As the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs progress, discussions around offseason strategies are intensifying for the teams that have been eliminated from contention for the trophy. The recent exit of the Toronto Maple Leafs from the Stanley Cup race has ignited speculation regarding Mitch Marner, who could emerge as a prominent figure in this summer's free-agent market. Potential destinations for Marner should he decide to test free agency on July 1 are currently a focal point among analysts.

The NHL Draft, scheduled for June 27-28, has also resulted in increased interest in which prospects might be selected in the first round. Concurrently, some teams may entertain the prospect of trading their first-round picks for favorable compensation. Notably, rumors indicate that the Vancouver Canucks and the San Jose Sharks may be inclined to trade their first-round selections. Reports from Eric Stephens of The Athletic on May 20 noted that Sharks GM Mike Grier is open to discussing the possibility of moving his pick if it leads to the acquisition of a player who could provide an immediate impact on the roster. The Columbus Blue Jackets and Washington Capitals are also reportedly considering options involving their first-round selections.

On May 22, SI.com's Nick Horwat relayed that Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell expressed a willingness to entertain offers for his team’s two first-round picks, which include the 14th overall pick and the Minnesota Wild's pick at 20th overall. Additionally, Capitals GM Chris Patrick indicated he is open to offers for his team’s 27th overall pick, pointing out the necessity of being receptive to all possibilities. While these four clubs have indicated a willingness to listen to offers, it remains uncertain whether they will ultimately trade their picks unless a substantial trade proposal is presented.

The Utah Mammoth have been undergoing a roster rebuild since Bill Armstrong became the general manager in 2020. Under Armstrong's leadership, promising young talents such as Logan Cooley, Dylan Guenther, Josh Doan, JJ Moser, and Conor Geekie have emerged. Last summer, Armstrong actively sought to enhance the roster through trades, notably acquiring defenseman Mikhail Sergachev from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Moser, Geekie, and two draft picks. With an estimated salary-cap space of $21.2 million and 20 active roster players under contract, the Mammoth may be positioned to make significant moves during the upcoming free agency period.

Concerning potential targets, Quentin Carney of The Hockey News suggested that the Mammoth could pursue Mitch Marner if he becomes available. Additionally, Spencer Lazary highlighted Vancouver Canucks winger Brock Boeser as another attractive option. Acquiring a notable player such as Marner or Boeser could serve as the final piece of the puzzle in transforming the Mammoth into a playoff contender, especially after a season where they fell short of the postseason by only eight points.

Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Flyers encountered difficulties during their rebuild, finishing last in the Eastern Conference. Following the termination of head coach John Tortorella in March, the team appointed Rick Tocchet as his successor on May 14. General manager Daniel Brière is now expected to explore roster changes in the offseason, with suggestions regarding potential trade chips including defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen, goaltender Ivan Fedotov, and winger Owen Tippett. Among these, Tippett, who has reached the 20-goal and 40-point milestones for three consecutive seasons, may hold particular trade value as he continues to develop in the league.

Despite some fluctuations in production, Tippett remains a vital forward for the Flyers. He is in the first year of an eight-year contract with an average annual value of $6.2 million, and his no-trade clause does not come into effect until the 2026-27 season, providing Brière the opportunity to assess his value on the trade market this summer. The Flyers could benefit from Tippett's skills while addressing their depth in the center position and mitigating a surplus of top-six wingers, making him an appealing trade asset to acquire a second-line center.

In addition, Bowen Byram, who was acquired by the Buffalo Sabres from the Colorado Avalanche for center Casey Mittelstadt before the March 2024 trade deadline, has made a significant impact on the team’s defensive core, finishing with a career-high 38 points this season. Nevertheless, his status is also in question as reports on May 21 from Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman noted that the Sabres are evaluating Byram's market value. As Byram is set to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights on July 1 and is currently concluding a two-year contract at an average annual value of $3.9 million, he may be seeking an increase to around $7 million annually in his next contract.

Given that the Sabres' priorities have shifted post-acquisition, they may contemplate trading Byram for a veteran right-shot defenseman to complement their younger blueliners, including Owen Power. Furthermore, the franchise's focus might also be directed toward re-signing forwards such as JJ Peterka, Alex Tuch, and Ryan McLeod. Byram could provide a substantial return for teams in need of a skilled left-side defenseman.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have been led by star forwards Auston Matthews, William Nylander, John Tavares, and Mitch Marner since 2018-19, but the club's limited playoff success—achieving only two series wins—has prompted calls for a potential shakeup among their core group. As both Tavares and Marner enter unrestricted free agency eligibility on July 1, their futures with the team are uncertain. During the recent end-of-season press availability, Tavares expressed optimism about returning, while Marner suggested he would take time with family to deliberate his options.

If Marner opts to pursue free agency, he would become the most sought-after player available, potentially commanding an annual salary of no less than $13 million on a long-term contract. Various sources, including Ryan Dixon from Sportsnet and Sean O'Leary from The Score, have identified multiple teams expressing interest in Marner’s services, including notable franchises such as Los Angeles, Anaheim, Utah, Vegas, Pittsburgh, New York Islanders, Colorado, Chicago, Carolina, Washington, Buffalo, and Detroit. Should Marner decide to move on from Toronto, teams like Carolina may be particularly appealing due to their potential to contend while possessing the necessary salary cap space.

In conclusion, the upcoming offseason promises to be full of impactful player movements and strategic decisions as teams look to better their rosters ahead of the 2025-26 NHL season.