NHL Free Agency Frenzy: Ranking the Top 5 Winners and Losers

Welcome to our analysis of the 2024 NHL free agency period! This Free Agency has been a whirlwind of activity with teams across the league making bold moves to bolster their rosters. From high-profile signings to underwhelming acquisitions, we've seen it all.

In this article, we'll break down the winners and losers, highlighting the teams that made the best moves and those that may have missed the mark. Whether your team is gearing up for a championship run or still piecing together the puzzle, we’ve got you covered. 

The Winners: Teams Making the Best Moves

Nashville Predators: A-

Key Moves: Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marschesault, Brady Skjei & Juuse Saros 

Alright folks, it’s honky-tonk time in Smashville! Barry Trotz just played a free agency tune that’s got everyone on their feet. The Preds went full Southern rock with their signings this year – Stamkos, the timeless legend, Marchessault, the gritty grinder, and Skjei, the captivating new act. Bachelorette parties better get those jerseys ready because they’re about to be the hottest thing since the Nashville hot chicken sandwich!

But here's the thing, free agency operates within a pond of talent. You cast your line hoping to snag a trophy marlin, but sometimes all you reel in is a bottom-feeding catfish. Trotz definitely landed two of the top three fish in the unrestricted free agent pool. Let's just hope these catches aren't catfish in disguise!

Chicago Blackhawks:  B+

Key Moves: Teuvo Teravainen & Tyler Bertuzzi

Alright, Chicago, listen up! The Blackhawks are stacking their roster with some deep-dish talent. They brought in Teuvo Teravainen, who’s got the finesse of a Chicago blues riff—smooth and stylish. And then there's Tyler Bertuzzi, who’s as tough and flavorful as a classic Chicago beef sandwich. This duo could have the Windy City rocking all the way to the postseason!

Building a roster is like making the perfect deep-dish pizza. Sometimes you get that gooey, cheesy perfection, and other times it's a soggy mess. Did the Blackhawks nail their recipe with Teravainen and Bertuzzi, or are we looking at a slice of disappointment? 

Toronto Maple Leafs: B+

Key Moves: Chris Tanev, OEL, Max Domi, Joseph Woll 

Alright, Leafs fans, loosen those ties and dust off those playoff beards – because things are finally looking up north of the border! Brad Treliving out here giving the Toronto faithful what they've been crying out for – defense, baby! OEL and Chris Tanev, the wise old hands who play like they’re in their prime, are set to anchor the blueline. At long last, the Leafs’ top-4 looks formidable.

But wait, there's more! They brought back Max Domi, a key piece to the Leafs maybe, just maybe, sniffing a second-round appearance. They even re-signed their most consistent netminder over the past two years in Joe Woll – The Great Wall of Woll! Anthony Solarz provides solid depth as the new backup. This roster is now deeper than Lake Ontario! Will this blend of veteran savvy and youthful energy be the ticket to playoff glory? Only time will tell, but one thing’s certain – hockey in Toronto has turned over a new leaf!

Boston Bruins: B+

Key Moves: Elias Lindholm & Nikita Zadorov

​​Let's check in on Boston, where the Bruins have cooked up a sizzling free agency mix! The team is adding some major talent with Elias Lindholm, a high-octane boost for their offense, and Nikita Zadorov, a defensive powerhouse ready to take on all comers. Boston just threw a couple of heavyweights into their lineup – get ready for some knockout performances!

Free agency is like a New England clambake – sometimes you get the juicy lobster, other times you’re left with empty shells. Did the Bruins snag the big catch of the off-season, or are these new additions going to leave fans feeling like they got the short end of the stick? 

The Losers: Teams Making Questionable Moves

Pittsburgh Penguins : C

Key Moves: Signing Matt Grzelcyk, Kevin Hayes and Anthony Beauvillier.

The Penguins’ roster changes don't exactly spark excitement, primarily due to their salary cap limitations. It’s akin to trying to craft a masterpiece with limited resources – it’s just lacking the necessary flair. With these modest additions, Pittsburgh may struggle to develop the chemistry necessary for top-level competition, making fans feel like they're attending a cover band performance instead of a headline act.

New York Rangers: C

Key Moves: Signing Jack Roslovic and Erik Gustafsson.

The Rangers’ signings don’t seem to move the needle much. It’s like going to Times Square for the ball drop and finding out it’s canceled—anticlimactic. New York needs more impactful additions to keep up with the top teams, or they’ll be playing second fiddle.

Minnesota Wild: C-

Key Moves: Signing Yakov Trenin & Jacob Middleton 

Alright, let's dive into the land of 10,000 lakes where the Wild’s off-season has been more like a lazy river. Signing Yakov Trenin is like adding one small fish to a thousand lakes—not enough to make waves. But hey, at least we get more of Jacob Middleton’s shirtless interviews for the next four seasons! Trenin and Middleton aren’t going to heat things up. So, Wild fans, prepare for a lukewarm season. It’s like hoping for a big catch and ending up with minnows. Unless Minnesota pulls off some miracle moves, this season is looking pretty bleak. It’s going to be a long winter, folks.

Calgary Flames: C-

Key Moves: Jake Bean, Ryan Lomberg & Anthony Mantha 

The Flames’ off-season is like serving up a bowl of plain oatmeal—no flavor, no excitement. The Flames’ strategy seems to be quantity over quality. It’s like trying to warm up by a campfire with wet logs—still pretty cold. Calgary’s roster moves are missing that spark, making them more of a background act in the NHL concert. It’s going to take more than a few mid-tier players to ignite this flame.

Montreal Canadiens: C-

Key Moves: Signing Slafkowsky & Alex Barre-Boulet

Their off-season moves have been less than impressive. Giving an unproven third-year player an $60 million deal over eight years? That’s a high-risk, low-reward scenario. The Canadiens Free Agency moves are like trying to enjoy poutine with soggy fries—disappointing and lacking crunch. Montreal might find itself struggling in a competitive league, with fans left wanting more

Honorable Mentions

Edmonton Oilers: B+

Key moves: Connor Brown, Jeff Skinner, Viktor Arvidsson, Corey Perry, Mattias Janmark & Adam Henrique 

The Oilers’ off-season moves have been solid. Bringing back Connor Brown on a $1 million deal after his postseason heroics? That’s like finding a $20 bill in your couch cushions. Absolute steal. Keeping Janmark and Henrique on reasonable deals? Clutch moves – these guys were pivotal in that epic playoff run to game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

But wait, there's more! The Oilers snagged Jeff Skinner, fresh off a buyout from the Sabres. This guy’s got over 1,000 NHL games under his belt. Sure, no playoff games, but they got him for a cool $3 million AAV. And the cherry on top? Signing Viktor Arvidsson, the ultimate water bug on the ice. This guy's going to buzz around and make things happen. Edmonton’s lineup just got a whole lot deeper and a whole lot scarier. Buckle up, Oil Country – this is going to be hotter than a summer day at Hawrelak Park!

Seattle Kraken: B

Key Moves: Signing Brandon Montour and Chandler Stephenson.

The Kraken are making waves, folks! Montour and Stephenson are like two fresh fish tossed at Pike Place Market—accurate, unexpected, and sure to make a splash. While the cost of their contracts is high, especially since both players are over 30, Seattle is prepared to reel in some big wins in the Pacific Division. Watch out, the Kraken are coming for you, hook, line, and sinker!