The NHL offseason is in full swing, and teams are making strategic moves to bolster their rosters for the 2024-2025 season. This whirlwind of trades, draft picks, and signings has set the stage for an exhilarating upcoming season. Here’s a rundown of some of the most noteworthy transactions and contract agreements that have taken place.
Florida Panthers: Champs and Big Spenders
The Florida Panthers are still basking in the glow of their sensational Stanley Cup Final victory over the Edmonton Oilers. In a nail-biting Game 7, the Panthers clinched the championship, emphasizing their dominance in the league. Capitalizing on their success, the Panthers secured Sam Reinhart's future with the team, signing him to an eight-year, $69 million contract extension. With an average annual value (AAV) of $8.5 million, Reinhart, who scored the game-winning goal in the playoffs and tallied 10 goals, is set to be a cornerstone for the Panthers.
Tampa Bay Lightning: Major Moves
The Tampa Bay Lightning have been equally active. They locked down Jake Guentzel with a seven-year, $63 million contract, which includes a $9 million AAV. Before finalizing this deal, the Lightning acquired Guentzel's negotiating rights from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for a third-round pick in 2025. Additionally, the Lightning traded defenseman Mikhail Sergachev to the Utah Hockey Club during the 2024 NHL Draft, further shaking up their roster.
Seattle Kraken: Strengthening the Squad
In Seattle, the Kraken have made significant additions. Chandler Stephenson agreed to a seven-year deal with an AAV of $6.25 million. Stephenson has been a consistent performer, tallying at least 50 points in each of the past three seasons. The Kraken also signed defenseman Brandon Montour to a seven-year, $50 million contract, yielding an AAV of $7.14 million. Montour was instrumental in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, contributing three goals and eight assists.
New York Islanders: Adding Firepower
The New York Islanders bolstered their offensive lineup by signing Anthony Duclair to a four-year contract. Duclair, who scored 24 goals last season while playing for both the San Jose Sharks and Tampa Bay Lightning, brings with him the experience and skill that could significantly impact the Islanders' offensive stats.
Other Notable Signings
The Columbus Blue Jackets made a notable move by signing Sean Monahan to a five-year contract worth $5.5 million annually. This signing reunites Monahan with Johnny Gaudreau, who joined Columbus in the 2022 offseason, potentially recreating their past chemistry. Similarly, the Vancouver Canucks secured Jake DeBrusk with a seven-year deal carrying an annual value of $5.5 million. DeBrusk is coming off a season where he posted 40 points, an encouraging stat for the Canucks’ forward-looking strategies.
Meanwhile, the Carolina Hurricanes extended Jaccob Slavin's contract for eight years with a $6.5 million AAV. Slavin, who compiled 37 points last season, remains a key part of the Hurricanes' defensive lineup. The Nashville Predators have also been active, signing Brady Skjei to a seven-year contract worth $7 million annually. Furthermore, they are poised to enhance their roster with the anticipated signings of Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault. Stamkos is expected to ink a four-year deal at $8 million per season, adding his 1,137 career points to the Predators' arsenal, while Marchessault is likely to sign a five-year deal worth $5.5 million per season.
The Toronto Maple Leafs made a strategic move by signing defenseman Chris Tanev to a six-year contract with an AAV of $4.5 million. Tanev, whose negotiating rights were acquired from the Dallas Stars, is expected to fortify the Leafs' defensive front, having posted five points in 19 games during the 2024 season.
These transactions underscore an offseason filled with high-stakes decisions and compelling narratives for hockey fans. As teams retool and enhance their rosters, anticipation builds for what promises to be an exciting 2024-2025 NHL season.