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.

Jake Allen has secured a five-year contract with the New Jersey Devils, effectively taking him off the free agency market. The deal is valued at an average annual value of $1.8 million, which allows the Devils to maintain their current goaltending duo for the upcoming season. Allen, who has had a storied career with teams like the St. Louis Blues and Montreal Canadiens, brings considerable experience, having started in 436 games during his 12-year NHL tenure.

In the previous season, Allen played 29 games with a record of 13-16-1, alongside a .906 save percentage, a 2.66 goals-against average, and four shutouts. The Devils will also retain Jacob Markstrom, who has one year left on a $4.125 million contract, while Nico Daws is also under contract, becoming a restricted free agent next summer.

The NHL offseason has already showcased significant excitement following the Florida Panthers' back-to-back Stanley Cup victories. With the 2025 NHL Draft concluding and 224 prospects finding new homes, teams are rapidly reshaping their rosters. The draft weekend saw notable trades, including Noah Dobson, Charlie Coyle, and John Gibson, while Mitch Marner's recent eight-year extension with the Maple Leafs ended with a trade to the Golden Knights. Free agency opened with a frenzy of signings, highlighted by Jake Allen returning to the Devils on a five-year deal, and several big names like Jack Eichel and Kirill Kaprizov eligible for major extensions.

Veteran players such as Tony DeAngelo and Patrick Kane also secured contracts with their respective teams, while the Oilers made sure to retain promising young defenseman Evan Bouchard. The free agency tracker reveals a dynamic landscape, pulling top-rated talents into various team strategies as they aim to build towards championship aspirations for the coming season.

The Calgary Flames made a significant move in the NHL draft, selecting forward Cole Reschny with the 18th overall pick. Reschny showcased impressive skills during his time with the Victoria Royals in the WHL, netting 26 goals and providing 66 assists over 62 games, along with 25 points in the playoffs. This selection underscores the Flames' dedication to building a strong roster for the future.

In a previous trade, the Flames acquired the 18th pick from the New Jersey Devils as part of the deal involving goalie Jacob Markstrom. Calgary's strategic moves are notable as they strive to rebound from last season, where a tie with the St. Louis Blues for the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference ultimately fell short due to a tiebreaker. With the Flames also holding the 32nd pick from the Matthew Tkachuk trade, they are well-positioned for a busy draft weekend.

Ryan Parent has been officially appointed as the head coach of the Utica Comets, the AHL affiliate of the New Jersey Devils. Previously serving as interim head coach, Parent led the team to a record of 31-25-6-1 over 63 games. He enters his eighth season with the franchise, having joined as an assistant coach in 2018.

Parent, drafted by the Nashville Predators in 2005, brings a wealth of experience from both the NHL and AHL, where he played over 350 games. Joining him are assistant coaches Mark Voakes, a former player development coach for the Devils, and Matt Carkner, who led Orlando in the ECHL to postseason appearances in 2024 and 2025.