Who's the Most Improved Team this Off-Season?

After an eventful few weeks of changes across the league, a few teams are entering the 2024-25 season with a whole new look. 

There are a lot of teams that have really improved their roster this summer, with the top teams that come to mind including the Kraken, Bruins, Devils, Predators, and dare I say, the Capitals? All of these teams, whether through questionable contracts/trades, have greatly improved their rosters compared to last season. Now, that does NOT mean they will make the playoffs, but you have to give credit where credit is due. Out of these teams though, purely based off of off season additions, the Predator's have to be my pick for most improved. They have always had good goaltending, solid defence and a decent forward group, but following the signings this off season (by a GM with just 377 days of experience), the Smashville Preds are going to be much more than a team that just sneaks into the playoffs. 

If you read my article on “Way too Early Regular Season Award Predictions” ( I know you didn’t), then you will see that I predicted Andrew Brunette to repeat his coaching success last year, but with a far more talented roster. Whenever a team has a large amount of turnover it is always a risk that the change in chemistry or the amount of new players that need to find their fit will result in a slow start to the season; though due to the variety of veteran players on this roster and past chemistry between players like Marchessault, Stamkos and Schenn, I see this team coming hot out of the gates.

Although the Preds are my favourite for most improved team, the Devils are the team that I believe have increased their chances at winning the cup this year the most; if that makes any sense. Shoutout Sheldon Keefe!

Why not go a step further and predict some of the Predator’s regular season award winners?

MVP: Filip Forsberg

Forsberg is coming off of a 48 (!) goal season, totalling 94 points through 82 games. For this upcoming season, Forsberg is still going to play on the first line with his original line mates, but the second line of Stamkos, Novak and Marchessault, will undoubtedly attract a lot of defensive assignments from opposing teams. This means that not only will Forsberg continue to succeed in a system he is familiar with, but he now has a chance to play on a powerplay that will find a lot more success than 16th in the league. 

Norris: Roman Josi

For once, Josi may receive a little bit of competition from new-addition Brady Skjei, who led the Canes defence core last season with 47 points through 80 games and a 56% fenwick score during the regular season. That being said, Josi is the anchor of this team’s backend and I expect him to flourish even more offensively with Skjei now being there to lock down defensively. 

Rocket: Filip Forsberg

Even though Stamkos is coming off of a 40 goal season, I have a feeling Forsberg will continue to succeed under Head Coach Andrew Brunette and net the most amongst his teammates. I imagine Stamkos will put up a very good fight, but I have to assume that Forsberg’s familiarity with the team will give him the slight edge here.

Should we take a look at what team is entering next season worse than they did the last?