(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
NHL Preseason 2025: How Contract Holdouts Could Impact the Season
September 21, 2025
The NHL preseason is underway, but several rising stars are still without contracts as negotiations drag on. Among the most notable restricted free agents yet to secure deals are:
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Luke Hughes (New Jersey Devils)
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Mason McTavish (Anaheim Ducks)
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Luke Evangelista (Nashville Predators)
In addition, Alexander Holtz and Rasmus Kupari, both former first-round draft picks, also remain unsigned.
Why Contract Holdouts Matter
Fans and analysts alike are questioning the cost-benefit of extended holdouts. Over the past several seasons, a pattern has emerged: young players missing training camps — and sometimes even regular-season games — often struggle to perform at their usual level once they finally sign.
This trend raises important questions: Are teams gaining leverage by waiting out negotiations, or are they risking a slow start from some of their most talented young stars?
Historical Lessons
In the pre-salary cap era, contract disputes were common, but the impact on player performance was often overlooked. In today’s highly competitive environment, however, even a short delay in conditioning, chemistry building, or game sharpness can affect a player’s season — and potentially a team’s playoff hopes.
What Comes Next?
With training camps already in full swing, eyes are now on New Jersey, Anaheim, and Nashville to see how quickly these negotiations can be wrapped up. For players like Hughes, McTavish, and Evangelista, every missed day of camp could influence both their personal development and their team’s early-season momentum.
⚡ Stay tuned for more updates on NHL contract news, preseason results, and insights into how today’s holdouts could shape the 2025–26 season.
