Notable Moves and Signings in the NHL 2025
The NHL’s 2025 offseason is already generating great anticipation, especially after the Florida Panthers’ second consecutive championship and their celebrations. The roster modification period has begun with numerous movements. The 2025 NHL Draft saw 224 prospects find new teams, and the weekend included notable trades.- Noah Dobson
- Charlie Coyle
- John Gibson
Draft Summary:
- All 224 selected players.
- Ratings for the 32 teams.
- Winners and losers.
July 1st
Forward Justin Brazeau has chosen the Penguins as his next NHL destination, signing a two-year contract with an average annual value of $1.5 million. The Devils continue to bolster their forward line, adding veteran Evgenii Dadonov on a one-year contract for $1 million. The wave of goalie signings from July 1st continues. The Mammoth are the latest team to make an addition in net, signing Stanley Cup champion Vitek Vanecek to a one-year contract for $1.5 million. Offensive defenseman John Klingberg is heading to San Jose, agreeing to a one-year contract for $4 million with the Sharks. One of the most prominent available free agents, veteran forward Mikael Granlund, has signed with the Ducks in a three-year deal. Veteran bottom-line forward Lars Eller has chosen the Senators as his next team, agreeing to a one-year contract for $1.25 million. The Penguins have extended their business relationships with Philip Tomasino (one year, $1.75 million) and Connor Dewar (one year, $1.1 million). As part of the effort to regain the title of best hockey team in Florida, the Lightning has signed Pontus Holmberg to a two-year contract and $1.55 million AAV. The Wild have added Nico Sturm. The former Panther has signed a two-year contract and $2 million AAV. The Sabres join the action! The club’s first big deal of the day is the signing of goaltender Alex Lyon to a two-year contract and $1.5 million AAV. The Kraken add depth to their goal, adding former Stanley Cup winner Matt Murray with a one-year contract for $1 million. The Islanders had a great draft weekend, and continue the momentum in free agency, adding veteran forward Jonathan Drouin with a two-year, $4 million AAV deal. The Stars take the stage. Hours after announcing the official hiring of Glen Gulutzan as the club’s new head coach, the Stars have re-signed forward Radek Faksa to a two-year contract with a $3 million AAV. Earlier on Tuesday, the Kings lost defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov to the Rangers. To help fill that void on defense, they signed Cody Ceci (four years, $4.5 million AAV) and Brian Dumoulin (three years, $4 million AAV). They also signed goaltender Anton Forsberg for two years, $2.25 million AAV. Defenseman Nick Perbix has only known life in the NHL as a member of the Lightning. He will head to Nashville, agreeing to a two-year, $2.75 million AAV contract with the Predators. The Panthers have turned again to the veteran defenseman, signing Jeff Petry to a one-year contract for $775,000. Fresh off winning the Stanley Cup with the Panthers, defenseman Nate Schmidt joins the Mammoth with a three-year contract and a $3.5 million AAV. James van Riemsdyk’s NHL career will continue, as he has agreed to terms with the Red Wings on a one-year deal for $1 million. Separately, the Wings added Jacob Bernard-Docker on a one-year contract for $875,000. The Bruins add depth, agreeing to terms with Sean Kuraly on a two-year deal and $1.85 million AAV. Another key member of the champion Panthers team returns. Veteran forward Tomas Nosek has agreed to a one-year contract. After completing the 2024-25 season with the Jets, veteran forward Brandon Tanev stays in the Central Division, but heads to Utah with a three-year contract and $2.5 million AAV. Another goalie name comes off the list! Kaapo Kahkonen has agreed to terms with the Canadiens on a one-year contract for $1.15 million. In a separate deal, the club also signed forward Sammy Blais. The 2020 Hobey Baker Award winner as the best NCAA men’s hockey player, defenseman Scott Perunovich, has signed a one-year contract with the Mammoth. Needing some depth in backup goaltending, the Islanders agreed to terms with “Big Save” Dave Rittich on a one-year contract. Versatile forward Kailer Yamamoto is the latest player added by the Mammoth, with a one-year contract for $775,000. Veteran center Nick Bjugstad has made his decision: he joins the Blues with a two-year contract. Veteran defenseman Ryan Lindgren finished the 2024-25 season with the Avalanche, and will head to the Northwest for his next NHL home, agreeing to a four-year contract and $4.5 million AAV. The Senators have yet to attract any new free agents to the club, but their re-signing game remains strong. After re-signing with Claude Giroux, the Sens also continued their business relationship with Nick Cousins through a one-year contract for $825,000. Surely to be a fan favorite in Beantown, veteran forward Tanner Jeannot has agreed to terms on a five-year contract with the Bruins, with an AAV of $3.4 million. A sixth-round selection in the 2016 draft, winger Michael Pezzetta, moves from Montreal to Toronto with a two-year contract and $787,500 AAV. Connor Brown impressed many viewers with his inspired play during the Oilers’ run to the Stanley Cup Final. Now, he will bring that energy to the Devils, who have signed him to a four-year, $3 million AAV contract. The defense market is a smaller key player, as the Rangers agreed to terms with Vladislav Gavrikov on a seven-year, $7 million AAV contract. One of the best goaltending options available is off the list, with Dan Vladar joining the Flyers via a two-year, $3.35 million AAV contract. Veteran forward Corey Perry is changing sides in the Oilers-Kings rivalry, agreeing to terms on a one-year contract with a salary and bonuses worth $3.5 million. Separately, the Kings also signed veteran forward Joel Armia to a two-year contract with an AAV of $2.5 million. One of the best available free agents has made a decision… and will re-sign. Brock Boeser returns to the Canucks via a seven-year contract and $7.3 million AAV. Parker Kelly will continue his career with the Avalanche, agreeing to terms on a four-year contract with an AAV of $1.7 million. Veteran forward Colin Blackwell will return to the Stars, agreeing to terms on a two-year contract with an AAV of $775,000. Christian Dvorak has left the Canadiens, agreeing to a one-year, $5.4 million contract with the Flyers. Welcome to Philadelphia, Noah Juulsen! The Flyers have signed the 28-year-old defenseman to a one-year contract for $900,000. Defenseman Ryan Johnson is staying with the Sabres, agreeing to terms on a three-year contract with an AAV of $775,000. The top-ranked goaltender for free agency this offseason won’t hit the market; Jake Allen returns to the Devils via a five-year contract with an AAV of $1.8 million. Veteran offensive defenseman Tony DeAngelo will return to the Islanders for the 2025-26 season, agreeing to terms on a one-year contract for $1.75 million.June 30
The Red Wings will continue their relationship with veteran forward Patrick Kane, signing a one-year extension for $3 million. The band is getting back together. After re-signing Sam Bennett last week, the Panthers re-signed Aaron Ekblad and Brad Marchand on Monday. Rumors of a Mitch Marner trade surfaced during the draft weekend, and became reality on Monday, when the Maple Leafs signed Marner to an eight-year extension with an average annual value of $12 million, and then traded him to the Golden Knights for Nicolas Roy. The Oilers will not allow one of their promising young players to leave via an offer sheet, as they signed restricted free agent defenseman Evan Bouchard to a four-year, $10.5 million AAV contract. Veteran defenseman Ivan Provorov would have been one of the most sought-after defensemen on the free agent market. Instead, he will return with the Blue Jackets for the foreseeable future, agreeing to a seven-year deal and $8.5 million AAV.
