After a sensational 2023-24 season, the NHL is now complete, and everyone heads back to 0-0-0.
As the chase for the 2025 Stanley Cup is set to begin this week, here are some moves I expect to go down this off-season that will help define next season and beyond.
Mitch Marner Gets Traded to The Vegas Golden Knights
The Toronto Maple Leafs cannot run it back. With one series win in the eight the team has played since the 2016-17 season, it is time for drastic changes. Mitch Marner's production in the playoffs has consistently dropped off compared to his regular play, and with one year remaining on his deal, it seems likely that Marner and the Leafs will be separating this summer.
If they end up deciding to move on, the Maple Leafs will need to work with Marner and his camp, as he does have the ability to veto any deal that would send him to a non-desirable location with his no-movement clause now in effect.
Therefore, enter the Vegas Golden Knights.
Whenever a star player gets involved in trade discussions, the Golden Knights have been no strangers to putting their chips in the middle of negotiations. After a disappointing title defense in 2023-24, I expect Vegas to make a significant move this summer.
With Noah Hanifin extended, Shea Theodore is a potential trade candidate for the Golden Knights. With the Maple Leafs needing to add pieces to their defense core, The 28 year old could be a desired asset for Toronto as they finally pull the trigger on a Marner deal.
Possible Trade:
Golden Knights Receive: Mitch Marner
Maple Leafs Receive: Shea Theodore, Nicholas Roy, 19th Overall Pick
Leon Draisaitl Does Not Sign Extension This Summer
After being so close to winning the Stanley Cup, the Edmonton Oilers will need to back to the drawing board this summer to try and get over the hump.
With GM Ken Holland likely on his way out once his contract is up on June 30th, whoever takes over that role in Edmonton, their number one priority will be to extend Leon Draisaitl, who is one year away from unrestricted free agency. Although they would love to get a deal with Draisaitl, perhaps the superstar is in no rush to get a deal done.
If Draisaitl plays out his contract or allows himself to get as close as possible to unrestricted free agency, I believe there would be a good chance he puts himself in position to sign one of, if not the richest contract in NHL history.
Draisaitl plays out the last year of his contract which forces the Oilers to go all in this summer, as this could potentially be the last run of the McDrai era in Edmonton.
If he does reach free agency on July 1st, 2025, one team I have my eye on as a destination for Draisaitl is the Boston Bruins, who have been rumored to be willing to give the star a historic deal next summer.
Connor Bedard Becomes The Blackhawks Captain
Aside from the jaw injury that sidelined him for nearly six weeks, Connor Bedard's rookie was sensational. Bedard had all the hype in the world and exceeded everyone's sky-high expectations recording 61 points in 68 games on a young Blackhawks team.
With one season under his belt, the Blackhawks will no longer delay the inevitable and will name Bedard the franchise's next captain joining the likes of great Blackhawks to wear the "C" such as; Jonathan Toews, Chris Chelios, and Denis Savard, to name a few Chicago hockey icons.
Should Bedard be named the captain this off-season, it would make him the 2nd youngest captain in NHL history just behind when Connor McDavid was named captain of the Edmonton Oilers also before his second pro season.
Penguins Get Sidney Crosby a New Winger, Patrik Laine Gets a Fresh Start
The Pittsburgh Penguins are in a weird spot. Despite Sidney Crosby still being one of the best players in the league, the Penguins have missed the playoffs the last two seasons and with Crosby entering the final year of his contract, Kyle Dubas and the organization may feel that they owe it to Crosby to make at least one final push.
The Columbus Blue Jackets and forward Patrik Laine reportedly have been working together on finding a trade destination for Laine as he is looking to continue his career elsewhere as he begins to exit the NHL's Player Assistance Program.
After dealing Jake Guentzel at the trade deadline, the Penguins will need to try to find a way to replace his production and Dubas at the end of the season did state he will be looking to make the team younger. With those factors in mind, the Penguins could be a logical landing spot for the former 40-goal scorer who will only be 27 years old when the season starts in October. Perhaps playing with Sidney Crosby could help Laine turn around his career by getting back to that level of production in Pittsburgh.
Montreal Canadiens Sign Juraj Slafkovsky to an 8 Year Extension
Juraj Slafkovksy has only played 121 NHL games in his two seasons with the Montreal Canadiens, isn't it crazy that he only has one year left on his deal? God does time fly.
Over the second half of the year after struggling throughout the first year-and-a-half of his career, Slafkovsky finally showed the flashes and produced at the level of someone who was taken first overall setting up himself to have big expectations from the fanbase for the 2024-25 season.
Eric Engles of Sportsnet has already speculated that the Habs and Slafkovsky although have not formally opened contract extension talks, both sides have an incentive to get a deal done this summer and my prediction is that Slafkovsky signs an 8 deal this summer in the range of 7.5 million dollar AAV with the franchise.
NHL Free Agent Predictions (Ranking Used From BetMGM)
Sam Reinhart- Florida Panthers (8 Years, 72 Mil)
Jake Guentzel- Chicago Blackhawks (7 Years, 66.5 Mil)
Steven Stamkos- Tampa Bay Lightning (3 Years, 19.5 Mil)
Jonathan Marchessault- Montreal Canadiens (4 Years, 20 Mil)
Brandon Mountour- Ottawa Senators (5 Years, 35 Mil)
Elias Lindholm- Boston Bruins (6 Years, 45 Mil)
Patrick Kane- New York Rangers (2 Years, 8 Mil)
Tyler Toffoli- Vancouver Canucks (3 Years, 16.5 Mil)
Matt Duchene- Dallas Stars (2 Years, 8 Mil)
Brady Skjei- Nashville Predators (4 Years, 24 Mil)
Chandler Stephenson- Buffalo Sabres (4 Years, 26 Mil)
Brett Pesce- New Jersey Devils (3 Years, 9 Mil)
Jake DeBrusk- Toronto Maple Leafs (4 Years, 18 Mil)
Teuvo Teravainen- Utah Hockey Club (4 Years, 18 Mil)
Tyler Bertuzzi- Nashville Predators (3 Years, 16.5 Mil)
Sean Monahan- Utah Hockey Club (2 Years, 9.5 Mil)
Max Domi- Toronto Maple Leafs (2 Years, 8 Mil)
Jonathan Drouin- Colorado Avalanche (1 Year, 4 Mil)
Nikita Zadarov- Los Angeles Kings (5 Years, 30 Mil)
Vladimir Tarasenko- Vancouver Canucks (2 Years, 10 Mil)
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