The start of the 2024-25 NHL Season is less than a month away, as training camps begin soon. With notable RFAs on the board, all eyes will be on those teams who improve or take a step back this offseason, either through free agency or trade.
NHL Freelance Contracts That Made You Go Whoa!! Eastern Conference
NHL Rumors.com reviews the impactful moves from the Eastern and Western Conference Trade Deadlines each season. And then, in the NHL Offseason, we look at those contracts that left you scratching your head or maybe some that said my team didn’t sign that guy to that contract?
Throughout the summer, NHLRumors.com gave you what experts thought were the most improved teams in the NHL Offseason from the Eastern and Western Conferences. In our new series, you will see for yourself.
Let’s see who we think did the best this offseason.
Eastern Conference Teams Have Improved This NHL Offseason
New Jersey Devils
Let’s start with the most obvious: the New Jersey Devils. Last season the Devils were beaten a lot. Injuries to key players such as Jack Hughes, Dougie Hamilton, and Nico Hischier hampered this team’s ability to return to the playoffs, not to mention scoring and defense.
NHL Trade: Calgary Flames Finally Send Jacob Markstrom to New Jersey Devils
This offseason, President and GM Tom Fitzgerald went to work rebuilding his team. It started with a new coach, Sheldon Keefe. From there, he added his first goalkeeper, Jacob Markstrom. Markstrom and Jake Allen will anchor the position.
He trades Paul Cotter during the draft to bring depth and size to the Devils offense. New Jersey was pushed hard last season.
On Day 1 of Free Agency, he signed Brett Pesce, Brenden Dillon, and Stefan Noesen. A few days later, he signs Tomas Tatar. Fitzgerald wanted his team to return to the country that entered the playoffs a few seasons ago.
Although the Devils’ moves this season have caused a lot of noise, this team must take a step forward and return to the playoffs. They are one of the better teams in the Metro Division.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Moving up North, the Toronto Maple Leafs are an improved team, especially defensively. The additions of Chris Tanev and Oliver Ekman-Larsson make the Leafs better at their position. Tanev brings the physical presence the Leafs desperately need in front of their forwards. Not to mention, he can block a ton of shots. He plays in all situations. Also, GM Brad Treliving has a history with the player and knows he’ll be a good fit for new coach Craig Berube.
NHL Rumors: Leafs May Sign Chris Tanev and Add More
Ekman-Larsson takes the pressure off Morgan Reilly. For the most part, Reilly was the only guy who was able to get the puck out of the zone. OEL delivers that stuff, and he’s a proven winner after resuming his career with the Florida Panthers. He was on the second team at Florida and helped the Panthers win the Stanley Cup. Although he has attacking talent, he is also organized in his position.
The Maple Leafs also retained Max Domi and Timothy Liljegren. Domi is a good secondary who can play up and down the lineup, and Liljegren is starting to come into his own. The only question is scoring with Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz, but the team’s defensive game in front of them is improving.
Washington Capitals
Back in the Metro Division, the team that continues to rework and improve is the Washington Capitals. The Capitals did not make the playoffs last season and were eliminated in four games by the New York Rangers in the opening round. So you know that Washington was going to try to improve on that result.
Washington Capitals Impressed Former Coach This Offseason
Alex Ovechkin, John Carlson, and TJ Oshie ended their careers. Nicklas Backstrom’s career is over as the Capitals try to help Ovechkin surpass Gretzky’s record. The Capitals added the likes of Logan Thompson, Brandon Duhaime, Andrew Mangiapane, Jakob Chychrun, Matt Roy, and Pierre-Luc Dubois this offseason.
Pierre-Luc Dubois will be an interesting case. The power is there, but the effort is not. He can have a career season playing with Ovechkin if Spencer Carbery wants to. The Capitals are still a team that can threaten the Metro Division. A few top teams, but the division is still tough. GM Brian MacLellan continues to recycle the aircraft.
Honorable Mention
Usually, in this area, we talk about a group; however, this time, we will look at a few couples by signing or trading, to help them improve.
First, the Ottawa Senators. Ottawa needs goals, and they got it with Linus Ullmark of the Boston Bruins. The issue for the Senators has been their slow start and poor goaltending. The former Vezina Trophy winner brings stability and optimism to the position. He is the difference the Senators need to make the playoffs. The Senators brought in some veteran up front with the signing of David Perron.
NHL Rumors: Linus Ullmark and Ottawa Senators Can Wait for New Contract
Next up is the Detroit Red Wings. Detroit keep Patrick Kane and add Vladimir Tarasenko, Cam Talbot, and Erik Gustafsson. The Red Wings hope that Talbot can bring stability to the goaltending position. Ville Husso may be the first, but Alex Lyon, Jack Campbell, and Sebastian Cossa are there. Detroit has a lot of options, which could be a position that costs them a playoff spot.
Throw in what the Montreal Canadiens were doing with Patrik Laine, and they were dealing with a weakness on their roster. But it will be a battle between Detroit and Ottawa for the playoff spot in the East.
That concludes the list of NHL Offseason teams that have improved from the Eastern Conference. Stay tuned for the Western Conference edition.
Source link
