NHL power rankings: Grading each team’s offseason

How has each NHL team done so far this offseason? Let’s check in with them in this week’s NHL Power Rankings.

With free agency starting to slow down, now’s a good time to catch up with each team this offseason. This edition of our NHL power rankings will take a look at how every team has done so far this offseason and hand out some grades.

Let’s get started.

Atlantic Division

Boston Bruins

Players added: Craig Smith, Greg McKegg

Players lost: Torey Krug, Joakim Nordstrom, Alex Petrovic

TBD: Jake DeBrusk, Matt Grzelcyk, Karson Kuhlman, Zdeno Chara (UFA)

The Boston Bruins have been quite inactive in free agency. I like Craig Smith and think he’ll add something to their top-nine forward group. But they’ve got to find a way to replace Torey Krug’s offense. I don’t see how they’re doing it internally.

Grade: C-

Buffalo Sabres

Players added: Taylor Hall, Cody Eakin, Tobias Rieder, Brandon Davidson, Matt Irwin, Eric Staal

Players lost: Marcus Johansson, Johan Larsson, Wayne Simmonds, Jimmy Vesey

TBD: Victor Olofsson, Dominik Kahun, Sam Reinhart, Linus Ullmark

It’s been quite an offseason for the Sabres. They managed to surprise the world by signing Taylor Hall to a one-year deal, which is a huge win. But on the other hand, replacing the eternally underrated Johan Larsson with Cody Eakin isn’t ideal.

The Eric Staal trade was a huge win for Buffalo. Davidson and Rieder are solid depth additions and the Sabres have overhauled the coaching staff in Rochester, which is a good thing.

Grade: B+

Detroit Red Wings

Players added: Vladislav Namestnikov, Thomas Greiss, Troy Stecher, Jon Merrill, Bobby Ryan, Marc Staal

Players lost: Jimmy Howard, Trevor Daley, Jonathan Ericsson, Madison Bowey, Brendan Perlini

TBD: Tyler Bertuzzi, Anthony Mantha

I’m very impressed with what the Red Wings are doing this offseason. They’re signing valuable veterans for bargain prices (minus Greiss). And even Greiss’s overpayment can easily be justified due to the Red Wings lack of organizational depth in goal.

Grade: A-

Florida Panthers

Players added: Carter Verhaeghe, Radko Gudas, Vinnie Hinostroza, Markus Nutivaara, Patric Hornqvist

Players lost: Josh Brown, Evgenii Dadonov, Mark Pysyk, Dryden Hunt, Lucas Wallmark, Mike Matheson, Dominic Toninato

TBD: Brian Boyle, Mike Hoffman, MacKenzie Weegar, Emil Djuse, Mason Marchment, Sam Montembeault, Aleksi Saarela, Erik Haula

Bill Zito has been busy in his first offseason as the Florida Panthers general manager. He’s gambled on the right kind of players, but he’s lost quite a bit of talent if they don’t re-sign Mike Hoffman. Still, Zito’s executing the Panthers’ long overdue retooling quite well thus far.

Grade: B-

Montreal Canadiens

Players added: Tyler Toffoli, Josh Anderson, Jake Allen, Joel Edmundson, Alexandar Romanov

Players lost: Karl Alzner, Max Domi, Keith Kinkaid

TBD: Charles Hudon, Dale Weise

The Montreal Canadiens have been one of the busiest teams in the NHL this offseason. They’ve added some very nice pieces to their organization, though they still haven’t addressed their biggest problem – goal scoring. The Canadiens have nine forwards who *might* score 20 goals, but I’ll be surprised if more than one of them scores 30.

Grade: B+

Ottawa Senators

Players added: Evgenii Dadonov, Erik Gudbranson, Matt Murray, Joshua Brown, Logan Shaw, Austin Watson

Players lost: Mark Borowiecki, Ryan Callahan, Ron Hainsey, Hubert Labrie, Clarke MacArthur, Scott Sabourin, Craig Anderson, Mikkel Boedker, Andreas Englund

TBD: Anthony Duclair, Connor Brown, Filip Chlapik, Chris Tierney

It’s been quite a fascinating offseason for the Ottawa Senators. I have mixed feelings about their additions, though. The Dadonov signing is great and I didn’t mind the Murray trade. However, Murray’s extension was a bit rich.

Grade: B+

Tampa Bay Lightning

The Tampa Bay Lightning haven’t done much of anything this offseason. It’s not even worth it to list who they’ve added and lost. The Lightning will have to get very creative to bring back all three of their prime RFAs – Erik Cernak, Anthony Cirelli, and Mikhail Sergachev.

Grade: Incomplete

Toronto Maple Leafs

Players added: Jimmy Vesey, T.J. Brodie, Joe Thornton, Wayne Simmonds, Aaron Dell, Zach Bogosian, Travis Boyd, Alexander Barabanov

Players lost: Tyson Barrie, Cody Ceci, Kyle Clifford, Miikka Salomaki, Jeremy Bracco, Frederik Gauthier, Evan Rodrigues

TBD: Travis Dermott, Ilya Mikheyev

I can’t say enough about how good the T.J. Brodie signing is for the Leafs. He’s exactly what they needed. The deal might be a bit long, but well, the Leafs had to address their defense and credit to them, they did. Vesey’s an interesting depth addition. Thornton and Simmonds are both great low-risk, high-reward options. Aaron Dell’s a fantastic third goalie.

Grade: A-

Metropolitan Division

Carolina Hurricanes

Players added: Jesper Fast, Jeremy Bracco, David Gust, Sheldon Rempal, Joakim Ryan

Players lost: Joel Edmundson, Justin Williams, Sami Vatanen, Anton Forsberg, Trevor van Riemsdyk

TBD: Warren Foegele, Haydn Fleury

I love the Jesper Fast signing. He’s a very versatile forward who can fit in anywhere in the lineup. Should be a perfect fit in their system. Joakim Ryan is a solid depth defenseman. I can’t help but feel the Hurricanes aren’t done yet.

Grade: B

Columbus Blue Jackets

Players added: Max Domi, Mikko Koivu, Kole Sherwood, Mikhail Grigorenko, Cliff Pu

Players lost: Devin Shore, Josh Anderson, Ryan Murray, Markus Nutivaara

TBD: Pierre-Luc Dubois, Ryan MacInnis, Kevin Stenlund

Max Domi is exactly what the Columbus Blue Jackets need. He’s one of the best offensive play drivers in the NHL and he should help increase their scoring. Much like the Hurricanes, you can’t help but feel they’ve got another big move in them.

Grade: B-

New Jersey Devils

Players added: Andreas Johnsson, Ryan Murray, Corey Crawford, Scott Wedgewood

Players lost: Kevin Rooney, Mirco Mueller, John Hayden, Fredrik Claesson, Cory Schneider

TBD: Mackenzie Blackwood, Jesper Bratt, Nick Merkley

Just like last summer, the New Jersey Devils have been busy so far. The Ryan Murray trade is great and so is the Andreas Johnsson trade. Corey Crawford and MacKenzie Blackwood should form one of the NHL’s most effective goalie tandems.

Grade: B+

New York Islanders

Players added: Cory Schneider, Austin Czarnik, Ilya Sorokin

Players lost: Devon Toews, Christopher Gibson, Thomas Greiss, Andy Greene, Matt Martin

TBD: Mathew Barzal, Ryan Pulock

The Islanders haven’t been able to do anything because they have to get Barzal and Pulock locked up. With under $9 million of cap space, they’re not doing anything of consequence until they’re signed.

Grade: Incomplete

New York Rangers

Players added: Alexis Lafreniere, Jack Johnson, Colin Blackwell, Kevin Rooney, Keith Kinkaid, Anthony Bitetto, Jonny Brodzinski

Players lost: Marc Staal, Jesper Fast, Henrik Lundqvist

TBD: Ryan Strome, Brendan Lemieux

Lafreniere should give the Rangers offense a huge spark. Johnson is a simply horrible and horrendous signing, I don’t care if it’s only for one year and $1 million. The Rangers are going to miss Jesper Fast.

Grade: C+

Philadelphia Flyers

Players added: Erik Gustafsson, Derrick Pouliot

Players lost: Matt Niskanen, Tyler Pitlick, Nate Thompson, Andy Welinski, Derek Grant

TBD: Philippe Myers

Matt Niskanen’s retirement clearly caught the Flyers by surprise. They haven’t been able to replace him yet, but Erik Gustafsson brings an element of offense to the table that the Flyers didn’t have last year on their blueline. The Flyers have impressive forward depth, so losing Pitlick, Thompson, and Grant isn’t a huge deal, but I’d expect them to add an extra forward or two soon.

Grade: C+

Pittsburgh Penguins

Added: Michael Matheson, Maxime Lagacé, Frederick Gaudreau, Evan Rodrigues, Josh Currie, Mark Jankowski, Kasperi Kapanen, Cody Ceci

Lost: Matt Murray, Patric Hornqvist, Patrick Marleau, Justin Schultz, Conor Sheary, Dominik Simon

TBD: N/A

The Murray trade was inevitable and I think the Penguins got a fine return for him. They better hope Tristan Jarry is ready to be a number one goalie, though. I didn’t like the Hornqvist trade. Matheson is an expensive third-pairing defenseman and Cody Ceci is simply not good.

Grade: C-

Washington Capitals

Added: Justin Schultz, Henrik Lundqvist, Trevor van Riemsdyk, Daniel Carr, Paul LaDue, Cameron Schilling, Zachary Fucale

Lost: Braden Holtby, Ilya Kovalchuk, Travis Boyd, Radko Gudas

TBD: Jonas Siegenthaler

Overall, this has been a pretty strong offseason for the Washington Capitals. Lundqvist is still a very capable goalie and at just $1.5 million, he’s a very inexpensive one. Schultz is an interesting guy to take a two-year flyer on, but he was a lot better without Jack Johnson last year. TVR is a great addition to their blueline. Some nice depth additions as well.

Grade: B+

Pacific Division

Anaheim Ducks

Players added: Kevin Shattenkirk, Andy Welinski, Derek Grant, Vinni Lettieri, Maxim Golod,

Players lost: Erik Gudbranson, Kevin Boyle, Kyle Criscuolo, Matt Irwin

TBD: Ryan Miller

Ryan Miller is a UFA, but all signs point to him either retiring or returning to the Ducks. He’s a very capable backup goalie and might be a future Hall of Famer. I really like the Shattenkirk signing, but I question why the Ducks, of all teams, signed him. Derek Grant keeps coming back to the Ducks. It’s like they’re meant to be.

Grade: B-

Arizona Coyotes

Players added: Johan Larsson, Dryden Hunt, John Hayden, Tyler Pitlick

Players lost: Michael Grabner, Taylor Hall, Brad Richardson Vinnie Hinostroza, Carl Soderberg

TBD: Christian Fischer

The Arizona Coyotes have been surprisingly quiet thus far this offseason. They’re trying to clear cap space, but haven’t been able to do much of that so far. Not giving a qualifying offer to Hinostroza was a big mistake. He’s a very useful top-nine forward. I do like the Larsson signing, though.

Grade: Incomplete. I want to see how they clear the inevitable cap space.

Calgary Flames

Players added: Jacob Markstrom, Christopher Tanev, Louis Domingue, Alex Petrovic

Players lost: TJ Brodie, Cam Talbot, Austin Czarnik, Mark Jankowski, Erik Gustafsson, Derek Forbort, Alan Quine, Tobias Rieder, Michael Stone, Jon Gillies

TBD: Oliver Kylington

Replacing Talbot with Markstrom in net is an upgrade, albeit an expensive one. On the other hand, replacing Brodie with Tanev is a very clear downgrade. Tanev’s contract is quite bad as well. I’m surprised they let go of Czarnik.

Grade: C

Edmonton Oilers

Players added: Mike Smith (re-signed), Tyler Ennis (re-signed), Tyson Barrie, Anton Forsberg, Alan Quine, Kyle Turris, Jesse Puljujarvi

Players lost: Markus Granlund, Josh Currie, Mike Green, Andreas Athanasiou, Riley Sheahan, Matt Benning

TBD: Ethan Bear

The Oilers did well bringing in Barrie. I think he’ll be a very nice fit in Edmonton. Ennis is a very solid bottom-six forward, so I like that they brought him back at a surprisingly reasonable price. The Oilers managed to bring in Kyle Turris and bring back their prodigal son Jeese Puljujarvi as well.

Now, let’s talk about that big, old, pink elephant in the goal – Mike Smith. Why? Why did the Oilers bring him back? Just… why? They managed to fail to find an upgrade in a very loaded goaltending market. Then the Oilers somehow overpaid to bring back Smith. Wow.

Grade: C+. Bringing back Smith dragged it down from a B.

Los Angeles Kings

Players added: Quinton Byfield, Olli Määttä, Mark Alt, Troy Grosenick, Lias Andersson

Players lost: Paul LaDue, Ben Hutton, Trevor Lewis, Joakim Ryan, Tim Schaller, Sheldon Rempal

TBD: N/A

Some quality additions here. Quinton Byfield could play in the NHL next season, though I imagine the Kings won’t let him burn a year of his ELC. Määttä is a perfectly capable defenseman who should help LA improve defensively. Lias Andersson is a nice prospect to gamble on.

Grade: C+

San Jose Sharks

Players added: Devan Dubnyk, Patrick Marleau, Ryan Donato, Matt Nieto

Players lost: Joe Thornton, Jonny Brodzinski, Brandon Davidson, Aaron Dell, Tim Heed, Melker Karlsson

TBD: N/A

I really like the Donato trade for the Sharks. They gave up a third-round pick for a quality, proven goal scorer. Bringing back Long Beach native Matt Nieto is pretty awesome as well. I have time for Devan Dubnyk since he’s so cheap, but yikes, a tandem of Dubnyk and Martin Jones could be terrible.

Grade: C

Vancouver Canucks

Players added: Nate Schmidt, Braden Holtby

Players lost: Tyler Toffoli, Troy Stecher, Jacob Markstrom, Christopher Tanev, Louis Domingue, Josh Leivo

TBD: Jake Virtanen, Adam Gaudette

Nate Schmidt should help the Canucks improve their blueline, but losing Stecher for nothing is awful. They’ve downgraded in net and at forward, though there’s still time left in this offseason.

Grade: D

Vegas Golden Knights

Players added: Alex Pietrangelo, Dylan Sikura, Danny O’Regan

Players lost: Nate Schmidt, Nick Cousins, Paul Stastny

TBD: N/A

Grade: A-