Offseason Moves Having the Biggest Impact on the 2015-16 NHL Season

Approaching the quarter mark of the 2015-16 NHL season, we can begin to evaluate the offseason moves that are having the biggest impact thus far. Some, like the Buffalo Sabres acquiring and signing center Ryan O'Reilly (pictured above), were the result of major trades or free-agent signings.

Not every significant move involved a big-name player. Some, like the Chicago Blackhawks signing former KHL player Artemi Panarin, were below-the-radar moves that have panned out far better than imagined.

Here's a look at the trades and free-agent signings having the biggest impact on this NHL season. Details of each move, current performance and effects upon their respective teams factored into the ranking. Feel free to weigh in with your thoughts in the comments section below.

10. Reilly Smith for Jimmy Hayes

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After the Boston Bruins and Florida Panthers missed the playoffs last season, both clubs shook things up with a trade. The Bruins shipping the rights of virtually retired center Marc Savard as a salary dump to the Panthers drew the most attention. That was just a throw-in to the main part of the deal, as the Bruins parted with winger Reilly Smith (pictured above) for big forward Jimmy Hayes. 

The 6'5", 215-pound Hayes has power forward potential, but he's also struggled with consistency. While among the Bruins' points leaders, the bulk of his offense came in just six games. Smith is also a streaky scorer with the Panthers. Defensively, however, he's their leader in takeaways and second among their forwards in blocked shots.

With the Bruins and Panthers competing for a playoff berth in the Eastern Conference, the swap of Smith for Hayes could affect the outcome of this season for both clubs. It will be worthwhile following both players to determine the short- and long-range impact they'll have upon their respective teams. 

9. Sharks Bring in Joel Ward and Martin Jones

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After missing the 2015 playoffs, the San Jose Sharks made several offseason moves via trade and free agency to bolster their roster depth. One was signing free-agent winger Joel Ward (pictured above). The other was acquiring goaltender Martin Jones via trade with the Boston Bruins. 

Ward, 34, wasted little time making a contribution to the Sharks offense. He's currently among their leaders in goals, points and takeaways.  The 25-year-old Jones has a record of 10 wins and five losses in 16 appearances. While he's had a few shaky performances, he's also showing signs of establishing himself as a reliable starter.

The Sharks have had their inconsistencies this season but find themselves jockeying for playoff positioning in the Western Conference. Adding Ward and Jones should improve their chances of securing a postseason berth. 

8. Devils Add Kyle Palmieri and Lee Stempniak

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After missing the 2015 playoffs and finishing 28th in goals per game last season, the New Jersey Devils made a couple of affordable offseason deals to address this situation. In June, they acquired winger Kyle Palmieri (pictured above) from the Anaheim Ducks. Following a training-camp tryout, they signed veteran forward Lee Stempniak to a one-year contract. 

Both moves scarcely garnered notice among the summer's notable deals, yet they've paid significant early dividends for the Devils. Palmieri and Stempniak are among New Jersey's leading scorers. They've also helped boost the Devils' goals per game to 21st overall. Both players also have solid defensive numbers.

The Devils are currently jockeying for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference standings. The additions of Palmieri and Stempniak contributed to this club's improvement. Should they maintain their current levels of performance throughout the remainder of the season, their acquisitions will rank among last summer's steals. 

7. Canadiens Sign Tomas Fleischmann

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Two of the Montreal Canadiens' more-publicized offseason additions (Zack Kassian, Alexander Semin) failed to pan out. The same, however, cannot be said of winger Tomas Fleischmann, who earned a roster spot via training-camp tryout in September. 

Coming off the worst performance (27 points in 64 games) of his career last season, the 31-year-old Fleischmann's been reborn in Montreal. Skating on a line with David Desharnais and Dale Weise, he's currently among the Canadiens' leading scorers.  His three game-winning goals tie him for the club lead. He's currently on pace for 55 points, putting him on track for the second-highest total of his career.

The Canadiens are currently among the NHL's top teams, particularly on offense. The addition of Fleischmann is among the reasons behind their improved scoring. He's providing the Habs with invaluable, experienced offensive depth. 

6. Blackhawks, Blue Jackets Multi-Player Swap

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Among the biggest offseason moves saw the Chicago Blackhawks shipping winger Brandon Saad to the Columbus Blue Jackets in a multi-player deal. Center Artem Anisimov (pictured above) was part of the return received by the Blackhawks. 

The Blue Jackets are struggling this season, but the 23-year-old Saad is proving to be a solid offensive contributor. He's among the Jackets' leaders in goals, points and game-winning goals. Anisimov, 27, is fitting in well with the Blackhawks. He's among their leading scorers and is particularly effective in shorthanded situations. 

With both players under long-term contracts, they'll be contributing factors with their new clubs for a long time. While other elements of this trade have yet to be determined, Saad and Anisimov should continue to have a long-term effect.

5. Capitals Land T.J. Oshie and Justin Williams

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Lacking scoring depth on right wing, the Washington Capitals made a couple of bold offseason moves to address the issue. First, they signed free-agent winger Justin Williams, then quickly followed up by acquiring T.J. Oshie (pictured above) from the St. Louis Blues. 

While consistency remains an issue with the 28-year-old Oshie, he's still among the Capitals' top goal scorers this season. Williams, 34, is a more reliable contributor, ranking among their points leaders. Both players are among the club's leaders in shots.

The Capitals are currently among the top clubs in the Eastern Conference and second in the Metropolitan Division. Oshie and Williams have bolstered their forward depth, becoming contributing factors in the club's solid performance this season. 

4. Kings Acquire Milan Lucic

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Missing the playoffs in 2015 prompted Los Angeles Kings management to make one of the offseason's biggest moves. In June, they acquired left wing Milan Lucic from the Boston Bruins. 

Following a slow start on the Kings' top line, the 27-year-old Lucic was shifted to the second line alongside center Jeff Carter and winger Tyler Toffoli. The move quickly paid dividends, as Lucic leads the Kings in game-winning goals and hits. At his current pace, Lucic could reach 30 goals and 50 points this season. 

Lucic settling into his role as a second-line power forward is a significant reason why the Kings sit atop the Pacific Division standings. His unrestricted free-agent status next summer leaves his long-term future in Los Angeles in doubt. For now, however, he's having a positive effect upon his new team. 

3. Stars Take on Patrick Sharp and Antti Niemi

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During the offseason, the Dallas Stars made two moves to bolster their scoring and goaltending depth. They acquired winger Patrick Sharp (pictured above) via trade from the Chicago Blackhawks and acquired and signed goaltender Antti Niemi from the San Jose Sharks. 

With the Stars becoming the first team to reach 15 victories this season, it's evident these moves paid dividends. After a slow start, the 33-year-old Sharp is among the Stars' scoring leaders.  Nearly half of the Stars victories came with Niemi between the pipes. His presence also seems to have sparked an improvement in Kari Lehtonen's performance.

Sharp and Niemi bring years of experience to the Stars' young core, providing much-needed depth and stability.  They are certainly key factors in the club's sizzling start to this season. 

2. Blackhawks Sign Artemi Panarin

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The Chicago Blackhawks made several notable offseason moves, including major trades with the Columbus Blue Jackets and Dallas Stars. However, a little-noticed signing of free-agent forward Artemi Panarin could turn out to be their most significant deal. 

Having spent several seasons in Russia, the 23-year-old Panarin is showing no signs of difficulty adapting to the NHL game. In fact, he's among this season's hottest rookies. Not only is he leading the league in rookie points, he's also among the Blackhawks' top scorers. 

Before this season began, there was some concern over how the Blackhawks would cope with trading away wingers Brandon Saad and Patrick Sharp. Thanks to Panarin, they seem to be handling that situation just fine. 

1. Sabres Acquire Ryan O'Reilly

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The Buffalo Sabres acquiring center Ryan O'Reilly in a multi-player swap with the Colorado Avalanche was among the offseason's biggest deals. So far this season, the 24-year-old center is having a strong effect upon the rebuilding Sabres.

O'Reilly is certainly making his presence felt offensively. He leads the Sabres in points and is also their leader in power-play goals and points. He's also strong in the faceoff circle and their top forward in shorthanded minutes. 

Best of all, O'Reilly quickly established himself as a leader on this largely young Sabres team. On Oct. 31, the Buffalo News' John Vogl reported O'Reilly is justifying management's faith in him as a player who can do it all. With the Sabres currently within striking distance of a playoff berth, it's clear O'Reilly is a major factor behind their improvement this season.