Every single summer NHL teams spend their time trying to improve their rosters through the draft, free agency and trades with other teams. While every team is busy the results aren’t the same for the league’s 31 clubs. Some franchises have more success than others when it comes to their offseason moves helping to deliver position results. Here is a look at the top five NHL offseason moves paying dividends right now.
Blue Jackets Acquire Artemi Panarin
The Columbus Blue Jackets turned a lot of heads in June when they traded Brandon Saad to the Columbus Blue Jackets in a deal for Artemi Panarin. Columbus is 8-4-0 through its first 12 games and Panarin leads the team with 10 points. The Blue Jackets have one of the deeper forward cores in the NHL this season and Panarin might be their most talented player up front.
New Jersey Devils Promote Nico Hischier & Will Butcher
The New Jersey Devils have gone all-in with the young players on their roster, giving 2017 first-overall pick Nico Hischier and fellow rookie Will Butcher the opportunity to play substantial minutes early on. Hischier has two goals and seven points through his first 11 games while Butcher trails only Taylor Hall for the team scoring lead with 11 points in 11 games. The young stars on the Devils roster are a big reason why they rank fifth in the NHL with an average of 3.6 goals per game this season. It will be interesting to see if they can keep it up following a 9-2-0 start to the season.
Las Vegas Golden Knights Select James Neal
The Vegas Golden Knights have stolen the spotlight with an 9-4-0 record through their first 13 games. Nobody expected that an expansion team would be contending for the a division lead – even early in the season. The fact that they have been so good despite injuries to their top three goaltenders is a testament to their high level of play. Another reason for their strong start is the play of forward James Neal, who leads the team with seven goals and a team-high 10 points. Neal has rediscovered his scoring touch as the top sniper in Vegas. The Golden Knights will need him to keep it up at the offensive end of the ice if they are going to contend for a playoff spot this season.
St. Louis Blues Trade For Brayden Schenn
The Blues search for a second-line center ended when they acquired Brayden Schenn from the Philadelphia Flyers over the summer. Schenn is tied for fourth on the team with 11 points through his first 13 games. St. Louis recently gave Schenn a shot centering a line next to Vladimir Tarasenko. That plum opportunity could lead to a productive year for Schenn as he plays with the Blues most talented scorer and on the team’s top powerplay.
The Blues enter Sunday with the best record in the Western Conference. They have compiled 23 points in 15 games. Their offense has been incredible as their 50 goals scored are the best in the West. Only three other teams in the entire league have scored more than the St. Louis Blues.
Toronto Maple Leafs Sign Patrick Marleau
The Toronto Maple Leafs also turned heads with the acquisition of the veteran Marleau, whose versatility and experience has been a good fit this season. Marleau hasn’t been asked to contribute as a top scorer but he has proved his worth quickly as a versatile two-way forward that has been able to chip in at the offensive end of the ice as well with five goals and four assists so far. Marleau’s real value could come later in the year if this young Maple Leafs team is able to play to its potential and reach the playoffs. Toronto invested in Marleau with the hope that he can provide them with a proven, veteran forward when it matters the most in the postseason.
The Leafs have cooled off of late, losing two in a row and five of six. However, they have been one of the league’s better offensive teams and their issues have stemmed from the defensive side of things.
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