The first week of free agency brought about massive changes for plenty of teams throughout the league. This offseason is already drastically different from past ones due to cap restrictions, but teams are still spending to improve in areas of need. There are still plenty of talented players available, but there have been plenty of great deals signed. Let's take a look at some teams that added value in free agency so far, and some that have lost out.
Winners
Buffalo Sabres
Signed: F Taylor Hall, C Cody Eakin, F Tobias Rieder
Re-Signed: C Zemgus Girgensons, D Brandon Montour
Lost: F Wayne Simmonds (TOR), F Jimmy Vesey (TOR), F Johan Larsson (ARI)
Acquired: C Eric Staal
On the Market: F Michael Frolik, F Vladimir Sobotka, F Dominik Kahun
Aside from landing one of the prized free agents this offseason, Buffalo made some smart moves to address major needs. That starts with Taylor Hall, who signed a one-year deal and will give C Jack Eichel much-needed support on the top line and powerplay. In addition to adding the former Hart Trophy winner, Buffalo also addressed their glaring need for forward depth by adding Eakin, Staal and Rieder to the mix. Staal was acquired from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for W Marcus Johansson, and will presumably fill the hole at center on the second line. After finally adding stability at center behind Eichel, Buffalo also added Eakin, who should fill in at center on the third line behind Staal. Eakin has had productive seasons with Vegas and Winnipeg in recent years before hitting the market this offseason. Rieder is a good depth signing for the Sabres, and keeping Brandon Montour around will help keep some stability on the back end to help young goaltender Linus Ullmark.
Detroit Red Wings
Signed: F Bobby Ryan, D Jon Merrill, G Thomas Greiss, D Troy Stecher, F Vladislav Namestnikov
On the Market: G Jimmy Howard, F Brendan Perlini, D Madison Bowey, D Trevor Daley
After a brutal 2019-20 season, the Red Wings have taken some nice steps early this offseason to improve their outlook for next year. They haven't lost any significant free agents yet, and brought in some much-needed help up and down their roster. Thomas Greiss should be a big help next year to take some pressure off Jonathan Bernier, who was the presumed backup goaltender before Jimmy Howard's disastrous season. Howard is still on the market, but Greiss should be able to provide some stability in the crease and provide a serviceable while not flashy tandem with Bernier, who quietly had a very good season. Bobby Ryan landed a one-year deal in Detroit after a feel-good 2019-20 season that saw him score a hat-trick in his first game back in Ottawa after a leave of absence for the player assistance program. The Masterton Trophy Winner has a nice opportunity to prove his worth on a team that will certainly afford him playing time. Namestnikov will provide some nice scoring depth for Detroit after a good showing in the playoffs with Colorado. Merrill and Stecher should provide veteran leadership on a young defensive core that struggled mightily this past year.
Edmonton Oilers
Signed: C Kyle Turris, D Tyson Barrie
Re-Signed: G Mike Smith, F Tyler Ennis
Lost: D Mike Green (retirement), F Tomas Jurco (VGK), D Matt Benning (NSH)
On the Market: F Andreas Athanasiou, C Riley Sheahan
Edmonton brought in one of the most sought after free agents in Barrie after losing veteran Mike Green to retirement. Barrie should slot into the top powerplay unit and give Edmonton another option on the right side along Adam Larsson. Turris, who was bought out by Nashville, signs a more team-friendly deal in Edmonton and gives the team flexibility at center. Adding Turris to the mix will allow the Oilers coaching staff to get creative with how many of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Turris will play center and who will be able to shift to wing.
Montreal Canadiens
Signed: F Josh Anderson, F Tyler Toffoli
Re-Signed: D Xavier Ouellet, D Victor Mete
Acquired: G Jake Allen
Lost: G Keith Kinkaid (NYR), F Max Domi (CBJ)
Montreal addressed their center surplus and need for scoring wings by dealing C/W Max Domi to Columbus for Josh Anderson. The big winger will join Tyler Toffoli as the newcomers to a Canadiens roster that was in dire need of wingers who can put the puck in the net. Keeping Ouellet and Mete will help Montreal be just as competitive defensively as they should be offensively, as will adding Jake Allen to a goalie room that already includes one of the game's best in Carey Price.
Ottawa Senators
Signed: G Matt Murray, F Evgenii Dadonov
Re-Signed: F Rudolfs Balcers, C Nick Paul
Lost: D Mark Borowiecki (NSH)
On the Market: G Craig Anderson, F Mikkel Boedker, F Ryan Callahan, D Ron Hainsey, F Anthony Duclair
Ottawa added two more major pieces to a roster that has already added big talents through the draft. Murray will step in as the undisputed No. 1 goalie after splitting time with Tristian Jarry in Pittsburgh last season. That will be a major upgrade for Ottawa, who also adds Evgenii Dadonov to its top 6 forward group as a scoring threat. These signings combined with their draft haul will set Ottawa up for success in the future.
Honorable Mention: Washington Capitals
Signed: G Henrik Lundqvist, D Justin Schultz, D Trevor Van Riemsdyk, D Paul LaDue
Re-Signed: F Shane Gersich
Lost: G Braden Holtby (VAN), C Travis Boyd (TOR), D Radko Gudas (FLA)
On the Market: F Ilya Kovalchuk
Washington has brought in some nice pieces, but there are also some serviceable ones on the way out. Holtby was fairly underwhelming this past season, but he has still been the franchise goaltender for several years and it hurts Caps fans to see him walk. Lundqvist is a nice cheap backup for Ilya Samsonov, who emerged as a bonafide starter and should see more action this year. The Caps also added more help on the blue line, bringing in veteran Justin Schultz along with Trevor Van Riemsdyk and Paul LaDue. Schultz should provide more help on the right side behind Norris Trophy candidate John Carlson and could also see power play time.
Losers
Arizona Coyotes
Signed: F Tyler Pitlick, C John Hayden, F Johan Larsson
Lost: F Taylor Hall (BUF), C Brad Richardson (NSH), F Vinnie Hinostroza (FLA)
On the Market: F Beau Bennett, C Carl Soderberg
It's tough to have a good offseason when you lose a scorer like Taylor Hall. He'll be a free agent again next season, but it's hard to imagine him returning to the desert. The team also lost forwards Brad Richardson and Vinnie Hinostroza, who were both important depth pieces in the Coyotes lineup. Adding Pitlick, Hayden, and Larsson was an attempt to replace that depth, but there are certainly big shoes to fill with the former Hart Trophy winner's departure.
Minnesota Wild
Signed: G Cam Talbot
Re-Signed: F Jordan Greenway, G Kaapo Kahkonen
Acquired: F Marcus Johansson
Lost: G Devan Dubnyk, C Mikko Koivu, C Eric Staal
On the Market: F JT Brown, C Alex Galchenyuk
The Wild have fully committed to a retooling, if not a full blown rebuild at this point in time. Three of their veteran leaders in captain Mikko Koivu, alternate Eric Staal, and goaltender Devan Dubnyk are out the door. They attempted to replace Dubnyk with Cam Talbot, but didn't make any other moves besides getting Marcus Johansson in return for Staal. For a team that always seems to be on the border between making and missing the playoffs, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Wild take a step back this year.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Signed: F Evan Rodrigues, F Mark Jankowski, D Cody Ceci
Lost: F Patrick Marleau (SJS), D Justin Schultz (WSH), D Jack Johnson (NYR)
On the Market: F Conor Sheary, C Dominik Simon
With the core still intact, Pittsburgh made some minor moves, the most notable of which was seeing D Justin Schultz take his talents to rival Washington. Without the cap to retain Schultz's services, Pittsburgh resorted to keeping some depth pieces and bringing in Cody Ceci to take Schultz's spot on the right side. With forwards Sheary and Simon hitting the market, Pittsburgh will have some spots open for some of their young guys to grab.
Vancouver Canucks
Signed: G Braden Holtby
Re-Signed: F Tyler Motte
Lost: G Louis Domingue (CGY), G Jacob Markstrom (CGY), D Christopher Tanev (CGY), D Troy Stecher (DET), F Tyler Toffoli (MTL)
On the Market: D Oscar Fantenberg, F Nikolay Goldobin
The Canucks were probably the biggest loser through the first week of free agency. After an exciting run to the Conference Finals, Vancouver lost their starting goalie, two prominent defensemen, and a top-notch scorer. Holtby will come in to form a timeshare duo with emerging Thatcher Demko, but the skaters that have departed have yet to be adequately replaced. While their young core is definitely still intact, the Canucks may take a small step back next year without as much support.
Somewhere in the Middle
Boston Bruins
Signed: F Craig Smith
Re-Signed: D Matt Grzelcyk, D Kevan Miller
Lost: D Torey Krug (STL), D Alex Petrovic (CGY)
On the Market: D Zdeno Chara, F Joakim Nordstrom
Boston added another scoring threat, but lost a prominent staple of their defensive core. Krug will head to St. Louis, while Boston did re-sign Matt Grzelcyk, who will presumably start to take over some of the former's minutes. All signs are pointing to Chara returning to the B's if he decides to keep playing, but if he also departs, Boston will have to look to add more help to the left side of the defense.
Calgary Flames
Signed: G Jacob Markstrom, D Christopher Tanev, D Alex Petrovic, W Zac Rinaldo
Re-Signed: W Andrew Mangiapane
Lost: Cam Talbot (MIN), TJ Brodie (TOR)
Calgary did well in taking a bunch of Vancouver's free agents, but also lost a few of their own. Markstrom will provide Calgary with a legitimate starter for the first time in years, while Tanev and Petrovic will help keep pucks away from their new goaltender. The departure of TJ Brodie will hurt, but bringing in some new blueliners and a great starter will keep Calgary afloat.
Florida Panthers
Signed: D Radko Gudas, F Carter Verhaeghe, C Alexander Wennberg, F Vinnie Hinostroza
Lost: F Evgenii Dadonov (OTT), D Mark Pysyk (DAL), F Lucas Wallmark (CHI)
On the Market: C Brian Boyle, C Erik Haula, F Mike Hoffman
Florida brought in a number of nice pieces, but they have already lost a strong scorer in Dadonov and look to be losing at least one more. Hoffman and Haula are still on the market, and one or both departing could leave several holes in an already top-heavy Florida lineup. The signings of Wennberg and Hinostroza should improve the scoring depth, so Florida could end up in the same spot next season.
St. Louis Blues
Signed: G Jon Gillies, D Torey Krug, F Kyle Clifford, D Steven Santini
Lost: D Alex Pietrangelo (VGK), D Derrick Pouliot (PHI)
On the Market: D Jay Bouwmeester, F Troy Brouwer, D Jake Dotchin
Blues fans are certainly sad to see their captain and franchise defenseman walk, but Krug was the best available replacement for Pietrangelo. The Blues were a surprise suitor for Krug's services, but adding him to their defense core helps with the loss of their former captain. Without many other significant signings, as long as Krug performs well in a similar role to Pietrangelo's, the team should come out almost even.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Signed: G Christopher Gibson, D Andreas Borgman
Re-Signed: F Pat Maroon, D Luke Schenn
Lost: F Carter Verhaeghe, D Kevin Shattenkirk
If they weren't still so good, this team could almost be considered one of the offseason's early losers. They lost a great defenseman in Shattenkirk and an important depth forward in Verhaeghe and haven't brought anyone significant in. The team is being very cautious about the salary cap and still has some restricted free agents left to sign, but as long as the majority of their core remains, they'll continue to be a threat.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Signed: D TJ Brodie, G Aaron Dell, F Wayne Simmonds, D Zach Bogosian, F Jimmy Vesey, C Travis Boyd, C Joe Thornton
Lost: D Tyson Barrie (EDM), Cody Ceci (PIT), F Kyle Clifford (STL), F Evan Rodrigues (PIT)
Toronto added a bunch of free agents, but the significance of these deals is yet to be seen. Brodie will do well in replacing Barrie, but the other deals will do more to add a physical edge to the team's play style than really add tremendous value. It remains to be seen what kind of effect theses deals will have, especially with veteran Joe Thornton.
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