The conclusion of the NHL season, marked by the raising of the Stanley Cup, often triggers a rapid sequence of events: the draft introduces fresh talent, swiftly followed by the opening of free agency, where players seek new homes. This initial flurry captures significant public attention. However, as the dust settles and the calendar flips deeper into summer, a period often perceived as quiet descends upon the league. But don`t be fooled; for team management, this is merely a shift from the public spotlight to the crucial, less glamorous work of finalizing rosters and navigating complex financial landscapes.
This phase involves key activities such as salary arbitration hearings and ongoing trade discussions, often out of the media`s daily glare. While players head to cottages, general managers remain at their desks, addressing contract negotiations, assessing cap space, and looking for opportunistic deals. This behind-the-scenes effort is fundamental in shaping the competitive picture for the upcoming season. Let`s take a look at where several teams stand and what critical tasks occupy their attention during this deceptive lull.
Navigating Contract Cliffs: RFAs and Looming UFAs
Several teams face significant internal contract challenges with key young players or established stars nearing unrestricted free agency. These negotiations are pivotal, potentially dictating future roster flexibility and competitive windows.
Notable acquisitions: Chris Kreider, Mikael Granlund, Ryan Poehling, Petr Mrazek
Notable departures: Trevor Zegras, John Gibson, Isac Lundestrom
Cap space remaining: $28.988 million
Insight: “Verbeek, he`s careful right? I don`t think he wants to hand anybody money too quickly. He`s like if you want the money you`re going to have to earn it.”
With significant changes already made (trading Zegras and Gibson), Anaheim`s summer focus pivots to locking up young cornerstones Lukas Dostal (goalie) and Mason McTavish. GM Pat Verbeek`s philosophy suggests that while extensions are needed, they will be performance-driven. Armed with substantial cap space, the Ducks have flexibility, but their next moves will signal how aggressively they plan to push for a playoff spot after a significant improvement last season.
Notable acquisitions: Sam Lafferty, Josh Doan, Michael Kesselring, Conor Timmins, Alex Lyon, Justin Danforth, Zac Jones
Notable departures: JJ Peterka, Jacob Bernard-Docker, James Reimer
Cap space remaining: $13.604 million
Insight: “Peterka asked out. He wanted out… For Byram it`s about the contract. He wants, like any player does, a big deal.”
GM Kevyn Adams: “We believe Bo`s an excellent hockey player that can help our team win… if there`s a deal out there that makes sense for us… we`re open to it. But if there`s not, we`re not in a situation where we`re looking to move him out or looking to move him for futures.”
Buffalo continues to navigate turbulence despite a long playoff drought. The departure of a young player like JJ Peterka who requested a trade highlights internal challenges. The contract situation with young defenseman Bowen Byram, potentially heading to arbitration and then UFA status in two years, adds another layer of uncertainty. Hometown player Alex Tuch also enters his final contract year, setting up another crucial negotiation or potential trade watch. The path forward remains complex for the Sabres.
Notable acquisitions: Radek Faksa
Notable departures: Brendan Smith, Evgenii Dadonov, Cody Ceci, Mason Marchment, Mikael Granlund, Matt Dumba
Cap space remaining: $1.955 million
Insight: “I just think it comes down to the number. I think Dallas has an area they don`t want to go over and the question is does (Jason) Robertson want to go over that?”
GM Jim Nill: “A lot of our work was done back in February and I kinda knew that, and now we`re just trying to add the pieces around that. And we`re looking for some internal growth also.”
Dallas, having done much of their heavy lifting earlier, is now focused on retaining key talent long-term. The primary task is extending young stars Jason Robertson and Thomas Harley, both restricted free agents in 2026 but eligible to sign now. Robertson`s negotiation, particularly the salary number relative to other top players, is under scrutiny and has generated trade speculation. Harley, a breakout defenseman, is also due for a significant raise. These deals are paramount to keeping their competitive window open.
Retools, Rebuilds, and Patience
For teams not yet in championship contention, the summer calm is less about adding finishing pieces and more about strategic repositioning, evaluating prospects, and patiently building towards the future, even if that tests the patience of the fanbase.
Notable acquisitions: Ivan Prosvetov
Notable departures: Kevin Rooney, Dan Vladar, Anthony Mantha
Cap space remaining: $15.412 million
Insight: “I wouldn`t be surprised if they`re poking around a guy like Byram… I don`t think Conroy is afraid to do something big, but I think he`s got goals and he`s gotta hit those goals before he does it.”
GM Craig Conroy: “You`d rather see a young guy get an opportunity in a spot than a veteran guy… I`d rather see our young guys get an opportunity.”
Calgary remains firmly in rebuild mode, indicated by their quiet off-season activity thus far. The biggest storyline is defenseman Rasmus Andersson, entering the final year of his contract. A trade is highly probable, either this summer or closer to the deadline, as the team maximizes assets for the future. Beyond that, securing RFA Connor Zary is the main internal priority. GM Craig Conroy`s strategy emphasizes giving young players opportunities, signaling that major veteran additions are not on the immediate horizon.
Notable acquisitions: Andre Burakovsky, Joe Veleno, Dominic Toninato
Notable departures: Sam Lafferty, Pat Maroon, Philipp Kurashev, Alec Martinez, TJ Brodie
Cap space remaining: $22.312 million
Insight: “They weren`t exactly thrilled with how things went last year with some of their vets… The true success of the organization this year is going to be who takes steps?”
For Chicago, the off-season`s success hinges less on external additions and more on internal development. While they made some modest moves, the core of their strategy remains centered on the growth of young talent, particularly Connor Bedard. GM Kyle Davidson hasn`t forced significant transactions, perhaps finding the current market conditions unfavorable for a major step forward. With considerable cap space still available, they have flexibility, but the primary focus is on Bedard`s anticipated breakout and other prospects earning roles.
Notable acquisitions: John Gibson, Mason Appleton, James van Riemsdyk, Jacob Bernard-Docker
Notable departures: Petr Mrazek, Craig Smith, Alex Lyon, Jeff Petry, Vladimir Tarasenko
Cap space remaining: $12.086 million
Insight: “The thing about Yzerman is he believes in himself… Unless he can hit a big home run… he`s not going to do that anymore with four- and five-year terms.”
GM Steve Yzerman: “We`ve got 12 (forwards) signed right now, our debate is do we sign another one… or do we leave that spot open and let (a prospect) earn that spot?”
Detroit appears to have been aiming for bigger free-agent targets, particularly those who ultimately re-signed with their previous clubs. This left GM Steve Yzerman, known for his patient, draft-and-develop approach, in a position where major external additions were difficult. Following a season where they regressed slightly, the pressure is mounting. Yzerman`s strategy is under scrutiny, as the team relies heavily on its drafted prospects making an impact soon. The most notable move has been in goal, acquiring John Gibson, adding another layer to a position GM Yzerman has frequently addressed.
Contender Adjustments and Cap Gymnastics
Teams aiming for the Stanley Cup aren`t immune to off-season complexities. Their challenges often involve tight cap situations, integrating specific pieces, or making difficult decisions about veteran futures.
Notable acquisitions: Nikolaj Ehlers, K`Andre Miller, Cayden Primeau
Notable departures: Scott Morrow, Spencer Martin, Jack Roslovic, Dmitri Orlov, Brent Burns, Jesper Fast
Cap space remaining: $10.644 million
Insight: “I still think 2C is Carolina`s big question… if Claude Giroux hit free agency… I could have seen the Hurricanes taking a big run at him.”
GM Eric Tulsky: “This summer, we came into it with a lot of cap space… saw everybody re-sign with their own teams… so we pivoted to another strategy to acquire players. That`s how the K`Andre deal got done.”
Carolina has been active, securing significant talent via trade and extension (Ehlers, Miller, Stankoven), using up much of their initial cap space. While their roster looks strong and RFA situations are minimal, the persistent question remains the second-line center position. GM Eric Tulsky successfully adapted his strategy when free agency proved thin, demonstrating a willingness to make bold moves through trades. The team appears largely set, focusing on internal competition for remaining roster spots.
Notable acquisitions: Brent Burns, Gavin Brindley
Notable departures: Erik Johnson, Tucker Poolman, Jimmy Vesey, Joel Kiviranta, Miles Wood, Charlie Coyle, Jonathan Drouin, Ryan Lindgren
Cap space remaining: $4.123 million
Insight: “I would expect the Avalanche are going to keep looking. They have some flexibility… I think they`ll save that to see when they find the optimum place to use it.”
Having addressed key roster issues throughout last season, Colorado`s summer has been less about overhaul and more about calculated moves. The primary storyline involves forward Martin Necas, acquired recently and entering the final year of his contract before UFA eligibility. As a contender, Colorado faces the dilemma of extending a productive player who will command a significant raise or risking losing him for nothing next summer. With some cap flexibility, they can still look for depth additions, but the Necas situation is the defining off-season question.
Notable acquisitions: Jeff Petry, Daniil Tarasov
Notable departures: Nate Schimdt, Nico Sturm, Kaapo Kahkonen, Vitek Vanecek
Cap space remaining: -$3.725 million
Insight: “There`s a lot of assumption that Evan Rodrigues is gonna get dealt, I was told not to assume anything… I could see the Panthers waiting to see this play out.”
Coming off a championship, Florida`s primary off-season challenge isn`t building a roster, but managing the salary cap. Currently over the limit, they must become compliant before the season. While Evan Rodrigues is a potential trade candidate to clear space, uncertainty surrounding Matthew Tkachuk`s injury might necessitate the use of long-term injured reserve (LTIR), providing flexibility without losing a player. Beyond cap mechanics, the upcoming final year of Sergei Bobrovsky`s large contract adds a future consideration, though his age (37 soon) makes an immediate extension less certain.
Notable acquisitions: Corey Perry, Cody Ceci, Brian Dumoulin, Anton Forsberg, Joel Armia
Notable departures: Vladislav Gavrikov, David Rittich, Trevor Lewis, Tanner Jeannot, Jordan Spence
Cap space remaining: $6.768 million
Insight: “To me, it`s exactly the same thing (Ken Holland) did in Edmonton: brought in veterans and tried to improve the team around the edges… Whether you agree or not with Holland`s plan this is what I think he was trying to do…”
GM Ken Holland: “Brandt Clarke… needs to play… We`re in a window right now where… the team can compete… it`s hard to have too many young defencemen when you`re trying to compete… we made a decision on Brandt Clarke and give Jordan Spence an opportunity…”
Los Angeles` off-season moves, focused on adding veteran depth (Perry, Ceci, Dumoulin, Armia), have drawn mixed reviews. GM Ken Holland`s stated goal is to strengthen the team`s depth, particularly the defense and bottom lines, areas exploited in their playoff exit. However, some question if these additions are enough to compete with top Western Conference teams. The more significant future concerns lie with upcoming UFA eligibility for core players like Anze Kopitar and, crucially, prime-scorer Adrian Kempe, whose extension negotiation will be a key focus after this season.
While the splashy headlines of the draft and initial free agency may have faded, the NHL off-season is far from truly quiet. General managers are engaged in critical, behind-the-scenes work that shapes rosters, manages finances, and lays the groundwork for future success (or challenges). From locking up young stars and navigating tricky arbitration cases to making strategic trades or patiently sticking to a rebuilding plan, the summer grind continues. The outcomes of these less-publicized endeavors will become apparent when training camps open, revealing the true state of each team heading into the new season.
Tristan Blackwood