The Edmonton Oilers have acquired Andrew Mangiapane, a winger previously with the Washington Capitals, signing him to a two-year contract worth $7.2 million total. Mangiapane, who struggled during the 2024-25 season, finishing with only 28 points, hopes to revive his career in Edmonton. Known for a standout 35-goal performance in 2021-22, the former Calgary Flames sixth-round pick has demonstrated the capability to contribute significantly on offense, with a total of 109 goals across his seven NHL seasons. His move to the Oilers signals a fresh start as they look to enhance their scoring depth.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have undergone significant changes this offseason, yet many believe the alterations remain superficial. General Manager Brad Treliving emphasized a need for a change in the team's DNA, yet the most noticeable moves involve the firing of the president and allowing star player Mitch Marner to leave. The organization seems to be re-signing players who have underperformed in recent years, indicating a lack of substantial progress.

The fate of John Tavares raises eyebrows, as he was retained despite past failures, likely due to his insistence to stay. This reluctance to cut ties with core players, even after Marner's departure, suggests that the team may be stuck in a cycle of mediocrity rather than evolving into a contender. The only strategy that might salvage the situation is a potential pursuit of Connor McDavid, who has one year left on his contract with the Edmonton Oilers.

The NHL goalie landscape is becoming increasingly thin, with few options available for teams seeking new goaltenders. John Gibson's move to the Detroit Red Wings from Anaheim marks a significant trade, leaving a handful of veteran backups like Jake Allen and Thatcher Demko who opted to stay put with their teams. The Edmonton Oilers find themselves in a precarious position, potentially relying on Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard after missing out on other goalie options. Meanwhile, the Vancouver Canucks have secured a strong duo with Demko and Kevin Lankinen, further complicating goalie availability across the league.

In a surprising twist, the New York Islanders have added David Rittich for depth behind Ilya Sorokin, highlighting the need for teams to secure reliable goaltending as injuries can heavily impact playoff aspirations. The recent trend shows that goaltending is at a premium, making it crucial for teams to solidify their position ahead of the season.

The Los Angeles Kings are making significant changes following four consecutive playoff exits in the first round. Highlighting their offseason efforts, they signed five free agents, including former Hart Trophy winner Corey Perry, to bolster their roster. Perry's one-year, $2.5 million deal is part of a strategy that also brought in Joel Armia, Cody Ceci, Brian Dumoulin, and Anton Forsberg. This shake-up comes with new General Manager Ken Holland at the helm, who aims to guide the Kings beyond the first round for the first time since the 2014-15 season.

Perry, at 40, had a standout season, scoring 19 goals for the Edmonton Oilers. His experience, combined with Armia's consistency, is expected to enhance the Kings' forward depth. The defense is fortified with Ceci and Dumoulin, both seasoned players who can contribute significantly. Forsberg adds goaltending depth alongside Darcy Kuemper, enhancing the Kings’ chances of a playoff resurgence.

The NHL offseason is heating up as teams eagerly await decisions on key free agents. Nikolaj Ehlers remains a central figure in the trade rumors, with no immediate contract expected. His agent, Andre Rufener, will potentially delay any announcement into Wednesday, keeping teams like the New Jersey Devils and others in a holding pattern. Bob McKenzie reports that the Toronto Maple Leafs, along with the Carolina Hurricanes, Colorado Avalanche, and Washington Capitals, are competing for Ehlers' signature, highlighting his value in the current market.

In other news, the Edmonton Oilers recently traded Viktor Arvidsson to the Boston Bruins, opening up approximately $4.5 million in cap space for potential additions. The Montreal Canadiens have made an offer to Joe Veleno amidst interest from several teams including the Vegas Golden Knights and St. Louis Blues. As the trade tracker updates, teams are closely monitoring the free agent forward market as it could shift significantly based on Ehlers' decision.