NHL offseason grades: Atlantic Division
Divisions: Central | Metropolitan | Pacific
With the NHL offseason all but wrapped up, we're handing out comprehensive grades for all 32 teams. The four-part series concludes with an in-depth look at each Atlantic Division club.
Some contract figures are reported. Most players on two-way deals have been omitted.
Boston Bruins
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyKey arrivals| Player | Position | Contract length | AAV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pavel Zacha | F | 1 year | $3.5M |
| David Krejci | F | 1 year | $1M |
| Player | Position | Transaction |
|---|---|---|
| Erik Haula | F | Traded to NJ |
| Curtis Lazar | F | Signed with VAN |
| Player | Position | New contract length | AAV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patrice Bergeron | F | 1 year | $2.5M |
| Player | Position | Drafted |
|---|---|---|
| Fabian Lysell | F | 2021 (1st round) |
| John Beecher | F | 2019 (1st round) |
The Bruins did not have an active summer relative to some of their Atlantic Division counterparts. Boston inked Bergeron to one of the most team-friendly contracts in the league, then brought back Krejci from Czechia after a year away from the NHL. It was a puzzling plan of attack from a side nearing the end of its competitive window that will be missing key players Brad Marchand, Charlie McAvoy, and Matt Grzelcyk to start the season.
Perhaps the lack of action was overshadowed by Boston's decision to fire head coach Bruce Cassidy, who led the Bruins to a .672 points percentage across six seasons at the helm and won a Jack Adams Award in 2019-20. The Bruins' core possibly needed a new voice, and a first-round loss was surely a disappointing end to a solid 2021-22 season, but how quickly the Vegas Golden Knights scooped Cassidy up speaks to his pedigree behind the bench and reputation around the league.
It's difficult to get a full read on Boston's summer until we see how the club responds under Jim Montgomery, but he faces an uphill battle off the hop based on who's missing from the lineup. One thing the Bruins did well this offseason was leaving their books wide open for a potential David Pastrnak extension. Some fans surely would have liked to see a deal get done the second it became a possibility, but the club only has $58 million committed to the 2023-24 season, leaving plenty of room to give its most dynamic offensive weapon a considerable raise should he opt against testing the open market.
Grade: CBuffalo Sabres
Ben Green / National Hockey League / GettyKey arrivals| Player | Position | Contract length | AAV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ilya Lyubushkin | D | 2 years | $2.75M |
| Eric Comrie | G | 2 years | $1.8M |
| Player | Position | Transaction |
|---|---|---|
| Colin Miller | D | Signed with DAL |
| Mark Pysyk | D | Signed with DET |
| Player | Position | New contract length | AAV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tage Thompson | F | 7 years | $7.142M (starts in 2023-24) |
| Victor Olofsson | F | 2 years | $4.75M |
| Vinnie Hinostroza | F | 1 year | $1.7M |
| Jacob Bryson | D | 2 years | $1.85M |
| Craig Anderson | G | 1 year | $1.5M |
| Malcolm Subban | G | 1 year | $800K |
| Player | Position | Drafted |
|---|---|---|
| Owen Power | D | 2021 (1st round) |
| Jack Quinn | F | 2020 (1st round) |
| John-Jason Peterka | F | 2020 (2nd round) |
The Sabres had plenty of bright spots last season despite missing the playoffs again, and the front office shrewdly kept most of its business in-house this summer rather than spending lavishly to accelerate a rebuild that still needs some time. Buffalo still has plenty of youth to infuse into its lineup before the team can truly start ascending the ranks. Based on the loaded prospect pipeline, it may happen sooner than projected, but staying the course this summer was the right move.
Buffalo's two free-agent adds weren't headliner signings, but both are essentially risk-free contracts that help provide depth. Lyubushkin is a quality right-side defender, while Comrie sneakily put up great numbers for a porous Winnipeg Jets team last season. The 27-year-old posted a .920 save percentage with 7.2 goals saved above average in 19 appearances, and if he can handle a bigger workload, he should form a reliable tandem in the crease with veteran Craig Anderson.
The Thompson extension was the Sabres' most notable offseason move, which is a serious gamble any way you slice it. The soon-to-be 25-year-old broke out in major fashion last year, tallying 38 goals and looking like a franchise player. If that's the new and improved Thompson, Buffalo makes out great. If his terrific campaign was an outlier and the Sabres have another Jeff Skinner situation on their hands, Kevyn Adams should prepare for heavy criticism.
Grade: BDetroit Red Wings
Gregory Shamus / Getty Images Sport / GettyKey arrivals| Player | Position | Contract length | AAV |
|---|---|---|---|
| David Perron | F | 2 years | $4.75M |
| Andrew Copp | F | 5 years | $5.625M |
| Dominik Kubalik | F | 2 years | $2.5M |
| Ben Chiarot | D | 4 years | $4.75M |
| Robert Hagg | D | 1 year | $800K |
| Olli Maatta | D | 1 year | $2.25M |
| Ville Husso | G | 3 years | $4.75M |
| Player | Position | Transaction |
|---|---|---|
| Marc Staal | D | Signed with FLA |
| Thomas Greiss | G | Signed with STL |
| Player | Position | New contract length | AAV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filip Zadina | F | 3 years | $1.825M |
| Jake Walman | D | 1 year | $1.05M |
| Player | Position | Drafted |
|---|---|---|
| Simon Edvinsson | D | 2021 (1st round) |
Steve Yzerman added like a madman in free agency, completely transforming the outlook of Detroit's roster with a slew of moves that should instantly help the Red Wings become more competitive. Bringing in Copp, Perron, and Kubalik creates a much deeper top nine, and the veteran presence should help insulate the club's young stars on and off the ice.
Not only did Yzerman revamp Detroit's forward corps, but he pounced on Husso to create a formidable goaltending tandem alongside Alex Nedeljkovic. Husso was in high demand in a red-hot goalie market this offseason after a strong year with the St. Louis Blues, and the Red Wings surrendered only a third-round pick to acquire the netminder and subsequently sign him to a three-year extension at a modest price.
The Wings needed more experience on their blue line, and Yzerman found that, too, but the four-year deal for Chiarot might be the savvy GM's only swing-and-miss of the offseason. Chiarot has routinely posted some of the worst defensive metrics in the NHL, and paying such a high price for intangibles tends to backfire in a league so reliant on cap space. Luckily for Detroit, it has a projected $41 million in cap space next season, so the rugged blue-liner's questionable deal shouldn't hold the Wings back too much as they look to climb the ranks in the league's deepest division.
Grade: AFlorida Panthers
Eliot J. Schechter / National Hockey League / GettyKey arrivals| Player | Position | Contract length | AAV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew Tkachuk | F | 8 years | $9.5M (after trade with CGY) |
| Nick Cousins | F | 2 years | $1.1M |
| Colin White | F | 1 year | $1.2M |
| Rudolfs Balcers | F | 1 year | $750K |
| Marc Staal | D | 1 year | $750K |
| Player | Position | Transaction |
|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Huberdeau | F | Traded to CGY |
| MacKenzie Weegar | F | Traded to CGY |
| Claude Giroux | F | Signed with OTT |
| Mason Marchment | F | Signed with DAL |
| Ben Chiarot | D | Signed with DET |
| Player | Position | New contract length | AAV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eetu Luostarinen | F | 2 years | $1.5M |
| Player | Position | Drafted |
|---|---|---|
| Grigori Denisenko | F | 2018 (1st round) |
Fresh off winning the Presidents' Trophy, the Panthers chose chaos this offseason. They swung one of the biggest trades in NHL history but also lost more talent than arguably any other team in the league. If that wasn't enough, Florida opted not to retain Andrew Brunette, who was a finalist for coach of the year. Maybe the sting of having their biggest rival sweep them in the second round led to some knee-jerk reactions, but regardless of the root cause of the Panthers' decisions this summer, it's difficult to say they've improved.
Tkachuk is a fantastic player, and if he flanks Aleksander Barkov, that's easily one of the best two-way top lines in the NHL. Giving up Huberdeau in the deal was fair value, but throwing in MacKenzie Weegar was a head-scratcher. He's one of the league's premier puck-moving defensemen, and now Florida's left side is comprised of Gustav Forsling, Lucas Carlsson, and Marc Staal - not the most inspiring group for a contender.
Due to Barkov's $10 million AAV extension kicking in and Tkachuk's new $9.5-million cap hit, Florida didn't have the space to make any splashy signings this summer. The Panthers also saw three key players walk out the door in Marchment, Giroux, and Chiarot - two they paid a huge price for to help their playoff push. Florida is now without a first-round pick in the next three drafts and is set to ice a less talented team led by a new voice this coming season. The Panthers' window to win a Stanley Cup isn't closed, but it's much smaller than it was a mere four months ago.
Grade: DMontreal Canadiens
Bruce Bennett / Getty Images Sport / GettyKey arrivals| Player | Position | Contract length | AAV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kirby Dach | F | 4 years | $3.36M (after trade with CHI) |
| Sean Monahan | F | 1 year | $6.375M (after trade with CGY) |
| Evgenii Dadonov | F | 1 year | $5M (after trade with VGK) |
| Mike Matheson | D | 4 years | $4.875M (after trade with PIT) |
| Player | Position | Transaction |
|---|---|---|
| Ryan Poehling | F | Traded to PIT |
| Jeff Petry | D | Traded to PIT |
| Shea Weber | D | Traded to VGK |
| Alexander Romanov | D | Traded to NYI |
| Player | Position | New contract length | AAV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rem Pitlick | F | 2 years | $1.1M |
| Michael Pezzetta | F | 1 year | $750K |
| Chris Wideman | D | 2 years | $762K |
| Sam Montembeault | G | 2 years | $1M |
| Player | Position | Drafted |
|---|---|---|
| Juraj Slafkovsky | F | 1st round (2022) |
| Justin Barron | D | 1st round (2020 by COL) |
In his first offseason as GM, Kent Hughes did what was necessary. There was no quick-fix option for the Canadiens, but there was still plenty of business to handle. The first task was trading Petry, who had been rumored to be on the move for months before the club finally dealt him to the Pittsburgh Penguins. The trade gave Montreal some much-needed financial flexibility, as did the Shea Weber cap dump. Without those moves, stashing Carey Price's cap hit on LTIR would have been a significant headache.
The draft is where Hughes made most of the Habs' headlines this summer. He surprised many by taking Slafkovsky over Shane Wright, and only time will tell if that was the right decision. The initial shock factor was significant, but based on Slafkovsky's physical gifts and how he's carried himself through limited media interactions thus far, it's easy to see why Montreal was enamored with the powerful Slovakian winger.
Montreal also orchestrated a three-way trade to acquire Dach - a sort of low-risk, high-reward reclamation project for a young player looking to find his way in the NHL. Based on early returns from the club's youth under Martin St. Louis, it's reasonable to assume the head coach will be able to find a way to get the most out of Dach like he did with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield shortly after taking over behind the bench last winter.
The Canadiens may still be a few years away, but Hughes did nothing this summer to steer the early stages of his rebuild off track.
Grade: B-Ottawa Senators
Andre Ringuette / National Hockey League / GettyKey arrivals| Player | Position | Contract length | AAV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alex DeBrincat | F | 1 year | $6.4M (after trade with CHI) |
| Claude Giroux | F | 3 years | $6.5M |
| Tyler Motte | F | 1 year | $1.35M |
| Cam Talbot | G | 1 year | $3.66M (after trade with MIN) |
| Player | Position | Transaction |
|---|---|---|
| Connor Brown | F | Traded to WSH |
| Colin White | F | Bought out |
| Michael Del Zotto | D | Bought out |
| Matt Murray | G | Traded to TOR |
| Filip Gustavsson | G | Traded to MIN |
| Player | Position | New contract length | AAV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tim Stutzle | F | 8 years | $8.35M (starting in 2023-24) |
| Josh Norris | F | 8 years | $7.95M |
| Mathieu Joseph | F | 4 years | $2.95M |
| Dylan Gambrell | F | 1 year | $950K |
| Erik Brannstrom | D | 1 year | $900K |
| Player | Position | Drafted |
|---|---|---|
| Shane Pinto | F | 2nd round (2019) |
| Ridly Greig | F | 1st round (2020) |
| Jake Sanderson | D | 1st round (2021) |
The Senators stole the show during the Summer of Pierre. Thanks to an impressive collection of trades, signings, and extensions from GM Pierre Dorion, Ottawa has manufactured some major playoff-or-bust expectations heading into the 2022-23 season.
It began with the blockbuster acquisition of DeBrincat at the draft. The 40-goal marksman adds a new element to Ottawa's attack, and he should make a major impact in the top six and on the power play. The Senators then added some veteran flair in Giroux and upgraded in goal, grabbing a disgruntled Talbot from the Minnesota Wild. Overall, Ottawa's lineup now exists beyond its young core and, on paper, appears deep enough to challenge for the postseason.
In addition to bringing in some new blood, the Senators dished out long-term extensions to Norris and Stutzle. They each carry hefty price tags, but if both players continue their current trajectories, the cost of locking them up early will be well worth it.
Grade: A+Tampa Bay Lightning
Mark LoMoglio / National Hockey League / GettyKey arrivals| Player | Position | Contract length | AAV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vladislav Namestnikov | F | 1 year | $2.5M |
| Ian Cole | D | 1 year | $3M |
| Philippe Myers | D | 2 years | $2.25M (2022-23)/$1.4M (2023-24) |
| Haydn Fleury | D | 2 years | $762K |
| Player | Position | Transaction |
|---|---|---|
| Ondrej Palat | F | Signed with NJ |
| Ryan McDonagh | D | Traded to NSH |
| Jan Rutta | D | Signed with PIT |
| Player | Position | New contract length | AAV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nick Paul | F | 7 years | $3.125M |
| Anthony Cirelli | F | 8 years* | $6.25M |
| Mikhail Sergachev | D | 8 years* | $8.5M |
| Erik Cernak | D | 8 years* | $5.2M |
* - Extensions begin in 2023-24
You don't go to three consecutive Stanley Cup Finals without having a ton of key contributors. The Lightning lost two and retained four in a quiet summer after falling short of a three-peat against the Colorado Avalanche.
Losing veterans like Palat and McDonagh hurts, but there simply wasn't enough money to keep them in Tampa Bay. Offloading the remaining four years of McDonagh's $6.75 million cap hit could be a blessing in disguise for the Bolts, especially if Cernak and Sergachev continue to grow the way the franchise expects. The max-term extensions each blue-liner holds will be a major factor in how long Tampa can remain a powerhouse, eating up a combined $13.7 million until 2031. The same goes for Paul's and Cirelli's new contracts - they're the future of the club down the middle of the ice.
The Lightning couldn't spend on any notable free agents, and it's too early to tell how their in-house bets will pan out. This wasn't a critical offseason in Tampa Bay by any means, and given Julien BriseBois' track record since taking over the Bolts' front office, we'll dish out a fair but non-spectacular verdict.
Grade: BToronto Maple Leafs
Steve Russell / Toronto Star / GettyKey arrivals| Player | Position | Contract length | AAV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calle Jarnkrok | F | 4 years | $2.1M |
| Nicolas Aube-Kubel | F | 1 year | $1M |
| Adam Gaudette | F | 1 year | $750K |
| Victor Mete | D | 1 year | $750K |
| Jordie Benn | D | 1 year | $750K |
| Matt Murray | G | 2 years | $4.687M (after trade with OTT) |
| Ilya Samsonov | G | 1 year | $1.8M |
| Player | Position | Transaction |
|---|---|---|
| Ilya Mikheyev | F | Signed with VAN |
| Jason Spezza | F | Retired |
| Colin Blackwell | F | Signed with CHI |
| Ondrej Kase | F | Signed with CAR |
| Ilya Lyubushkin | D | Signed with BUF |
| Jack Campbell | G | Signed with EDM |
| Petr Mrazek | G | Traded to CHI |
| Player | Position | New contract length | AAV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pierre Engvall | F | 1 year | $2.25M |
| Timothy Liljegren | D | 2 years | $1.4M |
| Mark Giordano | D | 2 years | $800K |
| Player | Position | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Rasmus Sandin | D | RFA |
| Player | Position | Drafted |
|---|---|---|
| Nick Robertson | F | 2nd round (2019) |
| Matthew Knies* | F | 2nd round (2021) |
* - Knies will play the upcoming season at the University of Minnesota but is eligible to join the Leafs when the NCAA campaign is over.
It was a sour case of deja vu for the Maple Leafs and their fans again this offseason. After squandering another opportunity in the first round of the playoffs, passionate supporters screamed for major changes - but instead, they received a brand new goaltending duo with much to prove and an array of fringe singings.
Toronto remains immensely talented and should be a shoo-in for the playoffs, but many are questioning the strength of the Leafs' new Murray-Samsonov tandem. The moves defined Kyle Dubas' offseason after letting Campbell walk, and the GM is hopeful one - or preferably both - of his new netminders can shake off some difficult recent years and deliver reliable goaltending for a team that ranked 29th in save percentage last campaign and still managed 115 points. Dubas' experiment with Mrazek last season blew up in his face, and if his latest roll of the dice doesn't work, his tenure in Toronto is probably over.
The Leafs added some strong bottom-six players and took a flier on a pair of veteran blue-liners. As of now, Sandin remains unsigned, and another contract negotiation lingering into the season won't relieve any pressure on Dubas as he embarks on his most critical year yet.
The narrative around the underachieving Maple Leafs for much of the Auston Matthews era has been simple: This has to be the year the club breaks through, or else the core and/or the front office will face significant repercussions. Six consecutive first-round eliminations later, and all the key pieces remain intact. Truly, though, with only two years remaining on Matthews' deal, this has to be the year the club breaks through.
Grade: B-Copyright (C) 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.