Ranking the 10 Biggest Roster Moves from the 2016 NHL Offseason so Far

NHL teams entered the offseason with a thinner-than-usual free-agent crop and a large number of needs. The lingering specter of expansion one year from now also factored in. Along with cap and contract pressures and the deadlines those things force on managers, early summer gave us some explosive results in trades and free agency.

The biggest trades and free-agent signings this summer were astonishing, and some impressive changes were lost in the reaction to the big deals. As the summer rolls along, we can take some time to go back and look at the earth-shattering trades, their impacts and what those monster moves mean to the teams and players involved.

Here are the 10 biggest moves of the summer of 2016 in the NHL.

Bonus: Chicago Blackhawks Sign Brian Campbell

Wilfredo Lee/Associated Press

What's the Deal? The Chicago Blackhawks signed free agent Brian Campbell, per the team website. 

What Is the Immediate Impact? Chicago's defense has lacked consistency over the last few years beyond staples Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook and Niklas Hjalmarsson. Campbell—who played with the Blackhawks from 2008 to 2011—will offer the club a veteran presence on the second or third pairing.

How Much Does it Improve the Team for 2016-17? The Blackhawks are perennial Stanley Cup contenders, and adding a quality veteran such as Campbell on a friendly deal ($1.5 million, per ESPN's Pierre LeBrun) is a massive positive. There is a chance this addition will be considered vital to another Stanley Cup Final appearance for Chicago next summer.

10. Calgary Flames Acquire Brian Elliott

Jeff Roberson/Associated Press

What's the Deal? The Calgary Flames traded a second-round pick in the 2016 draft—that turned into Jordan Kyrou—to the St. Louis Blues for goaltender Brian Elliott.

What Is the Immediate Impact? The Flames posted a solid year in 2015-16, but the goaltending struggled. As Stats.HockeyAnalysis.com tells us, the team finished with the most goals against (254) while ranking No. 11 in fewest shots allowed (2,371) in 2015-16. That speaks to goaltending, and Calgary should be better in the coming year. 

How Much Does it Improve the Team for 2016-17? Along with the signing of free agent Chad Johnson, the Flames performed a complete makeover of their goaltending. The team would've been good enough to be a playoff contender last season were the goalies up to scratch and should be a strong contender again in 2016-17.

9. New York Islanders Sign Andrew Ladd

Nam Y. Huh/Associated Press

What's the Deal? The New York Islanders added winger Andrew Ladd in free agency. The Islanders website had the story July 1. 

What Is the Immediate Impact? Ladd arrives in Brooklyn with a big opportunity in front of him. John Tavares played well with a large group of wingers last year—five wingers spent over 200 minutes with him at even strength—and Ladd should end the rotating wingers on the port side.

How Much Does it Improve the Team for 2016-17? The Islanders lost Kyle Okposo, so this addition is more like a replacement. Ladd gives New York a gritty winger with lots of skill, and if Tavares finds chemistry with him, Ladd could be a tremendous addition.

8. Boston Bruins Sign David Backes in Free Agency

Jeff Roberson/Associated Press

What's the Deal? The Boston Bruins signs David Backes early in free agency to effectively replace Loui Eriksson, who bolted to the Vancouver Canucks. The signing was reported on the team website. 

What Is the Immediate Impact? Boston adds a player who has more range—Backes can play center or wing—and can offer a rugged, physical style of play. He is a good fit for the Bruins based on the team's traditional template.

How Much Does it Improve the Team for 2016-17? The Bruins lost a fine two-way winger in Eriksson, but Backes is a strong talent. The overall impact of each player is likely similar, so Boston is no closer to the playoffs—but needed to make this acquisition in order to avoid losing ground on the rest of the Eastern Conference.

7. Arizona Coyotes Acquire Alex Goligoski from the Dallas Stars

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What's the Deal? The Arizona Coyotes made a brave move this summer, dealing a draft pick to the Dallas Stars for the rights to defender Alex Goligoski. The pick was used on Colton Point, and the entire story was covered by John Marshall of the Associated Press (via CBC Sports).

What Is the Immediate Impact? The Coyotes went from a team with one foundation piece on defense—Oliver Ekman-Larsson—to one that can boast a top-pairing defender for most of the game. 

How Much Does it Improve the Team for 2016-17? Assuming Arizona runs Ekman-Larsson on the top pair and Goligoski on the second pair, the team will be one of the few in the NHL with that kind of quality. A strong, mobile defense that can get the puck to the forwards quickly and under control is a big part of today's game—and the Coyotes are instantly a leader in this category.

6. Vancouver Canucks Sign Loui Eriksson

Charles Krupa/Associated Press

What's the Deal? The Vancouver Canucks secured a top-flight free agent in Loui Eriksson, formerly of the Boston Bruins. It was reported via the team website. 

What Is the Immediate Impact? The Canucks upgraded on the wing, getting a productive two-way winger who can play big minutes in all situations. For a team badly in need of difference-makers, Eriksson is an important addition. 

How Much Does it Improve the Team for 2016-17? Vancouver desperately needed a veteran who can drive offense and possession, and Eriksson is a perfect fit. This is a team in transition, with most of the 2011 Stanley Cup Final team gone and having been replaced with youth. Eriksson—along with the still-vital Sedin twins—gives the team a strong veteran presence in its efforts to make the playoffs next spring.

5. Buffalo Sabres Acquire Kyle Okposo in Free Agency

Julie Jacobson/Associated Press

What's the Deal? The Buffalo Sabres signed winger Kyle Okposo early in free agency, adding another major piece to its emerging roster. The news came courtesy of the team website.

What Is the Immediate Impact? Buffalo has real offensive talent now, with Okposo supplementing Ryan O'Reilly, Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart. The impact should be substantial in the coming year.

How Much Does it Improve the Team for 2016-17? The Sabres have been adding talent smartly but needed a player who can play on a top line and push offense. Okposo is such a player and should find chemistry with centers Eichel and O'Reilly throughout the season. Robbing state rivals the New York Islanders of their star winger only adds to the appeal for Buffalo fans.

4. Florida Panthers Acquire and Sign Keith Yandle

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What's the Deal? The Florida Panthers acquired Keith Yandle from the New York Rangers and then signed him to a long-term deal. The story was covered by the Associated Press (via CBC Sports).

What Is the Immediate Impact? The Panthers used Brian Campbell and Dmitry Kulikov as left-handed defensemen on the power play in 2015-16. Both men will play elsewhere in the coming season, with Yandle taking over the power-play slot. 

How Much Does it Improve the Team for 2016-17? Florida upgraded in a big way in this area. There are precious few true difference-makers among defensemen when it comes to the power play. Keith Yandle ranked No. 1 among NHL defensemen in power-play points per 60 a year ago and is an impact player in this area.

3. Edmonton Oilers Sign Milan Lucic

Winslow Townson/Associated Press

What's the Deal? The Edmonton Oilers signed winger Milan Lucic in the early hours of free agency. The massive deal was reported by NHL.com.

What Is the Immediate Impact? The Oilers added the most famous power forward in the NHL, and he will no doubt play on Connor McDavid's wing. Edmonton remains skilled while also getting bigger, stronger and more intimidating.

How Much Does it Improve the Team for 2016-17? If the McDavid-Lucic duo has chemistry—and it is reasonable to expect it will—Edmonton could make the playoffs for the first time since 2006. Taken in context with the trade of Taylor Hall to the New Jersey Devils, the improvement involves better balance and more defensive structure—along with a policeman for generational talent McDavid.

2. Edmonton Oilers and New Jersey Devils Make a Huge Deal

Bill Kostroun/Associated Press

What's the Deal? The Edmonton Oilers and New Jersey Devils hooked up to make a massive one-for-one trade that means Taylor Hall is now a New Jersey winger and Adam Larsson is an Oiler.

What Is the Immediate Impact? Both teams addressed extreme needs. Larsson will undoubtedly play the tough minutes on Edmonton's first pairing—possibly with fellow Swede Oscar Klefbom—starting opening night. The Devils lacked an offensive driver, and Hall is one of the best young players in the game.

How Much Does it Improve the Team for 2016-17? It should make both teams better immediately. New Jersey fans will be thrilled with Hall's fantastic ability to make plays, and Larsson should help a great deal in stopping Edmonton's opponents from scoring. As difficult as this trade may have been from a New Jersey perspective, the return for the Devils was well worth the price.

1. Nashville Predators and Montreal Canadiens Make a Blockbuster Deal

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What's the Deal? The Montreal Canadiens and Nashville Predators hooked up for a monster trade—one of the biggest of the century. Nashville captain Shea Weber headed to Montreal, with P.K. Subban going Tennessee. 

What Is the Immediate Impact? Montreal gets out from under a contract that would have included a no-movement clause had Subban remained with the club beyond July 1, which may have been a major factor. Nashville gets younger in a hurry at an important position.

How Much Does it Improve the Team for 2016-17? For the Predators, Subban offers a more dynamic offensive look and a strong puck-mover. For Montreal, they receive a hammer from the point but do lose some foot speed and puck-carrying ability.

Note: All advanced statistics via Stats.HockeyAnalysis.com.