NHL Offseason Chaos: Who Could Shake Up the League?

From Connor McDavid to the NHL Draft Lottery, these are the biggest potential agents of chaos this NHL offseason.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 3:12pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting an abstract hockey game, with sharp, overlapping planes of color representing the chaotic nature of the upcoming NHL offseason.The NHL offseason is poised for major upheaval, with star players, GMs, and the draft lottery all potentially shaking up the league's landscape.Today in Pittsburgh

The NHL offseason rarely lives up to the hype, but every year brings at least one agent of chaos to get things moving. This article examines the most likely candidates, including star players like Connor McDavid, GMs like Chris MacFarland and Bill Guerin, and the impact of the NHL Draft Lottery.

Why it matters

The NHL offseason is a critical time for teams to retool their rosters and make moves that can shape the league's landscape for years to come. With several high-profile players, GMs, and the draft lottery all potentially causing major shakeups, this offseason could see significant changes across the NHL.

The details

The article highlights 15 potential agents of chaos, including Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers, GMs like Chris MacFarland of the Colorado Avalanche, Bill Guerin of the Minnesota Wild, and Alex Steen of the St. Louis Blues, as well as the Winnipeg Jets, New Jersey Devils, and Vegas Golden Knights organizations. It also spotlights key decision-makers like Jarmo Kekalainen of the Buffalo Sabres, Kyle Dubas of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Jim Nill of the Dallas Stars, and Chris Drury of the New York Rangers. Additionally, the article discusses the situations surrounding Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk and the Toronto Maple Leafs, who are facing major questions this offseason. Ultimately, the NHL Draft Lottery is cited as the biggest potential agent of chaos, as its results could significantly impact the plans of several teams.

  • The NHL Draft Lottery will take place in May 2026.

The players

Connor McDavid

Center for the Edmonton Oilers who has a full no-movement clause and could potentially ask to be traded out of Edmonton if the team fails to address its goaltending issues.

Chris MacFarland

General Manager of the Colorado Avalanche, who is likely to make roster moves due to the team's limited salary cap space.

Bill Guerin

General Manager of the Minnesota Wild, who is seeking to acquire a center but has limited assets after trading for defenseman Quinn Hughes.

Alex Steen

General Manager of the St. Louis Blues, who is a wild card as he is newly in the role and may make significant changes to the roster after the team's disappointing season.

Brady Tkachuk

Captain of the Ottawa Senators, who is two years away from unrestricted free agency and could potentially force his way out of Ottawa if the team fails to make progress.

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What they’re saying

“McDavid's two-year extension, signed before the season, still feels like a warning to Edmonton's front office — figure out the goaltending or prepare for the worst.”

— Alex Wiederspiel, Author

“There may not be a group of four executives with a bigger impact on where this offseason is headed.”

— Alex Wiederspiel, Author

What’s next

The NHL Draft Lottery will take place in May 2026, with the results potentially having a major impact on the offseason plans of several teams.

The takeaway

This NHL offseason has the potential to see significant shakeups, with star players, key GMs, and the draft lottery all serving as potential agents of chaos that could drastically alter the league's landscape.