The offseason for the National Hockey League is an exciting time filled with change and promise. Teams add to their rosters by drafting prospects, signing free agents, or trading proven talent, and the choices they make greatly impact their odds of winning the Stanley Cup on the best NHL betting sites.
This year’s offseason has been typically busy, with many of the key dominoes already falling. There are several teams that have really helped themselves and are building a stronger team for next year and the future. Let’s look at some of the biggest moves this offseason that have increased NHL teams’ odds of performing well next season and beyond.
Blackhawks Draft Connor Bedard
The Blackhawks did what everyone expected them to do with the first overall pick in the NHL Draft and took Connor Bedard. Bedard has been given the generational label by analysts, and he comes into the league looking like the next young player to be a dominant superstar. Bedard is a center with an incredible shot and unmatched hockey sense, and he gives the Blackhawks a new direction. Analysts expect him to immediately be a point-per-game guy and develop into a defining talent for the Blackhawks. He is the clear face of their future.
Kings Acquire Pierre-Luc Dubois
There had been a lot of rumours around Pierre-Luc Dubois for years now, particularly pertaining to Montreal. Those rumours have been put to bed after the Winnipeg Jets traded Dubois to the Kings for several young players, and the Kings signed him to an eight-year extension. Dubois is a big, physical center who is still only 25 and has multiple 60-point seasons on his resume. While he has been solid throughout his career, he still has room for growth, and on a talented Kings squad that now looks like a real cup contender, he could break out.
Red Wings Bring DeBrincat Home
Alex DeBrincat was born in Michigan, so this recent trade is a nice homecoming. DeBrincat started his career with the Blackhawks and showed himself to be an elite goalscorer with two 40-goal seasons. DeBrincat was initially traded to the Ottawa Senators; but after failing to come to an extension agreement with them this offseason, he was traded back home state Detroit Red Wings where he signed to a four-year extension and will provide top scoring talent as part of their push toward respectability.
Leafs Fill Out Their Top Six
The Toronto Maple Leafs had very little leverage this offseason, as they were heavily cap-strapped. They lost Michael Bunting and were not expected to make significant improvements. However, somehow, they’ve been able to bring aboard Tyler Bertuzzi and Max Domi, two chippy, talented players, that will give them a new and improved top six forwards. Bertuzzi is a huge get, as he is a former 30-goal scorer who performed exceptionally in last year’s playoffs. Domi is the son of Leafs’ legend Tie Domi and has shown the ability to be an elite playmaker at points in his career.
Blue Jackets Add to Their Defense
The Columbus Blue Jackets made the move of last offseason when they signed Johnny Gaudreau, but that only led to a disappointing season without success this year. They’re hoping their big moves this offseason will yield bigger results. The Blue Jackets recently made two significant acquisitions from two top teams; Damon Severson from New Jersey Devils and Ivan Provorov from Philadelphia Flyers are two defensemen with significant potential, both having shown considerable promise at different points throughout their careers. They’ll join with Zach Werenski to create a solid defensive core that could make them a far better team this season. With new draft pick Adam Fantilli in the mix, they have a clear direction.
