Having completed the 2023 NHL Draft, NHL teams are now concentrating on free agency as a means of strengthening their rosters.
Compared to the 2022 class of free agents, which featured players like Claude Giroux, Johnny Gaudreau, and Nazem Kadri, the 2023 class was very different. Nevertheless, there were a lot of players who could help NHL teams get better before the 2023–2024 season.
Among the most well-known figures were Dmitri Orlov, Matt Duchene, Ryan O’Reilly, and Tyler Bertuzzi. Let’s examine some of the biggest winners and losers of NHL free agency, since the majority of the top free agents have signed contracts with their new teams.
Carolina Hurricanes emerged victorious.
The Carolina Hurricanes are undoubtedly the most improved team out there. After a fierce run to the Eastern Conference Final, in spite of a man short on staff, Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell turned up the heat to maximum intensity.
After Orlov had a career year in which he split time between the Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals, registering 36 points (7 goals, 29 assists), Carolina signed him to a two-year, $16 million contract, significantly enhancing their blue line. Orlov provides the Hurricanes with a top-pairing defenseman who could play next season with Brent Burns, who has an offensive mindset.
Michael Bunting, a former winger for the Toronto Maple Leafs, was also signed by the Hurricanes to a three-year, $13.5 million contract. With 46 goals in the last two seasons, Bunting greatly strengthens Carolina’s top six forward lineup. The Hurricanes also made the decision to run it back in net because they
Boston Bruins are the loser.
With 135 points and 65 victories, the Boston Bruins have completed the greatest regular season in NHL history. Nevertheless, despite blowing a 3-1 lead, the Bruins were eliminated by the Florida Panthers in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Leave a Reply