NHL Teams Most in Need of Rebuilds
Approaching the midpoint of the 2016-17 NHL season, several struggling clubs face the need to rebuild their rosters. Some are near the bottom of the league standings. Others are struggling to remain in playoff contention.
These teams have various roster weaknesses that are hampering their respective performances this season. Some lack scoring, some need defensive depth and some need help throughout their rosters.
This slideshow lists the NHL teams most in need of rebuilds. We'll examine their current statuses and explain why they must rebuild, including the key areas that must be addressed. You can express your views on this topic in the comments section.
Boston Bruins
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The Boston Bruins are second in the Atlantic Division with 49 points in 45 games. While in a playoff position, they face a difficult challenge to hang on to that spot. On Jan. 7, they were briefly knocked out of the postseason picture by the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Since reaching the 2013 Stanley Cup Final, the once-dominant Bruins became a team in decline. They missed the playoffs in 2015 and 2016.
Scoring is an issue for the Bruins. They're among the bottom third in goals per game (2.42) and power-play percentage (15.9). Forwards Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak and David Krejci are carrying the bulk of the offense.
The offensive production of once-dominant core players Patrice Bergeron and Zdeno Chara has dropped this season. Forward Ryan Spooner's struggling to follow up last season's promising 49-point effort, and Jimmy Hayes is a bust as a power forward.
Bruins general manager Don Sweeney must address the club's lack of secondary scoring. The Bruins possess considerable depth in promising young defensemen but need a top-two blueliner to take over for the aging Chara. Sweeney must also decide if longtime head coach Claude Julien still has a future with the Bruins.
Winnipeg Jets
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Since relocating from Atlanta in 2011, the Winnipeg Jets' sole postseason appearance was in 2015. While in contention this season, the Jets have yet to develop into a perennial postseason club.
Goaltending and special teams are weak points. Their 3.02 goals against per game, penalty-killing percentage (77.0) and faceoff win percentage (47.5) are among the league's worst.
The Jets possess a respectable offense (2.73 goals per game), but their 28.9 shots per game rank among the bottom third. Their power-play percentage (16.8) needs improvement.
The inexperience of Connor Hellebuyck and Michael Hutchinson explains the woeful goalie stats. Losing Tyler Myers to a lower-body injury adversely affected the blue line. But with stars such as Mark Scheifele, Patrik Laine, Dustin Byfuglien, Nikolaj Ehlers and Blake Wheeler, the Jets should be a better team.
Winnipeg fans have patiently waited for the Jets to improve, but they've yet to be rewarded. If they miss the cut again, a shake-up could be in order.
Vancouver Canucks
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Since reaching the 2011 Stanley Cup Final, the Vancouver Canucks have been in steady decline. They missed the playoffs in two of the previous three seasons. While they're in contention this season, there's no certainty they'll secure a berth.
The Canucks' once-vaunted offense is now averaging 2.41 goals per game, putting them in the league's bottom third. Their power-play percentage (13.7) is among the NHL's worst, and their penalty kill (79.7) needs work.
While their goaltending has improved in recent weeks, their 2.86 goals against per game remains uncomfortably high. They must also lower their shots against per game (30.8).
Since becoming general manager in 2014, Jim Benning has attempted to rebuild on the fly. He's injected some much-needed youth into the lineup. Forwards Bo Horvat, Sven Baertschi and Markus Granlund, along with defensemen Ben Hutton, Troy Stecher and Nikita Tryamkin, are helping the Canucks remain competitive this season.
However, the Canucks are still reliant on aging core forwards Daniel and Henrik Sedin. Benning overpaid last summer for two-way winger Loui Eriksson. Veteran goalie Ryan Miller and winger Alex Burrows are eligible for unrestricted free agency in July. Benning should eschew expensive free-agent replacements and keep adding more youth to the lineup.
New Jersey Devils
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The New Jersey Devils' last playoff appearance was in 2012, when they advanced to the Stanley Cup Final. Significant changes have taken place in the front office, behind the bench and on the roster since then. But these moves have yet to translate into noticeable on-ice improvement.
Lack of scoring remains a significant factor for the Devils. Their 2.18 goals per game are among the league's lowest, as is their 13.3 power-play percentage. They're also last in shots per game (27.4).
The Devils' goaltending and defense, once strengths, are suffering. Their shots against per game (31.3) rank in the bottom third. Their goals against per game (2.86) must improve.
Despite acquiring left wing Taylor Hall last summer from the Edmonton Oilers, the Devils still lack scoring punch. Trading defenseman Adam Larsson for Hall hurt their blue-line depth. Factor in an inconsistent effort this season from starting goalie Corey Schneider, and it's no wonder the Devils are near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings.
Ray Shero is in his second season as Devils general manager. While he's taken the patient route with the roster, there's a sense this franchise is spinning its wheels. Having made a significant move last summer to land Hall, Shero could attempt to speed up the rebuild with another major trade or a significant free-agent addition.
New York Islanders
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After making two straight playoff appearances and winning their first playoff series in 23 years, the New York Islanders entered this season with considerable optimism. Sadly, things have gone off the rails. The Islanders find themselves at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings with their playoff hopes fading.
Defense and goaltending are the Islanders' main weaknesses. Only the Arizona Coyotes and Buffalo Sabres give up more shots per game (34.0 and 33.0, respectively) than the Isles (32.9). Their penalty-kill percentage (79.7) ranks among the league's bottom third.
Their goals against per game (2.95) are also among the league's worst. For too long, they carried three goalies in Thomas Greiss, Jean-Francois Berube and the now-demoted Jaroslav Halak. It made it difficult for one of them to establish himself as the clear-cut starter.
The Islanders are near the top third offensively (2.78 goals per game). However, they're still feeling the effects of losing core players Kyle Okposo, Frans Nielsen and Matt Martin to free agency. General manager Garth Snow failed to find suitable replacements.
Should the Isles fail to reach the playoffs, Snow could be forced to consider a rebuild. The question is, though, will franchise player and team captain John Tavares approve? He's eligible for unrestricted free agency in 2018. While he's been committed to the Isles, his patience could be tested if management opts to shake things up.
Detroit Red Wings
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The last time the Detroit Red Wings missed the playoffs was in 1990. After 25 consecutive postseason appearances, the Wings' streak is in danger of ending this season. With 40 points in 42 games, the Wings are at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings.
Their power-play percentage (11.4) is the league's worst. With 2.38 goals per game and 2.95 goals against per game, the Wings are among the league's worst in those categories. They're also giving up too many shots per game (30.5).
Over the last two seasons, Red Wings general manager Ken Holland slowly incorporated younger players into the lineup. Dylan Larkin, Petr Mrazek, Anthony Mantha and Andreas Athanasiou are among the notables that could form the foundation of the Wings' rebuild.
Holland must continue adding youth over the remainder of the season and in the offseason. As the March 1 trade deadline nears, he could attempt to move out some veteran free agents in exchange for young players and draft picks.
The Wings also need a skilled and experienced top-four defenseman. Holland could focus on the free-agent and trade markets this summer to address this issue.
Arizona Coyotes
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The Arizona Coyotes' last playoff appearance was in 2012, when they advanced to the Western Conference Final. Sitting near the bottom of the Western Conference standings, the Coyotes appear likely to miss the postseason for the fifth consecutive year.
In all the major offensive and defensive categories, the Coyotes are in the league's bottom third. They give up the most shots per game (34.0) and have the second-fewest goals per game (2.10) while giving up the second-most goals per game (3.17).
As of Jan. 13, none of the Coyotes have reached double digits in goals. Losing top-line left wing Max Domi to a hand injury hurt their offensive game. Right wing Anthony Duclair, a 20-goal scorer last season, is struggling through a horrible sophomore slump.
The Coyotes have little defensive depth behind top blueliner Oliver Ekman-Larsson. They lack a reliable backup for starting goalie Mike Smith.
The Coyotes have been rebuilding with young players for a while now. John Chayka, who took over the duties of general manager last summer, is continuing that trend. So far, they're showing little sign of any real improvement, though. Chayka could have big changes in store this summer.
Colorado Avalanche
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Mired at the bottom of the Western Conference standings, the Colorado Avalanche need a major rebuild. Barring a dramatic second-half turnaround, they'll miss the playoffs for the sixth time in seven years.
The Avalanche have problems throughout the roster. They're the NHL's lowest-scoring team (2.00 goals per game) and have given up the most goals per game (3.33). The Avs also give up too many shots per game (32.6). Their power-play (13.3) and penalty-kill percentages (77.9) are among the league's worst.
Several of the Avs' core players are struggling. Often-injured Semyon Varlamov's goals-against average (3.32) and save percentage (.901) rank among the worst for starting goalies.
Left wing and captain Gabriel Landeskog's production is significantly down this season, and center Matt Duchene has managed only two points since Dec. 20. The Avs also lack skilled, experienced blue-line depth.
The Avalanche already underwent a coaching change last summer, as Patrick Roy stepped down and was replaced with Jared Bednar. General manager Joe Sakic could be planning some significant roster changes. On Dec. 31, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported the Avs were prepared to entertain offers for key players such as Landeskog and Duchene.
Player and team stats (as of Jan. 13) per NHL.com.
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