Which Team “Won” The NHL Offseason?

I’ll be asking questions for “Ask The Maven” on a regular basis starting today. Here’s my introduction, courtesy of Far Rockaway, Queens’ Avi Polatoff.

“Of the three Met League NHL teams, which have emerged the best in terms of improving themselves since the regular season ended?”

The Maven’s Response: Well-posed query. All things considered, I would side with the Devils, who added several quality players, starting with former Flame Jacob Markstrom in goal and Carolina defenseman Brett Pesce. They also added another quality backliner in Brenden Dillon and welcomed back veteran forward Tomas Tatar.

Rugged forward Stefan Noesen, another former Devil, is making a comeback to Newark and will provide the essential grunt to the attack. It would be difficult, to be honest, to ignore the news that they had hired Sheldon Keefe, a seasoned coach who is well-liked even in Toronto. I give Keefe as much credit as anyone for managing the chaos surrounding the Maple Leafs, even surpassing Punch Imlach, the team’s previous Cup-winning mentor from 1967.

The fact that the Islanders acquired Anthony Duclair is a significant improvement, even though their numerical additions may not appear very noteworthy. He can score 25 goals a game on average, which will help the Isles offensive. With his quickness, he’ll slot right in the top line alongside Mathew Barzal and Bo Horvat.