NHL Teams Gear Up for Offseason: Key Strategies for Free Agency and Draft Ahead

NHL Offseason Outlook: Key Points to Consider for Elimination Teams

Anaheim Ducks

Projected Cap Space: $27.14 million

2025 Draft Picks: 1st, 2nd (CAR), 2nd (STL), 3rd, 4th (PHI), 5th, 6th, 7th

Season Performance: The Ducks emerged from two subpar seasons, showcasing a young core capable of contributing significantly. Key players, including Lukas Dostal and Mason McTavish, improved their standing with 20-goal seasons. However, defensive struggles remained evident, as the team continued to allow excessive scoring chances.

Offseason Needs: Prioritizing contracts for restricted free agents and enhancing defensive capabilities will be crucial as they seek to continue their improvement trajectory.

Carolina Hurricanes

Projected Cap Space: $27.49 million

2025 Draft Picks: 2nd (FLA), 3rd (EDM), 5th, 5th (PIT), 6th, 7th

Season Performance: Despite a strong regular season and entering the playoffs as contenders, the Hurricanes fell in the Eastern Conference finals once again. A strong defense was undermined by a lack of offensive depth, particularly apparent against the Florida Panthers.

Offseason Direction: With ample cap space, the focus will be on acquiring a game-changing forward to complement their existing offense and solidify their playoff chances.

Dallas Stars

Projected Cap Space: $36.18 million

2025 Draft Picks: 1st, 3rd (TB), 4th, 6th, 6th (TB), 7th

Season Performance: Building on previous success, the Stars’ aggressive moves, including trading for Mikko Rantanen, firmly positioned them as a contender. However, their playoff run underscored depth issues, highlighted by an inability to consistently score in playoff games.

Offseason Strategy: With key players set to receive pay increases, the Stars must navigate their salary cap creatively while addressing their offensive depth ahead of another potential playoff run.

Montreal Canadiens

Projected Cap Space: $13.86 million

2025 Draft Picks: 2nd, 2nd (EDM), 3rd (VGK), 4th, 6th, 6th (SJ)

Season Performance: Overcoming early-season struggles, the Canadiens made the playoffs, signaling positive momentum in their rebuild. Key young players rose to the occasion, but they struggled offensively in the playoffs.

Offseason Considerations: Maintaining and developing their young core while seeking free agent options to enhance their scoring capability will be pivotal for next season.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Projected Cap Space: $36.36 million

2025 Draft Picks: 1st, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th

Season Performance: Winning their division, the Maple Leafs boasted a potent offense but faltered in the second round of the playoffs, exhibiting the same postseason struggles that have plagued the team in previous years.

Offseason Focus: Contract decisions for impending free agents like Mitch Marner will dominate the offseason narrative, as the team must find balance between retaining key talents and addressing their playoff shortcomings.

Washington Capitals

Projected Cap Space: $9.62 million

2025 Draft Picks: 2nd, 3rd (WSH), 4th, 5th, 6th, 6th (WSH)

Season Performance: The Capitals finished strong, anchored by captain Alex Ovechkin’s historic scoring milestones, yet faced early playoff exit due to a sputtering offense.

Offseason Direction: As they approach a rebuild, unloading expiring contracts will allow them to reinvest in talent, focusing on increasing offensive depth to support Ovechkin and the rest of the team.