The New York Islanders have shaken up their roster by trading defenseman Noah Dobson to the Montreal Canadiens as part of a sign-and-trade deal that secures Dobson an eight-year contract worth $76 million. The Islanders receive forwards Emil Heineman and the 16th and 17th picks in the upcoming NHL draft. This strategic move comes after a challenging season for Dobson, who recorded 39 points and a minus-16 rating.

Meanwhile, the Canadiens are looking to enhance their defense with the addition of Dobson, who joins promising rookie Lane Hutson. The trade reflects the Canadiens' efforts to solidify their squad after returning to the playoffs after a four-year hiatus, although they fell short against the Washington Capitals. The Islanders, with their eye on the draft, hope to target Boston College center James Hagens, a Long Island native who has local fans excited.

The New York Rangers are actively retooling their roster to increase salary cap flexibility, a challenge compounded by their reliance on veteran players. The team is likely to wait for next offseason for more financial maneuverability as the cap is projected to rise, aligning with owner James Dolan's expectations for improved results. Key players are classified into tiers, with Adam Fox, J.T. Miller, and Igor Shesterkin deemed untouchable. Players like Chris Kreider and K’Andre Miller are on the trading block, while others such as Alexis Lafreniere and Brennan Othmann are available for the right price. The team must navigate complex decisions as they aim to bolster their roster for the upcoming season.

The New York Rangers are poised for a tumultuous offseason, with only three players seemingly safe from trade speculation. General Manager Chris Drury has indicated a desire to revamp the roster after a disappointing season, as reported by Arthur Staple from The Athletic. Notably, goaltender Igor Shesterkin, defenseman Adam Fox, and forward Artemi Panarin are the designated untouchables in trade discussions.

Despite Shesterkin and Fox being under long-term contracts, Panarin is entering the final year of his deal, yet the franchise appears eager to retain him, potentially negotiating an extension soon. With $8.4 million in cap space, the Rangers are likely to entertain trades involving other key players, including Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider, K’Andre Miller, and Alexis Lafreniere, as they seek to reshape their lineup ahead of the upcoming season.

The New York Rangers are in a tight spot as they look to navigate a challenging offseason. Key players like Adam Fox are not on the trading block, given his youth and significant cap hit, which should age well. However, Chris Kreider's future with the team is uncertain due to salary cap constraints and the need to re-sign RFAs K'Andre Miller and Will Cuylle.

Kreider, who struggled with injuries last season, has a no-trade clause that limits options for the Rangers. Alternatives like waivers or a buyout could be considered, but trading Artemi Panarin is unlikely unless it serves to create cap flexibility. The Rangers may also explore adding defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov, but that would require significant financial maneuvering.

EA Sports has unveiled the second wave of its Team of the Season (TOTS) lineup for NHL 2024-25, highlighting several elite players. Noteworthy additions include Logan Thompson (G) from the Washington Capitals, Adam Fox (D) of the New York Rangers, and Connor McDavid (C) of the Edmonton Oilers, each boasting a 94 OVR rating. Connor and McDavid represent their teams for a second time, alongside Connor Hellebuyck and Leon Draisaitl, establishing the Jets and Oilers as leading franchises in TOTS representation.

In addition to TOTS, EA Sports has introduced rookie ratings for several emerging talents, including Ryan Leonard (80 OVR) from the Capitals and Gabe Perreault (79 OVR) from the Rangers. The anticipation builds as fans await the third wave reveal, which might further elevate the Jets or Oilers to the top tier.