NHL GMs didn’t spend much time watching the Vegas Golden Knights victory lap around the desert. Instead they’ve been busy freeing up cap space, and positioning themselves for free agency on July 1st. An early slew of trades and a full slate of rumours have kicked off the NHL offseason with a fury, as with a notably weak free agency class, teams need to get a jump start on addressing their team needs ahead the draft. With the NHL Entry Draft kicking off on Wednesday, and free agency to follow on Saturday, we’re due for a quick reminder about each team’s most pressing needs entering the summer.
Anaheim Ducks
Current Cap Space: $39,048,333
Upcoming Picks: 1st (2), 2nd (33, 59, 60), 3rd (65, 85), 4th (97), 5th (129), 6th (161)
Biggest Need – Goaltender (amongst others)
The Anaheim Ducks are in the midst of a slow rebuild under the watchful eye of Pat Verbeek, who’s exercising as much patience in the construction of the team as his mentor Steve Yzerman displayed during their time together in Tampa.
Verbeek has done a good job of stockpiling promising young forwards and defensemen and with the 2nd overall pick they’re likely to add another elite center prospect in Adam Fantilli. The Ducks have some paperwork to do with Troy Terry, Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale entering the offseason as restricted free agents, but overall the team has a strong group of both forward and defensive prospects that are working their way up to the NHL.
What they don’t have is a clear number 1 goalie that will be peaking at the same time as the rest of their team. Lukas Dostal is a nice prospect, but he remains pretty far away from being a sure thing. John Gibson has been a fantastic cornerstone for the franchise for the past number of seasons, but his time in Anaheim appears to be up. The team may not be able to find their goalie of the future through the draft, but there are some intriguing options via free agency and through a trade.
Arizona Coyotes
Current Cap Space: $28,248,460
Upcoming Picks: 1st (6, 12), 2nd (38), 3rd (70, 72, 81, 88), 4th (102), 5th (134, 160), 6th (162, 166)
Biggest Need: A new arena… and Defense
While relocation is probably the biggest need for this franchise, we’ll keep this to the on-ice product. The Coyotes actually have a nice pipeline of young talent and prospects, highlighted by Clayton Keller, Logan Cooley, Dylan Guenther, Matias Maccelli (RFA), J.J. Moser and Nick Schmaltz. So there’s belief internally that this ongoing rebuild will actually yield results sooner rather than later.
The Yotes were 28th in the NHL at 2.74 goals per game, which marks the 9th straight season they’ve been in the bottom 10 in the league. While that may seem dire, the development of their younger players and the promotions of forwards like Guenther, the 9th overall pick in the 2021 draft and Cooley, the 3rd overall pick in the 2022 draft, should help to improve those numbers as they get more involved in the offense.
However after trading Jacob Chychrun to the Sens at the deadline, the defensive core has gotten quite thin. The recent acquisition of Sean Druzi from the L.A. Kings adds some depth, but the team is still waiting on Victor Soderstrom to take the next step, and even that wouldn’t give the club a serviceable top 6. With 2 picks in the top 12 and no immediate expectations or fan pressure, the team should be taking a strong look at the top defensive prospects in the draft and start refilling the barren cupboard.
Boston Bruins
Current Cap Space: $10,937500
Upcoming Picks: 3rd (92), 4th (124), 6th (188), 7th (214, 220)
Biggest Need: Bodies
The Boston Bruins have just over $10 million in cap space, no picks in the draft until the 3rd round, and only 14 skaters from last year’s roster under contract. The Bruins had a Midas touch last season – turning everything to gold.
Patrice Bergeron disposed of the rumours of retirement and had a Selke winning season. They talked David Krejci into moving back from Czechia to give them a dominant 1-2 punch at center. After months of speculation, David Pastranak signed a long term contract and would have been a serious consideration for the Hart trophy if Connor McDavid wasn’t smashing records. Linus Ullmark turned in a Vezina winning season and backup Jeremy Swayman had a breakout campaign as well.
Their trade deadline moves to acquire Tyler Bertuzzi and Dmitry Orlov only deepened a presidents trophy winning roster, and Bertuzzi was one of their best players once the postseason began. Unfortunately it seems like the tides have risen and all that was once gold is sinking.
The Bruins have already begun moving players out to create cap space, shipping Hall and Foligno to Chicago in a salary dump. Their current projected #1 center is Pavel Zacha, as there’s no clarity as to the future of Bergeron or Krejci. Their defensive core still looks dominant, but when you have 7 NHL defensemen under contract and only 6 forwards, changes are imminent. Oh, and they also don’t have a backup to Ullmark signed, as Swayman is an RFA and can be a candidate for an offer sheet this offseason. While their record setting point total was never in question of being repeated, the Bruins have to find players who are willing to sign on cheap contracts if they want to make a serious run at the playoffs next season.
Buffalo Sabres
Current Cap Space: $14,459,763
Upcoming Draft Picks: 1st (13), 2nd (39, 45), 3rd (86th), 4th (109th), 5th (141), 6th (173), 7th (205)
Biggest Need: Stop-gap Goaltender
While the Sabres may need to eventually add more size to their forward group as the 8 forwards they’ve drafted in the top 2 rounds over the past 3 seasons are all 6’1” or shorter, the talent they’ve established up front is impressive and can be supplemented when they’re truly ready to compete for the Cup.
If they want to accelerate that window, they’ll need to find a stop-gap goalie to carry the load while the club lets top prospect Devon Levi ease his way into life as a full time NHLer. The Sabres goaltending lacked consistency in 2022, as Eric Comrie (19 starts) and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (33 starts) both finished with save percentages under .900, and 42 year old Craig Anderson (26 starts) plans to retire.
Buffalo was still almost able to squeeze themselves into the playoffs this past season, so finding a consistent goaltender for the next season would help the team play more meaningful games and expedite their development.
Calgary Flames
Current Cap Space: $1,250,000
Upcoming Draft Picks: 1st (16), 2nd (48), 4th (112), 6th (176), 7th (208)
Biggest Need: Figure out the direction of the franchise
While the Flames did well to make the best of a bad situation last offseason, the on-ice product in 2022-23 was a disappointment and led to what looks to be an offseason of turmoil. They’ve already moved on from former GM Brad Treliving and HC Darryl Sutter, but that hasn’t seemed to be enough to quell the locker room.
The team has already shipped out Tyler Toffoli, which seems to be the 1st of several of the 2024 free agents who’ve said they won’t be re-signing with the club. Forwards Mikael Backlund and Elias Lindholm have reportedly told the front office they’re not interested in an extension, while defensemen Noah Hanifin, Chris Tanev, Nikita Zadorov and Oliver Kylington are also under contract for only one more season.
The Flames signed Huberdeau to a massive contract last year only for him to regress at a historical rate, and are only tied to him, Nazem Kadri, Mackenzie Weegar and Jacob Markstrom for the foreseeable future. If the Flames decide to cut ties with all their moveable assets, there’s certainly a chance they can get a jumpstart on a rebuild. Or they can continue to try to plug their roster holes and tread water in the Western Conference
A few hours away from Round 1 🔥#Flames | @original16 pic.twitter.com/1NREldqNuG
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) June 28, 2023
Carolina Hurricanes
Current Cap Space: $22,123,083
Upcoming Draft Picks: 1st (30), 2nd (62), 3rd (71), 4th (126), 5th (139, 158), 6th (163, 190), 1th (222)
Biggest Need: Scoring
The Hurricanes are perpetually one of the hardest teams to play against. They control possession, forecheck hard, have a devastating transition game and don’t give up much defensively. While they already possess the intangibles that wins championships, they continue to be hurt by their lack of an elite goal scorer.
They tried to fill that void with Max Pacioretty, but he only managed to play for five games before going down with an injury. When Andre Svechnikov was also lost for the season, the team no longer had enough offensive output in the playoffs, losing to the Panthers in 4 games. With Frederik Anderson and Antti Raanta both entering free agency, there’s also a need in goal, but there’s belief in Pyotr Kochetkov, although he’ll probably need to be sheltered with some veteran talent.
The Hurricanes play so fundamentally sound under head coach Rod Brind’Amour that they can find a solid free agent who’ll put up solid numbers without much effort. Finding someone who can step up and score a goal in those critical moments might be the more difficult task. One that the Hurricanes will likely have to give up assets through the trade market to find.
Chicago Blackhawks
Current Cap Space: $31,594,877
Upcoming Draft Picks: 1st (1, 19), 2nd (35, 44, 51, 55) 3rd (67, 93), 4th (99), 5th (131), 7th (195)
Biggest Need: Support Connor Bedard
The Chicago Blackhawks were the winners of the NHL draft lottery, and will draft a superstar talent in Connor Bedard with the 1st overall pick. He’s an all world prospect, but he’ll need support at the NHL level. The Blackhawks have already started this process, trading for Taylor Hall and Nick Foligno, two pros who will help the youngster adapt to the world of professional hockey.
Outside of those two and a few roster holdovers, Chicago doesn’t offer much else to surround their next franchise star with. While they shouldn’t waste their impressive bankroll of available cap space trying to go all in during a down year in free agency, making some under the radar moves to help insulate Bedard and set the team up for success while they have Bedard on an ELC is priority number 1.
Colorado Avalanche
Current Cap Space: $8,575,000
Upcoming Draft Picks: 1st (27, 31), 2nd (37), 5th (155), 6th (187), 7th (219)
Biggest Need: Rebuilding their depth
The Avalanche had one of the deepest rosters on route to their 2022 Stanley Cup run, but their scoring depth has taken a major hit this past offseason. Superstar Gabriel Landeskog missed the entire season, and will likely miss all of 2023-24 as well, and the team never found suitable replacements for Nazem Kadri or Andre Burakovsky.
They recently traded for Ryan Johansen, who they hope will return to the high level offensive player he was when he signed in Nashville, but moving Alex Newhook in a separate deal to Montreal might make the move a net zero. With superstars like Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon leading the charge and a solid tandem in goal, the front office has to find more support for their stars if they want to keep the championship window open.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Current Cap Space: $4,745,169
Upcoming Draft Picks: 1st (3), 2nd (34), 3rd (66), 4 (98, 114), 5th (156), 7th (194)
Biggest Need: High Skill Center
The Blue Jackets got involved in the trade market early and began addressing what was their biggest need after the conclusion of the 2022-23 season – defense. They acquired Ivan Provorov and Damon Severson in separate trades from the Flyers and Devils, respectively, who will join a returning Zach Werenski, top prospect David Jiricek and Adam Broqvist, who seems to be on the verge of needing more national attention. They could also target some help in goal, as future starter Elvis Merzlinkins had a down season, albeit behind a poor defensive team.
But if the team looks to make waves in a tough Eastern Conference playoff race, they need more help up front, particularly at center. Despite signing Johnny Gaudreau in free agency in 2022, the Jackets were one of the league’s worst offensive teams. Cole Sillinger is one of their best long term hopes to fill the void as a top 6 center, but his sophomore slump this past season is quite concerning. Centers Boone Jenner, Sean Kuraly and Jack Roslovic are all returning to the club, but none of them should be expected to carry much of an offensive responsibility. Finding a high level center to play between Gaudreau and Laine will turn this team’s offense into a legitimate threat.
Dallas Stars
Current Cap Space: $7,394,671
Upcoming Draft Picks: 2nd (61), 4th (125), 5th (157), 6th (189), 7th (221)
Biggest Need: Affordable Insulation
The Dallas Stars seemingly surprise the rest of the NHL season after season, but they have done a remarkable job of building a strong team with no visible warts. Their forward core of Roope Hintz, Jason Robertson, Mason Marchment and Wyatt Johnston are locked up and will continue on as veterans like Jamie Benn and Joe Pavelski eventually move on.
On defense, Miro Heiskanen will lead a deep prospect pool for years to come, and his $8.45M AAV already looks like a steal, even without a significant rise in the salary cap. Dallas will eventually have to break the bank for goalie Jake Oettinger, but he’s still 2 years away from becoming an RFA.
What the team needs now, is cheap, effective players to help take the team over the top. Their trade deadline acquisitions of Max Domi and Evgenii Dadonov worked out better than expected, but as of right now they only have 9 NHL forwards under contract for next year. For a team on the cusp of making it to the Stanley Cup finals without much cap room, being able to take cast-offs from other franchises who are willing to retain money, or taking a risk on the right free agent on a cheap, prove-it deal could be the difference when next year’s playoffs come around.
Detroit Red Wings
Current Cap Space: $30,665,278
Upcoming Draft Picks: 1st (9, 17), 2nd (41, 42, 43), 3rd (73), 4th (117), 5th (137), 6th (169), 7th (201)
Biggest Need: Define Your Goals
I’m not here to knock on Steve Yzerman. He was a helluva player, and has proven to be an excellent front office executive. The Red Wings are in good hands with him at the helm, but there are certain questions that need to be addressed going forward.
Detroit was one of the most active teams on the free agency market last offseason, signing multiple players that figured to play big roles. Yzerman made it look like the team was done rebuilding and he wanted to insulate his promising young core with solid veterans. Then as the trade deadline approached and the team was in the midst of a hunt for the playoffs, Yzerman became a seller, shipping out Tyler Bertuzzi and Filip Hronek.
While he did get great returns by selling his assets, and got Dylan Larkin locked up long term, it’s hard to get a read on what’s next for the franchise. They have 5 picks in the top 50, and an incredible amount of cap space entering a weak free agency period. Is the team still restructuring, or will Detroit be aggressive again this offseason and plan to contend in 2023-24? It feels like a defining offseason for the Red Wings.
Edmonton Oilers
Current Cap Space: $5,070,000
Upcoming Draft Picks: 2nd (56), 6th (184), 7th (216)
Biggest Need: Inking Evan Bouchard
The Oilers are in that terrible spot where you’re a perennial contender but have absolutely no cap space to try and take your team to the next level in free agency, and all the key pieces that you’ve developed over the years are ready for their next contract. Next on the docket for the Oilers is surging star Evan Bouchard.
The trade that saw Mattias Ekholm come to Edmonton saw their former power play quarterback Tyson Barrie head the other way, turning Bouchard into a top pairing option who also had the reins of the league’s most dangerous power play unit. He stepped up, finishing with 34 points in 29 games (regular season and playoff) following the swap. Young defensemen like Bouchard aren’t settling for smaller bridge deals, instead inking huge long term contracts. The Oilers need to navigate this contract deftly, as although GMs rarely utilize offer sheets, without the cap space to match a rival offer, they could see Bouchard walk out the door if they can’t agree to an extension in short order.
Florida Panthers
Current Cap Space: $10,262,499
Upcoming Draft Picks: 2nd (63), 4th (127), 5th (159), 6th (191), 7th (198)
Biggest Need: Defense
The Florida Panthers went on an inspiring run to the Stanley Cup finals, but it looks like they’ll be paying for it to start the next season. Matthew Tkachuk, Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour were just a few of the returning players that played through an array of injuries that will put the beginning of their seasons into question.
Even if Ekblad and Montour are ready for the season, the team still needs depth at the position and more long term security. Ekblad is signed through the 2024-25 season, but Montour, Gustav Forsling and Joshua Mahura, the other 3 NHL defensemen on the roster, are all free agents after this upcoming campaign. Signing Montour to an extension is probably a priority after his breakout season, but he’s turning 29 and has never performed at as high of a level as he did this past year. Florida will need to navigate what his next contract is worth while also trying to add more defensive pieces to compliment their offensive weapons.
Los Angeles Kings
Current Cap Space: $4,536,666
Upcoming Draft Picks: 2nd (54), 3rd (78), 4th (118), 5th (150th), 6th (182)
Biggest Need: Goaltending
The Kings have already made themselves big players this offseason, stepping in as a 3rd party to help facilitate the Provorov deal with Columbus and Philadelphia to free up some cap space, which they used to lock up their trade deadline acquisition Vladlislav Gavrikov to a 2 year extension. The rest of their cap space was expected to be used on a deal for goalie Joonas Korpisalo, who also came over at the deadline.
Instead, LA pulled off a blockbuster with the Winnipeg Jets to acquire Pierre-Luc Dubois in a sign and trade deal worth $68 million over the next 8 years. Now with minimal cap space remaining, and some minor roster holes to fill, the Kings currently have Pheonix Copley as their only goalie under contract. Goaltending was an issue for the team last season, and after giving up valuable depth to acquire Dubois, the team might now need to lean heavier on their goaltenders. Who that will be on opening day remains to be seen.
Minnesota Wild
Current Cap Space: $8,293,912
Upcoming Draft Picks: 1st (21), 2nd (53, 64), 5th (149), 6th (181), 7th (213)
Biggest Need: Center
The Wild need to find a way to navigate their franchise over the next 2 seasons with over $14 million in cap space tied up in the Parise and Suter buyouts, but that was already a known issue. Finding a way to extend goalie Filip Gustavsson after his breakout season should be fairly high on the team’s to do list, but organizationally the team needs more size and depth at center.
They were the lowest scoring team to make the playoffs this past season. And while they have some highly skilled wingers leading their offense, the lack of elite playmaking skill in the middle of the ice was a major factor in their playoff exit. With Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy hitting their primes, finding a high level center to get the most of them will be key to Minnesota getting through their next 2 cash strapped seasons.
Montreal Canadiens
Current Cap Space: -$1,259,165
Upcoming Draft Picks: 1st (5th), 2nd (37), 3rd (69), 4th (101, 110, 128), 5th (133, 144). 6th (165), 7 (197)
Biggest Need: Goalie (and patience)
Montreal is in the midst of a slow, arduous rebuild. While Dubois was projected to make his way back to his hometown, the Canadiens missed out as he was shipped off to LA. They made a minor trade, acquiring Alex Newhook from the Avalanche, and hope that given a more offensive role, he can help fill out what could be a promising top 6.
This is all fine, as the team isn’t quite ready to throw away their assets to go big game hunting. What isn’t promising is Montreal’s goalie situation. The best way to help a young team gain confidence is to let them work in front of a consistent goalie that can steal the occasional game, and the duo of Jake Allen and Sam Montembeault isn’t likely to do that. While making a major move for the likes of Hellebuyck or Saros is too early for the rebuilding squad, a deal like the Wild made to acquire Gustavsson last offseason could be exactly what the team needs. There’s no need to overreact to the Dubois trade Habs fans – the rebuild is on the right track.
Nashville Predators
Current Cap Space: $18,769,422
Upcoming Draft Picks: 1st (15, 24), 2nd (46, 47), 3rd (68, 79, 83), 4th (111, 115, 121), 5th (143, 147), 6th (175)
Biggest Need: Refill the defensive prospect pipeline.
Despite David Poile turning the Predators into sellers at the trade deadline, the team played well and were in the playoff hunt all the way up to game #80. With Poile stepping away from his role as GM, he’s given new GM Barry Trotz plenty of cap space and draft capital to begin shaping the team in his image.
The Predators can certainly make some big moves to boost their spot in the standings for next year, but would be wise to make it a focus on beefing up their defensive prospect pool. Nashville has been a defensive factory for years, but they haven’t used a 1st round pick on one since taking Dante Fabbro at 17 in the 2016 NHL draft. And after shipping Matias Ekholm to Edmonton at the trade deadline, it’s time to start looking at the future at that position.
New Jersey Devils
Current Cap Space: $10,207,500
Upcoming Draft Picks: 2nd (58), 3rd (80), 4th (122), 5th (154), 6th (186), 7th (218)
Biggest Need: Shore up the Goaltending
The team signed the recently acquired Timo Meier to a massive 8 year, $70.4 million contract extension ($8.8 million AAV). He looked great skating next to the Devils young core of skilled forwards after coming over at the trade deadline, and getting a shot at locking up a scorer with his size and speed is something that every team would love.
As important as Meier is, he wasn’t the team’s biggest need entering this offseason. What the Devils need to focus on is solidifying their goaltending situation. The duo of Mackenzie Blackwood and Vitek Vanecek proved to not be the answer in net, resulting in Akira Schmid taking over the goaltending duties in the playoffs. He handled himself well for the most part, but it’s a stretch to believe he can backstop a team this talented for an entire season and deep into the playoffs. The Devils don’t necessarily need to swing a massive sign and trade for someone like Hellebuyck, but finding a decent starter to take the load off of Schmid will be beneficial for everyone in both the short and long term.
New York Islanders
Current Cap Space: $4,536,667
Upcoming Draft Picks: 2nd (49), 4th (113), 5th (145), 6th (177), 7th (209)
Biggest Need: Re-sign Ilya Sorokin
While the Islanders downfall in the playoffs was certainly their inability to score goals, there isn’t much they can do this offseason to fix that problem. The team has limited cap space as it is, with 14 forwards under NHL contracts and a couple key RFA’s to sign. Bringing back the same group won’t be devastating, and having a healthy Barzal will help down the stretch next year.
What they can’t let happen is letting the season play out without locking up their all world goalie in Sorokin. He’s easily a top 5 goalie in the league at the moment, and a serious contender for the Vezina next year. He’s soon to be 28, which is right in his prime for a goalie, and letting him enter unrestricted free agency next season would certainly put the club in a dire situation.
New York Rangers
Current Cap Space: $11,762,918
Upcoming Draft Picks: 1st (23), 3rd (91), 5th (152), 6th (178, 183)
Biggest Need: Useful Forward Depth
The Rangers were big players in the trade market this past season, swinging deals for Vladimir Tarasenko and Patrick Kane, but still fell short in the playoffs. Both of those acquisitions are UFA’s and, after looking like awkward fits in New York, are unlikely to be brought back.
The Rangers have struck out thus far on their high end draft picks, as Alexis Lafreniere (RFA) and Kaapo Kakko have yet to take the next steps to ease some of the load off stars like Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad. The team has an elite goalie in Igor Shesterkin, a strong defense led by perennial Norris candidate Adam Fox, and look to be in their win now phase. Finding some forwards to help even out their offensive attack is key for the club going forward.
Ottawa Senators
Current Cap Space: $17,073,096
Upcoming Draft Picks: 4th (108), 5th (140), 7th (204, 207, 215)
Biggest Need: Ending the Debrincat saga
The Ottawa Senators are an exciting, up and coming team with some legitimate stars in the making who are locked in to long term deals. They rebuilt their top 4 defense, but still have major question marks in goal. That being said, the club feels completely handcuffed to pending RFA Alex Debrincat while they try to figure out what’s next for the former 40 goal scorer.
DeBrincat had a down year in 2022-23, and spoke about how hard the trade was on him off the ice. His agent has reportedly given Ottawa a list of teams that he would be interested in signing a long term extension with, giving the Sens some leverage in a trade. But there isn’t much doubt that removing him from the top 6 forward group thins out a squad that’s already severely lacking in depth. Ottawa needs to get this potential trade done while there are still suitors, as teams have already begun making deals and filling their needs for one-dimensional offensive players. If they don’t act, they could be stuck wasting assets yet again while they walk Debrincat into free agency in 2024.
The Senators have opted to take Alex DeBrincat to arbitration. 😮 pic.twitter.com/i4SKJkjAA6
— theScore (@theScore) June 15, 2023
Philadelphia Flyers
Current Cap Space: $10,372,905
Upcoming Draft Picks: 1st (7, 22), 3rd (87, 95), 4th (103, 120), 5th (135), 6th (167, 172), 7th (199)
Biggest Need: Grin and bear it
The Philadelphia Flyers are doing something the franchise has almost never done – enter a full tear down and rebuild. New GM Danny Briere has made almost everyone available, and began moving out pieces to free up cap space and collect assets.
It looks like it will be a long, tough road for the team to eke out wins over the next couple of seasons. But after years of handing out questionable deals so that the team can continue to be a fringe playoff contender, now is the time to embrace the losses and take a note from their NBA neighbours – trust the process.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Current Cap Space: $20,208,158
Upcoming Draft Picks: 1st (14), 3rd (90), 5th (142), 6th (174), 7th (217, 223)
Biggest Need: Start adding youth to the roster
The Pittsburgh Penguins missed the playoffs last season for the first time in 16 years. Former GM Ron Hextall committed to the core of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang last season, doubling down by adding more aging veterans at the trade deadline. While Kyle Dubas is a fresh new face in town, it’ll be next to impossible for him to move on from the Penguins beloved core, so his best bet will be to start infusing the rest of the roster with young talent.
The Penguins are the oldest team in the NHL, and it showed down the stretch last season, as they faltered in the midst of a playoff push. Finding someone to replace Tristan Jarry in goal shouldn’t be too difficult, as he continued his up and down play this past year. Dubas’ main focus should be on what the team will look like once the big 3 decide to hang up the skates.
San Jose Sharks
Current Cap Space: $14,079,166
Upcoming Draft Picks: 1st (4, 26), 2nd (36), 3rd (94), 4th (100, 123), 5th (130, 132), 6th (164), 7th (196, 203, 206)
Biggest Need: Find a taker for Erik Karlsson
The San Jose Sharks are in full rebuild mode, and keeping Karlsson and his $11.5 million cap hit for the next 4 seasons won’t benefit the club whatsoever. Coming off of a 100 point season and his 3rd Norris trophy, Karlsson and his massive contract will likely never look better than he does now.
The Sharks have already begun stockpiling future assets, and have some very intriguing veteran pieces that can be moved to help accelerate their rebuild, much like the trade deadline deal that sent Timo Meier to New Jersey. Moving Karlsson should be priority number 1 in San Jose, as it would benefit both the team and give the future hall of famer a legitimate shot at winning a Stanley Cup as he enters the back third of his career.
Seattle Kraken
Current Cap Space: $20,343,424
Upcoming Draft Picks: 1st(20), 2nd (50, 52, 57), 3rd (84), 4th (116), 5th (148), 6th (168, 180), 7th (212)
Biggest Need: Defense
The Seattle Kraken have invested heavily in their forward depth over the past few drafts, highlighted by a Calder winning season by rookie Matty Beniers. If #4 overall pick Shane Wright starts to show promise at the NHL level next season, Seattle has an exciting young group of forwards to build around.
What needs some work is their defense, starting with locking up RFA Vince Dunn to a long term contract. Taking Dunn over Tarasenko in the expansion draft was questioned by some, but after a breakout year, Dunn has solidified himself as a true top pairing D, and deserves to get paid as such. Carson Soucy is an UFA, leaving the team with just 4 NHL caliber defensemen signed for the 2023-24 season. But they could use another bonafide top 4 body to solidify the group and help out their goaltender Philip Grubauer, who they have under contract for another 4 seasons.
St. Louis Blues
Current Cap Space: $3,935,237
Upcoming Draft Picks: 1st (10, 25, 29), 3rd (74, 76), 4th (106), 5th (138), 6th (170), 7th (202)
Biggest Need: Address the defense
The Blues lost Vince Dunn in the expansion draft, and Alex Petriangelo walked in free agency after the team wouldn’t cave on his demand for a no trade clause. Now, the team has one of the oldest defenses in the league and are tied to their aging top 4 group for at least the next 3 seasons.
Torey Krug (who recently refused a trade to Philadelphia), Colton Parayko and Justin Faulk all have no movement clauses, while Nick Leddy’s $4 million AAV is too much money for any team to be interested in him. The defense was certainly a weak spot for the team last season, and with so much money tied up in the aging core, there isn’t much room for any young prospects to step in. That being said, the team does need to begin restocking the cupboards, and as they rebuild the team around Jordan Kyrou and Robert Thomas they’ll eventually need a youth movement to take place on the back end as well.
Tampa Bay Lighting
Current Cap Space: $450,000
Upcoming Draft Picks: 6th (179), 7th (193, 211)
Biggest Need: Recoup draft capital and create cap space
The Tampa Bay Lightning are in a bind after going all in, trying to make it to their 4th consecutive Stanley Cup final. With next to no cap space and only 3 picks in this year’s draft, beginning in the 6th round, the Lightning will need to fill out a roster that currently only has 17 players under contract.
The team still has a highly skilled core that’s locked up long term, so there are no signs of a pending rebuild, and after bowing out in the 1st round in this year’s playoffs, their veterans will have an extended summer for the first time in years. There are some pieces on the roster that would yield decent returns for the club who have big contracts and no trade protections like Erik Cernak, Anthony Cirelli and Mikhail Sergachev, if they are feeling bold. GM Julien Brisebois has his work cut out for him as he tries to figure out how to fill out the team’s roster and make another run at the cup.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Current Cap Space: $9,143,551
Upcoming Draft Picks: 1st (28), 5th (153), 6th (185)
Biggest Need: Make a decision on the core 4
The Toronto Maple Leafs finally made it to the 2nd round before bowing out unceremoniously to the Florida Panthers. When it mattered the most, their star players were nowhere to be seen, leading many to ask if building the team around Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, John Tavares and their massive combined cap number is actually a plausible way to win a Stanley Cup.
With team president Brendan Shanahan not working to re-sign former GM Kyle Dubas, there’s a feeling that this is the offseason where the team will finally break up the core 4 and build a more balanced roster. Matthews is the highest skilled of the group, and it would be almost impossible for the team to fetch a return that would match his value, and Tavares has a full no move clause that he has stated he will continue to exercise. If the team does decide it’s time to move on, it will come down to a decision between Marner and Nylander. Buying out Matt Murray is also a necessity after a failed season in Toronto, but making the call up front will determine the franchise’s future.
GM Brad Treliving: Leafs would prefer clarity on Auston Matthews, William Nylander before July 1. https://t.co/QHHJB23r9J pic.twitter.com/xNGHGftdCF
— theScore (@theScore) June 28, 2023
Vancouver Canucks
Current Cap Space: $6,444,583
Upcoming Draft Picks: 1st (11), 3rd (75, 89), 4th (105, 107, 119), 6th (171)
Biggest Need: Clearing Cap Space
The Vancouver Canucks are perpetually a team that thinks they’re closer to contending then they actually are, and that’s led them to ink players to some poor contracts. They need to begin to focus on a full youth movement and start clearing some cap space before the team is stuck with past their prime overpaid veterans.
Item number 1 should be to try and move out J.T. Miller and his remaining 7 years before July 1st when he gets trade protection. Miller is still a very good player, but he’s already 30 years old, so there’s almost no way that his $8M AAV will age well. With Connor Garland and Brock Boeser also on the books for at least 2 more years with high cap hits, and the team paying for the buyout of Oliver Ekman Larsson for multiple seasons, the purse strings are going to have to tighten up quickly. Elias Pettersson is someone the team should be looking to extend as he enters the last year of his deal, and his next contract won’t come cheap.
Vegas Golden Knights
Current Cap Space: $3,462,517
Upcoming Draft Picks: 1st (32), 3rd (77, 96), 6th (192), 7th (224)
Biggest Need: Keep the celebration going
What do you get for the team that has everything? The Golden Knights went on an impressive run throughout the playoffs and are the 2022-23 Stanley Cup Champions. They’re returning the majority of their roster next season, although trade deadline acquisition Ivan Barbashev is an UFA.
They also have to work out a deal with RFA Brett Howden, but they essentially have control of him until 2025. Their dominant defense group is all under contract for at least one more season. They’ve reportedly already agreed to terms with goalie Adin Hill after his miraculous playoff run, and he will pair with a hopefully healthy Logan Thompson who at one point was in consideration for the Calder before missing the homestretch of the season with an injury.
There are questions about the future of Robin Lehner, but from an on ice perspective, he isn’t a make or break player for the team at this point, and his $5M cap hit would probably suit the team better on LTIR. Without much work to do this summer, Vegas just has to sit back and prepare for next season, where they’ll have the target on their backs.
Washington Capitals
Current Cap Space: $7,313,332
Upcoming Draft Picks: 1st (8), 2nd (40), 4th (104), 5th (136), 7th (200)
Biggest Need: Find some defensive depth
The Washington Capitals refuse to enter a full rebuild as long as Alexander Ovechkin continues to chase Wayne Gretzky’s goal scoring record. So while that’s probably what the team actually needs, we’ll take it off the table for now.
The Capitals were hampered by injuries last season, the most detrimental of all being when they lost John Carlson to a head injury in December. The team fell out of the race without all that he does on the ice for the team and wisely opted to sell off any tradable assets at the deadline.
Snagging Rasmus Sandin will help, but the team still needs organizational depth to help offset any potential injuries in the future. As the core ages out, the team isn’t in a position to waste another season, so having a fallback in case of emergency will be key in 2023-24.
Winnipeg Jets
Current Cap Space: $8,992,144
Upcoming Draft Picks: 1st (18), 3rd (82), 5th (146, 151), 7th (210)
Biggest Need: Commit to the rebuild
The Winnipeg Jets have already made their first major move of the offseason, trading disgruntled center Pierre-Luc Dubois to the Kings for a nice haul. Dubois had made it clear since his arrival in Winnipeg that he wasn’t interested in staying long term, and being one year out from becoming a UFA helped finally convince the Jets it was time to move on.
Star goalie Connor Hellebuyck has also made it clear that he doesn’t want to be part of a rebuild, and he’s only one year away from becoming a UFA. Mark Scheiffle, Blake Wheeler, Nino Niederreiter, Brendan Dillon and Dylan Demelo will also become sought after free agents next year, so the time is now for the club to recoup as many assets as possible and start over from scratch.
The Jets have been one of the favourites on paper for the past few seasons, but could never get over the hump and make a serious run at the Cup. There’ve been rumours of the team having a poor locker room, and Winnipeg notoriously has struggled to lure big name free agents north of the border so it looks like making big moves via trade will be the best way for this team to finally rebuild their once promising squad.
-Devon Gallant
Twitter: @DevGallant
Photo: Michael Miller. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.