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NHL: These three teams are winning the offseason

By Avery Klatsky

SUNRISE, FL - FEBRUARY 27: Head coach Mike Babcock of the Toronto Maple Leafs directs the players during third period action against the Florida Panthers at the BB&T Center on February 27, 2018 in Sunrise, Florida. The Panthers defeated the Maple Leafs 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
SUNRISE, FL - FEBRUARY 27: Head coach Mike Babcock of the Toronto Maple Leafs directs the players during third period action against the Florida Panthers at the BB&T Center on February 27, 2018 in Sunrise, Florida. The Panthers defeated the Maple Leafs 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 30: Nick Leddy #2 of the New York Islanders of the New York Islanders skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Barclays Center on March 30, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 30: Nick Leddy #2 of the New York Islanders of the New York Islanders skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Barclays Center on March 30, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

There have been many moves and signings since the end of the season. Here are three teams in the NHL that have stolen the show this offseason.

Honorable Mention – New York Islanders

Although the Islanders lost their captain John Tavares to Toronto, and Calvin de Haan to Carolina, the Islanders were able to corral a few names to help fill the gaps. They won’t be able to replace a high-caliber player like Tavares, but they did add some names to help stop the bleeding.

Notable Additions:

  • Valtteri Filppula, C

Valtteri Filppula, who is 34-years-old, signed a one-year deal worth $2.75 million with the Islanders. Filppula had 33 points (11 G, 22 A) last season and played in all but one regular season game for the Philadelphia Flyers. He also had one goal and two assists in six games played in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Filppula was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2002 NHL draft (4th round, 95th overall). Since then, he has also suited up for the Lightning, and now the Islanders. He has registered 463 career points (168 G, 295 A) in 876 total NHL games.

  • Leo Komarov, C

Komarov, who was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2006 NHL draft (6th round, 180th overall), will put on a blue sweater this season, but with a different logo on the chest. While with the Leafs his entire career, he has put up 122 points (52 G, 70 A) in 327 NHL games.

He tallied 19 points last season, consisting of seven goals and twelve assists. He signed a four-year deal with an AAV of $3 million. He and Filppula will help re-stock the Isles’ centerman core.

  • Robin Lehner, G

The Isles’ most useful signing occurred when they nabbed goaltender Robin Lehner on a one-year, 1.5 million dollar deal. Lehner, who started his career in Ottawa, was a second-round pick (46th overall) in the 2009 NHL draft. Since then, he also played with the Buffalo Sabres from 2015 to 2018.

In 219 career games, Lehner has a 72-97-35 record. His average goals allowed per game over his career is 2.82, and he sits at a career save percentage of .915 percent. He also had a career-best three shutouts last season. Lehner will help out Thomas Griess in the Islanders’ net.

Other Additions/Re-Signings:

LW Tom Kuhnhackl, LW Ross Johnston, C Jan Kovar, D Kyle Burroughs, D Devon Toews, D Ryan Pulock

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