Off-Season " Teams' Transactions " Review Part 1:

Eastern Conference,

Atlantic Division (In order of projected 2006-07 placing):

Philadelphia 1st place:

Key Acquisitions: Nolan Baumgartner from Vancouver, 2-year 2.4 million; Randy Robitaille from Minnesota, 1-year 600,000; Geoff Sanderson from Phoenix, 2-year deal.

Key Departures: Kim Johnsson to Minnesota; Donald Brashear to Washington; Dan McGillis to New Jersey.

Analysis: B

No big changes made in the city of brotherly love, but none were needed to be made. GM Bobby Clarke made sure all of his team was in tact and signed, and did an excellent job of keeping things positive by not losing any key players. Clarke's main concern leading up to this upcoming season will be deciding on a number one: either Antero Niitymaki or veteran Robert Esche. If neither want to play back up for the other than perhaps Bobby has some potential trade bait on his hands. Look for someone like Ed Belfour or Marty Turco to be wearing the orange and black come playoff time.

New York Rangers 2nd place:

Key Acquisitions: Brendan Shanahan from Detroit, 1-year 4 million; Matt Cullen from Carolina, 4-year $ 11.2 million; Aaron Ward from Carolina, 2-year 2.5 million.

Key Departures: Steve Rucchin to Atlanta; Tom Poti to New York Isles.

Analysis: B+

Great move to get Brendan Shanahan. The Rangers have always had success with skilled veterans leading the way, and with the likes of Shanahan and Matt Cullen from Carolina, Jaromir Jagr can focus on what he does best (scoring) and not what he has trouble with (leadership). Unfortunately the Rangers aren't looking any better on the blueline with the loss of Tom Poti, where they suffered terribly in the post-season against a subpar New Jersey offense.

New Jersey Devils, 3rd Place:

Key Acquisitions: Dan McGillis from Philadelphia, 1-year 2.2 million.

Key Departures: Ken Klee to Colorado.

Analysis: C-

The Devils have yet to make any deals, but have not lost any to make up for it. The problem New Jersey has right now is in regards to money. The number of big contracts they have yet to sign (Scott Gomez in particular) and the ones they have already made, prevents them from going after any big free agents ( Patrick Elias 7.5-million this season, Colin White 3-million (? what was that signing), and Jamie Langenbrunner 2.8 million). Looks as though the Devils' head office is clearly satisfied with a team that is aging on defense and sporadic on the statsheet, go figure.

New York Islanders, 4th place:

Key Acquisitions: Tom Poti, 1-year 2.75 million; Brendan Witt, 3-year deal around 7.5 million; Chris Simon 1-year 1million.

Key Departures:

Analysis: B-

Good moves to strengthen the blueline. Although Bryan McCabe was their first free agent choice, Tom Poti and Brendan Witt will do more than enough to better the back line. If ex-number-one-draft choice Rick De Pietro can deliver a solid static season- look for some head turning on Long Island this fall.

Pittsburgh Penguins, 5th Place:

Key Acquisitions: Mark Eaton 2-year 3.2 million; Jarkko Ruutu 2-year 2.3 million, Mark Recchi one-year 2.8 million; Nils Ekman from Nashville 1.1 million.

Key Departures: None

Analysis: D+

Why, why, why do the Pittsburgh Penguins always keep picking up Mark Recchi's tab. Does the franchise eternally owe him for some great unspoken deed? When will they sign someone who is not over 35 for a change? Oh wait I forgot about Jarkko Ruutu- my bad. With all that cap room you'd think they would have gone for a big time free-agent (or two or three or four). Perhaps, I'm being a little bit hard, I guess it must be a little difficult to lure anybody to Steel Town where Football Players are Gods and an 18 year-old Maritimer is their best professional hockey player. Anyway, Luck out to Crosby, my bets are he'll rack up more penalty minutes than last season from frustration. Really can't say I blame him though. Let's hope Malkin is to Crosby as Jagr was for Lemieux.