Off-Season Grades: Northeast Division

Boston Bruins
UFA’s re-signed: Mark Recchi
Additions: Steve Begin, Dany Sabourin
Subtractions: P.J. Axelsson, Manny Fernandez, Steve Montador, Stephane Yelle
Remaining needs: Defenseman
Note: Boston has had a relatively quiet summer, as the core of their team is mostly set for this season. But they still have one issue to deal with, and that’s Phil Kessel. The RFA is still without a contract, and it doesn’t look like he’ll back in Boston as of right now.
Grade: C-

Buffalo Sabres
UFA’s re-signed: None
Additions: Steve Montador, Joe DiPenta
Subtractions: Jaroslav Spacek, Maxim Afinogenov, Mikael Tellqvist
Remaining needs: Top-6 forward
Note: I really thought Buffalo needed to sign/acquire a goal-scoring forward to nail down their spot in the playoff picture. But they failed to do that, and their blue line got worse when you replace Spacek with Montador. The pressure’s on you, Ryan Miller.
Grade: D+

Montreal Canadiens
UFA’s re-signed: None
Additions: Mike Cammalleri, Scott Gomez, Brian Gionta, Jaroslav Spacek, Hal Gill, Paul Mara, Travis Moen, Curtis Sanford
Subtractions: Alexei Kovalev, Saku Koivu, Alex Tanguay, Mike Komisarek, Robert Lang, Tom Kostopolous, Francis Bouillon
Remaining needs: Depth forward
Note: As I’ve stated repeatedly, I was not a fan of Montreal’s spending spree during the frenzy. They recovered from that a bit by signing Travis Moen. GM Bob Gainey may not be done, either, as they could be in the trade market for another forward.
Grade: C+

Ottawa Senators
UFA’s re-signed: Chris Neil
Additions: Alexei Kovalev
Subtractions: Alex Auld, Mike Comrie
Remaining needs: Depth forwards
Note: Kovalev is the only reason why Ottawa did not get an F. The Dany Heatley fiasco turned into a train-wreck, and it looks as though he’ll be sticking around. By being over the cap, GM Bryan Murray still has some work to do.
Grade: C

Toronto Maple Leafs
UFA’s re-signed: None
Additions: Mike Komisarek, Francois Beauchemin, Jonas Gustavsson, Garnet Exelby, Colton Orr
Subtractions: Pavel Kubina, Curtis Joseph, Brad May, Martin Gerber, Boyd Devereaux
Remaining needs: 2 top-9 forwards
Note: This is a typical Brian Burke summer. He’s laying down his foundation with 3 new defensemen. And Burke isn’t quite done, as he very well could deal Tomas Kaberle or Jason Blake.
Grade: B+