Only six NHL teams received an “A” grade from ESPN reporters Ryan Clark and Kristen Shilton in their post-draft team report cards, and the Washington Capitals and Nashville Predators were among them.
The two teams added several key pieces to their already solid rosters and arguably did more to help their chances of competing in 2024 than any other teams in free agency.
Most of the Capitals notable moves came via trade. The team swapped goaltender Darcy Kuemper with the Los Angeles Kings for top-six center Pierre Luc-Dubois, traded defenseman Nick Jensen and a 2026 third-round pick to the Ottawa Senators for top-four defenseman Jakob Chychrun and acquired goaltender Logan Thompson from the Vegas Golden Knights for a pair of third-round picks.
Washington also signed defenseman Matt Roy, one of the top blueliners on the free-agent market.
“Where we once thought perhaps the Capitals were headed for a full-blown rebuild, it’s clear now they’re not wasting the final years of Alex Ovechkin’s career,” Clark and Shilton wrote. “Washington is determined to stay in the playoff picture”
The Predators made the biggest splash of the free-agency period, signing forwards Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault plus defenseman Brady Skjei — three of the top five free agents available — plus they signed goaltender Scott Wedgewood to replace Kevin Lankinen as their backup netminder.
What the Predators (reportedly) are getting in Steven Stamkos: pic.twitter.com/tpAm4y4CRY
— Adam Vingan (@AdamVingan) July 1, 2024
Nashville infused 95 goals and 197 points into its offense while upgrading two spots in its top six and one spot in its top four on defense. Not to mention all three players will boost a power play that ranked in the middle of the pack last season (16th.)
“The Preds’ offseason puts the rest of the Western Conference on notice that they have serious aims to join the ranks of the top Stanley Cup contenders,” Clark and Shilton stated. “…But with eight players older than 30, plus the fact Filip Forsberg and (Juuse) Saros are 29? It’s clear that the Predators are in a window to win now.”
The Chicago Blackhawks, Florida Panthers, New Jersey Devils and San Jose Sharks also received an “A” grade for their offseason work.
