Teuvo Teravainen was a solid free agent signing by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2024 after eight productive seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes. The Blackhawks got what they expected out of the veteran as he scored 15 goals and recorded 58 points last season. He averaged 17 minutes per game of ice time and finished third on the team in points. His output was pretty good for being on a 31st place team that struggled with scoring.
There were a number of skilled offensive skaters to change teams and put up a good season in 2024-25. The best of them was Jake Guentzel who scored 41 goals and 80 points with the Tampa Bay Lightning. He was with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Hurricanes the season prior.
Pierre-Luc Dubois was dealt to the Washington Capitals last offseason and turned things around. He fit right in with the Capitals team that surprised in every way and finished the season with 20 goals and 66 points. He showed much more effort and promise than with the LA Kings.
The St. Louis Blues sent an offer sheet to Dylan Holloway in which he signed. The Edmonton Oilers didn't match and the young forward was now a Blue. He broke out for 26 goals and 63 points and was much more than what St. Louis had hoped he'd be right away.
Teravainen ranked fourth among players to change teams and I will reiterate that it is impressive what he did on a team like the Blackhawks.
Right behind Teravainen was Sean Monahan who has turned his career around after some injuries. On the Columbus Blue Jackets, he scored 19 goals and 57 points, but this was in just 54 games. He had something big to play for in Columbus.
Just behind them was Jonathan Marchessault. He was pushed aside in Vegas and signed a big contract with the Nashville Predators. While the team really struggled, his offensive production was just about on par with what the team should have expected, though his goals were a little down. Marchessault finished the season with 21 goals and 56 points.
There were only four other players on new teams to top the 50-point mark last season. This group included Tyler Toffoli with the San Jose Sharks (30 goals, 54 points), Ryan McLeod with the Buffalo Sabres (20 goals, 53 points), Steven Stamkos with the Predators (27 goals, 53 points), and Mikhail Sergachev (15 goals, 53 points).
I don't expect any Blackhawks to appear anywhere close to the top of this list after 2025-36, but there's hope for the following year.
