They are supposed to be rebuilding. They are supposed to be collecting draft picks, clearing contracts, and waiting years before they become a serious threat again.
Instead, they have quietly put themselves in one of the most fascinating positions in the NHL.
They have a young foundation beginning to emerge, nearly $15 million in projected cap space, and an astonishing collection of draft capital that currently includes 30 selections through the 2030 NHL Draft.
And that raises an interesting question:
What if the Flames don't want to wait?
What if, instead of slowly building toward contention, Calgary decides to accelerate the process with the kind of move that changes the direction of an entire franchise?
What if Connor McDavid became available?
Yes, that sounds far-fetched.
Maybe even impossible.
But hockey is a sport where the impossible has a funny way of becoming reality.
And if the Edmonton Oilers captain — arguably the most talented player of his generation — ever hit the market, few teams would have the combination of assets, financial flexibility, and motivation that Calgary currently possesses.
The Flames have spent the last several seasons attempting to reshape their organization without completely tearing everything down. They have accumulated young talent, maintained flexibility, and avoided putting themselves into the kind of long-term cap problems that have limited other contenders.
That patience could eventually create an opportunity.
A superstar center is the one missing ingredient every championship contender searches for. Calgary has quality pieces, including a promising defensive group and emerging young talent, but adding an elite No. 1 center would immediately change the ceiling of the franchise.
McDavid would not just make the Flames better.
He would transform them.
Of course, acquiring a player of that magnitude would require an unprecedented package.
A hypothetical offer would likely have to include significant assets, and Calgary has the ammunition to at least enter the conversation.
A package built around defenseman Zach Whitecloud, veteran forward Jonathan Huberdeau with salary retention, and a massive collection of draft picks would represent the type of aggressive swing required to acquire a player like McDavid.
Would Edmonton accept something like that?
That is impossible to know.
Would Calgary even consider sacrificing that much of its future?
That is an even bigger question.
But the fact that the conversation can even be entertained says something about where the Flames currently stand.
Whitecloud, in particular, represents the type of valuable trade chip contenders covet. Acquired from Vegas as part of the Rasmus Andersson trade, the right-shot defenseman quickly proved he was more than a temporary cap piece. He has become a reliable top-four option, capable of handling difficult defensive assignments while providing leadership both on and off the ice.
At just $2.75 million annually through the 2027-28 season, Whitecloud is exactly the kind of contract teams around the league would love to add.
Calgary does not have to move him.
That is the important distinction.
The Flames have leverage because they are not desperate. Whitecloud fits their roster, helps stabilize a young defensive group, and provides veteran leadership around developing players.
But if the return is a franchise-altering superstar?
Everything has to be considered.
That is the luxury Calgary has created.
The Flames can listen on players like Whitecloud because they have depth. They can evaluate their future because they have accumulated assets. They can dream bigger because they are not trapped financially.
And that brings the conversation back to McDavid.
A player of his caliber rarely becomes available. Teams would line up. The bidding war would be historic. Every organization with championship aspirations would try to find a way.
Calgary would face obvious challenges. Edmonton trading its captain to a provincial rival would be almost impossible to imagine. The Flames would also have to convince McDavid that Calgary is the right destination for the next chapter of his career.
But hockey is unpredictable.
The idea of Wayne Gretzky leaving Edmonton once seemed impossible. The idea of superstar players changing teams has become increasingly common in today's NHL.
Could the Flames actually land McDavid?
Probably not.
But could Calgary be one of the few teams positioned to at least make the phone call?
Absolutely.
And sometimes, in the NHL, being prepared for the impossible is how franchises end up making history.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The Buffalo Sabres made a series of moves involving its forward corps Monday, signing Peyton Krebs to a four-year, $18 million contract and dealing Tyler Kopff to the Washington Capitals for fellow prospect Zac Funk.
The 25-year-old Krebs, who had been eligible for arbitration, set career highs with 12 goals and 27 assists last season. The former first-round pick by Vegas in the 2019 draft was acquired by Buffalo in the deal that sent Jack Eichel to Vegas. He has 42 goals and 91 assists with Buffalo and Vegas.
The Sabres also announced the hiring of veteran NHL executive John Davidson as senior adviser.
Davidson, 73, spent 18 seasons as president of hockey operations for St. Louis, Columbus and the New York Rangers. He is now reunited with Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekäläinen, whom he hired as GM in Columbus.
Following an NHL-record 14 seasons of futility, Buffalo clinched a playoff berth last season and reached the Eastern Conference semifinals where the Sabres lost to Montreal in seven games. The drought was among the four North American major sports’ longest active streaks, ranking second behind the NFL’s New York Jets, who last qualified in 2010.
“I am excited to join the Buffalo Sabres and look forward to the opportunity to help the organization in any way I can,” Davidson said. “The momentum in Buffalo is palpable throughout the entire league and the passion from Sabres fans makes this opportunity all the more exciting.”
Funk, 22, has two goals and four assists in 25 career AHL games with the Hershey Bears and 28 points in 34 career ECHL games with the South Carolina Stingrays. Kopff, 23, split last season in the same two leagues.
What if the Los Angeles Kings aren't standing still at all?
After an offseason that has left some fans questioning the lack of a blockbuster move, a growing theory suggests general manager Ken Holland may be positioning the franchise for something far bigger than another veteran addition.
The Kings may not be waiting for the next available piece.
They may be waiting for the player who changes everything.
According to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, Los Angeles has been intentionally preserving as much financial flexibility as possible, with the belief that the right opportunity could eventually present itself. On the latest episode of 32 Thoughts, Friedman described the Kings' strategy as maintaining "maximum flexibility" for what he called an "LA-type move."
That phrase immediately sparked speculation across the hockey world.
Because if the Kings are truly keeping their financial options open, there are only a handful of players who would justify such patience.
Connor McDavid.
Auston Matthews.
Two of the most recognizable superstars in the sport. Two players who could instantly change the trajectory of any franchise fortunate enough to acquire them.
Neither player is available today, and there is no guarantee either ever reaches the open market. But if one of hockey's biggest names does become attainable, Los Angeles appears determined not to be eliminated from the conversation because of financial commitments made today.
That possibility changes the way the Kings' offseason should be viewed.
Instead of chasing a series of expensive short-term upgrades, Los Angeles has focused on adding experienced complementary pieces, bringing in players such as Corey Perry, Mats Zuccarello, and Erik Haula. Those moves provide depth, but they are not the type of transactions that define a franchise.
Perhaps that is exactly the point.
Friedman noted the Kings would still like to add a puck-moving defenseman, but any move would likely require money leaving the roster first. Los Angeles is operating in a "dollar in, dollar out" environment, making every decision with an eye toward maintaining future flexibility.
For months, critics have questioned whether the Kings should abandon their current core and begin a full rebuild. But perhaps the organization sees another path.
Maybe Los Angeles doesn't believe it needs to tear everything down.
Maybe it believes one transformational addition could change the entire equation.
And it's important not to underestimate Holland when it comes to making those kinds of moves.
The veteran executive has faced criticism for the Kings' cautious approach this summer, but history shows patience does not mean passivity. During his tenure as general manager of the Detroit Red Wings, Holland completely reshaped his roster before the 2001-02 season by acquiring future Hall of Famers Luc Robitaille, Dominik Hasek, and Brett Hull.
That trio helped Detroit capture the Stanley Cup.
The circumstances were different, with no salary cap limiting roster construction at the time. But the larger lesson remains the same: when Holland believes a championship opportunity exists, he has shown he is willing to make aggressive decisions and swing for the biggest prizes available.
That history is worth remembering as Los Angeles continues to keep its options open.
The Kings may not be preparing for a rebuild.
They may be preparing for a blockbuster.
If Auston Matthews were ever to leave Toronto, Los Angeles would immediately become one of the most fascinating destinations to watch.
Matthews' connection to the American Southwest runs deeper than most NHL stars. Born in California, he spent much of his childhood in Arizona, where his family still has strong ties. It was there that he first fell in love with hockey, famously becoming captivated after watching Alexander Ovechkin score a highlight-reel goal during his rookie season in 2006.
The Arizona Coyotes are no longer part of the NHL landscape, creating a unique situation for a player whose early hockey memories were built in the desert.
If Matthews ever decides he wants to return closer to where his hockey journey began, the Utah Mammoth could naturally enter the discussion as the league's newest western destination. Utah has quietly continued building its roster and establishing itself as a legitimate NHL market.
But the Kings offer something different.
They offer a proven playoff foundation, one of the league's biggest markets, and potentially the financial flexibility to make the kind of move that rarely becomes available.
The same applies to McDavid.
Landing the Edmonton Oilers captain would represent one of the largest transactions in modern NHL history. Few organizations could realistically enter that conversation, but Los Angeles has the market, the ambition, and potentially the patience to make itself part of it.
In the meantime, the Kings continue adding pieces that fit a contender's supporting cast.
Haula's arrival is a perfect example. The veteran forward signed a two-year contract worth $3.6 million annually and immediately leaned on familiarity when making his decision, reaching out to longtime friend Joel Armia. The two grew up together in Finland and even shared a room during the 2026 Winter Olympics, giving Haula an inside perspective on life in Los Angeles.
Those are the types of moves teams make while waiting for something bigger.
Whether that bigger move ever involves McDavid, Matthews, or another superstar remains impossible to predict. Superstar players rarely become available, and both remain under contract with their current teams.
But if Friedman's theory is correct, the Kings are not simply sitting through a quiet offseason.
They are positioning themselves.
And if the right opportunity arrives, Los Angeles may be ready to make the biggest move in hockey.
Settling early is typical during the salary arbitration hearing season, which runs from July 20 to Aug. 1 in Toronto. Both sides try to work out deals before the hearings.
This year, 15 restricted free agents filed to have an independent arbitrator determine their next contract. Both sides file salary requests and the arbitrator can award either number but often does something between.
The most interesting case is Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson, who made $7.75 million in his last deal and is due a big raise after a 96-point season. The record arbitration award was $7.5 million to future Hall of Famer Shea Weber in 2011.
Here are the salary arbitration dates, per puckpedia.com:
Monday, July 20
Jamie Drysdale, Philadelphia
Cole Perfetti, Winnipeg
Wednesday, July 22
Trevor Zegras, Philadelphia
Thursday, July 23
Jet Greaves, Columbus
Saturday, July 25
Xavier Bourgault, Ottawa (settled, one year, $850,000)
Jason Robertson, Dallas
Connor McMichael, St. Louis
Monday, July 27
Cole Sillinger, Columbus
Tuesday, July 28
Nick Robertson, Pittsburgh
Wednesday, July 29
Braden Schneider, N.Y. Rangers (settled, one year, $5.5 million)
The defenseman gets one year at $5.5 million, up from a $2.2 million average in his last two-year contract. Schneider averaged about three more minutes a game last season.
The forward averages $4.5 million in his new contract, a bump from his previous $1.45 million cap hit. Krebs had his first 82-game season and set career bests in goals (12), assists (27) and points (39).
The Colorado Avalanche have officially handed Fabian Lysell the opportunity he was waiting for.
Colorado announced Monday that it has signed the 23-year-old forward to a one-year contract for the 2026-27 season, giving the former first-round pick a prove-it deal just weeks after acquiring him from the Boston Bruins in exchange for Ivan Ivan. Financial details have yet to been disclosed.
For both sides, the timing makes sense.
The Avalanche add another low-risk, high-upside talent to an organization that has built a reputation for successful reclamation projects, while Lysell gets a fresh start after several seasons spent trying to establish himself in Boston's system.
Colorado has seen this story unfold before.
Andre Burakovsky blossomed into a Stanley Cup champion after arriving from Washington. Valeri Nichushkin resurrected a career many around the league had begun to write off, evolving into one of the Avalanche's most valuable players after his departure from Dallas.
Lysell now arrives in Denver hoping to follow a similar blueprint.
Originally selected 21st overall by the Bruins in the 2021 NHL Draft, the Swedish winger has yet to translate his immense skill into a permanent NHL role. He has appeared in just 12 career NHL games, recording one goal and two assists, while spending the majority of his professional career with the AHL's Providence Bruins.
Last season, Lysell registered 42 points (17 goals, 25 assists) in 57 games as Providence captured the Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy for finishing with the American Hockey League's best regular-season record. He ranked sixth on the club in scoring while finishing fifth in both goals and assists before appearing in one Calder Cup Playoff game.
The numbers remain respectable, but they also reflect a prospect whose development plateaued after an encouraging start.
A 50-point campaign in 2023-24 appeared to signal a breakthrough. Instead, it was followed by 34 points in 52 games during the 2024-25 season and 42 points this past year, leaving questions about whether the missing ingredient was consistency, opportunity, or simply the right environment.
Even Bruins general manager Don Sweeney acknowledged the relationship fell short of expectations.
"He hasn't fully grasped at the NHL level what it probably requires to play each and every night. He took ownership of that today," Sweeney said after the trade. "We took ownership that, could we have done more and better in supporting him? Probably."
That mutual accountability ultimately led both sides toward a fresh start.
Lysell's talent has never been difficult to identify. His skating, creativity with the puck, and offensive instincts made him one of the premier prospects in his draft class. The challenge has been converting those flashes into the kind of dependable, two-way game necessary to earn an everyday NHL role.
The Avalanche are betting they can help bridge that gap.
Before turning professional in North America, Lysell developed in Sweden with Luleå HF of the Swedish Hockey League while starring in Frölunda's junior program. He crossed the Atlantic following his draft year and immediately showcased his offensive ceiling with the WHL's Vancouver Giants, collecting 62 points (22 goals, 40 assists) in 53 regular-season games before erupting for 21 points in 12 playoff contests. His 17 postseason assists led the entire WHL that spring.
Internationally, Lysell has represented Sweden at two IIHF World Junior Championships and the 2021 IIHF Under-18 World Championship, earning bronze medals at both the 2022 World Juniors and the 2021 U18 tournament.
Now, the next chapter begins in Colorado.
The one-year contract gives Lysell an opportunity to reset his career while providing the Avalanche with another intriguing reclamation project at minimal risk. If the change of scenery unlocks the offensive potential that made him a first-round selection, Colorado could once again find itself turning another overlooked talent into a meaningful contributor.
For Lysell, that's exactly what this prove-it season is designed to determine.
With just one player heading to arbitration, the Florida Panthers could be looking to strike a deal with Akira Schmid before their new deadline.
Typically, NHL teams and players can avoid meeting with an arbitrator by signing an extension before the deadline. Players file for arbitration to speed up the process of negotiating an extension.
But in some cases, if a deal cannot be reached, going to arbitration can yield a balanced outcome.
If the Panthers do not come to terms with Schmid within the next few weeks, they’ll be set for their arbitration date on August 1, according to puckpedia.com.
By filing for arbitration, players become eligible for a maximum of a two-year contract, but those one year away from becoming unrestricted free agents can only be awarded a one-year contract.
The arbitration process is completed by the team and the player, who present their case for the contract’s price tag. More often than not, the team low-balls, while the player puts an unrealistic price. An arbitrator is used to help find the middle ground based on production, age and the term, whether it’s one year or two.
The situation with the Panthers and Schmid is quite different than other arbitration cases. Whether the Panthers deal with an arbitrator or not, they will likely be signing Schmid to a short-term contract.
Backup netminders are rarely offered multi-year contracts, and one as unproven as Schmid almost never sees a contract exceed two seasons.
In his NHL career, the 26-year-old has played just 82 games, recording a .898 save percentage and a 2.66 goals-against average.
In the 2025-26 season, Schmid played a career-high 34 games with the Vegas Golden Knights, posting an .893 SP and a 2.59 GAA.
In all likelihood, Schmid’s next contract will be a one- or two-year deal, with an AVV under $2 million.
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The Toronto Maple Leafs have made a few changes to their defense ever since John Chayka became the GM of the club in early May.
It's an area of the team that was particularly disappointing this past season. The Maple Leafs were the second-worst team in the NHL when it came to keeping the puck out of their net, averaging 3.60 goals against. That's the highest goals-against average the franchise has ever posted since registering a 3.68 in 1991-92.
Therefore, some alterations on the back end were required going into next season.
With those modifications, where do the Maple Leafs stand among their Atlantic Division rivals in terms of their defensive depth and how the blueline looks on paper compared to others?
Chayka's next move as Toronto's GM was to address the team's D-corps once again. This time, he made a big splash for Darren Raddysh, acquiring the 30-year-old blueliner from the Tampa Bay Lightning in a sign-and-trade.
He was inked to an eight-year deal that pays him $8.5 million per year against the salary cap. Raddysh will immediately fit in on the Leafs' top four on the back end, probably even as a top-pair defenseman and a spot on the first power-play unit.
Among those that remain from last season are Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Jake McCabe, Morgan Rielly, Chris Tanev and Troy Stecher.
Rielly is an interesting case because he's been attached to trade rumors for a large chunk of the off-season, with reports that he has provided a short list of teams to the Maple Leafs about destinations he'd waive his no-move clause for.
Tanev missed a large portion of last season, only being able to play in 11 games. He dealt with multiple injuries and setbacks, including a groin injury, an upper-body injury that he suffered against the Flyers on Nov. 1, and core muscle surgery. But he's expected to be ready for training camp, and his return for next season will almost be an addition in itself.
After the Maple Leafs claimed Stecher off waivers on Nov. 15, he enforced his will to become a regular player on the roster and impressed with his work ethic and his desperation to stay in the NHL. As a result, he earned himself a two-year contract extension with Toronto at $1.35 million per season.
It's shaping up to be another bloodbath in the Atlantic Division next season, with each team looking to make the playoffs and no one interested in looking ahead to the future or rebuilding. Therefore, the Leafs are up against some impressive D-corps in the Atlantic.
One defense group that the Leafs comfortably have the edge over in their division are the Detroit Red Wings. The Red Wings have an excellent, young top pair with Simon Edvinsson and Moritz Seider, but their supporting cast is nothing to write home about, with Justin Faulk, Ben Chiarot, Albert Johansson and Jacob Bernard-Docker. However, 21-year-old Axel Sandin-Pellikka could earn an NHL role, and while he's still young, he's capable of surprises.
Outside of Detroit, the rest of the order really depends on how individuals perform next season.
For example, if Rielly can find his stride again and play as he did before the arrival of Craig Berube, if Ekman-Larsson can repeat his impressive campaign from this past year, if Tanev can continue to be the player he always has been after missing all of 2025-26, essentially. It's even fair to question if Raddysh can pull off what he did this past year again, considering his 70-point campaign was the first time he scored more than 40 points.
There's certainly a world in which the Leafs' defense performs at a higher standard than the Lightning next year, taking their top scorer from that position in the past season. In response, Tampa Bay did acquire John Carlson, who is 36 years old, for what it's worth. Though he is still a talented blueliner who can score in bunches from the back end.
Along with Carlson, the other notables on Tampa's defense are captain Victor Hedman and J.J. Moser.
Hedman is 35 years old, turning 36 in December, and missed so much of 2025-26, with an injury-riddled campaign, as well as a temporary leave of absence.
Moser is an excellent two-way D-man who will probably have the biggest role on the team's blueline. He averaged the most ice time on the team this past year outside of Raddysh and was second in plus-minus with a plus-41.
To round out the Bolts' defence are 37-year-old McDonagh, as well as Erik Cernak and Charle-Edouard D'Astous and Emil Lilleberg.
On paper, the Maple Leafs should have the edge on the Lightning.
Another team the Leafs could be neck-and-neck with in terms of the makeup of their bluelines is the Boston Bruins.
Leading that group is Charlie McAvoy, a defenseman who probably looks down at the entire Maple Leafs D-corps. With him are Mason Lohrei, Hampus Lindholm, newly acquired Will Borgen, Henri Jokiharju, Nikita Zadorov and Connor Clifton. That's a solid blueline with all NHL regulars at ages between 25 and 32.
With Boston's defense up against Toronto's on paper, it's close. That decision could go either way, but if the Leafs' defensemen perform to their expectations, they have more difference-makers on paper.
Regarding the rest of the division, it's tough to make a case for the Maple Leafs having a flat-out better D-corps.
However, the team that the Leafs come closest to of the rest is the Ottawa Senators. Ottawa has one of the best defensemen in the NHL in Jake Sanderson, who is still just 24 years old.
Artem Zub and Thomas Chabot are solid top-four defensemen, and Jordan Spence can be a game-changer from the blueline with his offensive talent. Even Carter Yakemchuk can surprise the league the same way Detroit's Sandin-Pellikka can.
Ultimately, the Senators have better defensemen at prime ages, but the Leafs aren't far off if they can improve from this past year.
Even a team like the Buffalo Sabres, which moved on from Bowen Byram, still has the edge over Toronto, thanks to Norris Trophy finalist Rasmus Dahlin, as well as Owen Power and Mattias Samuelsson, who had great seasons in 2025-26. Now, add Olen Zellweger to the mix, and that blueline is looking fast and skilled.
Of the remaining teams, the Montreal Canadiens show no signs of slowing down, and the Florida Panthers look ready to challenge for another Stanley Cup this coming year.
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After concerns about the way his sophomore season in the NHL went, Philadelphia Flyers starlet Matvei Michkov is already doing what he can to begin erasing those doubts.
To the dismay of a small faction of Flyers fans, Michkov, 21, has spent much of his offseason back home in Russia, and he'll soon participate in the Match of the Year before returning to North America.
In the meantime, though, the young Flyers star has spent some time recently training with a star-studded group of NHLers in preparation for the new season.
On Sunday, Michkov was spotted working out with fellow Russian star Artemi Panarin and standout defenseman Mikhail Sergachev, as well as former Flyers forward Andrei Kuzmenko, Vasili Podkolzin, Ilya Lyubushkin, and Marat Khusnutdinov under the tutelage of established trainer Dmitry Yashankin.
Panarin, Sergachev, Michkov, Lyubushkin, Kuzmenko, Podkolzin, Khusnutdinov. NHL players are training together under the guidance of Dmitry Yashankin pic.twitter.com/BctASqMF2L
The Match of the Year will take place in St. Petersburg on Saturday, July 25, and shortyl thereafter, Michkov is expected to return to Voorhees, N.J. to begin training and associating with his Flyers teammates ahead of the start of training camp.
Kevin Kurz of The Athletic reported Monday that the Flyers expect their young star back sometime in early August, which would give Michkov at least a week to prepare for the long and complicated flight from Russia back to the United States.
The 2026-27 season will be a crucial one for Michkov, as he is heading into the last year of his entry-level contract with an up-and-down start to his NHL career.
After scoring 26 goals and 63 points in his first year with the Flyers under John Tortorella and Brad Shaw, Michkov regressed to 20 goals and only 51 points under first-year head coach Rick Tocchet last season amid concerns about his fitness level and preparation coming into the year.
The 5-foot-10 winger was eligible to sign an extension with the Flyers as of July 1, but all signs indicate we will have to wait to see any movement there.
Until then, we have video proof that Michkov is working diligently to erase any doubts about his attention to detail and physical condition.
Zach Benson locked up on long-term deal with the Sabres
The only outstanding business remaining this summer with the Buffalo Sabres roster was the status of forward Peyton Krebs, who filed for salary arbitration earlier this month. The 25-year-old forward was someone who head coach Lindy Ruff relied on frequently last season because of his versatility. On Monday, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that the two sides avoided arbitration and agreed to a four-year, $18 million contract extension ($4.5 million AAV).
Krebs scored a career-high 39 points (12 goals, 27 assists) last season and showed his value in an increased role during his fifth season with the Sabres. The former Vegas Golden Knights first rounder was part of the Jack Eichel trade in November 2021 (along with former Sabre Alex Tuch and a 2022 first rounder - Noah Ostlund) and has adapted from being a high scoring forward in juniors to a feisty aggravator.
Ruff utilized Krebs in different situations last season, playing an energy role at center or wing on the fourth line, and being elevated higher in the lineup late in games, and referred to him as his Swiss Army knife.
“My daughter was born here; I got engaged here. This is definitely a home for my family and I, and I’d love to be a part of this team as long as I can,” Krebs said as part of the Sabres press release. “Obviously, the group of guys here are unbelievable and a lot of fun to be around. I think that’s the biggest thing: Is it a fun environment to come to the rink? And that it is, for sure. I got to know my neighbors really well, and all the people out in Clarence where I live. It’s definitely something I’m looking forward to, and I want to bring a Stanley Cup here.”
KREBSY’S BACK 😤
We have signed forward Peyton Krebs to a four-year contract with an AAV of $4.5 million.
Filing for arbitration prevented Krebs from receiving an offer sheet, and with the deal, the Sabres lock him up for the bulk of his prime years. The AAV is consistent with a number of free agent contracts that depth forwards signed on July 1. For example, the Toronto Maple Leafs signed Colton Sissons to a two-year deal for $4.25 million and Jack Roslovic for two years at $4 million, both who can play multiple positions.
On the trade and free agent front, there continues to be speculation regarding three-time Cup winner Patrick Kane and Vezina and Hart Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck coming to Buffalo. With the signing of Krebs, the Sabres have just over $4 million in available cap space. A trade for Hellebuyck would likely involve players off the Sabres roster and would open cap space to fit his $8.5 million salary. The contract for the 37-year-old future Hall-of-Famer would likely be an incentive based deal as his deal with Detroit was last season.
Kane had $4 million in incentive bonuses, and if the Sabres structured a deal like that, the cap hit on the incentive would be transferred to next year’s cap if Buffalo is close to the cap limit.
On Saturday, former Montreal Canadiens defenseman Josh Gorges was inducted into the British Columbia Hockey Hall of Fame. He was welcomed to the Hall alongside Andrew Ladd, Travis Green, Daryl Reaugh, Malcolm Ashford, and the Vernon Vipers (the 2008-09 and 2009-10 teams).
While the stay-at-home defenseman wasn’t by any means a spectacular player, his work ethic was second to none, and he excelled defensively at blocking shots and breaking up plays. He spent 13 seasons in the NHL with the San Jose Sharks, the Canadiens, and the Buffalo Sabres, skating in 783 games, picking up 124 points, and racking up 404 penalty minutes.
Eight of his 13 seasons were spent in Montreal, where he played 464 games for the Sainte-Flanelle, gathered 88 points, and spent 192 minutes in the box. For two of those eight seasons, he wore an A on his jersey and was an important part of the Canadiens’ leadership group. The blueliner was instrumental in Brendan Gallagher becoming the player and the professional he has become, as he welcomed the rookie into his home when he first joined the Habs. Gorges was awarded the Jacques Beauchamp Trophy at the end of the 2011-12 season as the team’s unsung hero.
Photo credit: Angela Price Instagram
Had he had a choice in the matter, Gorges would likely have finished his career in Montreal, but he was traded to the Sabres on July 1, 2014, after famously refusing to be traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs. The defenseman explained he couldn’t see himself playing for a team he spent years despising.
Former Canadiens superstar goalie Carey Price, who played with Gorges for seven seasons, was in attendance at the ceremony to welcome the blueliner to the Hall after being inducted himself in 2024.
RALEIGH, NC - MARCH 28: Jordan Martinook #48 of the Carolina Hurricanes against Dawson Mercer #91 of the New Jersey Devils during the third period at Lenovo Center on March 28, 2026 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Josh Lavallee/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
The Metropolitan Division got a bit of an overhaul this offseason. I know I’m not breaking any news here, as this site and plenty of other outlets have discussed the changes in the Metro since the end of this past season. Not only that, but change is a constant in the NHL, so it would be bizarre if any given division didn’t look significantly different from one season to the next. Still, just because specific changes have been documented and general changes are expected doesn’t mean they aren’t worth going over in depth.
And that’s what we’re going to do today. Each and every team in the Metropolitan Division looks different heading into 2026-27. Some teams underwent more significant changes than others, some got better, and some got worse…at least on paper. Let’s roll through the Devils’ divisional rivals and see where they stand after the bulk of the offseason work has been done. Then we’ll take a look at New Jersey and try to figure out where they lie in the pecking order of the division hierarchy.
(All cap space numbers come from the invaluable PuckPedia)
Carolina Hurricanes
2025-26 Season Results: 53-22-7, 113 points; Won Stanley Cup
We start with the champs. The Carolina Hurricanes finally got over the hump in the Rod Brind’Amour era and won a Stanley Cup. I would argue that it was set up perfectly for them to win, with a hilariously easy field to get through, but it’s undeniable that they were one of the best teams in the entire league and could’ve easily won the Cup even if the competition was stiffer. In any case, flags fly forever, and the Hurricanes are the champions. The Devils have had such a difficult time playing against Carolina over the past few seasons, and now they have to deal with their boogeyman hoisting a trophy in their faces.
As far as their offseason goes, it has been very, very quiet in Raleigh. That’s due to a number of factors, such as a weak free agent class, a decent-but-not-vast amount of cap space to work with, and the fact that Carolina’s roster is already pretty set heading into next season. They did not make any notable additions, unless you count the signing of Juuso Valimaki or the re-signing of Nic Deslauriers. They also didn’t draft anyone that will make an immediate impact on their NHL roster this season. And on the flip side of the coin, Carolina did not lose anyone of note either, with one obvious exception: Frederik Andersen. The veteran goalie was lights out in the postseason for the Hurricanes until the Stanley Cup Final, where after Game Two, he was replaced by Brandon Bussi, who took Carolina the rest of the way. Andersen ended up signing in Edmonton, so the Hurricanes goaltending is currently in the hands of Bussi and Pyotr Kochetkov.
There is one more potential subtraction though: Alexander Nikishin. The Russian defenseman is a Restricted Free Agent, and there are rumors swirling that Carolina might be looking to trade him. If he leaves, that would certainly count as a notable subtraction, but as of this writing, he is still an RFA under team control. It’s a situation that bears monitoring.
Outside of that, while it’s not a full blown subtraction, it’s worth noting that Seth Jarvis underwent shoulder surgery in late June and is expected to miss 4-6 months. If it’s the early part of that timeframe, he should only miss about a month of action. If it’s the the full six months, that would put his return around Christmas, which would be a significant chunk of the season. Though I believe Carolina is a deep enough team to weather his absence and get him back up to speed before the postseason.
There wasn’t much movement in Carolina this summer, but that’s what happens when you have all of your most important players locked down to long term, team-friendly contracts for the foreseeable future.
Pittsburgh Penguins
2025-26 Season Results: 41-25-16, 98 points; Lost first round to PHI
Notable Additions: Hendrix Lapierre, Kaedan Korczak, Trevor van Riemsdyk, Andrei Kuzmenko, Nicholas Robertson
Notable Subtractions: Anthony Mantha, Ryan Shea, Parker Wotherspoon, Noel Acciari, Stuart Skinner
Against all odds, the Penguins finished second in the Metro this past season. Entering the year, many around the NHL expected Pittsburgh to be a bottom-five team in the league. They surprised everyone by riding a shockingly good offense (290 goals, third in the league behind only the Colorado Avalanche and Carolina Hurricanes) and a wave of loser points (most in the Eastern Conference) to a playoff berth. They fell to their in-state rivals in the first round when the goal-scoring dried up, but it was still a wildly successful season for the Pens when taking preseason expectations into account.
Perhaps their most notable bit of business over the offseason was inking franchise legend Evgeni Malkin to a one-year extension, keeping him in Pittsburgh for at least one more season. They also made trades for intriguing youngsters such as Hendrix Lapierre, Nicholas Robertson (still an RFA as of this writing), and Kaedan Korczak. Meanwhile in free agency, they brought in Andrei Kuzmenko and Trevor van Riemsdyk. As far as subtractions, they lost Ryan Shea, Noel Acciari, and Stuart Skinner to free agency, and they shipped Parker Wotherspoon to the Vegas Golden Knights in the trade that brought Korczak to Pittsburgh. Anthony Mantha, who shocked everyone with 33 goals and 64 points last season, remains unsigned right now, so he could theoretically slot into the notable addition OR notable subtraction category.
Pittsburgh did a lot of shuffling at the margins of their lineup. And while I’m not sure their offense will be as potent as it was last year, they might still have enough in the tank to compete for a playoff spot again. They also have a lot of cap space with which to make even more moves if they so choose.
Philadelphia Flyers
2025-26 Season Results: 43-27-12, 98 points; Lost second round to CAR
Notable Additions: Joseph Woll, Simon Benoit, Noel Acciari, Zach Aston-Reese, Jack Studnicka
Philadelphia was another surprise playoff team this past season. While I don’t think most people thought they would be as bad as the Penguins, there weren’t many that thought they would finish where they did. And not only did the Flyers surprise a lot of people by making the playoffs, they even won a round while they were there! Although it was against a potentially fugazi Pittsburgh team, and the Flyers promptly came crashing back down to Earth in a second-round sweep at the hands of the Hurricanes. Still, it was a wildly successful season for them.
By far the most notable move of the Flyers’ offseason is one that didn’t actually work out: their signing of Anaheim’s Leo Carlsson to a five-year, $18M AAV offer sheet. It was a bold move by a team that so desperately needs high-end talent. Philadelphia has done a good job filling out their roster with solid support pieces and depth players. But the most important part of any team, the game-breakers at the top, is not something that the Flyers currently possess. Their offer sheet to Carlsson was aimed at fixing that, even if it was a gross overpayment. Anaheim recently matched the offer sheet though, so Philadelphia will have to hunt for their franchise center somewhere else.
Aside from the Carlsson saga, Phildelphia added Joseph Woll and Simon Benoit in a trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs early in the offseason, and they signed Noel Acciari, Zach Aston-Reese, and Jack Studnicka in free agency. In addition to trading for Woll, the Flyers also addressed their goaltending by signing team MVP Dan Vladar to a five-year, $5.5M AAV extension. Vladar almost singlehandedly carried the Flyers to a playoff spot with his play post-Olympics, and Danny Briere rewarded him with a long-term deal. They also inked Tyson Foerster to a major eight-year, $7.1M AAV to an extension as well.
As far as major subtractions go, Garnet Hathaway was the only notable loss, going to the Florida Panthers in a trade. Other than that, Phildelphia will be rolling with much of the same lineup that got them to the second round this past season.
Washington Capitals
2025-26 Season Results: 43-30-9, 95 points; Missed postseason
Notable Additions: Alex Tuch, Jordan Kyrou, Vincent Desharnais, Boone Jenner, Justin Holl
Notable Subtractions: Connor McMichael, Brandon Duhaime, John Carlson
Now we get to the team that had, in my opinion, the most impactful offseason among Metropolitan teams.
The Washington Capitals were the top team in the Eastern Conference two seasons ago. They lost in the second round to Carolina, but things were looking up. Then this season, regression to the mean bit them hard, as they posted 95 points and missed the postseason altogether. 95 points is obviously not a bad season, but it was a far cry from their magical 2024-25 and obviously not good enough in a competitive Eastern Conference.
Since their Stanley Cup season of 2017-18, their core has either aged out (Nicklas Backstrom, Braden Holtby) or is about to get there (Alex Ovechkin, Tom Wilson). To stay competitive, Washington has tried to retool on the fly. This has resulted in them acquiring players such as Jacob Chychrun, Dylan Strome, and Logan Thompson in recent years. And this summer, they took some pretty big swings again. It started with a trade with the St. Louis Blues for star winger Jordan Kyrou. Washington had to send out talented youngster Connor McMichael in the deal (as well as a first round pick), but Kyrou is a strong player who should be worth that price. The very next day, The Caps were at it again, swinging a sign-and-trade for Alex Tuch of the Buffalo Sabres. Instead of getting to unrestricted free agency, Tuch agreed to an eight-year, $10.5M AAV deal as part of the transaction. The biggest fish on the free agent market never actually got to free agency, landing instead in our nation’s capital.
Then in free agency, Washington signed former Columbus Blue Jackets captain Boone Jenner, as well as Vincent Desharnais and Justin Holl. While certainly not on the level of players like Kyrou and Tuch, these moves should theoretically solidify the Captials’ depth.
As far as subtractions go, we already mentioned McMichael. He’s the biggest piece that walked out the door this summer. Aside from him, Brandon Duhaime left in free agency, and even though he was already gone by the time the summer rolled around, it’s worth mentioning that long-time franchise staple John Carlson is no longer a Capital, having been traded at the deadline and signing with the Tampa Bay Lightning this offseason. It’s also worth mentioning that Rasmus Sandin underwent surgery for a torn ACL in late-April. You may recall that the Devils’ own Johnny Kovacevic went down an eerily similar path recently, getting surgery to repair a major knee injury in late April of 2025. Kovacevic was not able to return until mid-January of 2026, so one would expect Sandin to miss roughly the same amount of time himself.
Columbus Blue Jackets
2025-26 Season Results: 40-30-12, 92 points; Missed postseason
Notable Additions: Valeri Nichushkin, Ryan Lomberg, Phoenix Copley
It’s been two seasons in a row now of Columbus just missing the playoffs. Two years ago, they made an inspiring run at it in the face of unspeakable tragedy when we lost Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau in the summer of 2024. Then this past season, they once again came close but eventually fell short, thanks to a major collapse to finish the campaign (2-8-1 over their final 11 games). It’s been tough sledding for the Blue Jackets to get back to contender status, and they suffered through a tumultuous offseason this summer.
Much like the Flyers, the most notable “move” they made was one they didn’t make. Reigning Norris trophy winner and franchise icon Zach Werenski has been at the center of tons of drama this offseason. Reports surfaced that he wanted a trade. Then reports surfaced that Columbus had a deal in place with the Dallas Stars that would’ve sent Werenski there in exchange for Thomas Harley, only for Werenski to veto the move thanks to his no-move clause. Then after all that, both Werenski and the Blue Jackets released statements establishing Werenski’s commitment to the Blue Jackets and that he wants to stay in Ohio.
Very normal stuff.
Meanwhile, Kirill Marchenko’s future is up in the air as well. The 25-year-old winger has one year left on his deal before reaching RFA status, and he has indicated that he does not have interest in re-signing long term in Columbus once his deal is up. So now the Jackets have to figure out what to do with him too.
As far as actual additions go, the Blue Jackets’ biggest move was trading for Val Nichushkin of the Colorado Avalanche. He’s not what he once was, and he comes with significant character concerns, but on the ice, Nichushkin should be able to help their middle six. They also brought in Ryan Lomberg and Phoenix Copley in free agency.
And as if the looming clouds of Werenski and Marchenko leaving weren’t enough, the Blue Jackets lost their captain, Boone Jenner, to Washington in free agency. They also watched Mason Marchment and Danton Heinen walk out the door, two wingers of varying effectiveness (although Heinen is still a free agent so Columbus does have the chance to bring him back if they want to).
Now, you might have noticed that the Jackets have a boatload of cap space. Just over $23M to be exact. But keep in mind, that’s a bit misleading, as Adam Fantilli and Cole Sillinger are RFAs that need new deals. Sillinger won’t break the bank, but Fantilli will cost a healthy amount. The former third overall pick hasn’t fully lived up to his pre-draft hype yet, but this is still a player with a 30-goal season and two 50-plus point campaigns under his belt. With the prices being thrown at many other players this offseason, Fantilli could easily command eight figures as a very young RFA. So expect that $23M in cap space to dry up in a hurry.
New York Islanders
2025-26 Season Results: 43-34-15, 91 points; Missed postseason
Yet another year where the New York Islanders could not buy a goal despite playing strong defense (although, really, it’s more accurate to say it was strong goaltending). They were top-five in the league in fewest goals against (236), but 25th in the league in goals scored (229). Despite a dazzling rookie season from first overall pick Matthew Schaefer, the Islanders suffered through a middling season and missed out on the playoffs.
It was a relatively quiet offseason as far as bringing in new players. Matias Maccelli is an interesting bet that could help their middle six. And old pal Vitek Vanecek provides goaltending depth behind starter Ilya Sorokin. But that’s about it for major acquisitions.
Taking a look at their subtractions, Columbus wasn’t the only team in the division that saw their longtime captain leave this offseason. A staple on Long Island for years now, Anders Lee signed a three-year deal with the Utah Mammoth in free agency. For the first time in a career that started in 2012-13, Lee will wear another team’s sweater this season. Aside from Lee, David Rittich is gone as well, leaving for the Devils on a one-year contract.
New York Rangers
2025-26 Season Results: 34-39-9, 77 points; Missed postseason
Notable Additions: Pavel Dorofeyev, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Sean Durzi, Marcus Pettersson, Joe Veleno, Joonas Korpisalo, Alberts Smits
Notable Subtractions: Artemi Panarin, Vincent Trocheck, Jonathan Quick, Brett Berard, Adam Edstrom, Will Borgen
The New York Rangers had a very similar offseason to the Washington Capitals. It was a transformative one that saw the team make a couple of big moves. And it was also a season where the team had to say goodbye to a franchise staple at the trade deadline.
The biggest move by far for New York this offseason was the trade for Vegas’ Pavel Dorofeyev. The deal that the Rangers got the 37-goal scorer to agree to came in at seven years, $11M AAV. It is an open question if he can produce the kind of goal-scoring numbers he put up in Vegas without elite playmakers such as Jack Eichel and Mitch Marner. But the Rangers, who are starved for players who can turn the red light on, needed to act, and Dorofeyev was one of the top options on the market. If Dorofeyev can prove he’s not totally reliant on elite linemates to do the heavy lifting for him, this will be a great deal for New York.
Elsewhere, the Rangers also sent a first round pick to the Vancouver Canucks for Marcus Pettersson, traded Vincent Trocheck to Utah for Sean Durzi, acquired Joonas Korpisalo from Boston, and signed Oliver Bjorkstrand and Joe Veleno in free agency. The Rangers had some major holes to fill in the middle of their lineup, and they acquired a lot of players that they hope can fill those holes.
Finally, the Rangers are the only team in the division that drafted high enough this summer to actually land a player that might contribute in 2026-27. With the fifth overall pick, New York selected Latvian defenseman Alberts Smits. He’s a big, toolsy blueliner who might be NHL ready this year, though even if he is, how well he’ll fare in the league as a teenager is anyone’s guess.
The major subtractions have to start with Artemi Panarin, who was traded to the Los Angeles Kings at the deadline. Panarin is inarguably one of the best free agent signings of the salary cap era, and while his production and play driving were down this season in New York, his on-ice value will certainly be missed. Also gone is Trocheck, as mentioned. He was another aging player that was losing effectiveness, but he was still a steady middle six center that New York has to replace. Jonathan Quick is also gone as the backup to Igor Shesterkin, with Korpisalo taking his place.
There were a ton of moving parts in Manhattan this offseason. Whether the Rangers got demonstrably better as a result of all those moves remains to be seen.
Taking a look at all the moves that each Metropolitan Division team made this offseason, this is how I’d rank the Metro as things stand right now:
Tier 1: Hurricanes
Tier 2: Devils, Capitals
Tier 3: Islanders, Rangers, Flyers, Penguins, Blue Jackets
I don’t think anyone would argue that Carolina remains the class of the division, and they should have a great chance at repeating at Cup winners. Below them, I think I would slot the Devils in the next tier with the Capitals. While I do think that Washington would be better served in the long run by tearing it all down, I can understand not wanting to do that while Ovechkin remains on the roster. Not to mention that they seem to think they can get back to contender status with this retool on the fly approach with or without Ovechkin. Selling futures for players like Kyrou and Tuch will help them greatly over the next two to three seasons. However, I am predicting that, right around the close of the decade, the constant acquisition of effective but aging players will catch up with the Capitals, and they will plummet down to the bottom of the standings with very little postseason success to show for it. They will be a very competitive team and a likely playoff squad in the short term though, so for 2026-27, I have them right behind Carolina.
Then the rest of the division comes in below that. I debated putting the Flyers in Tier 2 with the Devils and Caps, but I think Dan Vladar’s hot streak covered up a lot of holes this team has. While I do genuinely believe they’ve built some very strong depth, the Flyers sorely lack the star power that any contender needs. The Leo Carlsson offer sheet was a valiant attempt, but it didn’t work out for them. They still have plenty of cap space to work with, but until they actually land that game-breaking talent, they will be relying on Vladar to do a lot of the heavy lifting for them, and I’m not so sure he’s the wisest bet long term.
I think the Penguins also benefitted from a great deal of good luck in 2025-26, and they’re due for a step back. The Islanders should be roughly the same, the Blue Jackets might be a little bit better but not by much, and the Rangers should be improved, but they were one of the worst teams in the league last year so even improving as much as they theoretically did should only get them to middle of the pack status.
As for the Devils, I have written recently that while I don’t think new GM Sunny Mehta has done much to raise the ceiling of this team in the short term, he has done a good amount to raise the floor. He’s gotten rid of some negative value contracts in Jacob Markstrom and Maxim Tsyplakov, not to mention getting strong value for Simon Nemec instead of signing him to a deal that, in my opinion, Nemec will not live up to. He also filled out the depth by landing Evan Rodrigues and Jesper Boqvist in the Markstrom deal with Florida. And even though the Barrett Hayton offer sheet didn’t work, I still have a degree of confidence that the team as currently constructed has enough depth to get the offense back on track. The goaltending is a bit of a concern, but if the Devils really do decide to roll with three goaltenders this season, I do think they can squeeze enough solid play out of Jake Allen, Nico Daws, and David Rittich to get them to the postseason.
Keep in mind, the Devils went a disgraceful 7-17-2 against the Metropolitan this past season. If they want any shot at getting back to the playoffs, they need to greatly improve their play against divisional foes. So keeping tabs on what the other teams in the Metro have been up to this offseason is of utmost importance, and it’s worth seeing how well the Devils will match up with them with the changes they’ve made.
The major caveat to all this, of course, is that things can still change before next season begins. As things stand now, I think New Jersey should be right in the mix for second or third in the division, but it’s possible other teams make moves that propel them into Tier 2 alongside New Jersey and Washington. Or perhaps New Jersey makes a move or two themselves that helps to separate them from the pack a little bit. We usually don’t see many moves in July or August, but maybe we are entering a new era of year-round transactions being a thing.
Your Take
What do you make of the Metropolitan Division as things currently stand? Aside from Carolina, who do you see as the biggest threat? Do you agree that New Jersey is right there with Washington in the second tier? If not, how would you tier things out? As always, thanks for reading!
DENVER, CO - MAY 3: Defenseman Cale Makar (8) of the Colorado Avalanche scores on goaltender Jesper Wallstedt (30) of the Minnesota Wild during the third period of Game 1 of the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Sunday, May 3, 2026, at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo. (Photo by Timothy Hurst/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) | Denver Post via Getty Images
Colorado Avalanche News
Avalanche Storytime: The Kariya-Selanne fiasco. [DNVR]
Makar hopefully isn’t the only offseason extension the Avalanche and Joe Sakic are working on. [Colorado Avalanche Hockey]
Cale Makar has earned a historic contract, but the Colorado Avalanche must balance paying their franchise defenseman his worth with maintaining the championship-caliber roster needed to keep chasing Stanley Cups. [The Hockey News]
Colorado Avalanche announced minor league signings. [MHH]
News Around the League
Oilers signs Dach to two-year extension with cap hit of $1.2M AAV. [TSN]
Determining the best fits for NHL’s top remaining UFAs. [The Score]
One lingering off-season question for each NHL team. [Sportsnet]
John Mitchell introduced as Charlottetown Islanders’ new head coach. [CHL]
Maple Leafs handed on earning news about Max Domi – he may miss a significant amount of time. [Heavy]
Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon has names of wife, kids engraved on Stanley Cup above actual players. [Los Angeles Times]
According to Puckpedia, the dates for all NHL arbitration hearings have been set, and the only Montreal Canadiens player who elected for arbitration, Kirby Dach, will have his hearing on July 30. This is the second-to-last day of hearings, and it allows another 17 days for the two parties to reach an agreement beforehand.
As previously reported, the Albertan decided to file for arbitration after the Habs gave him a two-way qualifying offer that included a $4M NHL salary and an AHL salary in the event he couldn’t crack the lineup, and he cleared waivers to land with the Laval Rocket. It was possible for Montreal to make that kind of offer because of Dach’s number of games played not only last year but in the last three seasons. Chances are, the Canadiens decided to use the one tool they had at their disposal to pay Dach less than the $4M he could have earned if he had received a one-way offer.
The qualifying offer will expire on July 15 (unless it is extended by the team in writing), but the Canadiens and Dach will still be able to negotiate until the start of the arbitration hearing. It will be interesting to see if both sides can reach an agreement until then. As explained in a previous article, the lowest award the arbitrator could give is $3,400,000, and logic dictates that, should a deal be reached before the hearing, it would have to be somewhere between that and the $4,000,000 threshold.
Dach is represented by the same agent as Brendan Gallagher, Gerry Johannson, who also represents Dach’s younger brother, Colton. It was announced on Sunday that the younger Dach, who was a second-round draft pick for the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2021 draft, had reached an agreement with the Edmonton Oilers, signing a two-year contract extension with an AAV of $ 1.2 M. The forward had been traded to Edmonton in early March.
One way or another, by early August at the latest, the Canadiens and Dach should be fixed on how much the forward will earn, which could make it easier for GM Kent Hughes to move him in a trade if he so desires. High-profile RFAs Trevor Zegras and Jason Robertson will have their arbitration hearings on July 22 and 25, respectively.
PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 27: A detailed view of a warmup puck is seen prior to Game Five of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG PAINTS Arena on April 27, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
Depending on where you are located in the United States, the weather outside feels the opposite of what you expect when thinking about Pittsburgh Penguins hockey. For those of use living in Western Pennsylvania, the past few weeks have felt more like living on the surface of the Sun than anything resembling hockey weather, though being stuck inside an ice rink right doesn’t sound like the worst idea.
We now approach mid-July, the doldrums of the NHL offseason are preparing to set in. The Stanley Cup has been awarded, the NHL Draft has passed, and the bulk of free agency has come and gone. There will be the occasional signing or minor more along the way to pique some interest, but short of a blockbuster, news will slow to a trickle until we approach training camp in September.
As we prepare to enter this slow season, let’s take some time quickly to catch up on some news you may have missed over the past few weeks while enjoying summer or trying to stay cool.
Pens Points…
There will be some big news surrounding the 2026-27 NHL season announced this week, with the full release of the regular season schedule set for Thursday. Opening night matchups will be revealed on Wednesday. This will mark the NHL’s first season moving to an 84 game slate. [NHL]
Ben Kindel was a revelation for the Penguins last season as a rookie. Now he’s looking to build off that success in his second season and he’s busy working on his game back home in Vancouver this summer. [Pensburgh]
As Kindel puts the work in to improve his game and continue developing, all fans can do is hope that what we saw from him as an 18 year old rookie is just scratching the surface of just how talented he could be. [The Hockey News]
Right now, the Penguins roster is loaded with players and questions still have to be answered about where exactly everyone fits in. While there are still moves to be made and the summer still young, one area that needs addressing is down the middle at center. [Pensburgh]
Back before the NHL season ended, news leaked out that Kyle Dubas was interested in big game hunting this offseason instead of just adding on the margins in free agency. Although that big prize hasn’t yet been landed, there is one name that keeps being tied back to the Penguins. [The Athletic $$]
Arturs Silovs was one of the pending restricted free agents who resigned with the Penguins last week. There were some bumps in the road for Silovs this past season, but a strong showing in relief during the playoffs gave him some momentum heading into next season. [Penguins]
Along with Silovs, the Penguins agreed to contracts with three others last week. Those names include fellow goaltender Joel Blomqvist (two-year deal), the recently acquired David Gustafsson (one-year deal), and Egor Chinakhov (three-year deal) who broke out in a big way for the Penguins after being acquired. [Penguins]
It may be slightly old news at this point, but in case you have been fully tuned out for the offseason up to this point, the Penguins added six new names to the organization at the 2026 NHL Draft. [Penguins]
One of those new faces has already put pen to paper on his entry level contract with the Penguins. Second round pick Tomas Galvas signed his three-year deal last week. [Penguins]
Brady Tkachuk left Ottawa. Leo Carlsson signed an offer sheet to leave Anaheim. Zach Werenski was involved in trade rumors. Big names across the NHL are exploring options outside of where they have spent their entire careers. All that just further emphasizes the loyalty of Crosby, Malkin, and Letang. [The Athletic $$]
There has been an infusion of youth into the Penguins system in recent years, but a lot of those players are currently waiting for a shot in the NHL. If Kyle Dubas wants to let that youth moment flourish, it’s time to give those players a real shot at making the roster. [The Hockey News]
After just one season in Pittsburgh, the Penguins moved on from Parker Wotherspoon, dealing with to Vegas in exchange for defenseman Kaedan Korczak, a younger player with a bit more contract flexibility. [The Hockey News]
Again in more old news but an ICYMI just to cover all the bases, the Hoffman family completed their purchase of the Penguins in June and received approval from the league. A few days later, the new owners met with local media to discuss their plans for the franchise. [Penguins]
The Sharks saw a glimpse of a promising future last season as Macklin Celebrini and company contended for a Stanley Cup playoff spot before ultimately being eliminated the final week.
However, their luck took a turn when they jumped from the projected ninth-overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft to No. 2 via the lottery drawing.
However, Todd Marchant, Sharks director of player development and senior advisor, says the team is not going to get ahead of themselves when it comes to making a decision on whether or not the rookie is NHL-ready.
“His play will dictate where he’s ready, but he’s a very talented player,” Marchant told NBC Sports California’s Ted Ramey. “We’re just super happy to have him as part of our arsenal of good young players and joining players like Mack, Will Smith and Michael Misa.”
Marchant explained that every player’s journey is “a little bit different,” but also mentioned that the Sharks liked what they saw of Stenberg’s performance at the 2026 IIHF World Championship in Switzerland.
“Absolutely,” Marchant told Ramey when asked if he was impressed by Stenberg. “These players nowadays, they are so much more advanced at 18 and 19 years old than ever were before so we’re really excited that he can be a San Jose Shark and it’ll be interesting to see where he ends up.”
While the Sharks are uncertain whether Stenberg will begin the 2026-27 season with the NHL club or somewhere else, the promise that the No. 2 overall pick has shown on the ice is something for the team to be excited about.
