Off The Crossbar

Like any new season, the 2025-26 campaign has led players to new horizons, which means learning new systems, coaching staffs, and developing chemistry; luckily, a few of the more veteran players made moves that could help their chances at winning a Stanley Cup. Although there were moves that made quite the splash (see: Brad Marchand staying in Sunrise and Brock Boeser committing to Vancouver long term), a few underrated stars sought new pastures and could just be the difference for their respective clubs. 

Perhaps one of the most high profile departures this summer was Nikolaj Ehlers’ exit from Winnipeg after posting 5-2–7 in 8 GP throughout the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Ehlers had been a staple in the Jets’ system for quite some time, with the Jets serving as the only team in which he has had NHL experience, so this exit might hurt Winnipeg’s offense heading into 2025-26. However, the Hurricanes, the team that locked him into a six-year, $51 million deal, look for him to significantly help their offense. Carolina is coming off another disappointing postseason performance under head coach Rod Brind’amour, but the left winger from Denmark can significantly help their attack with his speed and scoring ability for years to come. The Canes have been in contention for a few years now but seem to always fall short; with Ehlers, they look to finally have the last piece of the puzzle to push them over the edge and towards what could be the franchise’s first Stanley Cup victory since 2006. 

While not in postseason contention like the Hurricanes, the San Jose Sharks bolstered their roster in a different way by signing long-time NHL veteran Jeff Skinner to a one-year, $3 million dollar deal. Skinner is one of 40+ active players with over a 1,000 career games played and looks to bring a much needed veteran presence to what could otherwise be considered a wildly young Sharks team; his leadership could be the first step in getting this team full of talent to the promised land. Among those young guys are Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith, who will have the opportunity of a lifetime to learn under someone like Skinner without the pressure of being playoff ready. In addition to the second-year tandem, Skinner will also have the chance to make a lasting impression on newcomer Michael Misa, the Sharks’ first round draft pick this past summer. Having someone like Skinner in a room full of young talent might just help the Sharks for years to come long after the Markham native makes his exit, and that could be more valuable than just about any other high profile free agent signing. 

Another veteran looking to make his presence known comes in the form of Corey Perry, whose departure from Edmonton after failing to win a Stanley Cup for the fifth time in the last  six years was expected. Not many were looking for him to join the Kings, crosstown rivals of his first team, the Ducks, but with Los Angeles failing to make it out of the first round for the fourth year in a row, more veteran presence might just be what they need in Anze Kopitar’s last go around. Perry fits that bill well, having become somewhat of a journeyman in the last few seasons, as the Kings become his fourth team in the last four years; however, this kind of experience on a relatively young NHL roster could do wonders for the club as they look to players like Quinton Byfield to lead the team in the future. 

Overall, new players on new teams are always an exciting element to any new season, and the impact for these guys could be the difference between a Stanley Cup win and a dynasty in the making; look for each of them to make an impact when the puck drops on the 2025-26 campaign starting October 7th.