The Toronto Maple Leafs have acquired forward Dakota Joshua from the Vancouver Canucks, the team announced Thursday.

From the renewal of intense rivalries to superstars returning to their former home bases, the release of a new NHL regular-season schedule always foreshadows some of the upcoming campaign's spiciest storylines. Here are five take-aways from the 2025-26 schedule released Wednesday:

The Canucks forward said his bond with his teammates has helped make Vancouver a “second home.” 

There was speculation the Boeser would be moved ahead of the NHL’s trade deadline, but Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin said the offers simply weren’t enticing enough.

A star winger on the move. A star goaltender and sniper staying put. 

The Maple Leafs and Oilers went to work ahead of NHL free agency's opening bell.

The Maple Leafs and Oilers went to work ahead of NHL free agency's opening bell. 

A trio of Canadian NHL teams went to work ahead of free agency's opening bell.

The Edmonton Oilers said they traded Kane to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for Vancouver’s fourth round selection in the 2025 NHL Draft (117th overall).

The 33-year-old winger said his time with the Edmonton Oilers has come to a close, and he is heading back to his hometown to join the Vancouver Canucks.