The NHL enters full offseason mode but there's still plenty to talk about. It appears the league will vote to once again have a decentralized NHL Draft in 2026 despite the feeling that so much was missing from the event this season. We discuss why and what the league can do to make the event better for fans both in person and watching the even on television.

Plus, the NHL schedule is still not released and we are two weeks behind last year's schedule release. We discuss the reason for the delay, how it affects the teams and the fans and what happens next.

And if we have your summer hockey fix, from Da |Beauty League to a Russian exhibition of KHL vs NHL players and the World Juniors Summer Showcase. We break all that down and more on today's Locked On NHL Podcast with Rachel Donner and Gil Martin.

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We are joined by Locked on Capitals host Dan Holmi to discuss last season including the Great Chase. We talk about Washington losing out on free agent forward Nikolaj Ehlers who signed with a division rival. Plus will this coming season be the last for future Hall of Famer Alexander Ovechkin?

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The NHL offseason is well underway, and it's time to separate the contenders from the pretenders. On today’s Locked On NHL, Nick Zararis and Hunter Hodies break down which teams improved the most (Montreal Canadiens, Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers) and which teams disappointed (New York Rangers, Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets). They also dive into Olympic roster predictions, college hockey’s NIL revolution, and which rebuilding teams will break through next.

0:00 Intro: NHL offseason analysis and discussion

5:04 McDavid contract speculation and Olympic team

12:29 College hockey NIL deals and future impact

19:43 Which struggling NHL team makes the playoffs next?

26:26 Predicting NHL conference finals matchups

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)