Which teams made the best moves over the summer and should take a step forward in 2015-16? Whether through trade, free agency or the draft, the five teams below have improved their rosters over the summer and should see an improved record this season.
Colorado Avalanche
DENVER, CO – APRIL 19: Nathan MacKinnon #29 of the Colorado Avalanche skates against the Minnesota Wild in Game Two of the First Round of the 2014 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Pepsi Center on April 19, 2014 in Denver, Colorado. The Avalanche defeated the Wild 4-2 to take a 2-0 game lead in the series. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
The Avalanche took a step back last season, going from winning the Central Division in 2013-14 to finishing dead last in 2014-15. The team has always been somewhat lucky, posting the third-highest PDO in the NHL in both of the last two seasons, but the club made a small effort to improve – specifically their defense – which could help shore up some of their issues.
The Avs’ defense allowed the third-most shots against (2,086) at even strength, so bringing in Francois Beauchemin, a veteran who’s decent offensively and is a passable defensive defenseman, will help. Yes, the term at three-years and $4.5 million per is a bit much, but this team badly needed help in the back. Nikita Zadorov, acquired in the the Ryan O’Reilly trade, will also be a new face on defense who should be counted on to contribute to the bottom six.
Offensively, they’re hoping for some bounce back performances and it’s not too much to expect them.
Nathan MacKinnon scored 25 fewer points last year than his rookie season while missing 18 games in the process. He’s a dynamic offensive performer who drives possession, so the Avs shouldn’t be worried he’s suddenly a lemon. Matt Duchene is in a similar boat. He’s a gifted offensive player who just fell off last year, scoring 15 fewer points in 11 more games. While losing O’Reilly hurts, Carl Soderberg and his ludicrous five-year, $23.75 million deal is a solid third-line center who may benefit from playing with new line mates and not having to play most of his minutes with Chris Kelly as his featured winger. Between the pipes, Semyon Varlamov is solid but not spectacular.
While I don’t think the team is first place caliber, there’s no reason they should be a last place team again.
Columbus Blue Jackets
CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 21: Brandon Saad #20 of the Chicago Blackhawks skates on the ice during the first period against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the United Center on December 21, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. The Blackhawks defeated the Maple Leafs 4-0. (Photo by Brian Kersey/Getty Images)
I had pegged the Blue Jackets as a playoff team before last season started, but they ultimately had a year to forget, missing the playoffs with a lowly 89 points largely due a ridiculous amount of injuries.
With a healthy roster, there’s little doubt this team can once again challenge for a playoff spot.
Columbus feasted on the Chicago Blackhawks cap crunch and landed winger Brandon Saad for a big package which included Mark Dano. While the cost was high, the trade gives the team an envious first line of Ryan Johansen, Marcus Foligno and Saad – who combined for 80 goals last season. The club wisely signed him to a six-year $36 million deal which will keep the trio together until 2016-17 (when Johansen becomes an RFA). Still only 22, Saad has the potential to be a dynamic first liner as soon as next season.
While the club didn’t make any other significant moves to bolster its forward core, they do have some good young talent coming up the pipelines with Kerby Rychel, Sonny Milano and Oliver Bjorkstrand all ready to challenge for spots in the lineup.
The club’s defense isn’t spectacular, but it is packed with depth. Ryan Murray’s development was hindered after he missed 70 games last year but the former number two overall pick is a talented rearguard stacked full of potential. Like many on the Jackets, his health is key. While I wouldn’t single out Jack Johnson, David Savard or Fedor Tyutin as top pairing defenseman, they all can play tough minutes. Admittedly, the team could use a top pairing defenseman, but that could be said about many teams. In goal, former Vezina winner Sergei Bobrovsky is as solid as they come, ranking in the top-10 in even strength save percentage over the last two years. The club doesn’t have many weaknesses, despite not being a powerhouse.
Again, if the Blue Jackets’ health stays on track, they’re due for improvement.
Dallas Stars
Just about everybody missed, including myself, when proclaiming that the Stars were going to be a dynamic team in the West after bringing in Jason Spezza and Ales Hemsky to an already palpable offensive team. While offense was no problem, as they managed to score an impressive 2.70 even strength goals per game which was second best in the NHL, the club’s defense was atrocious, allowing 170 goals, fifth worst in the league. Tyler Seguin even admitted the Stars abandoned focus on defense.
The Stars top-six forwards were considerably banged up last year and general manager Jim Nill did well to address it. Adding Patrick Sharp for a miniscule cost (sorry Trevor Daley and Ryan Garbutt) will instantly provide a much needed boom outside of Jamie Benn, Spezza and Seguin. Sharp had a down year scoring only 16 goals last season, but before 2014-15, he potted three straight 30+ goal seasons, so 25 goals is a realistic expectation. Valeri Nichushkin is also returning from injury. The 20 year old drew rave reviews in his rookie year, and is he’s fully healthy he’s can play in top-six, while bringing juicy potential.
The Stars addressed their defense by signing Johnny Oduya to a two-year deal, who’ll play heavy time in the defensive zone, while chewing up tough minutes. Dallas’ approach to goaltending wasn’t brilliant, signing Antti Niemi to a three-year deal worth $13.5 million in hopes he competes with Kari Lethonen and that one of them can carry the load, but it could be a lot worse. For a team that posted the second lowest even strength save percentage (90.95), they’re banking that one of them sticks.
Edmonton Oilers
I’m going to keep this one simple. Here’s why the Oilers can’t possibly be worse than they were last season:
Connor McDavid.
Competent coaching and management. Cam Talbot in goal. Andrej Sekera. A solid top-six forward group.
Fin.
Buffalo Sabres
BOSTON, MA – APRIL 09: Jack Eichel #9 of the Boston University Terriers looks on during the third period of the 2015 NCAA Division I Men’s Hockey Championship semifinals at TD Garden on April 9, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts.The Boston Terriers defeat North Dakota 5-3. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
The Sabres were intentionally the worse team in the NHL last season in hopes of scoring generational talent Connor McDavid. While the ping pong balls didn’t align, they still walked out of the draft with Jack Eichel, who is no slouch himself. Eichel has the opportunity to play serious top-six minutes and be a star from day one.
Tim Murray did work this offseason, shaking up the roster by adding a top-line center in Ryan O’Reilly and a potential number one goaltender in Robin Lehner. Factor in the return of Evander Kane, who’ still hasn’t made his debut with the Sabres since being traded last season, the organization are noticeably improved.
Are they a playoff team just yet? Probably not. The East was as tough as it gets last season, and it won’t be easy for the Sabres to get over that hump. But for a team which finished last in almost every measurable statistic, including a miserably low 54 points, there’s a lot of to be excited about.
