The NHL's rookie class of 2024-2025 showcased remarkable talent with contenders for the Calder Trophy, notably Lane Hutson, Dustin Wolf, and Macklin Celebrini. Hutson, a 5'9" defenseman, excelled with 66 points and is poised to be a top fantasy draft pick next season. Wolf, now the Flames' starting goalie after the trade of Jacob Markstrom, delivered a solid performance with a .910 save percentage. Celebrini's potential as a point-per-game player shines despite playing for a struggling Sharks team. Emerging talents like Will Smith, Matvei Michkov, and Cutter Gauthier also promise to make significant impacts in their fantasy value.

San Jose Sharks goaltender Alexandar Georgiev confirmed he will not return next season after discussions with GM Mike Grier, making him a free agent. In contrast, Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals expressed his intention to continue playing, making it clear that retirement is not on his agenda, particularly as he looks forward to facing longtime rival Sidney Crosby one more time.

The Chicago Blackhawks are on the brink of a turnaround after a challenging five-year stretch of sub-30 win seasons. GM Kyle Davidson remains optimistic, believing the team will soon find key players to support their promising young core. Meanwhile, the Boston Bruins will retain their front office, as CEO Charlie Jacobs emphasizes the importance of preparation for the upcoming NHL Draft, aiming to bolster the roster through free agency while nurturing their young talents.

Connor McDavid has reached a remarkable milestone, recording his eighth 100-point season in the NHL, leading the Edmonton Oilers to a 3-0 victory over the San Jose Sharks. McDavid's assist in the game contributed to this achievement, placing him among the elite company of NHL legends like Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux.

Ty Emberson scored a goal and an assist for the Oilers, who finished strong with four wins in their last five games. Stuart Skinner was solid in goal, stopping 18 shots to secure the shutout, while the Sharks ended their season on a dismal note, losing their final 11 games.

In their final game of the regular season, the Edmonton Oilers secured a 3-0 victory over the San Jose Sharks, completing a four-game sweep. Ty Emberson led the charge with a goal and an assist, while goaltender Stuart Skinner made 18 saves for the shutout. Connor McDavid achieved a significant milestone, reaching 100 points for the fifth consecutive season and the eighth time overall, joining an elite group alongside legends like Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux.

Emberson opened the scoring early in the first period, followed by goals from Max Jones and Corey Perry, the latter sealing the game with an empty-netter. The Sharks continue to struggle, marking their 11th consecutive loss. This game also gave San Jose a chance to honor former captain Logan Couture with a tribute as he announced his retirement. As the Oilers head into the playoffs, they face the Los Angeles Kings in the opening round, while the Sharks prepare for the draft lottery with the best odds for the first overall pick.

Logan Couture, a celebrated figure in the NHL and former captain of the San Jose Sharks, has announced the end of his playing career due to a debilitating injury that has kept him off the ice for over 15 months. At 36, Couture expressed the emotional weight of this decision, citing a condition known as osteitis pubis that has prevented him from skating since January 2024. Despite these challenges, he reflected fondly on his time in the league, stating, “The NHL is everything that I thought it would be when I was a kid.” Couture’s tenure included over 1,000 games, 323 goals, and a reputation as a clutch performer, especially in the playoffs.

His absence from the game has been particularly hard, as he has missed most of the current season after attempting a brief return that exacerbated his injury. The Sharks’ general manager praised him as one of the franchise's greatest players. Although Couture has not formally announced his retirement, he will remain on the Sharks' salary cap for two more seasons, collecting $13 million while not playing. He hopes to be in a physical state to participate in family activities with his two young children in the future.