NHL offseason grades: Central Division
Divisions:
Metropolitan | Central
Pacific | Atlantic
Five teams from the ultra-competitive Central reached the playoffs in 2018-19, and the division became stronger over the summer.
The St. Louis Blues remain in good form to defend their Stanley Cup championship, and several other teams are in a better position to contend. After an offseason of transactions, we've graded each club's efforts.
Some contract figures are reported. Most players on two-way deals have been omitted. Total contract value does not include bonuses.
Chicago Blackhawks
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyKey arrivals| Player | Position | Contract Length | Total Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calvin de Haan | D | 3 years | $13.65M (trade with CAR) |
| Olli Maatta | D | 3 years | $12.25M (trade with PIT) |
| Andrew Shaw | RW | 3 years | $11.7M (trade with MTL) |
| Zach Smith | C | 2 years | $6.5M (trade with OTT) |
| Robin Lehner | G | 1 year | $5M |
| Ryan Carpenter | C | 3 years | $3M |
| Kirby Dach | C | 3 years | $2.775M (drafted No. 3 overall) |
| Alex Nylander | LW | 2 years | $1.72M (trade with BUF) |
| Player | Position | Transaction |
|---|---|---|
| Chris Kunitz | LW | Retired |
| Cam Ward | G | Retired |
| Dominik Kahun | C | Traded to PIT |
| Gustav Forsling | D | Traded to CAR |
| Artem Anisimov | C | Traded to OTT |
| Henri Jokiharju | D | Traded to BUF |
| Marcus Kruger | C | Signed with ZSC Lions |
| Player | Position | New Contract Length | Total Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| David Kampf | C | 2 years | $2M |
| Dylan Sikura | RW | 2 years | $1.5M |
| Brendan Perlini | RW | 1 year | $874K |
| Player | Position | Drafted |
|---|---|---|
| Kirby Dach | C | 1st round (2019) |
| Alex Nylander | LW | 1st round (2016 - BUF) |
| Dominik Kubalik | LW | 7th-round (2013 - LA) |
| Adam Boqvist | D | 1st round (2018) |
Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman acquired Olli Maatta and Calvin de Haan in an attempt to tackle the team's blue-line weakness. Neither are necessarily stand-out talents, but they'll upgrade a team that allowed the second-most goals last season.
Bringing in 2018-19 Vezina Trophy finalist Robin Lehner was also a smart move considering Corey Crawford's uncertain conditioning heading into his age-34 season. Lehner signed a low-risk one-year deal, but with neither goalie under contract for the 2020-21 campaign, Bowman will need to revisit the club's situation between the pipes sooner rather than later.
Trading Henri Jokiharju, a young and highly touted rearguard, for forward Alex Nylander was perhaps the only real head-scratcher, though some may also ponder the reacquisition of Andrew Shaw for multiple future draft picks.
The Blackhawks didn't make any major splashes, but they improved where necessary and still have some cap space to work with heading into the season.
Grade: BColorado Avalanche
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyKey arrivals| Player | Position | Contract Length | Total Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joonas Donskoi | RW | 4 years | $15.6M |
| Nazem Kadri | C | 3 years | $13.5M (trade with TOR) |
| Andre Burakovsky | LW | 1 year | $3.5M (trade with WAS) |
| Bowen Byram | D | 3 years | $2.775M (drafted No. 4 overall) |
| Pierre-Edouard Bellemare | LW | 2 years | $2.6M |
| Calle Rosen | D | 2 years | $1.5M (trade with TOR) |
| Kevin Connauton | D | 1 year | $1.375M (trade with ARI) |
| Valeri Nichushkin | RW | 1 year | $850K |
| Player | Position | Transaction |
|---|---|---|
| Tyson Barrie | D | Traded to TOR |
| Alex Kerfoot | C | Traded to TOR |
| Carl Soderberg | C | Traded to ARI |
| Semyon Varlamov | G | Signed with NYI |
| Derick Brassard | C | Signed with NYI |
| Patrik Nemeth | D | Signed with DET |
| Sven Andrighetto | RW | Signed in KHL |
| Gabriel Bourque | LW | Signed with WIN |
| Player | Position | New Contract Length | Total Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samuel Girard | D | 7 years | $35M |
| J.T. Compher | LW | 4 years | $14M |
| Nikita Zadorov | D | 1 year | $3.2M |
| Colin Wilson | C/LW | 1 year | $2.6M |
| Vladislav Kamenev | C | 1 year | $750K |
| Sheldon Dries | C | 1 year | $735K |
| A.J. Greer | LW | 1 year | $735K |
| Player | Position |
|---|---|
| Mikko Rantanen | RW |
| Player | Position | Drafted |
|---|---|---|
| Bowen Byram | D | 1st round (2019) |
| Shane Bowers | C | 1st round (2017) |
| Martin Kaut | RW | 1st round (2018) |
| Vladislav Kamenev | C | 2nd round (2014) |
| A.J. Greer | LW | 2nd round (2015) |
| Calle Rosen | D | Undrafted |
The 2019-20 version of the Avalanche will look slightly different, but mostly for the better after Joe Sakic made an assertive effort to improve the club's forward depth.
Acquiring Nazem Kadri in a deal centered around Tyson Barrie was prudent. As productive as Barrie has been, the 28-year-old needs a new contract after this season, and the Avalanche likely won't be able to meet his price. There's also a surplus of highly skilled defensemen on the team. That includes Bowen Byram, who was wisely selected with the fourth overall pick this year.
Sakic also showed the foresight to lock up Samuel Girard, who was scheduled to become a restricted free agent at the end of this season.
It's tough to dock points for not signing RFAs yet considering how that market has operated all summer. Mikko Rantanen still not being under contract with training camp set to begin this week is the only real blemish after Colorado's otherwise successful offseason.
Grade: B+Dallas Stars
Darcy Finley / National Hockey League / GettyKey arrivals| Player | Position | Contract Length | Total Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Pavelski | C | 3 years | $21M |
| Corey Perry | RW | 1 year | $1.5M |
| Andrej Sekera | D | 1 year | $1.5M |
| Player | Position | Transaction |
|---|---|---|
| Mats Zuccarello | RW | Signed with MIN |
| Jason Spezza | C | Signed with TOR |
| Marc Methot | D | Became UFA |
| Ben Lovejoy | D | Retired |
| Valeri Nichushkin | RW | Bought out |
| Brett Ritchie | RW | Didn't receive qualifying offer |
| Player | Position | New Contract Length | Total Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Esa Lindell | D | 6 years | $34.8M |
| Jason Dickinson | C | 2 years | $3M |
| Mattias Janmark | LW | 1 year | $2.3M |
| Roman Polak | D | 1 year | $1.75M |
| Player | Position |
|---|---|
| Julius Honka | D |
| Player | Position | Drafted |
|---|---|---|
| Denis Gurianov | LW | 1st round (2015) |
| Joel L'Esperance | C | Undrafted |
| Tye Felhaber | LW | Undrafted |
| Gavin Bayreuther | D | Undrafted |
The Stars were rock solid in front of Vezina Trophy candidate Ben Bishop in 2018-19, but their 29th-ranked offense cost them in the end.
General manager Jim Nill responded to that deficiency this offseason by signing perennial goal-scorer Joe Pavelski and inking two-time All-Star Corey Perry to a one-year deal with little risk. Though their best hockey is behind them, the two veterans should still serve as offensive upgrades relative to who they're replacing.
Keeping trade deadline addition Mats Zuccarello around would have been a bonus, but the 32-year-old wanted a long-term deal and Nill understandably opted to focus on retaining younger homegrown talents in Esa Lindell, Jason Dickinson, and Mattias Janmark.
Veteran Andrej Sekera is also a nice addition to a young Stars defensive core.
Grade: B+Minnesota Wild
Darcy Finley / National Hockey League / GettyKey arrivals| Player | Position | Contract Length | Total Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mats Zuccarello | RW | 5 years | $30M |
| Ryan Hartman | RW | 2 years | $3.8M |
| Player | Position | Transaction |
|---|---|---|
| Pontus Aberg | LW | Signed with TOR |
| Anthony Bitetto | D | Signed with WIN |
| Nate Prosser | D | Signed with PHI |
| Eric Fehr | C | Signed in Switzerland |
| Matt Read | LW | Became UFA |
| Player | Position | New Contract Length | Total Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ryan Donato | C | 2 years | $3.8M |
| Joel Eriksson Ek | C | 2 years | $2.975M |
| Brad Hunt | D | 2 years | $1.4M |
| Player | Position |
|---|---|
| Kevin Fiala | LW |
| Player | Position | Drafted |
|---|---|---|
| Kirill Kaprizov | LW | 5th round (2015) |
| Nico Sturm | C | Undrafted |
| Alexander Khovanov | C | 3rd round (2018) |
| Louie Belpedio | D | 3rd round (2014) |
Firing the general manager in the middle of the offseason is rather disruptive, but Paul Fenton was running the organization into the ground fast. Bill Guerin seems like a good fit for the position, though it's far too early to tell.
The Wild didn't lose any significant pieces this offseason, but a team trying to stay competitive in a cutthroat Central Division didn't add much, either. Zuccarello is a nice playmaker who should help an offense in need, but Minnesota still lacks scoring ability.
The Wild hold just under $8 million in projected cap space heading into the season, and restricted free agent Kevin Fiala remains unsigned, with the GM shuffle possibly to blame. But Guerin needs to get the young Swiss talent on board, and then focus on re-signing defenseman Jared Spurgeon, who's set to become an unrestricted free agent after this season.
Grade: DNashville Predators
John Russell / National Hockey League / GettyKey arrivals| Player | Position | Contract Length | Total Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matt Duchene | C | 7 years | $56M |
| Steven Santini | D | 2 years left | $2.83M |
| Daniel Carr | RW | 1 year | $700K |
| Player | Position | Transaction |
|---|---|---|
| P.K. Subban | D | Traded to NJD |
| Wayne Simmonds | RW | Signed with NJD |
| Brian Boyle | C | Became UFA |
| Zac Rinaldo | LW | Became UFA |
| Player | Position | New Contract Length | Total Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colton Sissons | C | 7 years | $20M |
| Rocco Grimaldi | RW | 1 year | $1M |
| Player | Position | Drafted |
|---|---|---|
| Eeli Tolvanen | RW | 1st round (2017) |
| Dante Fabbro | D | 1st round (2018) |
Could the Predators have fetched more for All-Star defenseman P.K. Subban? Sure, but Subban's $9-million cap hit over each of the next three seasons hindered general manager David Poile's ability to improve the club in other areas.
The Predators used that money to sign Matt Duchene to a long-term deal, and they'll now head into the 2019-20 campaign with their strongest top-six forward group in recent memory. Poile also understands the importance of maintaining cap space with Roman Josi, the team's defensive anchor and captain, slated to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
Parting with slower, aging players in Brian Boyle and Wayne Simmonds was a no-brainer, and locking up depth forward Colton Sissons long term on a contract with a relatively low average annual value ($2.85 million) was a swift move. Promising rookie Dante Fabbro will likely fill Subban's spot on the blue line, with the Predators deploying a more well-rounded team this season.
Grade: ASt. Louis Blues
Bruce Bennett / Getty Images Sport / GettyKey arrivals N/A
Key departures| Player | Position | Transaction |
|---|---|---|
| Pat Maroon | LW | Signed by TB |
| Player | Position | New Contract Length | Total Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oskar Sundqvist | C | 4 years | $11M |
| Jordan Binnington | G | 2 years | $8.8M |
| Carl Gunnarsson | D | 2 years | $3.5M |
| Joel Edmundson | D | 1 year | $3.1M |
| Zach Sanford | LW | 2 years | $3M |
| Ivan Barbashev | C | 2 years | $2.95M |
| Robby Fabbri | C | 1 year | $900K |
| Sammy Blais | LW | 1 year | $850K |
| Player | Position | Drafted |
|---|---|---|
| Jordan Kyrou | C | 2nd round (2016) |
General manager Doug Armstrong made his best effort to keep the Blues' Stanley Cup-winning core intact for a title defense in 2019-20. The team didn't make any significant additions, and it parted with only Pat Maroon. If it's not broken, don't fix it.
The Blues locked up Jordan Binnington for two more seasons at a reasonable price ($4.4 million AAV), and they rewarded other pending free agents with new deals. However, Armstrong will face major decisions next summer. Four key players - including captain Alex Pietrangelo - are set to become unrestricted free agents, and three will be RFAs.
St. Louis did a good job of keeping key players for one more run while still managing the future.
Grade: B+Winnipeg Jets
Jonathan Kozub / National Hockey League / GettyKey arrivals| Player | Position | Contract Length | Total Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neal Pionk | D | 2 years | $6M |
| Gabriel Bourque | LW | 1 year | $700K |
| Player | Position | Transaction |
|---|---|---|
| Jacob Trouba | D | Traded to NYR |
| Tyler Myers | D | Signed by VAN |
| Brandon Tanev | LW | Signed by PIT |
| Ben Chiarot | D | Signed with MTL |
| Player | Position | New Contract Length | Total Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew Copp | C | 2 years | $4.56M |
| Laurent Brossoit | G | 1 year | $1.225M |
| Nathan Beaulieu | D | 1 year | $1M |
| Player | Position |
|---|---|
| Patrik Laine | RW |
| Kyle Connor | LW |
| Player | Position | Drafted |
|---|---|---|
| Kristian Vesalainen | LW | 1st round (2017) |
The summer was a bit of a trainwreck for general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff and the Jets. The club lost half of its defensive core, including two valuable right-shooting blue-liners, and replaced them with inferior talents. Feisty winger Brandon Tanev, who figured prominently in one of the league's best checking lines, also departed in free agency.
The departures were somewhat involuntary, however, as Cheveldayoff has to prioritize re-signing restricted free-agent forwards Patrik Laine and Kyle Connor. But those two young stars remain without new deals, and training camp starts this week.
The RFA market has been stagnant league-wide, but with $15.45 million in projected cap space, the Jets failing to sign either top talent could create a nightmare situation.
Even if the Connor and Laine standoffs get resolved, it feels like the Jets took a step back in a division that's only getting stronger.
Grade: D-Copyright (C) 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.