The conclusion of the 2025 NHL season has triggered the usual flurry of offseason activity, with teams retooling through free agency and trades. While these moves reshape franchises on the ice, they also critically alter the landscape for fantasy hockey managers preparing for their drafts. Understanding how player roles, linemates, and ice time might change in a new environment is essential for identifying potential risers, fallers, and unexpected fantasy assets.
This analysis dissects some of the most significant player transactions of the 2025 offseason, providing a technical perspective on their projected impact within the context of fantasy hockey leagues. Consider this a preliminary guide to navigating the altered player values before draft day.
Key Player Movements and Their Projected Fantasy Impact
Mitch Marner to Vegas Golden Knights
The former Maple Leaf moves to the desert, immediately slotting into a potential top-line and primary power-play role alongside center Jack Eichel. This alignment is anticipated to maintain, if not slightly enhance, his scoring output, keeping him firmly in the 90-100 point range. Notably, an uptick in goal-scoring production is probable due to Eichel`s playmaking ability, potentially increasing Marner`s value in leagues weighted towards goals. Expect an increase in shots on net from the winger as well. This move solidifies Marner as a high-end draft selection.
Conversely, this acquisition creates uncertainty for other Vegas forwards. Mark Stone`s potential displacement from Eichel`s line could lead to a decrease in even-strength production, compounding concerns about his historical durability issues. Similarly, a forward like Pavel Dorofeyev or Tomas Hertl may see reduced power-play time. Fantasy managers should monitor line combinations closely in training camp.
Meanwhile, Toronto faces the challenge of filling a significant void on their top line. The player inheriting Marner`s previous position alongside Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies will inherently gain fantasy value, but identifying that player among the current roster or future acquisitions is speculative at this juncture.
Nikolaj Ehlers to Carolina Hurricanes
Ehlers` arrival in Carolina presents a promising opportunity for the Danish winger. A likely assignment to a top line and primary power-play unit, potentially with Sebastian Aho, positions him to exceed point-per-game production and potentially reach the 30-goal plateau for the first time in his career. His six-year contract suggests a commitment to a prominent role. With a history of averaging nearly three shots per game, increased ice time in Carolina should translate to improved statistical output across categories. Ehlers represents a potentially undervalued asset for fantasy managers willing to bet on increased opportunity.
This move could impact existing Hurricanes forwards, most notably Andrei Svechnikov, who might see his power-play role shift to the second unit. Following a points decline in 2024-25, Svechnikov`s fantasy outlook becomes slightly less certain, although his presence would bolster the secondary scoring unit, potentially benefiting players like Jesperi Kotkaniemi.
Brent Burns to Colorado Avalanche
Realistically, this is not the Brent Burns who dominated fantasy scoreboards with high shot volumes and prolific point totals years ago. His statistical contributions, particularly in shots and power-play effectiveness, have declined over the past two seasons. His value appears to have shifted more towards intangible leadership qualities. While joining the Avalanche, the exact deployment is yet to be determined, but expecting a return to fantasy prominence based on his current trajectory is optimistic. He is unlikely to provide significant fantasy returns outside of potentially supplementing hits or blocks if given defensive zone usage.
Other Notable Player Transitions and Their Fantasy Angles
- Pius Suter to St. Louis Blues: Adds to a crowded forward group in St. Louis. While he finished 2024-25 on a positive note offensively, his fantasy value is entirely contingent on securing consistent top-six center minutes, a role not guaranteed given the roster composition.
- Andrew Mangiapane to Edmonton Oilers: Provides depth for the Oilers, who need reliable wingers. An opportunity to potentially play alongside Leon Draisaitl could offer fleeting fantasy relevance, but his previous high-goal output seasons were not always correlated with high overall fantasy point rates. He`s a speculative depth addition with potential for short-term value bumps based on deployment.
- Mikael Granlund to Anaheim Ducks: After a resurgence, Granlund lands in Anaheim where significant opportunity awaits. If he earns 19+ minutes per night and first-unit power-play duty, he could provide serviceable, albeit not elite, fantasy production, making him a viable late-round target.
- Jonathan Drouin to New York Islanders: His successful partnership with Nathan MacKinnon showcased his upside. Moving to the Islanders, his fantasy relevance hinges entirely on securing a similar high-usage role, likely with Bo Horvat or Mathew Barzal, and consistent power-play time. Without elite linemates, his fantasy floor is low, making him a deep-league or waiver watch candidate.
- Vladislav Gavrikov to New York Rangers: The long-term commitment from the Rangers indicates a significant role on the blue line. Gavrikov`s fantasy value stems primarily from contributions in defensive categories like blocks, supplemented by modest shot volume and offensive production. He`s a reliable option in deeper leagues that count hits and blocks extensively.
- Vladimir Tarasenko to Minnesota Wild: Minnesota, seeking improved scoring, adds the veteran winger. Tarasenko`s production has waned, but a potential role on a second line and power play in Minnesota could lead to a modest rebound, especially if ice time increases. His incentive in a contract year could also be a factor. He`s a late-round dart throw for potential scoring depth.
- John Gibson to Detroit Red Wings: This move provides Gibson with a clear path to a starting role after years in Anaheim. While health is a consistent concern, his 2024-25 performance showed signs of rebound. If he can maintain similar save percentages and goals-against averages behind a comparable Detroit team, increased starts could elevate him into the top-15 fantasy goaltender conversation. His arrival impacts the goalie situation in Anaheim, positioning Lukas Dostal as the likely starter with potential for increased fantasy value behind an improving Ducks roster.
- Noah Dobson to Montreal Canadiens: Despite a dip in scoring from his breakout season, Dobson maintained solid fantasy value due to high shot volume and contributions in defensive categories. Expect a similar, well-rounded contribution in Montreal, where he is projected for heavy minutes but may feature on the secondary power play behind Lane Hutson. He remains a reliable mid-to-late round defenseman pick.
- JJ Peterka to Utah Mammoth: A promising young player, Peterka`s move to Utah brings uncertainty regarding his ice time and power-play deployment on a suddenly deeper roster. His fantasy breakout was tied to power-play production. Securing a spot on Utah`s top power play (likely competing with Keller, Guenther, Cooley) is critical for him to maintain or increase his fantasy value. Strong dynasty asset, but potentially a waiver wire watch in standard redraft leagues depending on his role.
- Evander Kane to Vancouver Canucks: Following a season missed and a playoff return, Kane demonstrated he can still contribute points and hits. Joining a Canucks team potentially losing key offensive pieces, Kane could find himself in a top-six role, possibly alongside Elias Pettersson. His fantasy value is directly tied to earning consistent ice time and power-play opportunities, which were inconsistent in Edmonton.
- Trevor Zegras to Philadelphia Flyers: A “flier” pick in a new environment for a player whose hype exceeded his consistent fantasy production even before injury troubles. While the Flyers are also rebuilding, the change of scenery and potential linemates like Matvei Michkov and Travis Konecny offer a glimmer of hope for a fantasy rebound. However, he will compete for center minutes, and his past struggles with consistency and injury make him a high-risk, high-reward late-draft selection or waiver watch.
- James van Riemsdyk to Detroit Red Wings: Adds veteran depth to Detroit`s forward group. While he retains some scoring ability, securing consistent top-six ice time alongside Detroit`s established stars is unlikely. His fantasy relevance, if any, would likely be limited to temporary value bumps if injuries or line shuffling create short-term opportunities.
- Anthony Mantha to Pittsburgh Penguins: A move offering a long-shot opportunity. While Evgeni Malkin`s ability to elevate linemates has diminished, playing anywhere near Sidney Crosby`s orbit can provide unexpected boosts. Mantha is likely destined for a depth role, but managers in deep leagues should monitor his early deployment for any surprising top-six assignments.
- Gustav Nyquist to Winnipeg Jets: After an outlier high-production season, Nyquist regressed significantly in 2024-25. His role in Winnipeg is likely too far down the depth chart, both at even strength and on the power play, to make him a relevant fantasy option in most league formats.
- Viktor Arvidsson to Boston Bruins: While not the 30-goal scorer of his past, Arvidsson has shown recent stretches of fantasy relevance tied to shot volume and power-play production. On a Bruins team that needs secondary scoring and power-play contributors beyond David Pastrnak, Arvidsson could carve out a niche. He`s a late-round consideration if your roster needs help in goals or shots.
- John Klingberg to San Jose Sharks: A move to San Jose offers Klingberg a chance to compete for a top power-play role, something he`s lacked since leaving Dallas. Surgically repaired and still capable of moving the puck, he could hold sleeper appeal *if* he wins the power-play quarterback job from younger players. However, his overall fantasy value is heavily dependent on this specific role and likely carries a significant drag from plus/minus in leagues that count it.
- Dan Vladar to Philadelphia Flyers: Entering a goaltending situation with opportunity but low expectations. While Philadelphia limits shot volume, their goaltenders struggled last season. Vladar has had flashes of fantasy relevance but also significant struggles. Samuel Ersson is the presumed starter. Vladar is strictly a deep-league stash for managers needing a third goalie, banking purely on the potential for increased starts and a miraculous rebound.
The 2025 NHL offseason has certainly shuffled the deck. Fantasy managers should actively follow training camp news and early-season line combinations. Adaptability and vigilance will be key to leveraging these player movements for success in the upcoming fantasy hockey season.
