However, not every deal works out that well. This week, we’ll identify a decision for which each team would like a do-over.
How we rank: A panel of ESPN hockey commentators, analysts, reporters and editors rates teams against one another — taking into account game results, injuries and upcoming schedule — and those results are tabulated to produce the list featured here.
Note: Previous ranking for each team refers to the most recent edition, published Jan. 13. Points percentages are through Thursday’s games.
Boston must regret not finding a way to sign David Pastrnak to a long-term extension before this season. Because the way Pastrnak has played, on pace towards the first 100-point effort of his career, only makes the winger (deservedly) more expensive on his next deal. But hey, some problems are good to have.
Previous ranking: 3 Points percentage: 71.11% Next seven days: @ NYI (Jan. 21), @ DAL (Jan. 25)
After signing Ethan Bear to a one-year, $2.2 million contract — and then not playing him in a single game — the Canes dealt the defenseman to Vancouver. Now, the Hurricanes’ lack of defensive depth has them searching for a solid third pairing. A player like Bear (with three goals and 10 points in 34 games) would be a nice option, no?
Previous ranking: 8 Points percentage: 67.05% Next seven days: @ CGY (Jan. 21), vs. MIN (Jan. 24), vs. BOS (Jan. 26)
Tampa Bay traded Ryan McDonagh — an integral player in their back-to-back Stanley Cup wins — to try keeping enough cap space for a guy like Ondrej Palat, only to see him walk in free agency as well. That’s a lot of talent and much-needed leadership out of the door, the loss of which could come back to hurt the Lightning in the postseason.
Previous ranking: 5 Points percentage: 68.89% Next seven days: vs. PIT (Jan. 22), vs. VGK (Jan. 24), @ NSH (Jan. 26)
New Jersey’s one regret has to be not addressing their goaltending sooner. Vitek Vanecek coming on board over the summer helped ignite this Devils team into the special group into which it’s blossoming.
Previous ranking: 2 Points percentage: 68.48% Next seven days: @ MTL (Jan. 21), vs. NYI (Jan. 23), vs. NYR (Jan. 25)
Toronto had a golden opportunity to showcase Mitch Marner as a defenseman during their early-season slump (which was highlighted by a slew of blue-line absences). Alas, coach Sheldon Keefe only floated the idea without ever bringing it to fruition, and the Leafs’ back end has been sturdy ever since. What magic Marner could have brought!
Winnipeg has made such a stark turnaround this season under new coach Rick Bowness. It’s only natural to wonder if the Jets regret not making a switch behind the bench sooner. That fresh voice has done wonders for a revived group.
Previous ranking: 6 Points percentage: 64.89% Next seven days: vs. ARI (Jan. 21), vs. BUF (Jan. 23), vs. CAR (Jan. 25)
Dallas’ success has hinged heavily on its top performers. The Stars’ emerging issue is what to do when they aren’t available — or playing up to snuff. Roope Hintz is injured, and that has hurt Dallas given the lack of personnel to backfill. The Stars invested in their stars; looking back, Dallas could have paid more attention to how to survive without them.
Previous ranking: 4 Points percentage: 63.04% Next seven days: vs. WSH (Jan. 21), @ ARI (Jan. 22), @ NJ (Jan. 24)
Vegas’ longtime looming issue is the salary cap and how close they are to it. And when injuries start piling up — as they are now — the Golden Knights know it won’t be easy juggling cap constraints and staying competitive. Given a chance, Vegas might roll the dice differently on its approach to roster construction.
Previous ranking: 7 Points percentage: 64.44% Next seven days: vs. COL (Jan. 21), vs. VAN (Jan. 25)
Seattle’s one potential weak spot in an otherwise outstanding season? Goaltending. The Kraken signed veteran Martin Jones to back up Philipp Grubauer, but it’s Jones who has taken over as No. 1 from the struggling (and previously injured) Grubauer. Will Seattle regret not investing more in their goaltending depth given Jones (.895 SV%) and Grubauer (.888 SV%) have had their issues?
Previous ranking: 10 Points percentage: 61.96% Next seven days: vs. FLA (Jan. 23), @ TOR (Jan. 25)
New York allowed several productive forwards — Ryan Strome, Andrew Copp and Frank Vatrano among them — to walk in free agency and did little to fill in the gaps. The absence of depth up front has hurt the Rangers at 5-on-5 and on the power play when remaining skaters — like Chris Kreider — are sidelined by injury.
Minnesota had an excellent fourth line going last season, with Nico Sturm and Nick Bjugstad leading the way. The Wild didn’t re-sign either player in the offseason and their replacements — including Brandon Duhaime and Mason Shaw — have been inconsistent. The importance of depth is paramount, and Minnesota could look back longingly on what they’ve lost there.
Los Angeles should have turned to Pheonix Copley sooner in net. He was right there in the American Hockey League while the Kings went through early-season lows with Jonathan Quick and Cal Petersen. Copley has gone 12-2-0 since being recalled to the NHL in December. He was the savior they needed all along.
Previous ranking: 16 Points percentage: 58.51% Next seven days: @ VAN (Jan. 21), vs. CBJ (Jan. 25)
Edmonton signed Jack Campbell to a splashy five-year, $25 million contract in July and anointed him the Oilers’ new No. 1 netminder. Campbell has responded with an .886 save percentage and 3.36 goals-against average through 23 appearances (13-8-1). Ouch.
Previous ranking: 15 Points percentage: 56.98% Next seven days: @ VAN (Jan. 20), @ SEA (Jan. 21), vs. WSH (Jan. 24), vs. ANA (Jan. 26)
Colorado GM Joe Sakic must look at the Avalanche’s crush of forward injuries this season and feel some twinge of regret about the offseason departures of Nazem Kadri (35 points in 46 games for Calgary) and Andre Burakovsky (37 points in 44 games for Seattle). Being able to keep just one might have helped Colorado better weather its injury bug (although the Avs do finally appear to be on the mend — and the upswing).
Previous ranking: 13 Points percentage: 58.33% Next seven days: @ VGK (Jan. 21), @ COL (Jan. 24), vs. PIT (Jan. 26)
Washington finally found its footing after a slow start, only to see that identity start leaching away as healthy bodies returned to the lineup and changes were made. Coach Peter Laviolette’s repeated tinkering seems to have pushed the Capitals out of their previous rhythm. Doing too much, too soon could come back to bite Washington down the stretch if it falls short in the standings.
Previous ranking: 12 Points percentage: 57.96% Next seven days: vs. OTT (Jan. 20), @ NJ (Jan. 22), vs. FLA (Jan. 24), @ WSH (Jan. 26)
Pittsburgh went through an early-season, seven-game losing streak that highlighted, for some, a need to shake things up from the Penguins’ old guard and inject the team with new life. GM Ron Hextall stood pat. Pittsburgh is now deep into more struggles, with only three wins in its past 11. If Hextall could rewind a few months, would he have been wrong to make a trade to jolt the Penguins’ forward group?
Previous ranking: 18 Points percentage: 53.33% Next seven days: vs. LA (Jan. 21), vs. WPG (Jan. 24), vs. NJ (Jan. 26)
Nashville put Eeli Tolvanen on waivers in December and saw him subsequently claimed by the Kraken. Even Predators GM David Poile recently admitted that might have been a mistake. We’d agree. The winger has been thriving in Seattle (five goals and seven points in nine games) while Nashville struggles for offense.
Previous ranking: 20 Points percentage: 55.44% Next seven days: vs. TB (Jan. 21), vs. CBJ (Jan. 23), vs. CHI (Jan. 26)
Calgary’s Brad Treliving had to trade Matthew Tkachuk somewhere. In hindsight, and if possible, would he look beyond Florida as his partner in that? MacKenzie Weegar has bolstered the Flames’ back end, but Calgary hasn’t been the best fit — yet — for Jonathan Huberdeau. Maybe there was a more optimal trade out there — for both sides.
Previous ranking: 17 Points percentage: 54.26% Next seven days: vs. CAR (Jan. 21), @ TOR (Jan. 23), @ OTT (Jan. 25)
New York finished last season 23rd overall in scoring, and did little to nothing in the offseason to elevate its offense. Where do the Islanders sit now in that respect? 24th (averaging 2.98 goals per game). Yikes. What if New York’s decision to stand pat could now cost the Islanders a playoff berth?
Previous ranking: 19 Points percentage: 53.41% Next seven days: vs. ANA (Jan. 21), @ DAL (Jan. 23), @ STL (Jan. 24), @ WPG (Jan. 26)
Buffalo needed to figure out sooner Tage Thompson was meant to be a center. Props to coach Don Granato for finally pulling Thompson off the wing and unleashing the superstar within. Imagine how much further ahead the Sabres might be had Thompson switched sooner?
Previous ranking: 22 Points percentage: 53.26% Next seven days: vs. CHI (Jan. 21), vs. BUF (Jan. 24), @ ARI (Jan. 26)
St. Louis stumbled out of the gate, without making major changes to recover (which it did, briefly). Now the Blues have slid back down the Central Division standings and their two biggest trade assets — Ryan O’Reilly and Vladimir Tarasenko — are hurt. Will St. Louis look back with regret for not trying to move both players sooner and get a (possibly) more substantial return than might be available now?
Previous ranking: 21 Points percentage: 52.13% Next seven days: vs. MIN (Jan. 21), @ NYR (Jan. 23), @ PIT (Jan. 24)
Florida might have gone too hard with its offseason makeover. Yes, Matthew Tkachuk is a star — but losing Jonathan Huberdeau and particularly MacKenzie Weegar in the trade to acquire him, coupled with not resigning Claude Giroux or Mason Marchment or Ben Chiarotand changing coaches from Andrew Brunette to Paul Maurice? Phew. It was a lot. And Florida hasn’t looked nearly the same after all that turnover.
Previous ranking: 23 Points percentage: 52.27% Next seven days: vs. PHI (Jan. 21), vs. SJ (Jan. 24), @ MTL (Jan. 26)
Detroit’s best offseason move was acquiring Ville Husso. Perhaps its worst was not having the right depth to support him. Husso has been run ragged as Alex Nedeljkovic started this season like he finished the last: stumbling. Now the Red Wings are on to Magnus Hellberg as Husso’s backup … but is he too late to help Detroit salvage its playoff hopes?
Previous ranking: 24 Points percentage: 48.91% Next seven days: @ DET (Jan. 21), vs. WPG (Jan. 22), vs. LA (Jan. 24), @ MIN (Jan. 26)
Philadelphia ultimately passed on picking up Johnny Gaudreau’s hefty free agent contract last summer. But well before that, the Flyers bypassed selecting Cole Caufieldtwice in the 2019 draft (trading back from No. 11 to No. 14, then taking defenseman Cam York). Might Caufield have become the sort of electrifying forward Philadelphia could use in its ranks right now? Hard not to wonder “what if.”
Previous ranking: 25 Points percentage: 48.86% Next seven days: @ PIT (Jan. 20), vs. WPG (Jan. 21), vs. NYI (Jan. 25)
Ottawa can’t go back now … but if the Senators could, does the trade for Nikita Zaitsev (and his seven-year, $31.5 million deal) still happen? Zaitsev has another year remaining on that pact while having long since fallen out of favor with the Senators. His would be a tough contract to move at this point, too.
Previous ranking: 27 Points percentage: 44.32% Next seven days: vs. COL (Jan. 20), vs. EDM (Jan. 21), vs. CHI (Jan. 24), @ SEA (Jan. 25)
Vancouver might have settled its coaching situation before this season started. All the drama surrounding Bruce Boudreau’s status is not only distracting, but ultimately unfair to the man himself wondering when the ax will — it seems inevitably — fall.
Previous ranking: 26 Points percentage: 44.57% Next seven days: vs. TOR (Jan. 21), vs. BOS (Jan. 24), vs. DET (Jan. 26)
Montreal moved on from Charlie Lindgren in 2021 after giving the goaltender only 24 NHL opportunities over five seasons. The Canadiens might like to rethink that. Lindgren is shining in Washington this season (11-6-2, .910 save percentage, 2.62 goals-against average) while Montreal’s No. 1 Jake Allen (taking over for Carey Price) has struggled for consistency (10-16-1, .892, 3.52).
San Jose’s present struggles can be tied to past contract decisions, namely the expensive, multiyear pacts doled out to veteran players (who are now difficult to trade). That has made it hard to build the Sharks’ roster up elsewhere and, well, they’re seeing the results of that now.
Previous ranking: 29 Points percentage: 36.67% Next seven days: @ DAL (Jan. 21), vs. VGK (Jan. 22), vs. ANA (Jan. 24), vs. STL (Jan. 26)
Arizona wants a large return in trade for Jakob Chychrun that, so far, no other team has been able to meet. That decision could come back to haunt the Coyotes, as Chychrun remains in the fold and teams that could covet his services most — those in a playoff-bound position — are already priced out. Where does that leave Arizona and the ongoing Chychrun saga?
Previous ranking: 32 Points percentage: 34.88% Next seven days: @ STL (Jan. 21), vs. LA (Jan. 22), @ VAN (Jan. 24), @ CGY (Jan. 26)
Chicago management has seemingly been doing the most to win the coveted Connor Bedard sweepstakes … but what if the Blackhawks don’t? They traded Alex DeBrincat, gave up too quickly on Kirby Dach, and let Dominik Kubalik and Dylan Strome walk (plus they still haven’t traded Patrick Kane or Jonathan Toews). Chicago might look back wistfully at all the proven players it had — and lost — in the pursuit of that No. 1 pick.
Columbus inked Elvis Merzlikins to a five-year, $27 million contract that started this season — and Merzlikins is currently the league’s worst goaltender at 5-12-0, with an .869 save percentage and 4.44 goals-against average. The Blue Jackets have to be nervous now about the value on their long-term investment.
Previous ranking: 31 Points percentage: 33.70% Next seven days: @ BUF (Jan. 21), @ ARI (Jan. 24), @ COL (Jan. 26)
Anaheim likely watched Connor Bedard perform spectacularly in the world juniors and wished for a do-over in every single game it has won this season. Because coming out on top in the NHL draft lottery would be the sweetest consolation in this down year for the Ducks.
Knight’s Choice has won the 2024 Melbourne Cup, defeating Warp Speed and Okita Soushi in a thrilling finish at Flemington on Tuesday afternoon.
The massive outsider saluted for Irish-born jockey Robbie Dolan, who claimed victory in what was his first ever ride in the “race that stops a nation”.
In what was a gripping 164th staging of Australia’s most-watched thoroughbred race, Knight’s Choice proved too strong in a sprint to the finish, pulling over the top of Okita Soushi and holding off Warp Speed by the barest of margins.
Trained by John Symons and Sheila Laxon on the Sunshine Coast, Knight’s Choice was well down the betting across all markets. It was Laxon’s second Melbourne Cup triumph after she trained Ethereal to victory 23 years ago.
“This is the pinnacle of all pinnacles, this is the Melbourne Cup,” Symons said.
Zardozi rounded out the first four.
As the field approached the final few hundred metres it appeared as though Jamie Kah, aboard Okita Soushi, would become just the second woman to ride the winner in the Melbourne Cup. But Okita Soushi was swallowed up as the winning post neared, with Knight’s Choice beating Warp Speed to the line after a peach of a ride from Dolan.
“We’ll be singing tonight after a few beers,” Dolan, who was a contestant on the 2022 edition of “The Voice”, told Channel 9.
“It is amazing and a lot of people doubted this little horse. Doubt me now.”
Laxon was more than happy with the ride, with Dolan threading his way through the field from near last on the bend.
“He started the race, and he knew how to ride him. We didn’t give him instructions, he knew what to do,” she said.
“I love it being down for the Australians. The Australian horse has done it, and Robbie is Australian now as well, so I’m thrilled to win the Cup, and it is the people’s Cup, and that’s what it is all about.”
Knight’s Choice is just the sixth Australian-bred horse to win since 1993, and the first since Vow and Declare back in 2019.
The five-year-old gelding carried only 51kg to victory and was making its first start over the 3200m trip. It had most recently come off a fifth-placed finish in the Bendigo Cup, but had showed sparing little form this preparation otherwise.
“I watched every Melbourne Cup for the last 40 years. I thought my best chance was to get him to stay the trip and, hopefully, he can run home and do the quick sectionals he can on a good track and he proved everybody wrong,” Dolan said.
Two-time All-Star starter Nathan Eovaldi became a free agent Monday after declining a vested $20 million player option for next season with the Texas Rangers.
Eovaldi will get a $2 million buyout from that option earned by throwing more than 300 innings over his two years with the Rangers after joining them in free agency. He was the winning pitcher in their World Series-clinching game at Arizona in 2023, when he was 5-0 with a 2.95 ERA in six postseason starts. He was also part of Boston’s 2018 title.
The Rangers had expected Eovaldi to decline the option, but would still like to re-sign the 34-year-old right-hander and Texas native.
“We still have great interest in bringing him back,” said Chris Young, the team’s president of baseball operations. “We’re still going to work towards hopefully getting him back in the Rangers uniform.”
Texas declined a $6.5 million team option for Andrew Chafin, a left-handed reliever acquired from Detroit in a deadline trade. Chafin got a $500,000 buyout and became a free agent after 62 combined appearances in 2024 that triggered $625,000 in bonuses on top of his $4.75 million salary, plus a $250,000 assignment bonus for the trade.
Eovaldi was 24-13 with a 3.72 ERA in 54 starts the past two seasons, and had 298 strikeouts over 314 2/3 innings. He was 12-8 with a 3.80 ERA in 29 starts this year. He threw seven scoreless innings at the Los Angeles Angels to win the season finale for the Rangers, who finished 78-84 and missed the playoffs.
Texas was the sixth big league team for Eovaldi, who is 91-81 with a 4.07 ERA in 294 career games (275 starts) since his debut in 2011 with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Besides Boston, he also has pitched for Miami, the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay.
His $34 million deal with the Rangers included a $16 million salary each of the past two seasons, and a $2 million signing bonus. He also earned multiple bonuses for being an All-Star in 2023 and reaching certain levels of innings pitched.
Three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer and left-hander Andrew Heaney, who made a team-high 31 starts, are also free agents.
The Rangers still have two-time Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom and Tyler Mahle under contract after both made three starts at the end of last season after recovering from elbow surgery in 2023. Jon Gray has one more season left on his four-year deal, and former first-round draft picks Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker made their big league debuts this year.
Chafin, who pitched in 21 games for the Rangers, is the fifth Texas reliever to become a free agent. He joined four right-handers: All-Star closer Kirby Yates, veteran David Robertson, José Leclerc and José Ureña in free agency. The 39-year-old Robertson on Saturday declined a $7 million mutual option, triggering a $1.5 million buyout.
Seager’s season ended in September after he had a right sports hernia repair, on the opposite side of his abdomen from the Jan. 30 procedure. Seager missed most of spring training and did not play in his first exhibition game until March 23.
“I believe he’s close to resuming a normal offseason and his normal strength and conditioning program,” Young said.
Seager was ready for the March 28 opener in his third season of a $325 million, 10-year contract. The 30-year-old shortstop hit .278 with 30 homers and 74 RBI in 123 games before going on the injured list Sept. 4 with right hip discomfort.
The Atlanta Braves exercised designated hitter Marcell Ozuna‘s $16 million option for the 2025 season Monday but declined to pick up catcher Travis D’Arnaud‘s $8 million option, making him a free agent.
The Braves also declined their $7 million team option on right-hander Luke Jackson.
Ozuna, who turns 34 next week, was named a Silver Slugger finalist Monday after batting .302 with 39 home runs and 104 RBIs, while not missing a game this season.
A three-time All-Star, Ozuna is a career .272 hitter with 275 homers, 880 RBIs and 1,514 hits in 1,469 games with the Miami Marlins (2013-17), St. Louis Cardinals (2018-19) and Braves.
D’Arnaud, 35, batted .251 and slugged 60 home runs in his five years with the Braves. He earned his only All-Star nod with the Braves in 2022.
Jackson, 33, went 4-3 with a 5.09 ERA in 52 relief appearances this past season, 16 of those with the Braves after they acquired him from the San Francisco Giants at the trade deadline in the swap that also brought Jorge Soler to Atlanta. The Braves traded Soler to the Los Angeles Angels last week.
Ozuna’s option had a $1 million buyout; D’Arnaud’s had none. Jackson had a $2 million buyout.