The best move of each team

October ends. This is the perfect time to make an initial assessment of offseason transfers and contract renewals. Here are the players who make their bosses look the best, and who deserve the best candy.

Anaheim Ducks

Yeah. Their differential of -20 is by far the worst in the NHL. The two headliners acquired this summer, Ryan Strome and John Klingberg, are transparent. They will be content with soap gums. The most deserving? Frank Vatranowho has just signed a new three-year contract and has three goals to his name*.

Arizona Coyotes

Christian Fischer. Rehired for barely $1 million, he also scored three goals, in addition to being the only forward on his team with a positive differential.

Boston Bruins

Patrice Bergeron returned for just 2.5 million. A fantastic bargain. The Quebecer maintains an average of one point per game, and he has the best differential of all forwards in the NHL (+ 8).

Buffalo Sabers

Eric Comrie, an American League veteran, inherited the number one goalie position. He is not downgraded, as demonstrated by his save rate of 91%.

Calgary Flames

Jonathan Huberdeau and Nazem Kadri must replace the offensive production of Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk. A difficult mandate. Kadri, however, emerged from the starting blocks with a bulging chest, with nine points in seven games.

Carolina Hurricanes

We have enough fingers on both hands to count the defensemen who, at 37, have scored more than 40 points. Brent Burns has an excellent chance of joining the group. He already has six in eight games and he plays in the first unit on the power play.

Chicago Blackhawks

In his last months in Montreal, Max Domi found himself at the center of the fourth line. Today, he successfully rotates the Hawks’ front line. His success rate in the free pass circle (69%) is the highest of any « regular » center in the NHL.

Colorado avalanche

For half Nathan MacKinnon’s salary, Valery Nichushkin produces as well. Before his injury this week, the Russian winger had managed 12 points in seven games. He particularly distinguished himself on the power play with five goals, an NHL high.

Columbus Blue Jackets

The Jackets – last in the East – will only be entitled to black licorice in the bottom of the dish. Except Johnny Gaudreauto whom we have reserved Skittles of all colors, for his five goals in nine games.

Dallas Stars

Jake Oettingerwho has just signed a new three-year contract (12 million), was the best goalkeeper in the league in October.

Detroit Red Wings

Dominik Kubalik is one of the most beautiful surprises of the new season. The former Blackhawks, hired for just 2.5 million in July, is one of the NHL’s leading scorers with 11 points – including five on the power play.

Edmonton Oilers

Other than goaltender Jack Campbell, it’s pretty much the same team as last season. And since Campbell isn’t shining, I put out the candle in the pumpkin. No candy.

Florida Panthers

Matthew Tkachuk was expensive, but it produces abundantly. He leads the NHL in even-strength points (10).

Los Angeles Kings

Kevin Fiala continues his progression towards the elite level of the NHL, with almost a point per game (9 in 10).

Minnesota Wild

Like the Oilers, virtually the same roster as last winter. So I pass.

Montreal Canadiens

Sean Monahan, obtained for free WITH a first-round pick, provides valuable services to the Habs. He’s in the league’s top 10 for stolen pucks, with 10.

Nashville Predators

Nino Niederreiter is the team’s top scorer, with four goals. On the other hand, things got worse in the last five games (no points, -6).

New Jersey Devils

In almost 30 shorthanded minutes, the defender John Marino allowed no goals. A top in the NHL.

New York Islanders

Alexander Romanov progress. Especially defensively. He blocked 28 shots (4^e in the NHL) and allowed no goals in 23 shorthanded minutes.

New York Rangers

Employed profusely on special teams, the center Vincent Trocheck also takes advantage of the presence of Artemi Panarin on his line to improve his personal record: nine points in as many games.

Ottawa Senators

Expectations for Alex DeBrincat were high. Those towards Claude Giroux ? A little less. After eight games, both have equal goals (2). Giroux also has a +7 differential for even-strength scoring chances.

Philadelphia Flyers

Tony DeAngelo is detestable, but on the ice, he is an elite player. Among all the players transferred last summer, he is the one who plays the most (24 minutes per game).

Pittsburgh Penguins

It’s true, Jeff Petry looked bad the night of his reunion in Montreal. But he gives the Penguins big minutes (21 per game), and his differential remains in positive territory (+ 3).

San Jose Sharks

Nico Sturm is coming off a career-best month, with five goals – all at even strength. Only Cole Caufield has done better in numerical parity in the entire NHL.

Seattle Kraken

Andre Burakovsky was hired to boost the power play, and it’s working. He has already scored six extra points.

St. Louis Blues

Nothing for you. Not even black liquorice.

Tampa Bay Lightning

Nick Paulwho has just signed a long-term contract, has already forced the opponent to take six penalties against him.

Toronto Maple Leafs

In the absence of Matt Murray, the goalkeeper Ilya Samsonov exceeded expectations (92% save rate, 5 goals saved).

Vancouver Canucks

Fresh from the KHL, Andrei Kuzmenko is already on the first unit in numerical superiority. He had six points in nine games.

Vegas Golden Knights

The acquisition of the Shea Weber contract against Evgenii Dadonov may be harmful in the long run, but for now, it’s a trade that benefits the Golden Knights. They were thus able to stay below the salary cap, which allowed them to retain their best players. Sunday, they were first in the West.

Washington Capitals

Darcy Kuemper silenced its detractors, with stats (2.47/92%) almost similar to those of last year (2.54/92%).

Winnipeg Jets

Sam Win clings. The veteran returned to his seventh team. On his ninth contract. And it is still useful. He has scored three goals and has the team’s best differential (+3). Impressive for a 33-year-old who four years ago spent more time in the American League than in the NHL.

* Statistics were compiled prior to Sunday’s games.