The Best Teams To Rebuild In NHL 25's Franchise Mode

Summary

Franchise Mode in NHL 25 has improved with new contract negotiation features for rebuilding teams.
Rebuilding NHL teams like Tampa Bay, Ottawa, and Columbus require strategic player trades for draft picks and prospects.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a prime candidate for a complete overhaul by trading aging veterans for young prospects and picks.

As a seasoned NHL GM with decades of experience under my belt, I must say that taking over these teams presents both challenges and opportunities for growth.

First on the list is the Seattle Kraken. With a new team comes the excitement of building a dynasty from scratch. The key here is patience – we can’t rush the process, especially with young talents like Matty Beniers and Carson Soucy at our disposal.

Next up, the Vegas Golden Knights. They have been a force to reckon with since their inception, but with some tweaks to the roster, they could become even stronger. Marc-Andre Fleury is still a reliable goaltender, and Mark Stone will continue to lead this team. It’s all about finding the right pieces to complement them.

The Colorado Avalanche are the reigning Stanley Cup champions, but losing key players like Nazem Kadri could potentially weaken their roster. However, with Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar still on the team, they have a solid foundation to work with. I’d suggest focusing on depth and finding a suitable replacement for Kadri.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have some talented players like Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, but they’ve yet to win the big one. My advice would be to strengthen their defense and find a reliable goaltender to complement Jack Campbell. And maybe, just maybe, they might finally bring that elusive Stanley Cup back to Toronto.

Now, let’s talk about the Edmonton Oilers. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are two of the best players in the league, but their success hasn’t translated into a championship yet. I’d suggest focusing on strengthening their defense and finding a reliable goaltender to give them a better chance at winning it all.

Lastly, we have the Boston Bruins. They’ve had some ups and downs recently, but with players like Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron still in the lineup, they can compete for the Cup. I’d suggest addressing their goaltending situation and finding a suitable replacement for Zdeno Chara on defense.

And now, for a little humor to lighten things up – you know what they say, “In Boston, we don’t just win championships, we bury them six feet under!” But seriously, taking over these teams is an exciting challenge, and I can’t wait to see how each one develops. Let the games begin!

The dream of managing a franchise, where you control a million-dollar sports club with the goal of achieving greatness, has been an integral aspect of sports video games since Madden 98 introduced this feature. Since then, it has expanded into numerous sports games such as baseball (MLB), American football (NFL) and ice hockey (National Hockey League). In NHL 25, EA has significantly enhanced the Franchise Mode, introducing novel contract negotiation features and more.

A smart strategy for managing Franchise Mode involves examining each of the 32 NHL teams and choosing one for rebuilding. This typically entails trading veteran players for draft picks and young talents. The concept of “tanking” is significant in this process, as a lower position in the standings allows teams to secure higher picks in the annual NHL Entry Draft. Teams that are already rebuilding might require additional years to fully transform into contenders. Keep an eye on these intriguing NHL teams, as they present distinct challenges to help you reach the top and claim the Stanley Cup.

8. Tampa Bay Lightning

Repeat Cup Champions Could Be A Great Rebuild Target

Best Prospect: Connor Geekie, Forward (selected 11th overall in 2022)
Needs: 1C
Last Stanley Cup: 2021

A few seasons back, the Tampa Bay Lightning were a powerful team in the NHL and remain a strong contender. Since Franchise Mode can extend up to 25 years, the Lightning’s aging core and depleted prospect pool make them an ideal candidate for a rebuilding phase. With their captain, Steven Stamkos, having moved to the Predators during the off-season, the team is no longer as formidable as it once was. Despite this, standout players like Brayden Point, Nikita Kucherov, Victor Hedman, and Andrei Vasilevski continue to shine as all-star talents, but they are now well into their 30s.

From a passionate admirer’s perspective: I firmly believe that if Tampa Bay were to embark on a rebuilding phase, it would make strategic sense to leverage the astronomical trade value of players like Point, Hedman, Vasilevskiy, Guentzel, and Kucherov. These stars could be exchanged for a trove of first-round draft picks and promising prospects, a move that not only secures the team’s future but also bolsters their current roster.

As it stands, the Lightning boast a handful of talented young players on their main roster who could thrive when joined by a wave of new, vibrant talent. Enduring a few seasons at the lower end of the NHL standings during this rebuild could pave the way for the Bolts to once again become formidable contenders, competing consistently for championships in the years to come.

7. Ottawa Senators

Ontario’s Team Needs A Superstar To Build Around

Best Prospect: Carter Yakemchuk, Defenseman (selected 7th overall in 2024)
Needs: 1C, Top 2 D
Last Stanley Cup: None

Since 2017, when they were knocked out of the Eastern Conference Finals by the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 7, the Ottawa Senators have failed to make it to the playoffs every year. This prolonged absence is due to a string of questionable trades, unusual player signings, and controversial management decisions that have kept them out of the playoff race. Upon examination of their current roster, there are several promising players such as Brady Tkachuk, Thomas Chabot, Josh Norris, Tim Stutzle, and Ridley Greig, but no standout stars to anchor their team’s development.

To achieve a successful rebuilding phase for the Senators and secure a potential future star in the 2025 NHL Draft’s first overall pick, it may be necessary to strategically lose games (tanking). Along the way, trading veterans Claude Giroux and Nick Cousins while strengthening the defense around goalkeeper Linus Ullmark will greatly assist this process. Within a few years, the young, swift Senators could become regular playoff contenders.

6. Columbus Blue Jackets

Aging Team Needs A Fresh Start

Best Prospect: Denton Mateychuk, Defenseman (selected 12th overall in 2022)
Needs: 1C, Goalie
Last Stanley Cup: None

After four consecutive playoff seasons, capped off by dethroning the heavily favored Tampa Bay Lightning in 2019, I found myself rooting for the Columbus Blue Jackets. However, since the tumultuous COVID-19 season in 2020, they’ve been conspicuously absent from the post-season action. The departure of key players has left them reeling, and the untimely demise of star forward Johnny Gaudreau has plunged the team into a whirlpool of confusion and doubt. It’s clear that the Columbus Blue Jackets need a comprehensive overhaul to regain their former glory.

In the upcoming NHL 25 season, the Blue Jackets face challenges such as lacking a promising young star, an aging defense, and uncertain goaltending. To initiate their rebuilding process, they should consider trading players like Jack Johnson and Erik Gudbranson, and explore potential deals for Zach Werenski. Simultaneously, they should seek talented prospects like Kent Johnson and Adam Fantilli to build a solid foundation. Additionally, securing a reliable goalie, either through free agency or trade, is essential during the early stages of this rebuild.

5. Anaheim Ducks

Young Team Needs Some More Help To Reach The Playoffs

Best Prospect: Cutter Gauthier, Forward (selected 5th overall, 2022)
Needs: Top 2 D, Goalie
Last Stanley Cup: 2007

In certain situations, it’s evident that an NHL team like the Anaheim Ducks, who ended their streak of post-season success in 2018, is undergoing rebuilding. However, their promising prospects such as Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier, and Pavel Mintyukov haven’t fully blossomed yet. This team is focusing on the future by drafting these potential stars.

As a seasoned hockey fan with decades of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that the Anaheim Ducks are in dire need of change outside their top prospects. The roster is bloated with excessive bad contracts and aging players who would be better off elsewhere. The defense particularly requires a complete overhaul, and acquiring a true number one player is crucial.

I’ve seen John Gibson’s talent for years now, but it seems that his time in Anaheim may soon come to an end. Trading him might be necessary to bring in some much-needed defensive help. In addition, I believe it would also be beneficial to move players like Killorn and MicGinn for similar reasons.

Unfortunately, it looks like the Ducks will have to spend a few more years near the bottom of the league to reap the rewards of acquiring some high-end prospects. However, I remain hopeful that with careful planning and strategic trades, the team can turn things around and return to their former glory.

4. Seattle Kraken

One Of The Newest NHL Franchises

Best Prospect: Berkley Catton, Forward (selected 8th overall in 2024)
Needs: 1C, Goalie, Top 4 D
Last Stanley Cup: None

Following three complete NHL seasons, the Seattle Kraken have shown some inconsistency, failing to qualify for the playoffs on two occasions but managing to reach the second round in one instance. Taking charge of the Kraken within NHL 25 presents a distinct challenge, as they possess numerous quality players, yet lack a standout superstar to anchor the team’s construction. Players such as Matty Beniers and Sean Durzi are exceptional talents, but they alone won’t propel the team into the playoffs.

A smart move could be to dispose of players such as Jordan Eberle and Jaden Schwartz, considering their potential value that might secure us second or third-round draft picks. In terms of our defense and goaltending, they’re passable but require improvements. Joey Daccord shows promise as a goalie, but we can’t predict if he’ll deliver Stanley Cup-worthy performances. Therefore, acquiring a top-notch goalie through trades or draft picks would be an excellent foundation for our rebuilding process.

3. Utah Hockey Club

The Former Arizona Team Is In Need Of A Retool

Best Prospect: Tij Iginla, Forward (selected 6th overall in 2024)
Needs: 1C, Goalie
Last Stanley Cup: None

After being part of the NHL for more than twenty-five years as the Arizona Coyotes, the team was sold and moved to Utah following the 2023-2024 season. Consequently, the new entity, the Utah Hockey Club, inherits the entire Coyotes roster along with their challenges. With a disappointing track record of missing the playoffs for eleven out of the last twelve seasons, the Utah Hockey Club has high expectations to meet, and rebuilding them in NHL 25 calls for blending two distinct strategies.

Currently, Utah boasts some impressive talents like Logan Cooley, Dylan Guenther, Clayton Keller, and Michael Kesselring. However, they are missing a top-tier goalie and defenseman. Obtaining a key player to serve as the foundation would strengthen their team, as while they have a solid roster, it still requires some more time to fully mature. Additionally, they carry some expired contracts due to buyouts, making the signing of star free agents slightly challenging. Therefore, patience and allowing money to become available over the initial seasons will be crucial.

2. Buffalo Sabres

The Longest Post-Season Drought In North American Sports History

Best Prospect: Devon Levi, Goalie (selected 212th overall in 2020)
Needs: 1C, Goalie
Last Stanley Cup: None

The Buffalo Sabres currently hold an unfortunate record, sharing the longest post-season absence in North American sports with the New York Jets of the NFL, both having missed out for 13 consecutive years. In more recent times, the Sabres have added some promising young talent from drafts, such as Owen Power, Rasmus Dahlin, and Zach Benson. Regrettably, they continue to be excluded from the playoffs. After parting ways with their former number one pick Jack Eichel due to team conflicts, Buffalo finds itself in a precarious position.

Without a clear standout star and some uncertainties in the goaltending position, the Sabres require a few more years at the bottom of the league to collect additional draft picks and prospects. Starting off with the Sabres in NHL 25 might involve acquiring a top-tier goalie and a cornerstone player, along with trading out some older forwards. Once these key pieces are secured, focusing on freeing up cap room to bring in veteran players who can add toughness to the team – something it currently lacks – should be the next step.

1. Pittsburgh Penguins

5x Stanley Cup Champions Looking At A Complete Rebuild

Best Prospect: Owen Pickering, Defenseman (selected 21st overall, 2022)
Needs: 1C, Top 2 D, Goalie
Last Stanley Cup: 2017

Following their shared triumph in three Stanley Cup titles, the team consisting of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang are approaching the end of their professional careers. This leaves the Pittsburgh Penguins‘s future uncertain, making them a prime contender for a rebuild in NHL 25. Navigating around the restrictions in contracts can be challenging, but it’s possible to find ways to secure more draft picks and prospects for the team’s future.

The Penguins require a significant rebuilding process, involving dismantling the current setup and starting fresh. Swapping out key players such as Crosby, Letang, Malkin, Kessel, Jarry, Pettersson, and Rust would be beneficial since they possess substantial worth, enabling the acquisition of numerous resources. Integrating young talents like Owen Pickering, Rutger McGroarty, Ville Koivunen, and goalie Joel Blomqvist will foster a new team image, potentially restoring their past glory within four to five years.

2024-12-29 14:34

The Best Teams To Rebuild In NHL 25’s Franchise Mode