Off-Season Grades: Atlantic Division

New Jersey Devils
UFA’s re-signed: Johnny Oduya
Additions: Yann Danis, Cory Murphy
Subtractions: Brian Gionta, John Madden, Scott Clemmensen, Bobby Holik, Niclas Havelid
Remaining needs: 2 top-9 forwards
Note: As of right now, their off-season hasn’t been so intriguing. But with Jacques Lemaire on board, they should be able to pick up some more offensive help before camp opens in September.
Grade: D

New York Islanders
UFA’s re-signed: None
Additions: Dwayne Roloson
Subtractions: Yann Danis, Joey MacDonald
Remaining needs: Top-6 forward
Note: The Isles get a semi-high grade for drafting their new face of the franchise, and picking up a reliable goaltender as insurance to the oft-injured DiPietro. If they can sign/acquire a top-line forward to go with Tavares and Okposo, this grade could go up to a B.
Grade: B-

New York Rangers
UFA’s re-signed: None
Additions: Marian Gaborik, Ales Kotalik, Christopher Higgins, Tyler Arnason, Donald Brashear, Enver Lisin, Brian Boyle
Subtractions: Scott Gomez, Markus Naslund, Nik Antropov, Paul Mara, Derek Morris, Lauri Korpikoski, Colton Orr
Remaining needs: 2 defensemen
Note: I like the additions of Gaborik and Higgins, but this team hasn’t gotten any better since their Game 7 loss to Washington. GM Glen Sather still needs to pick up some d-men to fill out their blue line.
Grade: C+

Philadelphia Flyers
UFA’s re-signed: None
Additions: Chris Pronger, Ray Emery, Ian Laperriere, Brian Boucher
Subtractions: Joffrey Lupul, Martin Biron, Antero Niittymaki, Andrew Alberts, Luca Sbisa
Remaining needs: Depth defenseman
Note: GM Paul Holmgren is almost putting his chips all-in by trading 3 1st round picks and Lupul for Pronger. They are also taking a gamble on Sens cast-off Ray Emery to be the man between the pipes. The Flyers got better in the short-term with Pronger on board, but this team better deliver a championship within the next few years.
Grade: B

Pittsburgh Penguins
UFA’s re-signed: Bill Guerin, Ruslan Fedotenko, Craig Adams
Additions: Jay McKee, Michael Rupp, Chris Conner
Subtractions: Rob Scuderi, Hal Gill, Petr Sykora, Miroslav Satan, Philippe Boucher
Remaining needs: Top-9 forward
Note: Last summer, Hossa, Malone, and Roberts all left the Pens. Now the shutdown defensive pairing of Gill & Scuderi is out the door. GM Ray Shero still did well by re-signing veterans Guerin & Fedotenko to keep the team atop the division, and probably the conference. P.S. McKee is a steal for $800,000…
Grade: C-