NHL Free Agency 2012: Team-by-Team Needs and Predictions

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

With free agency now over a week old, it's time for NHL teams to re-assess their needs after losing and acquiring players over the last seven days.

Since nearly every team has a couple of needs on their roster that still need to be addressed, the excitement of free agency shouldn't die down soon.

Let's look at every NHL team's needs.

Anaheim Ducks

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Needs

Second-line center

Fourth-line grinder

 

Predictions

The free-agent priorities of the Ducks should be focused on re-signing star forwards Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf before bringing other players into the team.

Boston Bruins

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Needs

Sniper

Top-six forward

Third-line winger

 

Predictions

There aren't many talented players available for a top-six forward role, so I don't expect the Bruins to make any more moves unless they add a third-line winger.

Buffalo Sabres

Brandon Wade/Getty Images

Needs

Elite goalscorer

Power forward

 

Predictions

Bobby Ryan is the man for the Sabres to target if they want to make a bold move to address some of the team's offensive needs, such as more size and scoring. I expect Buffalo to make some kind of move for a winger before the start of the season.

Calgary Flames

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Needs

No. 1 center

Defensive defenseman

 

Predictions

The Flames should be done handing out contracts to notable players, and looking at the players they have overpaid for thus far, making no more signings would be a great decision. 

Carolina Hurricanes

Grant Halverson/Getty Images

Needs

Top-four defenseman

Top-six winger

 

Predictions

Unless the Hurricanes sign Alexander Semin, which wouldn't be a good fit for them, then the team will need to look in the trade market for a top-six winger. Carolina also needs more defensive depth, and the blueline will be an area they definitely look at in free agency in the near future.

Chicago Blackhawks

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Needs

Goaltending

Defensive defenseman

Power-play help

 

Predictions

It's hard to see the Blackhawks making any moves for notable players in free agency. A trade of some kind seems like the best way to upgrade their team going forward. Expect them to add another defenseman and find some power-play help before next season.

Colorado Avalanche

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Needs

Top-four defenseman

Elite winger

Veteran

 

Prediction

I only see the Avalanche making depth signings at this point, especially since there's no one on the market worth overpaying for. They do have some valuable trade chips that could be moved for a star goalscorer. Also, don't expect any signings of note to be made before restricted free agent Ryan O'Reilly re-signs.

Columbus Blue Jackets

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Needs

Goaltending

No. 1 center

Goalscoring winger

Trade Rick Nash

 

Predictions

With all due respect to the Blue Jackets, they won't attract any of the top free agents remaining on the market. Their only way to improve is through a trade, and when they finally trade Rick Nash, Columbus will be able to move forward with some nice young talent.

Dallas Stars

Hannah Foslien/Getty Images

Needs

Top-four defenseman

 

Predictions

Adding a top-four defenseman, likely through a trade, is the only thing left for the Stars to do this summer.

Detroit Red Wings

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Needs

No. 1 defenseman

Top-six winger

Top-nine center

 

Predictions

Expect the Red Wings to make a major trade or signing after watching many of their Western Conference opponents get better in free agency thus far.

Edmonton Oilers

Harry How/Getty Images

Needs

Top-four defenseman

Veteran

 

Predictions

I don't expect the Oilers to make any moves, especially when they have so much young talent to develop at every position next season. A depth signing for a veteran who can provide some leadership and toughness would be a smart and likely move.

Florida Panthers

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Needs

Top-six winger

Top-four defenseman

 

Predictions

The loss of Jason Garrison is really going to hurt the Panthers at both ends of the ice, and I wouldn't be surprised if they make a trade for a top-four defenseman in the near future since there isn't one on the market. I wold also expect the Panthers to re-sign Kris Versteeg in the near future.

Los Angeles Kings

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Needs

Top-nine winger

Depth defenseman

 

Predictions

It's good to be the Stanley Cup champions and not need much in the offseason. The Kings have good depth at almost every position and probably won't make any significant moves before the season starts.

Minnesota Wild

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Needs

Power forward

Depth defenseman

Top-nine center

 

Prediction

The signings of Ryan Suter and Zach Parise have brought the Wild much closer to the salary cap than they were at the beginning of the offseason. The team still needs another defenseman and a center, both of which they can and will find in free agency.

Montreal Canadiens

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

Needs

Defensive depth

Goalscorer

Backup goaltender

 

Prediction

The Canadiens need a goalscorer and another defenseman for depth. They should take a chance on young defenseman Matt Gilroy and maybe even forward Peter Mueller if he's healthy enough. Jason Arnott should also be a guy that Montreal targets.

Nashville Predators

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Needs

Re-sign Shea Weber long-term

Find elite offensive player

 

Prediction

The Predators need a top offensive player and to re-sign Shea Weber. If both of those don't happen, they will not be a factor in the playoffs next season. Expect the Predators to make a very strong effort to keep their captain, but I don't see Weber wanting to stay with Nashville long-term.

New Jersey Devils

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Needs

Zach Parise replacement

Depth defenseman

 

Prediction

I expect the Devils to make a big signing or a major trade to acquire a top offensive player. The team and their fans need something positive heading into next season after losing Zach Parise.

New York Islanders

Chris Chambers/Getty Images

Needs

Top-four defenseman

Top-nine center

Top-nine winger

 

Prediction

Signing a defenseman like Matt Gilroy, Pavel Kubina or Michal Rozsival would be a smart move for the New York Islanders. I expect one of these three players to sign with the team.

New York Rangers

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Needs

Power forward

Elite goalscorer

 

Prediction

Expect the Rangers to be aggressive in their search for an elite offensive player. Don't expect that player to come in free agency, however. The Rangers should and likely will land Rick Nash at some point this summer to take care of both needs I listed above.

Ottawa Senators

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Needs

Veteran forward

Veteran defenseman

 

Prediction

The Senators don't have many needs, but they will likely add another forward, probably a veteran like Petr Sykora or Jamie Langenbrunner. Daniel Winnik is another possible target for the Senators. A veteran defemseman such as Pavel Kubina would also be a good signing for Ottawa.

Philadelphia Flyers

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Needs

Top pairing defenseman

Top-nine winger

 

Prediction

Injuries and free agency have decimated the Flyers' defensive depth, which has to improve mightily. Bringing back Pavel Kubina is unlikely, but Philadelphia also doesn't have many options in free agency for a top-four blueliner. A trade may be their best option.

Phoenix Coyotes

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Needs

Elite forward

Top-six winger

 

Prediction

The Coyotes' ownership issues will probably prevent the team from making any notable signings for the rest of the summer. This is unfortunate, because the Coyotes really need another top-six winger to contend in the Pacific Division next season. Keeping Shane Doan could end up being the only significant move that the team makes all summer.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Paul Bereswill/Getty Images

Needs

Top-four defenseman

Top-six winger

 

Predictions

The only way for the Penguins to get the winger they need in free agency is to sign Alexander Semin. Expect the Penguins to add another defensive defenseman to their roster as well.

San Jose Sharks

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Needs

Young star forward

Sniper

 

Prediction

A major forward upgrade will have to come in the trade market for San Jose, and that player needs to be a sniper or a power forward.

St. Louis Blues

Harry How/Getty Images

Needs

Elite goalscorer

Skilled top-nine forward

 

Prediction

The Blues have a lot of salary cap space for an elite offensive player, but the team doesn't seem willing to make a bold move. Finding a veteran forward is also a likely possibility for the Blues, and re-signing Jason Arnott or Jamie Langenbrunner would satisfy this need.

Tampa Bay Lightning

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Needs

Depth on the wings

Top-four defenseman

 

Prediction

The Lighting drafted some good young defenseman last month, but expect them to sign a veteran blueliner that can help them this season.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Needs

No. 1 center

Goaltending

 

Prediction

The Leafs' goaltending and No. 1 center needs cannot be addressed in free agency so don't expect any major moves from Brian Burke. The only options that make sense for the Maple Leafs in free agency are veteran signings. Jason Arnott and Brian Rolston would provide some needed veteran leadership and Stanley Cup experience.

If Toronto was going to make a notable move in free agency, it probably would have happened already.

Vancouver Canucks

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Needs

Power forward

Bottom-six center

 

Prediction

Expect the Canucks to look for a center of some kind in free agency even though there isn't much available. Adding a power forward would also help fill out the roster.

Washington Capitals

Greg Fiume/Getty Images

Needs

Top-six winger

Veteran defenseman

 

Prediction

A top-four defenseman and a top-six winger will be the Capitals' needs throughout the summer, but it will be hard to address them in free agency.

Winnipeg Jets

Marianne Helm/Getty Images

Needs

Top-four defenseman

Top-six scorer

Re-sign Evander Kane

 

Prediction

Re-signing Kyle Wellwood doesn't seem like an option for the Jets, but finding a top-four defenseman certainly is a need that must be addressed. Pavel Kubina would be a fantastic addition to the Jets' blueline.