During this time of year, some organizations have plenty of excitement surrounding their clubs, as fans are eager to see new players wear the jerseys of their favorite teams headed into training camp. Whether picking up exciting players through the draft, free agency, or trades, there are plenty of teams that significantly improved their rosters heading into next season. However, there are some teams that have been unable to improve or have even seen the talent on their roster take a substantial decrease this summer.
One of the most important teams that factors into this conversation, is the defending President Trophy champions, Boston Bruins. This summer, the Bruins have had to deal with the untimely retirements of franchise legends Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci, while also watching Dmitry Orlov, Tyler Bertuzzi, Nick Foligno, Taylor Hall, as well as several others join separate organizations for the 2023-24 season. Seeing their name pop up in plenty of trade conversations lately, their cap situation has halted Boston from replacing any of these players on their team. The team still features top-end talent such as David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand, but in arguably the strongest division in the NHL, their competitive window may take a brief hiatus.
Unlike the Bruins, one team who had been projected to be competitive last season, but ultimately failed short of the playoffs at season’s end, was the Calgary Flames. The organization is only a season away from seeing quite a few players hit unrestricted free agency, but with an open wild-card situation in the Western Conference, the team did not do much to improve their chances next year. The organization may be banking on a serious change in direction from new head coach, Ryan Huska, but after trading away Tyler Toffoli to the New Jersey Devils early in the summer, the team only brought in Yegor Sharangovich, Dryden Hunt, and Jordan Oesterle. Time will tell if Huska truly has the ability to move the needle for the Flames behind the bench, but the acquired players this summer do not generate much confidence in that happening.
Lastly, for another straight summer, the New York Islanders did very little to address their lack of goal-scoring. The team did hand long-term deals to both Pierre Engvall and Scott Mayfield but failed to bring in any players such as Jason Zucker or Vladimir Tarasenko, who could have provided an extra boost to their offense. They may benefit from a full season from center Bo Horvat, but even after deploying him for over 35% of the season last year, still finished 22nd in the league in Goals For. The team is limited by the way of salary cap space and does typically put much more emphasis on keeping the puck out of their net, but the lack of additional goal-scoring is severely limiting this team in their quest for success.
There are other teams that may be in contention for the worst offseason, and now it’s time for a vote.
Only because we won’t get a “Most Confusing Off-Season” poll, I’m going with the Preds. I’ll change my vote if we do get that mentioned poll though. :D
Detroit had a confusing off-season as well! signing Holl for 3 years at a $1M AAV more than he is worth! Stevie did that with Chiarot last summer, I did not expect him to repeat that mistake again!
The draft was equally confusing whereas his first 4 out of 5 picks were reaches! The draft may turn out OK, but it sure has me still scratching my head!
Wings do seem to be trying to walk a fine line between still rebuilding but wanting back in the playoffs again, but at least their seems to be some kind of plan in place.
I have no idea what Trotz’ plan was this summer. :/
Pittsburgh
Karlsson is subtraction by addition
That just isn’t true this offseason. Maybe at the end of the contract that will be more accurate but they got the Norris winning defenceman for almost nothing. And on top of that they had a pretty good offseason with the additions of Smith and Graves while bringing back Jarry.
I am tired of people who can’t play defense winning the Norris. Karlsson is a ‘defenseman’ who was involved in 74 even strength goals for and 100 goals against, the most against of any player by over 20 goals. Will he help their offense…maybe. he did what he did last season getting all the offensive zone chances, something he won’t get as much of in pittsburgh. Look at his numbers share offensive time with Burns.
19 of those goals against were empty net though. That’s part of the reason why plus minus is such a poor stat.
Eh. I’m obviously no fan of the direction the Penguins are making, and they sure seem to be living up to the adage that the definition of stupidity is to take something that hasn’t already worked and do more of it. But Karlsson is far from a clown. He’s aging, he’s not a good defender, he’s brittle, and he had an electrifying season all the same last year. A lot of teams would accept *half* his 2023 production from their #1 D-man.
With that … the “who won the offseason” is a bit of a mug’s game. Everyone thought that Calgary did last offseason, and we saw what came of it. Everyone thought that Boston didn’t, last offseason, and they responded with the most regular season wins ever.
Yeah, it’s a headscratcher for me, especially since Karlsson plays a very similar role to Letang, and both are signed long term. I don’t think Jarry is a strong enough netminder to overcome that level of hyperoffence.
True fans have been clamouring for a defensive defenseman award. Would you be on board for that?
It’s almost like you are on a mission to prove how little you know about hockey. Or else you have been inspired by Wilf and started a parody account.
Or just make the Norris be best all-round dman, instead of handing it to guys who have a D next to their name where it should read F for forward
Well … that battle was lost over forty years back, when they were giving Norrises to the likes of Randy Carlyle and Doug Wilson.
Anaheim and it’s not even close.
other than taking Carlson over Fantilli, explain?
They paid a massive Stanley cup tax on Killorn.
Buffalo. They still don’t have a goalie and they want to compete.
Oilers because they didn’t do anything. Partly thanks to that awful Campbell contract. McDavid and Drai can singlehandedly win a few round but they can’t win a cup by themselves.
The Oilers didnt lose anyone important and added Brown. That means they had the worst offseason?
Go troll elsewhere.
I say Calgary. They have a load of UFA’s at the end of the season, including Backlund, Lindholm, and all but 2 of their D core. They can trade some of those at the deadline, but they should have done more to flip some of those players for prospects they can develop this season.
That story will dominate the season no matter how they do. The reality is that they are going to be a mess after this season, with no clear direction.
Just more dithering.