NHL EDGE stats: Sneaky offseason movers in 2025-26

NHL.com's fantasy staff continues to cover the latest trends and storylines in the League through the lens of NHL EDGE puck and player tracker stats. Today, we look at the advanced metrics behind some sneaky offseason movers who are standing out during the 2025-26 season.

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There have been plenty of surprising players who changed teams in the offseason and have strong advanced metrics.

The biggest offseason moves were the Vegas Golden Knights landing forward Mitch Marner and the Carolina Hurricanes signing Nikolaj Ehlers. But one of the top standouts this season among players who changed teams has been Philadelphia Flyers forward Trevor Zegras, who is tied with Marner for the highest points-per-game average (1.00; 24 points in 24 games) and is one point behind him for the most points among offseason movers.

Ehlers has elite underlying metrics, ranking among the forward leaders in hardest shot (93.63 mph; 97th percentile), max skating speed (23.05 mph; 93rd percentile), offensive zone time percentage (47.8; 99th percentile; seventh at position) and long-range shots on goal (14; 99th percentile; tied for eighth) this season. Zegras is excelling from midrange areas, ranking among the forward leaders in midrange shots on goal (21; 88th percentile) and midrange goals (five; 95th percentile). In terms of total skating distance, Marner (77.06 miles; 93rd percentile) and Zegras (72.60; 87th percentile) are shouldering heavy workloads.

Here are some under-the-radar players who have been important offseason additions for their respective teams:

Chris Kreider, F, ANA

Kreider, who was acquired by the Anaheim Ducks from the New York Rangers on June 12, has scored 11 goals, including six power-play goals (tied for seventh in NHL), in 20 games this season. The 34-year-old is one of three Ducks players with double-digit goal totals; the others are their young breakout players Cutter Gauthier (14 goals) and Leo Carlsson (13).

Per NHL EDGE stats, Kreider ranks highly among forwards in high-danger goals (eight; 96th percentile), max skating speed (22.89 mph; 90th percentile), high-danger shots on goal (24; 90th percentile) and midrange goals (three; 85th percentile).

Josh Doan, F, BUF

Acquired from the Utah Mammoth on June 26 as part of the JJ Peterka trade, Doan ranks tied for third on the Buffalo Sabres in points (16 in 25 games). Doan, who’s 23 years old and the son of former NHL player Shane Doan, is also tied for second on the Sabres in goals (eight; one more than his total from last season) behind Tage Thompson (12).

Per NHL EDGE stats, Doan ranks fifth in the entire NHL in high-danger shots on goal (41; eight more than last season's 33 in 51 games with Utah). Doan also ranks highly among forwards in high-danger goals (six; 91st percentile), hardest shot (89.06 mph; 88th percentile) and long-range shots on goal (seven; 88th percentile).

Brent Burns, D, and Victor Olofsson, F, COL

Burns, the oldest player to play in an NHL game this season (40 years, 261 days), has played 950 consecutive games, the longest active streak and fourth longest in League history. He has 12 points (three goals, nine assists) and 52 shots on goal in 25 games after signing with the Colorado Avalanche on July 2; they have the best record in the NHL (18-1-6; 42 points), are leading the League in goals per game (4.12) and allowing the fewest per game (2.08). Per NHL EDGE stats, Burns has 33 long-range shots on goal, one behind his teammate Cale Makar (34 long-range shots on goal; tied for seventh), who leads their position in points (32 in 25 games).

The Avalanche had another sneaky offseason pickup in forward Victor Olofsson, who signed with them Aug. 20 and has 16 points (six on power play) in 25 games. The 30-year-old ranks among the forward leaders in average shot speed (63.20 mph; 95th percentile), midrange goals (four; 91st percentile), midrange shots on goal (32; 98th percentile) and offensive zone time percentage (46.7; 96th percentile) this season.

Emil Heineman, F, NYI

Acquired by the New York Islanders from the Montreal Canadiens on June 27 as part of the Noah Dobson trade, Heineman ranks sixth in the entire NHL in hits (89) and is tied for second among offseason movers in goals (10; behind Kreider's 11). Heineman, who’s 24 years old, is one of three players in the NHL with at least 16 points and 70 hits this season (others: Kiefer Sherwood of the Vancouver Canucks, Dylan Cozens of the Ottawa Senators) and has found chemistry with center Bo Horvat on the Islanders’ top line; all six of Heineman’s assists have been on goals by Horvat.

Per NHL EDGE stats, Heineman ranks in the 85th percentile or higher among forwards in the following categories:

• Max skating speed: 23.40 mph; (97th percentile)
• 20-plus mph speed bursts: 61 (91st percentile)
• High-danger goals: five (86th percentile)
• Midrange goals: five (95th percentile)
• Midrange shots on goal: 22 (89th percentile)

Heineman and impact offseason signings in forward Jonathan Drouin and backup goalie David Rittich, together with Calder Trophy front-runner Matthew Schaefer (No. 1 pick in 2025 NHL Draft), have put the Islanders in Stanley Cup Playoff position as one of the NHL’s most-improved teams.

Dan Vladar, G, PHI

Vladar, who signed a two-year contract with the Philadelphia Flyers on July 1, is 10-4-1 with a .912 save percentage in 15 games this season, emerging as their No. 1 goalie option under new coach Rick Tocchet. With Vladar, the Flyers have been one of the most-improved defensive teams; in terms of goals allowed per game, Philaelphia ranks tied for ninth-fewest (2.79) this season after finishing fifth-worst (3.45) in that category last season. The Flyers have not had a Vezina Trophy finalist since Roman Cechmanek in 2000-01 (finished second behind Dominik Hasek).

Per NHL EDGE stats, Vladar ranks second behind Logan Thompson of the Washington Capitals for the NHL lead in high-danger save percentage (.874) among goalies who have played at least 10 games this season. The 28-year-old also ranks among the top 10 in even-strength save percentage (.920; tied for eighth) and percentage of starts with greater than a .900 save percentage (80.0; 12 of 15; second).