The NHL offseason is in full swing, and the trades have been happening frequently since the Florida Panthers lifted the Stanley Cup for the second consecutive season.
Key moves include Chris Kreider heading to the Anaheim Ducks, Trevor Zegras joining the Philadelphia Flyers, and Noah Dobson being traded to the Montreal Canadiens.
This page will serve as your hub for evaluations of all major offseason deals, starting with the most recent ones.
- June 27: Coyle to the Blue Jackets
- Colorado Avalanche Grade: B+
- Columbus Blue Jackets Grade: B+
- June 27: Dobson to the Canadiens
- Montreal Canadiens Grade: A
- New York Islanders Grade: A
- June 26: Peterka to the Mammoth
- Utah Mammoth Grade: A+
- Buffalo Sabres Grade: B-
- June 23: Zegras to the Flyers
- Philadelphia Flyers Grade: B+
- Anaheim Ducks Grade: A-
- June 12: Kreider to the Ducks
- New York Rangers Grade: B+
- Anaheim Ducks Grade: B+
June 27: Coyle to the Blue Jackets
The Colorado Avalanche, needing salary cap relief, traded Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday. In return, the Blue Jackets sent prospect Gavin Brindley, a 2025 third-round draft pick, and a conditional 2027 second-round pick to Colorado.
Here’s a quick look at what it means for both teams.
Colorado Avalanche
Grade: B+
The Avs secured a second-line center by extending Brock Nelson. However, this left them with limited cap space entering Friday. Given the large unrestricted free agent class, they needed to make a move.
Coyle was a prime trade candidate. While his arrival provided a strong third line, paying his salary amidst a cap crunch was not ideal. Wood was also a potential trade piece due to injuries and inconsistency. Now the Avalanche need to address their bottom six forwards, in addition to possibly retaining key free agents.
Brindley could potentially help in the future. He was a top prospect in Columbus` strong system, known for starring in college before turning pro. He offers depth in the forward pipeline.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Grade: B+
The Blue Jackets have significant cap space, allowing them to be selective with favorable deals, especially with cap-strapped teams like the Avs. Coyle and Wood were luxuries in Colorado but will strengthen Columbus` bottom six, letting management focus elsewhere in free agency.
With Coyle, they secure a third-line center. Wood adds a winger option. They now have numerous forwards under contract or team control. Over $30 million in cap space provides flexibility for extensions and free agency.
Brindley was a top prospect, but Columbus still boasts a promising pool of forwards in their system, making the loss palatable for the immediate gain in NHL depth.
June 27: Dobson to the Canadiens
Defenseman Noah Dobson was the central figure in a trade Friday between the Montreal Canadiens and New York Islanders, signifying different directions for the franchises.
The Canadiens acquired Dobson after he signed an 8-year extension worth $9.5 million annually with the Islanders on Friday. New York received forward Emil Heineman and both of Montreal`s 2025 first-round picks, the 16th and 17th overall selections.
Here’s an analysis of how both front offices performed and what it means going forward.
Montreal Canadiens
Grade: A
Acquiring a 25-year-old, right-shot, top-pairing, puck-moving defenseman who can play in all situations and has a large frame is a move any GM should make, even if it comes at a significant cost. Canadiens GM Kent Hughes` decision is emphatic, signaling his team’s serious intent to become regular playoff contenders and eventually win a Stanley Cup.
“Future” is key. Having two first-round picks is valuable. Rebuilding teams use them to build long-term, while teams on the cusp of contending use them to acquire immediate help. Hughes chose the latter. This gives Montreal one of the NHL`s most exciting young defensive groups: Dobson, Norris winner Lane Hutson, Kaiden Guhle, and Jayden Struble, plus prospects like Mailloux and Reinbacher. Six defensemen under 25, four first-rounders – immense potential.
However, there`s a real problem: Montreal is over the salary cap with numerous defensemen signed for 2025-26. Hughes must trade a defenseman to free up space while keeping a strong group for a playoff push. Veteran contracts provide options. Addressing this soon provides more financial flexibility, although they also have RFAs needing deals.
New York Islanders
Grade: A
New Islanders GM Mathieu Darche understands building through the draft. A GM of a lottery team must be honest about the franchise`s direction. Darche’s first offseason moves are crucial. While Dobson could have been part of their long-term plans, sometimes the maximum value for a player comes via trade.
What Darche got for a top-pairing defenseman will significantly shape the Islanders for the next decade. The No. 1 pick (likely Matthew Schaefer) is a start. Adding two more first-round picks provides even more options. Darche and his staff might keep all three picks to inject much-needed talent into a system that lacked first-round selections for several years. Alternatively, Darche might package the picks for another trade aiming for different long-term success.
While the future is key, the present matters. Without Dobson, the Islanders need defensive help. They have significant cap space available, usable for addressing defense and other roster needs this summer, including re-signing RFA Heineman.
June 26: Peterka to the Mammoth
Two key storylines this NHL offseason were whether the Utah Mammoth could add a top-six forward and if the Buffalo Sabres would trade restricted free agent JJ Peterka. Last week, these converged.
The Mammoth acquired Peterka from the Sabres, sending forward Josh Doan and defenseman Michael Kesselring to western New York in return.
Here’s an analysis of how both front offices performed in this swap.
Utah Mammoth
Grade: A+
In 2024-25, Utah ranked well in shot metrics but struggled to score goals – a clear disconnect. With ample cap space, a solution was needed. GM Bill Armstrong’s latest move: acquiring Peterka and immediately signing him to a long-term extension. Since the ownership change and move to Salt Lake City, the Mammoth have been strategic and aggressive. This began with trades for defensemen to revamp the blue line.
Peterka continues this approach. They add a 23-year-old proven scorer who solves the goal issue and fits their long-term vision. He had consecutive strong offensive seasons in Buffalo. Peterka creates options. Their top-six wingers now include multiple 20+ goal scorers, paired with young centers who also hit that mark. With a strong farm system, the Mammoth didn`t need to trade top prospects for Peterka. They still have valuable assets and significant cap space remaining after this signing.
Key UFAs and one RFA remain, but after the draft, they are positioned to be active in free agency with the remaining cap space.
Buffalo Sabres
Grade: B-
The word to describe what Sabres GM Kevyn Adams got for Peterka? Complicated. A 23-year-old top-six forward under control usually commands a certain price. In receiving Doan and Kesselring, the Sabres got NHL players, but there`s an argument it wasn`t enough.
Missing the playoffs for 14 seasons puts the Sabres in a difficult spot, balancing immediate improvement with future planning. While their system is strong, the Peterka trade was a chance to add more draft capital or top prospects. Especially since Peterka was vital to their offense last season, ranking high in points and goals.
Adams did get something. Doan could be a top-nine forward, getting a chance for more consistency in Buffalo. Kesselring provides a third right-shot defenseman, potentially seeing an increased role after ranking lower on the Mammoth depth chart. Doan and Kesselring add depth but also cost against the cap, with one year remaining before RFA status. The Sabres still have substantial cap space.
The question remains: Was a bottom-six/middle-six forward and a middle-pairing defenseman enough of a return for a top-six forward who solved a key problem for Utah while leaving a significant hole in Buffalo?
June 23: Zegras to the Flyers
The rumor finally became reality Monday. The Anaheim Ducks traded forward Trevor Zegras to the Philadelphia Flyers.
The Ducks moved Zegras, who had been the subject of trade speculation, for forward Ryan Poehling, a 2025 second-round pick (originally Columbus`) and a 2026 fourth-round pick.
What does it mean for both teams, and how did both front offices fare?
Philadelphia Flyers
Grade: B+
“Potential” is the key word surrounding this trade. Zegras gives the Flyers another top-nine center alongside their current options, with the potential to develop into their top-line center.
Zegras is a proven scorer with two consecutive 60+ point seasons before recent injury-affected years. He can add offense and create chances for the Flyers, who ranked low in goals last season. At 24, he potentially fits within the Flyers’ long-term plans as one of the NHL`s youngest teams.
Again, the key word is potentially. Injuries and inconsistency raised questions about his ability to return to his previous production levels. Surrounding him with talented wingers could help him get back on track. He was once seen as a breakout star and future face of the league. Adding to the incentive, Zegras is in the final year of his current contract but will remain under team control as an RFA for two more seasons. Even after taking on his salary, the Flyers retain significant cap space.
Anaheim Ducks
Grade: A-
For all the questions about holding onto Zegras, one large one loomed: Is it prudent to pay a third-line center over $5 million annually when cheaper options exist and other roster needs require attention?
Leo Carlsson (2nd overall pick 2023) proved capable of being a first-line center. Mason McTavish (3rd overall pick 2021) also showed strong offensive production as a second-line center. Their performance made Zegras expendable for Anaheim. Financial implications were also key. Anaheim projects substantial cap space, but GM Pat Verbreek must be careful with upcoming contract renewals for core young players.
The focus shifted to the next offseason, where Zegras was part of a large RFA class. By trading him, the Ducks potentially lower their future financial commitments compared to what Zegras might have commanded, dealing instead with Poehling`s lower salary and impending UFA status next summer.
June 12: Kreider to the Ducks
Could this be the start of something more?
That question could be asked of both the Anaheim Ducks and the New York Rangers after the first major trade this offseason. The Rangers sent Chris Kreider and a 2025 fourth-round pick (Anaheim`s own, previously acquired) to the Ducks for center prospect Carey Terrance and a 2025 third-round pick (Toronto`s, acquired earlier).
Here’s a glance at what this means for both franchises and how they each performed.
New York Rangers
Grade: B+
There was a need to create salary cap space, questions about production relative to cost, and the fact that the Rangers could find a replacement elsewhere. All influenced the decision to move on from Chris Kreider.
Kreider demonstrated consistency with multiple 20+ goal seasons. However, his production declined slightly in his final year compared to the three prior seasons. With two years left on his contract at a significant cap hit, it became a numbers game for the Rangers. The substantial increase in key players` salaries meant the Rangers needed flexibility to address a large restricted free agent class.
There are questions about how they`ll replace Kreider`s production. The signing of college winger Gabe Perreault is important, offering a potential top-six option on a team-friendly deal and creating necessary cap space for RFAs and other offseason goals. Shedding Kreider`s salary provides the front office with significantly more financial flexibility.
Adding Terrance brings a center prospect to a system that appeared to need one. Terrance had a strong junior career and represented his country internationally before getting injured.
Anaheim Ducks
Grade: B+
Rebuilds are about getting better, with each team taking a different path. The Kreider trade signals that the Ducks are sticking to an approach that has served them well, with the belief they can reach the playoffs or at least contend for a wild-card spot in 2025-26. Beyond drafting and developing, the Ducks have added respected veterans to insulate their young core.
Kreider adds to their group of top-nine wingers, providing goal-scoring depth in various ways. This makes the Ducks intriguing, as GM Pat Verbeek took on a significant contract but still possesses substantial cap space. This could make Anaheim a notable destination in free agency.
Verbeek must act responsibly, as several key young players are pending RFAs this summer, impacting free agency activity. The following offseason presents another challenge with numerous core players needing new deals simultaneously. Having much young talent on inexpensive contracts creates financial flexibility, enabling moves like acquiring Kreider for a draft pick and a prospect who was expendable due to the Ducks` depth at center.
Since the rebuild started, the Ducks have sought progress. They`ve developed a promising system and cultivated expectations. They understand when to make significant moves. Finishing with their highest point total since 2018-19 puts them at a critical juncture. Hiring a new coach signals their belief that they can advance further, aiming to compete in the tough Western Conference.
While Anaheim finished outside the playoff picture last season, their gradual improvement and significant offseason moves suggest they could soon be knocking on the door to the postseason, or even kicking through it.
