New York Islanders:

Key additions: Michael Bunting (5x4.5M – sign and trade)

The Islanders we’re victim to a few RFA sign and trades this off season due to cap constraints which may hurt their top 6 as they only brought in Bunting to replace the loss of Garland, Ehlers and Zacha this season. They refilled the pipeline with the acquisition of a 1st and young talent in the likes of Eeli Tolvanen and co., however the team still has a hole or two in their top 9 as I would’ve liked to have seen them fill those needs during the FA period. The team is deep, but I think they’re one or two pieces away from really making some noise in the east.

Grade: C-

Carolina Hurricanes:

Key additions: Ivan Provorov (via trade), Nino Niederreiter (3x2.5M)

Uncle Rich was the talk of FA as he attempted to steal Nylander from the Stars this off season. Unfortunately, that was the biggest news coming out of Carolina this off season as their biggest signing came from in the name of Nino Niederreiter. Although uncle was active with signing multiple farmers to 5x1.4M deals, he wasn’t able to net a big-name FA this off season, and for that reason, it leaves the Canes with a lot of work going into this season with whatever direction uncle Rich decides to take this team.

Grade: D-

Columbus Blue Jackets:

Key additions: Connor Garland (5x3.5M, sign and trade), Victor Olofsson (5x1.5M, sign and trade), Miles Wood (5x1.5M, sign and trade), Kiefer Sherwood (5x1.75M, 2M SB), Nikita Zadorov (5x3.5M, 4M SB), Shayne Gostisbehere (5x1.75M), James Reimer (5x1.8M, 1M SB), Robby Fabbri (5x4.25M).

The Jackets we’re not afraid to open the wallets this off season signing a number of guys to deals they may regret down the line as they continue retooling towards the future. I may be on an island here, but I would’ve loved for the Jackets to pool all this money for one of the big guys in FA this year. The additions are nothing but depth pieces and I highly doubt any of these guys make impacts this year or in future years.

Grade: C

New York Rangers:

Key additions: Jordan Binnington (via trade)

The Rangers stuck mostly to the sidelines for free agency, just brining in a number of farmers. They’re only big move was trading for Jordan Binnington who will certainly be the team’s starter this year. This team was already nearly set prior to FA, however the lack of another star alongside Kucherov may prevent the Rangers from being a true cup contender this year.

Grade: C+

New Jersey Devils:

Key additions: Sam Bennett (5x5.5M – sign and trade), Joel Armia (3x4M, 2.75M SB), Ryan Suter (2x1.85M, 1.1M SB)

Although these signings fill a few holes on the Devils roster, none of these moves are deal breakers for me as none are expected to make huge impacts this year. Pretty much copy paste what I said for the Blue Jackets. The Devils should’ve combined that money to pair Stutzle & Guenther with a star.

Grade: C

Philadelphia Flyers:

Key additions: Trevor Moore (5x7M, 4.5M SB), William Karlsson (4x9M, 4M SB), Alex Ovechkin (3x12M, 6M SB), Matt Duchene (via trade),

The Flyers still have some holes, but there’s no denying that the Flyers we’re one of the biggest winners so far this off season. They brought in nearly a whole new top 2 line in FA and bolstered their center depth in the top 6 with Duchene via trade. This team is not a Stanley Cup contender yet, but a few more moves like this and the Flyers could be a sneaky dark horse out of the metro. Maybe your fellow metropolitan should take note of what’s going on in the City of Brotherly Love.

Grade: A

Pittsburgh Penguins:

Key additions: Nick Schmaltz (5x5M, sign and trade), Yanni Gourde (4x3.45M, 3M SB), Jarred Tinordi (3x1.55M, 1.45M SB), Kyle Palmieri (1x4.85M, 2M SB), Reilly Smith (4x2.5M, 2.5M SB)

As the Penguins slowly continue to build, they did a good job in filling in depth pieces at reasonable contracts. Again, similar trend to the rest of the metro, these depth pieces are nice, but they aren’t difference makers, and this team isn’t built to win just yet, and for that reason I would’ve loved for Toby to just go after a big fish with this money as the youth continues to develop.

Grade: C+

Washington Capitals:

Key additions: None

The Caps have some pieces to build around, but only bringing in farmers is quite disappointing for a team with aspirations of going far this season. The caps didn’t win last year so there’s always room for improvement, and doing nothing is an F in my books.

Grade: F