The NHL’s salary cap is expected to increase to $95.5 million for the 2025–26 season. This gives teams more flexibility with their budgets and could spark some major off-season activity. From potential offer sheets to coaching changes and team rebuilds, there’s a lot to watch over the next few months.
Let’s take a look at the key players and teams that could be impacted.
Could We See More Offer Sheets This Summer?
With more cap space available, NHL teams may try to sign restricted free agents (RFAs) from other clubs using offer sheets. This strategy is rare but can shake things up—just like when the St. Louis Blues signed Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg from the Edmonton Oilers last summer. Both players have been strong contributors and helped the Blues make a late push for a playoff spot.
One name to watch this off-season is Buffalo Sabres forward JJ Peterka. The 23-year-old winger is finishing his entry-level contract and has had a breakout season, scoring 60 points in 69 games. He usually plays on the top line with Tage Thompson and has been mentioned in trade talks before.
Now, some insiders like Frank Seravalli and Carter Hutton from Daily Faceoff believe Peterka could be a top target for an offer sheet. Though Buffalo has around $23.2 million in cap space and can match any offer, they also have other young RFAs to re-sign, including Bowen Byram, Jack Quinn, Ryan McLeod, and Jacob Bernard-Docker.
This could put them in a tight spot if a rival team makes a strong offer for Peterka.
Flyers Fire Tortorella – Could Rangers Be Next?
Last week, the Philadelphia Flyers shocked many by firing their head coach John Tortorella, and now the attention is turning to other struggling teams—especially the New York Rangers.
Even though Rangers coach Peter Laviolette helped the team win the Presidents’ Trophy last season, this year hasn’t gone smoothly. The Rangers are fighting for a playoff spot, and frequent changes to their lineup haven’t helped.
Veteran reporter Stan Fischler from The Hockey News believes the Rangers should bring in Tortorella right away to energize the team. However, The Athletic’s Arthur Staple explored the pros and cons of replacing Laviolette. If the team does make a change, they likely won’t go for an inexperienced coach from college or the AHL.
One name that came up was Mike Sullivan, coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins, who was previously on the Rangers’ shortlist. But it seems Sullivan isn’t interested in leaving, and the Penguins probably wouldn’t let him go to a division rival.
Seattle Kraken Prepare for a Busy Off-Season
The Seattle Kraken are expected to be very active this summer after another disappointing season. According to Kate Shefte from The Seattle Times, the Kraken improved their offense but gave up too many goals and struggled in special teams.
Seattle is expected to have a top-five draft pick, giving them a chance to add elite young talent. On top of that, they have cap space and trade assets to strengthen their lineup. After two average seasons, fans will be expecting big changes as the team continues to grow.
The upcoming NHL off-season is already full of possibilities. With the salary cap going up, teams have more room to make bold moves. JJ Peterka could become a big offer sheet target, while coaching changes may shake up clubs like the Rangers. Meanwhile, the Seattle Kraken are preparing to reshape their roster with smart trades and draft picks. It’s going to be an exciting few months for hockey fans as the league gets ready for a new chapter.
