May 20, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Florida Panthers forward Sam Reinhart (13) reacts during the second period against the Carolina Hurricanes in game one of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
This is a breakdown of what each cup contender and teams with cup windows should be prioritizing this offseason:
Florida Panthers
May 18, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Florida Panthers defenseman Seth Jones (3) and goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) celebrate winning game seven of the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs over the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Need: Re-sign UFA veterans (e.g., Bennett), bolster backup goaltender behind Bobrovsky, reinforce blue line depth
Edmonton Oilers
MONTREAL, CANADA – FEBRUARY 12: A detailed view of the Edmonton Oilers’ logo during the third period against the Montreal Canadiens at Centre Bell on February 12, 2023 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Edmonton Oilers 6-2. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
Need: Commit to Evan Bouchard’s next contract, add secondary scoring and penalty kill specialists.
Toronto Maple Leafs
May 18, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward John Tavares (91) during warm up before game seven of the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Florida Panthers at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Need: Manage key UFAs (Marner, Tavares,) secure contract extensions, retool power play, and defensive robustness
Tampa Bay Lightning
SUNRISE, FL – APRIL 21: Goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy #88 of the Tampa Bay Lightning warms up prior to the game against the Florida Panthers in Game One of the First Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Amerant Bank Arena on April 21, 2024 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
Need: Backup goalie, depth picks following early playoff exit; retain core contributors like Gourde, Santini
Dallas Stars
WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 15: A general view of the Dallas Stars jersey logo during the second period of the game against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena on December 15, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Need: Add bottom-six scoring and playoff depth, especially after evaluation of top-six and defensive unit.
Colorado Avalanche
WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 13: Cale Makar #8 of the Colorado Avalanche skates against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena on February 13, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Need: Maybe less urgent, but with Cale Makar as Norris winner, consider adding secondary scorer to balance star-heavy forward corps
