It’s the most wonderful time of the year.
While it would’ve been nice if the Edmonton Oilers were the reigning Stanley Cup champions, it’s that time of year when there is a flurry of moves around the league. Call it the Christmas Holidays in June.
The newly-named Utah Mammoth landed one of the biggest names on this summer’s trade board, trading Josh Doan and Michael Kesselring to the Buffalo Sabres for JJ Peterka. According to Frank Seravalli, the restricted free agent also agreed to a five-year, $38.5 million contract with his new club.
The Mammoth add a major offensive piece with the trade, acquiring a winger in Peterka who not only scored 27 goals and 68 points last season but also brings high-end playmaking ability. Utah struggled to score in 2024–25, ranking tied for 20th in goals per game, so Peterka’s arrival immediately boosts their top-six forward group.
Buffalo, meanwhile, shore up a key area of need by adding right-shot defenseman Michael Kesselring, who had a breakout year with 29 points in 82 games while taking on top-four minutes for Utah. He comes with a manageable $1.4 million cap hit and will be an RFA next summer. The Sabres also pick up forward Josh Doan, who saw NHL action in 51 games and produced 19 points, while also putting up strong numbers in the AHL. Though he’s been a bottom-six winger so far, his play-driving and growing playmaking skills hint at more upside.

Kraken acquire Frederick Gaudreau from Wild

The Seattle Kraken continued to add to their roster, trading a 2025 fourth-round pick to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Frédérick Gaudreau. The pick is the 103rd overall selection, and the Wild rid themselves of Gaudreau’s $2.1 cap hit for the next three seasons.
Despite what appears to be a cap dump, Gaudreau has put up impressive numbers over the past four seasons with the Minnesota Wild, scoring 56 goals and 132 points, despite having only five goals and 18 points in his first 103 games.
Last season, Gaudreau scored 19 goals and 37 points in 82 games, just a goal shy of matching his 2022-23 season when he scored 19 goals and 38 points in 82 games. Not too shabby for a player that wasn’t drafted.

Sharks to buy out Marc-Édouard Vlasic’s contract

On Thursday, it was reported by Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli that the San Jose Sharks put their long-time defenceman Marc-Édouard Vlasic on waivers for a buyout.
Vlasic was a pillar for the contending Sharks from his NHL debut in 2006-07 until they fell in the Western Conference Finals in 2019. Since then, the Sharks have been at the bottom of the Pacific (no pun intended) quite often, including finishing last in the league the past two seasons. The left-shot defenceman only played 57 games in 2023-24 and just 27 games in 2024-25.
For his career, Vlasic has 84 goals and 379 points in 1,323 games played. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Vlasic signs with a contending team on a low cap hit.

Conor Garland inching closer to signing an extension with the Canucks

On Thursday evening, Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalii reported that the Vancouver Canucks and Conor Garland are inching closer to a deal rumoured to be worth $6 million annually over six seasons.
Last season, Garland scored 19 goals and 50 points in 81 games, his fourth consecutive seasons scoring over 45 points since joining the Canucks in 2021-22. Over the course of his Canucks’ career, Garland has 75 goals and 195 points in 321 games. For his entire career, Garland has 122 goals and 291 points in 485 games.
The Canucks made a big splash on Wednesday, trading a fourth-round pick to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for British Columbia native Evander Kane. They have a lot to do this off-season.

Evgeny Kuznetsov looking to return to the NHL?

On Thursday, Evgeni Kuznetsov’s agent, Shumi Babyev, announced his client’s intention to return to the National Hockey League in a Telegram post.
Kuznetsov spent the majority of his NHL career with the Washington Capitals, scoring 171 goals and 568 points in 723 games. He was also a massive reason why they were able to win the Stanley Cup in 2018, scoring 12 goals and 32 points in 24 games.
Toward the end of the 2023-24 season, Kuznetsov was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes after a stint in the NHL Player Assistance Program, where he scored two goals and seven points in 20 games, along with four goals and six points in 10 postseason games. At the end of the season, he was placed on waivers and bought out.
He signed with St. Petersburg SKA for the 2024-25 season, scoring 12 goals and 37 points in 39 Kontinental Hockey League games, along with a goal and three points in six postseason games.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Oilersnation, FlamesNation, and Blue Jays Nation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.