Final 2013 Offseason Grades for Every NHL Team
The offseason went by in the blink of an eye.
It seemed it was just yesterday that Dave Bolland jumped on a loose puck behind Tuukka Rask and banged it into the net for the Stanley Cup-winning goal in a compelling final series that gave the Chicago Blackhawks their second title in four years.
As the Blackhawks were celebrating and the Boston Bruins were thinking about what might have been, teams were already thinking about the moves they had to make in the offseason.
Here's our final look at the moves the NHL's 30 teams made in the offseason as the season is set to begin Oct. 1.
Anaheim Ducks
1 of 30
2013 record: 30-12-6 (66 points); Lost in first round
Key additions: Left wings Jakob Silfverberg and Dustin Penner. Bringing in Silfverberg is the Ducks' most important move for the 2013-14 season and the future. Silfverberg, 22, finished with 10 goals a year ago in the truncated season and the Ducks would like to see him with 20-25 goals this year.
Key departures: Left wings Bobby Ryan and Harry Zolnierczyk. You don't bring in a top prospect like Silfverberg without paying a price, therefore the Ducks had to send Ryan to the Ottawa Senators to get him. Ryan had 11 goals last year, but scored 30 goals or more in his previous four seasons.
Best draft move: Shea Theodore is a an offensive-minded defenseman who is an excellent skater with the skills to make an impact on the scoreboard because of his shooting and puck-carrying abilities. If he can add strength to his 6'2", 178-pound frame, he could advance rapidly.
Offseason grade: B-
Boston Bruins
2 of 30
2013 record: 28-14-8 (62 points); Lost in Stanley Cup Final
Key additions: Right wings Jarome Iginla and Loui Eriksson, right wing Reilly Smith and goalie Chad Johnson. The Bruins did not stand still despite making the Stanley Cup Final last year. Iginla wants to show he is still one of the game's elite finishers. Eriksson is highly skilled and highly professional. Smith earned a key position on the Bruins third line with his performance in training camp. Johnson takes over as Tuukka Rask's backup.
Key departures: Right wings Tyler Seguin and Nathan Horton, right wing Jaromir Jagr, defenseman Andrew Ference, center Rich Peverley and goalie Anton Khudobin. The Bruins gave up on Seguin, the No. 2 pick in the 2010 draft, while Horton's decision to leave through free agency cost the team one of its best clutch scorers. The slew of young defensemen forced general manager Peter Chiarelli to part company with Ference.
Best draft move: The Bruins didn't have a selection until the 60th pick in the draft, and they took defenseman Linus Arnesson. The big Swede projects as a shutdown defenseman, but he is years away from cracking the Bruins lineup.
Offseason grade: C+
Buffalo Sabres
3 of 30
2013 record: 21-21-6 (66 points); failed to make playoffs
Key additions: Defensemen Henrik Tallinder and Jamie McBain. The key move was bringing back Tallinder, who had been paired and worked well with Tyler Myers in 2009-10. McBain (one goal, seven assists for Carolina last year) is a young defenseman who has often struggled.
Key departures: Center Jochen Hecht and defensemen Andrej Sekera and Adam Pardy. The Sabres are attempting to rebuild and they did not bring back these players, who lack special qualities.
Best draft move: Defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen has all the skills to become a top of the line blue liner. He has an excellent shot, moves the puck crisply and has some nastiness to his game. He also has good defensive skills for such a young player.
Offseason grade: D+
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Calgary Flames
4 of 30
2013 record: 19-25-4 (42 points); failed to make playoffs
Key additions: Goalie Karri Ramo, defenseman Kris Russell and right wing David Jones. The Flames believe that Ramo can give them some competent play in the net after he had a save percentage better than .925 in each of the last three seasons in the KHL. Russell has been a solid defenseman for the Blues the last two seasons, but he will find himself under siege in Calgary.
Key departures: Goalie Miikka Kiprusoff, left wing Alex Tanguay and defensemen Cory Sarich and Anton Babchuk. The Flames are going through a rebuilding year and they parted with their longtime goalie Kiprusoff.
Best draft move: The Flames took center Sean Monahan with the sixth pick overall, and he represents one of their first major upgrades of this rebuilding effort. He is a smart and creative player who thinks like a veteran and has a chance to become an impact player either this year or next.
Offseason grade: C-
Carolina Hurricanes
5 of 30
2013 record: 19-25-4 (42 points); failed to make playoffs
Key additions: Goalie Anton Khudobin and defenseman Andrej Sekera. The Hurricanes fell apart last year when goalie Cam Ward was injured and they did not have a competent backup. Khudobin looked solid as Tuukka Rask's backup in Boston, and he should be able to provide Ward with decent relief. Sekera plays with some grit and toughness.
Key departures: Defensemen Joe Corvo and Jamie McBain and goalie Dan Ellis. Corvo provided a veteran presence to the lineup, but he simply made too many mistakes. The Hurricanes got tired of waiting for McBain to grow into the job and Ellis struggled to keep the Hurricanes afloat when he was asked to fill in for Ward.
Best draft move: Center Elias Lindholm may not be an offensive superstar, but he has the kind of complete game that could make him a fixture with the Hurricanes for at least a decade. He is a gritty player who will take and dish out punishment in order to make plays all over the ice.
Offseason grade: C-
Chicago Blackhawks
6 of 30
2013 record: 36-7-5 (77 points); Won Stanley Cup
Key additions: Goalie Nikolai Khabibulin and defenseman Mike Kostka. Khabibulin is back for his second tour of duty with the Blackhawks and there are serious questions as to whether he will be able to provide Corey Crawford with decent relief. Kostka appears to be the extra defenseman who may dress once every five games or so if the Blackhawks don't have injuries on the blue line.
Key departures: Center Dave Bolland, goalie Ray Emery, right wings Viktor Stalberg and Michael Frolik and left wing Daniel Carcillo. Bolland scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal, but he was not a consistent performer. Emery was sensational during the regular season last year and his loss will be felt. Stalberg was a brilliant skater but unimpressive in the rest of his game
Best draft move: Ryan Hartman should be able to make an impression quickly in the organization. The 30th selection in the draft is not afraid to mix it up and he also has the skills to put the puck in the net. Right wings who can fight and score get noticed.
Offseason grade: C-
Colorado Avalanche
7 of 30
2013 record: 16-25-7(39 points); failed to make playoffs
Key additions: Head coach Patrick Roy, left wing Alex Tanguay and defenseman Andre Benoit. The Avs were awful on the defensive end last year, so the addition of a hall of famer like Roy makes sense. Tanguay has the hands and moves to score clutch goals, but he has scored 20 or more goals just once in the last six years.
Key departures: Right wings David Jones and Aaron Palushaj and defenseman Shane O'Brien. Jones was ineffective last year, but he scored 47 goals in his last two full seasons.
Best draft move: Nathan MacKinnon was the No. 1 draft pick overall and he has excellent offensive skills and talent. While there are no doubts about his ability to put the puck in the net and create opportunities for his teammates, the Avs need tremendous help on the blue line and their refusal to draft Seth Jones could be an issue in the years to come.
Offseason grade: D+
Columbus Blue Jackets
8 of 302013 record: 24-17-7 (55 points); failed to make playoffs
Key additions: Right wings Nathan Horton and Jack Skille. Although Horton must recover from shoulder surgery, he should be a big-time goal scorer when he regains his health. Skille is a depth forward who has decent skating ability.
Key departures: The Blue Jackets did not suffer any major personnel losses.
Best draft move: Center Alexander Wennberg was selected with the 14th overall pick. He is a fine skater and has some elusive moves that should allow him to make a contribution in two years.
Offseason grade: C
Dallas Stars
9 of 30
2013 record: 22-22-4 (48 points); failed to make playoffs
Key additions: Head coach Lindy Ruff, center Tyler Seguin, centers Rich Peverley and Shawn Horcoff, defenseman Sergei Gonchar and goalie Dan Ellis. Seguin is the prime acquisition because the No. 2 pick in the 2010 draft may develop into one of the game's top stars if he can become a disciplined player who learns how to finish his chances consistently. Peverley has excellent speed, but he did not display much scoring touch last year. Gonchar can direct the power play from his position on the blue line.
Key departures: Right wings Loui Eriksson and Reilly Smith, left wing Eric Nystrom and goalie Richard Bachman. Eriksson is the big loss, but you don't get a potential superstar like Seguin without giving up a valuable player. Smith had size, strength and skill, but he was still developing. Bachman was a decent backup goalie.
Best draft move: Right wing Valeri Nichushkin is a big, strong winger who will try to assert himself with his size and skill.
Offseason grade: B+
Detroit Red Wings
10 of 30
2013 record: 24-16-8 (56 points); lost in conference semifinal
Key additions: Right wing Daniel Alfredsson and center Stephen Weiss. Alfredsson shocked the hockey world with his decision to leave the Ottawa Senators. He views the Red Wings as being closer to the Stanley Cup than the Sens. Weiss is a creative offensive player when he is healthy and should be a positive force in the lineup.
Key departures: Center Valtteri Filppula. A solid all-around center who can kill penalties, win faceoffs and make crucial plays.
Best draft move: Left wing Anthony Mantha projects to be a big-time goal scorer. Mantha is a big, strong man with an array of moves. The 20th pick in the draft figures to contribute in two seasons when his game matures.
Offseason grade: B
Edmonton Oilers
11 of 30
2013 record: 19-22-7 (45 points); failed to make playoffs
Key additions: Head coach Dallas Eakins, defenseman Andrew Ference, left wing David Perron, center Boyd Gordon and goalie Jason LaBarbera. Ference is not a superstar, but he is a veteran defenseman who has been through the wars with the Boston Bruins. His experience of having been to the Stanley Cup Final twice in the past three years (and winning it once) allowed him to earn the captain's "C" on his left shoulder. Perron is a potential 25-goal scorer. Gordon is a depth forward who can play both ends of the ice.
Key departures: Left wing Magnus Paajarvi, center Shawn Horcoff and goalie Nikolai Khabibulin. The Oilers have a boatload of young talent and they felt they could part with Paajarvi to get Perron from the Blues. Horcoff has some skills but he is not dominant. Khabibulin is well past his prime and is not likely to play more than 20 games in a full season.
Best draft move: Darnell Nurse is a big defenseman with the grit and edginess that the Oilers are looking for in all their players. The seventh pick in the draft figures into the Oilers' future plans but he is not ready yet.
Offseason grade: B+
Florida Panthers
12 of 30
2013 record: 15-27-6 (36 points); failed to make playoffs
Key additions: Goalie Tim Thomas and defenseman Mike Mottau. Thomas signed a professional tryout contract with the Panthers during training camp and then earned his spot on the roster. He should be the Panthers starting goalie, which will provide a huge boost. Mottau is a hard-trying, stay-at-home defenseman.
Key departures: Center Stephen Weiss and right wings Jack Skille and George Parros. Weiss wanted to play for a legitimate Stanley Cup contender after years of struggle and injuries with the Panthers. Skille is a limited-skill player, while Parros is an enforcer.
Best draft move: The Panthers selected explosive forward Aleksander Barkov with the second overall pick. He figures to become a dominant scorer who plays a heady game in addition to a physical one.
Offseason grade: C+
Los Angeles Kings
13 of 30
2013 record: 27-16-5 (59 points); lost in Western Conference Final
Key additions: Left wings Matt Frattin and Dan Carcillo and goalie Ben Scrivens. The Kings are very happy with their returning core. Frattin gives them a second-line forward with an array of offensive moves. Scrivens will have to demonstrate that he can be a competent backup to Jonathan Quick.
Key departures: Defenseman Rob Scuderi, left wing Dustin Penner and goalie Jonathan Bernier. Scuderi's loss is a huge one because he is a tough, physical and smart defenseman. Luckily, the Kings are deep on the blue line. Penner was largely a disappointment, while Bernier is considered one of the best backup goalies for the last two seasons.
Best draft move: Right wing Valentin Zykov was the 37th pick in the draft. He may be a year or two away, but when he is ready the Kings should have a player who can put the puck in the net with regularity. He is also going to be physical in the corners.
Offseason grade: B-
Minnesota Wild
14 of 30
2013 record: 26-19-3 (55 points); lost in first round of playoffs
Key additions: Left wing Matt Cooke, right wing Nino Niederreiter and defensemen Keith Ballard and Jonathan Blum. The addition of Cooke could be a big move for this team. While he brings a nasty reputation, Cooke has some ability and will play the game with a physical edge that the Wild has been missing. However, he cannot cross the line as he has done in the past. Niederreiter has not fulfilled his potential to this point.
Key departures: Center Matt Cullen, right wings Devin Setoguchi and Cal Clutterbuck and left wing Pierre-Marc Bouchard. Cullen has been a savvy veteran who knows how to get to the front of the net. Setoguchi has a big shot and is a streaky scorer. Bouchard is an inconsistent performer, while Clutterbuck provided a lot of toughness.
Best draft move: Defenseman Gustav Olofsson has the kind of skills and instincts that should eventually make him a reliable player, but the 46th pick in the draft will need time to develop.
Offseason grade: C
Montreal Canadiens
15 of 30
2013 record: 29-14-5 (63 points); lost in first round
Key additions: Right wings Danny Briere and George Parros. Briere struggled last year with the Flyers and they bought him out, but he still has excellent skills and has a chance to rebound with the Canadiens this year. Parros gives the Canadiens increased size and a player who can take on the role of enforcer.
Key departures: Right wing Michael Ryder and defenseman Yannick Weber. The Canadiens re-acquired Ryder last year for his ability to put the puck in the net. While he delivered, they chose not to bring him back. Weber is a decent defenseman who is not a game changer.
Best draft move: The Canadiens selected big, strong right wing Michael McCarron with the 25th overall pick because he plays the game with toughness and he can put the puck in the net. He gives them the kind of size—6'5", 228 pounds—that they need badly.
Offseason grade: C
Nashville Predators
16 of 30
2013 record: 16-23-9 (41 points); failed to make playoffs
Key additions: Right wing Viktor Stalberg, center Matt Cullen and left wing Eric Nystrom. Stalberg is one of the most impressive skaters in the league. While he has the speed to blow by nearly any defender, he is not a consistent finisher. Cullen is a solid pro who can give the offense a bit of an upgrade.
Key departures: Left wing Sergei Kostitsyn, right wing Brandon Yip and defenseman Jonathan Blum. Kostitsyn was put on waivers and he signed a contract to play in the KHL. He was not the kind of player who wanted to get in the best possible condition and sell out every night for head coach Barry Trotz, therefore the team is better off without him.
Best draft move: The Preds took advantage of the market and drafted the best player when the top three teams failed to select Seth Jones. While the Preds clearly need help on the offensive end, Jones is a remarkable talent with the upside to be an all-star in the NHL once he fills out and gets used to his new surroundings. Playing on the same team as Shea Weber will help him.
Offseason grade: C
New Jersey Devils
17 of 30
2013 record: 19-19-10 (48 points); failed to make playoffs
Key additions: Right wings Michael Ryder and Jaromir Jagr, left wing Ryane Clowe and goalie Cory Schneider. The Devils need a sniper and Ryder can fill that role with his wicked wrist shot and his tendency to be in the right place at the right time. Jagr has lost a couple of steps, but he is determined to go out on a positive note. Clowe is a hard worker who can go into the corners and win the battle. Schneider could take the goaltending job away from future hall of famer Martin Brodeur.
Key departures: Left wing Ilya Kovalchuk, right wing David Clarkson and defenseman Henrik Tallinder. The Devils got hit hard by Kovalchuk who "retired" from the NHL so he could play in the KHL. Clarkson signed a huge deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Tallinder's loss on the blue line could also hurt the team's stability.
Best draft move: The Devils selected defenseman Steven Santini with the 42nd pick in the draft. He's a long way from seeing time in the NHL, but he has solid all-around skills who will develop his game as a college player for Boston College.
Offseason grade: C+
New York Islanders
18 of 30
2013 record: 24-17-7 (55 points); lost in first round
Key additions: Right wings Pierre-Marc Bouchard and Cal Clutterbuck. The Islanders were not overly busy in the offseason, and considering their weaknesses on defense and in goal, that's not a good thing. Bouchard has never been more than an ordinary player in his career, and Clutterbuck will give the Islanders more grit and toughness.
Key departures: Defenseman Mark Streit and left wing Nino Niederreiter. Streit was not going to sign with the Islanders and he was traded to Philadelphia shortly before free agency. He later signed with the Flyers and that's a huge loss because he can carry the puck, shoot it and played solid defense.
Best draft move: The Islanders selected defenseman Ryan Pulock with the 15th pick in the draf and that's clearly a position of need for them. While Pulock has a bomb of a slap shot, he is not ready to help out the Islanders any time soon.
Offseason grade: C-
New York Rangers
19 of 30
2013 record: 26-18-4 (56 points); lost in conference semifinal round
Key additions: Head coach Alain Vigneault and left wing Benoit Pouliot. Vigneault is an offensive-minded head coach who will give the Rangers a much more relaxed atmosphere than they had under John Tortorella. Pouliot is a former high draft pick who has not been able to match his talent with his production. He's a project for Vigneault.
Key departure: Left wing Ryane Clowe. The Rangers were not very busy either signing free agents or losing them, but Clowe is a gritty winger who was able to win battles in the corners after being acquired from San Jose last year.
Best draft move: The Rangers drafted for the future with their selection of center Adam Tambellini with the 65th pick in the draft. Tall and rangy, the 6'2", 169-pound Tambellini needs to put on substantial weight and strength before he has a chance to play. He will play college hockey at North Dakota.
Offseason grade: C
Ottawa Senators
20 of 30
2013 record: 25-17-6 (56 points); lost in conference semifinal
Key additions: Left wing Bobby Ryan, right wing Clarke MacArthur and defenseman Joe Corvo. Ryan is a high-scoring winger who can carry the team on his back when he gets on a hot streak. MacArthur is not a physical player but he has solid offensive skills. Corvo can fire the puck from the point, but he will make quite a few mistakes.
Key departures: Right wings Daniel Alfredsson and Jakob Silfverberg and defenseman Sergei Gonchar. Alfredsson's departure was a shocker, but the Sens have the firepower to overcome his loss. Gonchar had slowed quite a bit, but he knows how to run a power play, and Silfverberg has an excellent chance to become a star.
Best draft move: The Senators selected center Curtis Lazar with the 17th pick in the draft. He was a big-time scorer in junior hockey, but he is a couple of years away from contributing at the NHL level.
Offseason grade: B
Philadelphia Flyers
21 of 30
2013 record: 23-22-3 (49 points); failed to make playoffs
Key additions: Center Vincent Lecavalier, defenseman Mark Streit and goalie Ray Emery. Lecavalier was bought out by the Lightning and the Flyers brought him in to increase their strength at center. Streit can carry the puck, make plays in the offensive zone and is a fine defender. Emery played a key role in Chicago's sensational regular season and he should help solidify the team's goaltending.
Key departures: Goalie Ilya Bryzgalov, center Danny Briere and defenseman Andreas Lilja. Bryzgalov was largely unreliable during his two years in Philadelphia. After a troubled year in 2013, the Flyers bought out Briere and he has moved on to the Canadiens. Lilja is a functional player but not a star.
Best draft move: The Flyers selected defenseman Samuel Morin with the 11th overall pick in the draft. Morin has a huge 6'6" frame and he will only add weight and strength in the next couple of years. He is quite physical and has a chance to be dominant in the defensive aspects of the game.
Offseason grade: A-
Phoenix Coyotes
22 of 30
2013 record: 21-18-9 (51 points); failed to make playoffs
Key additions: Center Mike Ribeiro, left wing Brandon Yip and goalie Thomas Greiss. Ribeiro should be an excellent addition to a team that finally solidified its ownership situation in the offseason. Ribeiro has vision, creativity and is an accurate passer and shooter. Yip is a depth forward, while Greiss should be able provide Mike Smith some relief when he needs it.
Key departures: Center Boyd Gordon, goalie Jason LaBarbera and right wing Nick Johnson. Gordon is a decent forward who can kill penalties. LaBarbera has had an up-and-down career as a backup. Johnson made a solid showing in the Bruins' training camp, but he could not stick with them.
Best draft move: Left wing Max Domi should be an exciting star for the Coyotes in the future. Domi has an array of moves, is an excellent skater and knows how to find the open spots in the offensive zone. When the Coyotes bring him up, he should be a dynamic performer.
Offseason grade: C+
Pittsburgh Penguins
23 of 30
2013 record: 36-12-0 (72 points); lost in Eastern Conference Final
Key additions: Defenseman Rob Scuderi. Scuderi had been a mainstay with the Los Angeles Kings and while the Penguins did not have a lot of salary-cap room available for free agents, general manager Ray Shero thought a solid defenseman like Scuderi would help shore up a weakness. Scuderi is a physical player who does not make a lot of mistakes.
Key departures: Right wings Jarome Iginla and Tyler Kennedy and left wing Matt Cooke. When the Penguins Stanley Cup run was halted by the Boston Bruins, Iginla did not have a future with the team. Cooke and Kennedy were key players for the Penguins, but their high-level signings forced them to let a few of their non-stars slip away.
Best draft move: The Penguins don't have a lot of weaknesses, but there are major questions about their goalkeeping situation. As a result, they drafted Tristan Jarry with the 44th overall pick. While he needs quite a bit of seasoning, Jarry had a 1.61 goals against average and a .936 save percentage for the Edmonton Oilers last season.
Offseason grade: C-
St. Louis Blues
24 of 30
2013 record: 29-17-2 (60 points); lost in first round
Key additions: Left wing Magnus Paajarvi and centers Derek Roy and Maxim Lapierre. The Blues acquired the talented but unproven Paajarvi from the Oilers with the hope that head coach Ken Hitchcock can get the most out of him. Roy is a slick offensive player who has often seemed disinterested in the physical aspects of the game, and Lapierre can be an edgy agitator.
Key departures: Left wings David Perron and Andy McDonald. The Blues had to give up the productive Perron to acquire Paajarvi, and McDonald retired after a solid but under-publicized career.
Best draft move: American high school star Tommy Vannelli was selected by the Blues with the 47th pick. While he is a raw player who needs quite a bit of development, he is a brilliant athlete with a strong future.
Offseason grade: C
San Jose Sharks
25 of 30
2013 record: 25-16-7 (57 points); lost in conference semifinal
Key additions: Right wing Tyler Kennedy. The Sharks didn't make many moves in the offseason, but they brought in Kennedy from the Pittsburgh Penguins to line up next to center Joe Pavelski. Kennedy has had just one 20-goal season, but he will go into the corners and battle for the puck. He should be a good fit on this team.
Key departures: Left wing T.J. Galiardi and goalie Thomas Greiss. Galiardi will probably get a much better chance to play with Calgary than he would have with the Sharks. Greiss was not used a lot behind workhorse Antti Niemi.
Best draft move: The Sharks used the 18th pick in the draft to select Mirco Muller. The 6'3", 184-pound Muller has the frame to add strength and weight. He is a solid offensive prospect who should help the Sharks within two seasons.
Offseason grade: D+
Tampa Bay Lightning
26 of 30
2013 record: 18-26-4 (40 points); failed to make playoffs
Key additions: Center Valtteri Filppula. The Lightning was not interested in bringing in a superstar in the offseason. They wanted a center who could play all 200 feet of the ice and that's why they went after Filppula. He can do it all, including kill penalties, win faceoffs and play a key role on offense.
Key departures: Center Vincent Lecavalier and left wing Benoit Pouliot. Lecavalier had been a long-time star for the Lightning, but he was bought out so the team could focus more on defense. Pouliot flashed his ability but didn't play consistently for the Lightning.
Best draft move: The Lightning used the third overall pick to select offensive phenom Jonathan Drouin. The idea of Drouin playing with Steven Stamkos and Martin St. Louis may be a dream for Lightning fans, but they will have to wait for that since Drouin returned to his junior team at Halifax.
Offseason grade: C-
Toronto Maple Leafs
27 of 30
2013 record: 26-17-5 (57 points); lost in first round
Key additions: Right wing David Clarkson, center Dave Bolland and goalie Jonathan Bernier. The Maple Leafs paid a premium price to sign Clarkson away from the New Jersey Devils. He is a hard-nosed forward who will go to the dirty areas to help his team. Bolland is a leader who scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal for the Chicago Blackhawks. Bernier was viewed as the best backup goalie in the NHL and he will have a chance to emerge as the Toronto starter.
Key departures: Center Mikhail Grabovski, left wing Clarke MacArthur, right wing Matt Frattin, defenseman Mike Komisarek and goalie Jonathan Bernier. Grabovski criticized head coach Randy Carlyle as he left town. MacArthur was not physical enough for the Maple Leafs' liking, and neither was Frattin. Komisarek was not a factor down the stretch, and Matt Scrivens will now serve as the Kings' backup goalie.
Best draft move: The Maple Leafs picked Frederik Gauthier with the 21st pick in the draft. The two-way center should be able to contribute as soon as he can upgrade his skating and put his 6'5", 210-pound frame to work on a consistent basis.
Offseason grade: B+
Vancouver Canucks
28 of 30
2013 record: 26-15-7 (579 points); lost in first round.
Key additions: Head coach John Tortorella and defenseman Yannick Weber. Tortorella will try to tighten the ship and get the Canucks to focus more intently after two straight first-round losses in the playoffs. Weber is a decent defenseman but he is not a star.
Key departures: Goalie Cory Schneider and centers Derek Roy and Maxim Lapierre. Schneider appeared to be the Canucks' No. 1 goalie, but he was traded to New Jersey and Roberto Luongo is once again in the starting role. Roy didn't fit in well with the Canucks after he was acquired from the Dallas Stars.
Best draft move: The Canuks selected center Bo Horvat with the ninth pick in the draft. Horvat is a solid two-way player who will have a chance to make a contribution in the 2014-15 season
Offseason grade: D
Washington Capitals
29 of 30
2013 record: 27-18-3 (57 points); lost in first round
Key additions: Right wing Tom Wilson. The Caps didn't make any major moves, but the 19-year-old Wilson earned a spot on the roster because he can anchor in the slot and put the puck in the net. He has a chance to become an impact player for the Caps.
Key departures: Centers Mike Ribeiro and Matt Hendricks and defenseman Jeff Schultz. Ribeiro's decision to leave Washington and sign with the Coyotes hurts the Capitals offensive balance dramatically.
Best draft move: Left wing Andre Burakovsky was taken by the Caps with the 23rd pick overall. He has excellent skating speed and can score, but he needs to develop a more well-rounded game.
Offseason grade: D
Winnipeg Jets
30 of 30
2013 record: 24-21-3 (51 points); failed to make playoffs
Key additions: Right wings Devin Setoguchi and Michael Frolik. Setoguchi is a legitimate scorer who scored 20 or more goals three years in a row with the Sharks. While he couldn't reach that level in two years with Minnesota, he has a chance to reach that level again.
Key departures: The Jets did not suffer any key losses in the offseason.
Best draft move: The Jets selected Joshua Morrissey with the 13th pick in the draft. Morrissey is a solid puck-moving defenseman who is an excellent skater and should have an opportunity to play for the Jets within two to three years.
Offseason grade: D
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