Re-Grading the 10 Biggest Moves of the 2014 NHL Offseason

So...how are those offseason moves panning out?

There was plenty of action in the spring and summer of 2014, with NHL clubs doing what they could via trades and free agency to improve their squads for the coming season. Some of those worked out pretty well, while others haven't had the desired effect.

At least not yet.

We take a look at a dozen of the biggest moves at the time and what the impact has been this season, assigning a grade to each one in hindsight.

Click ahead to see the results and, as usual, feel free to add your own takes in the comments section.

All stats via NHL.com unless otherwise noted. Salary-cap information via Spotrac and NHLNumbers.com.

The Minnesota Wild Lure Thomas Vanek Back to Gopherland

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At first glance: Vanek returning to the state in which he played in college might have been the worst-kept secret in hockey. The match for the former Golden Gopher and the State of Hockey seemed perfect, adding depth behind the Wild's top, sniper Zach Parise.

Upon further review: The 31-year-old Vanek is on pace for the lowest goal total of his career and the lowest non-lockout point total since his rookie season. It hasn't been a match made in heaven, although he's showing signs of turning things around with three goals and six points in his last eight games. His minus-10 rating is another negative weighing against the hefty $6.5 million cap hit the Wild are absorbing.

The grade: (F) The team shelled out a great deal of money for a third big-ticket free agent in three years but is not seeing the return it expected.

Nashville Predators Trade for Sniper James Neal

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At first glance: The Predators got the big name in Neal, but the Pittsburgh Penguins certainly did well with the return in quality replacement Patric Hornqvist and a versatile forward in Nick Spaling, who can play center or wing up and down the lineup. Still, the Preds won in the initial assessment.

Upon further review: Neal is doing well for the Preds, sitting tied for second in goals with 16 through 44 games. Hornqvist, however, has 14 goals in just 38 games—missing some time with injury—and looks every bit as effective as Neal did on a line with Evgeni Malkin or Sidney Crosby. Hornqvist is a little cheaper, too.

The grade: (C) The grade is for the Predators. If not for their impressive jump in the standings, perhaps it would be lower because the Penguins look like they've come away with a slight edge in performance and salary, with the addition of Spaling being a bonus.

Paul Stastny Signs with the St. Louis Blues

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At first glance: Most in the hockey world believed Stastny would return to the Colorado Avalanche, but he stunned the team by defecting to his hometown St. Louis Blues on July 1. The move instantly made an already deep and powerful Blues team a favorite in the Western Conference.

Upon further review: Stastny had a slow start with the Blues before a shoulder injury knocked him out of the lineup, and he still sits well below his career averages. He's had a much stronger second half so far, however, with four points in his last five games and 15 in the 16 games since Christmas. Overall, he's got 28 points in 42 games.

The grade: (C+) An injury to fellow center Jori Lehtera should mean even more of an opportunity for Stastny to increase his numbers.

Top Free-Agent Blueliner Matt Niskanen Joins the Washington Capitals

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At first glance: Niskanen was the most prized free agent after a breakout 46-point season with the Pittsburgh Penguins. With an aging Mike Green in the last year of his contract, the extra offensive power from the defense seemed like a strong move from the Caps, who signed Niskanen to a seven-year deal worth more than $40 million.

Upon further review: The numbers on offense aren't nearly what most expected, so it's hard to justify the nearly $6 million per season the Capitals forked out for Niskanen. Then again, the Capitals have to be happy with the sometimes physical and generally sound defensive play they're getting this year.

The grade: (B) They kept his cap hit at $5.75, offering term over dollars, and are getting strong play in most areas aside from the score sheet. There is the possibility of improvement if he can prove in later seasons that last year wasn't a fluke.

New York Islanders Double Up on Offensive Depth

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At first glance: The New York Islanders already boasted some elite offensive players and good young up-and-comers on the roster before double dipping into free agency and adding former Toronto Maple Leafs teammates Mikhail Grabovski and Nikolai Kulemin. The move gave them one of the deepest scoring-forward groups in the NHL.

Upon further review: Kulemin has become a top penalty-killer, and the pair has become the Islanders' shutdown flankers centered by Frans Nielsen. Grabovski continues to rank among the top 50 of all skaters in possession, according to Stats.HockeyAnalysis.com.

The grade: (B) They aren't producing a great deal offensively but are good secondary sources who can move up and down the lineup as needed while offering advantages in other areas of the game, which gives them solid value.

Jarome Iginla Bolts Boston for Denver

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At first glance: The Colorado Avalanche were looking for a strong veteran presence to help guide an awesome cast of young players after a disappointing finish to a very positive regular season, and Iginla was the perfect fit as an unrestricted free-agent signing. He's a consistent 30-goal scorer and has been a captain in the league. He had a great year with the Bruins, but Boston could not afford to fit Iginla under the salary cap.

Upon further review: Iginla leads the team in goals and is second in points behind fellow vet Alex Tanguay, but the team is in jeopardy of missing the playoffs. For now, the Avs have still got a shot, and Iginla is notorious for being a strong finisher. He'll need to up his pace—currently, he's on track to score 25—to reach 30 again and help the Avs avoid missing the playoffs after winning the Central Division.

The grade: (B) The kids haven't been up to snuff all season, but Iginla has provided everything they've asked despite the fact he's 37 years old.

Vancouver Canucks Ink New No. 1 Goaltender in Ryan Miller

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At first glance: With options limited after dealing away Roberto Luongo, the Canucks were facing a year with unproven netminders Eddie Lack and Jacob Markstrom as a tandem. So they brought in a proven netminder who had a tough spring and paid Ryan Miller handsomely for a three-year term. Looking at a quick makeover rather than a rebuild after dealing away Ryan Kesler, it seemed risky at the time because Miller flopped with the St. Louis Blues in the playoffs.

Upon further review: Miller is among the top seven netminders in victories and is playing at his career average of a .915 save percentage, posting his lowest goals-against average since 2010 and sitting at third in shutouts with five. Things are going well for him and the Canucks, who sit in a wild-card spot right now.

The grade: (B+) Give general manager Jim Benning credit. He knew Miller from his time in Buffalo, and the veteran is getting the job done on the West Coast.

Dallas Adds Star Power with Jason Spezza Deal

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At first glance: Alex Chiasson has lots of potential, but he's no Jason Spezza. The Senators' hands were tied because Spezza asked for a trade, according to Dan Rosen of NHL.com, which hurt his value on the market and led to what looks like a lopsided deal for someone of Spezza's stature.

Upon further review: Spezza has thrived in Dallas, giving the Stars a stellar group of top three forwards in Tyler Seguin, Jamie Benn and the former Sens captain. The 31-year-old is third on the team with 37 points in 50 games so far. The Stars like him so much that they've already signed him to an extension. Chiasson hasn't taken the step forward the Senators hoped after a decent rookie season with the Stars.

The grade: (B+) The Stars get top marks for this move, which gives them the kind of center depth to compete with the Western Conference's best teams in the playoffs. They just need improvements in goal and on defense to make that a reality.

Nasty Negotiations End in New Deal for Ryan Johansen and Blue Jackets

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At first glance: Considering the hostility during the negotiations between the Columbus Blue Jackets and young star Johansen, news of the new deal on Oct. 6, just before the start of the regular season, was welcome. However, questions about the kid's character and whether he would play as hard as he did during a breakout year in 2013-14 were at the top of everyone's mind following the announcement of a three-year pact.

Upon further review: Johansen has already proved worthy of the new deal and further cemented the fact he will be paid a huge sum when this one expires. He's on pace for a second straight 30-goal season and will shatter his points total with 75 or more at his current rate.

The grade: (B) Both the team and the player compromised from hard stances, and it's paying off all around. If it wasn't for the minus-10 rating and atrocious spot in the standings, there would be a plus next to the letter.

Chicago Blackhawks Add Elusive Center Depth on the Cheap

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At first glance: With a one-year deal worth $2 million, the Blackhawks reduced their risk in adding Brad Richards to the second-line center competition while potentially enjoying huge rewards if he can bounce back from a couple of tumultuous years in New York with the Rangers.

Upon further review: He didn't storm in and grab the second-line spot at first but gradually worked his way into more ice time with the top guns. Richards has had some rough patches but has scored three goals and 11 points in his last 15 games. He is seventh in team scoring at the moment but second among centers and just off the pace of the third spot.

The grade: (A) It didn't cost them much in the way of money, and the Hawks now have the depth at center most believe was lacking in the playoff matchup against the Los Angeles Kings a year ago.

Anaheim Ducks Trade for Ryan Kesler

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At first glance: The Ducks picked up a solid second-line center from the Vancouver Canucks, and while the cost was high, including players Nick Bonino and Luca Sbisa, along with first- and third-round picks, it filled a need for the Stanley Cup contenders.

Upon further review: Kesler has lived up to expectations in California, sitting third in team scoring behind top-liners Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry. In the short term, the Ducks got the best player, although the Canucks could benefit more in the long run.

The grade: (A) From a Ducks perspective, it was a great deal that has helped them to the top of the Western Conference and should pay even bigger dividends in the playoffs.

Nashville Predators Sign UFA Mike Ribeiro

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At first glance: The Predators made a risky move in bringing the skilled but troubled center in as an unrestricted free agent. His battle with drugs and alcohol, which caused martial issues in his life away from the rink, made most teams nervous, but GM David Poile gave him a shot on July 15 after meeting with Ribeiro and his wife in person.

Upon further review: With 10 goals and 43 points in 50 games, Ribeiro looks like his old self, meshing with James Neal and sitting second in scoring on the team behind super rookie Filip Forsberg. His story has become one of the most incredible turnarounds in league history.

The grade: (A+) Taking a chance on a guy who's made plenty of mistakes, the Preds are now reaping the rewards.