As the dust settles following the first big flurry of free agent signings, some NHL teams emerge as stronger competitors headed into the upcoming season. For other clubs, it was crickets.
Some general managers have been aggressive, while some are choosing to lay low this offseason. With trades, free agents, and contract extensions in the mix, here is a report card for select NHL teams and the moves each organization has made so far this summer.
Utah Mammoth: A
Utah has had an outstanding free agency so far, bolstering the lineup through trades and signings. The most notable transaction has been the acquisition of JJ Peterka from the Buffalo Sabres, shipping out Michael Kesselring and Josh Doan in exchange. The trade provides another top six option that can contribute 20 or more goals, with Peterka becoming the fourth winger in the lineup that is capabale of hitting that plateau.
Not only that, but the Mammoth also signed defenseman Nate Schmidt, forward Brandon Tanev, and goaltender Vitek Vanacek all to very team-friendly contracts. This provides depth at all positions that can support the team's already pretty solid core. Utah has filled its needs in a very effective yet affordable way that still leaves them with over $10 million in wiggle room to utilize over the rest of the summer and into the season.
Carolina Hurricanes: A-
The re-signing of Logan Stankoven will have an immediate impact for the Hurricanes as he looks to build on a solid rookie campaign. But when it comes to the new players in Raleigh, GM Eric Tulsky chose to focus on rounding out lower parts of the roster and that's a decision that could pay off int he new season. Goalie Cayden Primeau, acquired via trade, is another viable backup option for Frederik Andersen.
Carolina also wisely chose to move on from guys like Dmitry Orlov and Brent Burns in favor of a younger defender with a high ceiling for potential in K'Andre Miller. Along with veteran Mike Reilly, these two acquisitions help fill out the top six on the back end.
Of course, the signing of Nikolaj Ehlers is the icing on the cake as the Danish playmaker will fit in wonderfully as a first-line option alongside Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis. The Hurricanes are close to being Cup contenders, so strengthening the depth of the roster is perhaps the final piece in the push to get to the Stanley Cup Finals.
New Jersey Devils: B
The Devils were able to target some of the biggest question marks in the lineup: goaltending and depth scoring. Re-signing Jake Allen to on an affordable salary of $1.8 million annually was a welcome surprise, after his reliable performance backing up Jacob Markstrom made Allen the most sought-after goalie on the UFA market.
The additions of Evgenii Dadonov and Connor Brown help solidify the team's secondary scoring, something that was sorely lacking at times this past season behind the leaders of Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, and Nico Hischier. Both skaters are capable of contributing 30 or more points, including a 20-goal scorer in Dadonov. Hanging onto RFA Cody Glass also locks down a dependable bottom six forward who can hit the scoresheet as well as his two-way play. All in all, the Devils should feel satisfied about their moves and now, all that's left to do is re-sign RFA Luke Hughes.
San Jose Sharks: B-
Locking up young star William Eklund long-term was a key part of the Sharks' gameplan, and adding more depth on defense was a necessity that GM Mike Grier was able to get done. San Jose added Dmitry Orlov, Nick Leddy and John Klingberg, seasoned NHL veterans to help bolster the blueline. Adding Alex Nedelkovic via trade also helps answer the question of who is going to play backup to up-and-comer Yaroslav Askarov in the coming season.
The only problem? Those moves were required to reach the cap floor, and now, San Jose still has $22.9 million to spend with a market that's thinning every day. With plenty of gaps in the lineup still, the Sharks will no doubt continue to be active throughout the summer.
Calgary Flames: D+
The Flames would have more of an average grade, given that GM Craig Conroy has been public about his plans to keep quiet overall. But with the trade talk surrounding top defenseman Rasmus Andersson, it would appear that Calgary stands to lose more than they have gained so far this offseason, which is not very much.
"We can't deviate just because other teams are signing players. We still have our young players and I think even though we haven't done anything, you're going to see more opportunity for our (young) guys and better competition. "Flames GM Craig Conroy
The team did sign blueliner Joel Hanley, center Morgan Frost, potential backup goalie Ivan Prosvetsov, and likely minor-leaguer Nick Cicek. But these moves don't appear to get the Flames any closer to the playoffs after narrowly missing the postseason this year. Frost and Hanley provide more depth options in the lineup, something every team could always use, but Prosvetsov is the fifth goalie under contract for Calgary and may end up spending a chunk of the season in the AHL.
It's smart to be allowing the younger skaters to have some breathing room in the lineup, but Conroy has not done enough to advance this team's roster very much, and hopefully will get a hefty return if Andersson does get dealt at some point. That could be what salvages the Flames' offseason.