The 2024 NHL offseason is proving to be highly eventful, with several teams making significant moves to bolster their rosters and reshape their futures.
Florida Panthers Striking Gold
Fresh off their exhilarating Stanley Cup win against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7, the Florida Panthers are ensuring their key contributors remain with the team. The Panthers have inked Sam Reinhart to an eight-year, $69 million contract extension. With an average annual value (AAV) of $8.5 million, this deal solidifies Reinhart’s pivotal role on the team. Notably, Reinhart scored the game-winning goal in the 2024 Playoffs, adding 10 goals throughout the postseason, underlining his clutch performance when it matters most.
Key Draft Picks and Trades
The San Jose Sharks made headlines by selecting Macklin Celebrini as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, a move that brings significant promise to their lineup. Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Lightning have been active in the market, acquiring Jake Guentzel’s negotiating rights from the Carolina Hurricanes for a 2025 third-round pick. This allowed the Lightning to sign Guentzel to a seven-year, $63 million deal with a $9 million AAV. The Lightning further shook things up by trading defenseman Mikhail Sergachev to the Utah Hockey Club during the draft.
Shifts in Free Agency
As free agency officially kicked off on Monday at noon ET, several teams wasted no time in strengthening their rosters.
The New York Islanders secured Anthony Duclair with a four-year contract after he impressed with 24 goals last season. Duclair split his time between the San Jose Sharks and Tampa Bay Lightning, accumulating a total of 303 career points, composed of 146 goals and 157 assists, making him a versatile addition to the Islanders.
The Seattle Kraken have also been busy, signing Chandler Stephenson to a seven-year contract worth $6.25 million per season. Stephenson has proven his consistency by tallying at least 50 points in each of the past three seasons. Additionally, the Kraken bolstered their defense by signing Brandon Montour to a seven-year, $50 million contract, with an AAV of $7.14 million. Montour’s performance in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, contributing three goals and eight assists, showcased his value on the ice.
Significant Signings Across the League
The Columbus Blue Jackets have made a notable move by signing Sean Monahan to a five-year contract with an annual value of $5.5 million. Monahan's reunion with Johnny Gaudreau, who joined Columbus in the 2022 offseason, promises to bring synergy and excitement to the Blue Jackets’ gameplay.
For the Vancouver Canucks, the addition of Jake DeBrusk with a seven-year deal valued at $5.5 million annually offers a reliable scoring option; DeBrusk posted 40 points in the 2023-24 season.
The Carolina Hurricanes have extended defenseman Jaccob Slavin’s contract for eight years with an AAV of $6.5 million, maintaining stability for their defensive line after Slavin’s 37-point season.
The Nashville Predators are making waves, reportedly bringing in both Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault. Stamkos is expected to sign a four-year deal worth $8 million per season, adding his impressive career tally of 1,137 points to the Predators' arsenal. Marchessault, on the other hand, is set to join on a five-year deal at $5.5 million per season, further enhancing the team's offensive depth.
Strategic Moves in Defense
The Toronto Maple Leafs have addressed their defensive needs by signing Chris Tanev to a six-year contract with an AAV of $4.5 million. This move follows their acquisition of Tanev’s negotiating rights from the Dallas Stars. Tanev’s five points in 19 games during the 2024 season highlight his potential contribution to the Leafs' blue line.
As the offseason progresses, it is clear that teams across the NHL are strategically positioning themselves to be more competitive in the upcoming season. The excitement and anticipation among fans continue to build as each new signing and trade further shapes the league's landscape.