The 8 NHL Teams That Have Had the Most Tumultuous 2013 Offseasons

Numerous high-profile players switched teams during the 2013 NHL free-agency period, and these teams have an intriguing season ahead of them. Daniel Alfredsson's departure from the Ottawa Senators was quite tumultuous, and it forced an immediate response that saw Bobby Ryan become a Senator.

Unlike the Senators, there were a few teams who decided not to act and some whose actions were not enough to keep the balance and harmony needed to contend.

Training camp is a few short weeks away, and here are the eight NHL franchises that have had a turbulent offseason to date. 

Washington Capitals

The Washington Capitals lost Mike Ribeiro to the Phoenix Coyotes, and general manager George McPhee didn't feel the need to upgrade the roster. Losing a top center is never easy, and the Capitals could have replaced him.

It is a mind-boggling concept that a GM would show no impetus to replace one of his best players, but maybe he sees something that everyone else doesn't.

Alex Ovechkin will arguably be under more pressure this year. It could end badly for McPhee if the Capitals don't have a successful season.

Philadelphia Flyers

The Philadelphia Flyers had a very interesting summer. Paul Holmgren proved there are always ways to outdo yourself.

Daniel Briere was old, injury-prone and no longer a fit for the Flyers. Buying him out made sense and provided cap space. Ilya Bryzgalov was a sieve cosmonaut philosopher goalie who made too much money, so buying him out made sense too.

With a bunch of cap space, the Flyers appeared to be in the clear, and then Holmgren found his checkbook. 

Vincent Lecavalier is a good player, but there was no reason to sign him to a five-year contract worth $22.5 million. Considering the money he will make from Tampa, the Flyers could have played some hardball. 

Mark Streit is a good offensive defender, but he is getting older and probably won't live up to his four-year contract. He could have been signed for less, and the Flyers had no reason to overpay him.

While the Flyers added some talented players, they spent too much money to do so after going to great lengths to add financial flexibility. 

Ottawa Senators

The loss of Daniel Alfredsson was devastating for the franchise. Adding Bobby Ryan replaced his potential production, but you can't replace his legacy.

It would have meant a great deal to the franchise if he spent his whole career in a Senator uniform, but that isn't what the former team captain wanted.

Alfredsson wanted to chase after a Stanley Cup.

The breakdown between the two sides was puzzling. For his entire career Alfredsson was Mr. Senator, and he helped the team out during financial hardships.

But the one time he asks for his rightful cut, he was scoffed at, so "Alfie" left Ottawa for the Detroit Red Wings. It was a decision that shocked the hockey world, and it is still hard to picture Alfredsson in a uniform featuring the winged wheel.

Calgary Flames

The Calgary Flames' offseason has not been easy. They do not have an experienced starting goaltender, and they may not have an arena for the start of the season.

Due to torrential floods in Calgary, the Scotiabank Saddledome will need massive repairs. It may not be ready for the start of the season, and that would be terrible for the Flames and their fans.

In less important news, the Flames need direction for the 2013-14 season.

Last year at the trade deadline, Jarome Iginla was finally traded. Now their other premier player, Miikka Kiprusoff, is no longer a member of the Flames.

Although he is going to be on the payroll, Kiprusoff will not play the final year of his contract. This leaves the Flames in a tough spot. It is befuddling that Jay Feaster didn't attempt to address this issue.

Maybe Feaster will attempt to stockpile lottery picks over the next few seasons and then build a contender. It worked for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

But it likely won't work for the Flames.

New Jersey Devils

The New Jersey Devils started the summer in great shape. They brought back Patrik Elias, re-signed and acquired some free agents and finally anointed a successor to Martin Brodeur's throne.

They did lose David Clarkson, but Ryane Clowe and Michael Ryder seemed to be a solid tandem to replace him. There was reason for fans to be optimistic.

And then the Devils' world was turned upside down.

Ilya Kovalchuk shockingly announced his retirement, and there was a barrage of feedback from fans.

It was unexpected by everyone, and it has put the Devils in dire straits. With no face of the franchise other than Brodeur, New Jersey's marketing department will have to get creative in order to get butts into the seats next season.

New York Rangers

The New York Rangers have had a quiet summer, but they failed to address key holes in their lineup. Alain Vigneault's Blueshirts still need another top-six scorer, and the franchise needs to figure out how he can start the season without Ryan Callahan and Carl Hagelin.

After losing Ryane Clowe to free agency, the opening night top six is going to be pretty bare. The offseason has been tight because Glen Sather tied his own hands by keeping Brad Richards and his $6.6 million cap hit on the roster.

Had Richards been released, Sather would have had cap space to retain all his free agents and then some to make some additions via trade or free agency.

The 2013-14 Rangers look a lot like the 2012-13 squad, and that isn't a good thing.

Vancouver Canucks

The Vancouver Canucks' offseason started with the firing of Alain Vigneault, and that was a sign that change was coming to Vancouver. Management then decided to replace him with John Tortorella to shake things up.

GM Mike Gillis then decided to go against Roberto Luongo's wishes by trading backup Cory Schneider. Luongo found out about the trade when everyone else did, and he fired out a poignant tweet once the deal was announced.

Luongo was adamant about wanting to be traded, but Gillis did what he wanted to. It was not a smart move, because creating dissent with one of your best players is never a good thing. 

Currently the Canucks GM is optimistic about Luongo's future with the club according to Harrison Mooney of Yahoo! Sports. But as Mooney noted, "[T]here's a stark difference between optimism and certainty."

Fans may have thought that the goaltending controversy was over, but it wouldn't be surprising to see Luongo pull a Patrick Roy in a few months if he finally decides enough is enough.

Boston Bruins

The Boston Bruins improved their roster this summer, but "tumultuous" is a word that would aptly describe their transactions. 

The Bruins had a very explosive summer in which they made wholesale change. Tyler Seguin was shipped out for being a party boy, Andrew Ference signed with the Edmonton Oilers and Nathan Horton went to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Veteran center Rich Peverley was also shipped out in the Seguin trade.

Despite the subtractions, the Bruins retooled their roster.

The Bruins signed Jarome Iginla and received Loui Eriksson and a bevy of prospects back as a part of the Seguin trade.

However, the Bruins lost players who were key members of the team. Whenever you change the makeup of a team there are repercussions, and it will be interesting to see how the Bruins respond next season.