NHL 2024-25 Season Preview: New Beginnings, Shocking Trades, and Iconic Milestones
The 2024-25 NHL season is poised to deliver a memorable year of hockey, building on the excitement of last season, which saw intense playoff races and a thrilling Stanley Cup Final. As we gear up for the upcoming season, fans are looking forward to more action-packed moments, especially after an offseason filled with shocking trades, major signings, and heartbreaking events.
Honoring the Legacy of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau
Before the season could begin, the hockey world was hit by the tragic loss of Columbus Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew in a biking accident on August 29, 2024. The Gaudreau brothers, both prominent figures in the hockey community, were struck by a suspected drunk driver the day before their sister Kate’s wedding in New Jersey. The tragic news devastated the hockey world, and fans and players alike came together to mourn their loss.
Johnny Gaudreau, known for his offensive brilliance, had accumulated 743 points in 763 NHL games. His legacy on the ice will live on, and the Blue Jackets will honor both brothers throughout the season. The team will wear commemorative patches and helmet stickers featuring their jersey numbers, No. 13 for Johnny and No. 21 for Matthew, symbolizing their everlasting impact on the sport.
The 4 Nations Face-Off: A New Midseason Tournament
With international hockey back in focus, the NHL introduces the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, featuring the United States, Canada, Finland, and Sweden. Running from February 10-21, this tournament replaces the traditional World Cup of Hockey, as Russia’s involvement has been barred due to political tensions surrounding the Ukraine conflict. The format involves a round-robin tournament, with the two best teams competing in the final, held in Boston.
Fans are excited to witness stars like Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews face off in this mini-tournament, while hockey fans will have to wait for the 2026 Winter Olympics to see talents from countries like Germany and the Czech Republic.
Edmonton Oilers: Ready for Redemption
The Edmonton Oilers fell short of glory in last season’s Stanley Cup Finals, losing to the Florida Panthers after an incredible comeback from 3-0 down in the series. Connor McDavid, the team’s leader and one of the best players in the world, is more determined than ever to bring the Cup back to Edmonton. Alongside Leon Draisaitl, who inked an eight-year, $112 million extension, the Oilers have added more firepower with acquisitions like Jeff Skinner and Viktor Arvidsson. The team, now battle-tested, is gearing up for another deep playoff run.
However, the Oilers’ off-ice drama caught headlines as well. The team hired Stan Bowman as their new general manager after parting ways with long-time GM Ken Holland. Bowman’s controversial return to the NHL, after being suspended due to the Chicago Blackhawks’ mishandling of a 2010 sexual assault case, will certainly be under scrutiny.
Panthers Look to Repeat
The defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers have retooled their roster in the offseason, bringing in defensemen Adam Boqvist and Nate Schmidt, along with center Tomas Nosek. They’ve lost several key players, including Brandon Montour, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Vladimir Tarasenko, but still have their core of Matthew Tkachuk, Aleksander Barkov, and goalie Sergei Bobrovsky. The Panthers are eager to prove they can repeat their success from last year, though some experts expect a potential regression.
Major Offseason Moves
Several other teams made significant moves to strengthen their rosters. Steven Stamkos, the long-time face of the Tampa Bay Lightning, surprised many by signing a four-year deal with the Nashville Predators after failing to agree on a contract with Tampa Bay. He joins Jonathan Marchessault, who also moved to Nashville from the Vegas Golden Knights, aiming to bring the Predators closer to Cup contention.
The New Jersey Devils were aggressive in fixing their weaknesses after a disappointing season. They revamped their defense with the addition of Brett Pesce and Brenden Dillon, while signing former Flames goalie Jacob Markstrom to solidify their goaltending. The Devils also hired Sheldon Keefe as their new head coach, hoping to bounce back and regain a playoff spot.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Kings and Washington Capitals swapped problems, with the Kings trading underperforming center Pierre-Luc Dubois for Washington’s goalie Darcy Kuemper. Other notable moves included Patrick Kane re-signing with Detroit, while Tyler Bertuzzi and Teuvo Teravainen joined the Chicago Blackhawks to complement rising star Connor Bedard.
The Rookie Class
The 2024-25 rookie class is packed with talent, led by Macklin Celebrini, the No. 1 overall pick by the San Jose Sharks. Celebrini is expected to make an immediate impact for the Sharks, alongside his college rival turned NHL teammate Will Smith. Keep an eye on other rookies like Matvei Michkov of the Flyers, who made the leap from the KHL, and defenseman Lane Hutson of the Montreal Canadiens.
Utah’s NHL Debut
After years of uncertainty surrounding the Arizona Coyotes, the NHL finally settled on moving the franchise to Utah. Now known simply as the Utah Hockey Club for their inaugural season, the team is expected to announce a new mascot and team name next year. The buzz in Salt Lake City has been strong, and fans are excited to embrace their first NHL franchise.
Will Ovechkin Make History?
The 2024-25 season will be a historic one for Alex Ovechkin, who is just 42 goals shy of surpassing Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal-scoring record of 894. At 39, Ovechkin’s pace slowed last season, but the hockey world will be watching closely as he inches closer to the milestone that many thought would never be broken.