Signing Markstrom was huge. Number 1 goalies are at least as rare and valuable as #1 centers. And Markstrom was the single best player available in free agency IMO (some would say Pietrangelo, but I would much rather have Markstrom). If you acquired the best player available, and it was a position that you really needed to improve on, then free agency was a success. Period.
Then they also got a quality RH defensemen, which they also needed. That contract was a little more or longer than one would like, but that is the nature of free agency. I know that some are worried that Tanev might be another Brouwer/Neal, but that is silly IMO. When scoring wingers lose their ability to put up points, they become useless. That doesn't happen with defensive defensemen. They will eventually lose their foot speed of course, and will inevitably slide down the depth chart, but that typically takes years, it isn't a light switch turning off the way that forwards can be.
I am still hoping and expecting that they sign one or two more bargain players to finish off the roster, but I think it is already a big success.
Vegas - better? we'll see, they lost two good players and added one
Edmonton - I think they treaded water, basically the same team
Vancouver - overall, got worse (certainly not better)
San Jose - will be better this year, but not enough to catch the Flames
Arizona - big drop
Anaheim and LA - not relevant this year.
So looking at the division, I think we moved from being in the pack with EDM and VAN to being the clear #2 team in the division.
Again, that makes it a success.
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