As salary cap restrictions are loosened and teams find themselves armed with a bevy of cap space at their disposal, the NHL offseason – beginning with the annual Entry Draft – is often the most exciting time on the league calendar. With a modest $1 million cap increase in 2022-23, many teams had to sell notable contracts that were not worth the return. The teams that entered the offseason with clean books were well prepared to capitalize, and they capitalized, reminding everyone how cap space is the most important asset in modern NHL.
This list does not consider how a team stacks up against their competition. With that, here are the five most-improved teams of the 2022 NHL offseason – let’s dig in.
Ottawa Senators Notable Additions: Alex DeBrincat, Cam Talbot, Claude Giroux, Jacob Larsson
Notable Subtractions Matt Murray and Connor Brown, Filip Gustavsson and Colin White, Victor Mete and Chris Tierney
Pierre Dorion, Ottawa Senators general manger, has enjoyed the 2022 offseason more than anyone. First, he made the move to get Alex DeBrincat, sniper for the rebuilding Chicago Blackhawks, in a draft day deal that included a seventh-overall pick. Although it’s not insignificant, a first-rounder outside the top-five in a weaker draft is a small price to pay for a two-time 40-goal scorer under the age of 25 who remains under team control next season.
If Ottawa had not made the move to acquire Claude Giroux’s services, they could have called it a success. But, Ottawa did manage to secure the services of Giroux, a local Hearst, Ontario native. Although he’s no longer at the peak of his powers, giving up nothing but cap space for a high-level playmaker who produced 73 points in 85 regular-season and playoff games is a win for the much-maligned Dorion. The Senators also added Cam Talbot to their goaltending team and sent Matt Murray, who had been plagued with inconsistency during several injuries-plagued campaigns, to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Alex DeBrincat, formerly of the Chicago Blackhawks (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)Although DeBrincat has yet to sign long-term, he could be swayed by a rapidly accelerating project in Canada’s capital promising to take the Eastern Conference by storm. The hefty extensions recently awarded to Brady Tkachuk, Josh Norris, and Drake Batherson show the organization is willing to spend, suggesting a big payday could be in the winger’s future.
Although the Senators are still lacking in depth on defense, it is clear that they have made significant improvements over the past offseason. The playoffs are still uncertain because of the unforgiving Atlantic Division. However, pieces are slowly falling into place for a future Stanley Cup contender, which is good news for a long-tortured fans.
Seattle Kraken Notable Additions: Oliver Bjorkstrand, Shane Wright, Andre Burakovsky, Martin Jones, Michal Kempny, Justin Schultz
Notable Subtractions: Haydn Fleury, Daniel Sprong, Derrick Pouliot, Dennis Cholowski, Victor Rask, Riley Sheahan
Simply put, the Seattle Kraken’s attack was anemic during their inaugural campaign, as they scored a paltry 2.63 goals per game (29th in the NHL) and Jared McCann’s 50 points were the lowest team-leading total in the league last season. The motive for general manager Ron Francis was simple: bolster the team’s forward ranks. They appear to have achieved that goal, jumping at the opportunity to acquire Oliver Bjorkstrand, an even-strength player, from the cap-strapped Columbus Blue Jackets. Andre Burakovsky, who scored 61 points last season in the high-flying Avalanche, was also taken up from free agency.
They also took Shane Wright, a top prospect in the 2022 Draft. This solidifies a formidable two-two punch at center with Matty Benjaminiers for the future. While he might not produce at an elite offensive level, his mature two way game will fit well on a team ranked eighth for 5v5 expected goals against per-60 in 2021-22.
Shane Wright, Seattle Kraken (Amy Irvin/The Hockey Writers). The Kraken also has Justin Schultz and Michal Kempny as defenders, which will add to the stable of blueliners like Adam Larsson and Jamie Oleksiak, Vince Dunn and Carson Soucy. It’s not a collection of brand-name talents, but a capable crew somewhat maligned by atrocious goaltending from Philipp Grubauer and Chris Driedger (last in team save percentage).
The Kraken have the potential to capitalize on the weak Western Conference, which has been characterized by a lack of star talent and netminding that is even below league average. Although a division title is not likely to happen, it is possible for the Kraken to earn their first ever playoff berth.
Los Angeles Kings Notable Additions: Kevin Fiala
Notable Subtractions
The Los Angeles Kings didn’t have the busiest of offseasons, but it featured one of the most significant power moves within the Western Conference. After some friction between Kevin Fiala’s Minnesota Wild organization as well as cap concerns arising from the twin buyouts by Zach Parise, Ryan Suter, the Kings made a swift move to trade the block.
The price was notable – prospect Brock Faber and a first-round pick – but the Kings’ bountiful youth pipeline offered the leeway to make a trade for the disgruntled, but supremely skilled Swiss forward. It’s tough to say they didn’t make out like gangbusters here, shedding assets from a position of strength to acquire a 26-year-old who scored 85 points last season and locked him up for under $8 million through his age-33 season. His neutral-zone prowess adds a different dimension to the Kings’ offence and affects the balance of power in the Pacific Division.
There are other things you might like: The Kings put on a good showing against the Edmonton Oilers in the first round of the 2022 Playoffs, and it’s not unfeasible for them to win a round in 2023.
Detroit Red Wings Notable Additions: Ben Chiarot, Andrew Copp, Ville Husso, Dominik Kubalik, David Perron, Olli Maatta, Mark Pysyk, Robert Hagg
Notable Subtractions: Thomas Greiss, Calvin Pickard, Marc Staal, Olli Juolevi
Although the questionable salary and length of some of the contracts handed out by Steve Yzerman this summer were concerning (Ben Chiarot and Andrew Copp), the Detroit Red Wings still upgraded at virtually every position. Chiarot, even though he was miscast in a top role, is an improvement on the defensive corps from last season. Olli Matta, Mark Pysyk and Robert Hagg are available to fill in for bottom-pair duties.
Dominik Kubalik, David Perron, and Copp all have a history of offensive production, which can be a great help to the Red Wings’ young skilled core. Perron and Copp have shown the ability to play in the top-six and can bring a wealth playoff experience to an inexperienced team.
David Perron, formerly of the St. Louis Blues. (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers). After solid results last summer with Alex Nedeljkovic, Detroit took a similar bet on Ville Husso. The netminder, aged 27, has played only 57 NHL matches, but he performed well in last season’s regular season. He had a.919 save percent (SV%) in 40 games, and he also stole the net from Jordan Binnington.
Although the Atlantic is expected to be a bloodbath this season, the defense leaves much to be desired. However, the Red Wings are well-equipped to spoil the season. The 2022-23 season could be fruitful if Lucas Raymond and Moritz Syed, their sophomore stars, make a move and Husso becomes a genuine starter. I still believe that bottoming out for another year would have been more beneficial for their progression given the calibre of the 2023 Draft, but there’s no turning back now.
Carolina Hurricanes Notable Additions: Brent Burns, Max Pacioretty, Dylan Coghlan, Ondrej Kase, Ryan Dzingel, William Lagesson
Notable Subtractions: Tony DeAngelo, Ian Cole, Max Domi, Brendan Smith, Vincent Trocheck, Derek Stepan, Josh Leivo, Nino Niederreiter
The Carolina Hurricanes witnessed a significant amount of turnover this season, saying goodbye to key contributors such as Nino Niederreiter, Vincent Trocheck and Tony DeAngelo. That’s not to mention the departing depth cogs in both attack and defence, requiring replacements at every position.
The Eastern Conference Semifinalists managed to acquire top-line talent at an extremely low cost. Brent Burns was added to the Eastern Conference semi-finalists as a 37-year old rearguard. He provides a little more than DeAngelo at both ends and also has the bonus of almost 100 postseason appearances. A pair featuring defensive standout Jaccob Slavin and an adventurous Burns promises a perfect stylistic fit, with the two accounting for the other’s deficiencies.
It hurts to lose Neiderreiter and Trocheck, but introducing one of the league’s top shot generators in Max Pacioretty (19 goals in 39 goals last season) and promising defender Dylan Coghlan for the scant cost of future considerations is an extraordinary move. It pays to be flexible in a cap-defined environment.
It is difficult to acquire elite talent outside of the draft. However, the Hurricanes managed it without any consequences. For one of the league’s most successful regular-season teams of the past few years (fourth in points percentage since 2018-19), the next step is breaking through in the playoffs.
Can the Improvements Lead To a Stanley Cup The Hurricanes are the only team that can be considered legitimate Stanley Cup contenders. These teams have created strong foundations for youth development and are now ready to take the next steps in their growth. The possibility of challenging for a title in the near future is possible with further growth and tweaks to the roster. Although patience can be frustrating, it is a virtue. It worked out for the Stanley Cup champions, Colorado Avalanche.
Data courtesy Evolving Hockey and the NHL
Marko is an aspiring journalist who has a passion to write stories. He uses a combination eye-test and (shudder!) analysis. His academic background includes criminology as well as political science.
He can be found running long distances around his neighborhood, reading science fiction novels and covering the Colorado Avalanche as well as the Pittsburgh Penguins for The Hockey Writers.
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