Ranking the Western Conference’s biggest winners this summer
In the final instalment of this summer mini-series, we finish off with the biggest off-season winners from the Western Conference.
Who made the cut? Let’s jump right into it.
Honorable Mention: Nashville Predators
The Predators kicked off the summer by taking care of internal house cleaning off the ice. With former general manager (and the first head coach in franchise history) Barry Trotz transitioning to an advisory role after a lackluster run as a first-time GM, ownership went with a heavy experience approach in rebuilding their hockey operations department.
Chris MacFarland was poached from the Central Division rival Colorado Avalanche, giving him a promotion to president of hockey operations in addition to being the GM. Former Los Angeles Kings GM Rob Blake was hired as executive vice president of hockey operations, while Vukie Mpofu and Jamie Langenbrunner were added to the front office as assistant GM and special assistant to the GM, respectively.
Long time AGMs Jeff Kealty and Brian Poile both parted ways with the group. AGM, director of player development and Milwaukee Admirals GM Scott Nichol was retained.
The overhaul of the front office led to a busy summer, which saw the Predators make several additions to the main roster – specifically up front. MacFarland turned to some familiar faces, adding forwards Ross Colton and Jack Drury from the Avalanche to bolster the team’s forward depth. Maverik Bourque was brought in (and subsequently extended) from the cap-strapped Dallas Stars. He’ll be a welcomed addition to a top-six group that thoroughly needed another option at center (though whether he can be one is up for debate).
The Predators were a top-10 defensive team analytically last season, so the additions up front will be welcomed help – they were middle of the pack in generating offense. They are still likely a bubble team at best, but the main-roster additions will be good support pieces for the top-end guys and the younger players that will be sprinkled in during the coming years.
The Predators have done a solid job drafting and developing (which is why Nichol was retained). But the main roster needed addressing – something MacFarland has already begun doing. The season could also be a good litmus test to see what they have in some of their top prospects in the system, specifically forwards Brady Martin and Matthew Wood.
3. St. Louis Blues
The Blues went through some managerial changes this summer in their own right, promoting Alex Steen to GM with Doug Armstrong transferring solely to a president of hockey ops role. The duo split duties overseeing the off-season and, while there weren’t many moves, they were fairly significant.
The Blues finally resolved the Jordan Kyrou situation, trading the forward to the Washington Capitals for Connor McMichael, the 16th overall selection in this summer’s draft and a prospect. The Blues also acquired Mason McTavish from the Anaheim Ducks for two first round picks, giving their top-six an entirely different look.
Both players can be expected to step directly into the club’s top-six, with McTavish projected to slot in as the no. 2 center behind Robert Thomas – a role that was vacant with Kyrou becoming more of a winger. The Blues are in the midst of a youth movement with their forward group, with Dalibor Dvorsky, Dylan Holloway, Jake Neighbours and Jimmy Snuggerud expected to continue taking on prominent roles; McMichael and McTavish will be welcomed additions to that group.
The defense is largely the same – they were 11th in expected goals against per 60 minutes last season – with the only new addition being Brandon Carlo; Jordan Binnington and Joel Hofer are returning as a better than average tandem.
They may not be cup contenders, but the Blues’ summer may get them back in the playoffs this coming season along with more of an understanding with what they have in some of their younger players.
2. Utah Mammoth
After years of rebuilding and stockpiling assets in Arizona, GM Bill Armstrong has put his foot on the gas pedal since the team was reborn in Salt Lake City.
Unafraid to make moves (or correct moves in the case of J.J. Peterka), Armstrong added veteran forwards Anders Lee and Vincent Trocheck to a forward group with plenty of younger forwards. The addition of Trocheck is especially impactful, making the Mammoth one of the deepest teams down the middle.
Armstrong also pulled off one of the shrewdest moves of the summer, landing goaltender Sebastian Cossa from the Detroit Red Wings for a first round draft pick. The Mammoth ran Karel Vejmelka into the ground last season and needed another (and preferably younger) between the pipes; though not having a ton of NHL experience, Cossa’s AHL play last season certainly lends promise that he can be a solution.
The Mammoth were a top-10 analytical team last season. The structure under head coach Andre Tourigny is strong and has the players bought in. With some high end talent already on the roster and young players still on the way, the additions of quality veterans and (hopefully) an upgrade at the back-up goaltender position should, theoretically, propel the Mammoth into the top-three of their division.
After an inaugural playoff appearance, the Mammoth are poised for another step in the ultra-competitive Central Division this season. With forward Logan Cooley and Dylan Gunther only expected to keep getting better, the Mammoth likely haven’t even scratched the surface on what their overall potential as a group.
1. San Jose Sharks
You can say what you want about what GM Mike Grier did this summer, but he ultimately improved his team. Yes, he overpaid for Jacob Trouba in Free Agency and took on Darnell Nurse at full value from the Edmonton Oilers. But in a shallow defensive market, both players improved a defense group that badly needed an upgrade.
The Mason Marchment contract was also a little hefty but will be a welcomed veteran, physical presence to a very young group of forwards. Second overall pick Ivar Stenberg’s addition only adds to an already impressive group of young forwards and arguably gives the Sharks the deepest group of wingers in the Pacific Division.
Then there is Macklin Celebrini, who announced himself as one of the league’s top alpha dogs in his sophomore season. With him playing at such an elite level and set to become the highest paid player (for now) in a year’s time, the Sharks’ high-end talent can go head to head with just about any other in the league.
The biggest X-factor for the Sharks this season may be goaltender Yaroslav Askarov if the team wants to take a significant step forward. The Sharks need to improve defensively (which their off-season additions directly address). But Askarov’s play needs to be better, too. Among goalies who played at least 10 games last season Askarov finished in the bottom-10 in goals saved above expected per 60. That’s simply not good enough for a team hoping to get into the playoffs.
If the goaltending can improve, there is no reason why this team shouldn’t be a real threat to make the playoffs next season.
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