Many NHL teams might seem inactive in the coming weeks, but don’t count out potential moves just yet. Not every team sticks with their current lineup; in fact, five NHL teams still have some business left to handle. Let’s dive into the details.
Calgary Flames
The Flames have been very active, adding defensive depth with Nick Cicek and goalie insurance through Ivan Prosvetov. Despite this, GM Craig Conroy still holds a significant trade piece in experienced two-way defender Rasmus Andersson. With defense scarce in the market, Conroy could secure a valuable package by moving Andersson. Although the Flames might lose him next season, trading Andersson could be beneficial long-term, helping the team acquire assets and draft picks. Given his prime age of 28, an early trade isn’t surprising.
Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers face scrutiny over their goaltending, which remains a big issue alongside Connor McDavid’s contract. Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard helped lead the team to consecutive Stanley Cup finals but posted playoff save percentages below .900. Edmonton might seek a more consistent goalie, but salary cap restrictions limit free-agent options like Alexandar Georgiev or Ilya Samsonov. GM Ken Holland might wait until the trade deadline, but an offseason move may be wiser.
Minnesota Wild
The Wild’s core roster remains largely unchanged after adding Vladimir Tarasenko, Nico Sturm, and Nicholas Aube-Kubel. GM Bill Guerin has about $10.1 million in salary cap space, but attention now turns to restricted free agent center Marco Rossi. Although Rossi posted career highs this past season, his limited playoff use suggests he may not be part of the long-term plan. A trade or a short-term contract extension could be forthcoming, but the situation needs clarity before training camp.
Montreal Canadiens
Montreal made a key offseason move acquiring former Islanders defender Noah Dobson and technically sits with about $4.57 million in salary cap space after factoring in goalie Carey Price’s long-term injury reserve. The Canadiens have room to bolster their forwards, something GM Kent Hughes could leverage as the season progresses. With playoff ambitions in place, expect the Canadiens to use their cap space aggressively by next season’s trade deadline, signaling their renewed competitive drive.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Following the Mitch Marner contract saga, the Leafs found themselves with unusual cap space, which GM Brad Treliving quickly spent on acquiring center Nicolas Roy, left winger Dakota Joshua, and right winger Mattias Mackelli. They now have around $2.93 million left but may allocate some for young RFA Nick Robertson, who could also be traded given the addition of Joshua. The Leafs might supplement with a veteran forward on a professional tryout, a strategy that worked well last season with Max Pacioretty. Decisions on cap space use continue to stir debate, crucial for a legitimate Cup contender.
Fan Take: These updates highlight how NHL teams are balancing short-term competitiveness with long-term planning, making critical moves that could shape the league’s future landscape. For hockey fans, these strategic decisions add excitement and depth to the offseason, signaling that even when it seems quiet, real change could be just around the corner.
