Written by: Noelani
NHL 2019 Offseason: Everything You Need to Know
It’s no question that the 2019 offseason was full of trades, signings, and unexpected twists. But how much do those trades, signings, and twists affects the teams within the Atlantic division? A division with some of the toughest teams around the league including the Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins. So let’s take a look at predictions for the teams of the Atlantic division for the upcoming 2019-2020 NHL season:
Tampa Bay Lightning
After the most historic regular seasons in franchise history, the Tampa Bay Lightning were the favorites to win the Stanley Cup. However, that cup run ended quite quickly as they were swept by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the first round. After that, they were on the hunt to turn things around and dominate another NHL season. Within the first two months of free agency, the Bolts have signed some lesser known players such as Cedric Paquette, Braydon Coburn, Jan Rutta, Cameron Gaunce, Danick Martel, and many others. Curtis McElhinney was also signed to a two-year contract worth an AAV of $1.3 million. After a career ending injury, Ryan Callahan was traded to the Ottawa Senators in return for goaltender Mike Condon. Brayden Point, one of the Bolts top players, has yet to be signed. With their new depth in goal tending and free agents still left to sign, how will the Bolts do this season? Will Kucherov and Vasilevsky lead the team to a successful playoff run, or will it end in heartbreak once again?
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins were one win away from winning the Stanley Cup, but that dream was taken from them by the St. Louis Blues. After a heartbreaking end to such a great postseason, the Bruins look to make another cup run. Though free agency began nearly three months ago, Bruins have yet to re-sign young superstar defenseman Charlie McAvoy. The Bruins did, however, sign Steven Kampfer to a two-year contract worth an AAV of $800,000. Not much has occurred with the Bruins during this offseason, but that’s no reason to count them out of this years playoff race. Like they have the past few years, the Bruins will come out this season ready to clinch a playoff spot as soon as they can. I don’t doubt that they will make another cup run again this year.
Toronto Maple Leafs
After another successful regular season and disappointing first round exit, the Toronto Maple Leafs simply look to keep some of their main stars and improve their skill. One thing that Kyle Dubas and the rest of the Leafs fan base has on their minds is re-signing one player: Mitch Marner. Thought it’s nearing the end of August and Marner has yet to be signed, Dubas is confident he will manage to keep him. But the rest of the fan base isn’t so sure. Dubas did manage to re-sign some other key players including Andreas Johnsson and Kasperi Kapanen. Other players, like Patrick Marleau, weren’t so lucky as he was traded to and bought out by the Carolina Hurricanes. This season will certainly be interesting, especially with the Marner situation. Will we have another William Nylander situation? The Leafs are definitely fit to make the playoffs, but can they survive past the first round, something that has burdened them the past three seasons?
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens had a disappointing end to their season as they were one or two wins away from clinching a playoff spot. Despite not making the playoffs for the second year in a row, general manager Marc Bergevin was looking to maintain a fairly quiet offseason. The Habs lost defensemen Jordie Benn to the free agency as he signed with his hometown team, the Vancouver Canucks, but acquired the young and talented Cole Caufield at the 2019 draft. With such a bright future and talented prospect pool, the Habs are looking to change very little in regards to their roster. Ryan Poehling, who scored three goals and a shootout goal in his debut is expected to play with the Canadiens this season. With new prospects and rising stars such as Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Max Domi, the Canadiens look to make the playoffs. While they might not be cup favorites, don’t count the Canadiens out just yet. They could surprise you.
Florida Panthers
After a disappointing season for the Panthers, they had a relatively quiet offseason. Goaltender Roberto Luongo announced retirement from the NHL soon after the post season had ended. This caused the Panthers to be on the hunt for another starting goaltender, and they later signed Sergei Bobrovsky. They also acquired Gustav Bouramman from the Minnesota Wild. Other than that, it’s remained fairly quiet for the Cats. It’s not likely that they will make the playoffs as they’ve been struggling in recent years, but will the newest acquired Vezina goaltender Bobrovsky help push them into a playoff position?
Buffalo Sabres
Last season was a disappointing one for the Sabres. After a great start to the season and drafting young defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, the Sabres ability to clinch a playoff spot looked promising. However, they then proceeded to have quite a downfall the last half of the regular season, pushing them out of a playoff spot. The Sabres made several acquisitions throughout the end of the 2018-2019 season as well as the offseason. One interesting acquisition includes signing Marcus Johansson to an AAV of $4.5M. Other acquisitions include Pominville, Vesey, and a Skinner extension. With many new players added to the roster, will the Buffalo Sabres be able to surpass the rest of the Atlantic and make the playoffs? Who will be key in getting them there? After a great start to last season, don’t count them out just yet.
Detroit Redwings
Yet again, another team with a relatively quiet offseason. The Wings finished second to last in the Atlantic division last season and look to change that. They did make a few acquisitions including Adam Erne from the Tampa Bay Lightning. They also did add a few other guys including Patrik Nemeth, Calvin Pickard, and Valtteri Filppula, with drafting Moritz Seider. The Wings upcoming season does not look promising or too hopeful, but they need a few years. With guys such as Larkin, Green, and Mantha, the Redwings look to bounce back within the next few years and make a big impact on the league. I don’t see the Wings making the playoffs this year, but you never know in the NHL these days.
Ottawa Senators
Our final team, with arguably the biggest downfall, is the Ottawa Senators. Their downfall began in the Eastern Conference Final back in 2017, and since their series loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, they have been in utter chaos. The Sens have announced, however, that they have gone into rebuild mode, starting with trading away key players such as Mark Stone and star defenseman Erik Karlsson. The Sens also managed to get rid of some contracts, like goaltender Mike Condon. They made a few acquisitions this season including signing Colin White to a six year contract. In attempts to rebuild, the Sens have also announced that they have refused to name a captain for this upcoming season. Everything that could have possibly gone wrong, went wrong for the Senators over the past few years from league scandals to questionable trades to heartbreaking loss after loss. While the Sens more than likely won’t make the playoffs this year, they’ve maintained a quiet offseason. Will the Sens manage to reclaim their dominant status in the league like they once had?