NHL Offseason Report Card 2025: Team Grades and Key Moves

The 2025 NHL offseason was a whirlwind of activity, with teams making strategic moves to bolster their rosters for the upcoming season. From blockbuster trades to key free agency signings, every team had a chance to improve. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how each team fared, along with their grades based on their offseason moves.

A Grades

Florida Panthers Key players added: D Jeff Petry, G Daniil Tarasov Key players lost: D Nate Schmidt, G Vitek Vanecek Remaining cap space: None (projected $2,950,000 over) Overall grade: A+

Florida GM Bill Zito gets top marks for keeping the core of the Panthers' recent Stanley Cup runs intact. The addition of Tarasov as a backup goalie and Petry on defense strengthens an already formidable team.

Anaheim Ducks Key players added: F Mikael Granlund, G Ville Husso, F Chris Kreider, G Petr Mrazek, F Ryan Poehling Key players lost: G John Gibson, F Trevor Zegras Remaining cap space: $28,988,812 Overall grade: A

The Ducks had one of the strongest offseasons, adding key players like Kreider and Granlund while shedding salary to position themselves for future success.

St. Louis Blues Key players added: F Nick Bjugstad, D Logan Mailloux, F Pius Suter Key players lost: F Zach Bolduc, F Radek Faksa Remaining cap space: $625,150 Overall grade: A

Blues GM Doug Armstrong made impactful moves, adding depth and experience to the roster, particularly in the forward and defensive positions.

B Grades

Carolina Hurricanes Key players added: D K'Andre Miller, F Nikolaj Ehlers Key players lost: D Brent Burns Remaining cap space: $10,644,291 Overall grade: A-

Carolina secured a game-changer in Ehlers and added Miller to bolster their defense, making them strong contenders for the Eastern Conference finals.

Montreal Canadiens Key players added: D Noah Dobson, F Zachary Bolduc Key players lost: D Logan Mailloux, F Emil Heineman Remaining cap space: $-4,454,167 Overall grade: A-

The Canadiens made a blockbuster trade for Dobson, signaling their intent to capitalize on their young core and make a serious playoff push.

New York Islanders Key players added: D Matthew Schaefer, F Jonathan Drouin, F Emil Heineman Key players lost: D Noah Dobson Remaining cap space: $3,936,667 Overall grade: B+

The Islanders, under new GM Matheiu Darche, added top-tier defensive prospect Schaefer and made strategic moves to set up for current and future success.

C Grades

Toronto Maple Leafs Key players added: F Matias Maccelli, F Michael Pezzetta, F Nicolas Roy Key players lost: F Mitch Marner, F Max Pacioretty Remaining cap space: $4,983,081 Overall grade: C+

The Maple Leafs faced a tough offseason with the loss of Marner, but managed to add depth players to their roster.

Buffalo Sabres Key players added: D Michael Kesselring, G Alex Lyon Key players lost: F JJ Peterka Remaining cap space: $13,640,319 Overall grade: C

Buffalo made minimal moves, focusing on re-signing key RFAs but failing to make significant improvements to their roster.

D Grades

Columbus Blue Jackets Key players added: F Charlie Coyle, F Miles Wood Key players lost: F Justin Danforth, F Sean Kuraly Remaining cap space: $16,342,501 Overall grade: D+

The Blue Jackets had a lackluster offseason, failing to address key needs and overpaying for their own free agent, Provorov.

Conclusion

The 2025 NHL offseason was marked by strategic moves and calculated risks. While some teams like the Panthers and Ducks excelled, others like the Blue Jackets and Sabres fell short. As the season approaches, these moves will be put to the test, and only time will tell which teams made the right decisions.