Following the Florida Panthers` second consecutive Stanley Cup victory, the NHL offseason is now underway. Recent activity includes veteran center Jonathan Toews agreeing to join the Winnipeg Jets in free agency, numerous players re-signing with their current teams, and a trade that sent winger Andre Burakovsky from Seattle to Chicago.
The NHL draft is scheduled for this Friday and Saturday in Los Angeles. It will feature seven rounds of selections and likely involve several trades that could significantly impact franchises. Free agency officially begins on July 1.
To understand the current landscape, ESPN reporters gathered insights from league sources within team front offices regarding the draft, potential trades, and the upcoming free agent class. Here is the latest buzz from around the NHL:
Schaefer`s Perspective Shaped by Tragedy
Matthew Schaefer has long been projected as the first overall pick in this year`s draft, held by the New York Islanders. However, the Erie Otters defenseman appears remarkably unconcerned about his final draft position. He emphasizes enjoying the experience without pressure or stress, a valuable lesson learned through significant personal hardship.
“I`ve been through a lot,” Schaefer stated recently, a considerable understatement.
Schaefer suffered profound losses over a difficult period. He lost his billet mother in late 2023. Just two months later, his own mother passed away after battling cancer. During the 2025 World Junior Championship, Erie Otters owner Jim Waters, with whom Schaefer was close, also died. Additionally, Schaefer sustained a broken collarbone during the tournament, ending his season in Erie.
These events would be devastating for anyone, let alone a 17-year-old aspiring to play in the NHL. Yet, Schaefer maintains a remarkably positive attitude, viewing adversity as a source of strength that helps him manage the demands of being a highly-touted prospect.
“Much worse things can happen in life [than not being picked No. 1],” he explained. “Going through injuries feels super easy now. When I was younger and stubbed my toe, I probably would have thought the world was ending. But going through everything, there are so many worse things that can happen. You just have to seize opportunities and work as hard as you can. Being a good person goes such a long way.”
Schaefer is described as sharp-witted, friendly, admirably earnest, and genuine. He has already participated in charity work supporting children dealing with grief and plans to continue volunteering at the hospital where his mother received treatment, emphasizing that this is not for show. He genuinely enjoys meeting new people and hearing their stories.
“I personally love helping people,” he said. “Respecting people, treating them how you`d like to be treated. Holding a door for someone, it goes such a long way. I try to have a positive mindset each day. My perspective has changed a lot. Seeing what my mom went through, having a smile on her face despite everything trying to bring her down, but she wouldn`t let it. I wish I was as tough as her.”
Schaefer believes his mother will be watching the draft and perhaps even spiritually helping him prepare for his big moment. He fondly remembers her putting on goalie gear so he could practice shooting on her. “When I`m shooting pucks in the basement, she`s probably spiritually in net, trying to save them, and I`m missing the net because she`s probably blocker saving that,” he joked, adding that he feels much stronger now because of everything he has endured.
Could the Islanders Draft Hagens Too?
James Hagens is well aware of the strong desire among some New York Islanders fans to see their hometown talent drafted by the team. The 18-year-old Boston College center is a Hauppauge native who grew up cheering for the Islanders at Nassau Coliseum and later became a top NHL draft prospect.
“I still have the rally towel to this day,” he recalled during the Stanley Cup Final. “I just remember being a little kid, screaming my lungs off. It was a small building, but it got loud.”
Hagens mentioned people approaching him locally, even on the golf course, expressing hope that he`ll be an Islanders draft choice. He once saw a car with a “Bring Hagens Home” bumper sticker while driving home from a workout. “I just tried to duck my head and drive by. Didn`t really try to make eye contact or anything,” Hagens admitted.
He couldn`t help but get his hopes up when he watched the Islanders win the lottery for the No. 1 pick. There was a time when Hagens was projected to go first overall in the 2025 draft; TSN`s Bob McKenzie even ranked him first before the season, with consensus from polled NHL scouts.
Several factors contributed to Hagens slipping slightly in the rankings this season, including a solid but not elite freshman performance at BC and ongoing concerns about his size (around 5-foot-11). However, the primary reason was the emergence of Matthew Schaefer as the presumptive first overall selection for the Islanders.
Despite this, buzz circulated during the Stanley Cup Final that the Islanders might attempt a significant draft-day maneuver: selecting Schaefer first overall and then trading back into the top four to pick Hagens. The expectation is that the San Jose Sharks will draft forward Michael Misa second. Hagens hasn`t been heavily linked to the Chicago Blackhawks at No. 3. Utah holds the fourth pick, followed by Nashville at fifth.
What could the Islanders offer to acquire another top-four pick? Speculation points to 25-year-old defenseman Alexander Romanov, a restricted free agent due for a raise, and the Colorado Avalanche`s first-round pick in 2026 (which Colorado can defer to 2027). This would be a starting point for acquiring a top-five pick and, crucially, a beloved local star.
Islanders GM Mathieu Darche has spoken about making the team more “attacking,” and co-owner John Collins has emphasized the need for the franchise to forge “deeper connections” with the Long Island hockey community. Hagens appears to address both needs, either as the first overall pick or if the Islanders can pull off a double acquisition in the draft.
Clock Ticking on Tavares in Toronto
Unless negotiations between Mitch Marner and the Toronto Maple Leafs dramatically improve in the coming week, it`s highly improbable the winger will be back with the team this fall. This outcome has been anticipated for months and reflects questionable asset management by the Leafs, who are likely to lose this year`s top unrestricted free agent for nothing.
Could a sign-and-trade happen, or could another team acquire Marner`s rights, similar to how Toronto GM Brad Treliving acquired Chris Tanev`s rights last year? While possible, it`s not considered likely.
Toronto`s focus now needs to shift to John Tavares. The latest reports indicate that the two sides are far apart on a contract extension. The Leafs cannot afford to delay this decision, as there are few other viable unrestricted free agent centers available. Sam Bennett is expected to stay in Florida, and Jonathan Toews and Matt Duchene have signed elsewhere. Beyond Tavares, options are limited to players like Mikael Granlund, Pius Suter, or possibly Claude Giroux.
Toronto may get little back for Marner, but Tavares presents a different situation. He wants to remain a Leaf and is willing to negotiate. Dallas recently signed Matt Duchene to a four-year, $18 million extension ($4.5 million average annual value), although this deal includes some creative accounting. Considering the Leafs` need for a second-line center who had one of his best seasons at age 34, a contract around $4.5 million AAV for Tavares seems reasonable. The Leafs would struggle significantly to replace Tavares if he signs elsewhere, which is possible given potential offers.
This is a critical juncture for GM Brad Treliving. Considering all factors, Toronto must make its best effort to re-sign John Tavares.
Oilers GM Reflects on Goaltending Struggles in Final
There`s no doubt that the Edmonton Oilers` goaltending was a significant issue during their Stanley Cup Final loss to the Florida Panthers.
Stuart Skinner (.861 save percentage, 3.97 goals-against average) was pulled twice and eventually benched in favor of Calvin Pickard (.878, 2.88) during their Game 5 loss, before Skinner returned for the Game 6 elimination, allowing three goals on 23 shots. Both goalies performed below replacement level in goals saved above expected over their final five playoff games. In contrast, Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky maintained strong play (3.1 goals saved above expected in his last five games) and performed well (.919, 2.45) in the Final.
This performance shift confused Oilers GM Stan Bowman, who argued that Edmonton`s goalies had outperformed opponents in the previous three Western Conference series (against Darcy Kuemper, Adin Hill, and Jake Oettinger). “I think that`s the reason we went to the [Stanley Cup] Final,” he said. “And then in the Final it flipped.”
The general assumption has been that the Oilers will prioritize acquiring an elite-level netminder to prevent similar issues, like facing the decision of which struggling goalie to start in a Cup Final elimination game. However, Bowman stated he is still contemplating potential goalie changes. Both Skinner ($2.6 million AAV) and Pickard ($1 million AAV) are signed through next season before becoming unrestricted free agents.
Bowman indicated that changes for next season “may involve the goaltending or it could not,” adding that significant analysis is needed following their second loss to Florida in two seasons before making a decision.
It`s difficult to imagine the Oilers starting next season with the same goaltending tandem, but options for upgrading are limited. They have been linked to Anaheim Ducks goalie John Gibson, who has a 10-team no-trade list and two years left on his contract at a $6.4 million AAV. New Jersey Devils veteran Jake Allen appears to be the best available option in a thin unrestricted free agent market that also includes Alexandar Georgiev (San Jose), Alex Lyon (Detroit), and Anton Forsberg (Ottawa).
Bowman highlighted the challenge of finding an upgrade as part of the decision process for the Oilers: “It`s not like you just go down to the corner and pick up an elite goalie. They`re not just waiting for you to join your team. So how many are there anyways in that group?” He noted that even goalies considered “elite” have had tough playoffs, and that Cup-winning teams have succeeded both with and without elite goaltending depending on the strength of the overall team.
Is Nashville Really Open to Anything?
Speculation surrounding the Nashville Predators continues to grow. The Predators hold the fifth overall pick in the draft, but they are not in a typical position for a team selecting so high.
Nashville is focused on competing now. They have a valuable draft asset they could potentially use to acquire an established NHL player from a team that might be closer to a rebuilding stage.
If a major trade happens during the first round, it feels very likely that Nashville will be involved.
Specifically, the Predators could use a reliable defenseman to strengthen their blue line alongside captain Roman Josi.
GM Barry Trotz has demonstrated in recent offseasons a willingness and ability to make aggressive moves and be creative when necessary.
If Trotz believes in Nashville`s opportunity to rebound strongly next season, he will likely consider a fair deal to acquire an NHL-level skater.
