After one of the most challenging postseasons in NHL history, teams and players had to navigate an equally challenging start to the offseason.
The salary cap remained flat at $81.5 million, per the new collective bargaining agreement, which forced teams to scuttle plans and trade high-priced talent to open up space. The economic impact of the COVID-19 shutdown created budget crunches that limited options for free agents and the teams seeking to sign them. Then there was the shadow of the Seattle Kraken, as the expansion draft loomed large in offseason decisions.
Some teams handled all of this well. Other teams ... not so much. Through the first few weeks of the offseason, here's a report card on all 31 NHL teams.
Jump to a team:
ANA | ARI | BOS | BUF | CGY | CAR | CHI
COL | CBJ | DAL | DET | EDM | FLA
LA | MIN | MTL | NSH | NJ | NYI
NYR | OTT | PHI | PIT | SJ | STL
TB | TOR | VAN | VGS | WSH | WPG
Note: Emily Kaplan graded the Central and Metropolitan Division teams, and Greg Wyshynski graded the Pacific and Atlantic. Advanced stats via Evolving Hockey and Natural Stat Trick unless otherwise noted. Cap space intel via Cap Friendly.
Anaheim Ducks
Key additions: F Derek Grant, D Kevin Shattenkirk
Key losses: D Michael Del Zotto, D Erik Gudbranson, D Matt Irwin, G Ryan Miller
Current cap space: $0
Smartest move: Signing Shattenkirk. In the span of a season, the 31-year-old defenseman went from a buyout ending his disappointing run with the New York Rangers to being an integral part of the Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning's blue line. At three years and $3.9 million in average annual value, with limited trade protection, Shattenkirk bolsters the right side of the defense and potentially gives Hampus Lindholm a new partner.
Questionable move: Staying the course. The Ducks are going to ask for more from their young next wave, including forwards Sam Steel and Trevor Zegras, a 19-year-old wild card. But this is a veterans' team, with David Backes (36), Ryan Getzlaf (35), Shattenkirk, Adam Henrique (30) and Jakob Silfverberg (30). Shouldn't a team that missed the playoffs in consecutive seasons have shaken up the mix a little more?
What's left to do: Add a backup goalie. Anthony Stolarz has 26 games of NHL experience with three teams. Given the compressed schedule, the Ducks probably need a proven veteran paired with John Gibson. Will that end up being Ryan Miller again at a discount?
Grade: B+. The Shattenkirk signing is terrific, filled a positional need and will help a moribund power play. Grant's contract -- three years, $1.5 million in AAV -- is fine for a former Duck who is a known commodity. The team will open up cap space by placing Ryan Kesler ($6.875 million) on long-term injured reserve, but the Ducks are feeling the pain of Corey Perry's buyout ($6.625 million) under the flat cap. Perhaps they could have moved a contract or two, but again, they're making a run with a veteran team, apparently.
Arizona Coyotes
Key additions: F John Hayden, F Dryden Hunt, F Johan Larsson, F Tyler Pitlick
Key losses: F Taylor Hall, F Vinnie Hinostroza, F Brad Richardson, F Carl Soderberg, F Michael Grabner
Current cap space: $0
Smartest move: Not trading Darcy Kuemper. The Coyotes had plenty of inquiries about their standout netminder before the goalie carousel started spinning. They are smart to hold out unless they're offered a collection of picks that gives GM Bill Armstrong something to work with in upcoming drafts. The 30-year-old goalie is fifth in goals saved above average the past two seasons (34.7) and shouldn't move for anything less than an ideal package.
Questionable move: Not trading Oliver Ekman-Larsson. The Boston Bruins and Vancouver Canucks were both in talks about acquiring the 29-year-old defenseman, but the Coyotes ended up retaining him past the deadline his agent established for waiving his no-movement clause. Ekman-Larsson makes $8.25 million against the cap through 2027, and the Coyotes owe him $31.5 million of his contract from 2021-24. The hope is that as time passes, the scope of his trade options will increase. Maybe better deals will present themselves. Maybe they won't.
What's left to do: The Coyotes will create cap room by placing the last season of Marian Hossa's contract ($5.275 million) on long-term injured reserve, but other cap-oriented moves could be on the horizon. Center Derek Stepan ($6 million, no trade protection) and Alex Goligoski ($5.475 million, modified no-trade clause) are entering the final years of their contracts. And what about Phil Kessel, who makes $6.8 million against the cap the next two seasons?
Grade: C. Larsson (two years, $1.4 million AAV), Pitlick (two years, $1.75 million AAV) and a re-signed Christian Fischer (two years, $1 million AAV) are all solid defensive players who offer little to nothing offensively. Therein lies the problem with the Coyotes' offseason: The 23rd-highest scoring team last season (2.71 goals per game) did little to bolster that offense while watching Hall leave and bidding farewell to Soderberg and Grabner, who combined for 25 goals.
Armstrong is the new general manager for a reason: To build this team through the draft and move past the John Chayka era. The Coyotes of 2019-20 spent to the cap to win a qualification-round series in an expanded postseason. This model is still capped out. But after the 2020-21 season? Armstrong will have more than $31.8 million in cap space with which to play -- and perhaps even more if Ekman-Larsson is finally moved.
Boston Bruins
Key additions: C Greg McKegg, F Craig Smith
Key losses: D Torey Krug, F Joakim Nordstrom
Current cap space: $6,657,686
Smartest move: Signing Smith. Getting him for $3.1 million over three years is an absolute steal for the Bruins. The former Predators winger fits right in to the Bruins' top nine as a player who can drive play and contribute goals.
Questionable move: Letting Krug walk. To hear Torey Krug tell it, the defenseman wanted to remain with the Bruins but had an offer pulled and then didn't receive another as he reached free agency. Was the seven years and $6.5 million AAV he received from the Blues too rich for them? It was, specifically on term. Krug was an important piece of some very good Bruins teams, especially on the power play. He won't be replaced easily.
What's left to do: The Bruins have two bits of very important business left this offseason. Winger Jake DeBrusk is a restricted free agent seeking a new deal, despite being the target of frequent trade speculation. Then there's the captain. Zdeno Chara, 43, is an unrestricted free agent. "We're just waiting for him to initiate what he'd like to do moving forward. I feel very comfortable allowing that to take the necessary time and let Zdeno make his own decisions along that route," GM Don Sweeney said. There is a chance that Chara could end up playing his 23rd NHL season elsewhere.
Grade: B. Smith is a very solid signing. Sweeney managed to sign defenseman Matt Grzelcyk to a four-year deal with a $3,687,500 AAV, which is going to look terrific if he can fill the void left by Krug. But free agency for Boston didn't produce a key acquisition, whether that was failing to work out a deal for Oliver Ekman-Larsson or getting Taylor Hall on a short-term deal. This grade could change if the Bruins make a big swing before the season starts ... or if Chara moves on.
Buffalo Sabres
Key additions: C Cody Eakin, F Taylor Hall, D Matt Irwin, F Tobias Rieder, F Eric Staal
Key losses: F Michael Frolik, F Marcus Johansson, F Johan Larsson, F Wayne Simmonds, F Vladimir Sobotka, F Jimmy Vesey
Current cap space: $13,645,833
Smartest move: Signing Taylor Hall. The Sabres' landing the prize free-agent forward was one of the biggest shocks of the offseason. They were reportedly the only team that would get him to $8 million, and they gave him a full no-movement clause for his one-year contract. Hall gives center Jack Eichel an elite winger to skate with this season and -- if you take Hall at his word -- potentially beyond.
Questionable move: Signing Cody Eakin. Inking him to a two-year deal worth $2.25 million against the cap is an odd move when Johan Larsson went for $1.4 million AAV in two seasons to Arizona. Does Eakin have that much more offensive upside?
What's left to do: New Sabres GM Kevyn Adams has a few restricted free agents who need new deals. Rookie winger Victor Olofsson had 20 goals last season and finished seventh for the Calder Trophy. Forward Sam Reinhart was the team's second-leading scorer, with 50 points. Goalie Linus Ullmark, who started a team-high 34 games, is also a restricted free agent. All three are arbitration-eligible.
Grade: A-. Adams had an impressive debut offseason on paper. Flipping Marcus Johansson to the Wild for Eric Staal was a strong move, giving Eichel a legitimate veteran scoring center behind him in the lineup. Rieder and Irwin are decent depth veterans. The Sabres aren't likely to miss any of the players who departed. But it all tracks back to Hall. If he can recapture a fraction of that MVP form and the rest of the pieces fit, the Sabres should be in the postseason hunt.
Calgary Flames
Key additions: G Louis Domingue, G Jacob Markstrom, F Joakim Nordstrom, D Alex Petrovic, D Chris Tanev
Key losses: D T.J. Brodie, C Austin Czarnik, D Erik Gustafsson, D Travis Hamonic, C Mark Jankowski, F Tobias Rieder, G Cam Talbot
Current cap space: $3,285,834
Smartest move: Signing Jacob Markstrom. Six years? Oof. Full no-move clause? Yikes, though there are no expansion draft repercussions like there would have been if the Canucks had handed him one. But this is the best goaltender the Flames have had since Miikka Kiprusoff retired, theoretically alleviating an annual headache for GM Brad Treliving. The past two seasons, Markstrom is ninth in the NHL, with 30.4 goals saved above average, and third in even-strength save percentage (.922). The Flames are a win-now team, and Markstrom helps them considerably now, even with the concerns about later.
Questionable move: Signing Chris Tanev. He's cheaper than Brodie, who signed for four years and a $5 million AAV with the Maple Leafs. But even at four years and $4.5 million AAV, Tanev was considered one of the free-agent frenzy's overpayments. He's an injury-prone, 30-year-old defender whose reputation was bolstered by skating with Quinn Hughes ... even though Hughes had better underlying numbers with other Canucks defensemen.
What's left to do: The Flames have one RFA in defenseman Oliver Kylington who is due a raise after his entry-level deal. But after signing Nordstrom from the Bruins to bolster the penalty kill and re-signing Andrew Mangiapane, a key part of their second line, the Flames' lineup looks complete, assuming that Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau are, in fact, nowhere near the trade block.
Grade: C+. A big upgrade with Markstrom, a downgrade with Tanev and Nordstrom will help a subpar bottom six. The Flames made the most of the cap space they had, considering that Milan Lucic continues to devour $5.25 million of it under a flat cap. Two great lines, one great defenseman who is now 37 and one great goalie -- what does that add up to in the West?
Carolina Hurricanes
Key additions: F Jesper Fast, D Joakim Ryan
Key losses: F Justin Williams, D Joel Edmundson, D Trevor van Riemsdyk, G Anton Forsberg
Current cap space: $5,082,261
Smartest move: Signing Jesper Fast. When the New York Rangers decided to not re-sign the longtime winger, the Hurricanes swooped in with a three-year deal. Fast will replace the retiring Justin Williams in the lineup. Fast is quick and gritty and an ace penalty-killer; it's hard to find a player who would mesh better with Rod Brind'Amour's demanding style than Fast, who won the Players' Player Award for five straight years on the Rangers.
Questionable move: Not getting a goaltender. The goalie market this year was flush with viable options via either trade or free agency. The Canes have Petr Mrazek and James Reimer both under contract through next season for the budget rate of $6.525 million combined. They ranked 17th in the league last season with a combined .903 save percentage. Carolina explored the market and even threw a line at the big fish available, Jacob Markstrom. GM Don Waddell said he doesn't think there was an upgrade available on the market, but I read the situation as the team not liking the prices it would have had to pay to acquire one.
What's left to do: New deals for RFAs Haydn Fleury and Warren Foegele. Carolina is also exploring the trade market for Jake Gardiner, who is only one year into his four-year, $16.2 million contract. The 30-year-old has a backloaded contract (not so attractive) and a seven-team no trade list.
The Canes could still pursue a goalie and remain trade contenders for Patrik Laine. There's no question that Laine -- who ranks seventh in the NHL with 138 goals since he broke into the league in 2016-17 -- would make this team better, but the Canes are wary of giving up too much for the winger. Winnipeg's biggest need is blue-line help, and the Canes don't want to part with Dougie Hamilton or Brett Pesce.
Grade: C+. Although the addition of Fast is great, it's hard to look at the Canes and say they are improved from last season. The loss of Williams -- especially from a leadership perspective -- cannot be overstated, and the defensive depth took a hit with the departures of Edmundson, van Riemsdyk and likely Sami Vatanen, who remains unsigned. Most pressingly, Carolina whiffed at a chance to get much stronger in net.
Chicago Blackhawks
Key additions: D Nikita Zadorov, F Mattias Janmark, F Lucas Wallmark, F Pius Suter
Key losses: G Corey Crawford, F Brandon Saad, F Drake Caggiula, D Slater Koekkoek
Current cap space: $5,213,687
Smartest move: Landing Pius Suter. The Blackhawks have had a terrific track record with European free-agent signings in recent years -- Artemi Panarin, Dominik Kubalik, Erik Gustafsson, Michal Kempny, David Kampf, Dominik Kahun and Jan Rutta -- so it's fair to give them the benefit of the doubt when it comes to the 24-year-old Suter. The Swiss native is the reigning MVP of Switzerland's National League-A, just as Kubalik was a season before, prior to Kubalik's scoring 30 goals as a rookie in 2019-20. Playing on a one-year, $925,000 contract, Suter will get a chance to make the roster right out of training camp, and he could be a fit on Chicago's top line alongside Kubalik and Jonathan Toews.
Questionable move: Replacing Crawford with a trio of unknowns: Colin Delia, Kevin Lankinen and Malcolm Subban. The Blackhawks didn't want to sign Crawford for more than one year, and therefore, they let him walk after 17 years and two Stanley Cups with the franchise. GM Stan Bowman believes Delia, Lankinen and Subban each could benefit from the opportunity Crawford got when he first broke into the league. Although there could be long-term dividends in identifying the next franchise goaltender, it's a huge short-term risk, considering that the trio has a combined 76 NHL starts.
What's left to do: The only lingering item for the Blackhawks is a new contract for Dylan Strome, an RFA who didn't have arbitration rights. There could be minor trades, though this is probably the roster with which Chicago enters training camp. The Blackhawks usually spend to the cap; Bowman told ESPN this week that he hasn't received any edicts from ownership to curb spending, but fans shouldn't be surprised if the Blackhawks leave themselves with some cap space this season. Chicago is looking for flexibility. After years of having to trade good players for pennies on the dollar, the Blackhawks are hoping they can flip the script and begin preying on cap-strapped teams.
Grade C-. The Blackhawks are in transition mode, so nearly all of their moves this offseason have an eye toward the future. It's commendable to have a long-term plan -- and to be transparent about it -- but it's hard not to look at Chicago's transactions the past two months and see a team that will be less competitive than it was last season.
Colorado Avalanche
Key additions: F Brandon Saad, D Devon Toews
Key loss: D Nikita Zadorov
Current cap space: $5,923,614
Smartest move: The trades. It's difficult to pick between the Brandon Saad swap and the Devon Toews acquisition. For Toews, GM Joe Sakic weaponized his cap space -- and preyed on the cap-strapped Islanders -- to acquire an ascending defenseman for the budget price of two second-round picks. In acquiring Saad, Sakic not only got a division rival to retain $1 million in salary but also did it for the price of Zadorov, a useful defenseman, one he had been shopping for years.
Questionable move: Not swinging for the fences in free agency. It's hard to fault Sakic for his offseason moves; he improved his already talented team through trades without having to sacrifice too much. He followed a similar playbook in 2019, and it worked out well. However, the Avalanche have proven that their rebuild is officially over, and the championship window begins now. Colorado explored Taylor Hall and Alex Pietrangelo, as well as the goalie market, and perhaps this is the year Sakic should have mortgaged his cap space to go all-in.
What's left to do: The Avalanche opted not to add to their goaltending depth, sticking with Philipp Grubauer and Pavel Francouz for 2020-21. Although that's a serviceable option, it's a bit risky considering Grubauer's injury history and the fact that goaltending depth doomed the Avalanche in the 2020 playoffs. Sakic could still be in the market to add in net, and several intriguing options are still available, including veterans Ryan Miller, Craig Anderson and Jimmy Howard. All could be acquired on cheap, one-year deals, a low-risk move.
Grade: A. Is there a GM besides Sakic who has been more successful on the trade market the past two years? Sakic has acquired four core players -- Andre Burakovsky, Nazem Kadri, Saad and Toews -- without compromising the integrity of the roster. The Avalanche are expected to contend for a Stanley Cup in 2020 and for the foreseeable future.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Key additions: F Max Domi, F Mikko Koivu
Key losses: F Josh Anderson, F Alexander Wennberg (buyout), D Ryan Murray, D Markus Nutivaara
Current cap space: $12,900,000
Smartest move: Acquiring two centers to bolster the depth behind Pierre-Luc Dubois. One of the reasons Max Domi was available via trade from the Montreal Canadiens is that he views himself as a center, and the coaching staff was inclined to move him to wing. In Columbus, he'll slot right in as the second-line center -- a position with which both he and the Blue Jackets are happy, resulting in a two-year, $10.6 million extension. Mikko Koivu's inking a one-year deal (in which he'll slide in as the No. 3 center) is a natural fit; Koivu, the longtime Wild captain, brings leadership and defensive prowess. That allows Boone Jenner to slide back to wing, where he should be more effective.
Questionable move: Trading Murray and Nutivaara well below market rate. The Blue Jackets' terrific defensive depth made Murray and Nutivaara expendable. However, trading them for pittance (a fifth-round pick and a minor-league player, respectively) was a curious choice of salary dumping. GM Jarmo Kekalainen said he made the moves -- along with the buyout of Wennberg -- because he thought Columbus was vulnerable to an offer sheet for Dubois. Although Kekalainen is privy to more information than us, the sense around the league is that no teams are in position to go for offer sheets this season -- not in this economy.
What's left to do: RFAs Dubois and defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov are due for big raises, especially Dubois, who might command upward of $6 million in his average annual cap hit, which means the current cap space of nearly $13 million is a bit misleading. Nonetheless, the Blue Jackets have flexibility to play with -- again, thanks to the departures of Murray, Nutivaara and Wennberg.
Columbus had some big finds in free agency, including Taylor Hall. Although the Blue Jackets saw Hall sign with Buffalo, which has the NHL's longest postseason drought, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Columbus go after more scoring depth in the coming weeks. The Blue Jackets also have one of the best goaltending pipelines in the league, so they could continue to explore the trade market for Elvis Merzlikins or Joonas Korpisalo, though that's not urgent.
Grade: B. Shoring up center depth was a huge win for Columbus. Although the Jackets missed out on the Taylor Hall sweepstakes, they have ample cap space and trade bait to make other moves. The biggest win would be inking Dubois to a long-term extension, though a shorter-term bridge deal could be coming, given the league's economic state.
Dallas Stars
Key addition: D Mark Pysyk
Key losses: D Roman Polak, F Mattias Janmark, F Corey Perry
Current cap space: $6,657,969
Smartest move: Shoring up the defensive depth. Signing Pysyk, formerly of the Panthers, to a $750,000 deal is a sneaky good move for GM Jim Nill. The Stars have one of the best top fours in the league but needed help on the third pairing. Pysyk is a veteran making below market rate who plugs in perfectly. The Stars are looking to bring 2019 first-rounder Thomas Harley into the rotation next season; Pysyk offers insurance but also wouldn't take up Harley's roster spot.
Questionable move: The Julius Honka situation. The defenseman told Finnish outlet Ilta-Sanomat that he'd like to return to the Stars for the 2020-21 season. (As a quick refresher, Honka did not sign his qualifying offer with the team in 2019, leading him to play in Finland. The Stars own his NHL rights until 2023). The issue is that the Stars don't have a roster spot for him now -- especially after signing Pysyk and wanting to work Harley into the group -- and they might not have the cap space, with two RFAs still to sign. Complicating matters further is that Honka didn't have a stellar season in Finland in 2019-20, which means the Stars aren't exactly itching for a reunion.
What's left to do: The only outstanding item for the Stars is signing RFAs Denis Gurianov and Roope Hintz to new deals. It's hard to imagine the Stars adding anything else at this point, considering that they're already toeing the salary cap once you figure in those two. Owner Tom Gaglardi is in the hospitality business and has been hit hard financially by the pandemic. Although there have been several moves across the business side of the team to cut costs -- including a recent round of furloughs -- it hasn't affected the on-ice financials yet. That said, the Stars could be looking to move a contract or two, as Sportsnet has reported.
Grade: A-. The Stars probably didn't want to give 34-year-old goaltender Anton Khudobin a third year on his contract, but it was a necessary cost to keep him. Plus, it's hard to argue that Khudobin didn't earn this deal. The contract to bring back Radek Faksa was a nice piece of business, and other than that, there were very few tweaks that needed to be made to a team that made the 2020 Stanley Cup Final.
Detroit Red Wings
Key additions: F Kyle Criscuolo, G Thomas Greiss, D Jon Merrill, F Vladislav Namestnikov, F Bobby Ryan, D Marc Staal, D Troy Stecher
Key losses: F Justin Abdelkader, D Madison Bowey, D Trevor Daley, D Jonathan Ericsson, G Jimmy Howard
Current cap space: $18,738,611
Smartest move: Signing Jon Merrill. The former Golden Knights defenseman was effective when given the opportunity to play and is a bargain at $825,000 for one year. This will be his eighth season in the NHL. It'll be interesting to see if he's as sheltered as he was in Vegas, getting the vast majority of his starts in the offensive zone, or if they use him in a larger variety of situations. Merrill is a promising pickup and an improvement over what was there.
Questionable move: Signing Thomas Greiss. If the baseline test for this signing is whether Greiss is better than Howard, then the test is already passed. But Greiss is 34 years old and coming off a down season on a great defensive team (only 4.6 goals saved above average). The money isn't an issue -- $3.6 million against the cap for a team with tons of space -- but what version of Greiss did the team sign?
What's left to do: GM Steve Yzerman has two key RFAs in forwards Tyler Bertuzzi and Anthony Mantha. "I'll have some discussions and am expecting to talk to Anthony's agent in the coming days," Yzerman told the Detroit News. "We'll talk some more, and I'm confident we'll get a deal done. And likewise with Tyler Bertuzzi. He filed for arbitration, so ultimately we know we'll get a deal done. It might be for one year, or it might be longer. ... We'll continue to talk." Otherwise, one assumes the Red Wings will keep an eye on any situations that could produce another weaponized use of their cap space, such as absorbing a year of Marc Staal from the Rangers with a second-round pick sweetener.
Grade: A-. This is exactly what you'd want out of Yzerman's first proper offseason. The Red Wings are a better team than they were at the end of last season, especially on the back end. The Bobby Ryan signing could be notable if he has turned his life around. Detroit has six picks in the first three rounds of next year's draft. Slow and steady will eventually win this race. The only bummer was that Detroit had a pathetic .275 points percentage and earned only the fourth overall pick in the lottery.
Edmonton Oilers
Key additions: D Tyson Barrie, F Alan Quine, F Jesse Puljujarvi, F Kyle Turris
Key losses: F Andreas Athanasiou, D Matthew Benning, D Mike Green, F Riley Sheahan
Current cap space: $732,509
Smartest move: Signing Kyle Turris. Following in the tradition of Kevin Shattenkirk last season, Turris could be the buyout baby of the 2020-21 season. He had the last four years of his six-year deal with the Predators bought out to become a free agent, allowing him to sign a bargain-basement, two-year deal at a $1.65 million AAV with Edmonton. He's still a viable playmaker at 31 years old, though his defensive game was underwater in Nashville. Still, as a third-line center behind Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, at that price and term? That's not a bad bit of business.
Questionable move: Bringing back Mike Smith. GM Ken Holland had a fairly good offseason. Although one signing shouldn't undo that, this comes close. There were about a dozen goalies available, and the Oilers are returning the battery that had the 26th-best save percentage at 5-on-5 last season (.912). Smith was the lesser of that duo with Mikko Koskinen, yet he's inexplicably back with the Oil.
What's left to do: Defenseman Ethan Bear needs a new contract, so there's a little more financial maneuvering needed, given the Oilers' salary cap crunch. (That $3,833,333 in buyout cap space from Benoit Pouliot and Andrej Sekera is coming back to haunt them.) Barring anything unforeseen, Edmonton has its roster for next season.
Grade: B. Holland had some nice signings, including Turris as a veteran forward, Barrie ($3.75 million AAV) as a puck-mover and power-play QB while Oscar Klefbom heals, Tyler Ennis ($1 million) as a nice, bottom-six forward and Puljujarvi back from Finland, as the fourth overall pick in 2016 returns to Edmonton for a new GM and new coach. His decision to walk away from Athanasiou as an RFA might require a reconsideration of his trade-deadline trade, but it was the right move for this offseason under a flat cap. The Oilers are a better team now than they were leaving the bubble. Well, save for the goaltending.
Florida Panthers
Key additions: D Radko Gudas, F Vinnie Hinostroza, F Patric Hornqvist, D Markus Nutivaara, F Alexander Wennberg, F Carter Verhaeghe
Key losses: D Josh Brown, F Evgenii Dadonov, C Erik Haula, F Mike Hoffman, D Michael Matheson, D Mark Pysyk, F Colton Sceviour, F Lucas Wallmark
Current cap space: $11,563,712
Smartest move: Adding snarl. Trading Matheson and Sceviour for Hornqvist, 33, was trading two non-essential players for a veteran champion who waived his no-move clause to join this team. Ditto for Radko Gudas, the 30-year-old defenseman whom the Panthers signed for three years at $2.5 million against the cap. Although neither player can be considered a sure thing -- Hornqvist has three years left on his deal at $5.3 million AAV and a lot of miles on him -- these players bring physicality and presence to the lineup that it otherwise lacked.
Questionable move: Signing Alex Wennberg. It's a low-risk move, as the Blue Jackets bought him out and the Panthers signed him for one year and $2.25 million against the cap. But Wennberg has been an unsolvable riddle for the past couple of seasons, producing just 0.1 goals above average in his past 132 games. GM Bill Zito knows him well from their days in Columbus, where they tried to make Alex Wennberg work for a while -- to no avail.
What's left to do: The Panthers have one notable RFA in defenseman Mackenzie Weegar, 26, who appeared in 45 games last season and averaged more than 20 minutes per game. He's going to salary arbitration, but many teams have kicked the tires on him as the contract process plays out with Florida.
Grade: B. Zito trimmed some fat, gained some muscle and took some risks in his first offseason at the helm of the Panthers. Hinostroza, Verhaeghe and Nutivaara are good value depth additions. Value was the name of the game, actually: Letting productive top-six players such as Dadonov and Hoffman hit the market is likely the first step in more jettisoning of veterans as Zito looks ahead to next offseason and a lot more room under the flat cap.
Los Angeles Kings
Key additions: C Quinton Byfield, F Lias Andersson, D Olli Maatta
Key losses: F Trevor Lewis, D Joakim Ryan
Current cap space: $13,620,715
Smartest move: Trading forward Brad Morrison for defenseman Olli Maatta. The Kings are in a holding pattern until their next wave of young prospects is ready for the NHL. But they still need some veterans to fill out the lineup. Getting a 26-year-old defender with a ton of experience such as Maatta for a minor leaguer was a coup; getting the Chicago Blackhawks to pick up around $750,00 of his cap hit to bring it down to $3,333,225 for the next two years of his contract made it even better.
Questionable move: Trading a 2020 second-round pick to the Rangers for Lias Andersson. This was the Vegas Golden Knights' pick (No. 60 overall) that the Kings acquired in the Alec Martinez trade, and the Rangers used it to draft promising power forward William Cuylle. Andersson, meanwhile, was a bust for the Rangers after they drafted him seventh overall in 2017. He never earned a chance to shine in the NHL, with nine points in 66 games with a minus-20. He requested a trade after an AHL demotion in December 2019, and the Rangers instead loaned him to HV-71 in the Swedish league. If it doesn't work, no big deal; the Kings have an incredibly deep prospect pool. If the Swedish forward delivers on the promise he showed in juniors? Then the pool gets deeper.
What's left to do: Sit back, and play the kids. The Kings have five holdovers from their most recent Stanley Cup winner in Dustin Brown, Jeff Carter, Drew Doughty, Anze Kopitar and Jonathan Quick. They've made an effort to ship out veterans rather than bring them in, opening spots for players such as Gabriel Vilardi, Blake Lizotte, Jaret Anderson-Dolan and Kale Clague, as well as for potential franchise player Byfield. With more than $28 million in open cap space currently projected for next offseason, that's when GM Rob Blake will likely level up this team.
Grade: A-. The Maatta move was a smart use of cap space, the Andersson trade was a decent gamble, and Blake didn't force anything with his considerable draft and prospect assets. The Kings' brightest days are ahead. The best move they made was announcing Quinton Byfield's name at the draft.
Minnesota Wild
Key additions: G Cam Talbot, F Nick Bonino, F Nick Bjugstad, F Marcus Johansson
Key losses: G Devan Dubnyk, F Eric Staal, F Mikko Koivu, F Luke Kunin, F Ryan Donato, F Alex Galchenyuk
Current cap space: $2,700,579
Smartest move: Making lots of moves. GM Bill Guerin got a chance to assess the roster he inherited last season and telegraphed that a lot of action was coming. "I think we're a good team, but there have to be changes," Guerin said. "We haven't had success here. Things need to get better. That's just the way it is." And so Guerin started slashing his roster, swapping players all over the lineup, to change the complexion of his team. He might hit on some and not all, but the GM is clearly sending the message that the status quo is no longer acceptable.
Questionable move: Giving up on Luke Kunin too soon. It's hard to judge a trade before a player gets to play a game with his new franchise, let alone settle in over time. Adding Bonino gives the Wild veteran center depth and a strong defensive presence in the middle of the lineup -- a necessity after the team parted with Koivu and Staal. But the 32-year-old Boniono is simply a rental, as he's under contract only through this season. Kunin, 22, was the No. 15 pick of the 2016 draft and should be a regular 20-goal scorer in this league. Kunin's offense wasn't there yet, but he was starting to find his way.
What's left to do: The transaction-happy Guerin might take a break, but more changes could be on the way. As of now, there's one untouchable player on the roster -- 23-year-old Kirill Kaprizov -- and a few contracts that are tough to move. Other than that, every player should be on edge because the non-rebuild rebuild is here, and Guerin isn't the guy who dips his toes in the water. He's ready to go all-in.
Grade: B. This summer was all about putting Guerin's stamp on the roster, and he has definitely done that. With massive change comes inherent risk, but Guerin did a good job of saying goodbye to roster stalwarts while providing adequate replacements to keep the team competitive. We're looking forward to seeing the impact of Talbot, considering that the Wild's goalies finished 29th in the NHL last season with a combined .897 save percentage.
Montreal Canadiens
Key additions: F Josh Anderson, G Jake Allen, D Joel Edmundson, F Tyler Toffoli
Key losses: D Karl Alzner, F Max Domi
Current cap space: $383,691
Smartest move: Signing Tyler Toffoli. Vancouver's loss is Montreal's gain. The former Canuck and King is a solid all-around defenseman who drives offense at 5-on-5. The knock on him is that he isn't a finisher, and that's a legit criticism. But he does so many other things well that a team can live with it -- and hope someone else capitalizes on the opportunities Toffoli creates. At four years with a $4.25 million annual cap hit and no trade protection, snagging this 28-year-old was one of the frenzy's better signings.
Questionable move: That Josh Anderson contract. It's a pretty easy call here, as the Canadiens handed out a contract based on the 27-goal season Anderson had two years ago. The 26-year-old was given a seven-year deal with a $5.5 million annual cap hit, with trade protection after the first year of the deal. Moving Max Domi for Anderson isn't an issue, as Domi increasingly looked like an ill fit in Montreal. It's the long-term deal for a player who might not have earned one that gives you pause.
What's left to do: Not much, after Montreal signed Brendan Gallagher to a six-year extension and watched RFA forward Charles Hudon skate over to the Swiss National League A to play for Lausanne HC. If anything, the Canadiens might need to shuffle some pieces to create a bit more cap breathing room, but they have time.
Grade: B+. First of all, a hearty merci to GM Marc Bergevin for making the offseason quite the roller coaster. The Domi trade was good, and the Anderson contract was specious. The Allen trade was smart and ahead of the curve, though extending for two seasons a goalie who had yet to play for Montreal was a bit odd. Toffoli was a solid signing. Edmundson would have been solid in the short term but is perhaps less so on a four-year deal at $3.5 million annually -- unless that's an eventual Seattle play. Overall, this was a good offseason, but there are enough dips on the coaster to keep it from being a great one.
Nashville Predators
Key additions: F Luke Kunin, F Brad Richardson, F Nick Cousins, D Mark Borowiecki, D Matt Benning
Key losses: F Craig Smith, F Nick Bonino, F Kyle Turris (buyout), F Austin Watson, F Colin Blackwell
Current cap space: $12,942,190
Smartest move: Buying out Kyle Turris. The Predators signed Turris to a six-year, $36 million deal after he was acquired in 2017. Nashville viewed Turris as its long-term answer at second-line center. The Predators wanted it to work out. They tried to work it out. But it became increasingly apparent, after demotions and benchings and even a coaching change, that it wasn't a fit. Although it was costly, good on the Predators for cutting ties and giving both sides a chance at a fresh start.
Questionable move: Not adding enough scoring. One common theme among Nashville's new players is toughness. "We certainly have a little bit more physicality, a little bit more grit," GM David Poile said. "I think it's probably and hopefully a better mix than we had last year. Maybe we've taken a little bit of a step back from the most skillful lineup we've ever had to more of a balance between the will and the skill." That's all fine and good, but this is a team that finished just below the league average in goals per game and did not have any forward crack 50 points last season. Nashville had as good a shot as any team at Taylor Hall, given his relationship with John Hynes in New Jersey.
What's left to do: Kunin needs a new deal. After that, it's hard to say what Poile will do. He has the cap space to spend more if he'd like (and get a scorer?) or leave the roster as is. Poile has said he'd like his team to get younger, and there are several roster spots open for young players. Look for Eeli Tolvanen (21 years old) and Yakov Trenin (23) to compete for spots out of training camp. The second line is still in flux, but it looks like Kunin should get a good shot to start there, with Cousins and Richardson rounding out the bottom six.
Grade: B-. Poile promised to make changes after yet another disappointing playoff exit, and he delivered, making a bevy of moves that changed the complexion of his team. The Predators should be a tougher team than they were in 2019-20, and they are no longer burdened by their Turris problem. This might not be enough to keep up with the Joneses in the ultra-competitive Central Division, especially as Colorado and St. Louis both markedly improved.
New Jersey Devils
Key additions: G Corey Crawford, F Andreas Johnsson, D Ryan Murray
Key losses: G Cory Schneider (buyout), F John Hayden, F Kevin Rooney, F Joey Anderson, D Mirco Mueller
Current cap space: $18,345,001
Smartest move: Signing Corey Crawford to a two-year deal. Finding MacKenzie Blackwood a partner was a priority for the Devils, and they couldn't have done better than Crawford. The 35-year-old is a known battler and will give it his all for a Devils team going through the worst years of the rebuild. Crawford's arrival also ensures that Blackwood won't be overworked, therefore keeping his development on track. GM Tom Fitzgerald made a shrewd move in getting top-four defenseman Ryan Murray for a fifth-round pick, thanks to the Blue Jackets' salary purge.
Questionable move: Whither Kyle Palmieri's future? The Devils were conservative in their offseason approach, so it's hard to identify anything questionable. The one thing we are curious about is an extension for Kyle Palmieri, who is on the final year of a five-year contract worth $4.65 million per season. Palmieri has been the Devils' most consistently productive player the past five seasons, scoring 132 goals -- 56 more than that of any other New Jersey player in that span. It would behoove New Jersey to work out an extension before the season starts, or we'll start hearing trade whispers.
What's left to do: RFAs Blackwood and forward Jesper Bratt are due for new contracts; both players are considered part of the second tier of New Jersey's core (behind Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier). Fitzgerald is sitting pretty with plenty of cap space. He can take advantage of more desperate teams as the season draws closer. The Devils might look to add another defenseman or even another forward. "We're not going to pretend where we're at right now," Fitzgerald said. "I like the mix of guys that we have for where we're at. I've said it all along: This team is going to go when Nico and Jack are both hitting their stride and we can start thinking about bigger acquisitions. So right now, I'm comfortable where we're at. I'm going to stay patient. If something makes sense, we'll sit down as a group and just kind of go through the pros and cons of it and where we're at. But I'm not going to pretend we're on the verge of winning a Cup. We're not."
Grade A-. Fitzgerald's approach is humbling yet refreshing. He isn't making transactions for the sake of making transactions. He's going to keep his team trending in the right direction until Hughes and Hischier are fully developed. Then New Jersey will be in position to strike.
New York Islanders
Key addition: G Cory Schneider
Key losses: D Devon Toews, G Thomas Greiss, F Tom Kuhnhackl, F Derick Brassard, F Matt Martin
Current cap space: $8,905,833
Smartest move: Trading Devon Toews to the Avalanche. When you're in a cap situation as dire as the Islanders', you need to make tough calls. The Islanders have built solid defensive depth -- with youngsters such as Noah Dobson knocking on the door -- which left Toews expendable. GM Lou Lamoriello was able to recoup the second-round pick he traded for Andy Greene at last year's deadline, as well as an additional second-round pick in 2022, for a guy the team was going to have a hard time re-signing. Not bad.
Questionable move: Trading Devon Toews to the Avalanche. He's a 26-year-old defenseman just hitting his stride; Toews can play big minutes if he needs to, he moves the puck well, and in the words of Avs GM Joe Sakic, he "is a durable defender who is excellent in transition." What's more: Toews is likely going to thrive in Colorado, where there is plenty of talent around him. This one could sting for a while.
What's left to do: The Islanders' offseason was always dictated by their RFAs, specifically center Mathew Barzal, whom they are hoping to ink to a long-term extension. That has yet to be settled. Ryan Pulock is also an RFA due for a new deal, and he has filed for salary arbitration. The key now is working both contracts in under the cap space the Islanders have remaining. That might be impossible, which means the Islanders have to move more contracts to make it work. An obvious candidate would be defenseman Johnny Boychuk, who is owed $6 million for each of the next two seasons. That might be too onerous of a contract for many teams to willingly take, though the Islanders could use some of the second-round picks they acquired from the Avalanche to throw in as a sweetener. Boychuk would get some agency, considering that he has a list of only eight teams to which he can be traded.
Leo Komarov and Andrew Ladd are also trade candidates, or the Islanders could pursue the long-term injured reserve route for Boychuk or Ladd. It also sounds like the Islanders are looking to bring back Andy Greene and Matt Martin, though they need to figure out how to make the salary work.
Grade: Incomplete. This was never going to be an easy offseason for the Islanders, who are a victim of their own success and burdened by long contracts (New York has eight players signed through at least 2022-23). We'll be able to grade this better once we see how the Barzal deal shakes out -- and who will have to be sacrificed to get it done.
New York Rangers
Key additions: D Jack Johnson, F Alexis Lafreniere, F Kevin Rooney, F Colin Blackwell
Key losses: G Henrik Lundqvist, F Jesper Fast, D Marc Staal
Current cap space: $10,879,367
Smartest move: Buying out Henrik Lundqvist. It isn't easy to say goodbye to a franchise legend, and that's exactly how Lundqvist will be remembered in New York, despite his not being able to win a Stanley Cup in his 15 seasons with the team. But the Rangers have completed their rebuild; Chris Kreider is the only player remaining from the team that made it to the Stanley Cup Final in 2014. New York is bullish about 24-year-old Igor Shesterkin -- but also 24-year-old Alexandar Georgiev. Keeping Lundqvist meant that Georgiev likely would have been moved out. Although it was a tough decision to buy out Lundqvist, it was the prudent one.
Questionable move: Signing Jack Johnson. The rationale makes sense. The Rangers had a need on the left side after trading Marc Staal to Detroit for cap relief. They also wanted a veteran presence to help steady a young group. Plus, Rangers president John Davidson knows Johnson well from their days in Columbus. But have you seen Johnson's underlying numbers in Pittsburgh last season? Even playing most of the time with All-Star Kris Letang, he posted a Corsi for percentage of 46.67% at even strength. He often struggled, drawing the ire of the fan base. Even a GM who bent over backward to defend Johnson bought out his contract. Signing Johnson seems counterintuitive, especially with younger and equally cheap options available, such as Jon Merrill.
What's left to do: The Rangers sorted out two of their big RFAs, coming to two-year agreements with Georgiev and Tony DeAngelo. The team needs deals for two more RFAs: Brendan Lemieux and Ryan Strome. They have arbitration hearings scheduled for Nov. 5 and Nov. 6, respectively. New York will continue to negotiate with both camps until then but must be conscious of saving some of the roughly $11 million in cap space to allow for performance bonuses.
Grade: C-. There has been plenty of fawning over the Rangers' quick and effective rebuild, and there is surely more to come. This offseason will probably be best remembered as the year Alexis Lafreniere joined the fold. However, even with limited cap space and plenty of RFA deals to work out, it seems like the Rangers made their team worse, especially with the addition of Johnson and losses of Fast, Lundqvist and Staal.
Ottawa Senators
Key additions: D Josh Brown, F Evgenii Dadonov, D Erik Gudbranson, G Matt Murray, F Austin Watson
Key losses: D Mark Borowiecki, G Craig Anderson, F Anthony Duclair, D Ron Hainsey, C Jayce Hawryluk, F Bobby Ryan
Current cap space: $20,702,501
Smartest move: Signing Evgenii Dadonov. It isn't a slam-dunk signing, as his offensive numbers declined despite a significant uptick in offensive zone starts (60.1%) while playing with Aleksander Barkov in Florida. But the Senators said farewell to two of their top three scorers from last season, and Dadonov can fill the net while hopefully giving Brady Tkachuk a solid veteran winger on his line.
Questionable move: Making Matt Murray the franchise goalie. Ottawa sent forward Jonathan Gruden and a 2020 second-rounder to Pittsburgh for Murray, 26, and promptly signed him to a four-year extension with a $6.25 million annual cap hit and trade protection. He's going to be an improvement over Anderson, and his 16.3 goals saved above average the past two seasons is promising. Still, he's in the process of being built back up after going from Stanley Cup champion to the guy beaten out by Tristan Jarry in Pittsburgh.
What's left to do: GM Pierre Dorion has restricted free-agent forwards Connor Brown and Chris Tierney in need of new contracts. With the cap space available, the Senators will keep an eye on possible bailouts of other teams' cap crunches if it means their collection of picks and prospects grows.
Grade: B+. The Senators made some aggressive calls -- buying out Ryan, walking away from Duclair, saying goodbye to Borowiecki -- and added some interesting players while keeping their payroll down and their cap room plentiful. The future is bright in Ottawa. Maybe not "winning a Stanley Cup within four years" bright, like owner Eugene Melnyk believes, but bright nonetheless.
Philadelphia Flyers
Key addition: D Erik Gustafsson
Key losses: D Matt Niskanen, F Derek Grant, F Nate Thompson, F Tyler Pitlick, F Chris Stewart
Current cap space: $4,811,148
Smartest move: Signing Gustafsson to a one-year, $3 million deal. Gustafsson isn't the most sound defensively, but his offensive upside is unquestionable (he had a career-high 60 points with the Blackhawks in 2018-19). Gustafsson's biggest value for the Flyers will come on the power play, and Philadelphia sure could use it. The Flyers' power play was dreadful during their 16-game postseason run, scoring only four goals in 52 opportunities (7.7%). It sounds like Philadelphia has promised Gustafsson a big role on the man-advantage unit. "If I can do my job on the power play, I think I can help the team win," he said. "And that's all I'm here to do."
Questionable move: Dealing with Niskanen's retirement. The 33-year-old Niskanen was acquired in a trade with the division-rival Washington Capitals last offseason, and he quickly became a key piece to the Flyers' turnaround season. The veteran played in all situations, trailing only Ivan Provorov in ice time. But Niskanen decided to retire with one year remaining on his seven-year, $40.25 million deal, on which he would make $5.75 million in 2020-21. Niskanen played 13 seasons and was just 51 games shy of 1,000 career games. Although it's a tremendous loss, you have to give credit to Niskanen for walking away if his heart or body wasn't in it. However, the Flyers were left with a need.
What's left to do: The Flyers have one more contract to take care of: a new deal for 23-year-old defenseman Philippe Myers, an RFA. He isn't arbitration-eligible, and there's really no rush. After that, Philadelphia will likely stand pat until the season. It has been a quiet offseason for GM Chuck Fletcher, but that's by design. He extended Justin Braun (necessary after Niskanen's retirement) and decided to stick with Brian Elliott as the backup goalie.
"Making a big splash doesn't necessarily mean you make your team better," Fletcher said. "There's a lot of things at play, from a flat cap for the next two to three years to the expansion draft [in 2021] to having to re-sign your own restricted free agents over the next few seasons. Certainly, we're always looking to make our team better, and if we can, we will. But we have a very good team now."
Grade: B. The loss of Niskanen was unexpected, but the Flyers rebounded quickly by inking Braun to an extension and adding Gustafsson into the defensive mix (potentially as a long-term replacement for Shayne Gostisbehere?). Philadelphia was patient in allowing its prospects to develop, and the Flyers are ready to strike with this group. Fletcher could have re-signed veteran forwards Grant, Pitlick, Stewart or Thompson, but it's better to give those opportunities to younger players at this point.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Key additions: F Kasperi Kapanen, F Evan Rodrigues, F Mark Jankowski, D Michael Matheson, D Cody Ceci
Key losses: G Matt Murray, F Patric Hornqvist, D Justin Schultz, D Jack Johnson (buyout)
Current cap space: $1,318,158
Smartest move: Buying out Jack Johnson. Sometimes you want something to work so bad that you sound delusional trying to defend it. That's how GM Jim Rutherford sounded at times over the past year when he discussed Johnson, who was signed to a five-year, $16.25 million contract in 2018. That's second-pairing money for a guy who spent the latter half of the regular season as well as the postseason struggling on the third pairing. Johnson became a lightning rod for fans. Better cut bait now and move on to a new reclamation project, such as Cody Ceci!
Questionable move: Bringing in Mike Matheson. On one hand, Matheson's arrival forced the buyout of Johnson, as he created a logjam on the left side of the defense. On the other, Matheson isn't such a sure thing. The 26-year-old was traded for popular winger Patric Hornqvist, who has tremendous playoff success with the Penguins but had been declining of late. Matheson is signed through 2025-26 at $4.875 million per season, which gives the Penguins cost certainty. It also probably gives fans pause, as Matheson is hoping that the move to Pittsburgh will allow him to rediscover his game. (Things weren't always smooth for Matheson in Florida, as he spent a brief time playing forward).
What's left to do: Nothing. But really, is that in Rutherford's DNA? This is one of the most transaction-happy GMs in the league, constantly looking to make tweaks to his roster until he can find combinations that stick. The GM made a bevy of cheap, depth signings to round out his forward depth, but if there isn't enough scoring in the bottom six, this could be an area he attacks again. The defense, however, feels pretty set. The Penguins essentially replaced Johnson and Justin Schultz with Cody Ceci and Matheson, who are slightly younger and cheaper options.
Grade: B-. Another offseason, another reshuffling by Rutherford, who is desperate to squeeze one more run out of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin before it's too late. Although none of his moves was too bold -- depending on how you view forcing Patric Hornqvist's hand to accept a trade -- they might have been the right tweaks to make this team marginally better. Mark Jankowski, who has excellent defensive metrics, could be a real value if he slots into the third-line center spot. His contract is a bargain at $700,000.
San Jose Sharks
Key additions: F Ryan Donato, G Devan Dubnyk, F Patrick Marleau, F Matt Nieto
Key losses: G Aaron Dell, C Melker Karlsson, C Joe Thornton
Current cap space: $2,353,333
Smartest move: Signing Patrick Marleau. The offseason was defined by the departure of Joe Thornton to the Maple Leafs, ending his 15-season run with the Sharks. Having Marleau, 41, back in the locker room at $700,000 for one season gives San Jose an old sage in the Thornton mode, and it gives the franchise something to look forward to this season as Marleau seeks to break Gordie Howe's all-time games played record in teal.
Questionable move: Trading for Dubnyk. Granted, the ante wasn't large, with the Wild sending Dubnyk and a 2022 seventh-round pick for a 2022 fifth-round pick. The Sharks hope the 34-year-old goalie can regain his form in a tandem with Martin Jones. He carries a $2,166,667 cap hit and was on the negative side of goals saved above average (minus-2.8) and wins above replacement (minus-0.4) the past two seasons. His numbers have declined each season since 2016-17.
What's left to do: Have patience. The Sharks have a little cap room open if they'd like to add another forward to the bottom six, but otherwise, they are going to roll with this group. At best, the goaltending improves, the stars are healthier than they were last season, and newly minted head coach Bob Boughner finds a way to get this team playing better defense to make the Sharks playoff contenders again. At worst ... this season looks like last season, and the team uses its cap space next offseason -- perhaps more of it if Seattle can be convinced to take Brent Burns off San Jose's hands -- to reconfigure the roster.
Grade: C. Donato was acquired for a 2021 third-round pick, and he bolsters the top-six forward group now and potentially in the future. Dubnyk is a question, which is frustrating, given how many options were available. Marleau is surely staring at the sunset of his career. GM Doug Wilson smartly held on to his picks and prospects. But much like the loss of Joe Pavelski last summer severely impacted the culture of the Sharks' dressing room, the loss of Thornton is incalculable for his teammates.
St. Louis Blues
Key additions: D Torey Krug, F Kyle Clifford
Key losses: D Alex Pietrangelo, G Jake Allen
Current cap space: $0
Smartest move: Signing Torey Krug. The seven-year, $45.5 million contract is significant, and it's hard to argue against Krug -- an undrafted free agent out of Michigan State -- deserving it. He has become one of the elite puck-moving defensemen in the game. The key to the contract, though, was a no-trade clause -- not a no-movement clause. That distinction is what broke down contract talks between St. Louis and captain Alex Pietrangelo. When asked by GM Doug Armstrong, Blues players gushed about how tough Krug was to play against, specifically how he was "elusive on the forecheck." He should slide in to the Blues' top pairing, alongside Colton Parayko, and figure prominently on the power play.
Questionable move: Letting Pietrangelo leave. The all-situations defenseman was the captain and the first person to hoist the Stanley Cup in franchise history. He wanted to stay in St. Louis, yet the Blues wouldn't budge on structure, specifically the no-movement clause, which left Pietrangelo feeling like he had no choice but to sign elsewhere. One of the more intriguing aspects of the Pietrangelo saga is how many players the Blues brought in and extended in the time they could have signed their captain. Would Armstrong have committed to Justin Faulk had he known it might cost him Pietrangelo? That's a question to which we might never get an answer.
What's left to do: The Blues need to sign RFA defenseman Vince Dunn to a new deal and will need to do some cap maneuvering to squeeze it in. After that, they must manage uncertainty. They're likely beginning the season without Vladimir Tarasenko or Alexander Steen, both on injured reserve. Tarasenko's long-term future is a conundrum right now. Although we're optimistic that he can return to form, the 28-year-old has undergone his third shoulder surgery -- with the previous one costing him nearly all of the previous season.
Grade: B-. It's always awkward when a team gets into a public contract spat with a popular player, especially when that player is the captain. The Blues would have been a much worse team if they had simply let Pietrangelo walk, but adding Krug softens the blow and even gives St. Louis a slightly new look. Clifford is a fine depth piece, but he doesn't move the needle. The loss of Allen could be significant if Ville Husso struggles.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Key additions: None
Key losses: D Zach Bogosian, D Kevin Shattenkirk, C Carter Verhaeghe
Current cap space: $2,895,834
Smartest move: Winning the Stanley Cup. For the first time in 16 years, the pressure gets turned down a little for the Lightning. They endured the most challenging postseason in NHL history. They overcame their playoff demons. They hoisted the Cup. Yes, there's work to be done and players to be signed and a title defense to be designed. But there's nary a question of "Do they have what it takes to win?" nor "Should they blow it all up?"
Questionable move: Not being more aggressive. The Lightning tried to trade center Tyler Johnson and his $5 million cap hit and found no takers. They sent Tyler Johnson and his $5 million cap hit through waivers and found no takers. GM Julien BriseBois said that buyouts and minor league contract burials aren't things he's looking to do. How do the Lightning get out of this pickle, with three key players still to sign?
What's left to do: The Lightning have three RFAs: center Anthony Cirelli, defenseman Erik Cernak and defenseman Mikhail Sergachev, all of whom are key players. Sergachev alone could cost a cap hit of more than $6 million. Something has to give here, whether it's other pieces moving out or those players moving out because of the flat cap crunch.
Grade: Incomplete. The Lightning brought back forward Patrick Maroon and defenseman Luke Schenn on budget deals and bid farewell to Shattenkirk as he parlayed his career rehabilitation in Tampa into free-agent riches. But it's hard to give a real thumbs-up or thumbs-down until we see how this RFA drama plays out.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Key additions: D Zach Bogosian, F Travis Boyd, D T.J. Brodie, G Aaron Dell, F Wayne Simmonds, F Joe Thornton, F Jimmy Vesey
Key losses: D Tyson Barrie, D Cody Ceci, C Kyle Clifford, F Andreas Johnsson, F Kasperi Kapanen
Current cap space: $0
Smartest move: Addressing toughness and character. GM Kyle Dubas clearly thought there were some deficiencies in his team after yet another playoff disappointment, this time to the Columbus Blue Jackets in a five-game, qualification-round loss. The acquisitions of Bogosian, Brodie, Simmonds and Thornton all speak to the Leafs' need to be more physical, tougher to play against and infused with some character players who have experienced lengthy postseason runs. Thornton has been to the Stanley Cup Final and the conference finals multiple times. Bogosian just won a Cup with Tampa.
Questionable move: Forward depth. That said, the bottom six for the Leafs is going to have to be better than it is on paper. Thornton (41), Jason Spezza (37) and Simmonds (32 and coming off injuries that hampered him) will join players such as Vesey and newly signed Ilya Mikheyev on the checking lines. Dubas did a solid job retooling his defense. He did as good as he could have in bringing in toughness and character. But this bottom six could make or break the team.
What's left to do: With Mikheyev signed for two years, the Leafs have only one more RFA in defenseman Travis Dermott. They're over the cap and will need to move out some salary before the season.
Grade: A-. The Brodie signing is fantastic, giving the Leafs a veteran workhorse who could pair well with Morgan Rielly. Shipping out Johnsson and Kapanen is the price you pay for cap inflexibility, but Dubas did well in trying to address the team's biggest failings after the previous postseason. Hey, they ended up with Joe Thornton, and he's making as much as Travis Boyd. That's a win right there.
Vancouver Canucks
Key additions: F Jayce Hawryluk, G Braden Holtby, D Nate Schmidt
Key losses: G Jacob Markstrom, D Troy Stecher, D Chris Tanev, F Tyler Toffoli
Current cap space: $1,048,122
Smartest move: Trading for Nate Schmidt. Canucks fans were wondering what GM Jim Benning was going to do as Tanev left for the Flames and other defensive options disappeared from the free-agent market. It turns out he was waiting for the Vegas Golden Knights to have their hand forced after signing Alex Pietrangelo, with Benning moving a 2022 third-round pick for Schmidt. He's an upgrade over Tanev, and his goofball charms will fit right in with this group in Vancouver.
Questionable move: Not re-signing Tyler Toffoli. The winger had 10 points in 10 games and another four in seven playoff games after returning from injury. The Canucks were unwilling to give Toffoli the term he was looking for, so he skated off to Montreal for a four-year deal. The trade-deadline acquisition fit snugly into the Canucks' top six and gave Elias Pettersson a play-driving winger. They might be looking for "a Toffoli type" for years after they had the man himself on the roster.
What's left to do: The cap-strapped Canucks have an arbitration date with Jake Virtanen coming up, and it'll be interesting see what they end up paying the 24-year-old forward after handing out contracts to forwards Adam Gaudette (one year, $950,000) and Tyler Motte (two years, $1.225 million AAV).
Grade: B+. This was a roller coaster of an offseason for Benning. Markstrom, the team's starting goalie, left because Vancouver refused to give him the term or the no-movement clause he was seeking. Former Capitals goalie Braden Holtby (two years, $4.3 million AAV) was signed as a replacement. If goalie coach Ian Clark can get the Holtby of three years ago, it'll be a great get; if it's the one from last season, the team will really miss Markstrom.
Losing Toffoli hurts, and one can't help but wonder if the math would have been different if Benning didn't have so much money committed to Brandon Sutter, Antoine Roussel and Jay Beagle ($10.375 million against the cap combined). But Schmidt was a solid addition, and the depth signings have been good. The biggest test for Benning is next offseason, when Pettersson and Quinn Hughes will be due new deals.
Vegas Golden Knights
Key additions: F Tomas Jurco, D Alex Pietrangelo
Key losses: C Nick Cousins, D Deryk Engelland, D Nate Schmidt, F Paul Stastny
Current cap space: $0
Smartest move: Signing Alex Pietrangelo. When the St. Louis Blues won the Stanley Cup, they did so with Pietrangelo and Colton Parayko. The Dallas Stars, who eliminated Vegas in the Western Conference finals last postseason, had two elite defensemen in Miro Heiskanen and John Klingberg. Tampa Bay, who won the Cup, had Victor Hedman and Ryan McDonagh. Now the Knights have Pietrangelo, the elite defenseman they've been chasing since they entered the league, and Shea Theodore, who is on the verge of being one. In the short term, the Knights landed the best player available on the free-agent market. But it came at a significant contractual (seven years, $8.8 million AAV, no-movement clause) and manpower cost.
Questionable move: Keeping Marc-Andre Fleury. On the one hand, the Knights have one of the NHL's best goalie duos in Fleury and Robin Lehner, the latter of whom they signed to a five-year extension. On the other hand, their inability to move Fleury's $7 million AAV contract off their books might have cost them Stastny and Schmidt -- or at least their ability to chase a veteran center to round out their lineup.
What's left to do: The Golden Knights are going to have to move out a little salary to be cap-compliant by opening day. GM Kelly McCrimmon wouldn't say what they're going to do -- only that they will be under the salary cap of $81.5 million. Could that involve moving out a veteran player to bolster the center position?
Grade: B. It's a complicated grade. Pietrangelo makes the Knights a better team. Selling off Stastny and Schmidt certainly impacts them, on and off the ice. Keeping Fleury makes the team's goaltending exceptional. Keeping him around also carries its own baggage, no matter how many happy faces the Knights apply to the situation. McCrimmon did well to re-sign center Chandler Stephenson to a four-year, Seattle-tempting deal, but the Knights remain in a precarious cap situation.
Washington Capitals
Key additions: G Henrik Lundqvist, D Justin Schultz, D Trevor van Riemsdyk
Key losses: G Braden Holtby, D Radko Gudas, F Travis Boyd, F Ilya Kovalchuk
Current cap space: $0
Smartest move: Signing Henrik Lundqvist. The King probably could have commanded more money than the budget $1.5 million to which he agreed, and he maybe could've garnered a two-year deal from a needier team. But fit was most important to Lundqvist, so he did the Capitals a solid and joined forces with the team he has knocked out of the playoffs three times in his career. Lundqvist's arrival eases some burden for hotshot rookie Ilya Samsonov, especially in a season that figures to have plenty of back-to-backs baked into the schedule.
Questionable move: Justin Schultz's two-year, $8 million contract. The Capitals have some holes to fill on defense, with Michal Kempny out six-to-eight months because of surgery to repair an Achilles tendon and Radko Gudas leaving in free agency. Schultz should fit into Peter Laviolette's system and figures to have a decent role on the power play, likely as the quarterback on the second unit, behind John Carlson on the depth chart. That said, $4 million per year for Schultz feels like an overpay. But hey, you can afford it when you're spending less than $3 million on elite goaltending.
What's left to do: The Capitals are still working out a deal with RFA defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler. That's small potatoes. The big agenda item for Washington is getting a new contract for captain Alex Ovechkin, who hits UFA status after next season. Of course, nobody expects Ovechkin to play for any NHL team other than the Capitals, so the questions are what is the term and how much will it cost? Ovechkin, once again, is choosing to negotiate himself -- a move that worked for him in 2008, when he signed a 13-year, $124 million deal. Nicklas Backstrom also represented himself this past season, when he worked out an extension with management. Any dollar or term should be in play for Ovechkin, as he's just as valuable off the ice for Washington as he is on it (and that isn't to undermine his on-ice value; over the past seven seasons, Ovechkin has scored 335 goals, which is 95 more than that of any other NHL player).
Grade: A-. Although we don't love the money for the Schultz deal, he definitely adds value to the Capitals. The real reason to be bullish about Washington's offseason is the arrival of Lundqvist. As sentimental as the fan base should be about saying goodbye to Braden Holtby, the truth is the Caps got a huge upgrade in net this season -- and are paying a pittance for it.
Winnipeg Jets
Key additions: F Paul Stastny, F Nate Thompson, D Derek Forbort, D Luca Sbisa
Key losses: D Carl Dahlstrom, D Anthony Bitetto, F Cody Eakin, F Bryan Little (LTIR)
Current cap space: $27,144
Smartest move: Re-signing Dylan DeMelo. There's no need to rehash the great defensive turnover for the Jets heading into 2019-20, but this was a blue line in flux. The Jets acquired DeMelo at last year's trade deadline for a third-round pick, and he fit like a glove. DeMelo got a significant raise with a four-year, $12 million deal this offseason, but it's still cheap for the Jets considering what he offers. DeMelo can shoulder upwards of 20 minutes per game and man the top pairing. He also takes some burden off partner Josh Morrissey, as the two are expected to flourish together.
Questionable move: Paying too much for Stastny. Bringing back Stastny makes a lot of sense. The Jets were in desperate need of a second-line center after doctors recommended Bryan Little (perforated ear drum) sit out the upcoming season. The Jets know Stastny well, and he has performed well with Nikolaj Ehlers and Patrik Laine on his wings. Winnipeg also didn't have to give up much, considering that the Golden Knights were looking to dump salary. But Stastny's cap hit of $6.5 million is significant. The Jets are strapped against the cap after inheriting it, and that prevented them from being able to add further to their lineup -- specifically with more blue-line help.
What's left to do: Two big RFAs remain unsigned: defenseman Sami Niku and forward Jack Roslovic. After that, it's time to figure out what to do with Patrik Laine. The high-scoring winger has been mentioned on the trade block. Laine's representatives admitted to TSN that a divorce from the team was a likely outcome, as both parties could benefit from a fresh start. Laine has never been comfortable with his place in the lineup, despite his offensive productivity, and contract negotiations for next offseason linger (Laine becomes an RFA after his two-year, $6.75 million bridge deal expires). There are plenty of teams interested in Laine, but the Jets want to move him only for the right price -- and for a deal that makes sense for them. A No. 1 defenseman would be the top item on Winnipeg's wish list.
Grade: B. The DeMelo contract was an excellent one for the Jets, and Winnipeg probably couldn't find a second-line center such as Stastny on the market, especially for how little the team had to give up. But the roster doesn't look significantly better from last season, and the lingering Laine trade speculation isn't doing anybody any favors.