The Minnesota Wild are the latest focus of our NHL prospect pool overview series.

Tony Ferrari digs into the Wild’s strengths and weaknesses, latest draft class, positional depth chart, next player in line for an NHL opportunity and more. A player who no longer holds rookie eligibility in the NHL is considered graduated and no longer a prospect for these exercises, with few exceptions.

Initial Thoughts

The Minnesota braintrust has had plenty of success at the draft.

Judd Brackett, the director of amateur scouting for the Minnesota Wild, has an impressive track record of finding top talent, dating back to his days in Vancouver. Along with the rest of the scouting staff in Minnesota, he’s built the Wild’s pipeline with high-end talent and solid positional depth.

Some Wild youngsters could play bigger roles in the NHL this upcoming season, including Liam Ohgren. While he is no longer Calder-eligible because he just surpassed the 25-game limit, this might be the 21-year-old’s quasi-rookie season, where he enters the Minnesota lineup full-time. The Swedish left winger is physical with a high motor and excellent finishing ability. On the forecheck, Ohgren disrupts defenders and forces them into making poor decisions. Ohgren could step into a middle-six role and make an immediate impact as a depth scorer and a hard-to-play-against depth piece.

Speaking of middle-six forwards, Danila Yurov finished his KHL obligations and signed his entry-level contract at the end of this past season, which gives the 2022 first-round pick the chance to come to North America and put his game on display. He will likely step into the NHL lineup right away. He’s a center at heart with the intelligence and two-way acumen to jump into a pivot position as well. Yurov, 21, doesn’t drive play, but he does all the little things that allow his linemates to shine. He’s a bit of an unsung hero in that sense.

Charlie Stramel has had a somewhat rocky ride since being drafted. His freshman season at the University of Wisconsin was his draft year, and he scored at a decent clip for one of the youngest players in college hockey. His physical tools, flashes of skill and nifty passing attracted teams, but his total package was a bit raw, and his skating was a concern. After a sizeable step back as a sophomore, Stramel transferred to Michigan State University, where he improved significantly this past season. He is still a project and will likely need some AHL time after college, but the size, physicality and playmaking are all interesting bets. 

Hunter Haight had a very solid rookie season in the AHL, putting up 20 goals and 34 points over 67 games. He finished second in goal-scoring on the team and fifth in points. Haight is a very skilled and tactical player who hasn’t ever been an elite scorer, but he’s always found a way to make himself a more than capable depth scorer. The biggest question is whether he can find a way to mesh his tools and see the same kind of success at the pro level on a consistent basis. 

Ryder Ritchie must also find a way to blend all of his skills and tools together. The former Medicine Hat Tiger is headed to Boston University, which is an excellent place for the crafty puckhandler and dual-threat scorer to hone his craft. Ritchie flashes high-end potential in the offensive zone and in transition. Hopefully for him, college will help him turn those flashes into consistency. 

While the forward corps is loaded, the same can be said about the defense. 

Zeev Buium is one of the most exciting young defenders in hockey. Over two seasons at the University of Denver, he helped lead the team to one national championship and another final appearance, earning first-team all-American honors both years. He led the nation in scoring by a defenseman both years as well. 

Buium is a true difference-maker who can control the game at both ends of the ice. He calms play defensively and drives chances offensively. Buium isn’t quite as dynamic as Lane Hutson, but he is more well-rounded and could impact the Wild lineup in a similar fashion to Hutson’s impact on the Montreal Canadiens this past season. 

David Jiricek isn’t a rookie anymore because of the NHL games he’s played between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Wild. That said, Jiricek has yet to establish himself as an NHLer, but the potential that remains in his game is incredible. Jiricek enjoys the physical side of the game and also has some intriguing offensive skills. If Jiricek can be a bit more fluid on his feet, he could become an effective top-four defender. 

Carson Lambos is also set to challenge for a roster spot in training camp. The 22-year-old is a very capable two-way blueliner who has grown so much defensively that it may be his strength. Lambos is fluid on his feet and strong in the tough areas. He has some impressive passing and a big shot. He can do a bit of everything, and if he can continue that trend at the NHL level, he could very well be a key piece. 

Aron Kiviharju’s stock fell dramatically after coming into his draft year as one of the top defenseman in the class. Injuries, inconsistencies and lack of physical development were among the reasons. Kiviharju is still one of the most impressive passers among defenders in the draft over the last few years. His feet don’t always keep up, and that’s affected his ability to excel at both ends of the ice. Kiviharju’s upside remains intriguing, but he may ultimately prove to be a very good European pro player. 

David Spacek took a big step in the AHL. He’s become a fixture on the Czech men’s team over the past couple of years as well. Spacek is a solid rush defender who keeps good gaps and understands how to read incoming attackers. He isn’t a flashy player, but he knows how to maneuver the puck around the ice. Spacek could be a solid depth defender. 

One of the best goalie prospects in the world, Jesper Wallstedt, will finally get his shot in the NHL now that Marc-Andre Fleury has retired and opened a full-time spot. Wallstedt is one of the most technically sound netminders we’ve seen come through the draft in years. He understands how to track the puck in open ice and identifies where he needs to be to cut down the angle. Filip Gustavsson is the starter in Minnesota coming into the season, but it wouldn’t be a complete shock to see Wallstedt earn his way into split starts by season’s end. 

U-23 Players Likely to Play NHL Games This Season

Zeev Buium (D), Danila Yurov (C/W), Carson Lambos (D), David Jiricek (D), Liam Ohgren (LW)

2025 NHL Draft Class

Round 2, 52nd overall - Theodor Hallquisth, D, Orebro Jr. (Swe.)

Round 4, 102nd overall - Adam Benak, C, Youngstown (USHL)

Round 4, 121st overall - Lirim Amidovski, RW, North Bay (OHL)

Round 4, 123rd overall - Carter Klippenstein, C, Brandon (WHL)

Round 5, 141st overall - Justin Kipkie, D, Victoria (WHL)

It was a bit surprising when the Wild took Theodor Hallquisth in the second round, but the bet on the tools finding a way to work makes some sense. Hallquisth’s mobility has always been an issue to a degree, especially in his own zone. If he can improve his skating, his strengths will only be enhanced. 

Hallquisth has some very nice passing in transition and starts the breakout as well as anyone outside of the top group of defenders. He appears to understand how to evade pressure at a lower speed and with limited agility. If he can improve those areas, he could be a very valuable player as a transitional defender. 

With their first of three picks in the fourth round, the Wild took undersized center Adam Benak. Coming into the year, there were comparisons to Cole Caufield or Logan Stankoven due to their size, but Benak is different from both of those players. He’s more of a playmaker with some of the most dynamic passing and puckhandling of anyone in the draft class. His shot is certainly a weapon, but he isn’t a pure goal-scorer the way Caufield is, and he doesn’t quite have the relentless motor of Stankoven. 

Benak brings other special aspects to the game, and he could be one of the best picks of the draft thanks to his cerebral offensive drive. He attacks the middle of the ice as a passer, looking to get the goalie moving laterally. Benak is a big swing, but he might be the best swing any team could have made outside of the top 100. 

Lirim Amidovski played for a North Bay squad that barely made the playoffs and finished well below .500, so some felt like there may be more offensive ability there than meets the eye. He has the raw physical tools you want to see from a player with his profile. He skates well, throws his weight around and even has a good shot. His issue is that he’s not much of a puck carrier, and he doesn’t always show the skill to evade pressure with the puck. As an off-puck threat, Amidovski could develop into something interesting. 

Physical 6-foot-3 center Carter Klippenstein works his tail off, attacks defenders head-on when forechecking and consistently looks to wreak havoc. His on-puck tools and skating must improve, but he has the base of a sturdy bottom-six forward at the next level. There’s just a lot to work on to get there. 

Capping off their draft in the fifth round, the Wild took overage defender Justin Kipkie, who left the WHL to head to Arizona State in the NCAA. He was originally drafted by the Arizona Coyotes in 2023, but they opted not to sign him, likely because he isn’t a very mobile defender. That said, he can fire passes around the ice and use his size from time to time. Kipkie put up 52 and 62 points over the past two seasons, and developing in college should do wonders for him. 

Strengths

The Wild have a deep prospect pool with talent at just about every position. The depth and variety are the strengths.

They have forwards with skill, and they have forwards with size. If you want a larger, physical player, you can turn to Stramel. If you want skill and speed, Benak is your guy.

They have shifty puck-movers on the back end and defensively stout defenseman.

Buium is a stud on the blueline, but after him, Lambos, Jiricek and Kiviharju all bring various tools and skills that could make them effective players.

The Wild also have an elite goalie in the system with Wallstedt, and they have other young netminders with some promise.

Since the Wild have a bit of everything, they have plenty of time to develop and allow players to find their niche at the pro level.

Weaknesses

The Wild have are weak down the middle. They have a few players who are listed as centers and wingers, but the reality is that one of their most promising true center prospects is the 5-foot-7 Benak. He may ultimately get pushed to the wing simply because of his height.

Hidden Gem: Riley Heidt, LW/C

Heidt is a feisty and fearless forward who brings as much skill and offensive playmaking ability as he does relentless effort. Heidt jumps to pro hockey after eclipsing 200 points over the last two years in the WHL. Heidt isn’t the largest, but he seems to understand he will have success when he establishes the inside position and even invites contact at times. Heidt possesses some of the elements that make Haight and Ritchie successful, with a higher level of skill and a more intense style of play overall. His first AHL season will be fun to watch. 

Next Men Up: Jesper Wallstedt, G, And Zeev Buium, D

The Wild could have an influx of young talent joining the roster this upcoming season, but Wallstedt and Buium are virtual locks.

Wallstedt will start as a backup goalie who could get a larger share of the games by the end of the season. His upside is tremendous. 

Buium is the most impressive rookie the Wild may have this season. His two-way impact and ability to create scoring chances from the back end are spectacular. Buium can be a difference-maker in Game 1. 

Ohgren and Yurov could fill two spots on the third line, bringing a youthful energy and impressive work ethic at both ends of the ice. Lambos and Jiricek will likely also play games in the NHL this season, bringing some physicality and puck movement to the defense group.

Prospect Depth Chart Notables

LW: Liam Ohgren, Riley Heidt, Rasmus Kumpulainen, Rieger Lorenz, Michael Milne

C: Adam Benak, Caedan Bankier, Carter Klippenstein

RW: Danila Yurov, Ryder Ritchie, Charlie Stramel, Hunter Haight

LD: Zeev Buium, Aron Kiviharju, Carson Lambos, Jack Peart, Aaron Pionk, Stevie Leskovar

RD: David Jiricek, David Spacek, Theodor Hallquisth, Sebastian Soini, Kyle Masters 

G: Jesper Wallstedt, Riley Mercer, Chase Wutzke, Samuel Hlavaj

For a deeper dive into the prospect pool with player rankings, check out the Yearbook and Future Watch editions of The Hockey News in print.

Seven NHL RFAs could have salary arbitration hearings this week.

As is normally the case, some of the 11 RFAs who filed for arbitration – Anaheim Ducks goalie Lukas Dostal and defenseman Drew Helleson and Winnipeg Jets forwards Gabriel Vilardi and Morgan Barron – agreed to a new deal before the scheduled hearing.

While RFAs such as Mason McTavish, Marco Rossi and Connor Zary are eligible for offer sheets, seven others are scheduled to have hearings between July 20 and Aug. 4. 

These players’ circumstances may have been affected by what their teams have done since the start of NHL free agency on July 1. Here are the seven players and their predicament.

Conor Timmins, D, Buffalo Sabres

Timmins was traded for the second time in four months, from the Pittsburgh Penguins to the Sabres in a salary dump deal on the second day of the NHL draft in exchange for veteran blueliner Connor Clifton and a 2025 second-round pick.

GM Kevyn Adams appears to have plans to fit the 26-year-old righty on the bottom-pairing with Mattias Samuelsson, since Buffalo re-signed Bowen Byram for two years.

Arvid Soderblom, G, Chicago Blackhawks

The 25-year-old split time between Spencer Knight and Petr Mrazek this past season. Mrazek was traded to the Detroit Red Wings at the deadline, leaving Soderblom to battle youngster Drew Commesso for the backup job.

The Blackhawks have over $21 million in cap space, so it is likely they will settle with Soderblom on a one-year deal. 

Jayden Struble, D, Montreal Canadiens

The 23-year-old American likely slots in as a bottom pairing option with David Savard retiring, Logan Mailloux dealt to the St. Louis Blues for Zack Bolduc and the Canadiens not wanting to rush David Reinbacher after the 2023 first-rounder missed most of this past season with a knee injury. Struble put up 13 points and 124 hits in 56 NHL games.

Maxim Tsyplakov, RW, New York Islanders

The Russian right winger signed a one-year entry-level contract after scoring 31 goals in the KHL in 2024. Tsyplakov recorded 35 points this past season, and with the departure of Brock Nelson and Noah Dobson, GM Mathieu Darche will be relying on the 26-year-old along with another KHL import, right winger Maxim Shabanov, to pick up some of the slack on offense.

The Islanders have less than $4 million in cap space, so a one-year deal that walks Tsyplakov to unrestricted free agency makes the most sense.

Kaapo Kakko, RW, Seattle Kraken

The 2019 second overall pick found new life in the Pacific Northwest after struggling in the Big Apple, with 30 points – 10 goals, 20 assists – in 49 games with the Kraken.

The 24-year-old is one year away from being a UFA, so a settlement on a multi-year deal that buys unrestricted years will be costly. Seattle has five high-priced veterans on expiring contracts, so they can afford Kakko’s potentially hefty price tag.  

Nick Robertson, LW, Toronto Maple Leafs

The diminutive scorer does not fit with Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving’s penchant for bigger players, but the 23-year-old has scored in double figures the last two seasons in limited ice time under Sheldon Keefe and Craig Berube.

With the departure of Mitch Marner, Toronto may want to keep Robertson, with multiple years under control, or at least settle with him to facilitate a trade.

Dylan Samberg, D, Winnipeg Jets

With Vilardi signing a six-year, $45-million extension on Friday, GM Kevin Cheveldayoff checked off his biggest off-season issue.

Samberg is not an offensive dynamo, putting up a career-high 20 points this past season. With one year before unrestricted free agency, a rising salary cap and the prices for defensemen skyrocketing, the 26-year-old will likely get a big payday this summer or next. He led Winnipeg in blocked shots this past season, with 120.

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Very quietly this week, longtime NHL forward Blake Wheeler announced his retirement. Wheeler hadn’t played since the 2023-24 season, but even after waiting a year to hang up his skates, Wheeler has played 1,172 regular-season games and 66 more Stanley Cup playoff games. He can hold his head high on a career well done.

What helped set Wheeler apart from his peers was his decision not to sign with the team that drafted him – the Phoenix Coyotes, who selected him with the fifth-overall pick in the 2004 draft. Instead of hammering out an entry-level contract with the Coyotes, Wheeler opted to become an unrestricted free agent coming out of his days at the University of Minnesota. And from there, Wheeler quickly came to terms with the Boston Bruins, where he spent his first two-and-a-half NHL seasons starting in 2008 before he was traded to the Atlanta Thrashers in February of 2011.

Like other NHLers, including Anaheim Ducks forward Cutter Gauthier, Edmonton Oilers forward Isaac Howard, New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox and Pittsburgh Penguins forward Rutger McGroarty, Wheeler was unique because he essentially engineered a move away from the team that drafted him. But unlike many of those aforementioned players, success came right away for Wheeler, as he potted 21 goals and 45 points in his rookie NHL season, then had double-digit goal totals in each of the next two seasons as a Bruin.

But it wasn’t until Wheeler got traded to the Thrashers that he really settled in as a legitimate scoring threat. In his fourth year with the franchise, which by then had relocated to become the Winnipeg Jets, Wheeler put up 28 goals and 69 points. And for each of the next six seasons, Wheeler produced at least 20 goals and 61 points, and his point total went as high as 91 in two consecutive seasons when he was at his peak from 2017-2019.

At the end of his NHL days, Wheeler was playing as a secondary scoring option for the Rangers, and in his final season in hockey’s top league, he amassed nine goals and 21 points in 54 games. In the previous four seasons, Wheeler had trouble staying healthy, as he never played in more than 72 games at any point in that span. But as evidenced by his final post-season with the Jets, Wheeler still had something to offer, as he posted two goals and six points in five playoff games in 2023.

Wheeler isn’t the first talented player never to win a Cup, and he won’t be the last. But he produced 321 goals and 943 points in his regular-season career, and he had another 10 goals and 45 points in playoff games. He’s going to be fondly remembered by Jets fans who appreciated him playing so long in Winnipeg. 

And while he’s not a Hockey Hall of Famer, Wheeler has made his mark on the game, both on the Jets organization and on the NHL. He accomplished much more than most NHLers accomplish, and he deserves his flowers for his 16-season NHL career.

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After nearly three weeks of NHL free agency coming into full effect, there are still a handful of NHLers available in the UFA market. Not only are these players expected to be regular NHL players in the upcoming 2025-26 campaign, but some could also be difference-makers.

Here are five players who remain UFAs and the pros and cons of signing each one.

Jack Roslovic, C

Jack Roslovic is undoubtedly the top name on the list of current UFAs. The center, who can also play on the wing, has two 20-goal seasons under his belt, including last season. He put up 22 goals and 39 points for the Carolina Hurricanes.

Roslovic is coming off a one-year contract that saw him earn $2.8 million, much less than the $4-million per year that he earned in his previous contract he signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The pros of signing the ripe 28-year-old are getting a player who can play center, and receiving a two-time 40-point scorer. He would be an effective secondary scorer on any team, contender or not.

However, because Roslovic is alone at the top of the UFA list, he’s right-handed and can play down the middle, there’s a great chance that a team will need to overpay for the Columbus, Ohio native to obtain his services.

Ilya Samsonov, G

Ilya Samsonov has had plenty of ups and downs in his six-year career. He’s gone from being a tandem goaltender to a starter, to a backup. Last season with the Vegas Golden Knights, he made 29 appearances, all of which were starts. 

Samsonov ended the campaign with a respectable 16-9-4 record. Although his save percentage and goals-against average were average. He recorded a 2.82 GAA and .891 SP.

While he may not be a popular choice, the pro in signing Samsonov would be receiving a relatively experienced goaltender who has seen all situations in terms of his spot on the roster.

The downside of bringing in the 28-year-old Russian is that he’s proven to be inconsistent. With the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2022-23, he posted a 2.33 GAA and .919 SP in 40 starts.However, in the following season for Toronto, he finished with a 3.13 GAA and .890 SP. He went from a career high to a career low in the span of two consecutive seasons.

Matt Grzelcyk, D

The Pittsburgh Penguins decided not to sign defenseman Matt Grzelcyk after he registered one goal and 40 points, a career high in the points department. Grzelcyk is coming off a one-year contract with Pittsburgh worth $2.75 million. 

Penguins coach Mike Sullivan heavily utilized the 31-year-old defenseman as he averaged 20:37 of ice time, the most in his nine-year career. 

With that, he had the joint-most power-play points on the team, tied with Sidney Crosby’s 15 points. He recorded more than potential Hall of Fame offensive blueliners, Erik Karlsson and Kris Letang.

It’s easy to say that the pros of signing Grzelcyk are that he is a reliable D-man who is capable of running a power play. Not only that, he is an experienced defenseman and has notable playoff experience, featuring in 66 post-season games from his time with the Boston Bruins.

As for cons, he and his agent might believe he’s worth more than what teams are willing to offer him, which might be the reason he’s still on the market. 

Victor Olofsson, LW

Victor Olofsson is a three-time 20-goal scorer and was on pace to accomplish that feat again last season in his first year with the Golden Knights. He scored 15 goals and 29 points in 56 contests with Vegas. 

If he reached another 20-goal milestone, he’d have four in six full seasons. Not to mention, he’s never played more than 75 games in a season. Imagine if he played more games throughout his career.

When the left winger is given the required ice time, he can put the puck into the back of the net like anyone else. Scoring has always been a strength for Olofsson, dating back to his years with the Buffalo Sabres.

The pro of bringing on the 30-year-old Swede is his ability to score, and he would bring scoring depth to any team that is willing to sign him.

The con of Olofsson’s game at times is that he is a streaky scorer rather than a consistent one at times. For instance, he went on a two-month goalless drought for Vegas last season, as he went 20 consecutive games without scoring a goal.

Luke Kunin, C

Luke Kunin is a bottom-six center, and like Roslovic, he is right handed and can play the wing. The 27-year-old is known for his two-way game and penalty killing. Last season, he averaged 1:41 of ice time on the penalty kill – among the top 100 forwards in the league per Natural Stat Trick.

Kunin played 63 games for the San Jose Sharks before he was traded to the Blue Jackets on trade deadline day. He played an additional 12 games for the Jackets for a total of 75 appearances last year.

In that span, he recorded 11 goals and seven assists for 18 points, perfectly matching his offensive production from the season before. Kunin didn’t get his name on the scoresheet in any fashion during his time with Columbus.

The pro of acquiring Kunin is that he is a regular NHL player who can fill in on the PK at any given time. 

However, in contrast, the center hasn’t shown signs of steady progression in terms of production since his 15-goal, 31-point season in 2019-20 with the Minnesota Wild. Even with his penalty killing ability and two-way game, teams could likely find a player with a similar arsenal at a cheaper price.

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As the NHL’s off-season unfolds, THN.com is analyzing the state of every team in the league in a special “Summer Splash” team-by-team series. Did they get better? Did they get worse? Or did they stay the same? That’s what we’re answering in these columns. 

In every Summer Splash file, we’ll be going in reverse order in terms of improvement. And we’ll be breaking down the major and minor moves each team has made, focusing on trade and free-agent acquisitions, departures, and in certain cases, on hirings and firings. 

To decide on the team rankings, the writers and editors at THN.com debated and decided what teams have improved, what teams stayed the same, and what teams got worse. On occasion, there’ll be exceptions to the rules, for instance, there are teams out there that aren’t notably worse than they were last year, but that made fewer moves of note than they should’ve or could’ve made. But otherwise, this is a simple analysis process. 

We began the Summer Splash series late last week and focused on team No. 32, the Buffalo Sabres. We then turned to team No. 31, the Chicago Blackhawks, and on Saturday, we focused on the Winnipeg Jets. Today, the Los Angeles Kings are next under the microscope.

Additions

Joel Armia (RW), Corey Perry (RW), Cody Ceci (D), Brian Dumoulin (D), Anton Forsberg (G)

The Breakdown: The Kings were one of the most active teams this off-season, bringing in experienced hands at forward in Armia and Perry, radically remaking their blueline with the signings of D-men Ceci and Dumoulin, and finally, adding a backup goalie in Forsberg. Even a Kings team that finished second in the Pacific Division last season has felt the need to effect notable change, and with these additions, they have it.

New L.A. GM Ken Holland has never been shy about changing things up, and in his first off-season running things in Los Angeles, Holland once again has drastically altered the team he’s responsible for. Perry and Armia add grit and know-how, Ceci and Dumoulin provide depth on the back end, and Forsberg provides a capable understudy for Darcy Kuemper. You can’t say Holland hasn’t tried to improve his team. But as we’ll explain below, we don’t believe Holland has succeeded at that goal.

Departures

Vladislav Gavrikov (D), Jordan Spence (D)

The Breakdown: Let’s be real here – Gavrikov’s departure to the New York Rangers in free agency is a huge loss for the Kings. The veteran defenseman averaged 23:05 of ice time last season, second only to star Drew Doughty (24:08) – and Gavrikov’s penalty-kill average of 3:17 shorthanded minutes per game also demonstrates what a fixture Gavrikov was defensively for this Kings squad.

Trading Spence to the Ottawa Senators didn’t move the needle for the Kings, and replacing Gavrikov with Ceci, who is now on his seventh NHL team in the past nine years for good reason, is not anywhere close to an upgrade. Nor is Dumoulin going to make the Kings genuinely better, if better at all. L.A. may be slightly more experienced up front, but the poor trade-off of losing Gavrikov and replacing him with Ceci and Dumoulin is chiefly why the Kings are ranked here on our Summer Splash list.

Hirings

Ken Holland (GM)

Firings

Rob Blake (GM)

The Breakdown: After being unable to build a team that gets out of the first round, Blake and the Kings mutually agreed to part ways. And coming in is Holland, a fearless GM who helped craft the Edmonton Oilers team that has been a Stanley Cup finalist for the past two seasons – and a team that’s had the Kings’ number for years now. Blake always had his established group of core players to turn to, and he did so until the end. And while Holland has made many moves, he hasn’t really touched that core group.

However, Holland’s sledgehammer approach to the Kings’ peripheral players is no guarantee of greater success this coming season. Holland knows this team has veterans in Doughty and Anze Kopitar who may not have many shots left at a long Cup run, so he’s trading with a sense of urgency. There’s no denying he’s done that – we just don’t feel like he’s made the right moves.

The Bottom Line

We’re not here to tell you the Kings aren’t going to be a playoff team next season. They’ve got some solid depth in the right places – mostly at forward, with a small nod to the improved goalie tandem – and Los Angeles is still better than many, if not most, teams in their division.

With that out of the way, we also have to be dispassionate and consider all outcomes for this Kings team. And there’s no question the players Holland brought in are all question marks to one degree or another. 

How much gas does Perry have left? Can Forsberg keep his save percentage above .900? Will the new-look defense corps be better equipped to handle another playoff showdown with the Oilers? Those are only a few of the questions regarding the Kings.

Thus, we can’t say we’re especially optimistic about this Los Angeles group after their many changes. The Kings weren’t a top team in goals-for last season, as they were 14th overall in that department, averaging 3.04 goals-for per game. And their power play was abysmal, as it ranked 27th in the league at 17.9 percent efficiency. Every other team below them in power-play effectiveness were non-playoff teams, and that tells you something about the offensive issues the Kings had last year.

There’s no great solution in that regard among the Kings’ new players, as Perry is well past his prime and Armia isn’t known for his offense. And the worry with the general state of the defense corps is justifiable. So until we see this team play the way Holland envisions they can play at their best, we’re going to be skeptical that the Kings did anything other than take a step back, however slight that step may be.

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When you're born and raised in Hockeytown, your first NHL game at Little Caesars Arena should be a cherished memory. But by the time Frank Nazar checked that box in January 2025 with a 5-3 Chicago Blackhawks loss to the Detroit Red Wings, he was already a grizzled vet at that barn. “I played a pre-season game, a few college games – actually scored my first college goal at Little Caesars,” he said. “Every time I play there, it’s a blast. I always have, like, 100 family members, so that makes it a lot of fun. It’s great.”

Until he turned pro with the Blackhawks in April of 2024, Nazar had always stuck to his home state. He played with Detroit’s famed Honeybaked youth program, then developed in Plymouth with USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program before shifting to Ann Arbor for two seasons at NCAA Michigan.

But it was a positional shift that may have had the biggest impact on Nazar’s development. Young players often move from center to the wing as they reach higher levels. Naturally speedy and somewhat undersized, Nazar went the other way – pining to play in the middle before finally getting his chance in his age-17 season. “I had asked my coaches my whole life, ‘Put me at center,’ and they always told me ‘No, you’re wing,” he said. “Finally, my first year at the NTDP, I started off as a wing, and I was not doing well at all. Actually, I was pretty horrible, I’m not going to lie. Then we had a bunch of guys get sick with COVID, and we needed a center. I told the coach, ‘Hey, put me at center.’ I was joking with him, and he’s like, ‘All right, we’ll see.’ He put me at center, and I had an amazing game and never looked back from there.”

"I think it was really, really good for my development."

- Frank Nazar on his AHL time with coach Anders Sorensen

It’s not how you start; it’s how you finish. By the end of 2020-21, Nazar was the leading scorer on a U-17 squad that also included talents such as Logan Cooley, Cutter Gauthier and Lane Hutson. He finished third on the U-18 squad in 2021-22, and that June, the Blackhawks picked him 13th overall.

Though Nazar missed the first four months of his freshman NCAA season due to injury, his Wolverines reached the Frozen Four in both of his college years. He, along with many of his NTDP mates, won his first international gold medal at the 2024 world juniors. Then, in April, he scored his first NHL goal in his pro debut against the Carolina Hurricanes.

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Last fall, Nazar was assigned to AHL Rockford to learn the pro game. Playing big minutes in a first-line center role, he thrived under longtime IceHogs coach Anders Sorensen. “He allowed me to just go out there and play my game, playing all types of situations,” Nazar said. “He let me be free, as well, in creating plays and making plays and having fun out there. He let me be free in that regard, and I think it was really, really good for my development.”

When Sorensen was summoned to Chicago to replace Luke Richardson Dec. 5, Nazar followed a week later, and he never looked back. “I texted him congratulations, and he texted me right after: ‘It was a great time in Rockford’ – stuff like that – and ‘we’ll see you soon,’” Nazar said. “It was really cool to see him say something like that, and I know that he knows what I bring to the table.”

Though he managed just one point in his first 10 games after his call-up, Nazar picked up the pace from there. From Jan. 5 to the end of the season, he logged 25 points in 43 games, including five goals and nine points in Chicago’s last nine games, while playing second-line center behind Connor Bedard.

"I had an amazing game and never looked back from there."

- Frank Nazar on getting a chance to play center

Brimming with confidence and looking to play more hockey, he accepted the invitation to play at the men’s worlds for the first time, and he shone. He was named one of the United States’ top three players and tied his NTDP running mate Cooley for the team lead with 12 points in 10 games as the Americans snapped a gold-medal drought that stretched all the way back to 1933.

And while the Blackhawks may have struggled to put wins together last season, Nazar is a glass-half-full guy. He appreciates the historic moments that were part of his rookie season: the Winter Classic at Wrigley Field, Alex Ovechkin’s record-tying goal against the Blackhawks in April and the final NHL games for newly retired teammates Pat Maroon and Alec Martinez.

With Jeff Blashill now installed behind the Chicago bench, next season is a clean slate for the team. “I know that every player,” Nazar said, “is going into the summer with a point to prove.”

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This article appeared in our 2025 Champions issue. Our cover story focuses on the 2025 Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, specifically the elite play of defenseman Seth Jones, along with a recap of each game of the Cup final. We also include features on Sharks center Will Smith and Kraken defenseman Ryker Evans. In addition, we give our list of the top 10 moments from the 2024-25 NHL season.

You can get it in print for free when you subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/Free today. All subscriptions include complete access to more than 76 years of articles at The Hockey News Archive.

We’re in the heart of the NHL’s off-season, and as always at this time of year, THN.com is breaking down the state of each team in the league. 

This time around, we’re continuing a process for our new “Summer Splash” series. In each file, we’ll be analyzing, in reverse order, the big-picture moves every franchise has made – free agent and trade acquisitions, departures, and hirings and firings where applicable. 

To decide on the order of teams we’ve ranked this summer, we’ve focused on the teams that have improved, the franchises that have stayed the same and the organizations that have taken a step backward. There will be exceptions to the rules – mainly, regarding teams that aren’t markedly worse than they were last year, but that made fewer moves of note than they either should’ve or could’ve made – but for the most part, the criteria here is straightforward. 

If your favorite team failed to get better, they’re going to be the subject of a Summer Splash file sooner than later, and if your favorite team got significantly better, you’ll have to wait a while longer to see what we have to say about them.

We began the Summer Splash series on Thursday by focusing on team No. 32, the Buffalo Sabres, and on Friday, we turned our attention to team No. 31, the Chicago Blackhawks. Today, we’ll be drilling down on the moves the 30th-overall team – the Winnipeg Jets – has made.

Additions

Jonathan Toews (C), Gustav Nyquist (LW), Tanner Pearson (LW)   

The Breakdown: The Jets were the NHL’s best regular-season team last year, so it would be difficult for them to finish at the top of this team-by-team series by being markedly better. However, once you take into account the risks Winnipeg GM Kevin Cheveldayoff has taken with his roster moves, you see why we’ve ranked them near the bottom of this list.

To be sure, the Jets have taken a major gamble by signing veteran star center Toews to be their second-line center. Toews has been out of the league for two years, dealing with health issues, and there’s no guarantee he’ll return to the form that helped his Chicago Blackhawks win three Stanley Cups. There’s a real risk this move doesn’t work out, and we’ve factored that into placing the Jets low in our Summer Splash series.

Meanwhile, the other two additions Winnipeg has made are 35-year-old Nyquist and 32-year-old Pearson, both of whom are closer to the end of their NHL careers than their prime. Nyquist had only 11 goals and 28 points last season, while Pearson generated only 12 goals and 27 points. Thus, they’re both only secondary scoring options. And so, at a time when Central Division teams have been bulking up, the Jets have only made peripheral changes, as well as the massive gamble on Toews. 

Departures

Nikolaj Ehlers (LW), Mason Appleton (C), Brandon Tanev (LW)

The Breakdown: Given that Winnipeg lost its third-best point producer in Ehlers, who signed with the Carolina Hurricanes, and didn’t adequately replace him, the Jets’ offensive attack, which was fourth-best in the league at an average of 3.35 goals-for per game, has taken a serious hit.

In addition, losing Appleton and Tanev – the latter of whom was Winnipeg’s big trade deadline acquisition – also hurts the Jets. Tanev brought snarl and defensive acumen, Appleton was a solid fourth-liner and Ehlers was Winnipeg’s fourth-best goal-scorer, posting 24 goals in only 69 games. 

Losing those three isn’t going to result in the Jets missing the playoffs, but they’re not going to be as deep or dynamic as they were last year. The Jets may ultimately fall out of the top spot in the Central, in part, because they’re going to miss having a trio of productive NHL forwards in their lineup.

The Bottom Line

Don’t get it twisted – the Jets remain a good team. But we have to arrive at the conclusion they’re not as good as they were throughout the 2024-25 regular season and playoffs. That may change, as Cheveldayoff still has $10.54-million in salary cap space to play with. And the Jets are built to win now, so Cheveldayoff isn’t going to be making trades for draft picks and prospects. He’s going to spend to the cap ceiling on proven veterans and talent that can help make Winnipeg be more than just a great regular-season team. 

The Jets showed signs of being that improved team last spring when they eliminated the St. Louis Blues in the opening round, but they were sent home for the summer in the second round by a Dallas Stars team that had difference-makers stepping up at key times in a way Winnipeg’s top players did not. 

With the lack of high-end moves he’s made this summer, Cheveldayoff is banking that his core talents are going to evolve into needle-movers in the second round of the playoffs and beyond. However, as it stands, the Jets have clearly taken a step back. It’s not a gigantic step back, nor is it one they can’t recover from. But losing Ehlers, Tanev and Appleton are notable blows to their cause, and with Central rivals like the Colorado Avalanche and Stars on their heels, the Jets may indeed finish well below the top spot in their division.

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By Ella Tsotsos, The Hockey News intern

Born and raised in Toronto, Ont., the Washington Capitals selected Tom Wilson 16th overall in the 2012 NHL Draft. Wilson offered wise words to North Toronto players after a skate in Toronto.

Upon returning home for training, Wilson recounted his hockey career as a child and his inspiration, which fueled his ambition to become a spectacular player in the NHL.

After his 2024-25 season, Wilson played 81games, scored 33 goals and had 65 points.

Wilson, an alternate captain for the Washington Capitals, was born and raised in Toronto and played minor hockey with North Toronto (NTHA). Wilson carries much pride in this hockey association and keeps his strong Toronto roots close to him. From an early age, he shared how many memories he created at the North Toronto Memorial Arena, and that love for hockey has never left him. There’s even a huge banner of him hanging proudly at the North Toronto Memorial Arena – a reminder that no matter how far he’s come, he’s never forgotten where it all started.

In 2018, after winning the Stanley Cup, Wilson did not return to his hometown hockey arena empty-handed. Wilson brought the cup to where it all began for him. Wilson played many seasons for the North Toronto club until he went on to play at the highest level. Wilson shared what growing up in Toronto meant for him and his hockey career.

“This is the arena where I fell in love with the game of hockey. This is where I spent every day hoping I’d make it to the NHL. Walking through the doors you get all the memories of being a kid here,” said Wilson via the North Toronto Hockey website.

For Wilson, the dream of becoming a hockey player stuck with him. His parents helped ensure that he created a balance with his sport, instilling educational values and also having fun. During an interview in July, just after a training session, Wilson shared advice to North Toronto hockey players.

“I think for me, I was having a balance of not only having hockey hockey hockey, but my parents always made sure I had good grades and being with friends who really enjoy it,” Wilson said.

Growing up, Wilson discovered that the key to becoming a successful hockey player was to establish a balance and become a well-rounded player. In Wilson’s OHL days playing for the Plymouth Whalers, he was awarded the OHL West Division’s academic player of the month in October 2011.

“If you're all in and you're doing too much sometimes you get burnt out, so as a kid, just make sure you're always having fun and playing other sports and spending time outside. If you are good enough and you got the work ethic, the rest of it will come and just enjoy it.”

When connecting to his Toronto roots, Wilson shared who his hockey idols were growing up.

“When I was little in Toronto, I liked Darcy Tucker. He was a guy that played hard and a Toronto Maple Leaf. Mats Sundin, who trained with the same trainer as me, was always a beast, so those were kinda my era. When I was a kid, I just always loved going to the rink every time.” 

When it comes to comparison, both Wilson and Tucker have been known for their physicality, scoring skills, and both being players who played with an energetic style that antagonized opponents. Although Sundin is known for his goal-scoring capabilities and Wilson has not produced as many points, both players have demonstrated their leadership qualities as they both served as alternate captains – Sundin also served as captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs – and Wilson continues to be a force on the ice.

Wilson is more than just a powerful presence on the ice who still carries the heart of North Toronto with him every time he laces up. His journey is proof that passion, resilience, and community can shape a great athlete. Wilson truly loves the game and hasn’t lost sight of what got him to where he is.

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The Anaheim Ducks pulled off a nice bit of roster work this week, signing No. 1 goalie Lukas Dostal to a five-year, $32.5-million contract that carries an average annual value of $6.5 million. Dostal’s signing was the latest goalie news in an NHL off-season where teams quickly snapped up most of the available netminders.

For instance, in Philadelphia, the Flyers signed veteran Dan Vladar. In Los Angeles, the Kings signed Anton Forsberg. In San Jose, the Sharks traded for former Penguins goalie Alex Nedeljkovic. In New Jersey, the Devils re-signed experienced hand Jake Allen, and in Pittsburgh, the Pens traded for former Vancouver Canucks youngster Arturs Silovs. In Montreal, the Canadiens signed journeyman Kappo Kahkonen, the Panthers traded for former Blue Jackets goalie Daniil Tarasov, the Sabres signed Alex Lyon to ostensibly be their third goalie, and of course, Dostal’s former teammate, goalie John Gibson, was dealt from the Ducks to the Detroit Red Wings.

It’s readily apparent, then, that it’s extremely difficult to develop good netminders at the NHL level. And Dostal’s career arc is an instructive example of how teams should be signing and developing their goalies.

At 25 years old, Dostal already has 121 games of regular-season experience. He’s been brought along steadily and methodically, and his individual numbers, despite playing on terrible Ducks teams, have consistently improved.

Here’s what we mean: Dostal’s first extended taste of NHL hockey was in the the 2022-23 season, where he appeared in 19 games and posted a .901 save percentage and 3.78 goals-against average. Then, in 2023-24, Dostal appeared in 44 games, with a .902 SP and 3.33 GAA. And last season, with Gibson frequently out of the lineup with injuries, Dostal emerged as a legitimate No. 1 option when he appeared in 54 games and registered a .903 SP and 3.10 GAA.

Dostal’s evolution into a starter really couldn’t have gone better for Ducks GM Pat Verbeek. Rather than having to overpay on the free-agent market for a goaltender who didn’t come up in Anaheim’s system, the Ducks brought along their own young talent, who eventually pushed out the de facto No. 1 (Gibson) and allowed Verbeek to make a trade of his former No. 1 goalie from a position of strength and leverage. Dostal just naturally took over the starter’s job from Gibson, and that’s exactly what teams want to see from their young goalies.

As of mid-July, most of the free-agent goalies were off the market, and most teams had established who’ll be patrolling their pipes in the fall. There are a couple of options still available – former Maple Leafs and Golden Knights veteran Ilya Samsonov chief among them – but for the most part, the game of musical chairs for goalies has come to an end.

In Anaheim, Dostal has secured a strong payday for himself for the next half-decade, and the Ducks have secured goaltending reliability for that period. In bringing along Dostal slowly but deliberately, Anaheim has done very well in terms of goalie development. And as they make a push for relevance in the near future, the Ducks can rest assured they did things the right way with what is arguably their most important position.

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There is always plenty of excitement among NHL fans when their favorite teams sign a big player in free agency. It is understandable, as they are expected to make a significant impact, and in many cases, they do. 

However, in some cases, there are scenarios where players end up struggling after joining a new team. This was certainly the case with a few of last year’s top free-agent signings. 

Let’s now look at three notable signings from this past summer who underperformed in 2024-25 and also why they could end up turning things around next season.

Steven Stamkos, C, Nashville Predators 

After signing a four-year, $32-million contract with the Nashville Predators last off-season, Steven Stamkos struggled with consistency in his first year with the Central Division club. In 82 games with the Predators, he posted 27 goals, 53 points, and a minus-36 rating. This was after he had 40 goals and 81 points in 79 games during his final year with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2023-24.

Stamkos showed flashes of his star form at times with the Predators this past season, but he also had serious offensive struggles. For example, he did not record a point in 13 consecutive games from Jan. 25 to March 2, which is simply unheard of from the future Hall of Famer. He also started the season with just one point in his first eight games. 

Why Stamkos Can Turn Things Around 

While Stamkos’ first season with the Predators did not go as planned, fans certainly should not sleep on the 2008 first-overall pick. He still produced like a legitimate star just back in 2023-24 with Tampa Bay and has been one throughout his NHL career. Thus, the possibility of him turning things around cannot be ruled out. 

Furthermore, this was the first season Stamkos played on a team that was not the Lightning in his 17-year NHL career. As a result, it naturally took him some time to adjust to the Predators’ system, and a bounce-back season could be on the way for him in year No. 2 in Nashville.

Jonathan Marchessault, C, Nashville Predators 

Sticking with Nashville, Jonathan Marchessault also did not necessarily perform up to expectations in 2024-25. After scoring a career-high 42 goals and recording 69 points in 82 games in his final season with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023-24, he had 21 goals, 56 points, and a minus-29 rating in 78 games this past season with Nashville. 

Like Stamkos, Marchessault had trouble producing at the level expected of him for much of the season. When noting that the 34-year-old winger has a $5.5-million cap hit until the end of the 2028-29 season, they will be hoping that he has a bounce-back campaign in 2025-26. 

Why Marchessault Can Turn Things Around 

Marchessault may have had his rough moments this past season, but it is hard to believe that he can’t pick his play back up next season. He has shown throughout his career that he can produce like a star, and a clean slate next season could help things on that front. 

Furthermore, the Predators as a whole simply had a bad year in 2024-25. Thus, players like Marchessault and Stamkos could improve their numbers next season if the team around them also gets things back on track. 

Elias Lindholm, C, Boston Bruins 

After signing Elias Lindholm to a seven-year, $54.25-million contract this past off-season, the Boston Bruins thought they found their long-term first-line center. However, Lindholm did not reach expectations in his first season in Boston, posting 17 goals, 30 assists and a minus-4 rating in 82 games. 

Lindholm’s struggles this past season led to him being bounced around the lineup, and he even spent time on Boston’s third line. With Lindholm carrying a $7.75-million cap hit, this is not ideal, and the Bruins will be hoping that Lindholm can prove he can be a full-time top-six center for them next season. 

Why Lindholm Can Turn Things Around 

Lindholm’s finish to the season should provide some optimism. After being moved back up to the first line, Lindholm formed strong chemistry with David Pastrnak and Morgan Geekie. In his final seven games of the season, he recorded four goals, five assists, nine points and a plus-11 rating. This is undoubtedly encouraging, and the Bruins will be hoping he can build off it in 2025-26. 

Lindholm also revealed at the end of the season that he had been dealing with a back injury that he suffered during training camp, which negatively impacted him at the start of the campaign. Now that he is healthy, perhaps he can have that big season the Bruins will be hoping for in 2025-26.

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