2025 NHL Free Agency

Lots of surprises for me, but was waiting to see where Ehlers ended up because I wanted to publish my prediction for the standings in 2025-26. But we'll talk about the signings so far. The time of year where all the news goes down, and I like to think of it as why we have Canada Day as it's no holiday for hockey fans. So much has gone down today, and surprisingly some have happened on the dot. 

As I predicted, Bennett, Marchand and Ekblad signed with the Panthers. I like this because it shows the Panthers are a team who cares about winning and each player took the right cut; Ekblad not being a Panther doesn't look right. 

Evan Bouchard signed four years with the Oilers at $10.5M AAV. I think Bouchard should've done eight years at $6.5M AAV because he would've made more after taxes and show Oiler fans he cares about Edmonton. 

Nashville traded Colton Scissons and Jeremy Lauzon for Nicolas Hague. Now, I think Hague is a good defenseman, but I don't think he brings much of an impact for Nashville. But Scissons has half his contract retained by Nashville, and Lauzon isn't a points guy, but is very effective when used right and I believe he's a great fit for Vegas. But I think they should've tried trading for Marchessault because he needs to bring the heart back in Vegas as they lack it. 

I also predicted Marner to Vegas for 8 years at $12M AAV, and Nicolas Roy headed to Toronto. This gives Toronto lots of cap room to add solid roster spots. But Vegas needs to also work on getting other contracts done such as Jack Eichel's. But what I think is Marner will be very good for Vegas and bring an extra punch from their offense. But Toronto also got Macceli, who I do believe is a great fit for the Leafs and would look good with Matthews and Nylander, in fact I think Toronto will boost his value. I think them keeping Saad is a smart move. 

Romanov signed an extension with the Islanders given Dobson's void and Schaefer coming in to be on the point. 

I didn't think Dante Fabbro would stay in Columbus, but I think he has a great contract and will be great for Columbus going forward. I think it was dumb of Nashville to waive him and not trade him. But this contract could be good if Columbus ends up either contending or rebuilding. Also they made ensured their blue-line remain strong by locking up Provorov long-term. But I don't think $8.5M AAV was the right call given they need to give that to Fantilli as I believe he'll be the long-term face of the Blue Jackets. 

But let's talk about the Kings who really went all in. They surprised me the most as they managed sign Kuzmenko, also went on and snagged Corey Perry, Anton Forsberg, Brian Dumoulin, Joel Armia, and Cody Ceci. But what I find hysterical about this is that Los Angeles made themselves a much older team as it seems they're preparing to drop down to last place around the time Drew Doughty retires. 

Utah signed Brandon Tanev and Nate Schmidt, two competitive players as it appears Utah is ready to be a stronger team going into next year and wants the league to take notice. I think the contracts they got were reasonable, but I wouldn't have given Nate Schmidt 3 x $3.5M AAV. I am questioning the Vanacek signing given Ingram is low-key an excellent goaltender and in my opinion one of the most underrated, so I don't see why they make that move. 

Winnipeg made a big splash with Jonathan Toews, but the Tanner Pearson signing I love a lot because Mark Scheifele's season coming to an end was quite tough. Now, there's an old video of Scheifele saying a joke that was also true saying what his favourite part about playing for the Barrie Colts was and his answer was, 'Playing with Tanner Pearson.' I think it's great given the emotional support in the dressing room as Pearson is also an effective player and this opens a great opportunity for a new Toews line. They also snagged Gustav Nyquist, as some might think is not a good move, but I love it given he can get the road ready for the young Jets on a competitive team. But the next move should be locking up Samberg to a long-term contract.

The Islanders were loud with their off-season moves, but I don't agree with the DeAngelo signing as it has been noted he's been not the best with teammates and introducing a top prospect to him in the same position wouldn't be the best idea. They also got Jonathan Drouin on a two-year deal which I found to be an underrated pick-up. 

Philadelphia brought in Noah Juulsen which is excellent depth, giving Christian Dvorak a chance to prove he can be an offensive force, and if Philly fails to make the playoffs there's a chance they trade him to a contending team and get depth. Also got Dan Vladar to add to their goaltending depth. 

New Jersey picked up Dadonov who brings offensive depth to their team, and bring back Jake Allen. But the one I like here the most is the Cody Glass contract, as I think if you put him next to a healthy Quinn Hughes he will put up some amazing numbers and prove haters wrong. 

Bruins handed a fat contract to Tanner Jeannot

Rangers

Red Wings retained Kane, while also adding James van Riemsdyk and Mason Appleton. I don't see anything wrong with those pick-ups. 

Florida kept Nosek, and added a veteran in Jeff Petry which I am a huge fan of. Keeps Florida competitive and makes their blue-line stronger. 

Dallas brought back Radek Faksa, makes me imagine they have a game plan to understand most of the league and how to be better as Dallas will need to stay competitive given they're one of the best teams in the league as Faksa has been a big part of that franchise going back to when the Texas Stars won the 2014 Calder Cup. 

Ottawa retained Giroux, but also added Lars Eller. Eller is a long-time NHL veteran who has been on some competitive teams while also winning a Stanley Cup which Ottawa will need to take the big step going into next season. 

Brock Boeser ended up staying in Vancouver on a great deal and see nothing wrong with it. But lost Puis Suter to the Blues, but I personally believe it to be the right fit for him. 

Pittsburgh didn't make too much noise as their biggest signing was Anthony Mantha, who was out for most of the year and I think him going there is great for the sake of playing with a superstar. 

Edmonton took a former Oil King and journeyman Curtis Lazar. I've always liked Lazar, I think if he had been drafted on the right team he'd be less of a journeyman, but it's nice for the Oilers to bring back an ex-Oil King captain. But they also took a gamble on Andrew Mangiapane, who in my opinion is a great player and underrated given the real test on the Oilers.

San Jose made some noise bringing in John Klingberg to their blue-line. 

Colorado did the most unexpected thing, bringing in Brent Burns who I think has lots of hockey left in him. 

Anaheim made the worst deal of them all... for three-years at $7M AAV Mikael Grandlund, who if you ask me is not worth more than $5M AAV.