The 2024–25 NHL season featured a historic franchise shift and a new tournament format.

Cultures · Published 10 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The 108th NHL season saw the Florida Panthers secure consecutive Stanley Cup titles while the league navigated a complex franchise transition in Utah. Beyond the ice, rule adjustments, a new international tournament replacing the traditional All-Star Game, and significant shifts in apparel partnerships defined this landmark year of professional hockey.

The 2024–25 season was marked by the arrival of the Utah Hockey Club, an expansion team established following the deactivation of the Arizona Coyotes. This unique transition involved the NHL purchasing the Coyotes franchise from owner Alex Meruelo and reselling the hockey assets to Ryan Smith, owner of the NBA's Utah Jazz. While the Coyotes were marked inactive, Meruelo retained the rights to the brand with a five-year window to potentially reactivate the team, though he eventually exited ownership in June 2024. The Utah team played its inaugural season at the Delta Center before officially adopting the name Utah Mammoth in May 2025.

Competitive play saw the Florida Panthers win back-to-back Stanley Cups, concluding the playoffs on June 17, 2025. The season also introduced the 4 Nations Face-Off, a tournament featuring players from Canada, Finland, Sweden, and the United States, which replaced the traditional All-Star Game as a precursor to the NHL's return to the 2026 Olympics. Additionally, the league implemented several rule changes, including expanded video review for puck-over-glass penalties and restrictions on line changes following accidental net dislodgement by a goaltender.

Financial and operational shifts were equally significant. The salary cap ceiling rose to US$88 million per team, while Fanatics began a ten-year contract as the league's official apparel provider. Notable individual milestones included Winnipeg Jets forward Kyle Connor setting a record for scoring in seven consecutive season-openers, and New Jersey Devils goaltender Jake Allen becoming the first to record a win against 33 different NHL franchises. Despite disruptions from Hurricane Milton and Los Angeles wildfires, the season maintained a rigorous schedule, including outdoor games at Wrigley Field and Ohio Stadium.

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