4. Seattle Kraken
Key Moves: Mason Marchment (traded with DAL), Frederick Gaudreau (traded with MIN), Ryan Lindgren (free agent addition)
The Seattle Kraken were another team that didn't make a bunch of moves but the moves they did make are going to have a big impact. They were able to lean into the trade market and brought in Mason Marchment and Frederick Gaudreau with the Marchment trade in particular being one of the best moves across the league with only having to give up a 2026 third-round pick and a 2025 fourth-round pick.
In free agency, the Kraken helped their defense by signing Ryan Lindgren to a four-year deal with a cap hit of $4.5 million. This is basically the same contract that Ceci got from the Kings and when looking at the two players, Lindgren would have been a much better move for the Kings.
3. Vegas Golden Knights
Key moves: Mitch Marner (sign-and-trade with TOR)
The Vegas Golden Knights lost more players than they brought in but they made the most impactful move of any team in the Pacific Division. The sign-and-trade with Toronto for Mitch Marner has once again set them up to be a Stanley Cup contender and helps boost their offense.
The reason they are only third though is they saw a number of players leave this summer in Nicolas Hague (free agency) and Nicolas Roy (as part of the sign-and-trade). They didn't really do a great job replacing either but the addition of Marner should help.