Keys to the offseason for the Los Angeles Kings
Ryan S. Clark and Kristen Shilton of ESPN: Taking a look at what the Los Angeles Kings could have in store this offseason.
Projected cap space: $18.5 million
2026 draft picks: 1st, 2nd, 2nd (CBJ), third (WSH), 4th, fifth, sixth, sixth (COL), seventh
Will the Kings undergo a training search, or will they remove the interim tag for D.J. Smith? They’ll need to seek out a top-six forward, and one which can bring some offense. Losing Anze Kopitar to retirement leaves an enormous hole down the center. They’ll need to determine in the event that they need to bring pending UFAs Scott Laughton and Andrei Kuzmenko back. RFA defenseman Brandt Clarke needs a brand new deal.
Keys to the offseason for the Ottawa Senators
Ryan S. Clark and Kristen Shilton of ESPN: Taking a look at what the Ottawa Senators could have in store this offseason.
Projected cap space: $17.3 million
2026 draft picks: 1st, third, third (FLA), third (DAL), 4th (CBJ), fifth, sixth
Their core is locked, and Claude Giroux and Nick Cousins are really their only ‘foremost’ pending free agents. GM Steve Staios can see what is on the market on the free agent market. They might use a top-four, right-handed defenseman to play with Thomas Chabot. They might look for one more scoring top-six forward. Not a priority as they could prefer internal, but a bottom-six forward like Viktor Arvidsson wouldn’t be a foul idea.
Keys to the offseason for the Pittsburgh Penguins
Ryan S. Clark and Kristen Shilton of ESPN: Taking a look at what the Pittsburgh Penguins could have in store this offseason.
Projected cap space: $45.8 million
2026 draft picks: 1st, 2nd, 2nd (WPG), third, sixth (NSH)
Do the Penguins and Sidney Crosby determine to see what trade options are on the market this offseason? He’s got a 12 months left on his contract, and can he need to be a part of their retool? There may be also pending UFA Evgeni Malkin. The Penguins weren’t expected to do much this season, but surprised many. How much of that can change Kyle Dubas’ vision going forward?
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