Part 3 of CSNPhilly.com's four-part NHL preview:
Capsules may not include latest injury or roster updates.
Boston Bruins
General manager Peter Chiarelli's big, bad Bruins still figure to be the beast of the East, despite losing to Montreal in the playoffs or the Rangers' once-every-so-often conference title. Which may be why Chiarelli didn't tear up his roster after the season. His most notable loss was Jarome Iginla — a surprise to many when he grabbed the money and departed for Colorado via free agency. The Bruins also traded defenseman Johnny Boychuk to the Islanders on Saturday. Chiarelli didn't make a single major addition to the Bruins' roster in free agency or trade. He's that confident his team will rebound, just as it did winning the Stanley Cup a year after being stunned by the Flyers in 2010. The Bruins are a defensively sound squad (177 goals against, second fewest to L.A.’s 174) and have brilliant goaltending from Tuukka Rask (2.04 GAA, .930 save percentage), who ranked in the top five in every stat category last year. The departure of Shawn Thornton leaves the Bruins less formidable on the physical side.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Brenden Morrow signed for one season. So did goalie Evgeni Nabokov. Yet Tampa's GM Steve Yzerman's biggest moves were adding two former New York Rangers — Anton Stralman (five years, $22.5 million) on the blue line and center Brian Boyle (three years, $6 million). The club also traded for Canucks defenseman Jason Garrison. Just as important was the re-signing of Ryan Callahan (six years, $34.8 million) after acquiring him at the trade deadline for apparent Lightning lifer (no more) Marty St. Louis. Despite playing just 37 games because of a broken tibia, Steven Stamkos still scored 25 goals. Scoring isn't the issue. Keeping a pair of goalies healthy and consistent, however, is, and that's why Nabokov was signed as Ben Bishop's backup and why Anders Lindback was set adrift.
Montreal Canadiens
The biggest news from the bleu, blanc et rouge wasn't whom the Canadiens signed as much as whom they re-signed. It was looking dicey for GM Marc Bergevin in his quest to get defenseman P.K. Subban under contract, especially after filing for arbitration. Before any ruling could be rendered, Subban agreed to an eight-year, $72 million deal — highest in franchise history. That didn't leave many salary cap dollars left, which is why more players departed (six) than came aboard (four). The most noteworthy newcomer is much-traveled forward Manny Malhotra. The club also re-signed defenseman Andrei Markov (three years, $17.25 million), who is second fiddle behind Subban on the blue line. Most of the Habs' core veterans are signed long term now. They exceeded expectations in the playoffs last year but no longer have Danny Briere and Brian Gionta.
Ottawa Senators
Challenging summer for the Senators, as longtime GM Bryan Murray battled cancer while trying to still work on a team that missed the playoffs for a third time in six years. First Daniel Alfredsson leaves, then Jason Spezza is traded. It's a new show for coach Paul MacLean. The Sens welcome David Legwant (two years, $6 million), who holds every scoring record in Nashville, along with Alex Chiasson, Alex Guptill and Nick Paul — all of whom were acquired on the first day of free agency in the Spezza trade with Dallas. Spezza's departure means Kyle Turris (26 goals, 57 points) takes his spot as the No. 1 pivot. Not often a club loses two captains in two offseasons. Young D-man Erik Karlsson wears the C now. The youth movement has been ongoing for a while now, and the Sens could add another rookie in right wing Mark Stone.
Florida Panthers
You have to give Panthers general manager Dale Tallon credit. No matter what obstacles he's faced in South Florida, he gives it his best shot at improving his club and isn't afraid to make bold moves, including the hiring of coach Gerard Gallant. Tallon is in a race to get his club back to respectability and the playoffs before an undecided fan base bails on him and ownership elects to move the franchise. To that end, he was highly active this summer, as the Panthers got a total makeover with the additions of Dave Bolland (five years, $27.5 million), Jussi Jokinen (four years, $16 million), Derek MacKenzie, Willie Mitchell (two years, $8.5 million) and Shawn Thornton. He also kept his No. 1 pick in the draft and plucked defenseman Aaron Ekblad, who suffered a late-summer concussion. It's all or nothing now for Tallon. Roberto Luongo is back-to-the-future for a full season.
NHL
Detroit Red Wings
Once upon a time, this was an organization of destination for marquee free agents. No more. Times have changed in the salary cap era, where the field is level for many clubs and where the Red Wings' fortunes have dipped as their roster aged quickly and some profound impact players retired. Last year's early playoff exit wasn't entirely unexpected. Yet ownership still gave longtime GM Ken Holland a four-year contract extension as a vote of confidence. But what does it say when Holland's most notable move was to re-sign winger Dan Clearly? The ongoing youth movement led by Gustav Nyquist (28 goals, 48 points) and others is still in full motion to resurrect the term "Hockeytown." Among the concerns of older injured vets is the health of goalie Jimmy Howard and forward Pavel Datysuk (separated shoulder).
Toronto Maple Leafs
An enormous amount of front office and coaching staff upheaval saw the Leafs yank Brendan Shanahan out of the NHL's league office to be its new club president. That was followed by the hiring of three staffers to handle analytical stats, something more clubs are adding to their organization these days in every sport, not just hockey. Yet it's still about the players on the ice, and the people in Ontario wonder if Canada's team is that much better with David Booth, Stephane Robidas, Daniel Winnik and Mike Santorelli on the roster. Can JVR push it to 35 goals? David Clarkson's net yield for the $36.75 million contract he signed last summer was a mere 11 points. And who is the goalie (once again): Jonathan Bernier, who the club expensively traded for in 2013 or James Reimer? Ten players departed, too.
Buffalo Sabres
The Sabres had just one more point (52) than they did total losses last season as the NHL's worst team. It cost coach Ron Rolston and longtime GM Darcy Regier their jobs. Ownership and new GM Tim Murray embarked on yet another makeover in Niagara this offseason and succeeded in bringing in Brian Gionta (three years, $12.75 million) from Montreal, then doled out a ridiculous $4.125 million for former Flyers defenseman Andrej Meszaros, plus coveted left winger Matt Moulson (five years, $25 million). Murray also traded for defenseman Josh Gorges. Ted Nolan knows the heat is on to turn this thing around. That the club had to sign two D-men reflects the loss of Christian Ehrhoff to free agency. Sabres top prospect Sam Reinhart failed to impress in preseason.