The NHL offseason is anticipated to be very active, with the free agency period beginning on July 1st, allowing players to sign with new clubs. Prominent players like Mitch Marner, Sam Bennett, and Nikolaj Ehlers are anticipated to become unrestricted free agents, and numerous other athletes may be involved in trades.
For fantasy hockey enthusiasts seeking an advantage, understanding potential changes in player roles and identifying newly available prime positions is vital for assessing players` stock before fantasy drafts.
We will regularly update this analysis with every new free agent signing and trade, detailing their anticipated fantasy hockey implications.
Evander Kane joins the Vancouver Canucks: Despite missing the entire 2024-25 regular season, Kane demonstrated fantasy value during the Oilers` run to the Stanley Cup Final, averaging 1.7 fantasy points per game over 21 playoff appearances – a level of borderline relevance in standard fantasy formats. This performance came despite limited ice time alongside Edmonton`s top stars, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Given Brock Boeser is expected to depart the Canucks and pending other offseason transactions, Kane could emerge as Vancouver`s primary scoring threat on the wing entering the season. This move might elevate his fantasy profile, particularly if he earns significant ice time with a potentially resurgent Elias Pettersson and secures a spot on the power play, opportunities he didn`t consistently have in Edmonton.
Mason Marchment signs with the Seattle Kraken: Marchment represents a fantasy asset who can be effective in stretches, especially when paired with suitable linemates. Seattle`s roster, characterized by depth rather than elite star power, provides an environment well-suited for this kind of winger. Consequently, Marchment could potentially feature on any of the Kraken`s top three lines, depending on coaching decisions. However, his fantasy potential is likely limited by his ice time, which might remain around 15 minutes per game unless he secures a regular spot alongside Matty Beniers. He has also demonstrated strong defensive capabilities; for fantasy leagues that track plus/minus, Marchment`s value increases significantly, as he`s ranked among the top 20 forwards in this category over the last four seasons.
Trevor Zegras traded to the Philadelphia Flyers: For fantasy managers towards the later rounds of their draft who have already established their core roster, taking a chance (“flier”) on Zegras in his new Philadelphia environment might be a worthwhile gamble. The initial excitement surrounding Zegras, particularly after his highlight-reel plays like the “Michigan” goal in his rookie year, has diminished. The question is how much of this decline is due to his previous team`s environment and how much to injuries. A pessimistic view might suggest his situation hasn`t drastically improved by joining another rebuilding team like the Flyers. However, from an optimistic perspective, it`s unlikely his poor injury fortune will continue for a third straight season. Zegras sat out 76 games over the past two seasons, severely impacting his fantasy output. Even during a relatively healthy 81-game season in 2022-23, his average of 1.65 fantasy points per game while playing nearly 19 minutes was subpar. Zegras will compete for ice time at center with players like Sean Couturier and Noah Cates, but the potential for significant minutes exists. Paired with talented wingers such as Matvei Michkov and Travis Konecny, his offensive upside remains considerable.
Benedict Kingsley