The dust has mostly settled on the NHL offseason, and the depth charts for most teams are becoming clear. Between cap-induced trades and free-agent signings, there were a number of major moves that will give contenders a different look in 2015-16.
With the league's current landscape, it is rare that teams are able to acquire franchise players in the offseason. Top players are selected in the draft and signed to long-term contracts, à la Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. The contending clubs are built around those top picks, but they cannot win with homegrown players alone. For example, the Blackhawks traded for Patrick Sharp and signed Marian Hossa -- two players who were centerpieces to their dynasty.
There's no question that Toews and Kane were major beneficiaries of Hossa's and Sharp's presence. In fact, when Toews has been on the ice with Hossa since 2010, Chicago has outscored opponents 3.4 to 1.9 at even strength.
Maybe there wasn't a player on the move as good as Hossa this offseason, but there were several key players who will enhance the performances of playoff-contending stars.
Who could benefit most from this offseason's moves?
