The 2024-2025 season has just begun, and there is much anticipation for this season. Many new storylines appear like can the Florida Panthers go back-to-back even after losing many key players, and will the number one pick, Macklin Celebrini, appear as a young star? All this will be answered as the season continues.

The contenders of this year’s Stanley Cup include the Florida Panthers, Dallas Stars, Carolina Hurricanes, Edmonton Oilers, and Colorado Avalanche, but surprises always happen and maybe an unfavored team can win. The number one overall pick in the NHL draft was Macklin Celebrini. He looks to help his team, the San Jose Sharks, bounce back from a miserable year in which they finished last in the league.

Some other notable draft picks were Artyom Levshunov (Chicago Blackhawks), Beckett Sennecke (Anaheim Ducks), Cayden Lindstrom (Columbus Blue Jackets), and Ivan Demidov (Montreal Canadiens). During the off-season, many significant signings and trades were made to try and further boost team’s strength. Some notable signings were long-time captain for the Lighting, Steven Stamkos going to the Predators, another big signing also for the Predators was Jonathan Marchessault, a long-time Golden Knights player.

The Lightning signed former Penguin, Jake Guentzel, to a 7-year contract as well. Some notable trades this offseason were the Penguins and Jets swapping prospects Rutger McGroarty and Brayden Yager.

Another big trade was the Ottawa Senators getting goaltender Linus Ullmark from the Bruins and the Bruins getting in return Goaltender Joonas Korpisalo and center Mark Kastelic along with a 2024 first-round pick.

The Arizona Coyotes relocated to Salt Lake City, Utah, and are currently known as the Utah Hockey Club. They look to entertain the new fans of Salt Lake City as they have been waiting for another professional sports team to coincide with the Utah Jazz.

The quest for the cup begins now.