Big Winners and Losers in the offseason thus far.....?

Question

In your opinion, who are the top 3 winners and loser of Free Agency?

Also, who are your top players left still available.

My picks:

Winners

1. Edmonton

2. New York Rangers

3. Tampa Bay

Losers:

1. Colorado

2. Ottawa

3. Minnesota

Best players left:

Jagr, Hossa, Demitra, Avery, and Huselius.....

Answer 1

I think I'd have to list Chicago as a big winner right now (but if Edmonton signs Sundin, then all bets are off); landing Campbell was huge, and obviously they got the pick of the goaltenders in Huet.  I thought Chicago was a sleeping giant at the end of the season...someone just gave the sleeping giant a box full of greenies and a case of Red Bull.

In your players left...Sundin hasn't signed yet so you'd have to keep him in the mix.

I'm trying to figure out why the Leafs paid $3m per season for Hagman.

Answer 2

I'd say Hawks, Tampa and while I think NJ did great I wouldnt put them as a winner YET but definitely not a loser.  My third choice would be Edmonton probably....

The losers are in my opinion Toronto, Ottawa and Minnesota (especially if Gaborik goes somewhere else)

but all this is worthless until Jagr and Hossa sign because if the rangers lose Jagr and Shanny then i would think they are in the loser category....personally if the Pens lose Hossa they are too (Conklin, Roberts, Malone, Hossa and maybe Orpik...thats a lot to lose).  That doesnt mean Pitts wont be great next year, they jsut lost a lot....

If the devils get a puck moving defenseman and trade for a play making center I would move them up into the winners....

Answer 3

Winners

1.  Chicago Blackhawks (if they are getting rid of Khabibulin or Havlat)

2.  New York Rangers (now the only defense in the East)

3.  Detroit Red Wings (addressed the only concern of mine by picking up a first round goaltender to develop while adding Ty Conklin to ensure solid and reliable if not spectacular goaltending between him and Ozzie.

Losers:

1.  Colorado Avalanche (goaltending...what's that?)

2.  Nashville Predators (keeping solid, offensive defensemen...how do we do that?)

3.  Tampa Bay Lightning (Steve Stamkos?  Great!  Olaf Kolzig and Barry Melrose?  Not so much.)

Answer 4

Tampa and Edmonton have made the most drastic changes to improve their team. I would say also Anaheim by getting Neidermayer back for a full season and locking up Perry for 5yrs. Selanne could be back as well so even though it's not a huge free agent splash headline news.. it's still better than most teams have done by signing RFA or UFA.

Answer 5

Winners:

1.  Edmonton

2.  Tampa Bay

3.  New Jersey

Losers:

1.  Colorado

2.  Dallas

3.  San Jose

Biggest Gambles:

1.  Washington - Has Theodore really got his game back?  They were kinda handtied when Huet was offered what he asked for, but he spurned them for more money and a longer deal.

2.  Chicago - 12 million in 2 goalies; plus, Huet was pushed out of his starting job in Montreal, can he keep up the level of play he demonstrated with the Caps, or was that just  a flash in the pan?  Will Campbell mesh with Chicago?

Answer 6

Jagr is not one of the best payers left, the guy is a bum.

Edmonton is for sure on the big winners and not only for the quality of players they have aquired but for how they aquired them and the cap hit they have taken.

Phoenix is a big loser, they have done nothing and lost one of their best players.

Answer 7

Edmonton and NYR are winners and not Chicago?

Answer 8

I agree with all of those teams except Minnesota. Yes they lost Rolston, but they got Brunette and Zidlicky. I don't see how they did the worst. The other teams are accurate though.

Answer 9

Biggest winner. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS!! Over paid but, huge talent. Let the season begin. Go Hawks!!!!!

Answer 10

Its been reported that Jagr is talking to Pens GM Shero

and Hossa hasn't declined the offer yet so theres still a chance

If the pens re-sign Hossa AND Jagr that would put them on top of the winners list. Imagine a line of Hossa-Crosby-Jagr