The Buss family has agreed to sell the controlling stake of the Los Angeles Lakers to TWG Global CEO Mark Walter, doing so with a franchise valuation of $10 billion — the most ever for a professional sports franchise, a person with knowledge of the agreement said Wednesday.

For the second straight year, the Florida Panthers are Stanley Cup champions. Now that the on-ice battles are over and the 2024-25 season is officially complete, it’s time to turn our undivided attention to the off-season — and all of its storylines and intrigue.

While everyone will be studying Bill Zito’s team-building strategies in hopes of replicating it for themselves — and perhaps stealing a UFA or two out of Florida — there’s plenty more at play this summer.

The cap crunch is coming for some markets — we’re looking at you, Colorado, Dallas and Tampa Bay. Could offer sheets fly, too? At the same time, the league is about to enter a new chapter of cap growth — how will that affect this summer’s free agency?

Among those with cap space to play, which rebuilding clubs face the most pressure to leap into contention? And who might be making moves now to clear the way for next year’s star-studded crop of UFAs-in-waiting?

As we look ahead to what’s expected to be a busy summer across the league, we’re highlighting 12 people — players, GMs, owners and even a prospect — particularly well-positioned to shape the NHL off-season ahead.