Lapierre began the 2024-25 season with the Capitals but ultimately split his time between the AHL and NHL. During his time with the Capitals, Lapierre had eight assists in 27 games. He should be back with the Capitals as the No.3 centre to start 2025-26.

Lakovic was selected with the No.27 overall pick in this summer's NHL draft and quickly signed his entry-level deal with the Capitals. The 18-year-old left winger spent the 2024-25 season with the Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL), where he led the team in goals (27) and points (58) despite appearing in just 47 of 68 games.

O'Brien was selected No.8 overall in this summer's NHL draft and quickly signs his entry-level deal with the Kraken. The 18-year-old centre spent the 2024-25 season with the Brantford Bulldogs (OHL), where he was third on the team with 98 points (32G / 66A) in 66 games. Expect him to return to the OHL for the 2025-26 season.

Trudeau turned pro in 2023 and has played three straight seasons with the Laval Rocket. Most recently, the 22-year-old defenseman had five goals and 14 assists (19 points) in 68 games. With a loaded blueline in Montreal, Trudeau's path to NHL games is difficult.

Entwistle only appeared in seven total games in 2024-25, all with Charlotte (AHL), where he had one goal and one assist. Expect the 25-year-old winger to start the 2025-26 season with Charlotte again.

Gastrin was selected No.37 overall in this summer's NHL draft. The Swedish centre spent most of the 2024-25 season in the Sweden's top junior league, where he was tied for the team-lead with 18 goals and second on MoDo Jr. in points with 42 in 40 games. He's expected to make the full-time jump to the SHL this season.

After a succesful season in Manitoba (AHL) as an assistant captain, Mason Shaw will return to the Winnipeg organization as forward depth after signing a one-year, two-way contract extension on Thursday. The 26-year-old has 82 career NHL games played to his name (20 Pts) but spent the entire 2024-25 campaign in the minors with Manitoba, where he had 17 goals, 37 points and 114 PIMs in 72 games played.

After being acquired at last year's trade deadline, Anthony Beauvillier will remain a member of the Capitals' organization after signing a two-year contract extension worth $2.75 million AAV ($5.5M total). The 28-year-old had joined five organizations in the last two years, but has found a home in Washington after scoring two goals and five points in 18 games after being acquired. Across the full 2024-25 season, he had 15 goals and 25 points in 81 games between Pittsburgh and Washington.

The biggest free agent target is off the board after Carolina agreed to a six-year, $51 million contract ($8.5 million AAV) with Nikolaj Ehlers on Thursday. The 29-year-old star winger leaves Winnipeg after 10 up-and-down seasons and a 24-goal, 63-point campaign in 2024-25. He is expected to take a top-six and top power-play role in Carolina.

New York added to it's offensive depth down the wing on Thursday after signing three-year NHL veteran Trey Fix-Wolansky to a one-year, two-way contract. The 26-year-old is expected to start the 2025-26 season in Hartford (AHL) after putting up 26 goals and 60 points in 65 games with Cleveland (AHL) in 2024-25.

After two seasons in Carolina, Orlov inks a two-year pact with a young Sharks term. Orlov brings 13-years of NHL experience and is coming off of a 28-point season (6G / 22A) in 76 games. The veteran is a solid two-way blueliner, who will join other veterans like Mario Ferraro, John Klingberg and Nick Leddy in San Jose.

The NHL's current iron man (925 consecutive games) has found a new home on Wednesday as Colorado signed Brent Burns to a one-year contract. The 40-year-old veteran is entering his 22nd NHL season with his fourth team. Despite his age, he has managed to stay effective, putting up six goals and 29 points last season alongside a +7 plus/minus across 82 games played.

The biggest KHL target of the offseason is off the board after New York announced Wednesday that they have come to a one-year, entry-level agreement with Maxim Shabanov. The 24-year-old Russian forward is coming off a sensational season with Traktor Chelyabinsk (KHL) where he had 23 goals and 67 points in 65 games played. He is expected to make an impact with the Islanders right away.