Grading NHL Free Agent Summer – Atlantic Division Pt I

With the majority of the big-name unrestricted free agents signed and training camp just around the corner, it is time to take a comprehensive look at the additions and subtractions made by each team since July 1 and evaluate how they did.

Today, we start our look at the Atlantic Division:

Boston Bruins

Subtractions: Connor Clifton, Dmitry Orlov, Tyler Bertuzzi, Garnet Hathaway, Mike Reilly

Additions: Kevin Shattenkirk, Morgan Geekie, Milan Lucic, James van Riemsdyk  

Grade: D

The Bruins went all-in before the deadline, adding high-price rentals Orlov and Bertuzzi, along with some sandpaper in Hathaway, but the President’s Trophy winner still lost in a shocking seven-game upset to Florida. With the retirements of Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci, Boston is woefully weak up the middle, and they could not address that in free agency or in the trade market. The free-agent acquisitions of Shattenkirk, Lucic, and van Riemsdyk addressed depth but are not likely to make a significant impact.

Buffalo Sabres

Subtractions: Vinnie Hinostroza

Additions: Erik Johnson, Connor Clifton

Grade: B-

The Sabres have been focused mostly on internal development and locking up their own young players on long-term deals rather than spending money on the open market. GM Kevyn Adams did not add a veteran goalie that many observers advocated. However, reinforcing the blueline with Johnson and Clifton may help the club’s overall defense that allowed more than 300 goals against last season.

Detroit Red Wings

Subtractions: Robert Hagg, Pius Suter

Additions: Justin Holl, James Reimer, Daniel Sprong, JT Compher, Shayne Gostisbehere, Christian Fischer, Alex Lyon

Grade: C+

Sometimes, being busy does not equate to being successful. GM Steve Yzerman was very active in hopes of speeding up the Wings rebuild, but the most impactful move made during the summer may have been the trade acquiring Alex DeBrincat from Ottawa. Compher is a solid two-way center, but a five-year deal at $5.5 million AAV is a bit pricey. Sprong, Fischer, and Gostisbehere are decent one-year signings, but Holl is a highly overrated analytics darling that was a horrible buy at $3.4 million on a three-year deal.

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Florida Panthers

Subtractions: Radko Gudas, Alex Lyon, Marc Staal

Additions: Niko Mikkola, Mike Reilly, Dmitry Kulikov, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Anthony Stolarz, Evan Rodrigues

Grade: B

The Panthers were a Cinderella story, reaching the Stanley Cup Final before falling to Vegas. Their defense will be short-handed, with Gudas leaving for Anaheim and Staal for Philadelphia in free agency and with Brandon Montour and Aaron Ekblad recovering from off-season surgeries. GM Bill Zito did his best to plug holes with limited cap space, signing the bought-out Ekman Larsson and Reilly, Mikkola, and Kulikov in free agency and adding a solid depth center in Rodrigues.