NHL Season Preview: Who Got Better, Who Got Worse
By Ryan Ritchie
NHL Season Preview: Exploring Which Teams Got Better, Which Ones Got Worse
Next in our NHL season preview, we take a look back over the past few months to sort out a busy offseason. The focus today will be to identify which teams significantly improved, and which could see a decline in 2016-17.
This summer had a different feel with all 30 teams looking to improve in some way. In past years, we’ve had teams such as Edmonton, Buffalo, or Toronto embracing the rebuild stage, expected to dwell at the bottom of the standings.
Now, we still expect the Maple Leafs to be a lottery team in the upcoming season, but expectations are to see some improvement in Toronto.
There’s only one problem; when all 30 teams are trying to get better, some will succeed, while others fall short.
NHL Season Preview: Who Got Better, Who Got Worse
Which Teams Improved Most
Buffalo Sabres
Key Departures: D Mark Pysyk, G Chad Johnson
Key Additions: F Kyle Okposo, D Dmitry Kulikov, G Anders Nilsson
A year after finishing 30th with 23 wins (54 points), Buffalo saw vast improvement in 2015-16 with 35 wins (81 points) which was good enough for a 14th place Eastern Conference finish ahead of Columbus and Toronto.
2015 offseason acquisition Ryan O’Reilly led the team in scoring with 60 points, while rookies Jack Eichel (56) and Sam Reinhart (42) rounded out the top three.
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A major bright spot for the Sabres in 2015-16 was Finnish defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen.
He always had the offensive flash (41 points), but it’s his development in his defensive play away from the puck that has been most impressive. Rasmus should be a solid number one for the Sabres for the next decade and a half or so.
It’s worth noting that Buffalo managed to turn things around very quickly without their new starter for a large chunk of the season. Robin Lehner, who was acquired from Ottawa prior to the 2015 NHL Draft, was lost to a long-term injury at the start of 2015-16. It was Chad Johnson and Linus Ullmark that carried the majority load in his absence.
So why will Buffalo be significantly better?
A healthy quality starter in Robin Lehner helps to begin with. How about a year of experience for Jack Eichel, Sam Reinhart, and Jake McCabe? Perhaps the addition of a top-six winger (Kyle Okposo) who tallied four more points (64) than team leader Ryan O’Reilly?
If that’s not enough, what about replacing Mark Pysyk‘s 15:54 ice-time/game (0:27 seconds shorthanded/game and 0:38 seconds powerplay/game) with a bona-fide top four defender (Dmitry Kulikov), who logged 21:02 ice-time/game (2:22 shorthanded/game and 1:23 powerplay/game)?
Watch out for Buffalo in 2016-17, they’ll be hungry to claim a playoff spot, and could easily challenge for one of those final Wild-Card spots (if not better).
Related Story: Potential Calder Trophy Candidates in 2016-17
Calgary Flames
Key Departures: F Joe Colborne, F Mason Raymond, G Jonas Hiller, G Karri Ramo, G Joni Ortio
Key Additions: G Brian Elliott, G Chad Johnson, G David Rittich, F Troy Brouwer, F Alex Chiasson, F Linden Vey
In all fairness, the Flames were decimated by poor goaltending in 2015-16.
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They still boast one of the NHL’s top defensive groups, and could get a little help from prospect Oliver Kylington.
Calgary suffered from a case of mistaken identity on that top line alongside Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan, but the pair still managed to have an extremely productive season. They’re hoping the addition of Troy Brouwer helps solidify their top-six, and he could fit alongside Calgary’s young stars.
The Flames could also potentially get a ton of help from 2016 1st overall pick Matthew Tkachuk if he proves NHL ready.
So what makes Calgary significantly better in 2016-17?
They addressed their biggest voids up front adding bottom six scoring depth and solidifying their top six forward group, but perhaps the biggest factor of all is between the pipes.
Brian Elliott isn’t expected to be the long-term answer with prospects Jon Gillies, Mason McDonald, and Tyler Parsons in the mix, but the Flames managed to find an outstanding stop-gap option that will keep them competitive until someone emerges.
Related Story: Early Predictions For Each Major Award in 2016-17
Which Teams Got Worse
Carolina Hurricanes
Key Departures: (deadline losses) F Eric Staal, D John-Michael Liles, F Kris Versteeg, (offseason losses) F Riley Nash, D James Wisniewski, F Nathan Gerbe
Key Additions: F Viktor Stalberg, F Bryan Bickell, F Teuvo Teravainen, F Sebastian Aho (prospect)
It’s worth noting that Carolina only won seven on their final 18 games following the trade deadline (Feb.29). On a positive note, they managed to secure at least a point in 13 of 18 contests.
The majority of the hockey world seems to believe Carolina should be better in 2016-17 when you consider the additions of Bryan Bickell and Teuvo Teravainen along with top prospect Sebastian Aho. I’m here to tell you there’s a chance the Hurricanes are lurking in the NHL’s basement in the upcoming season.
It’s not to say that Bickell can’t re-establish himself to earn the Canes a few assets at the deadline, or that Aho won’t be in the mix for Calder Trophy consideration; it just seems too many factors are working against the Hurricanes heading into the new year.
Consider the fact that every team in the Metropolitan Division has new additions that are equally as good, arguably better in some cases.
You also have to wonder how this young defense core will respond in year two. There’s nothing to suggest that Jaccob Slavin, Brett Pesce, or Noah Hanifin will have a tough season, but there’s a reason the term “sophomore slump” exists.
Lastly, GM Ron Francis has opted to move forward with Cam Ward and Eddie Lack as his tandem until a prospect emerges (i.e. Alex Nedeljkovic). Don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge Cam Ward fan, but history tends to repeat itself.
The Canes have a ton of promising pieces in place for the future, so perhaps if they find themselves in the running for 2017 projected top pick Nolan Patrick, Ron Francis might think of moving veteran bodies closer to the deadline.
New York Islanders
Key Departures: F Kyle Okposo, F Frans Nielsen, F Matt Martin
Key Additions: F Andrew Ladd, F P.A. Parenteau, F Jason Chimera
Just to make my opinion very clear, emerging prospects such as Matthew Barzal, Anthony Beauvillier, Michael Dal Colle, or Josh Ho-Sang could significantly change the Islanders fortunes if a pair of them can claim a spot. If it’s a lone addition (say Dal Colle) or less, New York might struggle to replace the offense lost from Okposo and Nielsen.
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Here’s the biggest problem; GM Garth Snow failed to address the teams greatest need – upgrades to play alongside John Tavares.
It’s no offence to Andrew Ladd, a productive player and proven winner, but he’s not a 1st line winger. Winnipeg made one playoff appearance with Ladd in that role, and Chicago was defeated in the opening round this past season.
Andrew is much better suited in a 2nd line setting where he can be an elite player.
One also must wonder if distractions might become a theme in 2016-17.
The Islanders are set to lose a quality defender in expansion. NYI will only be able to save three defensemen, which logic suggests would be Johnny Boychuk, Nick Leddy, and Travis Hamonic. That leaves Calvin de Haan and Thomas Hickey exposed.
Does GM Garth Snow look to move one or both defenders (possibly trade a conditional pick to Las Vegas to protect an extra D)? Or, will he keep both fully expecting to lose one (which could be made easier if Ryan Pulock emerges in 2016-17)?
It’s still a little early, but the possibility of John Tavares hitting free agency in 2018 could also become a distraction. After all, the two sides would more than likely want to get an extension done before heading into the 2017-18 season.
Last question remains between the pipes. Early in the summer, Garth Snow proclaimed German netminder Thomas Greiss a number one starter. We’ve heard of AHL goalies emerging in their late 20s (i.e. Ben Bishop), but when is the last time you heard of an eight-year NHL veteran backup suddenly emerging to be a starter at 30-years old? Not to say it can’t happen, but the odds are somewhat stacked against him even given his impressive 2015-16 performance.
Next: 7 Players With Something to Prove in 2016-17
Luckily, the Islanders also have Jaroslav Halak who has proven himself a capable starter when healthy, but neither of these guys are considered elite netminders.
Seeing how New York managed to exceed expectations in 2015-16 with 45 wins (100 points), it’s extremely difficult to imagine them duplicating their performance, let alone improving upon it.