NHL Offseason Reshapes Rosters and Cap Strategies for 2025-26 Season

The NHL offseason continues with key roster moves and contract discussions shaping the upcoming 2025-26 season. The league is entering September with teams preparing for training camps and the start of preseason games, bringing significant trade activity and player signings.

Several notable retirements have been announced including Christian Fischer from the Columbus Blue Jackets, Zac Dalpe from the Florida Panthers, Tyler Johnson from the Boston Bruins, and Riley Nash from the New York Rangers. These departures open opportunities for teams to reshape their lineups and inject younger talent.

In transactions, prominent re-signings include Connor Zary with the Calgary Flames on a three-year deal and Dennis Hildeby with the Toronto Maple Leafs for three years as well. The Ottawa Senators secured Donovan Sebrango with a one-year, two-way contract. Meanwhile, the Anaheim Ducks have seen veteran Brandon Yip retire, and they remain active in negotiations to extend the contract of promising center Mason McTavish, with general manager Pat Verbeek reportedly wanting a long-term deal rather than a short bridge contract. The Ducks are balancing cap space to retain several young talents including Cutter Gauthier, Leo Carlsson, Jackson LaCombe, and Pavel Mintyukov.

Trade speculation remains lively, particularly surrounding players like Jordan Kyrou of the St. Louis Blues and Jason Robertson of the Dallas Stars. Jordan Kyrou, who had a full no-trade clause activate on July 1, remains a trade candidate but with less likelihood of moving given his control over the situation. Jason Robertson is entering the final year of his contract with a substantial cap hit, making him a possible cost-cutting trade candidate for Dallas.

One of the biggest off-ice stories involves the trade of Carey Price by the Montreal Canadiens to the San Jose Sharks. Price, who has not played since 2022 but carries a high average annual value contract, was moved along with a draft pick exchange for defenseman Gannon Laroque. This move helps Montreal navigate the long-term injured reserve salary cap complexities, while San Jose assumes a portion of Price’s salary alongside a draft asset acquisition.

The NHL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement changes also take effect this season, including important alterations to long-term injured reserve rules limiting salary pools, the introduction of a playoff salary cap, restrictions on deferred compensation contracts, and changes to player recall rules aimed at curbing roster manipulation in the minors. These changes signal a tightening of financial and roster management discipline among NHL teams.

Several European signings continue as players move abroad, such as Cameron Wright joining HPK in Finland and Travis Barron signing with the Austrian Black Wings Linz, reflecting the fluid movement of talent between North American and European leagues.

Looking forward, training camps set to start mid-September will provide more clarity on team compositions, while trade rumors and contract negotiations will intensify as the NHL season approaches. Managements appear focused on balancing competitive depth with salary cap flexibility, aiming to position their franchises for both immediate success and sustained growth.

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