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Several major stars changed franchises during the NHL off-season, while an experienced head coach has returned to the limelight. The Canadian Press examines the key roster moves and new locations before the upcoming season begins.
Sergei Bobrovsky
Following back-to-back Stanley Cup championships with the Florida Panthers in 2024 and 2025, the 38-year-old netminder has joined the Toronto Maple Leafs. Although he had a challenging recent season, he boasts a lifetime .912 save percentage and a 2.61 goals-against average, aiming to guide Toronto back to post-season play after they failed to qualify last spring for the first time in ten years.
Brady Tkachuk
After demanding a trade from the Ottawa Senators, the physical winger has relocated to the Florida Panthers. The 27-year-old is uniting with his older sibling, Matthew, in Sunrise after spending eight seasons in Ottawa, where he served as captain for the final five years.
Brendan Gallagher
Having spent his entire professional career representing the Montreal Canadiens, the veteran attacker has been traded to the Vancouver Canucks. Last year, Gallagher registered only seven goals and 16 assists to finish with 23 points, yet the 34-year-old will provide significant leadership on and off the ice for a team undergoing a complete rebuilding phase.
Darnell Nurse
In a transaction designed to free up salary cap room for the Oilers, the 31-year-old blue-liner was traded from Edmonton to San Jose. He links up with a youthful Sharks squad spearheaded by Macklin Celebrini, with the goal of making noise in the Pacific Division. During the 2025-26 season, Nurse tallied seven goals and 17 assists for a total of 24 points.
Chris Kreider
Following his waiver placement and contract termination by the Anaheim Ducks, the experienced winger secured a one-year deal with the Montreal Canadiens. The 35-year-old Kreider is expected to inject pace and leadership into a young squad that advanced to the Eastern Conference final last year.
Bowen Byram
The Blackhawks acquired the defenceman from the Buffalo Sabres and subsequently locked him down with a six-year contract extension valued at $75 million US. The 25-year-old Byram is projected to serve as Chicago’s top-pairing defender and power-play coordinator, joining a roster that also reunited with legendary veteran forward Patrick Kane.
Mike Babcock
The highly successful yet controversial head coach has made his NHL return with the Oilers. Babcock’s comeback follows his dramatic exit from the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2023, where he departed before managing a single contest.
Tasked with leading Connor McDavid and his teammates to a championship, Babcock previously captured a Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings in 2008 and guided Canada to consecutive Olympic gold medals in 2010 and 2014.
Alex Tuch
After departing Buffalo as a free agent, the towering winger finalized an eight-year, $84-million contract with the Capitals. The 30-year-old Tuch represents a key piece in Washington’s roster overhaul, which likewise featured the acquisitions of forwards Jordan Kyrou and Boone Jenner, as well as blue-liner Vincent Desharnais.
Darren Raddysh
In another major summer move, Toronto acquired the 30-year-old defender with a powerful shot from the Tampa Bay Lightning, securing him to an eight-year, $68-million agreement. Raddysh is tasked with boosting a power-play unit that underperformed last year, even with star power like Auston Matthews and William Nylander on the ice.
