Overshadowed by the NBA “free-agent frenzy”, the NHL free-agent signing period resulted in a few big names changing sweaters. Here are the top 5 NHL teams who’ve improved the most this offseason:
Tampa Bay Lightning
New owner Jeff Winik wasted no time cleaning house, firing GM Brian Lawton and head coach Rick Tocchet. Steve Yzerman was brought in as the GM in May, and quickly appointed incumbent AHL coach of the year Guy Boucher.
Yzerman acquired top-six forward Simon Gagne from Philadelphia in what was basically a salary dump by the Flyers. Yzerman also brought in goaltender Dan Ellis, who will likely become Tampa Bay’s top goaltender. Talented defenceman Pavel Kubina also returns to Tampa Bay.
Vancouver Canucks
Last season, the Vancouver Canucks were the highest scoring team in the Western Conference, and MVP Henrik Sedin led the NHL in scoring.
However, despite finishing in the top half of the league in goals allowed, Vancouver had room for improvement. An already fragile defence was depleted by injuries, and Vancouver was no match for the Cup-winning Chicago Blackhawks in the playoffs.
Addressing their defensive woes, the Canucks signed highly coveted free-agent defenceman Dan Hamhuis, and acquired blueliner Keith Ballard. Hamhuis is a durable two-way defenceman while Ballard provides a tough, stay at home presence.
The Canucks are also hoping defensive-forward Manny Malhotra will provide depth at center.
St. Louis Blues
Jaroslav Halak could become the Blues’ best goaltender since Curtis Joseph.
Halak, only 25 years old, demonstrated his all-world abilities throughout the 2009-10 campaign. He led Slovakia to an Olympic semi-final appearance, and led the Montreal Canadiens to playoff victories over the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins.
Halak finished in the top 10 in goals against average, save percentage and shutouts, posting a 26-13-5 record. He should be a considerable upgrade over former starting netminder Chris Mason.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Losing Sergei Gonchar hurts but adding Zbynek Michalek and Paul Martin made the Pens a better team overall. Pittsburgh’s backend is in much better shape than it was three months ago.
According to NHL.com’s Dan Rosen, the 27-year-old Michalek was one of the main reasons Phoenix allowed the fewest goals in the Western Conference.
Complementing Michalek is Paul Martin, a smooth-skating two-way defenceman that will try to fill the offensive void left by Gonchar.
In addition to one of the most talented offences in the NHL, the Penguins have three strong defencemen in Michalek, Martin, and Brooks Orpik as well as the offensively talented Kris Letang and Alex Goligoski
Ottawa Senators
On the topic of Gonchar, the Senators have made the biggest free agent signing of the 2010 offseason (until Ilya Kovalchuk is signed), inking Sergei Gonchar to a two-year deal.
Ottawa was an average team offensively last season and lacked scoring from the blue line. Their top offensive defenceman, Filip Kuba, was 55th among defencemen with 28 points.
Gonchar will be the best offensive defenceman that’s ever played for the Senators. (Sorry Wade Redden fans). The talented Russian has shown no signs of slowing down despite being on the wrong side of 35.