The Minnesota Wild have lamentably announced the departure of their star player, who has signed a monumental deal after abruptly rejecting a new one with the team.
The NHL offseason is heating up with trades, signings, and looming cap decisions that could reshape several franchises before training camps open.
Among the most intriguing developments: a veteran heading overseas, a blockbuster trade on Broadway, and questions swirling around a top defenseman’s health.
Devin Shore Heads to Czech Republic After NHL Stint
After a year split between the NHL and AHL, 30-year-old forward Devin Shore is headed to Europe. The Minnesota Wild’s pending unrestricted free agent has signed a contract with HC Sparta Praha of the Czech Extraliga. Shore posted modest numbers in 2024–25, recording one goal and five points in 55 games with the Wild.
On a one-year, $775,000 deal, he also tallied two goals and 10 points in just 15 games with the Iowa Wild in the AHL. Seeking a fresh start and possibly a larger role, Shore’s move to Prague adds experience to Sparta’s lineup and ends his nine-season NHL journey, which began with the Dallas Stars in 2015.
Rangers Shake Up Core, Trade Kreider to Ducks
The New York Rangers made headlines by dealing long-time forward Chris Kreider to the Anaheim Ducks, receiving a prospect and a draft pick in return.
The trade clears Kreider’s $6.5 million cap hit from New York’s books for the next two seasons.
With 18 active roster players under contract, the Rangers now have roughly $14.9 million in cap space—a significant cushion heading into the summer market.
This move, however, may reverberate beyond the financials. Kreider’s departure ends a long-standing partnership with Mika Zibanejad, with whom he shared a close bond both on and off the ice.
Larry Brooks of the New York Post suggested that this could influence Zibanejad’s stance on waiving his no-movement clause—a possibility that has long hovered in trade speculation circles.
Still, Zibanejad’s trade value presents complications. The 32-year-old center is under contract for five more years at an average annual value of $8.5 million.
Since his standout 91-point season in 2022–23, his production has declined, making it difficult for the Rangers to find a team willing to take on the full cap hit without significant sweeteners.
Golden Knights Monitoring Pietrangelo’s Health for Cap Strategy
Meanwhile, out West, the Vegas Golden Knights are closely evaluating the health of veteran defenseman Alex Pietrangelo.
According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, there’s uncertainty surrounding Pietrangelo’s status for the 2025–26 season. The 34-year-old opted out of representing Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off in February to focus on playoff prep, but concerns remain.
If Pietrangelo’s injury keeps him out long-term, Vegas could place him on Long-Term Injured Reserve (LTIR), freeing up valuable cap space for a marquee free-agent signing.
However, the strategy only works if Pietrangelo misses the entire regular season—if he returns mid-season, the Golden Knights would be forced to shed salary to stay compliant.
As free agency approaches, these developments hint at a busy and potentially transformative summer across the league.
Leave a Reply