The 2025-26 NHL offseason is already buzzing with excitement as teams make big moves to change up their rosters and vie for the Stanley Cup. Following the Florida Panthers’ second consecutive championship, the offseason’s intensity is high with trades, signings, and contract extensions making headlines.
Shaping the Season
This offseason has seen some notable trades impacting star players and veterans alike. While you wait for the new season to start, you can find the best bonuses for sports betting in Canada to keep yourself updated with the latest odds of this sport. On July 1’s free-agent frenzy, the Vegas Golden Knights landed Mitch Marner, igniting the Strip. The dynamic winger brings playmaking, power-play punch, and clutch pedigree, instantly reshaping Vegas’s top six and fueling Cup expectations for a deep, star-studded postseason run.
This offseason saw some blockbuster moves shake up the NHL landscape. On June 13, the New York Rangers dealt veteran forward Chris Kreider to the Anaheim Ducks, marking the end of an era. Anaheim then flipped dynamic forward Trevor Zegras to the Philadelphia Flyers, sending shockwaves through the league. Meanwhile, the New York Islanders parted ways with star defenseman Noah Dobson, who was shipped to the Montreal Canadiens. These trades highlight a dramatic summer of retooling as teams reshape for the 2025-26 season.
High-Profile Contract Extensions and Signings
This offseason was loaded with NHL trade rumors and speculation, but several teams made decisive moves to keep or add key talent. One of the biggest stories centered around restricted free-agent defenseman Bowen Byram, who many believed could be on the move. Instead, the Buffalo Sabres secured his services, re-signing him to a two-year contract worth $6.25 million AAV, stabilizing their blue line with a young, mobile defenseman who still has significant upside. Meanwhile, the Carolina Hurricanes landed one of the most coveted names on the market, signing former Winnipeg Jets forward Nikolaj Ehlers to a six-year, $8.5 million AAV deal, immediately injecting speed and scoring depth into their top-six.
Elsewhere, one of the offseason’s surprises came from Vancouver, where Brock Boeser chose stability over change by re-signing with the Canucks on a massive seven-year, $7.3 million AAV contract. His decision provides Vancouver with a proven scoring winger for the long term and silences speculation of his departure. Edmonton also made a statement by keeping restricted free-agent defenseman Evan Bouchard away from potential offer sheets, locking him up for four years at $10.5 million AAV. For a team looking to maximize its Stanley Cup window with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, retaining Bouchard was a no-brainer move.
Potential Trade Requests and Stars on the Move
Looking toward the regular season, some players could request trades if things don’t align with their team’s trajectory. A concrete example of a subtle but potentially impactful offseason move for the 2025-26 NHL season is the trade of defenceman Henry Thrun to the Toronto Maple Leafs on July 10, 2025. While not a headline-grabbing star move, acquiring Thrun – a reliable left defensive talent – adds depth and versatility to Toronto’s blue line.
The Rasmus Andersson Case
Rasmus Andersson of the Calgary Flames is one name mentioned in these discussions, amid speculation about his future as the final season of his contract unfolds. Although there have been serious offers on the table – including a notable one from the Los Angeles Kings – Andersson himself has publicly rejected certain trade proposals, particularly those that would require relocating his family to an undesirable city. He reportedly has a six-team no-trade clause and has provided the Flames with a list of preferred destinations where he would be willing to play.
Despite ongoing speculation, Andersson has denied having restricted the Flames to only trade him to a single team and maintains that he has not formally asked for a trade. The Flames’ management appears open to trading him before the deadline, especially given that he is set to become an unrestricted free agent after the season, but so far, no deal has materialized.
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