NHL Teams’ biggest Needs Heading into Free Agency 2025

With the 2025 NHL Draft in the rearview mirror, NHL teams are now laser-focused on addressing their biggest needs as free agency looms. Just one day away from the frenzy, *The Athletic* surveyed it’s NHL staff to pinpoint the most crucial area each of the 32 teams needs to improve. From bolstering offensive firepower to solidifying defensive depth, here’s a breakdown of what each team is looking for as thay navigate the free agency market.

Eastern Conference Needs

Atlantic Division

Boston Bruins: Forwards and a Right-Shot Defenseman

The Bruins are seeking more forward depth, ideally a play-driving center, though wingers are a more budget-friendly option. They also need a defenseman to complement Charlie McAvoy and Andrew Peeke.The Boston Bruins are aiming to add volume to their forward group.

Buffalo Sabres: More Scoring

After trading away JJ Peterka, the Sabres need to add more proven scoring to their lineup. While the team hopes for internal growth, an external addition would be beneficial. The Buffalo Sabres have already improved their blue line, but need to focus on offence.

Florida Panthers: Keeping the Band Together

Fresh off a Cup win, the Panthers aim to retain key players like Brad Marchand and Aaron Ekblad, despite limited cap space. GM Bill Zito is steadfast to keep the core intact for another championship run. The Florida Panthers are prioritizing re-signing key players to maintain their competitive edge.

Did You Know? The Florida Panthers are aiming for a three-peat after their recent Stanley Cup victory.

Metropolitan Division

Carolina Hurricanes: Top-Six Forward

The Hurricanes are looking to upgrade their second-line center or add more firepower on the wing. Mitch Marner and Nikolaj Ehlers are potential targets. The Carolina Hurricanes are seeking to bolster their top-six forward group.

Columbus Blue Jackets: A veteran Goaltender

Despite supporting Elvis Merzlikins,the Blue Jackets would benefit from a fresh look in net,seeking a veteran via trade or free agency. The Columbus Blue Jackets are in the market for a reliable veteran goaltender.

Detroit Red Wings: Top-Four Defenseman

The Red wings need a veteran defenseman to complement Moritz Seider and Simon Edvinsson. Upgrading one of their defensive pairings is a priority. The Detroit Red Wings are looking to add a veteran presence to their top-four defensemen.

Western Conference Needs

Central Division

Colorado Avalanche: Depth at Forward

The Avalanche are focused on building a deep team rather than a star-studded one, needing several players to fill their forward lineup with roughly $9 million in cap space. The Colorado Avalanche are prioritizing depth at the forward position.

Dallas Stars: A Little Nastiness

The Stars need to add some “sandpaper” to their roster, seeking players who can bring a physical edge to complement their skill. Aaron Ekblad could be a potential target. The Dallas Stars are looking to add a physical element to their roster.

Minnesota Wild: A faceoff-Winning, Penalty-Killing Center

The Wild need a center who can win faceoffs and kill penalties, with options like Christian Dvorak and Nico Sturm available. The Minnesota Wild are seeking a center who excels at faceoffs and penalty killing.

Pacific Division

Anaheim Ducks: An Offensive Star

The Ducks need an elite offensive player to boost their scoring, as their top scorer last season tied for 104th leaguewide.Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier show promise, but the Ducks need immediate impact. The Anaheim Ducks are in desperate need of an offensive star.

Calgary Flames: Goal scoring

The Flames need to improve their goal-scoring, potentially adding an offensive weapon to support Dustin Wolf. The Calgary Flames are looking to boost their goal-scoring capabilities.

Edmonton Oilers: Middle-Six Wingers

with Evander Kane traded, the Oilers need wingers who can complement Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Goaltending is also a need, but likely to be addressed via trade. The Edmonton Oilers are seeking wingers to complement their star players.

Pro Tip: Keep an eye on teams with limited cap space; they might potentially be forced to make trades to free up funds.

Team Needs Summary

Here’s a speedy overview of each team’s primary need:

As NHL teams prepare for the free agency period,addressing their biggest needs will be crucial for their success in the upcoming season. from offensive stars to veteran goaltenders, the next few weeks will be pivotal in shaping the landscape of the league.

What do you think is the most pressing need for your favorite NHL team? Which free agent signing will have the biggest impact this offseason?

Share your thoughts in the comments below and don’t forget to share this article with your fellow hockey fans!

NHL Free Agency 2025: Toughest Off-Season Decisions for Each Team

With the 2025 NHL Draft concluded, teams are now laser-focused on the upcoming free agency period, set to begin on July 1. general managers across the league face pivotal decisions that could reshape their rosters and impact their competitiveness for the upcoming season. From potentially overpaying for star talent to strategically allocating cap space, the stakes are high as teams navigate the complexities of the free agent market.

Key Free Agency Decisions by Team

here’s a breakdown of the most pressing decisions facing each of the 32 NHL teams as they head into free agency:

Anaheim Ducks: The Marner Question

With a ample $38 million in cap space, Ducks GM Pat Verbeek could make a splash by pursuing a high-profile free agent like Mitch Marner. However, the Ducks may need to overpay to entice a top-tier player to join their rebuilding team. Is Verbeek willing to commit $14 million annually to land a potential 100-point scorer?

Boston Bruins: Big Splash or Targeted Approach?

While Mitch Marner could address multiple needs for the Bruins, his acquisition would likely consume a significant portion of their available cap space. A more prudent approach might involve pursuing several less expensive, targeted signings to bolster their roster.

Buffalo Sabres: The Byram Trade Dilemma

Sabres GM kevyn Adams is open to trading defenseman Bowen Byram, a restricted free agent coming off a career year. If the trade market doesn’t yield a satisfactory return, the Sabres will look to re-sign him, recognizing his importance to their blue line.

Calgary Flames: andersson’s Trade Value

Although not a free agent this year, Rasmus Andersson represents Calgary’s most valuable trade asset. Teams may view Andersson as an attractive alternative to the available free agent defensemen,potentially sparking a trade.

Carolina Hurricanes: Patience vs. Immediate Action

Given the perceived weakness of this year’s free agent class, the Hurricanes, flush with cap space, might be wise to exercise patience. waiting for potential big names to become available next summer or exploring the trade market could be their best course of action.

Chicago Blackhawks: Balancing Present and Future

The Blackhawks possess ample cap space and could easily outbid othre teams for free agents.However, they must remain mindful of future contracts for young stars like connor Bedard and Frank Nazar, seeking a balance between immediate advancement and long-term financial flexibility.

Colorado Avalanche: Depth vs. Star Power

With $9 million in cap space after trading Charlie Coyle, the Avalanche face a choice: pursue a top-tier player or spread the money across several solid depth forwards to strengthen their bottom six.

Columbus Blue Jackets: Reshaping the Defense

The Blue Jackets have two prominent UFA defensemen in Ivan Provorov and Dante Fabbro. Talks have gone better with Fabbro than Provorov, but neither has signed, giving GM Don Waddell a bit of stress heading into July 1. He’d like to reshape his defense – but signing Provorov and Fabbro doesn’t represent a change. And letting them walk is a huge risk if he can’t replace them.

Dallas Stars: Robertson’s Future

The Stars have already made tough decisions on keeping Matt Duchene and jettisoning Mason Marchment. But if they wont to make a run at Mitch Marner or another free agent, they might have to move 25-year-old star Jason Robertson to do it. it’s still a long shot to happen, but Robertson is due a massive raise next summer, so it’s not out of the realm of possibility.

Detroit Red Wings: Drawing the Line on Overpayments

Detroit has lingered outside the playoffs for long enough now that it’s not exactly a destination. That may take the team out of the running for some top names. at that point, Steve Yzerman has to decide where the line is to just walk away.That’s much easier said than done for a team that wants to improve, but the Red Wings have been burned on overpayments to middle-of-the-lineup players in recent years.

Edmonton Oilers: Re-Signing UFA wingers

The oilers have retained Trent Frederic on an eight-year contract, leaving them with five forwards eligible for unrestricted free agency. Jeff Skinner and Derek Ryan won’t return, but Connor Brown, Corey Perry and Kasperi Kapanen were all useful contributors on cheap contracts this past season. GM Stan Bowman wants to change the forward mix. Can he accomplish that if he brings them all back?

Florida Panthers: Ekblad’s Future in florida

Aaron Ekblad is a lifelong Panther, after being taken first overall in 2014, during the bad old days for the franchise. He’s been a big part of back-to-back Cups, but with his body battered and cap space tight, can Florida compromise and find a deal to extend him? Or does he cash in on the open market, where a lot of teams are ready to pounce with huge offers?

Los Angeles Kings: Gavrikov’s Price Tag

The Kings want to re-sign their shutdown ace. Vladislav Gavrikov found a home with Los Angeles, but wants to get paid. It feels like a tough decision,but maybe it isn’t so much if they determine that an AAV approaching $8 million in worth spending on a 29-year-old for eight years. GM Ken Holland has already alluded to the need to pivot and address the blue line if he and Gavrikov can’t meet on an extension.

Minnesota Wild: Pursuing Boeser

The Wild want to add some scoring punch to the top six, and hometown guy Brock Boeser is sitting there waiting to be plucked. The Wild have shown interest in him on the trade market many times, but with onyl $17.7 million in cap space and the desire not to tie up too much term when they want to pursue stars in the future, they may only have interest in Boeser if the term is three or four years.

Montreal Canadiens: Dvorak’s Value

dvorak was the Canadiens’ top faceoff guy and played on their second penalty-killing unit. He just had by far his best season in four years in a Canadiens uniform. His departure as an unrestricted free agent would leave a big hole, but the lack of centers available on the market probably means Dvorak could make more elsewhere than

Did You Know? The NHL salary cap for the 2024-25 season is $88 million, providing teams with varying degrees of financial flexibility. CapFriendly offers detailed insights into each team’s cap situation.

Team-by-Team Free Agency Decisions

Pro Tip: Teams frequently enough use the free agency period to address specific needs, such as adding scoring depth, improving defensive stability, or finding a reliable backup goaltender.

What are your predictions for the biggest free agency moves this year? Which team do you think will make the most impactful signing?

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