Free agency resulted in several big-name players changing addresses following the 2023-24 season. There were also trades, retirements, coaching changes and an entire team finding a new location.
Coyotes Find a New Home
In the largest move of the offseason, the Arizona Coyotes relocated to Salt Lake City and became the Utah Hockey Club. The organization underwent multiple changes in ownership and played in three different arenas during a tumultuous period in the desert. However, on the ice, the team has been making progress in its rebuild — progress that will now have to continue in Utah.
Unrestricted Free Agents
Lightning Strike With Guentzel, Stamkos Leaves for Music City
Jake Guentzel joined Tampa Bay on a seven-year, $63 million contract. He will benefit from the playmaking of Nikita Kucherov and the team’s lethal power play. Guentzel will be tasked with replacing the offense of former longtime captain Steven Stamkos, who signed a four-year deal carrying an $8 million average annual value with Nashville. The 34-year-old Stamkos will provide the Predators with much-needed offensive depth while boosting the club’s play on the man advantage.
Predators Continue Offseason Makeover
Nashville signed forward Jonathan Marchessault (four-year, $5.5 million AAV), blueliner Brady Skjei (four-year, $7 million AAV) and netminder Scott Wedgewood (two-year, $1.5 million AAV) in an eventful offseason. Marchessault bolsters the forward group, Skjei adds offense for the defense and Wedgewood will be Juuse Saros‘ backup.
Blackhawks Go on Spending Spree
Chicago inked Tyler Bertuzzi to a four-year, $22 million contract and Teuvo Teravainen to a three-year pact worth $16.2 million. Both wingers could flank Connor Bedard on the top line in 2024-25, while the trio will also likely feature prominently on the first power-play combination. The Blackhawks also added forwards Patrick Maroon (one-year, $1.5 million AAV) and Craig Smith (one-year, $1 million), defensemen Alec Martinez (one-year, $4 million AAV) and T.J. Brodie (two-year, $3.75 million AAV) and goaltender Laurent Brossoit (two-year, $3.3 million AAV) for depth purposes — though offseason knee surgery may keep the netminder out for the start of the year.
Bruins Find a New First-Line Center
Boston agreed to a seven-year, $54.25 million deal with Elias Lindholm to be the team’s top pivot. Playing alongside David Pastrnak will give Lindholm a significant boost after his production trailed off in 2023-24 with Calgary and