Ranking the 10 best acquisitions from the 2022 NHL offseason
The NHL offseason always provides plenty of player movement, and 2022 was no exception. We decided to analyze the best summer additions based on how players have fit into their new surroundings through the one-third mark of the season. We also factored in acquisition cost, contract, and long-term outlook into these rankings.
On Friday, we'll rank the 10 worst acquisitions from the offseason. But first, without further ado, the 10 best:
- xGF% = the share of expected goals a team produces while a player is on the ice at five-on-five
- GSAx = goals saved above expected
Murray:
| Rec. | GAA | SV% | SO | GSAx |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7-1-2 | 2.50 | .926 | 1 | 7.92 |
Acquisition: Trade with Senators
Contract: 2 years, $4.7M average annual value
Samsonov:
| Rec. | GAA | SV% | SO | GSAx |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9-2-0 | 1.70 | .939 | 2 | 11.18 |
Acquisition: UFA signing
Contract: 1 year, $1.8M AAV
We decided to group Toronto's two additions between the pipes together. Even though Samsonov's numbers are slightly better than Murray's, both have been exceptional and rank in the top 10 in the league in GSAx.
The acquisition cost makes these moves even more impressive. The Senators retained 25% of Murray's $6.25-million cap hit and sent the Leafs a 2023 third-round pick and 2024 seventh-rounder just to take him. Samsonov, meanwhile, is just 25 years old and a restricted free agent at season's end.
Availability is the only knock on Toronto's goalie tandem, as they've both missed time with injuries. But when healthy, Murray and Samsonov have formed the best goalie duo in the league and are the primary reason for the Leafs' sparkling 19-5-6 record.
3. Matthew Tkachuk, Panthers
Eliot J. Schechter / National Hockey League / Getty| GP | G | A | ATOI | xGF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | 14 | 25 | 20:39 | 62.04 |
Acquisition: Trade with Flames
Contract: 8 years, $9.5M AAV
There's no denying the Panthers paid a steep price for Tkachuk - Jonathan Huberdeau, MacKenzie Weegar, prospect Cole Schwindt, and a first-round pick. Weegar's presence on defense has been especially missed, but what's given Florida some short-term pain is setting up for long-term gain.
Tkachuk's all-around play this season has been literally off the charts.
Evolving-Hockey.comAt just 25 years old, his contract should age beautifully for the Panthers as the cap rises. Along with Aleksander Barkov, Tkachuk gives Florida another elite, two-way forward to build around. Huberdeau, meanwhile, isn't as well-rounded and is showing this season that his best days may be behind him.
4. Alexandar Georgiev, Avalanche| Rec. | GAA | SV% | SO | GSAx |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11-5-2 | 2.65 | .920 | 1 | 2.29 |
Acquisition: Trade with Rangers
Contract: 3 years, $3.4M AAV
It can't be easy coming in as the new starter for the defending Stanley Cup champions, but Georgiev has handled the pressure just fine in Colorado.
We're not going to pretend his acquisition didn't come with risk. Georgiev had never really been tasked with being a team's No. 1 option, and he spent the previous two campaigns in Igor Shesterkin's shadow. So far, the gamble has paid off for the Avalanche. Georgiev boasts a sterling .935 save percentage at even strength, which ranks fifth best among all goalies to make at least 10 starts this season.
The 26-year-old has come up big for the injury-riddled Avalanche, and all they had to give up for him was a trio of draft picks coming in the third round or later. Georgiev's cap hit looks even better once you consider that some of the league's highest-paid goalies are having a ... ahem ... rough start to the year.
5. Kevin Fiala, Kings
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty| GP | G | A | ATOI | xGF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | 9 | 23 | 17:23 | 52.5 |
Acquisition: Trade with Wild
Contract: 7 years, $7.875M AAV
Fiala was the Wild's first casualty of the costly Ryan Suter and Zach Parise contract buyouts. But you won't catch the Kings shedding any tears for their Western Conference rivals' cap crunch.
It isn't every day that a 26-year-old forward coming off an 85-point season becomes available. All Los Angeles had to give up to acquire Fiala's services was a 2022 first-rounder and prospect Brock Faber. That arguably isn't too big of a hit given the Kings' deep prospect pool.
Fiala immediately signed on for the long haul in Los Angeles, and he's already fitting in with his new squad, pacing the team in assists and points. If he can continue to produce at a point-per-game rate, his deal will look even sweeter once the cap rises.
6. Andrei Kuzmenko, Canucks| GP | G | A | ATOI | xGF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | 13 | 13 | 15:38 | 50.07 |
Acquisition: UFA signing
Contract: 1 year, $1.8M AAV
Kuzmenko is playing like a guy who carries a way bigger cap hit than $950,000 for the Canucks. His value alone is what landed him on this list.
Among all players with a cap hit of less than $1 million this campaign, Kuzmenko's 26 points are the third-most in the league, behind Tim Stutzle - who will make $8.35 million next season - and Dylan Cozens - who's due for a raise as a restricted free agent this summer. Kuzmenko also ranks fifth in the league in cost per point ($36,538).
That's decent company for a player getting his first taste of NHL action this campaign. Given his cheap contract and strong performance, Kuzmenko could become an extremely coveted trade chip should Vancouver decide to sell.
7. Dominik Kubalik, Red Wings
Steve Babineau / National Hockey League / Getty| GP | G | A | ATOI | xGF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | 10 | 15 | 16:22 | 42.09 |
Acquisition: UFA signing
Contract: 2 years, $2.5M AAV
The Red Wings probably aren't wondering why the Chicago Blackhawks opted not to tender a qualifying offer to Kubalik last summer, allowing him to walk as an unrestricted free agent. They're probably just thankful.
This season, Kubalik looks far more like the player who was named a finalist for the Calder Trophy in 2020. The 27-year-old logged only 15 goals and 32 points in 78 games last campaign. He's close to surpassing those totals just 29 contests into 2022-23.
What's even better for the Red Wings is they're paying less than $3 million for that production. Nice move, Steve Yzerman.
8. Andre Burakovsky, Kraken| GP | G | A | ATOI | xGF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | 10 | 17 | 17:26 | 47.33 |
Acquisition: UFA signing
Contract: 5 years, $5.5M AAV
What did the Kraken need more of during their inaugural season? Goal-scoring! What did they get last offseason? Goal-scorers!
Burakovsky leads Seattle with 27 points and ranks third on the team with 10 goals, six coming at even strength. One of the Kraken's biggest weaknesses last campaign was five-on-five scoring, which Burakovsky has helped rectify.
The two-time Stanley Cup champion has averaged 20 goals over the past three seasons, and he's currently on pace for almost 30 tallies. He's also only 27. When you couple that with Burakovsky's recent production, the Kraken certainly won't be losing sleep over his $5.5-million cap hit.
9. Kirby Dach, Canadiens
Derek Cain / Getty Images Sport / Getty| GP | G | A | ATOI | xGF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | 5 | 15 | 17:35 | 51.17 |
Acquisition: 3-way trade with Blackhawks, Islanders
Contract: 4 years, $3.36M AAV
Essentially, all Montreal gave up for Dach was defenseman Alexander Romanov and the Nos. 66 and 98 picks in the 2022 draft. That seems like some tidy business considering Dach has shown consistent flashes of the potential that led him to be drafted third overall in 2019.
Many labeled Dach a bust after his three underwhelming years in Chicago. However, that always seemed foolish considering he's just 21 years old, 6-foot-4, skates well for his size, and has terrific hands. Players develop on their own trajectory, and sometimes a change of scenery helps.
10. John Marino, Devils| GP | G | A | ATOI | xGF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | 2 | 6 | 21:32 | 52.57 |
Acquisition: Trade with Penguins
Contract: 5 years, $4.4M AAV
Marino's basic counting stats don't jump off the page, but he's been a key cog in New Jersey's hot start to the season. He's thriving in a shutdown role with the Devils, as they've scored 19 goals and allowed only 10 when he's been on the ice at five-on-five.
His ability to handle tough assignments has freed up Dougie Hamilton for more offensive opportunities. He's also bumped Damon Severson down to the third pair, where he's dominating softer matchups.
Quality, right-handed, top-four defensemen are coveted commodities in the NHL, but the Devils acquired Marino for Ty Smith - who's yet to establish himself as a full-time NHLer - and a third-round pick. Marino is just 25 years old, too.
(Analytics sources: Evolving-Hockey, Natural Stat Trick)
(Contract details: CapFriendly)
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