NHL Free Agency Winners and Losers – With the Canadian 2023 NHL Draft news, teams focus on free agency to bolster their rosters for the upcoming 2023-24 season. While the 2023 free agent class may not have boasted the same star power as the previous year, there were still significant moves made that could impact teams’ fortunes. Today, we will analyze some significant winners and losers of NHL free agency, highlighting the Carolina Hurricanes and the Toronto Maple Leafs as the early victors.
Carolina Hurricanes-Winner
The Carolina Hurricanes have emerged as one of the most improved teams this offseason. General Manager Don Waddell spent little time making impactful signings. Their blue line received a significant boost with the addition of top free-agent defenseman Dmitri Orlov on a two-year, $16 million contract. Orlov’s impressive performance last season, tallying 36 points, makes him an excellent addition alongside offensive-minded defenseman Brent Burns.
Carolina also addressed their forward depth by signing Michael Bunting, previously with the Toronto Maple Leafs, to a three-year, $13.5 million contract. With 46 goals over the past two seasons, Bunting’s scoring ability will provide a considerable lift to the Hurricanes’ top-six forwards. Additionally, the Hurricanes solidified their goaltending situation by signing veterans Frederik Andersen and Antti Raanta to short-term deals, bringing valuable experience to the team’s pursuit of a Stanley Cup.
NHL Free Agency Winners and Losers: Boston Bruins-Loser
Despite their impressive regular season in 2022, the Boston Bruins faltered in the playoffs, and their free agency moves have raised eyebrows. While they added veterans James van Riemsdyk, Milan Lucic, Kevin Shattenkirk, and Morgan Geekie, they still needed to retain key contributors from last season’s roster. The departure of Tyler Bertuzzi, who had seamlessly fit into the Bruins’ lineup, was shocking. Although their decision to let Orlov go may be justified due to existing blue line depth, their failure to retain Bertuzzi’s versatility and impact was a missed opportunity.
Toronto Maple Leafs-Winner
The Toronto Maple Leafs faced early setbacks in free agency, losing Ryan O’Reilly to the Nashville Predators and Michael Bunting to the Hurricanes. However, they swiftly rebounded by acquiring coveted winger Tyler Bertuzzi on a one-year, $5.5 million deal. Bertuzzi’s scoring ability and well-rounded game make him a significant addition to the team. The Maple Leafs strengthened their forward group by signing Max Domi to a one-year, $3 million contract, bolstering their depth and skill.
Toronto’s defensive corps also received a boost with the addition of John Klingberg on a one-year, $4.15 million contract. Klingberg’s offensive prowess will provide another dimension to their blue line. Despite early setbacks, the Maple Leafs recovered impressively, replacing departing players with the top remaining talent on the market.
Tampa Bay Lightning-Loser
The Tampa Bay Lightning, a perennial contender, faced financial constraints again this offseason. In their quest to manage the salary cap, they were forced to part ways with forward Alex Killorn and traded Ross Colton to the Colorado Avalanche. These moves underscore successful teams’ challenges in retaining all their key contributors.
After losing Ondrej Palat in the previous offseason, the Lightning encountered a similar situation this year. While cap-friendly, the signings of Conor Sheary and Luke Glendening may only partially compensate for the departures of Killorn and Colton. Tampa Bay’s dynasty may be reaching a stage where retaining every championship piece becomes increasingly tricky.
Colorado Avalanche-Winner
The Colorado Avalanche, beset by injuries last season, focused on adding depth to their roster in free agency. General Manager Joe Sakic made shrewd moves by signing winger Miles Wood to a six-year contract with an average annual value of just $2.5 million. Wood’s scoring ability will provide the Avalanche with additional offensive depth.
The Avalanche also sought to revive the career of Jonathan Drouin, signing him to a one-year, $825,000 deal. Drouin’s talent and potential make him a low-risk, high-reward signing. Furthermore, Colorado secured the services of defenseman Bowen Byram, signing him to a two-year, $3.85 million contract extension. Byram’s growth and contributions last season were notable, making him an essential piece on the blue line.
Pittsburgh Penguins-Loser
The Pittsburgh Penguins made a questionable move in re-signing goaltender Tristan Jarry to a five-year, $26.857 million contract. Despite Jarry’s inconsistency and injury concerns, the Penguins committed significant financial resources to a netminder who has struggled in the postseason. Exploring potential trades for established goaltenders such as Connor Hellebuyck or John Gibson might have been a wiser choice.
On a positive note, the Penguins added defenseman Ryan Graves, formerly of the New Jersey Devils, on a six-year, $27 million contract, which should help solidify their blue line. However, the hefty investment in Jarry’s contract raises concerns about their goaltending situation.
As NHL teams continue to fine-tune their rosters through free agency, some have emerged as winners while others face challenges. The Carolina Hurricanes and the Toronto Maple Leafs have made significant moves to strengthen their lineups, positioning themselves as early winners. Conversely, the Boston Bruins, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Pittsburgh Penguins needed help retaining key contributors or making questionable signings. The true impact of these free agency moves will unfold during the upcoming NHL season, and it will be intriguing to see how these teams fare with their new additions.
