6 NHL Offseason Storylines You Probably Aren't Thinking About Yet
The 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs continue to dominate hockey headlines. For fans of teams that failed to qualify or were eliminated from the postseason, though, thoughts are turning toward the offseason.
Most of the focus will be on the NHL draft at The Sphere in Las Vegas on June 28-29. It will then shift to the start of the free-agent market on July 1 to see where the top UFAs end up.
Other notable offseason stories aren't at the top of mind for most fans yet, but they'll come to the forefront once the playoffs end and the draft and free-agency drama has passed.
Most of it covers the usual business of hockey such as contract buyouts, but other elements, such as Chicago's plans to build around Connor Bedard, are team-specific.
Here are some noteworthy offseason storylines you probably haven't thought about yet. Feel free to express your thoughts on this topic in the app comments below.
Arbitration
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NHL restricted free agents are eligible for salary arbitration if they meet the qualifications as noted by Puck Pedia.
If a player hasn't signed an offer sheet from a rival club, they can file for arbitration by July 5 at 5 p.m. ET.
A team can also take a maximum of two players to arbitration per year. If the player has received a qualifying offer but didn't accept it, the team must make an offer of equal or more than their pay from the previous season. The team election window is from July 5 at 5 p.m. ET to July 6 at 5 p.m. ET.
Arbitration hearing dates usually begin in late July running through the first week of August. In 2022, 24 players filed for arbitration and 22 the following year.
Most, however, settled with their teams rather than go through the process.
Of the 22 who filed in 2023, Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman, Chicago Blackhawks winger Philipp Kurashev, and Toronto Maple Leafs netminder Ilya Samsonov were awarded contracts by an arbitrator. Kurashev got a two-year deal while the others got a one-year contract.
For player-elected arbitration, the team can walk away from an award higher than $4,538,958, but those instances rarely occur.
We won't know until July 6 at the latest which restricted free agents could face arbitration. However, it will provide an extra measure of intrigue to the free-agent period, especially as most of the top UFAs will be signed by then.
Contract Extensions
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Most fans will be following the fate of top unrestricted free agents such as Tampa Bay Lightning forward Steven Stamkos and Florida Panthers winger Sam Reinhart when the market opens on July 1.
They'll also be looking closely at the contract negotiations of restricted free agents like Detroit Red Wings forward Lucas Raymond and Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman.
However, several noteworthy names will be a year away from UFA eligibility come July 1. Their teams can open contract extension negotiations with them on that date.
They include forwards like Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby, Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl, Colorado Avalanche winger Mikko Rantanen, Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner and Boston Bruins winger Brad Marchand.
Defensemen include the Lightning's Victor Hedman and Brent Burns of the Carolina Hurricanes. The goaltenders feature Igor Shesterkin of the New York Rangers, Linus Ullmark of the Boston Bruins and Juuse Saros of the Nashville Predators.
Most of these players will likely end up re-signing with their current teams. However, the longer they go without new contracts, the more speculation grows about their futures. A few could become trade candidates if they prove too expensive to re-sign.
Will the Utah Franchise Become Buyers This Summer?
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Since 2020-21, the Arizona Coyotes have been a rebuilding team on a tight budget.
Some of their highest salaries were for players such as Shea Weber on permanent long-term injury reserve acquired from cap-strapped clubs for a song to ensure they reached the cap minimum.
Players signed via unrestricted free agency were on affordable short-term deals that could be traded to other clubs for draft picks at the trade deadline.
Purchased by Ryan and Ashley Smith in April and relocated to Utah, the new team has a roster filled with promising young talent and more in its prospect pipeline. The as-yet-unnamed franchise also has a whopping $43.2 million in projected cap space next season with 11 active roster players under contract.
Smith could allow general manager Bill Armstrong to spend to the $87.7 million cap ceiling. Part of that will be invested in lucrative new contracts for restricted free agents Barrett Hayton, Sean Durzi, J.J. Moser and Juuso Välimäki.
They could also put some of it toward making a significant addition or two via the trade or free-agent markets to generate excitement in their new city and make them a playoff contender next season.
Potential trade targets could include Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner or Anaheim Ducks winger Trevor Zegras. Maybe they'll get into the bidding for Florida Panthers forward Sam Reinhart, Carolina Hurricanes left wing Jake Guentzel or Vegas Golden Knights winger Jonathan Marchessault if they test the open market on July 1.
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The Contract Buyout Period
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The NHL's annual contract buyout period begins the later of June 15 or 48 hours following the completion of the Stanley Cup Final. It ends at 5 p.m. ET on June 30.
Clubs with one or more arbitration filings can perform a buyout later in the offseason. According to Cap Friendly, these occur during the 48 hours beginning on the third day following the settlement of a club's final arbitration case or receipt of the club's last arbitration award.
Most buyouts, however, take place during the regular window in June.
While the salary cap is jumping by $4.2 million to $87.7 million, teams with limited space could avail themselves of this opportunity to buy out a player's contract to obtain a reduced salary-cap rate over twice the remaining length of the contract.
For players younger than 26, the buyout is at one-third of the remaining value of the contract over twice the remaining term. For those 26 and older, it's two-thirds the remaining value over twice the tenure.
Buyout candidates tend to be aging players on long-term contracts whose performance no longer measures up to their hefty salaries.
On March 21, The Hockey News' Adam Proteau listed San Jose Sharks defenseman Marc-Édouard Vlasic, Philadelphia Flyers center Ryan Johansen, Detroit Red Wings blueliner Justin Holl, Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson and Buffalo Sabres winger Jeff Skinner as buyout candidates.
Johansen's eligibility for a buyout depends on his health. He missed the rest of the regular season following his acquisition by the Flyers with a hockey-related hip injury. He'll be ineligible for a buyout if he hasn't recovered by the end of June.
Offer Sheets
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A player who is a Group 2 or Group 4 restricted free agent is eligible to sign an offer sheet from a rival team on July 1. It's a rarely-used tactic by NHL general managers because the RFA's team usually matches the offer.
Since the salary cap was implemented in 2005, 10 players have signed offer sheets. Only two—Dustin Penner in 2007 and Jesperi Kotkaniemi in 2021—changed teams.
Players who sign offer sheets tend to be on clubs with limited salary-cap space. The idea is that his team won't be able to afford to match it. If they do, it could put them into a salary cap bind that forces them to make a cost-cutting trade.
If the player's team fails to match, the gaining club must send them a predetermined number of compensatory draft picks based on the annual average value of the new contract. The higher the AAV, the higher the number and value of those draft picks. For example, an offer sheet with an AAV of $10.73 million would cost four first-round picks.
On May 10, The Score's John Matisz listed Winnipeg Jets winger Cole Perfetti, Florida Panthers center Anton Lundell and Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman as offer-sheet candidates.
Other possibilities include New York Rangers winger Kaapo Kakko, Ottawa Senators center Shane Pinto and Colorado Avalanche center Casey Mittelstadt.
Will the Chicago Blackhawks Bring In Help For Connor Bedard?
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Chicago hit the jackpot at the 2023 NHL draft lottery, winning the first overall pick and selecting center Connor Bedard.
Considered a generational talent, the 18-year-old enjoyed a fine debut season. Despite missing 14 games with a fractured jaw, he was Rookie of the Month in November, December and March, leading Chicago's scorers and all NHL rookies with 22 goals and 61 points.
A finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy, Bedard is on track for what could be a Hall-of-Fame career. Nevertheless, his rebuilding team must surround him with better quality talent.
General manager Kyle Davidson attempted that last summer, bringing in Taylor Hall, Nick Foligno and Corey Perry. Hall underwent season-ending knee surgery in November while Perry's contract was terminated later that month for unacceptable conduct.
Foligno proved a worthwhile addition with 37 points in 74 games, earning a two-year contract extension. Hall has a year remaining on his deal, but it remains to be seen how effective he'll be.
Davidson must add one or two experienced scorers to take some of the burden off Bedard. He has trade capital to work with, carrying seven picks in the first three rounds of this year's draft and seven in the first four rounds of the 2025 and 2026 drafts. He also has $33.8 million in cap space, some of which could be put toward one or two free-agent additions.
Salary and contract information via Cap Friendly and Puck Pedia.
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