at a .905 SV% and 2.86 GAA, leading to him not receiving any Vezina consideration despite starting a career-high 61 games. Advanced numbers were much kinder to him, attributing a good portion of his decline to woeful team defense in front of him. His 21.6 goals saved above expected, per MoneyPuck, still ranked seventh in the league but didn’t quite reach the heights of his two-year window of utter dominance from 2021-23. With question marks still around the Rangers’ depth on the blue line behind Gavrikov and Fox, he might need to build on that GSAx figure again to get New York back in the playoff picture.

What Will A Full Season Of J.T. Miller Bring?

Only Artemi Panarin had more points per game for the Rangers last year than Miller, whose second stint in Manhattan began with a blockbuster trade in January. His 35 points in 32 games to close the season worked out to 1.09 per game, much closer to the level of offensive production he’s set as his expectation over the last few years in Vancouver. Now newly minted as the club’s captain, a full season of that production ahead of the aging Vincent Trocheck and Mika Zibanejad could get the Rangers’ offense back into top-10 range and help along names like Cuylle and Alexis Lafrenière to resurgences.

Is Gavrikov A One-Hit Wonder?

The Rangers committed a lot of resources to Gavrikov, and the pressure is on him to perform like a true top-pair talent for a second straight season. But aside from last year in L.A., Gavrikov’s untested with that kind of responsibility and always played a more sheltered second-pairing role. He also played in a much more adept defensive system with the Kings, although a new head coach in Mike Sullivan might address a good portion of those woes for the Rangers. Nonetheless, there could be a significant swing in the team’s results depending on if Gavrikov repeats his standout, first-pair play from last year or is simply an average-to-above-average complementary piece for Fox.

Photo courtesy of Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images.

Summer Synopsis: Ottawa Senators

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With training camps now almost 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 has accomplished this offseason.  Next up is a look at Ottawa.

After missing the playoffs for seven straight years in the midst of a long-term rebuild, the Senators finally got over the hump last season, making the postseason and finishing only one point behind Florida for the third seed in the Atlantic Division; the Panthers, of course, went on to win the Stanley Cup again last season.  GM Steve Staios opted to largely keep his core group intact, believing that continued growth from their top players will allow them to take another step forward in 2025-26.

Draft

1-23 – D Logan Hensler, Wisconsin (Big 10)
3-93 – F Blake Vanek, Stillwater (USHS-MN)
4-97 – G Lucas Beckman, Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)
5-149 – F Dmitri Isayev, Yekaterinburg (MHL)
6-181 – F Bruno Idzan, Lincoln (USHL)
7-213 – G Andrei Trofimov, Magnitogorsk (MHL)

The Senators didn’t make any big splashes at the 2025 draft, outside of trading down slightly in the first round in order to pick up the third-round pick they would send to Los Angeles for Spence. The club didn’t have a second-round pick as a result of the Zetterlund trade with San Jose, but nonetheless managed to put together a draft class that should produce an NHL player or two.

Hensler was widely regarded as a polished defenseman by scouts, one who capably handled the rigors of NCAA hockey as a freshman and grew more comfortable as the season progressed. While most public-facing scouts do not credit Hensler with a standout single tool, he’s widely seen as a likely long-term NHL player. The team at Elite Prospects recently ranked Hensler as the club’s number-two prospect behind 2024 top pick Carter Yakemchuk.

The Senators began the second day of the draft by adding Vanek, a Minnesota high school prospect who is the son of longtime NHLer Thomas Vanek. Vanek offers an intriguing package of physical tools and was ranked 18th in the team’s system.

In the later rounds, Beckman represented a solid bet as the club added one of the QMJHL’s more promising netminders. Isayev is an undersized Russian winger who was point-per-game in the MHL in his draft season, while Idzan dazzled fans of the USHL’s Lincoln Stars with his offensive skill last season. He became the first Croatian selected in the NHL Entry Draft and will play at the University of Wisconsin next season.

Trade Acquisitions

D Jordan Spence (from Los Angeles)

The Senators’ lone trade acquisition from the summer was Spence, a 24-year-old blueliner. Spence is an undersized blueliner who brings real offensive talent in his game, and had two quality, near point-per-game AHL seasons after turning pro in 2021-22. Spence already has 180 NHL games to his name, and is coming off of a season where he scored 28 points in 79 games. The arrival and emergence of 2021 top pick Brandt Clarke in a similar offensively-focused right-shot role appears to have pushed Spence out of Los Angeles, and the Senators look poised to benefit.

At the moment, Spence appears to sit third on the team’s right-shot defensive depth chart, behind established veterans Artyom Zub and Nick Jensen. He’ll have to compete with Nikolas Matinpalo for the team’s third-pairing right-side spot, but Spence is notably more experienced than Matinpalo and should be viewed as the favorite for that role.

If Spence can further establish himself as an NHL regular in Ottawa and perhaps find a way to get minutes on the power play (not the easiest task with Jake Sanderson and Thomas Chabot on the roster) Spence will likely provide a strong return for the Senators’ investment of a third-round pick.

Beyond adjusting to a new environment, it’s an important year for Spence due to his contract situation. His $1.6MM AAV contract is set to expire this summer, when he’ll in all likelihood receive a qualifying offer and become a restricted free agent. He already has an argument for a decent pay raise over the value of his last deal, but breaking into the 30-point range could strengthen his case even further.

UFA Signings

F Wyatt Bongiovanni (one year, $775K)*^
F Nick Cousins (one year, $825K)^
F Lars Eller (one year, $1.25MM plus $1MM in bonuses)
F Claude Giroux (one year, $2MM plus $2.75MM in bonuses)
F Hayden Hodgson (two years, $1.55MM)*^
F Arthur Kaliyev (one year, $775K)*
F Olle Lycksell (one year, $775K)*
G Hunter Shepard (one year, $775K)*

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

The Senators didn’t do any major free agent shopping this past summer – the largest deal they signed was to re-sign veteran Claude Giroux for another campaign. Their most significant UFA addition from outside the organization was Eller, a veteran center signed to a one-year deal. Eller, now 36, has long been one of the NHL’s better third-line centers, though age is beginning to catch up to him. The 2018 Stanley Cup champion saw his offensive production decline from 15 goals, 31 points in 2023-24 to 10 goals, 22 points in 2024-25.

The Senators didn’t sign Eller for his offense, though. What they’re likely seeking is for Eller to serve as a quality fourth-line defensive center. With Tim Stutzle, Dylan Cozens, and Shane Pinto entrenched as the team’s three top centers moving forward, there isn’t a need for Eller to play as big a role in Ottawa as he did in during his peak years with the Washington Capitals. His contract from this past summer reflects that.

The Senators’ other UFA external additions were made more with an eye to depth and their AHL affiliate than anything else.

They picked up Kaliyev after his stint with the New York Rangers failed to generate momentum. He’s a player Senators management is familiar with from his days in the OHL: Senators president of hockey operations Steve Staios was Kaliyev’s GM back during Kaliyev’s successful stint with the then-Hamilton Bulldogs. One has to think this is a big year for the enigmatic 24-year-old winger to prove he has what it takes to be an NHL player.

Lycksell and Bongiovanni are quality AHL scorers, and Lycksell’s $450k AHL salary indicates he’ll likely be relied upon as one of the top offensive weapons in Belleville. Hodgson is a bigger winger with a more physical profile who could end up seeing an NHL recall should the Senators need a player to fill a fourth-line role for a short period. Shepard, a two-time Calder Cup champion, will likely play a big role for the AHL Senators after receiving a $400k AHL salary to sign in Ottawa.

RFA Re-Signings

F Xavier Bourgault (one year, $775K)*
D Cameron Crotty (two years, $1.625MM)*
F Jan Jenik (one year, $775K)*
D Tyler Kleven (two years, $3.2MM)
D Nikolas Matinpalo (two years, $1.75MM)
G Leevi Merilainen (one year, $1.05MM)
D Donovan Sebrango (one year, $775K)*
D Lassi Thomson (one year, $775K; returns from SHL)
D Fabian Zetterlund (three years, $12.825MM)

*-denotes two-way contract

The Senators’ most significant RFA re-signing was undoubtedly that of Zetterlund, their mid-season trade acquisition from the San Jose Sharks. They didn’t elect to sign the Swedish winger to a long-term extension, which is understandable after he struggled to produce in his 20-game run in Ottawa last season.

In San Jose, Zetterlund showed quite a bit of promise, and has now scored at least 40 points in back-to-back years. Zetterlund plays a unique style in that he has a power forward’s game despite being 5’11. Now earning a shade over $4MM, Zetterlund will have to build some chemistry with one of the team’s existing scorers in order to justify the club’s level of investment in him.

Kleven and Matinpalo are the other two major skaters in the club’s RFA cohort, both likely to be on the team’s NHL roster for 2025-26. Kleven is a rangy defensive defenseman likely to resume his role as the team’s third-pairing left-shot blueliner for this upcoming season – and his $1.6MM AAV reflects that role. Matinpalo, 26, impressed last season as he broke into the NHL and even earned a role on Finland’s Four Nations Faceoff team. He got into 41 games last season and the addition of Spence means he’ll have to really compete to earn a regular role on Ottawa’s defense. But at minimum, it looks like he’ll be the club’s seventh defenseman and be first to step in should any injuries strike.

Merilainen, the lone goalie in that grouping, played in 12 NHL games last season and will be Ottawa’s backup behind starter Linus Ullmark for the upcoming season, provided he can fend off a challenge from the big Mads Sogaard.

Bourgault, Crotty, Jenik, Sebrango, and Thomson are each long-shots to make the team’s NHL roster, but were nonetheless re-signed with an eye to AHL Belleville. It’s a big year for Bourgault in particular, as the 22-year-old forward is just one of a small handful of 2021 first-round picks who have yet to appear in an NHL game.

Departures

F Angus Crookshank (signed with New Jersey, two years, $1.55MM)*
F Philippe Daoust (non-tendered but signed AHL deal with Belleville)
D Jeremy Davies (signed with AHL Henderson)
G Anton Forsberg (signed with Los Angeles, two years, $4.5MM)
F Adam Gaudette (signed with San Jose, two years, $4MM)
D Dennis Gilbert (signed with Philadelphia, one year, $875K)
D Travis Hamonic (signed with Detroit, one year, $1MM)
F Matthew Highmore (signed with NY Islanders, one year, $775K)*
F Jamieson Rees (non-tendered but signed AHL deal with Belleville)
F Cole Reinhardt (signed with Vegas, two years, $1.625MM)
F Tristen Robins (signed in Czechia)
D Filip Roos (signed in Sweden)

*-denotes two-way contract

The Senators lost a few NHLers this offseason, but nobody who is likely to leave a big void in the club’s roster. Gaudette scored 19 goals last season and the Senators didn’t bring in anyone with that kind of goal-scoring record, but an improved year from Zetterlund could help cover for the loss of Gaudette. The Senators could very well have been skeptical that Gaudette, who shot 21.1% last season, would be able to repeat his performance, hence their decision not to re-sign him.

In the departure of Anton Forsberg, the Senators lost an experienced NHL backup – but if Merilainen’s 2024-25 performance is something he can build on, the Senators will be fine. Right-handed veteran Hamonic’s spot on the team’s defensive depth chart was filled by the addition of Spence, and while Reinhardt was a useful, scrappy depth winger, he’s not a departure that will make a major difference in the Senators’ fortunes.

Salary Cap Outlook

The Senators enter training camp with a little over $3.5MM in cap space, per PuckPedia.  However, the team is operating as a cash-over-cap team, something that owner Michael Andlauer acknowledged would likely mean they won’t spend right to the $95.5MM ceiling.  Between that, wanting to keep some flexibility open for injuries, and keeping some money available for the bonuses to Giroux and Eller, the actual amount of that cap room that’s available to be spent right now would appear to be quite limited.

Key Questions

Who Will Be Ottawa’s Backup Goalie?

Although the Senators have one of the NHL’s top veteran netminders in Ullmark, the 32-year-old Swede is not known for an ability to shoulder a heavy workload. Ullmark played in just 44 games in 2024-25, and even in his Vezina Trophy-winning season, he played in just 49 games. In other words – the backup goalie spot in Ottawa is more important than for other teams, because the club’s other netminders are in line to play a greater workload than backups see in other markets. Offseason RFA signing Merilainen looks like the front-runner to be the backup goalie after the departure of Forsberg, but he’ll be pushed by Sogaard, who has 29 games of NHL experience. The dark horse here would be Shepard, a veteran who struggled with the AHL’s Hershey Bears in 2024-25 but was downright elite in 2023-24.

Can the Senators Expect More From Their Stars?

The Senators are led by a talented core group of in-their-prime players, but that’s not to say each player played up to his potential in 2024-25. Franchise center Stutzle led the team in scoring, but he’s finished in the 70’s in terms of point production in back-to-back years. After scoring 90 points in his third NHL campaign, it would be fair to expect a little bit more from the highly talented German. The same can be said for captain Brady Tkachuk. Tkachuk is a highly coveted, unique talent, and so one would be forgiven for not realizing he had only 55 points last season. For the Senators to become the kind of dominant force they have the talent to be, they’ll need him to produce the way he did in 2022-23, when he put up 83 points to go alongside 35 goals. The Senators have a collection of players that, on paper, are more than good enough to claim a divisional playoff spot. But they’ll need a few big names to step up and play up to their potential in order to do so.

How Will Zetterlund Do In His First Full Senators Season?

The Senators’ roster is largely settled, with big names under contract and few existential roster questions. As the above question alluded to – the pieces are largely in place, the main element needed now is execution. The most notable still-unsettled piece of the Senators puzzle is Zetterlund. The Athletic’s Julian McKenzie indicated before training camp that the expectation would be for Zetterlund to begin the year on the team’s first line alongside Stutzle and Tkachuk, which would be a huge opportunity for Zetterlund to potentially set new career highs in production. Whether he’s able to actually do so – and justify the Senators’ investment in him – will be a key storyline to watch in Ottawa this season.

PHR’s Ethan Hetu also contributed to this column.

Photos courtesy of Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images.

2025 Summer Synopsis Series

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PHR’s annual Summer Synopsis series breaks down what each of the NHL’s 32 teams accomplished – or didn’t accomplish – over the summer. This landing page will contain links to all 32 of our posts for easy reference and to track when your favorite team’s post is online. This can be found by navigating to the “Pro Hockey Rumors Features” sidebar on our desktop site or under the Flame menu on our mobile page.

Metropolitan Division

Atlantic Division

Central Division

Pacific Division

Summer Synopsis: Philadelphia Flyers

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With training camps now almost 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 has accomplished this offseason.  Next up is a look at Philadelphia.

A year removed from narrowly missing the playoffs, the Flyers took a step back last season, ultimately resulting in them parting ways with John Tortorella.  Rick Tocchet was brought in from Vancouver to take over behind the bench while GM Daniel Briere decided to largely stay the course as their rebuild continues but a pair of expensive forwards were brought in to try to bolster their group up front.

Draft

1-6 – F Porter Martone, Brampton (OHL)
1-12 – F Jack Nesbitt, Windsor (OHL)
2-38 – D Carter Amico, U.S. U18 (NTDP)
2-40 – F Jack Murtagh, U.S. U18 (NTDP)
2-48 – F Shane Vansaghi, Michigan State (Big 10)
2-57 – F Matthew Gard, Red Deer (WHL)
5-132 – F Max Westergard, Frolunda (Sweden U20)
5-157 – D Luke Vlooswyk, Red Deer (WHL)
6-164 – F Nathan Quinn, Quebec (QMJHL)

As the Flyers re-tool their team and look to build their next core of players capable of cotending for a Stanley Cup, one of the key needs for the franchise has been a high-level center capable of filling the all-important number-one center role.  32-year-old Sean Couturier has filled that role for the team in recent years, and remains a strong shutdown center.  But he hasn’t been a high-end offensive contributor in several years, and it would be somewhat unreasonable to expect him to suddenly once again produce at a near point-per-game rate.  So, with such a clear need established for the organization, many entered the 2025 draft expecting the Flyers to select a pivot with their top choice: potentially college hockey star James Hagens, OHL playmaking dynamo Jake O’Brien, or the high-upside Roger McQueen.

NHL teams generally draft using a “best player available, regardless of position” approach, and position typically comes into play when trying to decide between two similarly-rated players. So, rather than use their number-six pick to fill a key organizational need, they drafted the player they believed was the best available: Martone, a winger. That the Flyers passed over three highly-ranked center prospects to draft Martone says a lot about just how highly the organization regards the 6’3 Brampton Steelheads captain.  Martone possesses rare offensive skill for someone his size, and has downright elite playmaking instincts.  Martone ranked third on Bob McKenzie’s list, and was recently ranked by Eliteprospects as the fourth-best skater prospect in all of hockey.  Alongside Michkov, Martone could be the second star winger in Philadelphia.

Behind Martone, the Flyers elected to trade two of their other first-rounders to jump up to the #12 slot to select OHL pivot Nesbitt, filling a key organizational need.  The general consensus from scouts in the public sphere has been that Nesbitt projects more as a middle-six center with rare, valuable secondary qualities, rather than as a true top-of-the-lineup offensive force.  With that said, Nesbitt offers prototypical size and strength at the position, and his potential value down the road should not be discounted.

The Flyers then made their mark on the second day of the draft with four second-round picks.  They were able to add athletic blueliner Amico at #38, who could have been ranked even higher had he not suffered a season-ending injury early in his campaign.  They then selected Murtagh, a responsible two-way forward who will play for Boston University in 2025-26 and was ranked inside the first round by some outlets.  After Murtagh, the Flyers doubled down on taking projectable players with pro qualities by adding Vansaghi, who EliteProspects called “the ultimate bottom-six checking forward” in its draft coverage.  With their final second-rounder, the Flyers took Gard, a hulking six-foot-five pivot whose defensive responsibilty has garnered praise from scouts.

After their second-round shopping spree, the Flyers didn’t pick until the fifth-round, where they took Westergard from of Frölunda’s J20 Nationell team.  Westergard began 2025-26 with Frölunda’s senior team, skating in four Champions Hockey League games as well as an SHL game, and recording two assists in the team’s 5-2 August victory over Switzerland’s Lausanne HC.

Trade Acquisitions

F Tucker Robertson (from Seattle)
F Trevor Zegras (from Anaheim)

At one point, Zegras looked to be a long-term core fixture for the Ducks.  He had a pair of 60-plus-point seasons in his first two NHL campaigns and things were looking up.  However, injuries have been a problem for the last two years while his production took a big step downward and Anaheim GM Pat Verbeek decided to sell low, giving Zegras a fresh start along the way.  He should slot in as a top-six forward right away, likely starting on the wing although he could get a look down the middle at some point.  It’s a big year for him as he’s in the final season of a contract that pays $5.75MM per season, a number that will stand as his qualifying offer next summer.  If things don’t go well again, he could wind up as a non-tender candidate, an outcome that would have seemed crazy when this deal was signed in 2023.

UFA Signings

F Rodrigo Abols (one year, $800K)^
F Christian Dvorak (one year, $5.4MM)
D Dennis Gilbert (one year, $875K)
D Noah Juulsen (one year, $900K)
F Lane Pederson (one year, $775K)*
G Daniel Vladar (two years, $6.7MM)

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

Briere opted for the short-term overpayment to bring in help down the middle with Dvorak, a player who got back to the 30-point mark for the first time in three years last season.  But while offensive production has been an issue for him, he is a reliable defensive center and well above average at the faceoff dot.  Those elements will help the Flyers in the short term and if they wind up being outside the playoff picture in the second half, he’s someone they could retain on to help facilitate a move.

In a goalie market that didn’t have much depth at the start and lost some of that depth before free agency opened up, Vladar was one of the beneficiaries.  He started last season as a platoon partner to Dustin Wolf, allowing the youngster to get eased into his first full NHL campaign.  But in the second half, Wolf took over as the full-fledged starter with Vladar only making eight starts from February through April.  Even so, he entered free agency as the top netminder available.  Clearly, Briere thinks that Vladar has another level to get to and that he can compete for the starting spot in a goaltending group that is also bringing back all three goalies they had last season.

The additions of Juulsen and Gilbert give some extra depth and grit to a back end that isn’t expected to be fully healthy to start the season with Rasmus Ristolainen still recovering from triceps surgery.  Juulsen is well-known to Tocchet who had him in Vancouver.  When the group is fully healthy, however, playing time for both veterans could be hard to come by.

The re-signing of Abols and addition of Pederson helped shore up the club’s veteran depth, with both players expected to occupy roles either at the tail end of the club’s NHL roster or at the top of their AHL lineup.  The Flyers signed Abols, 29, from the SHL last season and he rewarded them by scoring 32 points in 47 AHL games and five points in 22 NHL games.  That quality performance earned him a significant raise from a $450k AHL salary to a full one-way deal.

For Pederson, this signing will present him with an opportunity to resume his place as one of the AHL’s more consistent scorers.  Pederson’s 2024-25 season was limited to 18 games after the forward underwent season-ending shoulder surgery in February.

RFA Re-Signings

F Noah Cates (four years, $16MM)
F Tyson Foerster (two years, $7.5MM)
D Helge Grans (two years, $1.55MM)*
F Oscar Eklind (one year, $800K)
D Cameron York (five years, $25.75MM)

*-denotes two-way contract

The Flyers had a notable cohort of restricted free agents to re-sign this past summer, including three NHL regulars.  The largest signing by total value was that of York, the club’s 2019 first-round selection.  It was a difficult 2024-25 for York, without question. Late last season, he was benched for the entirety of the Flyers’ victory over the Montreal Canadiens, for reasons interim head coach Brad Shaw described as “disciplinary.”  York reportedly had a verbal altercation with former coach John Tortorella, and his difficult season was compounded by a notable decline in some key personal statistics: his point total decreased from 30 in 2023-24 to 17 last season, and his time-on-ice per game went down nearly a full two minutes.

But despite York’s year to forget, the Flyers doubled down on the talented blueliner as a core piece for the next half-decade.  York’s $5.15MM AAV is the second-highest among the club’s active defensemen, and its likely he’ll step into a top-pairing role alongside Travis Sanheim under new coach Rick Tocchet.

The second major name the Flyers re-signed was Foerster, a 2020 first-rounder who enjoyed career-best offensive production in 2024-25.  Foerster is a natural goal-scorer and his total of 25 ranked second on the team, only behind star rookie Matvei Michkov.  Foerster underwent offseason surgery after suffering an injury while representing Canada at the 2025 IIHF Men’s World Championship, but he’s expected to be ready to go in time of the start of the regular season.  While the Flyers weren’t able to come to an agreement on a longer-term deal with Foerster, as long as he can continue his solid upwards trajectory (or at least repeat his scoring of last season) he should be able to provide the team with a solid surplus value on its $3.75MM AAV investment.

One of the more encouraging stories from the 2024-25 Flyers was the bounce-back season had by Cates, a reliable defensive center. Cates has been a developmental success story for the franchise as a 2017 fifth-rounder, and he came just one point shy of tying his career-high last year.  After a difficult 2023-24 season saw his point total decline from 38 to 18, there was some question as to whether Cates would have the offensive chops be able to hold down a meaningful NHL role in the long term.  He answered those questions emphatically in 2024-25, and the Flyers rewarded him with a four-year, $4MM AAV extension.

Grans and Eklind are not quite as high-profile players as the aforementioned trio, and that is reflected in the value of each player’s extension. The Flyers signed Eklind, 27, out of the SHL last year and he put together a decent debut season on North American ice. Veteran European pro free agent signings have a somewhat spotty record transitioning to the North American game, but Eklind managed to hold his own. He got into 64 games for the Phantoms and scored 22 points.

Grans, 23, is the 2020 35th-overall pick who the Flyers acquired in the 2023 Ivan Provorov trade.  Grans played most of last season in Lehigh Valley, scoring eight points in a largely shutdown role.  His defensive abilities earned him his first NHL call-up, and he ended up dressing for six games with the Flyers last year.  Grans is subject to waivers, but the second season on his new contract at a full one-way, $800k price tag could provide the Flyers with some degree of protection against a claim.  The added financial commitment could potentially motivate an interested team to go in a different direction on the waiver wire, assuming Grans does not make the Flyers’ opening-night roster.

Departures

F J-R Avon (trade with Seattle)
D Louis Belpedio (signed with Washington)
F Elliot Desnoyers (signed with Iowa, AHL)
F Rhett Gardner (signed in Russia)
D Ben Gleason (signed with Minnesota)
F Olle Lycksell (signed with Ottawa)
G Eetu Makiniemi (signed in Finland)
F Jakob Pelletier (signed with Tampa Bay)
G Calvin Petersen (signed with Minnesota)
F Ryan Poehling (trade with Anaheim)
F Givani Smith (signed PTO with Carolina)
F Zayde Wisdom (signed with Lehigh Valley, AHL)

*-denotes two-way contract

The Flyers’ most significant departure, from a financial perspective, undoubtedly Petersen.  The veteran netminder played in just five total games for the Flyers across his two-year stint in the organization, and the expiration of his contract provided Briere with an additional $5MM in cap space to work with.

The most consequential loss, from an on-ice perspective, is the inclusion of Poehling in the trade that brought Zegras to Philadelphia.  Poehling is not a star player by any means, but he scored 12 goals, 31 points, and had developed into a meaningful member of the team’s bottom-six.  In Philadelphia, Poehling was able to reach new heights as an NHLer, not only setting career-highs in production but also serving a useful role on Tortorella’s penalty kill.  With that said, Briere’s investment in Dvorak (who plays a similar role to Poehling) should help the club absorb his loss.

Lycksell, 26, led AHL Lehigh Valley in scoring last season, but the Flyers elected not to re-sign the player after he put up just 10 points across almost 40 NHL games between 2023-24 and 2024-25. Pelletier, a 2019 first-round pick of the Calgary Flames, was acquired via trade by the Flyers but only managed eight points in his 25-game stay with the club, and was not retained.

Salary Cap Outlook

At first glance, the $370K in cap space they’re listed at per PuckPedia looks concerning.  However, they do have more flexibility than this.  If Ivan Fedotov is waived and demoted as expected, that would open up $1.15MM in room.  Additionally, Ryan Ellis is LTIR-eligible and is out for the season, meaning Philadelphia would get the full $6.25MM (less cap space at the time of placement), not the reduced amount for players expected to return in-season.  While going into that would open up the potential for bonus carryover penalties, it would give them ample protection against a rash of injuries or would allow Briere to try to add a player should the Flyers find themselves in the playoff picture when the trade deadline comes around in March.

Key Questions

Will Vladar Stabilize The Goaltending?

The Flyers have long been believers in the potential of Samuel Ersson, who has been a nice find for the team since being drafted 143th overall in 2018.  But Ersson, now 25, has looked overwhelmed at times as the club’s go-to number-one netminder since the departure of Carter Hart, and his overall body of work simply has not been good enough.  Ersson put together an .890 save percentage across 51 games in 2023-24, and a very poor .883 mark this past season. Among goalies who played in at least 30 games last season, Ersson’s .883 save percentage ranked second-worst in the NHL, ahead of only recent Sabres signing Alexandar Georgiev. (.875)

While the Flyers are likely still believers in Ersson, and he remains overwhelmingly likely to play a solid role for the team moving forward, the team did bring in some additional help at the position.  Philadelphia added Vladar, who played in 30 games last season and posted an .898 save percentage.  While it is relatively unlikely that Vladar, 28, will suddenly transform into an elite netminder, it is somewhat more reasonable to expect him to be able to help stabilize the position for the organization.  Vladar has put together some quality stretches over the course of his 105-game NHL career thusfar, and he has the opportunity to get a more consistent diet of starts with the Flyers than he was able to get in Calgary.  The Flyers have quite a few question marks across their roster as they attempt to re-tool and return to the playoffs, but perhaps no player on the team has a greater opportunity to make his mark than Vladar.

How Will Michkov’s Sophomore Year Go?

Michkov, the 2023 seventh-overall pick, was one of the most highly-regarded prospects in hockey and his debut in Philadelphia was met with sky-high expectations. The 20-year-old Russian phenom more than met those lofty standards, coming second on the team in scoring with 26 goals and 63 points. Michkov possesses rare offensive talent, and it’s easy to imagine him quickly becoming the team’s most lethal scoring threat – if he isn’t there already.

The importance of Michkov to the Flyers’ future cannot be overstated.  That is why one of the key storylines for the club’s upcoming season will be whether Michkov is able to avoid the dreaded sophomore slump, continue to grow offensively, and find a way to round out his game a little more on the other end of the ice.  Nobody should expect Michkov to grow into a suffocating defensive force, and Michkov would probably not be best served trying to make too many drastic changes to how he plays.  But NHL coaches have high expectations for their players in terms of defensive responsibility, and Michkov at times fell short of those expectations in his nonetheless brilliant rookie season.  If Michkov can find a way to more sustainably balance his lethal offensive instincts with a reasonable level of commitment to defense that satisfies Tocchet, he could reach new heights of stardom and surpass Travis Konecny as the Flyers’ most valuable all-around force.

Will The Duo of Former Top Ducks Picks Take Needed Steps Forward?

Through two separate trades, the Flyers were able to acquire the two top-ten draft choices the Ducks made between 2019 and 2020: Zegras and Jamie Drysdale.  Zegras is entering his first season in Philadelphia, and has a clear mandate entering an extremely important 2025-26 season: show he can still be the kind of impactful, high-level contributor he was early in his tenure with the Ducks.  Injuries and inconsistent play have dimmed Zegras’ star quite a bit since he broke into the league with back-to-back 60-plus point seasons in his first two full NHL campaigns.  The Flyers will be hoping that a change of scenery will do wonders in helping Zegras return to his formerly dynamic offensive identity.

As for Drysdale, 2025-26 will be his third season wearing Flyers orange, and he’s in a situation with some key similarities, and important differences, to Zegras.  Drysdale has also had to deal with persistent injury trouble, although he did manage to get into 70 games for the club last season.  For Drysdale, the challenge has been finding a way to make a consistent, high-level impact on both ends of the ice.  Drysdale has the pedigree and potential to be a key two-way force for the Flyers, but with his contract set to expire at the end of the year, he’ll need to take some concrete steps forward to maintain his place at (or near) the center of the team’s future plans.

Ethan Hetu also contributed to this column.

Photos courtesy of Jeff Curry and Perry Nelson-Imagn Images.

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