Ranking the NHL Teams with the Most Depth for the 2016-17 Season

During the NHL offseason, general managers attempted to build up the depth of their respective rosters for the following season. Several teams, such as the Tampa Bay Lightning, have a clear advantage entering 2016-17 over many of their rivals. 

In assessing the rosters of the teams on this list, we'll examine each club's potential strengths and weaknesses. Players worth watching in the upcoming season are also spotlighted. 

The following slideshow ranks the eight NHL teams with the most depth in the upcoming season. Feel free to weigh in with your opinion on this topic in the comments section below. 

8. Nashville Predators

Mark Humphrey/Associated Press

Strengths

The Nashville Predators traded Shea Weber to the Montreal Canadiens for P.K. Subban, bringing more more speed and offensive punch to an already impressive blue line. Their top-two pairings also include Roman Josi, Mattias Ekholm and Ryan Ellis. Veterans Matt Carle and Yannick Weber should fill out their third pairing.

Up front, the Predators have a dangerous top line of veteran power forward James Neal and rising stars Ryan Johansen and Filip Forsberg. Former 20-goal scorers Colin Wilson, Mike Fisher and Craig Smith provide secondary scoring and veteran experience. 

Starting goaltender Pekka Rinne struggled in the first half of last season but settled down in the second half. The three-time Vezina Trophy finalist finished the campaign with 34 victories. 

Weaknesses

Trading away Weber leaves the Predators with less of a physical presence on their defense. That could provide opposing teams with more scoring opportunities.

If Rinne's inconsistent play last season carries over into 2016-17, they lack an experienced backup to spell him off. That could become a significant problem. 

Injury hampered Fisher over the last two seasons. He and center Mike Ribeiro are both 36, and age could take its toll. The Predators need Smith and Wilson to bounce back from subpar efforts last season. 

Player to watch

During his years in Montreal, P.K. Subban established himself as a talented, free-wheeling defenseman. His offensive abilities should significantly bolster the Predators' scoring. 

7. St. Louis Blues

Jeff Roberson/Associated Press

Strengths

The defense corps of the St. Louis Blues contains a good mix of skilled veterans and promising young talent. Two-time NHL All-Star Alex Pietrangelo is their mainstay, with Kevin Shattenkirk providing puck-moving skills. The emergence of Colton Parayko and Joel Edmundson further bolsters the blue line. 

Forwards David Backes and Troy Brouwer departed this summer via free agency. However, the Blues still have considerable scoring punch in youngsters Vladimir Tarasenko, Jaden Schwartz and Robby Fabbri. They are augmented by veterans Alexander Steen and Paul Stastny. 

The Blues have a steadily improving young goaltender in Jake Allen, who takes over the starter's role full time this season. Free-agent acquisition Carter Hutton will be a reliable backup for Allen. 

Weaknesses

The departure of Backes and Brouwer cost the Blues grit and leadership. Without that physical presence, the Blues forecheck could suffer. 

Statsny's tenure with the Blues has been hampered by injuries thus far. The Blues brought back David Perron in the offseason, but it remains to be seen if he can be as effective as he was in his earlier tenure in St. Louis. 

Center Jori Lehtera has struggled with consistency. Veteran blueliner Jay Bouwmeester turns 33 on Sept 27 and seems to be in decline. 

Player to watch

Colton Parayko was a pleasant surprise last season, emerging as one of the league's top rookies. The 23-year-old blueliner faces the challenge of overcoming the sophomore slump. Another strong performance could move him higher up the depth chart. 

6. Florida Panthers

Julie Jacobson/Associated Press

Strengths

Offense was a significant factor in the Florida Panthers' improvement last season. With young guns such as forwards Aleksander Barkov, Jonathan Huberdeau, Reilly Smith and Vincent Trocheck, scoring will remain a strength in 2016-17. Veterans Jaromir Jagr and Jussi Jokinen lend invaluable skill and leadership.

Aaron Ekblad, winner of the 2015 Calder Memorial Trophy, leads the Panthers defense corps. Offseason acquisitions Keith Yandle and Jason Demers bring a significant injection of experienced talent to their blue line. 

Aging goaltender Roberto Luongo put up good numbers last season. Management brought in James Reimer and Reto Berra to reduce Luongo's workload for the upcoming campaign. 

Weaknesses

Luongo could miss the start of the upcoming season recovering from offseason hip surgery. At his age (37) and with his recent injury history, his performance is at risk of decline. The 44-year-old Jagr's play could also suffer as the season wears on. 

The Panthers lost some blue-line grit by trading Erik Gudbranson to the Vancouver Canucks for forward Jared McCann. They didn't do much to address their penalty kill, which was a woeful 79.5 percent in 2015-16. 

Last season's improved performance has heightened expectations for 2016-17. The young Panthers stars have yet to face that type of pressure at the NHL level. 

Player to watch

Defenseman Michael Matheson showed some promise in the 2016 playoffs. Playing for Canada in the 2016 IIHF World Championship, he was named the tournament's best defenseman. Entering his first full NHL campaign, the 22-year-old Matheson could become one of this season's top rookies. 

5. Anaheim Ducks

Chris Carlson/Associated Press

Strengths

The Anaheim Ducks have an embarrassment of riches in talented young defensemen. Along with regulars Hampus Lindholm, Sami Vatanen, Cam Fowler, Simon Despres, Josh Manson, they also have Shea Theodore and Brandon Montour in the pipeline. 

Veteran stars Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Ryan Kesler lead the Ducks offense. Young forwards Rickard Rakell and Jakob Silfverberg have upside as secondary scorers. 

Promising John Gibson takes over this season as the Ducks' full-time starting goaltender. He'll be supported by offseason acquisition Jonathan Bernier, who has several seasons of starter experience.

Weaknesses

Getzlaf, Perry and Kesler carry much of the offensive load for the Ducks. That burden could grow heavier this season if Rakell and Silfverberg fail to improve. 

They also lack skilled depth on both wings, but especially at left wing. If unaddressed, the Ducks offense could suffer. There's also not a lot of notable talent skating on their checking lines. 

Despite the Ducks depth in young talent, they lack an experienced star to lead the way. Veteran Kevin Bieksa's performance has declined in recent years. 

Player to watch

Defenseman Cam Fowler could have an uncertain future in Anaheim. Given the Ducks' depth in young blueliners and their need for a scoring left wing, the 24-year-old Fowler could be dangled as trade bait to bring in an offensive forward. 

4. San Jose Sharks

Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

Strengths

The San Jose Sharks retain the offensive punch that powered them to the 2016 Stanley Cup Final. Forwards Joe Pavelski, Logan Couture, Tomas Hertl and the ageless Joe Thornton will continue to lead the way. The addition of Mikkel Boedker should provide an invaluable speed boost on left wing. 

On defense, the Sharks have a strong top four in NHL All-Star Brent Burns, Marc-Edouard Vlasic, Justin Braun and Paul Martin. Burns, a finalist last season for the James Norris Memorial Trophy, will remain a puck-moving force on the San Jose blue line.  

Martin Jones emerged last season as a reliable starting goaltender, backstopping the Sharks to the Cup Final. The 26-year-old Jones should only get better this season. 

Weaknesses

During the 2016 Stanley Cup Final, the Sharks struggled after the fleet-footed Pittsburgh Penguins. Despite the addition of Boedker, they could still find it difficult to counter swifter opposition.

Thornton and longtime Sharks winger Patrick Marleau are in the late 30s. They could see a decline in their performance in the coming season.

The Sharks lack a reliable physical shutdown blueliner on their third defense pairing. They also don't have an experienced backup goalie for Jones. If he struggles or gets hurt, the Sharks will suffer for it. 

Player to watch

Right wing Joonas Donskoi had a solid rookie performance last season, netting 36 points in 76 games. He shone during the 2016 playoffs, with 12 points in 24 games. Donskoi gave the Sharks invaluable secondary scoring. The 24-year-old could be poised for a strong sophomore campaign. 

3. Pittsburgh Penguins

Bruce Bennett/Associated Press

Strengths

Speed was the determining factor in the Pittsburgh Penguins' march to the 2016 Stanley Cup championship. Last season's additions of veterans Phil Kessel and Carl Hagelin and young forwards Conor Sheary, Bryan Rust and Tom Kuhnhackl make the Penguins a difficult team to keep pace with in 2016-17. 

The addition of those forwards lifts some of the offensive burden off superstars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. The HBK line of Hagelin, Nick Bonino and Kessel provided the Penguins with invaluable offensive depth.

Between the pipes, the Penguins have a solid tandem of veteran Marc-Andre Fleury and playoff hero Matt Murray. Defenseman Kris Letang remains the linchpin of their blue line. Young rearguards Brian Dumoulin and Derrick Pouliot should improve this season.

Weaknesses

Youngsters such as Murray, Sheary, Rust and Kuhnhackl could find it difficult to follow up on last season's promise. Injury and illness hampered the development of gifted defenseman Olli Maatta.

The injury histories of Letang and Maatta remain cause for concern. Dumoulin and Pouliot have potential, but they still have to fully establish themselves as reliable NHL defensemen. 

Since 1998, no NHL team has repeated as Stanley Cup champions. The Penguins face the daunting challenge of breaking that streak.

Player to watch

Matt Murray rose to prominence by backstopping the Penguins to a championship. However, he's yet to play a full NHL season. His performance in 2016-17 could affect Fleury's future in Pittsburgh. If Murray retains the starter's job, Fleury could hit the trade block. 

2. Washington Capitals

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Strengths

The Washington Capitals finished second in league scoring last season for a reason. Led by forwards Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, T.J. Oshie, Justin Williams and emerging star Evgeny Kuznetsov, the Capitals are scary-deep up front. Offseason addition Lars Eller provides a much-needed boost at center. 

They also have one of the NHL's top goaltenders in Braden Holtby, winner of the 2016 Vezina Trophy. Philipp Grubauer is a quality backup capable of ensuring Holtby isn't overworked this season. 

On the Capitals blue line, John Carlson, Matt Niskanen, Karl Alzner and Dmitry Orlov provide a good mix of offensive skill and defensive grit. 

Weaknesses

For all their talent and skill, the Capitals' reputation for coming up short in the playoffs could weigh on this club in 2016-17. With Oshie, Williams and Kuznetsov due new contracts at season's end, this could be the last opportunity for the current roster to win a championship.

The Capitals also lack a big-bodied net-crashing forward on their scoring lines. In the playoffs, this could become a critical problem. 

Their third defense pairing could be an issue this season. Age and injuries are catching up with physical 35-year-old blueliner Brooks Orpik. 

Player to watch

Evgeny Kuznetsov enjoyed a breakout performance in 2015-16, tallying 77 points in 82 games. However, the sharp drop in his production during the 2016 playoffs was a contributing factor in the Capitals' second-round elimination. Kuznetsov must elevate his game in the heat of postseason action. 

1. Tampa Bay Lightning

Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

Strengths

The Tampa Bay Lightning possess considerable offensive firepower, led by forwards Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov, Tyler Johnson and Ondrej Palat. In 2016 Vezina Trophy finalist Ben Bishop and promising Andrei Vasilevskiy, the Bolts have one of the league's top goaltending tandems. 

Tampa Bay's blue line is anchored by the talented Victor Hedman. Anton Stralman and Jason Garrison provide additional puck-moving skills. 

Having reached the Stanley Cup Final in 2015 and the Eastern Conference Final in 2016, the Lightning have considerable postseason experience. They're well-stocked in young, skilled players.

Weaknesses

Despite Bishop's obvious talent, he also has an injury history. In each of the last two seasons, Stamkos was sidelined for lengthy periods.

Apart from veteran Braydon Coburn, the Lightning are lacking experienced depth among their bottom-three blueliners. If Nikita Nesterov and Slater Koekkoek struggle this season, it could become a problem.

The Lightning struggled with the man advantage last season, finishing 28th in power-play percentage (15.8). Injuries to Stamkos, Johnson, Palat and Stralman were likely the contributing factors, but it will be worth watching this season. 

Player to watch

Left wing Jonathan Drouin spent part of last season banished to the minors. Recalled for the 2016 playoffs, the 21-year-old finished tied for third in team scoring with 14 points. The upcoming campaign could be his much-anticipated breakout season. 

Player and team stats via NHL.com. Additional info via Hockey-Reference.com.