It may not seem like it but we’re now less than two months away from the start of the 2022-23 NHL season. For the most part, teams have finished their remodeling and now have in place the roster that will start the year.
There are still some restricted free agents to sign, and Nazem Kadri is still without an officially filed contract, but the rest of the available players aren’t really difference-makers.
So now, with training camp a few weeks away (and players already starting to skate in groups) we can start grading offseasons. Who improved the most? Who missed the mark? Who will take a step back?
For many people, the Ottawa Senators have been the biggest beneficiaries this offseason. General manager Pierre Dorion clearly feels as though his group is ready to start contending for the playoffs, and made several moves to get them even closer. Alex DeBrincat, Claude Giroux, and Cam Talbot are now Senators, giving the team a veteran goaltender, a former MVP candidate, and an in-his-prime 40-goal scorer all in one summer.
But they aren’t the only club that improved.
The Seattle Kraken, for all of their detractors, added several interesting pieces. Andre Burakovsky, Oliver Bjorkstrand, and Justin Schultz have arrived, not to mention the drafting of Shane Wright. While Matty Beniers isn’t exactly an offseason acquisition, having him in the lineup every night will certainly push them forward as well.
Then there is the Columbus Blue Jackets, who landed the summer’s top free agent in Johnny Gaudreau. The recently-extended Patrik Laine has to be itching to get on the ice with one of the league’s best playmakers.
The Detroit Red Wings added big pieces in free agency, the Anaheim Ducks brought in pieces like Ryan Strome, John Klingberg, and Frank Vatrano, and the New Jersey Devils nabbed some Stanley Cup experience.
So who improved the most? Cast your vote below and explain your thinking process in the comments!
Ottawa
Ottawa, then Seattle. Nowhere to go but up after all!
Got to be Ottawa.
Certainly not the Flyers. :(
You took the words right out of my mouth Lol Lol
How is a team that lost 2 all-stars and only got 1 back in the top 5?
Ottawa is one RHD man away from having one of the best off seasons I’ve ever seen.
A week ago, I would have said the Sens will claim one of the 8 spots in the East. Now, with Boston bringing back both Bergeron and Krejci, it will be a battle.
Ottawa and Detroit hands down
Ottawa had a great off-season but I think Detroit improved their team the most.