Five days into free agency and we've seen an abundance of activity on both large and small scales.

Still, there's a quartet of players Neil has identified that are for looking teams and would be good fits for a number of clubs.

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The initial rush of free agent signings has passed, as has the abundance of trades which took place well before July 1.

With the holiday weekend upon the U.S., time to exhale just a bit and update on what's taken place since Wednesday's Free Agency recap which is available on YouTube and BZZR.com

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In the season finale, Neil and Vic are joined by noted NHL contributor Dave Pagnotta to springboard us into the off-season. However, that doesn't mean business is shutting down.

There are noted unsigned UFA's but, perhaps more significantly, RFA's and offer sheets are certain to affect the NHL landscape both in the immediate and in years to come with the salary cap continuing to rise and several of the league's superstars set to become UFA's in two years.

Plenty to unpack including Dave's take on how the needle has moved for certain teams amidst a flurry of off-season activity to date.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[02:34] - Dave Pagnotta from The Fourth Period provides updates on several UFA's still looking for their destination for the 2026-27 season.

[09:57] - The Flyers shock the hockey world signing Ducks forward Leo Carlsson to an offer sheet that would make him the highest-paid player in NHL history...for now.

[15:58] - Having been in this spot dating back to the offer sheet saga with Joe Sakic in 1997, Neil talks about the resentment Ducks GM Pat Verbeek might have towards Flyers management. This also extends to the business ramifications for other teams around the NHL.

[26:28] - How the economic climate brought on by the Carlsson offer sheet might affect the UFA market, particularly in two years when superstars Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews and Zach Werenski all will hit market unless they extend with their current clubs.

[31:05] - Quietly, the New Jersey Devils signed Utah forward Barrett Hayton to a one-year offer sheet. Dave offers up the positions by both the Devils and Mammoth.

[33:46] - With the trade market active prior to July first and, given the free agent activity since, Neil, Vic and Dave weigh in with where they see the needle moving with various teams around the league.

[44:07] - A look back to the growth for the podcast during 2025-26 and thank you listeners and viewers.

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The Anaheim Ducks took a major step forward during the 2025-26 season, ending an eight-year playoff drought by finishing third in the Pacific Division and advancing to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Neil Smith and Vic Morren look back at the moves that fueled Anaheim's turnaround, including the hiring of Joel Quenneville, the emergence of one of the NHL's brightest young cores, and Pat Verbeek's aggressive roster construction. They also examine the Ducks' statistical profile, why the numbers don't tell the full story, and the important contract decisions that will shape Anaheim's future as they continue their climb toward Stanley Cup contention.

[00:00:00] The Ducks complete a remarkable turnaround by finishing third in the Pacific Division, qualifying for the playoffs for the first time since 2018, defeating Edmonton in six games before falling to Vegas in the second round. Neil and Vic revisit their preseason expectations after Anaheim added Chris Kreider, Mikael Granlund, Ryan Poehling, retained Lukas Dostal, and traded longtime goaltender John Gibson to Detroit.

[00:01:00] Neil discusses why Pat Verbeek's decision to hire Joel Quenneville proved to be one of the organization's most important moves. The conversation also looks at the growth of Anaheim's young defense, veteran leadership from Jacob Trouba and Radko Gudas, and the addition of John Carlson at the trade deadline.

[00:02:00] Anaheim's season was anything but consistent. After an 11-3-1 start, the Ducks endured an 0-8-1 slide before responding with multiple lengthy winning streaks. Neil explains why those ups and downs are typical of one of the NHL's youngest rosters.

[00:03:00] Vic examines why Anaheim's statistics paint a very different picture than their playoff appearance. Despite improving their goal differential by 27 goals and scoring 52 more goals than the previous season, the Ducks still posted a negative goal differential and remained near the bottom of the league in special teams, goals against, and save percentage.

[00:04:00] The discussion shifts to Anaheim's offensive breakout. Cutter Gauthier explodes for 41 goals, Leo Carlsson scores 29, Beckett Seneca finishes with 23 goals as a Rookie of the Year finalist, and Jackson LaCombe establishes himself as one of the NHL's rising young defensemen with a tremendous regular season and playoff performance.

[00:06:00] Attention turns to Pat Verbeek's offseason priorities. Anaheim enters the summer with six draft picks but no first-round selection following the John Carlson trade, along with approximately $10.7 million in salary cap space and a long list of unrestricted and restricted free agents to address.

[00:07:00] Neil and Vic discuss which veterans should return, including Jacob Trouba, captain Radko Gudas, Jeffrey Viel, and the backup goaltending situation involving Petr Mrázek and Ville Husso. They also examine the significant extensions awaiting Cutter Gauthier, Leo Carlsson, Pavel Mintyukov, Olen Zellweger, and the rest of Anaheim's young core.

[00:08:00] The episode concludes with Neil sharing a conversation with Los Angeles Kings General Manager Ken Holland, who believes the Ducks possess one of the NHL's brightest futures. With an elite young core already in place and only minor roster adjustments needed, Anaheim appears poised to become one of the Western Conference's rising powers and potentially the premier team in Southern California for years to come.

The Boston Bruins exceeded expectations during the 2025-26 season, rebounding from one of the worst campaigns in franchise history to earn the second Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. Although their postseason ended with a six-game first-round loss to the Buffalo Sabres, Boston's dramatic turnaround under first-year head coach Marco Sturm restored optimism throughout the organization. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine how the Bruins rediscovered their identity, why several players enjoyed career-best seasons, and whether this surprising success is sustainable heading into another critical offseason for General Manager Don Sweeney.

[00:00:00] The Bruins return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs after finishing as the second Wild Card team in the Eastern Conference before falling to Buffalo in six games. Neil and Vic revisit Boston's dismal 2024-25 season, which included the fewest goals in the Eastern Conference, one of the league's worst goal differentials, poor special teams, Jeremy Swayman's struggles, and the departure of longtime captain Brad Marchand.

[00:01:00] Despite modest offseason additions that included Victor Arvidsson, Tanner Jeannot, and Sean Kuraly, along with the hiring of first-time NHL head coach Marco Sturm, expectations remained low entering the season. Neil explains why few believed Boston would be anything more than David Pastrnak carrying an otherwise rebuilding roster.

[00:02:00] Marco Sturm quickly changes the culture. Boston improves dramatically defensively while becoming one of the NHL's best home teams. Offensively, the Bruins score 50 more goals than the previous season as Morgan Geekie, Pavel Zacha, Charlie McAvoy, Victor Arvidsson, Casey Mittelstadt, Fraser Minten, Marat Khusnutdinov, and several newcomers enjoy breakout or career-best seasons.

[00:04:00] The discussion turns to Boston's vastly improved blue line. Jonathan Aspirot emerges as an unexpected contributor, Mason Lohrei makes a remarkable turnaround from minus-43 to plus-17, and Nikita Zadorov develops into the physical defensive presence the Bruins had hoped for after signing him.

[00:05:00] While Boston's power play jumps from 29th to ninth in the NHL, the penalty kill remains a concern. Neil explains that the larger issue isn't simply killing penalties but avoiding unnecessary trips to the penalty box after the Bruins finished as the league's most frequently penalized team.

[00:06:00] Neil and Vic discuss how Boston appeared to regain its trademark identity despite losing Brad Marchand at the previous trade deadline. Don Sweeney, heavily criticized one year earlier, now receives credit for many of the offseason and in-season moves that helped fuel Boston's unexpected playoff run.

[00:06:45] Attention shifts to the offseason. The Bruins enter the 2026 NHL Draft with seven selections, including three fourth-round picks, while continuing to benefit from previous trades involving Charlie Coyle, Jeffrey Viel, and Lucas Reichel. Boston also prepares to welcome highly regarded prospect James Hagens for his first full NHL season.

[00:07:30] Free agency presents relatively few challenges. Victor Arvidsson headlines the unrestricted free agents after a bounce-back season, while Lucas Reichel and Jordan Harris top the restricted free agent list. Neil believes re-signing Arvidsson should be one of Don Sweeney's highest priorities.

[00:08:00] Neil emphasizes that Boston's biggest objective moving forward is injecting more youth into the lineup while remaining competitive. James Hagens represents an important first step, but the Bruins must continue balancing veteran leadership with younger talent to sustain long-term success.

[00:09:00] The episode concludes by comparing Boston's surprising season to recent campaigns by the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins, where numerous players enjoyed career years before regression followed. Neil and Vic debate whether Boston's breakout performances from Morgan Geekie, Pavel Zacha, Charlie McAvoy, and others represent a sustainable foundation or a difficult act to repeat in 2026-27.

The Buffalo Sabres finally ended the NHL's longest active playoff drought during the 2025-26 season, capturing the Atlantic Division title with 109 points and returning to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in 15 years. After defeating the Boston Bruins in the opening round, Buffalo pushed the Montreal Canadiens to a thrilling seven-game series before falling in overtime of Game 7. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine one of the league's most remarkable turnarounds, from a struggling team in November to one of the NHL's hottest clubs, while discussing the impact of a midseason front office change, Lindy Ruff's leadership, and the bright future ahead for one of hockey's youngest rosters.

[00:00:00] The Sabres complete an incredible turnaround by winning the Atlantic Division with 109 points and ending a 15-year playoff drought. Neil and Vic revisit the modest expectations entering the season after Buffalo acquired Josh Doan and Michael Kesselring from Utah in exchange for JJ Peterka and signed veteran goaltender Alex Lyon, with few expecting a dramatic improvement.

[00:01:00] Buffalo catches fire after a slow start, launching a 10-game winning streak that begins in Edmonton. The discussion centers on the dismissal of General Manager Kevin Adams, the hiring of Jarmo Kekäläinen, and whether the front office change helped fuel Buffalo's remarkable turnaround.

[00:02:00] The Sabres finish 30 points better than the previous season, posting a dominant 33-6-2 run while climbing from the bottom of the standings to first place in the Atlantic Division. Neil compares Buffalo's surge to some of the NHL's most improbable in-season turnarounds.

[00:03:00] Vic examines Buffalo's dramatic statistical improvements, including a 67-goal swing in goal differential, major improvements in home and road records, a penalty kill that climbs to fourth in the NHL, and significant gains in goals against and save percentage.

[00:04:00] Neil explains why Buffalo's improvement wasn't simply the result of coaching, as Lindy Ruff remained behind the bench. Instead, the panel discusses how confidence, defensive commitment, and organizational stability transformed the Sabres into one of the league's best teams.

[00:04:45] Buffalo's stars deliver career seasons. Tage Thompson reaches the 40-goal mark for the third time, Alex Tuch posts another outstanding year, and Rasmus Dahlin establishes himself among the NHL's elite defensemen with career highs while entering the Norris Trophy conversation.

[00:05:30] The conversation shifts to Buffalo's impressive young core, including Josh Doan, Ryan McLeod, Jack Quinn, Owen Power, Bowen Byram, Mattias Samuelsson, Zach Benson, Konsta Helenius, and Noah Östlund, giving the Sabres one of the league's brightest futures.

[00:07:00] Neil and Vic examine Jarmo Kekäläinen's first offseason as Buffalo's general manager. The Sabres have only four draft picks, limited cap space, and several important unrestricted and restricted free agents requiring decisions.

[00:08:00] Alex Tuch headlines Buffalo's offseason priorities after another outstanding campaign. The panel also discusses pending decisions involving Beck Malenstyn, Tanner Pearson, Luke Schenn, Logan Stanley, Zach Benson, Peyton Krebs, and Michael Kesselring.

[00:09:00] The episode concludes with a discussion about whether Tuch should accept a hometown discount to remain in Buffalo or maximize his value on the open market, while looking ahead to what could be another exciting season for one of the NHL's fastest-rising franchises.

The Calgary Flames once again fell short of the Stanley Cup Playoffs during the 2025-26 season, officially seeing their postseason hopes come to an end on April 7. While expectations entering the year were modest following a quiet offseason, Calgary's inability to generate offense ultimately proved too much to overcome. Neil Smith and Vic Morren discuss the Flames' disappointing season, the emergence of young goaltending, and why General Manager Craig Conroy may still be well positioned to accelerate the club's rebuild thanks to significant draft capital, ample salary cap space, and a new arena on the horizon.

[00:00:00] The Flames are eliminated from playoff contention after another season in which expectations remained relatively low following minimal roster changes during the previous offseason. Neil and Vic examine why Calgary was unable to build upon its near-playoff finish from the year before.

[00:00:30] Calgary proves to be one of the NHL's strongest home teams but struggles badly on the road. The panel identifies the club's biggest issue—one of the league's lowest-scoring offenses—as the primary reason the Flames were unable to remain in the playoff race.

[00:01:00] Jonathan Huberdeau's continued offensive struggles are discussed after recording just 194 points over four seasons in Calgary before shutting himself down prior to the end of the season. On a positive note, Devon Cooley establishes himself as a dependable backup to Dustin Wolf following Dan Vladar's departure to Philadelphia.

[00:01:30] Looking ahead, Vic outlines why Calgary's future remains brighter than its current results suggest. The Flames possess 11 selections in the 2026 NHL Draft, including two first-round picks and four second-round picks, while also holding multiple premium selections in both the 2027 and 2028 drafts.

[00:02:00] The discussion turns to General Manager Craig Conroy's long-term rebuilding strategy. With a new arena scheduled to open in the coming years, the organization appears focused on assembling a competitive young roster that can grow alongside the franchise's next chapter.

[00:02:45] Neil and Vic examine Calgary's offseason flexibility. The Flames enter free agency with nearly $10 million in available salary cap space, giving Conroy the opportunity to aggressively pursue upgrades through free agency, trades, or by leveraging the organization's impressive collection of draft assets.

[00:03:00] Calgary's pending free agents are reviewed, including unrestricted free agents Ryan Lomberg, Victor Olofsson, and Jake Bean, along with restricted free agent John Beecher. The panel discusses which players may fit into the club's long-term plans.

[00:03:30] The episode concludes by emphasizing that Calgary possesses many of the ingredients necessary for a quick turnaround. With significant cap flexibility, one of the league's deepest collections of future draft picks, and several important organizational decisions ahead, Neil believes the Flames have an opportunity to return to playoff contention much sooner than many expect—provided the right moves are made this offseason.