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.

Zack Bolduc has been traded from the St. Louis Blues to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Logan Mailloux. Bolduc, a 22-year-old forward, had a productive season with 36 points, ranking him fourth among NHL rookies in goals. His solid performance included a plus-20 differential, indicating his effectiveness on the ice. Furthermore, Bolduc’s potential as a restricted free agent next season adds to his value. Meanwhile, Mailloux, also 22, has played eight NHL games with Montreal, showing promise with five points. This trade reflects both teams' strategic moves to enhance their rosters.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have reinforced their toughness by signing left winger Michael Pezzetta to a two-year contract, worth an average annual value of $787,500. The addition of Pezzetta, who stands at 6'1" and weighs 219 pounds, aligns with the team's strategy to enhance physicality, especially as a potential replacement for veteran Ryan Reaves. Despite a lack of scoring (no points in 25 games last season), Pezzetta's 24 penalty minutes demonstrate his willingness to play a gritty role.

At 27 years old, Pezzetta has accumulated 200 NHL games with the Montreal Canadiens, scoring 15 goals and 23 assists throughout his career. His physical play includes an incident in 2022 that led to a two-game suspension for an illegal check against T.J. Oshie. Notably, Pezzetta has faced challenges with injuries and healthy scratches, but his addition is a low-risk move for the Leafs to bolster their lineup.

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.

The Philadelphia Flyers have bolstered their roster by signing center Christian Dvorak to a one-year, $5.4 million contract. Dvorak, who had a solid performance with 12 goals and 21 assists in 82 games last season with the Montreal Canadiens, brings valuable experience after previously playing five seasons with the Arizona Coyotes. At 29, he is expected to provide stability at the center position, which is a crucial area for the Flyers, especially with the addition of young talent like Trevor Zegras.

Dvorak's history with Flyers' head coach Rick Tocchet, whom he played for in Arizona, may facilitate a smoother transition. The Flyers' aim to combine experienced players with emerging talent reflects a strategic approach to shape their roster for the upcoming season.