Winners and Losers of the 2023 NHL Offseason So Far

We are now slightly over a week into NHL free agency, signaling the near conclusion of the NHL offseason until September. As we prepare to enjoy the summer and take stock of the moves made, it’s time to determine the winners and losers of the offseason.

A winner is a team that successfully signs or trades for the right players at the right price to make a significant impact. On the other hand, a loser is a team that fails to make smart moves, makes poor signings, or remains stagnant while their rivals improve.

Winner: New Jersey Devils

The New Jersey Devils have had an outstanding offseason that is hard to dispute. They secured long-term extensions for Jesper Bratt and Timo Meier, re-signed Erik Haula for three years, and made trades to acquire Tyler Toffoli from Calgary and Colin Miller from Dallas. They also made separate deals involving Mackenzie Blackwood and Damon Severson.

General Manager Tom Fitzgerald has been busy, and it has paid off. The Devils didn’t require major adjustments after being one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. They have promising young talent, such as Luke Hughes and Akira Schmid, and the addition of Toffoli significantly bolsters their wing position. While losing Ryan Graves in free agency is a blow, they have defensive depth with the acquisition of Miller. Overall, the Devils had a strong offseason and are well-positioned to be a competitive team next season.

Premium New Jersey Devils NHL Classic Cap Pic of the century

Loser: Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs had an eventful offseason, but it may not have been the best for their long-term success. Despite winning their first-round playoff series against Tampa Bay and falling short against Florida in the second round, they decided to make changes. General Manager Kyle Dubas was replaced by Brad Treliving, who believed the team needed to toughen up.

The Leafs signed Ryan Reaves to a three-year contract and gave one-year deals to Max Domi and Tyler Bertuzzi. While Reaves brings toughness and a physical presence, it’s questionable whether that was the missing element the Leafs needed to take another step forward. The signing caused some angst among fans, and there were further complications when William Nylander expressed his desire for a $10 million contract, fueling trade speculation.

The Leafs’ primary concern was adding depth, which they addressed with Domi and Bertuzzi. However, their fast, aggressive playing style may not be fully complemented by Reaves’ style of play. It remains to be seen how Domi and Bertuzzi fit into the team’s dynamics. Overall, it’s difficult to see significant improvements that would propel the Leafs deeper into the playoffs and position them as Stanley Cup contenders.

Winner: Nashville Predators

The Nashville Predators have experienced an offseason of change and transformation. General Manager David Poile stepped down, making way for longtime coach Barry Trotz, who wasted no time in making significant moves. He traded Ryan Johansen to Colorado to clear cap space and bought out the remaining three years of Matt Duchene’s contract.

These moves were part of a “culture change” in Nashville, which was further reflected in their free agency signings. The Predators secured Ryan O’Reilly and Luke Schenn from Toronto, extended Cody Glass after his breakout season, and added Gustav Nyquist from Minnesota. These signings complement their young and relatively inexperienced roster.

The Predators showed promise by making a late push for a playoff spot, even without Johansen and Filip Forsberg due to injuries. If circumstances align favorably in the Western Conference, they could potentially secure a playoff berth. The signings of O’Reilly and Schenn, known for their leadership and solid on-ice performance, align with Nashville’s transition and commitment to their young players.

Loser: New York Islanders

The New York Islanders had an interesting offseason, choosing to commit long-term to several players. They signed Ilya Sorokin, Scott Mayfield, Pierre Engvall, and Semyon Varlamov to multi-year deals. The eight-year, $66 million extension for Sorokin, an exceptional goalie, seems like a wise move.

Winners and Losers of the 2023 NHL Offseason So Far

However, the seven-year deals for Engvall ($21 million) and Mayfield ($24.5 million) and the four-year $11 million contract for the 35-year-old Varlamov raise questions. While the cap hits are manageable, the lengthy contracts for supporting players deviate from the norm. These moves were made to secure cap space and lower the cap hit, but such deals are typically reserved for top-tier players rather than depth contributors.

The Islanders are attempting to keep pace with formidable teams like Carolina, New Jersey, and the Rangers within their division, as well as Tampa Bay, Florida, Toronto, and Boston in the East. Outside of last season’s team, they have made minimal additions with players like Karson Kuhlman, Julien Gauthier, and Brian Pinho. It’s challenging to envision them surpassing the top teams, despite their disruptive style of play that can be effective in the playoffs if they qualify.

You can buy more stuff of NHL here:

From TongassF, Shop Owl Fashion, BeuteeShop, Amzsmiles

Mai Linh Pham

Login