Welcome to the second part of the annual Bizarro-meter rankings, where we delve into each team’s offseason to determine which ones were the most peculiar. In the world of hockey, ‘weird’ doesn’t necessarily equate to being good or bad, but rather a reflection of the teams that kept things interesting over the summer break.
Yesterday, our focus was on the Eastern Conference, where the Capitals and Lightning took center stage. But can any team from the West outshine their strange offseason antics? Spoiler alert: Yes, there is a team that tops them. Who could it be? Let’s dive in and find out.
The offseason for the Flames has been characterized by a continuous churn of rebuilding efforts, with the departure of Jacob Markstrom being the latest headline. While the return on Markstrom was not groundbreaking, general manager Craig Conroy has been consistently making deals that keep fans on their toes. The inability to trade Trevor Zegras, a player continuously rumored to be on the move, added another twist to their offseason saga.
As for the Canucks, they made a bold move by drafting Macklin Celebrini as their top pick and acquiring Yaroslav Askarov through a trade. These moves solidified their impressive young core, setting the stage for the challenges ahead. The surprise signing of Tyler Toffoli raised eyebrows, as many expected him to join a contender instead.
On the Bizarro-meter ranking, the Canucks scored a 4.6 out of 10. Additionally, the appointment of Ryan Warsofsky as head coach raised some eyebrows due to his youthful appearance, prompting jokes about needing to grow a long gray beard to fit the NHL coaching mold.
Meanwhile, the Predators had a relatively quiet offseason, with signings and trades that failed to generate much buzz. The addition of Joel Edmundson and the Tanner Jeannot trade were met with lukewarm reception from fans and pundits alike.
The Canucks made a splash by acquiring Jake DeBrusk in a deal that raised concerns due to the length of his contract. This move highlighted an offseason where big-name rentals from the previous season departed, as the front office navigates the salary cap and negotiates a new deal for Elias Pettersson.
The ongoing saga of Thatcher Demko’s injury concerns has added a layer of uncertainty to the Canucks’ offseason, with reports of Artūrs Šilovs also dealing with a knee injury. These issues have kept fans on edge as they await updates on the goaltending situation.
In conclusion, the Western Conference teams have had their fair share of unusual offseason moments, from surprising signings to ongoing injury dramas. As the new season approaches, it remains to be seen how these storylines will unfold and impact their performances on the ice. Stay tuned for more updates as the hockey world continues to surprise us with its bizarre twists and turns.
