Divisions:
Metropolitan | Central
Pacific | Atlantic
The Atlantic Divison is arguably the best in the league. Last season it featured three 100-plus-point teams, including the Presidents' Trophy-winning Tampa Bay Lightning and the Eastern Conference champion Boston Bruins.
However, the bottom of the division is nothing to write home about. The Ottawa Senators are the league's worst team and the Detroit Red Wings aren't much better.
But after the Florida Panthers' huge offseason, there are four Atlantic teams with legitimate Stanley Cup aspirations and at least five that will compete for a playoff spot.
Some contract figures are reported. Most players on two-way deals have been omitted. Total contract value doesn't include bonuses.
Boston Bruins
Maddie Meyer / Getty Images Sport / GettyKey arrivals
| Player | Positon | Contract Length | Total value |
|---|
| Brett Ritchie | RW | 1 year | $1M |
| Par Lindholm | C/LW | 2 years | $1.7M |
Key departures
| Player | Position | Transaction |
|---|
| Marcus Johansson | LW | Signed with BUF |
| Noel Acciari | C | Signed with FLA |
| Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson | C | Signed in Sweden |
Re-signed
| Player | Position | New contract length | Total value |
|---|
| Danton Heinen | LW | 2 years | $5.6M |
| Connor Clifton | D | 3 years | $3M |
| Steven Kampfer | D | 2 years | $1.6M |
Unsigned RFAs
| Player | Position |
|---|
| Charlie McAvoy | D |
| Brandon Carlo | D |
Rookies who could crack the lineup
| Player | Position | Drafted |
|---|
| Trent Frederic | C | 1st round (2016) |
| Urho Vaakanainen | D | 1st round (2017) |
| Karson Kuhlman | RW | Undrafted |
| Pavel Shen | C | 7th round (2018) |
With the Bruins holding limited cap space, this offseason was all about re-signing McAvoy and Carlo, and to date, they haven't checked the former off the list. Don Sweeney is a fantastic GM, but he didn't improve the team at all, making it tough to give him a high grade.
Grade: C-Buffalo Sabres
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyKey arrivals
| Player | Position | Contract Length | Total value |
|---|
| Marcus Johansson | LW | 2 years | $9M |
| Colin Miller | D | 3 years | $11.625M (trade with VGK) |
| Jimmy Vesey | LW | 1 year | $2.275M (trade with NYR) |
| Henri Jokiharju | D | 2 years | $1.9M (trade with CHI) |
Key departures
| Player | Position | Transaction |
|---|
| Jason Pominville | RW | Free agent |
| Alex Nylander | RW | Traded to CHI |
Re-signed
| Player | Position | New contract length | Total value |
|---|
| Jeff Skinner | LW | 8 years | $72M |
| Jake McCabe | D | 2 years | $5.7M |
| Evan Rodrigues | C | 1 year | $2M |
| Zemgus Girgensons | C/LW | 1 year | $1.6M |
| Johan Larsson | LW | 1 year | $1.55M |
| Linus Ullmark | G | 1 year | $1.325M |
Rookies who could crack the lineup
| Player | Position | Drafted |
|---|
| Dylan Cozens | C | 1st round (2019) |
| Arttu Ruotsalainen | C/LW | Undrafted |
| Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen | G | 2nd round (2017) |
| Victor Olofsson | LW | 7th round (2014) |
The Sabres added Miller and Jokiharju to significantly upgrade their blue line, and they also acquired Brandon Montour at the deadline. That seemingly paved the way to trade Rasmus Ristolainen for a much-needed top-six forward, but a deal hasn't materialized. Johansson and Vesey are nice, low-risk additions up front, but neither player moves the needle much.
Jason Botterill's best piece of work this offseason was re-signing Skinner. The forward's new contract may seem like a bit of an overpay, but that's usually the cost to convince someone to stay in western New York. Plus, it's far better than the alternative of watching him walk for nothing.
Ralph Krueger is a nice hire to replace Phil Housley behind the bench, but the Sabres still aren't ready to hang with the big boys in this division. They're headed in the right direction, though.
Grade: B+Detroit Red Wings
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyKey arrivals
| Player | Position | Contract Length | Total value |
|---|
| Patrik Nemeth | D | 2 years | $6M |
| Valtteri Filppula | C/LW | 2 years | $6M |
| Adam Erne | LW | 1 year | $1.05M (trade with TB) |
Key departures
| Player | Position | Transaction |
|---|
| Thomas Vanek | LW | Free agent |
| Niklas Kronwall | D | Retired |
| Martin Frk | RW | Signed with LA |
Re-signed
N/A
Rookies who could crack the lineup
| Player | Position | Drafted |
|---|
| Moritz Seider | D | 1st round (2019) |
| Taro Hirose | LW | Undrafted |
| Oliwer Kaski | D | Undrafted |
| Filip Zadina | RW | 1st round (2018) |
| Joe Veleno | C | 1st round (2018) |
| Evgeny Svechnikov | LW | 1st round (2015) |
Steve Yzerman's first summer as the Red Wings' GM was rather quiet.
There isn't anything wrong with that because the club is in rebuild mode, and the prospect pipeline - which grew after a pair of nice signings - should begin to bear fruit in no time.
Grade: CFlorida Panthers
Kirk Irwin / Getty Images Sport / GettyKey arrivals
| Player | Position | Contract Length | Total value |
|---|
| Sergei Bobrovsky | G | 7 years | $70M |
| Anton Stralman | D | 3 years | $16.5M |
| Brett Connolly | RW | 4 years | $14M |
| Noel Acciari | C | 3 years | $5M |
Key departures
| Player | Position | Transaction |
|---|
| Roberto Luongo | G | Retired |
| James Reimer | G | Traded to CAR |
| Riley Sheahan | C | Signed with EDM |
| Jamie McGinn | LW | Free agent |
| Derek MacKenzie | C | Retired |
Re-signed
| Player | Position | New contract length | Total value |
|---|
| MacKenzie Weegar | D | 1 year | $1.6M |
| Denis Malgin | RW | 1 year | $750K |
| Samuel Montembeault | G | 1 year | $709K |
| Ian McCoshen | D | 1 year | $700K |
Rookies who could crack the lineup
| Player | Position | Drafted |
|---|
| Owen Tippett | RW | 1st round (2017) |
| Aleksi Heponiemi | C | 2nd round (2017) |
The Panthers overpaid during free agency, and they were able to pursue that path due to a number of bargain in-house contracts. Bobrovsky provides a desperately needed solution between the pipes, while Stralman should become a steadying presence on the blue line. Connolly could shine with more ice time, and Acciari is a nice depth piece.
Florida also landed the top coaching option available in Joel Quenneville, who's arguably the league's best bench boss.
There was already a talented core assembled in Florida. But after filling out the roster, the Panthers are the most improved team in the league (sorry, Rangers), and a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.
Grade: AMontreal Canadiens
Francois Lacasse / National Hockey League / GettyKey arrivals
| Player | Position | Contract Length | Total value |
|---|
| Ben Chiarot | D | 3 years | $10.5M |
| Nick Cousins | C | 1 year | $1M |
| Keith Kinkaid | G | 1 year | $1.75M |
Key departures
| Player | Position | Transaction |
|---|
| Jordie Benn | D | Signed in VAN |
| Antti Niemi | G | Signed in KHL |
| Tomas Plekanec | C | Signed in Czech Republic |
Re-signed
| Player | Position | New contract length | Total value |
|---|
| Joel Armia | RW | 2 years | $5.2M |
| Artturi Lehkonen | LW | 2 years | $4.8M |
| Brett Kulak | D | 3 years | $5.5M |
| Mike Rielly | D | 2 years | $3M |
| Charles Hudon | LW | 1 year | $800K |
Rookies who could crack the lineup
| Player | Position | Drafted |
|---|
| Ryan Poehling | C | 1st round (2017) |
The analytics community would argue that Chiarot is actually a downgrade from Benn, but the Habs decided to pay the former Winnipeg Jets blue-liner nearly double what the Vancouver Canucks gave Benn. Meanwhile, Montreal probably could've landed Jake Gardiner for a bit more (both in AAV and term) than what they handed Chiarot.
The Canadiens didn't make the necessary moves this offseason to become a playoff favorite. Their forward group is deep, but Montreal's defense didn't get the upgrade it needed. If Shea Weber misses any time, the Habs will be in tough to compete for the East's second wild-card spot - which is their ceiling in this division.
An embarrassing attempt to pry Sebastian Aho away from the Carolina Hurricanes sums up Marc Bergevin's summer.
Grade: DOttawa Senators
Jeff Vinnick / National Hockey League / GettyKey arrivals
| Player | Position | Contract Length | Total value |
|---|
| Nikita Zaitsev | D | 5 years | $22.5M (Trade with TOR) |
| Connor Brown | RW | 1 year | $2.5M (Trade with TOR) |
| Ron Hainsey | D | 1 year | $3.5M |
| Tyler Ennis | LW | 1 year | $800K |
| Artem Anisimov | C | 2 years | $9.1M (Trade with CHI) |
Key departures
| Player | Position | Transaction |
|---|
| Zack Smith | C/LW | Traded to CHI |
| Cody Ceci | D | Traded to TOR |
| Ben Harpur | D | Traded to TOR |
Re-signed
| Player | Position | New contract length | Total value |
|---|
| Colin White | C | 6 years | $28.5M |
| Anders Nilsson | G | 2 years | $5.2M |
| Anthony Duclair | LW/RW | 1 year | $1.65M |
Rookies who could crack the lineup
| Player | Position | Drafted |
|---|
| Drake Batherson | C | 4th round (2017) |
| Logan Brown | C | 1st round (2016) |
| Josh Norris | C | 1st round (2017 - SJ) |
| Alex Formenton | LW | 2nd round (2017) |
| Vitaly Abramov | LW | 3rd round (2016 - CLB) |
| Erik Brannstrom | D | 1st round (2017 - VGK) |
| Filip Gustavsson | G | 2nd round (2016 - PIT) |
Everything the Senators did this summer was about money. Every trade they made was done to land a player whose average annual value is higher than his actual salary. That allows the club to get to the cap floor while spending as little as possible, which was the plan all along.
Ottawa executed that strategy well, and it's not the worst idea for a rebuilding team with limited financial resources.
There are many young and exciting players on the Sens' roster, but the team will be bad enough to give itself a shot at landing the 2020 first overall pick.
Grade: C+Tampa Bay Lightning
Scott Audette / National Hockey League / GettyKey arrivals
| Player | Position | Contract Length | Total value |
|---|
| Curtis McElhinney | G | 2 years | $2.6M |
| Kevin Shattenkirk | D | 1 year | $1.75M |
| Pat Maroon | LW | 1 year | $900K |
| Luke Schenn | D | 1 year | $700K |
Key departures
| Player | Position | Transaction |
|---|
| Anton Stralman | D | Signed with FLA |
| J.T. Miller | LW | Traded to VAN |
| Dan Girardi | D | Free agent |
| Adam Erne | LW | Traded to DET |
Re-signed
| Player | Position | New contract length | Total value |
|---|
| Andre Vasilevskiy | G | 8 years | $76M |
| Cedric Paqiette | C | 2 years | 3.3M |
| Braydon Coburn | D | 2 years | $3.4M |
| Jan Rutta | D | 1 year | $1.3M |
Unsigned RFAs
| Player | Position |
|---|
| Brayden Point | C |
Rookies who could crack the lineup
| Player | Position | Drafted |
|---|
| Boris Katchouk | LW | 2nd round (2016) |
| Danick Martel | LW | Undrafted |
| Cal Foote | D | 1st round (2017) |
Julien BriseBois' first summer as GM of the Lightning was pretty stellar. He kept most of the gang together, and the player he did part with (Miller) was swapped for a first-round pick.
Not getting Point signed puts a slight damper on the offseason, but the club should be able to ink him with its remaining cap space. And when the Lightning do that, they'll be considered Stanley Cup favorites.
Grade: B-Toronto Maple Leafs
Michael Martin / National Hockey League / GettyKey arrivals
| Player | Position | Contract Length | Total value |
|---|
| Tyson Barrie | D | 1 year | $2.75M |
| Alexander Kerfoot | C | 4 years | |
| Cody Ceci | D | 1 year | $4.5M (Trade with OTT) |
| Ben Harpur | D | 1 year | $725K (Trade with OTT) |
| Jason Spezza | C/RW | 1 year | $700K |
| Kenny Agostino | LW | 2 years | $1.475M |
| Nick Shore | C | 1 year | $750K |
| Garrett Wilson | LW | 1 year | $725K |
| Pontus Aberg | RW | 1 year | 700K |
| Jordan Schmaltz | D | 1 year | $700K (Trade with STL) |
| Michal Neuvirth | G | PTO | |
Key departures
| Player | Position | Transaction |
|---|
| Nazem Kadri | C | Traded to COL |
| Jake Gardiner | D | Signed with CAR |
| Patrick Marleau | LW | Traded to CAR |
| Nikita Zaitsev | D | Traded to OTT |
| Ron Hainsey | D | Signed with OTT |
| Connor Brown | RW | Traded to OTT |
| Tyler Ennis | LW | Signed with OTT |
| Calle Rosen | D | Trade to COL |
| Igor Ozhiganov | D | Signed in KHL |
| Garret Sparks | G | Traded to VGK |
Re-signed
| Player | Position | New contract length | Total value |
|---|
| Andreas Johnsson | LW | 4 years | $13.6M |
| Kasperi Kapanen | RW | 3 years | $9.6M |
| Alexander Kerfoot | C | 4 years | $14M |
| Cody Ceci | D | 1 year | $4.5M |
Unsigned RFAs
| Player | Position |
|---|
| Mitch Marner | RW |
Rookies who could crack the lineup
| Player | Position | Drafted |
|---|
| Ilya Mikheyev | LW | Undrafted |
| Rasmus Sandin | D | 1st round (2018) |
| Timothy Liljegren | D | 1st round (2017) |
The Leafs were one of the busiest teams this summer, and GM Kyle Dubas deserves credit for getting out from under a tough cap situation while also addressing team needs.
Dubas amazingly shipped out Marleau and Zaitsev, and their bloated contracts. For Marleau, it cost Dubas a first-round pick, but that was worth it to free up $6.25 million in cap room, which the team used to sign Kapanen and Johnsson.
Ceci is essentially a right-handed version of Hainsey, but he comes with far more upside, and the 25-year-old could perform better after a change of scenery.
Dubas also added Barrie, another much-needed right-handed defenseman. The electrifying blue-liner fits the Leafs' up-tempo skill game. If he re-signs before his contract expires next summer, the trade was a win for Toronto. If not, Kerfoot - who was acquired in the same deal - should be a decent and cheaper Kadri replacement.
The only thing preventing a higher grade here is not re-signing Marner yet, though Dubas is apparently pulling out all the stops.
Grade: A-
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