Some thought on the Western Conference offseason?

Question

Wings add Hossa. Stars add Avery. Hawks add Campbell. Coyotes add Jokinen. Blue Jackets make many deals. Flames add Bertuzzi and Cammalleri. Sharks add Blake and Boyle. And just for the fun of it lets say the Avs bring Sakic and Forsberg back. So who did the best so far this offseason and who did the worst in the Western Conference. And what team made you think "what are they doing?"

Answer 1

i'm proud of what the san jose sharks have done, lets bring that stanley cup back to the tank where it belongs.

Answer 2

I think the blackhawks did the best in the off season, but i still think the wings are going to have a better team... i just think that the hawks made some great moves.

The Nashville predators made me think "what are they doing?!"

they got rid of some good players to clear up cap space, then offered their core 4 players HUGE contracts... making it almost impossible to sign big talent.

what the heck?!

they had the money and the business savvy to make some great moves at UFA, but they did nothing.

and now that it looks like Radulov may be moving off to Russia, i fear that the preds are going to have a rough season.

Answer 3

I like what the Hawks did but again I think the Wings had the best off season. We all know what a great steal it was getting Hossa but not only did they do that they also got Stuart to re-sign for 4 more years under market price and got a proven solid backup goalie (Conklin) for chump change (750,000 for 1 year). So they are set up amazingly well to get their key free agents signed next off season and will also have a year to excite Hossa enough for him to forego the monster deal and re-up next season as well.

  The Hawks got the best D available and he will make the top line all that much better, imagine how exciting it will be with a great puckmoving D like him to be passing to Toews and Kane. Not as sold on the Huet signing....time will tell but I cant help but remember the Habs decided he wasnt the guy to get them far in last years playoffs so they dumped him for a rookie....strong statement!

  Scary good and way under the radar is a good way to describe the deals that got 2 premier blueliners to know the way to San Jose. They are now easily the top threat to the Wings next season, capable blueliners win Cups (see Wings...Lidstrom, Rafalski, Stuart, Kronwall).

  As for the "What are they doing" I have 2. The Preds have totally lost their minds, dumping salary then giving it all away to 3 or 4 guys (did they not learn from TB, the Lightning had star power but no cap money= no depth, finally they figured it out). And I know the Blue Jackets made plenty of moves but they are now tight to the cap with lots of depth but no top guys to help out Nash, love the aggressiveness  but why kill the cap with 3rd liners?

Answer 4

The Hawks did a great job adding Campbell and Huet to the team.  That should help them defensively and offensively.

The Sharks filled Campbell's spot really well.  They definitely look real good now.  Now let's see if they can actually challenge for the Cup.

The Stars adding Avery was interesting but I think it will be a good fit for all.

The Flames adding Cammalleri was good; the Flames adding Bertuzzi was questionable.  Though both could end up injured at some point, I think these could end up being good signings for them.

I'm not sure what the Avs are thinking right now.

Jokinen definitely improves the Coyotes.  Now if they can get some other decent players around him.

The Wings re-signing Stuart kept the Wings really strong.  Adding Hossa made them even stronger.  There's still a question mark with Filppula coming back but it's looking good so far.

Answer 5

Dont forget that the wings added one of the best backup goalie in Ty Conklin for a really cheap price.