The 2014 NHL Entry Draft has come and gone, but officially kicked off the NHL offseason. Player movement has officially started and there were certainly some newsworthy moves around the league.

The draft serves mostly as an opportunity to replenish the foundation of a franchise. While many of the players selected will never see NHL ice, they carry the promise and potential that can be used as bargaining chips down the road.

It might be too early to judge a team’s performance on draft day, but based on the players they added to the fold and the additional transactions that were made we’ll hand out our grades for the Western Conference this weekend.

Anaheim Ducks-The biggest prize of the weekend went to Anaheim with Ryan Kesler joining the party at the pond. The Ducks ended up with two quality picks that can help them within the next year and a half with Petterson and Ritchie. Kesler is a shiny new toy, but Anaheim gave up a good bit to get him.

Here is the Ducks’ draft:

First round, 10th overall: RW Nick Ritchie (Peterborough, OHL)

Second round, 38th overall: D Marcus Pettersson (Skelleftea Jr., Sweden)

Second round, 55th overall: D Brandon Montour (Waterloo, USHL)

Fifth round, 123rd overall: D Matthew Berkovitz (Ashwaubenon, HIGH-WI)

Seventh round, 205th overall: RW Ondrej Kase (Chomutov, Czech Rep.)

Grade: B

Arizona Coyotes-The biggest move was to sever ties with Mike Ribeiro. GM Don Maloney pulled no punches describing the decision.

"Mike had some real behavior issues last year with us I felt we could not tolerate going forward," General Manager Don Maloney said. "To his credit, he has been getting help this offseason and obviously would hope he continues. But at the end of the year and all the background checking and what happened, we felt that for us to move forward, we couldn't have him a part of this team."

Uh, how do you REALLY feel about him Don? The Coyotes added depth with nine picks in seven rounds and got a steal with Perlini in round one.

Here was the Coyotes draft:

First round, 12th overall: LW Brendan Perlini (Niagara, OHL)

Second round, 43rd overall: C Ryan MacInnis (Kitchener, OHL)

Second round, 58th overall: LW Christian Dvorak (London, OHL)

Third round, 87th overall: RW Anton Karlsson (Frolunda Jr., Sweden)

Fourth round, 117th overall: LW Michael Bunting (Sault Ste. Marie, OHL)

Fifth round, 133rd overall: D Dysin Mayo (Edmonton, WHL)

Sixth round, 163rd overall: D David Westlund (Brynas Jr., Sweden)

Seventh round, 191st overall: LW Jared Fiegl (USA U18)

Seventh round, 193rd overall: LW Edgars Kulda (Edmonton, WHL)

Overall grade: A-

Calgary Flames-Hockey experts enjoyed poking fun at director Brian Burke and his trade for Brandon Bollig. With Burke formally announcing that he wants size and grit to rebuild the franchise, GM Brian Treviling made the deal to relieve Chicago of their worst roster player. Bennett is a star in the making, but the Flames are really high on McDonald, reaching for him early in round 2. He wasn’t the highest rated goaltending prospect, but maybe he has that grit that Burke wants.

Here is the Flames' draft:

First round, fourth overall: C Sam Bennett (Kingston, OHL)

Second round, 34th overall: G Mason McDonald (Charlottetown, QMJHL)

Second round, 54th overall: RW Hunter Smith (Oshawa, OHL)

Third round, 64th overall: D Brandon Hickey (Spruce Grove, AJHL)

Sixth round, 175th overall: D Adam Ollas Mattsson (Djurgarden Jr., Sweden)

Seventh round, 184th overall: RW Austin Carroll (Victoria, WHL)

Grade: C-

Chicago Blackhawks-The Hawks most significant move was dumping Bollig and his salary on Calgary. They traded up to get Schmaltz at the 20 spot so they see something that others might not.

Here is Chicago’s draft:

First round, 20th overall: C Nick Schmaltz (Green Bay, USHL)

Third round, 83rd overall: RW Matheson Iacopelli (Muskegon, USHL)

Third round, 87th overall: C/LW Beau Starrett (South Shore, USPHL PRE)

Fourth round, 98th overall: LW Frederik Olofsson (Chicago, USHL)

Fifth round, 141st overall: D Luc Snuggerud (Eden Prairie, HIGH-MN)

Fifth round, 148th overall: D Andreas Soderberg (Skelleftea Jr., Sweden)

Sixth round, 178th overall: C Dylan Sikura (Aurora, OJHL)

Sixth round, 179th overall: G Ivan Nalimov (SKA St. Petersburg 2, Russia Jr.)

Seventh round, 208th overall: RW Jack Ramsey (Penticton, BCHL)

Grade: C

Colorado Avalanche-The Avs reached for Bleackley at 23 and failed to address some defensive holes. Colorado has some defensive prospects but nothing spectacular ready for the NHL. With Bleackley they got themselves a center for the future, but after that it wasn’t a great draft.

Here is Colorado’s draft:

First round, 23rd overall: C Conner Bleackley (Red Deer, WHL)

Third round, 84th overall: D Kyle Wood (North Bay, OHL)

Fourth round, 93rd overall: RW Nicholas Magyar (Kitchener, OHL)

Fourth round, 114th overall: LW Alexis Pepin (Gatineau, QMJHL)

Fifth round, 144th overall: D Anton Lindholm (Skelleftea Jr., Sweden)

Sixth round, 174th overall: G Maximilian Pajpach (Slovakia U18)

Seventh round: 204th overall: C/LW Julien Nantel (Rouyn-Noranda, QMJHL)

Grade: D

Dallas Stars-The sophomore season of GM Jim Nill looks promising after a solid draft. Honka will be a top four defenseman in a year or two and Pollock, Peters and Moran are all considered very good prospects.

Here is Dallas’ draft:

First round, 14th overall: D Julius Honka (Swift Current, WHL)

Second round, 45th overall: LW Brett Pollock (Edmonton, WHL)

Third round, 75th overall: D Alexander Peters (Plymouth, OHL)

Fourth round, 105th overall: D Michael Prapavessis (Toronto Lakeshore, OJHL)

Fourth round, 115th overall: G Brent Moran (Niagara, OHL)

Fifth round, 135th overall: D Miro Karjalainen (Jokerit U18, Finland Jr.)

Sixth round, 154th overall: D Aaron Haydon (Niagara, OHL)

Sixth round, 165th overall: LW John Nyberg (Frolunda Jr., Sweden)

Seventh round, 195th overall: D Patrick Sanvido (Windsor, OHL)

Grade: B+

Edmonton Oilers-While I love, love, LOVE them taking Draisaitl at the third spot, the Oilers didn’t have that many picks which ultimately hurts their overall grade. The German center has a big body and talent for days. He is just what Edmonton has been waiting for. After the first round the rest of their picks are a big stretch to hit the NHL.

Here is the Oiler’s draft:

First round, third overall: C Leon Draisaitl (Prince Albert, WHL)

Fourth round, 91st overall: D William Lagesson (Frolunda Jr., Sweden)

Fourth round, 111th overall: G Zachary Nagelvoort (UMichigan, Big Ten)

Fifth round, 130th overall: C/LW Liam Coughlin (Vernon, BCHL)

Sixth round, 153rd overall: C Tyler Vesel (Omaha, USHL)

Seventh round, 183rd overall: G Keven Bouchard (Val D'Or, QMJHL)

Grade: C+

Los Angeles Kings-The defending champs made a bit of noise by sending top prospect Linden Vey to Vancouver. The Kings were able to get some really good picks with Kempe, a big talented center and McKeown on defense, who dropped into the second round.

Here is the Kings’ draft:

First round, 29th overall: C Adrian Kempe (Modo, Sweden)

Second round, 50th overall: D Roland McKeown (Kingston, OHL)

Second round, 60th overall: D Alex Lintuniemi (Ottawa, OHL)

Third round, 90th overall: C Michael Amadio (North Bay, OHL)

Fourth round, 120th overall: D Steven Johnson (Omaha, USHL)

Fifth round, 150th overall: G Alec Dillon (Victoria, BCHL)

Sixth round, 157th overall: C Jake Marchment (Belleville, OHL)

Sixth round, 180th overall: LW Matthew Mistele (Plymouth, OHL)

Seventh round, 209th overall: RW Spencer Watson (Kingston, OHL)

Seventh round, 210th overall: D Jacob Middleton (Ottawa, OHL)

Grade: B+

Minnesota Wild-The Wild had eight picks and six of them were in the fourth round or later. They picked up a Finnish goalie in round four (which is always good) and Alex Tuch has star potential as a center or wing.

Here is the Wild’s draft:

First round, 18th overall: C/RW Alex Tuch (USA U18)

Third round, 80th overall: D Louis Belpedio (USA U18)

Fourth round, 109th overall: G Kaapo Kahkonen (Blues Jr., Finland)

Fifth round, 139th overall: D Tanner Faith (Kootenay, WHL)

Sixth round, 160th overall: D Pontus Sjalin (Ostersunds, J20 Elit)

Sixth round, 167th overall: C Chase Lang (Calgary, WHL)

Sixth round, 169th overall: C Reid Duke (Lethbridge, WHL)

Seventh round, 199th overall: C Pavel Jenys (BRNO, Czech Rep.)

Grade: C+

Nashville Predators-The new and improved Preds swiped James Neal from Pittsburgh and got two elite offensive prospects with Fiala and Kamenev. Nashville has been loading up on young offensive talent over the last few seasons. Dougherty could also be a great pick and end up in Nashville’s top four defensemen. With more of an emphasis placed on offense it will be interesting to see what Peter Laviolette’s new team can produce.

Here is the Predator’s draft:

First round, 11th overall: LW Kevin Fiala (HV71, Sweden)

Second round, 42nd overall: LW Vladislav Kamenev (Magnitogorsk 2, Russia Jr.)

Second round, 51st overall: D Jack Dougherty (USA U18)

Third round, 62nd overall: LW Justin Kirkland (Kelowna, WHL)

Fourth round, 112th overall: LW Viktor Arvidsson (Skelleftea, Sweden)

Fifth round, 132nd overall: D Joonas Lyytinen (Kalpa, Finland)

Sixth round, 162nd overall: D Aaron Irving (Edmonton, WHL)

Grade: B

San Jose Sharks-The two biggest fish in San Jose, Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau are still Sharks, so maybe the r-word (rebuild) has been put off for yet another season. The Sharks made no deals and drafted no one that makes their future look any brighter. Another uneventful draft day in San Jose.

Here is the Sharks’ draft:

First round, 27th overall: RW Nikolay Goldobin (Sarnia, OHL)

Second round, 46th overall: D Julius Bergman (Frolunda Jr., Sweden)

Second round, 53rd overall: RW Noah Rod (Geneve Jr., Swiss)

Third round, 72nd overall: RW Alex Schoenborn (Portland, WHL)

Third round, 81st overall: LW Dylan Sadowy (Saginaw, OHL)

Fourth round, 102nd overall: D Alexis Vanier (Baie-Comeau, QMJHL)

Fifth round, 149th overall: C Rourke Chartier (Kelowna, WHL)

Sixth round, 171st overall: RW Kevin Labanc (Barrie, OHL)

Grade: D

St. Louis Blues-The Blues' GM Doug Armstrong managed to fleece Carl Gunnarsson from Toronto in a vey understated deal. Not only was he able to dump a slow, unskilled defenseman on the Leafs, he upgraded with Gunnarsson and got Toronto to pay part of his contract. From a drafting standpoint the Blues got a ton of value in Fabbri and Barbashev who could be NHLers in a year or two.

Here is the Blues’ draft:

First round, 21st overall: C Robby Fabbri (Guelph, OHL)

Second round, 33rd overall: C/LW Ivan Barbashev (Moncton, QMJHL)

Second round, 52nd overall: C Maxim Letunov (Youngstown, USHL)

Third round, 82nd overall: D Jake Walman (Toronto JC, OJHL)

Fourth round, 94th overall: G Ville Husso (HIFK, Finland)

Fourth round, 110th overall: RW Austin Poganski (Tri-City, USHL)

Fifth round, 124th overall: RW Jaedon Descheneau (Kootenay, WHL)

Sixth round, 172nd overall: RW Chandler Yakimowicz (London, OHL)

Sixth round, 176th overall: LW Samuel Blais (Victoriaville, QMJHL)

Seventh round, 202nd overall: RW Dwyer Tschantz (Indiana, USHL)

Grade: A

Vancouver Canucks-The Kesler drama is behind Vancouver and they can now start looking to the future. They got a future NHL sniper in Virtanen with their first pick, a great two-way prospect center in McCann with Anaheim’s pick at 24 and the best goaltender in the draft with Thatcher Demko.

Here is the Canuck’s draft:

First round, sixth overall: LW Jake Virtanen (Calgary, WHL)

First round, 24th overall: C Jared McCann (Sault Ste. Marie, OHL)

Second round, 36th overall: G Thatcher Demko (Boston College, H-East)

Third round, 66th overall: D Nikita Tryamkin (Yekaterinburg, Russia)

Fifth round, 126th overall: D Gustav Forsling (Linkoping Jr. Sweden)

Sixth round, 156th overall: C Kyle Pettit (Erie, OHL)

Seventh round, 186th overall: D Mackenzie Stewart (Prince Albert, WHL)

Grade: A+

Winnipeg Jets-The biggest news circling around Winnipeg was whether or not the Jets would move Evander Kane. While it seems foolish on the surface to move such a young and gifted talent, Kane seems to want to be somewhere else. The return on dealing a star player is almost always disappointing, but the Jets never got an offer they liked. Ehlers is another LW who has star potential and Glover could be a top four defenseman. Beyond that, Winnipeg simply fortified their stable of mediocrity.

Here is the Jets’ draft:

First round, ninth overall: LW Nikolaj Ehlers (Halifax, QMJHL)

Third round, 69th overall: D Jack Glover (USA U18)

Fourth round, 99th overall: C Chase De Leo (Portland, WHL)

Fourth round, 101st overall: D Nelson Nogier (Saskatoon, WHL)

Fifth round, 129th overall: LW Clinston Franklin (Sioux Falls, USHL)

Sixth round, 164th overall: C Pavel Kraskovsky (Yaroslavl 2, Russia Jr.)

Seventh round, 192nd overall: C/LW Matt Ustaski (Langley, BCHL)

Grade: C