NHL Eastern Conference: Loads of Trades and Signings
The NHL offseason has seen a number of moves by teams in the Atlantic and Metropolitan divisions.
However, the Boston Bruins have been on the outside looking in. The Bruins due to salary-cap restraints have had to watch other teams in the Atlantic division make efforts to strengthen their rosters.
Peter Chiarelli the general manager for Boston has not been able to make transactions to help keep his team at the top of the division.
Steve Yzerman from Tampa Bay, David Nonis from Toronto, Dale Tallon from Florida and Tim Murray from Buffalo have all been amongst the League’s busiest GMs since July 1 when the free agent market opened. Those four GMs have combined to acquire through trades 18 players.
Bryan Murray from Ottawa and Marc Bergevin from Montreal have been parts of significant trades that involved veteran players. At the same time, Ken Holland finds himself struggling to find players that were willing to take money from the Red Wings.
The first day of trades and free agent signings was wild, but things have calmed down since last Tuesday, as GMs now look at their rosters to see if their remain any holes to fill.
Two major changes for the Washington Capital and Pittsburgh Penguins have shaken the Metropolitan division.
The two biggest stars in th
e NHL play on teams in the Metropolitan division, and both have experienced great change around during the offseason.
Sidney Crosby the captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins has a new head coach, a new GM and six new teammates who wore different uniforms last season.
On top of that, eight players left Pittsburgh through trades of free agency.
Alex Ovechkin the captain for the Washington Capitals has a new GM and four teammates thus far who are new, including three former teammates of Crosby and two defenseman the talented Capitals forward used to battle with.
Pittsburgh is attempting to keep its place amongst the NHL elite while changing much on the go.
Washington is trying to return to being an elite NHL team.
Pittsburgh was an easy winner of the Metro division last season. However, the Penguins were eliminated from the playoffs in the second round by the New York Rangers.
The Washington Capitals on the other hand did not reach the postseason.
Washington and Pittsburgh however are not the only teams in the Metropolitan division making changes to their roster and front office.
The Rangers lost five players who were on the roster during their recent loss to the Los Angeles Kings in the Stanley Cup Finals.
Scott Hartnell was traded by the Philadelphia Flyers. Hartnell was considered the soul of the team by many fans and players.
Hartnell is now with the Columbus Blue Jackets making them bigger and more talented.
The New Jersey Devils have spent over $26.5 million to get a new offense. The Devils were out spent by the New York Islanders who rang the register for $36.75 million on two forwards for their second line.
The Carolina Hurricanes have changed the coach and GM.
This has all transpired over the past month since the Stanley Cup Finals ended. Much of it has taken place just since July 1 when the free agent market opened.
