2025 NHL draft: Buzz on prospects, trades, free company

Though the back-to-back Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers could by no means cease celebrating, the NHL offseason has begun.

The previous a number of days have included Jonathan Toews pledging to signal with the Winnipeg Jets as soon as free company begins, in addition to a flurry of re-signings, and a commerce between the Chicago Blackhawks and Seattle Kraken, with Andre Burakovsky headed to the Second Metropolis.

On Friday and Saturday of this week, the NHL draft will happen in Los Angeles, together with seven rounds of prospect picks and (almost certainly) a handful of franchise-altering trades. Then on Tuesday, July 1, free company formally begins.

To assist make sense of all of it, our reporters reached out to sources in entrance workplaces across the league for his or her takes on the draft, trades and the free agent class.

So forward of this week’s flurry of motion, Kristen Shilton and Greg Wyshynski ship the most recent buzz across the NHL:

Schaefer earned perspective by tragedy

Matthew Schaefer has been the projected first general choose on this yr’s draft for months, projected to land with the New York Islanders, who maintain the primary choose on Friday. However the Erie Otters defenseman is not all that involved about the place he finally lands.

No strain. No stress. It is all about having fun with the journey — a lesson Schaefer has discovered the laborious means.

“I have been by quite a bit,” he stated just lately. And that is placing it mildly.

Schaefer misplaced his billet mom in late 2023. Two months later, his personal mom died after a protracted battle with most cancers. Then, through the 2025 World Junior Championship, Otters proprietor Jim Waters — with whom Schaefer was shut — additionally handed away. Throughout that very same occasion, Schaefer broke his collarbone and missed the rest of his season in Erie.

That may be a debilitating 12 months for anybody to endure, not to mention a 17-year-old on the cusp of attaining his life-long dream of taking part in within the NHL. Schaefer has an infectiously upbeat perspective to all of it, although. What others may view as adversity he sees as nearly a superpower, and it is helped him address the calls for of being a extremely touted prospect.

“There’s quite a bit worse issues that may occur in life [than not being picked No. 1],” he stated. “Going by accidents are tremendous straightforward. I really feel like after I was youthful and I stubbed my toe, I most likely would have thought the world was ending, however going by every part, there’s a lot worse issues that may occur in life. And truthfully, you simply gotta take the alternatives. You gotta work as laborious as you possibly can. I feel simply being a superb particular person goes such a good distance.”

Schaefer is quick-witted and personable, admirably earnest and completely real. He is achieved charity work with different youngsters experiencing grief-related challenges, and plans to do extra volunteering with the hospital the place his mom obtained remedy. It is not for present, both.

Schaefer readily admits he enjoys assembly new folks, and listening to their tales.

“I personally love serving to folks,” he stated. “Respecting folks, [treating them] the way you’d prefer to be handled. Holding a door for somebody, it goes such a good distance. I feel every day I simply need to have a constructive mindset. My mindset has modified quite a bit with every part. Seeing what my mother went by, having a smile on her face with most cancers and every part making an attempt to convey her down, however she would not let it convey her down. Want I used to be as robust as her.”

Schaefer believes that mother will probably be watching when the draft takes place, and that possibly alongside the way in which she’s even suited up once more in her personal signature function that formed him into the participant he’s as we speak.

“My mother used to go in web and placed on the gear, and I might shoot on her,” he recalled. “After I’m taking pictures pucks within the basement, she most likely spiritually has the hockey gear on, making an attempt to save lots of them, and I am lacking the online as a result of she’s most likely blocker saving that. There’s a whole lot of issues I’ve discovered. I am undoubtedly quite a bit stronger now.” — Shilton

May the Islanders draft Hagens too?

James Hagens is aware of how badly some Islanders followers need to see the Hauppauge-born, Lengthy Island native drafted by their staff. In spite of everything, the 18-year-old Boston Faculty middle is one in every of their very own: A child within the stands cheering on the Islanders throughout playoff video games at Nassau Coliseum who simply occurred to sooner or later turn into a high NHL draft prospect.

“I nonetheless have the [rally] towel to today,” he informed me through the Stanley Cup Remaining. “I simply keep in mind being a bit of child, screaming my lungs off. It was a small constructing, however it bought loud.”

Hagens stated he is had folks stroll as much as him on the golf course again dwelling expressing hope that he’ll be an Islanders draft selection. Driving again from a exercise sooner or later, he noticed a automotive with a “Carry Hagens House” bumper sticker on the again.

“I simply tried to duck my head and drive by. Did not actually attempt to make eye contact or something,” Hagens recalled.

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He could not assist however get his hopes up when he watched the Islanders win the primary general choose within the lottery. There was a time when Hagens regarded like he’d go first general within the 2025 draft. The venerable Bob McKenzie of TSN had him ranked first earlier than the season, with 9 of the ten NHL scouts he surveyed in settlement.

There have been a wide range of elements for why Hagens slipped a bit this season — an amazing however not elite freshman season at BC, persevering with issues about this 5-11-ish body — however chief amongst them was the emergence of Schaefer because the Islanders’ presumptive No. 1 general choose.

But right here was buzz through the Stanley Cup Remaining that the Islanders may search to make a draft-day splash by taking Schaefer first general — after which buying and selling again into the highest 4 once more to pick Hagens. It is assumed the San Jose Sharks are drafting ahead Michael Misa (Saginaw Spirit) and Hagens hasn’t been linked a lot with the Chicago Blackhawks at No. 3. Utah has the fourth general choose, whereas Nashville is drafting fifth.

What might be in play from the Islanders? Hypothesis surrounds 25-year-old defenseman Alexander Romanov, a restricted free agent due a large elevate, in addition to the Colorado Avalanche’s first-round choose in 2026 that the Avs can defer to 2027. However that is simply a place to begin for buying a top-five choose and, most significantly, a hometown offensive star.

Isles GM Mathieu Darche has talked about his costs turning into an “attacking” staff. Co-owner John Collins has mentioned the need for the franchise to make “deeper connections” with the Lengthy Island hockey group. Hagens would appear to handle each wants, both at No. 1 — or if the Islanders can hit a two-fer within the draft. — Wyshynski

Clock is ticking on Tavares in Toronto

Until Mitch Marner and the Toronto Maple Leafs endure severely profitable {couples} counselling within the subsequent week, it is unlikely the winger will probably be again in blue and white this fall. That ending has been projected for months, and albeit displays some poor asset administration by the Leafs that they are about to lose this yr’s high UFA for nothing.

Is there a risk of a sign-and-trade, or one other suitor excited about buying Marner’s rights like Toronto GM Brad Treliving did in buying Chris Tanev’s rights eventually yr’s draft? Certain. However once more … do not maintain your breath.

The place the Leafs’ focus can and needs to be at this stage is on John Tavares. The newest phrase is that the 2 sides aren’t shut on an extension, and Toronto cannot beat across the bush too lengthy right here. As a result of there aren’t many different viable unrestricted free agent facilities out there.

Sam Bennett seems decided to remain in Florida. Matt Duchene and Jonathan Toews have signed elsewhere. Past Tavares, the Leafs are taking a look at Mikael Granlund, Pius Suter or maybe Claude Giroux.

There won’t be a lot Toronto can recuperate from the Marner scenario. Tavares is the other; he desires to be a Leaf and is keen to barter.

Dallas simply inked Duchene to a four-year, $18 million extension. Sure, there’s some artistic accounting in there between the bottom wage and signing bonuses coupled with Duchene’s continued buyout package deal from Nashville. Nonetheless, a $4.5 million common annual worth contract for Tavares is not wanting so unhealthy when you think about the Leafs cannot lose a second-line middle that simply had one in every of his finest seasons ever at age 34 and will not have a lot selection on a alternative if Tavares does really feel undersold and settle for one other staff’s supply (of which there might be many).

It is a important juncture for Treliving to deal with good, and contemplating all of the elements at work, there is no time like the current for Toronto to place its finest foot ahead and get Tavares again below contract. — Shilton

Can Panthers convey again the massive three, together with Marchand?

Having coated the Panthers for a number of rounds within the playoffs, I had hours of conversations about their three key unrestricted free brokers: Middle Sam Bennett, defenseman Aaron Ekblad and winger/Dairy Queen fanatic Brad Marchand.

There was a standard notion about them earlier than the Panthers hoisted the Cup for a second time, however these have shifted:

1. Bennett, who received the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoffs MVP, was a lock to re-sign. Whereas scores of groups may need doubled his base wage ($5 million), Bennett and the Panthers have been assured one thing would get achieved. Then, on the Panthers’ victory celebration at E11EVEN in Miami, he quoted “The Wolf of Wall Road” whereas informing followers he was not leaving whereas a message that learn “8 extra years” was displayed behind him.

2. Ekblad, who was drafted first general by the Panthers in 2014, was iffy to re-sign. He can be coveted as a cell right-shot defenseman with two Stanley Cups to his credit score. The Panthers reportedly made a suggestion to Ekblad was reportedly rejected final summer season, and Florida then explored the commerce marketplace for him.

However the winds have shifted right here. Hypothesis in Dawn was that the Panthers and Ekblad, 29, may swap a excessive cap quantity for time period, which could be dangerous with a participant that has Ekblad’s harm historical past. Florida actually likes its present defensive depth — Ekblad with Gustav Forsling, after which Seth Jones on a second pairing, the place the Panthers consider he is completely forged. Ekblad now expects to remain, however as he cautioned just lately: “Issues appear to come back all the way down to the final minute right here.”

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3. Marchand took much less cash in Boston on his final deal for a participant of his accomplishments — he made solely $8 million in base wage twice in 16 seasons with the Bruins. So the notion was that he would signal with whichever staff provided the best wage with the time period he was searching for, rumored to be 4 years. The Maple Leafs had been the main target right here, within the final “if you cannot beat’em, have him be a part of’em” second in NHL historical past. However suitors starting from the Washington Capitals to the Utah Mammoth had been rumored to be ready on him.

Nonetheless, the match and success he present in Florida seems to have shifted issues right here, too. Marchand publicly requested GM Invoice Zito to offer him a contract — at a Dairy Queen, no much less — and Zito has stated a number of instances he expects to have the ability to signal Bennett, Ekblad and Marchand at a cap hit that enables the Panthers “to herald different good gamers.”

For what it is price, Marchand was caught on video on the famed Elbo Room in Fort Lauderdale telling a fan that he is not leaving after which flashing 4 fingers. But it surely’s Marchand. He says quite a bit. — Wyshynski

Do the Blackhawks have a giant shock in retailer for Spherical 1?

Chicago is ready to choose at No. 3. After Matthew Schaefer and Michael Misa are all however assured to go 1-2, the Blackhawks would be the first fascinating collection of the night time.

Do they go middle, or wing?

When the scouting mix in Buffalo was wrapping up, it gave the impression of Chicago was zeroed in on both Moncton Wildcats middle Caleb Desnoyers or Brampton Steelheads winger Porter Martone.

Martone’s inventory has risen even additional because the begin of June, and whereas it might have been the Blackhawks’ inclination to go middle, may they move on Martone at this level? He is 6-3 and 207 kilos, brings a bodily edge, artistic playmaking, an amazing shot and terrific arms. Martone collected 37 objectives and 98 factors in 57 video games final season because the Steelheads’ captain, and scouts rave about his general capacity and potential to excel within the NHL.

Chicago already has one exemplary younger middle in Connor Bedard. Whereas it is tempting so as to add one other potential standout on the place, the draw of what Martone may convey may simply be an excessive amount of on which to move. — Shilton

Oilers GM baffled by goalie choice

There isn’t any query that the Edmonton Oilers’ goaltending was a detriment throughout their Stanley Cup Remaining loss to the Florida Panthers.

Stuart Skinner (.861 save proportion, 3.97 goals-against common) was pulled twice and ultimately benched for Calvin Pickard (.878, 2.88) of their Recreation 5 loss, earlier than returning to surrender three objectives on 23 photographs on their Recreation 6 elimination. Each goalies had been below-replacement stage in objectives saved above anticipated over their final 5 playoff video games. In the meantime, Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky chugged alongside at 3.1 objectives saved above anticipated in his final 5 video games, and did what he wanted to do (.919, 2.45) within the Remaining.

This confuses Oilers GM Stan Bowman about his goaltending, as a result of he argues that Edmonton had the stronger goaltending of their three earlier collection within the Western Convention. “Darcy Kuemper, Adin Hill and Jake Oettinger, our goalies had been higher than them in every of these collection,” he stated. “I feel that is the explanation we went to the [Stanley Cup] Remaining. After which within the Remaining it flipped.”

The belief has been that goaltending can be a precedence for the Oilers this offseason, particularly discovering an elite-level netminder that might theoretically forestall embarrassments like having to determine which struggling goalie will begin Recreation 6 of the Stanley Cup Remaining. However Bowman stated he is nonetheless mulling over any goalie modifications for subsequent season, with each Skinner ($2.6 million AAV) and Pickard ($1 million) signed by subsequent season earlier than turning into unrestricted free brokers.

Bowman stated modifications for subsequent season “could contain the goaltending or it couldn’t,” and that there is a whole lot of evaluation that needs to be achieved within the wake of their second loss to Florida in two seasons earlier than making that call.

It is laborious to fathom that the Oilers would run it again with the identical battery subsequent season, however the choices to improve are restricted. They have been linked to John Gibson of the Anaheim Geese, who has a 10-team no-trade record and two years left on his contract at a $6.4 million AAV. New Jersey Devils veteran Jake Allen is the best choice in a skinny UFA market that additionally consists of Alexandar Georgiev (San Jose), Alex Lyon (Detroit) and Anton Forsberg (Ottawa).

Bowman stated that is a part of the choice for the Oilers: Who, precisely, can be an improve over Skinner and Pickard within the playoffs?

“It is not such as you simply go all the way down to the nook and choose up an elite goalie,” he stated. “They don’t seem to be simply ready so that you can be a part of your staff. So what number of are there in any case in that group?”

“If you happen to have a look at the [elite] guys, a few of them have had some robust playoffs. So there is no assure within the goaltending world. It is an important [position], however it’s additionally in some cases not why groups win,” the GM stated. “So you probably have a robust sufficient staff, then there’s been groups that win the Cup with out elite goaltending and there is been groups that received due to their goalie.” — Wyshynski

Is Nashville actually open to something?

Rumblings in regards to the Nashville Predators proceed to develop. The Predators are choosing at No. 5, however aren’t within the typical place a staff can be in with that choice.

Nashville desires to compete now. And so they have a bit of capital to wield in making an attempt to land an NHL participant now from a staff that may be nearer to that re-tooling stage and eyeing a high prospect for his or her pool.

If there have been to be a blockbuster taking place within the first spherical, it seems like Nashville can be concerned.

Particularly, the Preds may use a viable defenseman to shore up the blue line alongside Roman Josi. And we all know from current offseasons that GM Barry Trotz is keen and in a position to go all-in as needed and get artistic.

If Trotz believes in Nashville’s alternative to rebound from a tough 2024-25 with a successful yr forward then he appears more likely to take into account a good deal for an NHL-level skater. — Shilton