Losing a star player in free agency can be a crushing blow to any NHL team. It can disrupt team chemistry, weaken offensive firepower, and leave a void in leadership. However, history has shown that it is possible for teams to overcome such losses and continue to compete at a high level. Here are three recent NHL teams that have successfully navigated the departure of a star player in free agency:
1. The Columbus Blue Jackets (Losing Artemi Panarin in 2019)
After acquiring Artemi Panarin from the Chicago Blackhawks, the Columbus Blue Jackets witnessed two stellar 30-goal campaigns from the Russian winger. He quickly became the team's offensive leader in both the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons. However, Panarin's time in Columbus was short-lived, as he joined the New York Rangers as a free agent in 2019.
While the Rangers eventually reaped the rewards of acquiring Panarin, the Blue Jackets didn't immediately crumble after his departure. Led by coach John Tortorella, the team made it back to the postseason and even upset the Toronto Maple Leafs in the qualifying round. With Pierre-Luc Dubois and Zach Werenski leading a more defensively oriented squad, the Blue Jackets put up a fight before falling to the Tampa Bay Lightning, who would eventually win the Stanley Cup. Although Columbus hasn't been back to the playoffs in the five seasons since, they managed to avoid sinking to the bottom of the conference right after Panarin left.
2. The St. Louis Blues (Losing Alex Pietrangelo in 2020)
After 12 seasons with the St. Louis Blues, Alex Pietrangelo, the team's captain and a cornerstone of their defense, departed to join the Vegas Golden Knights in 2020. Pietrangelo's departure left a significant hole on the Blues' blue line and in their leadership core.
Despite losing such a key player, the Blues managed to remain competitive. While they haven't replicated their Stanley Cup-winning success from 2019, they have continued to make playoff appearances and remain a challenging opponent in the Western Conference. The Blues' ability to adapt and find new leaders within their roster demonstrates their resilience and strong organizational structure.
3. The New York Islanders (Losing John Tavares in 2018)
In the summer of 2018, John Tavares, a homegrown talent and face of the New York Islanders franchise, made the decision to sign with his childhood team, the Toronto Maple Leafs. Tavares had been the Islanders' captain and leading scorer, and his departure was a major setback for the team.
However, rather than falling into despair, the Islanders used Tavares' departure as an opportunity to re-shape their team identity. Under the guidance of coach Barry Trotz, the Islanders embraced a defensive-minded approach, focusing on strong goaltending and structured play. This shift in philosophy led to immediate success, as the Islanders made a surprising run to the playoffs the following season and have remained a consistent playoff contender since then.
These three examples demonstrate that while losing a star player in free agency is never easy, it doesn't have to spell disaster for an NHL team. By adapting their strategies, developing internal talent, and maintaining a strong organizational culture, teams can overcome the loss of key players and continue to compete for success. It requires strong leadership, a clear vision, and the ability to find new ways to win, but it is ultimately possible to survive and thrive after losing a star player in free agency.
