Checking in on what the other teams in the Pacific Division have done this off-season
1 year ago
We’re three days into free agency, so let’s check on what the other Pacific Division teams are up to.
For all of the signings from this year’s free agency, head to Cap Friendly. For a list of who’s left on the market, head over to Daily Faceoff.
Oilers:
Additions: Drake Caggiula, Lane Pederson, Connor Brown, Ben Gleason.
Subtractions: Nick Bjugstad, Kailer Yamamoto, Klim Kostin.
Remaining free agents: Evan Bouchard (RFA), Raphael Lavoie (RFA), Ryan McLeod (RFA), Noah Philip (RFA), Olivier Rodrigue (RFA), Justin Bailey, Jason Demeres, Oscar Klefbom, Slater Koekkoek, Ryan Murray, Devin Shore, Mike Smith, Tyler Benson (UFAs).
The biggest free agent signing so far for Edmonton has been Connor Brown. He missed all but four games with the Capitals last season due to an ACL injury, but he’s healthy and ready to go in 2023-24. In 2020-21, he scored a career-high 21 goals, and had 35 points, just eight shy of his career-high that was set in 2019-20.
Nick Bjugstad is the only player major that has signed elsewhere so far, returning to Arizona, whom the Oilers got him from at the 2023 deadline. As an Oiler, he scored four goals and six points in 19 games, and added three goals in the 12 playoff games they played.
Ducks:
Additions: Alex Killorn, Radko Gudas
Subtractions: Jayson Megna (BOS), Kevin Shattenkirk (BOS), Anthony Stolarz (FLA)
Remaining free agents: Lukas Dostal (RFA), Benoit-Olivier Groulx (RFA), Troy Terry (RFA), Trevor Zegras (RFA), Nathan Beaulieu, Michael Del Zotto, Derek Grant, Scott Harington, John Moore, Chase Priskie, Dylan Sikura, Olli Juolevi, Justin Kirkland, Axel Andersson, Simon Benoit, Max Comtois, Olle Eriksson Ek, Bryce Kindopp, Josiah Slavin (UFAs).
The Anaheim Ducks actually got better during free agency. They added Alexander Killorn, who had a career-high 27 goals and 64 points in 82 games on a stacked Tampa Bay Lightning team. Their other signee is a fellow Florida player, as they signed Radko Gudas, who I desperately wanted on the Oilers this season.
As for who they’ve lost… not really anyone of note in all honesty. Kevin Shattenkirk is the only notable player they’ve currently lost, but Gudas is a clear upgrade over him. Maxime Comtois leaving is of note, as he had nine goals and 19 points in 64 games last season, a far cry from his 16 goals and 33 points in 55 games in 2020-21
I mean, they still won’t be good next season, but they are getting closer to being competitive. Also picking up Leo Carlsson with the second overall pick will add even more to their young core of Troy Terry and Trevor Zegras.
Mar 31, 2023; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Calgary Flames forward Tyler Toffoli (73) celebrates his goal against the Vancouver Canucks in the second period at Rogers Arena.
Flames:
Additions: Yegor Sharangovich, Jordan Oesterle, Brady Lyle.
Subtractions: Tyler Toffoli (NJD), Trevor Lewis (LAK), Milan Lucic (BOS), Troy Stecher (ARI), Matthew Phillips (WSH).
Remaining free agents: Ben Jones (RFA), Mathias Emilio Pettersen (RFA), Nick Ritchie, Michael Stone, Alexander Yelesin, Nicolas Meloche, Kristians Rubins (UFAs).
It’s sad to say it, but the Oilers destroyed the Calgary Flames. Not only have a bunch of players requested trades, but they haven’t replaced the likes of Tyler Toffoli, who was traded for essentially nothing to the Devils.
They’ve brought in former Oiler Jordan Oesterle who has two goals and 11 points in 52 games as a Detroit Red Wing. He’s made a solid career for himself as a depth defenseman on not-so-good teams.
In terms of who else has left, Trevor Lewis returned to his original draft team, the Los Angeles Kings. Milan Lucic (former Oiler) has returned to his original draft team, the Boston Bruins. Troy Stecher returned to the Arizona Coyotes, the team he was on prior to Calgary trading for him at the 2023 deadline. Yikes.
Kings:
Additions: Pierre-Luc Dubois, Cam Talbot, Trevor Lewis, Andreas Englund, David Rittich, Mikhail Maltsev, Steven Santini, Joe Hicketts.
Subtractions: Sean Durzi (ARZ), Cal Petersen (PHI), Alex Iafallo (WPG), Gabe Vilardi (WPG), (Rasmus Kupari (WPG), Joonas Korpisalo (OTT), Lias Andersson (MTL), Matt Villalta (ARI).
Remaining free agents: Tobias Bjornfot (RFA), Samuel Fagemo (RFA), Tyler Madden (RFA), Akil Thomas (RFA), Alexander Edler, Aidan Dubas, David Hrenak, Jacob Ingham, Zack MacEwen, Tobie Bisson, Nate Schnarr (UFAs).
Out of all Pacific teams, the Los Angeles Kings were one of the busiest. They brought in former Oiler Cam Talbot to patrol the crease. To give him competition, former Flame David Rittich was also signed. They also brought back Trevor Lewis, a depth veteran player in their Cup teams.
Their big addition came ahead of the draft when they moved Alex Iafallo, Gabe Vilardi, and Rasmus Kupari to the Winnipeg Jets for Pierre-Luc Dubois and then signed him to a long-term contract. They inked one of their trade deadline acquisitions, defenceman Vladislav Gavrikov, but goaltender Joonas Korpisalo left.
Sharks:
Additions: Anthony Duclair, Kyle Criscuolo (NJD), James Reimer (DET).
Subtractions: Givani Smith, Kyle Burrough, Scott Sabourin, Nathan Todd.
Remaining free agents: Marin Kaut (RFA), Aaron Dell, Andreas Johnsson, Markus Nutivaara, Derrick Pouliot, CJ Suess, Andrej Sustr, Max Veronneau, Jeffrey Viel, Jonah Gajovich, Noah Gregor, Strauss Mann, Evgeny Svechnikov (UFAs).
Let’s be real here, the Sharks won’t be contending in 2023-24, or even sniff a playoff spot. They’ve re-signed Fabian Zetterlund and Mackenzie Blackwood, but they don’t move the needle. They’ve also brought in Kyle Burrough, Giviani Smith, Scott Sabourin, and Nathan Todd, but yeah, not really needle movers either.
All eyes are on where Erik Karlsson winds up. The Norris Trophy-winner has requested a trade and the Sharks are working to make it happen.
The Sharks did not qualify Noah Gregor, which is quite odd. The 24-year-old centre scored a career-high ten goals and 17 points in 57 games last season, after hitting the 23-point mark last season. He’d be good depth for a contender… such as the Oilers.
Jan 11, 2023; Anaheim, California, USA; Edmonton Oilers right wing Kailer Yamamoto (56) handles the puck against the Anaheim Ducks in the second period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Kraken:
Additions: Brian Dumoulin, Kailer Yamamoto.
Subtractions: Ryan Donate (CHI), Brogan Rafferty (DET), Carson Soucy (VAN), Alexander True, Morgan Geekie (BOS), Daniel Sprong (DET).
Remaining Free Agents: Will Borgen (RFA), Vince Dunn (RFA), Cale Fleury (RFA), Kole Lind (RFA), Joonas Donskoi, Jesper Froden, Christopher Gibson, John Hayden, Martin Jones, Austin Poganski, Caresen Twarynski (UFAs).
After Kailer Yamamoto was traded to the Detroit Red Wings, they bought him out, and he signed with his home-state Seattle Kraken. Last season with the Oilers, Yamamoto scored 10 goals and 25 points in 58 games, but had 20 goals and 41 points just a year prior in 81 games. It’s a good add.
Although they added a good player in Yamamoto, they lost a few good players. Daniel Sprong scored 21 goals and 46 points in 66 games, and was one of the best even-strength scorers in the league last season. Carson Soucy signed with the Canucks, and he had three goals and 16 points in 78 games last season, but had 10 goals and 21 points in 78 games in 2021-22. Morgan Geekie also scored nine goals and 28 points in 69 (nice) games last season.
Canucks:
Additions: Teddy Blueger, Ian Cole, Carson Soucy, Matt Irwin, Zach Sawchenko
Subtractions: Oliver Ekman-Larsson (FLA), Kyle Burroughs (SJS), Collin Delia (WPG), Justin Dowling (NJD), Brady Keeper (MTL)
Remaining free agents: Nils Hoglander (RFA), Vitali Kravtsov (RFA), Michael Ferland, John Stevens, Ethan Bear, Travis Dermott, Carson Focht (UFAs).
The most notable addition is Carson Soucy. The defenceman had three goals and 16 points last season, but had 21 points the year before. Teddy Blueger is a fine bottom-six forward, scoring just two goals and six points in 18 games last season, but put up a career-year season with the Pittsburgh Penguins last season, scoring nine goals and 28 points in 65 games.
Their biggest subtraction came earlier in the off-season when they bought out Oliver Ekman-Larsson, who has since signed in Florida. It’s worth mentioning that former Oiler Ethan Bear underwent shoulder surgery that’ll keep him out until December. He didn’t receive a qualifying offer, so he will be an unrestricted free agent. It’s not official, but it’s been speculated for a while that Michael Ferland has retired.
Golden Knights:
Additions: Jiri Patera, Mason Geertsen.
Subtractions: Reilly Smith (PIT), Teddy Blueger (VAN), Laurent Brossoit (WPG), Jonathan Quick (NYR).
Remaining Free Agents: Pavel Dorofeyev (RFA), Brett Howden (RFA), Jiri Patera (RFA), Spencer Foo, Phil Kessel, Sakari Manninen, Connor Corcoran, Maxim Marushev, Nolan Patrick (UFAs).
Is it a surprise that the team that clearly circumvents the cap hasn’t been able to sign any free agents of note? Well, not exactly. They’ve given players like Adin Hill, Brayden Pachal, and Ivan Barbashev contract extensions, but signed any other players from outside the organization.
Long-time King goaltender Jonathan Quick was acquired at the 2023 deadline and played 10 games for the Knights. He signed with the New York Rangers. Former Oilers goaltender Laurent Brossoit signed with Winnipeg, whom he has played with before.
An interesting unrestricted free agent is Phil Kessel, who has 14 goals and 36 points in 82 games with the Knights this season. He did, however, only play four playoff games. It’d be interesting to see where he ends up, but he could be good depth for the Oilers.
It’s also worth mentioning Nolan Patrick. He was selected second overall in the 2017 draft and had a good start to his career, but has now missed several full seasons due to injury. The 24-year-old missed all of the 2022-23 season with post-concussion issues, along with shoulder problems. Hopefully, someone will pick him up and give him a chance.
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