The countdown is on for the NHL Draft (June 27-28) and start of unrestricted free agency July 1, when an unexpectedly large salary-cap increase could mean greater-than-expected spending.
Here are five teams that could make the biggest moves this offseason. (See leaguewide cap numbers here at PuckPedia.com.)
Anaheim Ducks: 35-37-10 (80 points) | sixth in Pacific Division
The Ducks have not made the playoffs since the 2017-18 season, and ownership has made it clear the rebuild is “coming to an end,” per The Sporting Tribune. The Ducks hired highly accomplished and highly controversial head coach Joel Quenneville with the goal of pivoting towards winning. They have the third-most salary cap space in the league ($38.69M) and young assets to package in a trade. Anaheim could open additional cap space by trading mercurial forward Trevor Zegras or longtime goaltender John Gibson.
Buffalo Sabres: 36-39-7 (79 points) | seventh in Atlantic Division
It looked like Buffalo was on the rise two seasons ago, but disappointment in back-to-back seasons under two different coaches likely will lead to change. Forward JJ Peterka, fresh off a breakout 68-point campaign, is entering his first contract negotiation as a restricted free agent and sits atop Frank Seravalli’s Daily Faceoff Trade Board. Defenseman Bowen Byram, a fourth overall pick in the 2019 draft, is also on that trade board. He’s two years away from unrestricted free agency and without a contract. Buffalo’s $23.21M in cap space is 13th most in the league.
