The upcoming buyout window in the NHL opens 48 hours after the Stanley Cup is awarded, and several players are prime candidates for buyouts. T.J. Brodie of the Chicago Blackhawks faces a potential buyout due to overpopulation on the blueline, costing the team a manageable cap hit over the next two years. Pierre Engvall, who signed a controversial seven-year deal with the New York Islanders, might not see the end of it given his underwhelming performance. Matt Dumba from the Dallas Stars is also on the chopping block as the team looks to alleviate cap space, with the option of a buyout looming if they fail to trade him.

Chicago's Joe Veleno is another young talent who could be let go due to a favorable buyout structure that would save the Blackhawks cash flow. The St. Louis Blues' Mathieu Joseph is caught in a similar predicament, with a buyout allowing them to maximize cap space. Detroit's Justin Holl signed a contract that has not panned out, and a buyout may be a route they take. Lastly, Marc-Édouard Vlasic from the San Jose Sharks, despite being a long-tenured player, may face a buyout as the Sharks navigate their roster and salary cap situation.

The New York Islanders have made significant changes to their front office, appointing Ryan Bowness as the assistant general manager and director of player personnel. Bowness brings experience from his previous role with the Ottawa Senators, where he served for three seasons, culminating in a position as associate GM in the 2024-25 season.

This move comes on the heels of the Islanders' disappointing performance last season, missing the playoffs with a 35-35-12 record. However, they did secure the top overall pick in the upcoming NHL draft, defying odds with only a 3.5% chance of winning the lottery. Bowness, whose father, Rick Bowness, previously coached the Islanders, joins new GM Mathieu Darche in an effort to revitalize the team.

The New York Islanders are navigating a complex offseason with significant decisions regarding their restricted free agents (RFAs), notably Noah Dobson and Alexander Romanov. New GM Mathieu Darche is expected to retain Dobson, seeing him as a vital part of the franchise's future despite trade rumors. Projections suggest Dobson may secure a six-year deal worth between $8-9 million per season. Meanwhile, Romanov's future remains uncertain; he could be offered a one-year deal around $4.48 million. The potential drafting of Matthew Schaefer complicates matters, potentially leading to a defensive logjam that might prompt a trade.

In Boston, the Bruins are set for a roster overhaul under new coach Marco Sturm. GM Don Sweeney is facing pressure to rejuvenate the team after a disappointing season without playoffs. Key names like Brad Marchand and Brandon Carlo have departed, and while they still boast a strong core with David Pastrnak and Charlie McAvoy, Sweeney must find a way to infuse youth and goal-scoring into the lineup without overspending. The Bruins' primary focus will be on balancing cost-effectiveness while making impactful additions through trades or free agency.

The 2025 NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo redefined how teams evaluate prospects with a decentralized format, limiting personal interactions outside the combine. Team executives conducted fitness tests and interviews, but traditional dinners were scarce, impacting rapport-building with top prospects.

Prominent prospect Matthew Schaefer, ranked No. 1, met with teams like the New York Islanders and San Jose Sharks, while other players, such as James Hagens, engaged with multiple teams. The Chicago Blackhawks made waves by omitting dinner meetings, raising questions about their strategy ahead of the draft.

Teams like the Philadelphia Flyers demonstrated a keen interest in goalies, potentially eyeing their three first-round picks to fill gaps. Meanwhile, prospects like Brady Martin and Roger McQueen sparked discussion, thanks to their impressive performances and potential draft positions. As speculation grows, the combine marks the start of a hectic draft season with trades and strategic decisions looming.

The upcoming NHL draft is set to be one of the most unpredictable in recent memory, as scouts and executives at the NHL scouting combine highlighted an abundance of talented prospects. With as many as 18 players potentially vying for the top 10 spots, the decisions made during the draft will be crucial for franchises like the New York Islanders, who are expected to select defenseman Matthew Schaefer first overall. However, the real intrigue lies in the debates taking place behind closed doors regarding other top prospects, including Everett Silvertips forward Carter Bear, who despite an injury, has shown remarkable scoring potential.

Other notable prospects include Victor Eklund and Anton Frondell, who have a strong on-ice chemistry together, and Michael Misa, who excelled at center this past season. The combine also featured standout performances, like Will Horcoff breaking a combine record with a horizontal jump of 124.75 inches, demonstrating the fierce competition among hopefuls aiming to make their mark in the NHL.