NHL Off-Season News Cycle Continues – 2025 Stanley Cup Odds

It’s been quite the crazy offseason in the NHL, more player movement than usual. 

While the biggest free-agent names in the league have already been signed or re-signed, there are others that are just now getting pacts in place. Here’s a look at three of the biggest news stories of last week, plus the Calder Trophy odds ahead of next season’s crop of rookies.  

Cut By ‘Canes

Evgeny Kuznetsov was placed on unconditional waivers by the Carolina Hurricanes last week. Kuztesov was unclaimed by another team, so the ‘Canes officially ‘terminated’ him.

The 32-year-old winger originally signed a seven-year, $64 million contract, and will be leaving $6 million on the table. Kuznetsov agreed to this decision, thus ending (probably) his career in the NHL. He had a career-high 83 points (27 goals, 56 assists) in 2017-18. 

He was the Capitals’ playoff points leader during that season’s run to the team’s first and only Stanley Cup. 

Reports claim that Kuznetsov plans to go back to his native Russia to continue his career. He was once one of the more promising young stars in the league, but never fulfilled the hype.

Carolina acquired the former Washington Capital via trade in March. He didn’t match his level of early D.C. success as the Caps became a middling team, and a change of venue did not work.

There were off-ice issues with Kuznetsov during his career as well, and he made some strange comments to the media. Despite a trajectory toward becoming one of the best forwards in the league, Kuznetsov had maintained he had no desire to be a star.

Carolina still has a waiver hearing with centerman Martin Necas this offseason, and the team looks to shed some salary. Carolina has been one of the best regular-season teams over the last number of years, but hasn’t had prolonged success in the playoffs.

Staying in Motown

The Detroit Red Wings have had a busy offseason to this point, looking to earn their first postseason berth since 2016. Keeping Patrick Kane was huge, Now, another re-signing. 

Joe Veleno had a new two-year, $4.45 million contract to stay in Detroit, thus avoiding arbitration. Veleno, after scoring a career-high 28 points, looked to cash in off that season. 

Veleno was the 30th pick in the 2018 draft. He has scored just 64 points in 232 games. Detroit did get more offense out of the forward last season. Now, it’s paying him to continue that trend. 

Sprong to Canucks

Detroit hasn’t been able to keep all of its ingredients, however. Forward Daniel Sprong signed a one-year contract with the Vancouver Canucks, the second straight season he’s agreed to a single-season pact.

Averaging just a dozen minutes per game last season, Sprong nonetheless scored 18 goals and 43 points. This is Sprong’s sixth different team, but he’s seemingly now playing as well as ever. 

Originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2015, Sprong will be looking to help the Canucks advance further in the playoffs. 

Vancouver is sitting at 25-1 (+2500) to win a first-ever title, according to NHL Stanley Cup odds.

Winning the Calder

Though under the radar with all the player movement around the league, it’s still a good time to check out the top rookies and their odds to win the Calder Trophy next season. Many were taken prior to this past draft. 

Odds to win the Calder Trophy find 19-year-old Philadelphia Flyer forward Matvei Michkov as the tepid favorite at 9-2 (+450), as per NHL Calder Trophy odds. He was selected seventh overall in the 2023 draft. 

Macklin Celebrini was the first overall pick in the ‘24 draft by the San Jose Sharks, A centerman, he’s at 5-1 (+500) to win the award. 

As was mentioned, other board favorites are players taken prior to this past draft. Forward Logan Stankoven, a ‘21 second-round draftee of the Dallas Stars, is an 11-2 (+550) proposition.

Forward Cutter Gauthier of the Anaheim Ducks, taken in 2021, is at 13-2 (+650), while Will Smith (7-1 [+700]), also of the Sharks, went as the No. 4 overall choice in 2023.