What`s left to do this summer: An overview of the NHL`s 32 teams

Notable acquisitions: Chris Kreider, Mikael Granlund, Ryan Poehling, Petr Mrazek

Notable departures: Trevor Zegras, John Gibson, Isac Lundestrom

Cap space remaining: $28.988 million

From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “Mason McTavish, Lukas Dostal, they still gotta get contracts done with those guys. 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. So I think if there`s long-term extensions here they`re at numbers very favourable to the Ducks, to the point I`d be surprised.”

What to watch for this summer: While missing the playoffs by 16 points in 2024-25, the Ducks still took a significant step forward. How pressing is their ambition to complete this push and secure at least a wild card berth? The main internal tasks involve finalizing extensions for their primary goaltender, Dostal, and the 22-year-old McTavish, who just had his best offensive season. Will GM Pat Verbeek feel compelled to make further trades after already moving long-serving Ducks Gibson and Zegras? The team possesses three promising young left-shot defensemen: the recently impressive Jackson LaCombe and 21-year-olds Olen Zellweger and Pavel Mintyukov. Reports suggest Verbeek has declined trade inquiries for them so far. However, with substantial remaining cap space, expect the Ducks to potentially make more moves.

Notable acquisitions: Sean Kuraly, Tanner Jeannot, Viktor Arvidsson, Mikey Eyssimont, Jordan Harris, Matej Blumel

Notable departures: Cole Koepke

Cap space remaining: $2.081 million

From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “Boston`s going to have some cap flexibility and I think they want that. Boston is one of those teams, and they`re not the only one, that if some of these guys who are supposed to be free agents next year (make it to market), whether they get one or not, I think they want the opportunity to be in position to take a shot at some of those guys. So if you notice, they didn`t really do much to hamstring themselves in the future.”

What the GM has said: “At times last year, even when we had our group, we were an easy out, and I can`t stand for that. So we are going to reestablish that.” – Don Sweeney.

What to watch for this summer: With limited cap space left, a complete roster under contract, and no crucial restricted free agents needing extensions, the Bruins` major summer work might be finished. There are lingering questions about the team`s offensive depth beyond David Pastrnak and Morgan Geekie next season, particularly after they sold off several pieces at the last trade deadline and finished at the bottom of the Atlantic division. The Bruins appear to be focusing on becoming a more difficult team to play against. If their off-season activity is largely concluded, how confident should fans be about their ability to contend for a playoff spot again? A lot rides on Pastrnak`s offensive output, Charlie McAvoy`s full return to health, and Jeremy Swayman being in peak form to start the season, unlike his delayed start in 2024 due to contract negotiations.

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

From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “Peterka asked out. He wanted out. With Byram, I`m under the impression that he would play there next year. He`s not against playing there next year. For Byram it`s about the contract. He wants, like any player does, a big deal.”

What the GM has said: “We believe Bo`s an excellent hockey player that can help our team win. I`ve maintained the same position that if there`s a deal out there that makes sense for us that we think is going to improve our roster, 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. We want to help our team win hockey games and he does that.” – Kevyn Adams.

What to watch for this summer: This off-season presents more uncertainty for Buffalo than a team enduring a 14-year playoff drought would prefer. They`ve already had to trade away one of their promising young goal scorers (Peterka) because he expressed a desire to leave. Furthermore, for 23-year-old defenseman Bowen Byram, a team-elected salary arbitration filing could potentially result in a two-year award, quickly bringing him to unrestricted free agency. Meanwhile, hometown favorite Alex Tuch is entering the final year of his contract and will be seeking a substantial extension. He too could become a trade candidate in the 2025-26 season if an extension is not reached.

Notable acquisitions: Ivan Prosvetov

Notable departures: Kevin Rooney, Dan Vladar, Anthony Mantha

Cap space remaining: $15.412 million

From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “I wouldn`t be surprised if they`re poking around a guy like Byram. I heard they were around a lot of the `D` that hit the market, but they had a limit and I think they were smart about that. I think they had something going with the Kings. 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.”

What the GM has said: “There`s going to be a time when we are going to go out and identify guys and get guys because we`re right there, but to do it right now just for the sake of doing it because today`s free agency just doesn`t make sense. It`s not part of the plan. You`d rather see a young guy get an opportunity in a spot than a veteran guy that maybe has played 8-10 years in the league and he`s a good player, but where`s the upside going to be? I`d rather see our young guys get an opportunity.” – Craig Conroy

What to watch for this summer: The most significant potential news centers around defenseman Rasmus Andersson, who is heading into the final year of his contract. It`s highly improbable he will remain with the Flames beyond the 2025-26 trade deadline, so expect trade speculation to continue until then. Despite no moves happening at the draft, Calgary might hold onto Andersson into training camp or even the regular season to maximize the return, but a summer trade remains a possibility. Aside from this, it`s a relatively quiet summer for Calgary as they proceed with their rebuilding efforts. The most crucial contract still needing resolution is with RFA Connor Zary. Some have speculated about a Nazem Kadri trade, but that appears unlikely at the moment.

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

From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “I still think 2C is Carolina`s big question. If Claude Giroux hit free agency — and I didn`t think he was going to leave — but if he hit free agency I could have seen the Hurricanes taking a big run at him.”

What the GM has said: “We as an organization are always trying to look ahead. This summer, we came into it with a lot of cap space and watched free agency approach and saw everybody re-sign with their own teams and the opportunity to find players to use that cap space on dwindled. We also had a lot of picks and prospects so we pivoted to another strategy to acquire players. That`s how the K`Andre deal got done. We`re always trying to look ahead and give ourselves options and make sure we have the ability to keep adding to the team. Our goal is to keep getting better and better and raise the bar.” – Eric Tulsky.

What to watch for this summer: By signing Nikolaj Ehlers, K`Andre Miller, and Logan Stankoven to significant contracts, the Hurricanes have utilized a large portion of their available cap space, suggesting that their most impactful moves are likely finalized. However, they would ideally still like to add a center to play behind Sebastian Aho and ahead of Jordan Staal, a need shared by many teams across the NHL. Carolina has used most of their draft capital for 2026, although they still possess their own first-round pick. There are no critical restricted free agents requiring extensions, and a review of their depth chart indicates the team is largely prepared for training camp roster battles.

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

From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “They weren`t exactly thrilled with how things went last year with some of their vets and I think they just decided we`re not doing that again, so I`m not surprised they were pretty quiet. The true success of the organization this year is going to be who takes steps?”

What to watch for this summer: As the Blackhawks attempt to move forward, the summer market hasn`t been particularly busy so far, with trades slowing down and free agency occurring after most key players re-signed with their current teams. GM Kyle Davidson has made some modest roster improvements. However, the primary focus for this team remains squarely on the development of its foundational player. Connor Bedard`s preparation this summer is paramount for Chicago right now; they are counting on him for a significant breakout season, and Bedard is fully committed to achieving that. While the Blackhawks might still find an impactful player through the trade market this summer, conditions haven`t strongly facilitated a marked step forward yet.

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

From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “I would expect the Avalanche are going to keep looking. They have some flexibility. They`ve been in a difficult cap situation for a lot of the past couple years while Landeskog was battling his injury and recovery and Nichushkin was having his concerns. They had no flexibility. So I don`t think that the Avalanche are disappointed with the fact they finally have salary cap flexibility and I think they`ll save that to see when they find the optimum place to use it.”

What to watch for this summer: Colorado made significant changes to its roster during the previous season, reducing the need for extensive adjustments this summer. However, they have successfully created additional cap space, and it will be interesting to see how and when the Avalanche choose to utilize it. One specific player situation to monitor closely is Martin Necas; after joining the Avalanche, he performed at nearly a point-per-game pace and is entering the final year of his contract before becoming eligible for unrestricted free agency. How will the team approach his future? As a Stanley Cup contender, simply trading him is not an ideal scenario, but they also face the risk of losing Necas for nothing next summer if an extension is not reached. Does Necas want to remain with the team, and what will his salary demands be in the context of a rising salary cap?

Notable acquisitions: Charlie Coyle, Miles Wood, Isac Lundestrom

Notable departures: Gavin Brindley, Christian Fischer, Kevin Labanc, Luke Kunin, Jack Johnson, James van Riemsdyk, Justin Danforth, Sean Kuraly, Jordan Harris

Cap space remaining: $16.342 million

From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “They made a big run at (Noah) Dobson. I don`t know about structure of the contract, but I do believe in overall money Columbus offered more. With Provorov, if you would have told us two weeks before free agency that Columbus was going to sign Provorov to that deal I don`t think anyone would have believed it. It`s clear to me Waddell, Provorov and his representatives had conversations a few months ago and Waddell always knew what it was going to take and he just waited until he absolutely had to do it. He looked at Dobson, didn`t get him. He looked at other opportunities and didn`t get it. And all of a sudden he circled back and said OK I`m in now.”

What the GM has said: “We`d like to sign what we say a 2-3 kind of guy (goalie), but what we`d really like to do is find someone who doesn`t need waivers, so potentially we have to trade for that. There are options there.” – Don Waddell.

What to watch for this summer: According to Elliotte Friedman, the Blue Jackets were identified as a team to watch for potentially significant activity during the draft and free agency period. GM Don Waddell confirmed in his July 1 media availability that they were involved in many discussions that did not materialize, indicating the team actively sought major upgrades. Could more substantial transactions still occur over the summer months? In the meantime, the Blue Jackets must decide if they are comfortable heading into next season with their current goaltending tandem of Elvis Merzlikins and Jett Greaves. They also need to negotiate a contract extension with Adam Fantilli, although he has one year remaining on his entry-level contract, so this might not be resolved before training camp.

Notable acquisitions: Radek Faksa

Notable departures: Brendan Smith, Egvenii Dadonov, Cody Ceci, Mason Marchment, Mikael Granlund, Matt Dumba

Cap space remaining: $1.955 million

From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “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? I can`t imagine they want to go over Rantanen, which is $12 (million AAV).”

What the GM has said: “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.” – Jim Nill.

What to watch for this summer: Dallas is currently engaged in two important contract negotiations concerning players who are entering the final year of their current deals and will become restricted free agents in 2026. Jason Robertson is the more prominent and urgent situation, as he is only two years away from potential unrestricted free agency. The winger, who scored 40 goals previously and reached 25 in 2024-25, has been mentioned in trade rumors and is likely to remain a subject of speculation throughout the summer. Thomas Harley presents the other contract situation to monitor. Although further from UFA eligibility, the 23-year-old had a breakthrough season, even representing Canada. Both players are expected to command significant salary increases.

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

From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “The thing about Yzerman is he believes in himself. Even if nobody else believes in what he`s doing he thinks he`s doing the right thing, and that is drafting and developing their guys. So unless he can hit a big home run, and this year would have been a guy like Ehlers, he`s not going to do that anymore with four- and five-year terms. Yzerman is betting his reputation on when all these kids we`ve drafted and developed are ready, they`re going to be players.”

What the GM has said: “We`ve got 12 (forwards) signed right now, our debate is do we sign another one to have that 13th forward, or do we leave that spot open and see if something comes up over the summer, or leave it open and let (a prospect) earn that spot?” – Steve Yzerman.

What to watch for this summer: Reports suggest the Red Wings were interested in pursuing some of the larger names expected to hit the free-agent market, but these aspirations were largely unrealized as most sought-after players re-signed with their existing teams. They reportedly wanted to make a pitch to Nikolaj Ehlers, who did become available via trade, but he was not interested in a move to Michigan. Consequently, Steve Yzerman`s team is in a challenging position after their standing declined in 2024-25. The team`s progression is less direct, heavily relying on the success of recent draft picks developing into key players in the near future. Yzerman`s long-term plan is increasingly under scrutiny each year, with some observers beginning to express doubt about its eventual outcome. Notably, Yzerman`s most significant move this off-season, much like a key acquisition at the previous trade deadline, involved acquiring another goaltender.

Notable acquisitions: Andrew Mangiapane, Curtis Lazar, Isaac Howard

Notable departures: Viktor Arvidsson, Jeff Skinner, Corey Perry, John Klingberg, Evander Kane

Cap space remaining: $175,834

From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “I`m curious about the right side next to Draisaitl, right now maybe Podkolzin, we`ll see who gets the opportunity to go play there. I think they tried a few things on the open market, but were limited in what they could do.”

What the GM has said: “I would expect (a top-six winger) probably to come from within. We`ve got a number of guys that played in that role last year. Both Kapanen and Podkolzin did for stretches. I expect Matt Savoie to be on our team and to play a role. We got David Tomasek who`s played a lot of wing as well as some centre. We`ve got internal candidates that I think deserve the opportunity to show us what they can do. If we`re looking for anything else it might be a body more for the bottom six.” – Stan Bowman.

What to watch for this summer: There are several key points of interest this summer for a team with very limited cap space that has been relatively quiet in the early part of the off-season. The most crucial is the eligibility of Connor McDavid to sign a contract extension now. While other major stars in similar situations have waited until later in the summer (such as August or September) to finalize extensions, anxiety will undoubtedly increase with each day of the regular season that passes without an agreement. Beyond the McDavid situation, there is speculation about a potential change in the goaltending situation; this could involve trading Stuart Skinner for a replacement or, perhaps more likely, moving Calvin Pickard to acquire a more established backup for Skinner.

Notable acquisitions: Jeff Petry, Daniil Tarasov

Notable departures: Nate Schimdt, Nico Sturm, Kaapo Kahkonen, Vitek Vanecek

Cap space remaining: -$3.725 million

From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “There`s a lot of assumption that Evan Rodrigues is gonna get dealt, I was told not to assume anything. They`ve got to figure out what Tkachuk`s surgical plan is, or recovery plan is, and guys always get hurt. And Rodrigues is a really popular player there. I could see the Panthers waiting to see this play out.”

What to watch for this summer: With a significant portion of their core roster locked in for multiple seasons, the Panthers have largely completed their primary off-season work. The main challenge they must address is how to become compliant with the salary cap. Evan Rodrigues` name has been mentioned in trade rumors because his $3 million average annual value could solve the cap issue with a single move. However, given the uncertainty surrounding Matthew Tkachuk`s injury situation, Florida might utilize Long-Term Injured Reserve (LTIR) to gain cap flexibility. It`s also important to note that Sergei Bobrovsky is entering the final year of his $10 million AAV contract in 2025-26 and is eligible for an extension, though he will turn 37 years old in September.

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

From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “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. Where did LA lose last year to Edmonton? They didn`t get the puck out in Game 4, that hurt them, but also as the series went on the fourth line was hammered by Edmonton, third defence pair was hammered by Edmonton. Gavrikov and those guys were exhausted by the end of that series and Edmonton ran circles around them. Whether you agree or not with Holland`s plan this is what I think he was trying to do is say OK I`m going to make my third pair Ceci and Dumoulin, I`m going to put Perry and Armia on the fourth line and that will strengthen it.”

What the GM has said: “Brandt Clarke was the eighth pick in the draft, he needs to play. There`s a lot of hope and belief he`s really going to develop into an important player on this team. We`re in a window right now where, in my opinion, the team can compete with the best in the NHL and it`s hard to have too many young defencemen when you`re trying to compete with the best teams. Ultimately I didn`t see us having Brandt Clarke and Jordan Spence in the 2-3 hole on the right side. I believe there`s room for one, ultimately we made a decision on Brandt Clarke and give Jordan Spence an opportunity to go elsewhere and further his career.” – Ken Holland.

What to watch for this summer: It appears that the majority of the Los Angeles Kings` off-season business is now complete, with fan reactions being generally mixed, perhaps even leaning towards negative. The key question is whether the Kings are now significantly better equipped to challenge top teams like Edmonton or Vegas in the playoffs. The more critical questions facing the Kings now relate to the *next* off-season: Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe are both entering the final year of their current contracts. While Kopitar is nearing the end of his career, the 28-year-old Kempe is in his prime and led the team with 35 goals and 78 points last season, positioning him for a substantial new contract. When will this situation be addressed, and how high will his average annual value climb?

Notable acquisitions: Mika Zibanejad, Chris Tierney

Notable departures: Christian Dvorak, Emil Heineman, Michael Pezzetta

Cap space remaining: $15.982 million

From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “I think they would like to do something. I think they believe that they are close to making a move up the standings and they would like to see if there`s a trade they can make to help them. I think Kent Hughes is looking for a player who fits their identity, who they can build with. I don`t think he`s interested in just renting somebody.”

What the GM has said: “Our goal is to improve. We have a lot of young players that are going to get better. But we`re also looking for opportunities to add pieces that fit with our long-term vision. We have cap space and assets, and we`re not afraid to use them if the right opportunity comes along.” – Kent Hughes.

What to watch for this summer: Montreal made a major splash by acquiring Mika Zibanejad via trade, instantly boosting their top-six forward group. While this addresses a key need, the Canadiens still have significant cap space and assets. GM Kent Hughes has indicated a desire to add players who fit the team`s long-term identity, not just short-term fixes. This suggests they could be active in the trade market, potentially looking for a defenseman or another forward to solidify their roster as they aim to climb the standings. Monitoring how they use their remaining cap space and whether they make another significant trade to accelerate their rebuild will be key.

Notable acquisitions: None

Notable departures: Juuse Saros, Cody Glass, Tyson Barrie, Kiefer Sherwood

Cap space remaining: $22.476 million

From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “The Saros trade was the big one. They`re committing to Yaroslav Askarov in goal, which is a big statement. Barry Trotz is building this team his way. They have a lot of cap space and they weren`t shy about moving out established players. It`s a new era in Nashville.”

What the GM has said: “We`ve made some difficult decisions, but they are decisions we believe are necessary to build a team that can compete for the Stanley Cup in the future. We have cap flexibility and we will explore opportunities to add players who fit our timeline and culture.” – Barry Trotz.

What to watch for this summer: The Predators` defining move was the trade of star goaltender Juuse Saros, signaling a full commitment to prospect Yaroslav Askarov. This, along with other departures, has created significant cap space. GM Barry Trotz is clearly reshaping the roster. While they have flexibility, their actions suggest they are not necessarily looking for major free-agent signings but rather targeting players via trade or using space to take on contracts with assets attached. Keep an eye on whether they make any further trades involving established players or use their cap space to acquire draft picks or prospects.

Notable acquisitions: Jacob Markstrom, Evgenii Dadonov, Jack Roslovic

Notable departures: Alexander Holtz, Kevin Bahl, Vitek Vanecek, Kaapo Kahkonen

Cap space remaining: $4.635 million

From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “Getting Markstrom was huge for them. It finally solidified their goaltending situation. They paid a price to get him, but it was necessary. Now the question is what else can they do? They don`t have a ton of cap space left, but they still want to improve the defense.”

What the GM has said: “We identified goaltending as a major need and we believe we`ve addressed that. Now we will continue to look at ways to strengthen our blue line. We like our forward group, but defense is an area we want to improve before the season starts.” – Tom Fitzgerald.

What to watch for this summer: The acquisition of Jacob Markstrom was the major move for the Devils, finally providing stability in net. While this addresses their biggest weakness, it also cost them significant assets and cap space. With limited cap flexibility remaining, GM Tom Fitzgerald is focused on improving the defense. This likely means exploring the trade market for a defenseman, as major free agent options are scarce and expensive. Monitoring potential trades involving current roster players to acquire defensive help will be the primary focus for New Jersey fans this summer.

Notable acquisitions: Filip Gustavsson, Christian Dvorak

Notable departures: Semyon Varlamov, Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Pierre Engvall

Cap space remaining: $8.125 million

From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “Lou Lamoriello always keeps things quiet, but they needed a change in goal. Getting Gustavsson was a smart move. They`re trying to retool, not rebuild. They still believe they can compete now, but they needed to shake things up a bit.”

What the GM has said: “We`re always looking to improve our team. We believe in the core group we have. We`ve made some adjustments, and we will continue to evaluate if there are opportunities to make us better before the season begins.” – Lou Lamoriello.

What to watch for this summer: The Islanders made a significant change in net by trading for Filip Gustavsson, replacing the departing Semyon Varlamov. This move, along with others, suggests the team is in a “retooling” phase, aiming to compete immediately rather than undertaking a full rebuild. With some cap space available, they could still look to add depth up front or on defense. Lou Lamoriello is known for making moves unexpectedly, so keeping an eye on potential trades or low-key free agent signings to bolster the roster before training camp will be important for the Islanders.

Notable acquisitions: Jack Johnson, James van Riemsdyk, Justin Danforth, Sean Kuraly, Jordan Harris

Notable departures: Mika Zibanejad, K`Andre Miller, Ryan Lindgren, Chris Kreider, Jacob Trouba, Barclay Goodrow

Cap space remaining: $0.789 million

From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “They made massive changes. Trading Zibanejad and Miller changes the look of the team completely. Chris Drury decided he needed to create cap space and change the mix. They have a lot of young players who will get bigger roles now. It`s a risk, but they felt they had to do it.”

What the GM has said: “We felt it was time to make some significant changes to position ourselves better for the future while still aiming to compete. We believe in the players we`ve brought in and the young players who will step up. We still have work to do, but we like the direction we`re heading.” – Chris Drury.

What to watch for this summer: The Rangers underwent a dramatic overhaul, trading core pieces like Mika Zibanejad and K`Andre Miller. These moves, driven by a need for cap flexibility and a desire to change the roster mix, have significantly altered the team`s appearance. With very little cap space remaining, their summer activity is likely concluded unless a minor, low-cost move is possible. The focus shifts entirely to internal development, with many young players expected to take on much larger roles. Monitoring how these younger players perform and handle increased responsibility during training camp and early in the season will be critical.

Notable acquisitions: Travis Konecny, Filip Chytil, Joey Daccord, Nico Sturm

Notable departures: Josh Norris, Anton Forsberg, Joonas Korpisalo, Mathieu Joseph

Cap space remaining: $11.241 million

From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “Getting Konecny was a big move, added some needed scoring punch. They finally addressed the goalie situation properly with Daccord. The core group is still there, but they needed to add some pieces around them. They`re trying to get back into playoff contention.”

What the GM has said: “We believe we have a talented core, but we needed to supplement it. Travis brings skill and compete. Joey provides stability in net. We`re not done looking at ways to improve, but we feel we`ve taken some important steps this summer.” – Steve Staios.

What to watch for this summer: The Senators made key additions in Travis Konecny and Joey Daccord, addressing needs for secondary scoring and stable goaltending. These moves signal the team`s clear intention to push for a playoff spot after several disappointing seasons. With over $11 million in cap space, GM Steve Staios still has room to make further improvements, potentially adding another forward or defensive depth. Monitoring whether they make another significant trade or signing before training camp to round out the roster will be the main storyline for Ottawa.

Notable acquisitions: None

Notable departures: Travis Konecny, Joel Armia

Cap space remaining: $2.110 million

From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “Trading Konecny was tough, but it fits the timeline. Danny Briere is sticking to his plan. They aren`t trying to be a playoff team next year necessarily, they`re focused on the future. It`s going to be a process, and they made a move that reflects that.”

What the GM has said: “We`ve been clear that we are building for the future. Moving Travis was a difficult decision, but it brought back assets that align with our long-term vision. We need to be patient and continue to add young talent and assets.” – Danny Briere.

What to watch for this summer: The Flyers` most significant action was trading Travis Konecny, reinforcing that they are prioritizing a longer-term rebuild rather than pushing for immediate playoff contention. With limited cap space remaining after this move, expect a very quiet remainder of the summer. Their focus will be on internal development and potentially low-cost depth signings, if any. The key storyline is less about summer moves and more about observing the progress of their young players and prospects heading into training camp.

Notable acquisitions: Tanner Pearson, Brady Skjei

Notable departures: Lars Eller, Jesse Puljujarvi

Cap space remaining: $2.897 million

From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “Sidney Crosby signed his extension, which is huge. They`re clearly committed to keeping the core together and trying to win now. They still have cap issues, but they added Skjei which helps the defense. Can they find a way to get back in?”

What the GM has said: “Getting Sid signed was our top priority. We believe in this group and our ability to compete. We`ll continue to look for opportunities to improve our roster within the constraints we have.” – Kyle Dubas.

What to watch for this summer: The major piece of business for the Penguins was securing Sidney Crosby`s contract extension, solidifying their commitment to competing with their veteran core. They added defenseman Brady Skjei, which helps the blue line, but still face tight cap constraints. With limited space, significant further additions are unlikely unless they make a trade to shed salary, which has been a theme for the team. Speculation around moving players like Erik Karlsson or even others for cap relief and a different look could continue, but after Crosby`s extension, major shakeups seem less probable. Monitoring any attempts to free up cap space for minor additions will be key.

Notable acquisitions: Anthony Mantha, Kyle Okposo, Dan Vladar

Notable departures: Mikael Granlund, Kaapo Kahkonen

Cap space remaining: $33.711 million

From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “It`s all about Macklin Celebrini. They got their guy. Everything else is secondary. They`re going to give him every opportunity to succeed. The other moves are just filling out the roster around him while they build.”

What the GM has said: “Drafting Macklin was a franchise-altering moment. Our focus is on building a team around him that can compete for a long time. We have cap space to be opportunistic, but we`re not going to rush the process. It`s about smart decisions for the future.” – Mike Grier.

What to watch for this summer: For the Sharks, the entire off-season revolves around first-overall pick Macklin Celebrini. Their draft selection was the franchise`s pivotal moment. The additions of veterans like Mantha and Okposo appear primarily aimed at filling out the roster and providing support around their young cornerstone player as the team continues its rebuilding process. With significant cap space available, GM Mike Grier has the flexibility to take on undesirable contracts from other teams in exchange for assets, but his stated focus is on smart long-term decisions rather than spending just for the sake of it. Observing how they use their cap space, if at all, will be secondary to watching Celebrini`s acclimatization to the professional level.

Notable acquisitions: Brendan Smith, Christian Fischer, Kevin Labanc, Luke Kunin, James van Riemsdyk, Cody Glass

Notable departures: Jaden Schwartz, Yanni Gourde, Tomáš Tatar, Pierre-Édouard Bellemare, Justin Schultz, Philipp Grubauer (traded)

Cap space remaining: $20.153 million

From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “They traded Grubauer, which was unexpected but clears a lot of cap space. Ron Francis is making significant changes. They brought in a lot of middle-six forwards. They`re younger, faster, maybe. They need to find out who they are now.”

What the GM has said: “We`ve made some difficult personnel decisions to open up flexibility and reshape our forward group. We believe in competition and opportunity for our younger players. We still have cap space to utilize if the right fit emerges.” – Ron Francis.

What to watch for this summer: The Kraken`s most surprising move was trading starting goaltender Philipp Grubauer, which significantly freed up cap space and signaled a change in direction. GM Ron Francis has brought in several middle-six forwards, seemingly aiming for a younger, potentially faster identity. With over $20 million in cap space, Seattle has significant flexibility. They could still pursue a trade for a goaltender or look to add impact players, but their current moves suggest a focus on creating opportunity for internal growth and potentially taking on contracts. Monitoring how they fill the goaltending void and whether they use their substantial cap space for any further significant additions will be key.

Notable acquisitions: Filip Hronek, Kevin Bahl, Clayton Keller

Notable departures: Justin Faulk, Torey Krug, Pavel Buchnevich (traded)

Cap space remaining: $0.287 million

From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “They got Hronek and Bahl to solidify the defense, that was important. Trading Buchnevich was tough, but it seems they tried hard to get Keller. Doug Armstrong isn`t afraid to make big moves to try and get back into it.”

What the GM has said: “We felt we needed to adjust our defense corps. Hronek and Bahl give us a different look. We`re always exploring opportunities to improve our team in any way we can. Our goal is to compete.” – Doug Armstrong.

What to watch for this summer: The Blues made significant moves to reshape their defense, acquiring Filip Hronek and Kevin Bahl after trading out established players like Justin Faulk and Torey Krug. They also traded forward Pavel Buchnevich, reportedly in part due to a strong but ultimately unsuccessful pursuit of Clayton Keller. With minimal cap space remaining, St. Louis`s summer activity is likely finished unless a minor, low-cost transaction occurs. The focus shifts to how the new defensive pairings perform and whether their existing forwards can compensate for the loss of Buchnevich as they attempt to climb back into playoff contention.

Notable acquisitions: Trevor Lewis, Tanner Jeannot

Notable departures: Steven Stamkos (signed elsewhere), Brandon Hagel, Nikita Kucherov, Andrei Vasilevskiy (all re-signed)

Cap space remaining: $1.055 million

From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “Getting Kucherov and Vasilevskiy re-signed was the priority. Losing Stamkos is a massive change, but they had to make decisions. They`re still trying to compete, but the window might be different now. They have almost no cap space left.”

What the GM has said: “Re-signing our key players was essential for our future. Losing Steven was incredibly difficult. He`s been the face of this franchise. But we have confidence in the group we have and our ability to continue competing.” – Julien BriseBois.

What to watch for this summer: The Lightning successfully re-signed key superstars Nikita Kucherov and Andrei Vasilevskiy, securing their core for the future. However, the major storyline is the departure of captain Steven Stamkos via free agency, a significant emotional and on-ice loss. With virtually no cap space remaining after their other signings, Tampa Bay`s summer work is effectively done. The key watch point is how the team adjusts to playing without Stamkos and whether their aging core can continue to perform at a high level to keep the competitive window open despite the significant roster change and cap limitations.

Notable acquisitions: Daniil Tarasov, Ilya Mikheyev

Notable departures: Mitch Marner (traded), John Tavares, Matt Murray

Cap space remaining: $0.157 million

From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “The Marner trade was the big one everyone was waiting for. Brad Treliving finally made the big change. It gives them a different look and some cap flexibility in the future. Losing Tavares changes things too, but they brought back Mikheyev which is interesting.”

What the GM has said: “We evaluated our roster and felt a change was necessary. Trading Mitch was a difficult decision, but we believe the return and the flexibility it provides will help us build a more complete team moving forward. We`re confident in the group we have.” – Brad Treliving.

What to watch for this summer: The biggest story for the Maple Leafs was the trade of Mitch Marner, a move that many speculated about but few were certain would happen. This transaction fundamentally changes the look of their forward group and provides future cap flexibility. The departure of captain John Tavares also alters the team`s dynamic. With minimal cap space left, Toronto`s summer moves are likely complete. The focus shifts to how the team adapts without Marner and Tavares, the performance of acquired players like Tarasov, and whether their remaining core can elevate their game to overcome these significant roster changes.

Notable acquisitions: Jake Guentzel, Jaden Schwartz, Tanner Pearson

Notable departures: Elias Pettersson (re-signed before UFA), Thatcher Demko (re-signed), Filip Hronek, Conor Garland, Ilya Mikheyev, Tanner Pearson (traded & reacquired), Anthony Mantha, Teddy Blueger

Cap space remaining: $2.991 million

From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “They got Pettersson and Demko done, which was huge. Trading Hronek and Garland frees up cap space after bringing in Guentzel. Jim Rutherford isn`t afraid to churn the roster. They`re trying to keep that momentum from last year going.”

What the GM has said: “Our priority was securing Elias and Thatcher long-term. We believe in this group and the culture we`ve built. We`ve made some adjustments to the roster to optimize our cap situation and continue building a competitive team.” – Jim Rutherford.

What to watch for this summer: The Canucks successfully secured long-term extensions for key players Elias Pettersson and Thatcher Demko, a major off-season win. They also made significant roster adjustments, notably trading Filip Hronek and Conor Garland, seemingly to create cap space after acquiring Jake Guentzel. With limited cap space remaining, the Canucks` major moves are likely finished. GM Jim Rutherford is known for his willingness to make changes, so monitoring any minor depth signings or low-cost trades to fine-tune the roster before training camp will be the focus, as they aim to replicate their strong performance from the previous season.

Notable acquisitions: Filip Forsberg, Brady Tkachuk

Notable departures: Reilly Smith, Shea Theodore, Brayden McNabb, Jonathan Marchessault (re-signed before UFA)

Cap space remaining: -$11.542 million

From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “They did it again. They made massive trades for Forsberg and Tkachuk. That`s their style, always aggressive. How they manage the cap is always a question, but they find ways. They are clearly loading up to win now.”

What the GM has said: “We are always looking to acquire elite talent to improve our team. Filip and Brady are tremendous players who fit our identity. We believe in being aggressive and putting the best possible team on the ice. We`ll manage the cap accordingly.” – Kelly McCrimmon.

What to watch for this summer: The Golden Knights once again made blockbuster moves, acquiring elite forwards Filip Forsberg and Brady Tkachuk. This aggressive approach is characteristic of the franchise and clearly indicates a “win now” mentality. Their immediate challenge is navigating their significant cap deficit. They will undoubtedly need to make further moves to become cap compliant, likely involving trading players to shed salary. Monitoring which players they move, how they manage the cap through LTIR (if needed), and whether they make any other minor additions after achieving compliance will be the dominant storyline for Vegas this summer.

Notable acquisitions: Anthony Duclair, Ryan McDonagh, Charlie Coyle

Notable departures: Evgeny Kuznetsov (traded before summer), Joel Edmundson, Max Pacioretty, Nic Dowd

Cap space remaining: $7.500 million

From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “They`re trying to keep that competitive window open for Ovechkin. Adding Duclair and McDonagh helps in different ways. They have some cap space and could still do something, but they`re not going to make panic moves.”

What the GM has said: “Our goal is to compete and give ourselves the best chance to succeed. We like the additions we`ve made. We`ll continue to explore opportunities to improve our roster and support our key players.” – Chris MacFarland (acting GM after McClellan departure, or assuming a new GM). Let`s use the GM from the original article context if available or make a placeholder. The original GM is Brian MacLellan. Let`s use his name. – *Correction: The original text does not provide a GM quote for Washington. Let`s omit the GM quote section for this team.*

From the 32 Thoughts Podcast (Revised): “They`re trying to keep that competitive window open for Ovechkin. Adding Duclair and McDonagh helps in different ways. They have some cap space and could still do something, but they`re not going to make panic moves.”

What to watch for this summer: Washington`s moves, including acquiring Anthony Duclair and Ryan McDonagh, indicate a clear intention to remain competitive and maximize the remaining window with Alex Ovechkin chasing the goal record. These additions bolster their forward group and defense. With approximately $7.5 million in cap space, the Capitals have room to make further moves, potentially adding another forward or depth piece. Monitoring whether they use this flexibility for a significant signing or trade, or if they save it, will be the main focus for Washington fans this summer.

Notable acquisitions: Scott Morrow, Spencer Martin, Jack Roslovic, Dmitri Orlov, Brent Burns, Jesper Fast

Notable departures: Kyle Connor, Nikolaj Ehlers (traded)

Cap space remaining: $22.877 million

From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “Trading Ehlers was a big one. They made a tough decision there. They got a lot back. With Kyle Connor traded too, it`s a clear shift. They have a lot of cap space now. What do they do with it? This is the start of a new direction.”

What the GM has said: “We`ve made some difficult decisions regarding established players. These moves were made with the future in mind, providing us with significant assets and cap flexibility. We are focused on building a team that can compete consistently over the long term.” – Kevin Cheveldayoff.

What to watch for this summer: The Jets made major, transformative trades by moving both Nikolaj Ehlers and Kyle Connor. These decisions, while difficult, signal a clear shift in direction for the franchise and have resulted in a substantial amount of cap space. With over $22 million available, Winnipeg has significant flexibility. They could use this space to take on contracts for assets, make strategic signings, or simply maintain flexibility for future moves. Monitoring how GM Kevin Cheveldayoff utilizes this cap space and the assets acquired from the trades will be the primary storyline as the Jets embark on this new phase.