Eastern Conference Teams That Improved

The beginning of the 2024-25 NHL Season is lower than a month away, with training camps starting soon. With some notable RFAs out on the board, all eyes will probably be on those teams that either improved or took a step back this offseason, either in free agency or via trade.

NHL Free Agency Contracts That Made You Go Whoa!! Eastern Conference

NHL Rumors.com reviews impactful moves from the Eastern and Western Conference Trade Deadline every season. Then, within the NHL Offseason, we have a look at those contracts that left you scratching your head or possibly some that had you saying didn’t my team sign that guy to that contract?

Throughout the summer, NHLRumors.com gave you what the experts thought were essentially the most improved teams within the NHL Offseason from the Eastern and Western Conference. In our latest series, you will note it firsthand.

Let’s see who we predict did the perfect this offseason.

Eastern Conference Teams That Improved This NHL Offseason

Recent Jersey Devils

Let’s start with essentially the most obvious one: the Recent Jersey Devils. Last season, the Devils had lots go improper. Injuries to key players like Jack Hughes, Dougie Hamilton, and Nico Hischier hampered this team’s ability to make it back to the playoffs, not to say the goaltending and defense.

NHL Trade: The Calgary Flames Finally Send Jacob Markstrom to the Recent Jersey Devils

This off-season, President and GM Tom Fitzgerald went to work reshaping his team. It began with a brand new head coach, Sheldon Keefe. From there, he added his primary goalie, Jacob Markstrom. Markstrom and Jake Allen will solidify the position.

He trades for Paul Cotter in the course of the draft to bring depth and size to the Devils’ offensive. Recent Jersey got pushed around way an excessive amount of last season.

On Day 1 of Free Agency, he signs Brett Pesce, Brenden Dillon, and Stefan Noesen. A couple of days later, he signs Tomas Tatar. Fitzgerald wanted his team to return to the one which made the playoffs a couple of seasons ago.

While the Devils’ moves this season have generated plenty of hype, this team should take a step forward and return to the playoffs. They’re one in all the higher teams within the Metro Division.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Heading up North, the Toronto Maple Leafs are a team that improved, especially defensively. The additions of Chris Tanev and Oliver Ekman-Larsson make the Leafs higher of their zone. Tanev brings a physical presence the Leafs desperately need in front of their goaltenders. Not to say, he can block a ton of shots. He plays in all situations. Plus, GM Brad Treliving has a history with the player and knows he will probably be perfect for brand new head coach Craig Berube.

NHL Rumors: Maple Leafs to Likely Sign Chris Tanev and Could Add More

Ekman-Larsson takes the pressure off Morgan Reilly. For essentially the most part, Reilly has been the one guy in a position to move the puck out of the zone. OEL brings that element, plus he’s a proven winner after revitalizing his profession with the Florida Panthers. He was on the second pairing in Florida and helped the Panthers win a Stanley Cup. While he has offensive talent, he could be very structurally sound in his zone as well.

The Maple Leafs also kept Max Domi and Timothy Liljegren. Domi is an ideal second who can play up and down the lineup, and Liljegren is starting to come back into his own. The one query mark is the goaltending with Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz, however the team’s defensive play in front of those is improved.

Washington Capitals 

Going back to the Metro Division, a team that continues to retool and improve is the Washington Capitals. The Capitals barely snuck into the playoffs last season and were dismissed in 4 games by the Recent York Rangers within the opening round. So you already know Washington was going to try to enhance upon that result.

The Washington Capitals Impressed Former Coach This Offseason

Alex Ovechkin, John Carlson, and T.J. Oshie are winding down their careers. Nicklas Backstrom‘s profession is over because the Capitals attempt to help Ovechkin pass Gretzky’s goal record. The Capitals added the likes of Logan Thompson, Brandon Duhaime, Andrew Mangiapane, Jakob Chychrun, Matt Roy, and Pierre-Luc Dubois this offseason.

Pierre-Luc Dubois will probably be an interesting case. The potential is there, but the hassle isn’t. He could have a profession season fidgeting with Ovechkin if Spencer Carbery desires to. The Capitals are still a team that may threaten the Metro Division. A couple of teams are ahead, however the division remains to be tough. GM Brian MacLellan continues to retool on the fly.

Honorable Mention

Often, on this spot, we mention a team; nonetheless, this time, we’ll have a look at a few couples via their signings or trades, helping them improve.

First, the Ottawa Senators. Ottawa needed goaltending, they usually got it with Linus Ullmark from the Boston Bruins. The problem for the Senators has been their slow starts and poor goaltending. The previous Vezina Trophy winner brings stability and a way of hope to the position. He’s the difference the Senators have to get to the playoffs. The Senators brought in some veteran presence up front with the signing of David Perron.

NHL Rumors: Linus Ullmark and the Ottawa Senators Could Wait on a Recent Contract

Next are the Detroit Red Wings. Detroit kept Patrick Kane and added Vladimir Tarasenko, Cam Talbot, and Erik Gustafsson. The Red Wings hope that Talbot can bring stability to the goaltending position. Ville Husso is probably going the primary, but Alex Lyon, Jack Campbell, and Sebastian Cossa are there. Detroit has many options, which may very well be the position that costs them a playoff spot.

Throw in what the Montreal Canadiens did with Patrik Laine, they usually addressed a weakness on their roster. But it’ll be a battle between Detroit and Ottawa for a playoff spot within the East.

That concludes the list of NHL Offseason Teams that improved from the Eastern Conference. Stay tuned for the Western Conference edition.