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-