Who Won the Summer?
Every NHL club graded on its off-season - from Washington Capitals at the top of the class to Detroit Red Wings at the foot. 32 of 32 clubs graded.
Washington Capitals
Washington added firepower and kept its captain, turning a fourth-place finish into genuine playoff optimism.
Colorado won the Central with 121 points and used the draft and free agency to shore up a roster that already scored 302 goals.
Tampa Bay added John Carlson and extended Nikita Kucherov after a 106-point season that fell short in the playoffs.
Carolina returns most of its championship core but faces a critical question in goal after Frederik Andersen's departure.
Buffalo finally ended its playoff drought in 2025-26, then traded a star and doubled down on its defense corps.
After matching an offer sheet for Barrett Hayton and trading for Vincent Trocheck, the Mammoth aim to build on a 92-point season.
Montreal extended Ivan Demidov and Jakub Dobes after a 106-point campaign that finished third in the Atlantic.
Boston addressed its biggest needs with the acquisition of JJ Peterka and veteran defensemen, but questions remain about secondary scoring depth.
After a Stanley Cup Final loss and a coaching change, the Pacific champs reload for another run.
Minnesota brought in Blake Coleman and Nick Foligno to fortify a roster that finished third in the Central but wants more playoff punch.
Philadelphia locked up its core after a 98-point season, but the failed Carlsson offer sheet leaves questions about the next step.
Columbus made a splash acquiring Valeri Nichushkin, but the departure of Mason Marchment and Adam Fantilli's contract situation cloud an otherwise promising offseason.
Anaheim matched a hostile offer sheet for Leo Carlsson and extended Pavel Mintyukov, betting on internal growth after a 92-point season.
Florida traded for Brady Tkachuk and overhauled its crease, but questions remain after a seventh-place finish.
St. Louis swapped Kyrou for pieces and added Carlo, betting it can climb the Central with a revamped core.
Toronto overhauled its roster with a veteran goalie, a top defenseman, and a new coach after finishing last in the Atlantic.
Calgary doubled down on defense and draft capital, banking on development after a seventh-place Pacific finish.
Ottawa moved its captain for picks, added William Eklund, and brought back Claude Giroux as the roster pivots toward a younger core.
Pittsburgh finished second in the Metro but spent the summer adding depth and betting on development around its aging core.
Edmonton retooled its coaching staff and crease after falling short in 2025-26, but can the changes fix a shaky defense?
New York missed the playoffs by a point last season and spent the summer tinkering around the edges.
New York added scoring punch and cleared cap space, but questions remain after a 77-point season.
Los Angeles added free agents and hired Peter Laviolette, but goaltending and defense remain question marks after a fourth-place Pacific finish.
New GM Chris MacFarland brought in depth pieces and shed salary, but the Predators still face questions in goal and on defense.
New Jersey added depth and stability in goal after finishing seventh in the Metro with a minus-24 goal differential.
Winnipeg missed the playoffs in 2025-26 and spent the summer addressing its blue line and crease, but questions remain up front.
After a 79-point season, the Kraken drafted high and added a young winger, but questions remain in net and up front.
San Jose added veteran defensemen Darnell Nurse and Jacob Trouba but dealt William Eklund to Ottawa for a first-round pick.
Chicago locked up its young defensive cornerstone and added depth, but the Central Division remains a steep climb.
Grade is the desk’s off-season mark·the finish line is last season’s record· won the summer
Hockey.com Staff · 32 of 32 graded