Though summer doesn’t officially end for a couple more weeks, the passing of Labour Day is a defining line for many people. Vacation season comes to an end, school returns for many, and the usual day-to-day routine kicks back in.
In the NHL, Labour Day is an unofficial mark between the end of the off-season and the beginning of a new year. Though training camps are still a couple of weeks away from opening, the final touches will be put on rosters so that when Day 1 opens to the media, much of the house is in order.
We’ve gotten a more exciting August than usual, too. We’ve seen a few notable trades, including Patrik Laine going to Montreal and Yaroslav Askarov heading to San Jose, while the Edmonton Oilers had to contend with two offer sheets, allowing both Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway to leave for St. Louis.
Even with that, there is still a lot of business that wasn’t completed in the summer months. Here then, is a reminder of some of the bigger storylines still unresolved.
THE MANY, MANY UNSIGNED RFAs
The best players still without a contract for 2024-25 is a long list of RFAs, many of whom are top-of-the-lineup, crucial players for their teams.
Jeremy Swayman, Boston’s now undisputed No. 1 goalie after the team traded hug-mate Linus Ullmark to Ottawa this summer, is one of the more consequential. Choosing not to go to arbitration this time, the Bruins and Swayman are still grinding away on an extension, though there are questions about how far apart the two sides still are. Without Swayman, Joonas Korpisalo would be Boston’s starter.
Detroit has two very big and important RFAs still unsigned in leading scorer Lucas Raymond and blue line cornerstone Moritz Seider. In Dallas, it’s Thomas Harley after he scored 47 points in his 22-year-old season. Cole Perfetti is looking for more ice time and a more defined role in Winnipeg after scoring 19 goals last season, which could be a factor in his ongoing RFA talks, while Dawson Mercer of New Jersey also remains unsigned after his production dipped in Year 3.
And though Nick Robertson’s NHL career hasn’t been as fruitful as the others named here, the 22-year-old (turning 23 in September) scored 14 goals in 56 games for the Maple Leafs last season and, it seems, would finally have an opportunity to break into a regular lineup spot this season. As outlined by Luke Fox, the Leafs are rather thin on left wing, where Robertson plays, and that means they’ve been exploring the market to address the position. Without a contract, Robertson’s trade request also still stands, and Leafs Nation will be watching to see if there’s a resolution (via extension, accepted qualifying offer, or trade) by the opening of training camp.
WAITING FOR EXTENSIONS ON BIG PENDING UFAs
Heading into the final year of his contract, Leon Draisaitl’s next deal is a major factor in Edmonton’s plans. His next contract will be a market-setting one as the salary cap rises, though probably for only one season, and sets the table for Connor McDavid’s own extension he can sign as of next July 1.
There’s no sign, yet, that this can’t get done, but we’re waiting on what that final number will be. If nothing’s done by the start of training camp, it becomes one of the biggest stories surrounding the team.
Meanwhile, heading into the 20th season of his career, Sidney Crosby’s contract is in its final year. Many might have expected for Crosby to sign by now, given the expectation he’ll (probably) remain a Penguin for life, and the fact his contract won’t be the same high-end, league-defining deal as Draisaitl’s. Still, the Penguins are at an interesting point, striking out of the playoffs two years in a row, having not won a round since 2018, and now under the management of Kyle Dubas. When big contracts last came due for Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin they both got extended, so we’d anticipate the same for Crosby. But, what’s the hold up?
Of course, we also have to mention Mitch Marner here, though it’s not nearly as surprising he doesn’t have an extension done with the Leafs yet. His situation looms over a transition season for the Leafs, but one in which the expectations will remain as high as ever. Day 1 of training camp, Marner becomes their biggest story after Auston Matthews and William Nylander were both extended.
Similarly in Winnipeg, Nikolaj Ehlers is a season away from being able to walk out the door, and a decision will need to be made on whether to trade him, ride with him as an own rental, or give him more ice time and keep the relationship going. In Ottawa, a big price was paid to bring in Linus Ullmark and he’ll want to feel out that organization as much as they’ll want to make sure he can handle a heavier workload before committing to more term.
Brock Boeser hit 40 goals for the first time last season and now enters a contract year as the Canucks look to build on a second-round appearance. And in Florida, the defending champs have three key players from their run — Aaron Ekblad, Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Bennett — all eligible for extensions.
THE RYAN JOHANSEN SITUATION
In a bit of late summer drama, the Philadelphia Flyers waived centre Ryan Johansen for purposes of terminating his contract, due to “material breach” of the deal.
Philadelphia traded for Johansen at last season’s trade deadline, also picking up a 2025 first-round pick and sending Sean Walker back to Colorado. The Flyers put Johansen on waivers right away, but couldn’t send him to the AHL due to an injury.
That appears to be central to the ongoing situation.
However, two weeks after intending to terminate his contract, the Flyers still haven’t made such a move, and Johansen remains on the roster. The player’s representatives indicated this move will likely be grieved, whenever it comes to pass.
FREE AGENTS/PTOs
Heading into the final stretch before camps open, there are still some helpful UFAs available, many of whom could be signing on with professional tryout contracts in the coming days.
James van Riemsdyk scored 11 goals last season, and Mike Hoffman got to 10 — though neither of these mid-30s wingers are at their peak anymore, they could still be a cheap depth target for a winger hungry team. Max Pacioretty falls into that category as well, though with two Achilles tears and just four goals scored last season, the soon-to-be 36-year-old comes with risk.
On defence, Justin Schultz, Kevin Shattenkirk and Tony DeAngelo are all offensively inclined players who could be attractive in a PTO situation for a competitive team that needs to round out its bottom pair, or add another puck-moving element to the PP2. DeAngelo stands out a little here in that he’s only 28, whereas the other two are the typical mid-30s players you find in this situation.