The NHL offseason is in full swing, and teams are making strategic moves to position themselves for a stronger 2024-25 season. As the league's salary cap increases to $88 million, several franchises are reshaping their rosters, clearing salary space, and investing in new talent to stay competitive.
Significant Trades Shake Up the League
The Tampa Bay Lightning have been particularly active. In a major trade, they sent defenseman Mikhail Sergachev to the Utah Hockey Club, receiving multiple players and draft picks in return. Additionally, the Lightning acquired the rights to star winger Jake Guentzel and have reportedly inked him to a seven-year contract, further solidifying their offensive lineup.
The Lightning weren’t finished there; they traded forward Tanner Jeannot to the Los Angeles Kings, acquiring a fourth-round and a second-round pick, thus continuing to streamline their roster while gaining future assets.
The Ottawa Senators also made headlines by trading defenseman Jakob Chychrun to the Washington Capitals. In return, the Senators received defenseman Nick Jensen and a 2026 third-round pick. Chychrun, who had only recently joined the Senators in a 2023 trade deadline deal from the Arizona Coyotes, will now continue his career in Washington.
New Jersey Devils Focus on Future Talent
The New Jersey Devils were active as well, trading defenseman John Marino to the Utah Hockey Club for several draft picks, indicating a clear strategy to build for the future. They also moved Jonathan Kovacevic to the Montreal Canadiens, and acquired forward Alexander Holtz and goaltender Akira Schmid from the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for forward Paul Cotter, bolstering their squad with promising young talent.
Capitals and Blues Adjust Their Strategies
The Capitals didn't stop with Chychrun; they also acquired Logan Thompson from the Golden Knights for two third-round picks, adding depth to their goaltending roster. On the other side, the St. Louis Blues traded forward Kevin Hayes to the Pittsburgh Penguins along with a second-round pick and acquired forward Alex Texier from the Columbus Blue Jackets for a fourth-round pick, showing a clear intent to refine their forward lines.
Moves to Watch
The trade rumors aren't stopping, as league insiders are closely monitoring potential significant movements. Winnipeg Jets forward Nikolaj Ehlers, Anaheim Ducks goalie John Gibson, and Ducks center Trevor Zegras are all on the radar, with possible trades that could shift the balance of power within the league.
Meanwhile, the Carolina Hurricanes are reportedly seeking to trade young winger Martin Necas, who is fresh off his second consecutive 20-goal season at the age of 25. This move could signal a significant shake-up in the Hurricanes' strategy as they look to capitalize on Necas's market value.
Overall, the flurry of trades and acquisitions this offseason marks an exciting and dynamic period for the NHL. With the salary cap increase providing teams with more flexibility, fans can expect continued action as franchises strive to build the ultimate roster for the 2024-25 season and beyond.