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USA TODAY Sports hockey columnist Kevin Allen grades Western Conference teams' offseason moves:
Anaheim Ducks: A
General manager Bob Murray transformed the Ducks into stronger contenders by acquiring Ryan Kesler to be the team's No. 2 center. The Ducks' one-two center punch of Ryan Getzlaf and Kesler is formidable. Adding winger Dany Heatley on a one-year, $1 million deal is a good roll of the dice.
Arizona Coyotes: B-
With the buyout of Mike Ribeiro and the loss of free agent Radim Vrbata, the Coyotes have lost 36 goals and nearly 100 points from their offense. But the trade for Sam Gagner might bring back 50 points. They also added role player Joe Vitale and backup goalie Jason LaBarbera. There's work left to do here.
Calgary Flames: C+
They lost Mike Cammalleri and added Mason Raymond, and surprisingly added goalie Jonas Hiller for a good price (two years, $9 million) to create competition in net. They overpaid for defenseman Deryk Engelland (three years, $8.75 million), though he will fit well into coach Bob Hartley's system. Brandon Bollig fits Brian Burke's desire for truculence.
Chicago Blackhawks: A-
The Blackhawks are strong enough that only minor tinkering was required. They had no cap room, but GM Stan Bowman persuaded Brad Richards to sign a one-year deal for $2 million. The smart, savvy playmaker is a significant upgrade from Michal Handzus as No. 2 center. Bowman also eliminated distractions by getting Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane under contract.
Colorado Avalanche: B-
Given the strides the team made under Joe Sakic and Patrick Roy, it seems surprising the Avalanche would let Paul Stastny leave when he wanted to stay. But the Jarome Iginla signing is good because he offers goals, grit and experience. Acquiring Danny Briere for P.A. Parenteau also works because Briere is a proven playoff producer. Veteran Brad Stuart will help stabilize the defense.
Dallas Stars: A
Rather than wading into free agency, GM Jim Nill made a splash by acquiring Jason Spezza from the Ottawa Senators. Now the Stars have a one-two center combination of Tyler Seguin and Spezza. He also signed play-making winger Ales Hemsky to play with Seguin and Jamie Benn, although he also worked well with Spezza in Ottawa. Spezza might play with Valeri Nichushkin.
Edmonton Oilers: B-
Giving Benoit Pouliot a five-year, $20 million deal seems like overpaying, but the Oilers need size and depth up front. Nikita Nikitin (two years, $9 million) and Mark Fayne ($14.5 million over four years) will help the defense, but their salaries constitute overpaying. But the Oilers must overpay to persuade players to go to Edmonton. Teddy Purcell, acquired in a trade, brings size and scoring.
Los Angeles Kings: B
The champion Kings didn't need to do much, except re-sign Marian Gaborik, and GM Dean Lombardi accomplished that with an attractive $4.875 million cap hit on a seven-year deal. The only significant loss is Willie Mitchell, and championship teams sometimes have to make changes to make room for younger players.
Minnesota Wild: B-
The Wild need scoring, and Thomas Vanek has been one of the league's most prolific point producers the last several seasons. Despite his playoff struggles, he is an upgrade from Matt Moulson. The Wild have medical issues with their goalies but might have to wait until right before the season before they know where they stand.
Nashville Predators: B-
The Predators desperately needed a proven scorer and got one by trading for James Neal. They can raise (or lower) their mark, depending upon how they react to the announcement that Mike Fisher will miss four to six months with a ruptured Achilles tendon. The injury could force them to make it work with the Philadelphia Flyers on a trade for Vinny Lecavalier. Signee Olli Jokinen's best seasons are behind him, but he improves the team's size. Defenseman Anton Volchenkov, at $1 million this season, is an inexpensive third-pairing option.
St. Louis Blues: A
GM Doug Armstrong signed the best available center in Stastny and signed center Jori Lehtera from the Kontinental Hockey League. This will allow David Backes to move to right wing. Vladimir Sobotka's departure to the KHL hurts, but Armstrong tried to make up for it by bringing back Steve Ott.
Twenty players filed for salary arbitration and another three had their club file for arbitration. Many likely will settle before the hearing. A look at the schedule and the 23 players: Bruce Bennett, Getty Images
San Jose Sharks: D
Although the Sharks want to change their look, it appears they'll do it primarily from within. They waved goodbye to defensemen Dan Boyle and Stuart and announced Brent Burns was moving back to defense. There's a lot of speculation about whether the Sharks will trade a major veteran such as Joe Thornton or Patrick Marleau, but that hasn't happened. Tough guy John Scott has been the Sharks' only free agent signing.
Vancouver Canucks: C
Ryan Miller improves the goaltending, but it's hard to say the team is better after trading Kesler. Even though the Canucks got center Nick Bonino and defenseman Luca Sbisa, Kesler was the best player in the deal. The Vrbata signing is intriguing. Dustin Jeffrey is a high-quality depth forward and Derek Dorsett is a desirable role player.
Winnipeg Jets: D
Fans might have been waiting for the Jets to shake up their core, such as trading Dustin Byfuglien, but they merely added role player Mathieu Perreault. They lost Jokinen and let Devin Setoguchi go to free agency.
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