The 2024-25 NHL regular season has concluded, leading to an offseason of reflection for nine eliminated teams. Each team will evaluate their performance, assessing failures and successes while strategizing for free agency, trades, and the upcoming draft.

The New Jersey Devils showed resilience despite injuries and the absence of star Jack Hughes, bolstered by strong performances from Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt. In contrast, the Columbus Blue Jackets made strides but struggled with goaltending and injuries. The Calgary Flames improved their identity but faced offensive challenges, while the Anaheim Ducks' youth showed promise, highlighted by Luka Dostal's goaltending.

Other teams like the Boston Bruins embraced a rebuild, trading assets for future potential but suffered a disappointing season. The Buffalo Sabres are desperate to snap their long playoff drought, while the Chicago Blackhawks are rebuilding around young talent. The Detroit Red Wings are seeking consistency to end their playoff absence, while the Nashville Predators and New York Islanders need to reassess their roster dynamics in preparation for a more competitive future.

Dean Evason has been appointed as the head coach for Canada's team at the upcoming World Hockey Championship, scheduled for May 9-25 in Sweden and Denmark. He will be joined by a strong staff, including Ryan Huska of the Calgary Flames, Andrew Brunette from Nashville, and Steve McCarthy of the Blue Jackets. Evason, who just completed his first season with Columbus, aims to improve on Canada's previous fourth-place finish.

The tournament will kick off with Canada facing Slovenia on May 10. With Huska's previous experience as an assistant in junior championships and Evason's solid coaching background, expectations are high for the team to contend for the title. The staff's combined NHL experience is noted as a significant asset as Canada aims to wear the Maple Leaf with pride.

Canada's national hockey team will be led by head coach Dean Evason at the upcoming World Championship, appointed by Hockey Canada. He’ll be joined by Calgary Flames’ Ryan Huska, Nashville Predators’ Andrew Brunette, and Blue Jackets’ Steve McCarthy as assistants. The tournament is set for May 9-25 in Sweden and Denmark, with Canada opening against Slovenia on May 10.

Evason, recently completing his first season as the Blue Jackets' head coach, led the team to a six-game winning streak, narrowly missing the playoffs. Huska's Flames finished strong, with a record of 41-27-14, but also fell short of postseason play. Brunette and McCarthy will be making their international coaching debuts.

The NHL Draft Lottery for 2025 is set for May 5, 2025, at the NHL Network’s studio in Secaucus, NJ, and will be broadcast on ESPN, Sportsnet, and TVA Sports. The Lottery will determine the order for the first 16 picks in the draft, involving teams that missed the playoffs. This event occurs in two phases to select the first and second overall picks, with a limitation on the number of selections a team can move up. The San Jose Sharks lead the odds with an 18.5% chance of winning the first draw, followed by the Chicago Blackhawks at 13.5% and the Nashville Predators at 11.5%. The complete odds outline a competitive landscape among teams for prime picks.

Meanwhile, NHL Central Scouting has ranked top prospects for the draft, with Matthew Schaefer of the Erie Otters at the top. The NHL Scouting Combine will take place from June 1-7 in Buffalo, NY, showcasing eligible prospects. The Draft will be held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles across two days, starting on June 27, 2025. Tickets will go on sale on May 5.

The Nashville Predators faced a disappointing 2024-25 season, finishing with a record of 30-44-8 and missing the playoffs for the second time in three years. Goalie Juuse Saros ended the season with his career-worst numbers, including an .895 save percentage and a 2.98 goals-against average, raising concerns about his performance. Coach Andrew Brunette pointed out that the expectations set by significant free-agent signings did not translate into results, leading to a lack of chemistry on the ice.

Saros, who previously ranked in the top five for the Vezina Trophy, struggled throughout the season but will get another chance to showcase his skills representing Finland at the IIHF World Championship. With Saros carrying an eight-year, $61.92 million contract starting next season, the pressure will be on him to rebound from this lackluster campaign.