The 2024–25 NHL season was the 108th season of operation (107th season of play) of the National Hockey League (NHL). The regular season started on October 4, 2024, when the Buffalo Sabres and New Jersey Devils played the first of two games in Prague, Czech Republic, as a part of the 2024 NHL Global Series. The Stanley Cup playoffs began on April 19, 2025 and ended on June 17, with the Florida Panthers winning back-to-back Stanley Cups. This season was the first for the expansion Utah Hockey Club (officially named the Utah Mammoth at the close of the 2024–25 regular season), who were established with the hockey assets of the Arizona Coyotes following the latter team's deactivation.
League business
Utah expansion and Arizona Coyotes deactivation On April 13, 2024, it was reported that, with the NHL's permission, the Arizona Coyotes were making efforts to relocate to Salt Lake City, Utah, following concerns about an indefinite timeframe on a new arena and the effects of continued play at the 4,600-seat Mullett Arena. The sale, which involved the NHL buying the franchise from Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo, then reselling it to Ryan Smith, owner of the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association (NBA), was finalized on April 18, after the NHL Board of Governors voted to establish a team in Utah, with the Coyotes' hockey assets; however, rather than formally relocate, the Coyotes franchise was instead marked "inactive", with the Utah Hockey Club considered an expansion team in a similar situation to the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). Meruelo subsequently remained on the NHL Board of Governors as an observer, retaining the rights to the Coyotes brand with a five-year window to complete a new arena and "reactivate" the Coyotes as an expansion team. Of the reported sale price, 1 billion was paid to Meruelo, with $200 million paid to the NHL's other owners as a relocation fee. In June, the auction was canceled, and Meruelo left the ownership, ceasing the Coyotes. The league has not yet indicated whether the Coyotes would fold outright, the league would keep the franchise inactive for a prospective new Arizona owner, or transfer its history, records and intellectual property to the Utah Hockey Club.
The Utah Hockey Club played its inaugural season without an official name, mascot, or colors, while a full identity was developed in time for 2025–26. After being leaked the previous week, the team officially announced its permanent branding as the Utah Mammoth on May 7, 2025.
Rule changes On June 26, 2024, the league announced that following rule changes for the 2024–25 season: The puck-over-glass delay-of-game penalty has been added to the list of plays that can go under video review. This only applies to determine whether the puck instead deflected off a player, stick, the glass or the boards. The judgment call on how the puck left the defensive zone cannot be reviewed. A failed coach's challenge would thus essentially result in a double-minor: both the original puck-over-glass penalty and the failed coach's challenge penalty. The defensive team cannot make a line change after its goaltender accidentally dislodges the net. Following an icing, offensive centers receive a warning for a faceoff violation, just like defensive players. A team that has players sitting on the boards with their skates exposed on the play first receive a warning, and then be assessed an unsportsmanlike conduct bench minor penalty for subsequent violations.
Entry draft The 2024 NHL entry draft took place on June 28–29, 2024, at the Sphere in Paradise, Nevada.
Salary cap The salary cap ceiling was increased to per team for 2024–25, an increase of US$4.5 million from the previous season. The salary cap floor was increased to US$65 million per team.
Coaching changes + Coaching changesOff-seasonTeam2023–24 coach2024–25 coach Notes Buffalo Sabres Don Granato Lindy Ruff On April 16, 2024, one day after the conclusion of their season, the Sabres fired Granato. In just over three-and-a-half seasons with Buffalo, Granato totaled a 122–125–27 record, with no playoff appearances. Ruff, who had previously coached Buffalo from 1997 to 2013, and most recently served as head coach of the New Jersey Devils from 2020 to 2024, was named head coach on April 22. Columbus Blue Jackets Pascal Vincent Dean Evason On June 17, 2024, two months after the conclusion of the Blue Jackets' season, Vincent was fired by Columbus. In his single season as head coach, the Blue Jackets posted a 27–43–12 record, finishing last in the Metropolitan Division. Evason, most recently the head coach of the Minnesota Wild from 2020 to 2024, was named head coach on July 22. Los Angeles Kings Todd McLellanJim Hiller* Jim Hiller McLellan was fired on February 2, 2024, with the Kings holding a record of 23–15–10; despite a 20–7–4 start to the season, the team went 3–8–6 in the 17 games preceding his dismissal. In four and a half seasons with Los Angeles, McLellan posted a 164–130–44 record, reaching the playoffs twice but failing to advance past the first round. Hiller, an assistant coach, was promoted to interim head coach, before being named full-time head coach on May 22. New Jersey Devils Lindy RuffTravis Green* Sheldon Keefe Ruff was fired on March 4, 2024, after the Devils started 30–27–4. In just over three-and-a-half seasons with New Jersey, Ruff totaled a 128–125–28 record, with one playoff appearance. Green, the associate coach, and previously head coach of the Vancouver Canucks from 2017 to 2021, was promoted to interim head coach the same day. Green finished out the season 8–12–1, failing to make the playoffs, and was subsequently hired by the Ottawa Senators following the season. Keefe, most recently the head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs from 2019 to 2024, was named head coach on May 23. Ottawa Senators D. J. SmithJacques Martin* Travis Green Smith was fired on December 18, 2023, after the Senators started the season 11–15–0. In just over four seasons with Ottawa, Smith compiled a 131–154–32 record, with no playoff appearances. Martin, a senior advisor to the coaching staff who previously served as the team's head coach from 1996 to 2004, and most recently served as head coach of the Montreal Canadiens from 2009 to 2011, was promoted to interim head coach. Martin subsequently finished out the season 26–26–4, failing to reach the playoffs. Green, most recently the interim head coach of the New Jersey Devils, and previously head coach of the Vancouver Canucks from 2017 to 2021, was named head coach on May 7, 2024. San Jose Sharks David Quinn Ryan Warsofsky On April 24, 2024, one week after the conclusion of their season, the Sharks fired Quinn. In two seasons with San Jose, Quinn posted a 41–98–25 record, with no playoff appearances. Warsofsky, an assistant coach, was promoted to head coach on June 13. Seattle Kraken Dave Hakstol Dan Bylsma Hakstol was fired on April 29, 2024, a week and a half after the conclusion of Seattle's season. The franchise's first head coach, Hakstol recorded a 107–112–27 record in three seasons with the Kraken, leading the franchise to its first playoff appearance in 2023. Bylsma, most recently head coach of Seattle's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Coachella Valley Firebirds, and previously head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres, was promoted to head coach on May 28. St. Louis Blues Craig BerubeDrew Bannister* Drew Bannister Berube was fired on December 12, 2023, after the Blues started the season 13–14–1. In parts of six seasons with St. Louis, Berube compiled a 206–132–44 record with four playoff appearances, leading the franchise to its first Stanley Cup championship in 2019. Bannister, previously the head coach of the Blues' AHL affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds, was promoted to interim head coach, before signing a two-year contract to become the full-time head coach on May 7, 2024. Toronto Maple Leafs Sheldon Keefe Craig Berube On May 9, 2024, five days following Toronto's first-round elimination from the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs, Keefe was fired after four-and-a-half seasons with the team. Under Keefe, the team went 212–97–40, winning the North Division title in 2021 and making the playoffs every season, but only reaching the second round once. Berube, most recently head coach of the St. Louis Blues from 2018 to 2023, and who played for the Maple Leafs during the 1991–92 season, was named head coach on May 17. Utah Hockey Club Expansion team; hockey assets transferred from Arizona Coyotes Andre Tourigny Alongside the other hockey assets of the Arizona Coyotes, Tourigny's contract was transferred to the new Utah Hockey Club, who retained him as head coach. Winnipeg Jets Rick Bowness Scott Arniel Bowness announced his retirement from coaching on May 6, 2024. In two seasons with Winnipeg, Bowness compiled a 98–57–9 record, with two playoff appearances. Arniel, an associate coach, and formerly head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets from 2010 to 2012, was promoted to head coach on May 24.In-seasonTeamOutgoing coachIncoming coach Notes Boston Bruins Jim Montgomery Joe Sacco* Montgomery was fired on November 19, 2024, after the Bruins started the season 8–9–3. In just over two seasons with the Bruins, Montgomery totaled a 120–41–23 record with two playoff appearances, including a Presidents' Trophy in 2023 following one of the greatest regular seasons in NHL history. Sacco, a Bruins assistant coach, and formerly head coach of the Colorado Avalanche from 2009 to 2013, was named interim head coach the same day. Chicago Blackhawks Luke Richardson Anders Sorensen* Richardson was fired on December 5, 2024, after the Blackhawks began the season 8–16–2. In just over two seasons with Chicago, Richardson totaled a 57–118–15 record, failing to reach the playoffs in either completed year. Sorensen, previously the head coach of the Blackhawks' AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs, was named interim head coach the same day. Sorensen became the first Swedish-born head coach in NHL history. Detroit Red Wings Derek Lalonde Todd McLellan Lalonde was fired on December 26, 2024, after the Red Wings started the season 13–17–4. In just over two seasons with Detroit, Lalonde posted an 89–86–23 record, with no playoff appearances. McLellan, most recently head coach of the Los Angeles Kings from 2019 to 2024, and previously an assistant coach with Detroit, was named head coach the same day. Philadelphia Flyers John Tortorella Brad Shaw* Tortorella was fired on March 27, 2025, with the Flyers holding a 28–36–9 record, and after a 1–10–1 record in their 12 games prior to Tortorella's dismissal. In just under three seasons with Philadelphia, Tortorella posted a 97–107–33 record, with no playoff appearances. Shaw, previously an assistant coach, was named interim head coach the same day. St. Louis Blues Drew Bannister Jim Montgomery Bannister was fired on November 24, 2024, after the Blues started the season 9–12–1. In parts of two seasons with the Blues, Bannister totaled a 39–31–6 record, missing the playoffs in his only completed year. Montgomery, most recently head coach of the Boston Bruins from 2022 until his firing five days prior, and formerly a player and assistant coach with the Blues, was named head coach the same day. (*) Indicates interim
Front office changes