The NHL's upcoming offseason promises to be a period of intense activity and strategic decision-making for its teams. With a weak free-agent class and a focus on the trade market, several franchises are poised to make significant moves. Here's an in-depth look at eight teams that could be aggressive buyers this summer, each with its unique motivations, resources, and potential targets.
Montreal Canadiens
The Canadiens, despite their impressive strides last season, have clear areas for improvement. Their second-line center position is a gaping hole, and they need to add a bona fide center to take some pressure off Nick Suzuki. Ivan Demidov, a budding star, could benefit from a running mate to elevate his game. Additionally, the team could target another right-shot defenseman, as they have only two NHL right-handed defensemen under contract for next season.
With roughly $11 million in projected cap room and no significant new contracts to sign, the Canadiens have meaningful cap flexibility in the short and long term. Their top-10 prospect pool and ownership of all first- and second-round picks give them the ammunition to go big-game hunting if the right difference-maker becomes available on the trade market.
Columbus Blue Jackets
The Blue Jackets find themselves in a situation similar to the Anaheim Ducks last season. They have legitimate high-end talent but have struggled to make the playoffs. The franchise is under pressure to take the next step and make the playoffs. Last summer's formula, which included big acquisitions and internal growth, could be the path to success.
With $35 million in projected cap space and 15 NHL players under contract, the Blue Jackets have ample room to play with. They need to re-sign RFAs Fantilli, Greaves, and Sillinger, but they still have cap room to work with. Their top priority should be to land an impact top-six winger, and they could dangle legitimate trade chips, including their league-average prospect pool and all first-round picks.
Minnesota Wild
The Wild, widely viewed as a dark-horse Stanley Cup contender, are desperate for an impact top-six center. With Joel Eriksson Ek injured, they were forced to rely on Ryan Hartman and Michael McCarron at center, which simply isn't going to cut it. The team has the assets to make upgrades, including Danila Yurov, Charlie Stramel, and first-round picks in 2027 and 2028.
Minnesota may need to create more cap room to make a splash, but they have straightforward ways to free up more cap room if necessary. The 15-team no trade clause on Hartman's contract will shift to a 10-team list, and quality but pricey bottom-six forwards Yakov Trenin and Nico Sturm don't have any trade protection.
Seattle Kraken
The Kraken, armed with nearly $30 million in cap space and a top-10 prospect pool, could be aggressive buyers. They own four first-round picks over the next two years and could leverage Shane Wright as an asset for the right offensive game-breaker. The franchise could desperately use some elite talent up front, but it'll require the right target to shake loose and that star to want to play in Seattle.
Carolina Hurricanes
The Hurricanes are uniquely positioned as one of the few already-established Cup contenders with an abundance of cap space and trade assets. With approximately $12 million in cap space and nearly their entire roster already under contract for next season, they have the flexibility to make bold moves. They could ship out Jesperi Kotkaniemi and his $4.82 million cap hit, which is widely expected.
The Canes have tremendous cost certainty in the long term, with many team-friendly contracts. In terms of trade chips, they own all of their first-round picks along with an extra one in 2028 from Dallas. Their prospect pool is also quite respectable for a contending team.
San Jose Sharks
The Sharks aren't going to make reckless, short-sighted moves, but they should target meaningful upgrades that fit their short- and long-term goals and timeline. They need to add at least one, and ideally multiple, top-four defensemen who can eat big minutes next season. Young defensemen with upside, such as Michael Kesselring, Simon Nemec, Olen Zellweger, and Pavel Mintyukov, could be sensible targets.
The Sharks have over $40 million in projected cap room and will need to spend several million more just to hit the $76.9 million salary cap floor for next season. Their decision with the No. 2 pick also looms large, as it could provide an excess of talented wingers to acquire a top-flight defenseman.
Boston Bruins
The Bruins are stuck in a bind, with pressure to capitalize on the primes of David Pastrnak, Jeremy Swayman, and Charlie McAvoy, who are all in the 27-30 age bracket. They have trade assets, including all first- and second-round picks moving forward and future first-rounders from Florida and Toronto. Cap space won't be an issue, as Boston has over $15 million in projected room with most of its roster already signed.
The wish list is straightforward: They need a true No. 1 center and could use another top-four right-shot defender on the second pair behind McAvoy. The Bruins have the pieces and ambition to make a splash, but it remains to be seen whether the right target comes along.
New York Rangers
The Rangers, on the surface, may not seem like a team that would make a splash this offseason. However, GM Chris Drury's letter to fans stressed that the Rangers are targeting a quick turnaround rather than a full rebuild. The team has legitimate trade chips, including Vincent Trocheck, Braden Schneider, and 11 draft picks this year, including an extra first-rounder from the K'Andre Miller trade.
The Rangers are projected to have nearly $30 million in cap space with nearly all of their players signed. The urgency to make moves this summer could be ratcheted up by Drury's self-interest; there's no guarantee he'll keep his job if New York misses the playoffs for a third consecutive year next season.
