NHL Free Agency: What Each Team Needs in Order to Reach Next Level
By (Featured Columnist) on July 8, 2010
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"The Trade" which sent Wayne Gretzky from the Edmonton Oilers to the Los Angeles Kings on August 9, 1988 had a significant impact. The impact not only on the Kings and the Oilers, but on hockey in general.
The Kings, who had been unsuccessful since entering the league as a member of the Second Six in 1967, became relevant overnight. The team went to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1993, losing to Montreal, and frequently filled The Forum until Gretzky was dealt to the St. Louis Blues in 1996.
It would be difficult to find a transaction that would make as big of an impact as "The Trade" had: experts suggest that the emergence of two additional California franchises, the San Jose Sharks and Anaheim Ducks, along with many other teams in non-traditional markets (i.e. Atlanta Thrashers, Nashville Predators, Tampa Bay Lightning, etc.) exist today because of "The Trade."
However, many teams could make a major transaction this season that could turn a borderline playoff team into a postseason lock or a perennial playoff team into a Stanley Cup Contender.
Western Conference
San Jose Sharks
Chicago Blackhawks
Pressing Need: Shed salary
Targeted Players: Dustin Byfuglien, Brent Sopel, Ben Eager, Andrew Ladd
Level of Need: High
Transaction Status: Complete
Impact on Team: Major
There are many transactions to talk about when it comes to Chicago. The Hawks are rumored to have interest in Mike Modano (who is also rumored to be a fit with the division rival Red Wings), Kris Verseeg was dealt to Toronto for three prospects, and former Wild bruiser John Scott was added to increase size on the roster.
However, the most intriguing transactions Chicago has completed in the offseason is their dealings with the Atlanta Thrashers. In one trade the Blackhawks dealt Dustin Byfuglien, Brent Sopel, and Ben Eager to the Thrashers for Marty Reasoner, Joey Crabb, and a prospect. In a separate deal Andrew Ladd left for the Thrash as a restricted free agent.
In the short term the Hawks will miss the presence of Byfuglien in front of the net, Ben Eager on the wing, and Brent Sopel on their strong blueline corps. Andrew Ladd was a first round selection in 2004 and has started to come into his own over the last two years.
The deal will be determined a success for Chicago if Joey Crabb and prospect Jeremy Morin (currently in the OHL) end up making an impact in the NHL. Should that happen they will have saved money while planning for the future.
Chicago should not be making any more blockbuster deals now that they are under the cap. They have kept many players who were vital to their Stanley Cup run on their roster while presumably creating enough cap space to fill out their roster.
Vancouver Canucks
Pressing Need: Stanley Cup berth
Targeted Player: Dan Hamhuis
Level of Need: Necessary with the presumable loss of Willie Mitchell
Transaction Status: Complete
Impact on Team: Big
The Canucks have always been a defense-first team that relies on strong blueliners and two-way forwards to win games.
Steve Bernier, who was moved to Florida in the Ballard deal, is a player that needs to increase his production, but could be good in the long run. Giving him up for Ballard probably will work out in the long run.
The addition of Hamhuis, who was probably the best defenseman available on the market (Anton Volchenkov being the other), and Ballard strengthens the Vancouver blueline. The addition of Manny Malhotra may go overlooked, but he will add grit to a lineup of players that love to rattle bodies.
All of these players add to a defense-first formula that has made the 'Nucks perennial contenders.
It is difficult to determine if the Canucks, who would have to pull off a blockbuster trade in order to acquire a star forward, have enough offense to get into the latter rounds of the postseason, but the team should be extremely competitive in 2011.
Phoenix Coyotes
Pressing Need: Continued success in order to retain fan interest
Targeted Players: Proven scorers
Level of Need: Imperative
Transaction Status: Signed Ray Whitney to 2 year, $6 million deal
Impact on Team: Provides veteran leadership to young team
The Cinderella team from a year ago, Phoenix will need to continue their success in order to keep fans at Jobing.com Arena.
Losing Zbynek Michalek to the Penguins will hurt the Coyotes because he was a young defensemen with a lot of upside, but were able to re-sign Derek Morris. The 'Yotes still have Ed Jovanovski. Kurt Sauer, and Adrian Aucoin on their roster and should be fine defensively.
On the offensive side Phoenix has added veteran Ray Whitney to compliment longtime Coyote (and former Winnipeg Jet) Shane Doan along with recently acquired Scottie Upshall and Wojtek Wolski.
If the Coyotes could trade for current Dallas Stars Brad Richards or Mike Ribeiro, or Washington winger Alexander Semin they may want to jump on the opportunity to add offense.
The Coyotes may benefit if the Flames do not live up to expectations this year. Calgary is tight on cap space and many experts do not anticipate a big season for the Flames so there may be somebody on their roster (Iginla, Lankow, Stajan, etc.) that would be expensive but may be available and could benefit from a breath of fresh air.
Detroit Red Wings
Pressing Need: Youth
Targeted Players: Mike Modano, proven veterans currently on roster
Level of Need: Difficult to tell, as players grow older their production should go down, although it appears that the Wings have a Fountain of Youth in their locker room
Transaction Status: Incomplete for Modano, complete for other veterans
Impact on Team: Modano just adds age
Having retained veterans Nicklas Lidstrom, Tomas Holmstrom, and the infamous Todd Bertuzzi, the Red Wings have kept their core together.
Keeping a mostly homegrown team together year after year, squeezing everyone under the cap, has worked for the Red Wings.
Unlike the NBA and MLB where perennial contenders simply have the most money and pick up the big name free agents every year, the Wings have shown--like the Steelers in the NFL--that a team from a smaller city can compete with squads in New York, LA, Boston, Chicago, and Miami if the league works to establish parity.
The recent re-singing of young, inexpensive Patrick Eaves makes sense. However, the Red Wings management has NHL experts scratching their heads with their interest in Mike Modano.
Certainly the last remaining Minnesota North Star brings experience to any team that signs him, but the Red Wings have plenty of that. If anything they need young, productive players and Modano is 40 and his production is dropping every year.
The Red Wings are eventually going to have to get younger. This year will determine whether or not the team can compete for the Stanley Cup once again with their current roster.
Los Angeles Kings
Pressing Needs: Stability, a superstar
Targeted Player: Ilya Kovalchuk
Level of Need: Imperative
Transaction Status: On-and-off talks with the Russian superstar
Impact on Team: Incredible
Building a strong young core: $44.7 million payroll (source: CapGeek.com)
Ilya Kovalchuk: $10 million/year
Kovy's Impact in LA: Priceless
Well, actually a $54.7 million payroll...
Still, the Kings cannot pass up the opportunity to add Ilya Kovalchuk to their roster. Since he entered the league in 2001 nobody has scored more goals. He could become a household name in LA. He makes the Kings a serious Stanley Cup contender.
Without Kovalchuk the Kings are a question mark. The team currently has a great core of young players, which have received their first taste of playoff hockey last season, but there is no telling if they can get past the first round (or that they are a postseason lock) with the team.
Should Kovalchuk become unavailable, the Flyers' Simone Gagne is reportedly on the trading block and would be a solid addition to the Kings.
Certainly if the Kings hold their core together they will eventually become a powerhouse in the NHL, but LA is home to fairweather sports fans that seek instant gratification (look at the Clippers or Ducks attendance over the last 10 years) and all but the faithful hockey enthusiasts in SoCal--that are not Ducks fans--will only show up to the Staples Center if the team continues to look like a playoff contender.
Kovalchuk in LA is a must if the Kings want to become relevant again. Remember the Gretzky trade turned the Kings into a hot ticket, led to the expansion of hockey into non-traditional markets, and led to a Vince Vaughn line in Swingers (1996): "I'm gonna make Wayne Gretzky's head bleed for super-fan #99 over here."
Imagine what Kovy to LA would do.
Nashville Predators
Pressing Need: A playoff series win
Targeted Player: Hard to tell, the Preds' debt has made them perennial sellers
Level of Need: Imperative
Transaction Status: Signed Matthew Lombardi to 3- year, $10.5 million deal
Impact on Team: Lombardi's impact will not be enough
The Predators are in a difficult situation.
They need money to spend.
In order to get money they need to get hockey fans on the fence to come out to games and increase sponsorship.
In order to make hockey more relevant in Tennessee they need to win in the postseason.
In order to win in the postseason they need more offense. In order to have offense they need to spend money.
There are a few ways the Predators can add talent:
1) Add Ilya Kovalchuk:
He's a costly player and it will be difficult for the Predators to woo him away from Los Angeles' glitz and glamor, the comfort of New Jersey (where he played last year), and his hometown of Russia (KHL). However, should he come to Tennessee he alone could give the Preds the offensive boost they need.
2) Add another mid-level free agent:
Think Lee Stempniak, Alex Frolov, Maxim Afinogenov, or Bobby Ryan.
Stempniak adds experience and has upside, but is often injured.
Frolov has even more upside and better scoring ability, but is unpredictable and could be a pain for Nashville's coaching staff.
Afinogenov has plenty of experience and is a proven scorer at the NHL level, but is getting older and his production has gone down.
Bobby Ryan will be expensive and will have many suitors, but he's played in a defensive system and would be an offensive presence for the Preds.
3) Trade for a proven NHL star:
If the Preds see a deal for current Dallas Stars Brad Richards or Mike Ribeiro, or Washington winger Alexander Semin they may want to jump on the opportunity to add offense.
Like the Coyotes, the Predators could benefit from the Flames' predicament. The Flames are tight on cap space and probably not going to contend, there may be somebody on their roster (Iginla, Lankow, Stajan, etc.) that would be expensive but may be available and could benefit from a change in scenery.
Colorado Avalanche
Pressing Need: Stability
Targeted Players: Lee Stempniak or Maxim Afinogenov
Level of Need: Moderate
Transaction Status: Limited, need to keep cap space for younger players who will eventually ask for a raise
Impact on Team: Limited
It is no surprise that the Avalanche have not been huge players in free agency. The small-market team has a great young core and a fanbase that has been rejuvenated due to the team's incredible start and near-upset of the Sharks in the playoffs last year.
According to CapGeek.com the team has $24.5 million in cap space. They could add a big name like Kovalchuk or trade for a disgruntled player like Malkin if they wanted to, but that may end up hurting them in the long run when they need to pay their younger players.
Adding defensemen, however, may not be a bad idea for the Avs. Tomas Kaberle or Sheldon Souray would be a solid addition to the blueline and allow the Avalanche's younger players to make errors while expanding their game at the next level.
If the Ducks are unable to sign Bobby Ryan, the Avalanche could add him to their youth movement as he is NHL-proven and could add a scoring touch.
Keeping the core they have together should be the team's emphasis; however, adding a young free agent like Frolov or Stempniak may be a nice addition to their team.
St. Louis Blues
Pressing Need: Playoff birth
Targeted Players: Jaroslav Halak
Level of Need: High
Transaction Status: Complete
Impact on Team: Big, but playoff birth is needed
The Blues appear to be making the right moves in the offseason. The addition of Halak means that, if the Blues make the playoffs, they will have a steady goaltender in net that can take them far with a low seed. This is assuming he performs like he did last year.
Having locked up Halak for four years, St. Louis now needs to focus on who they want to re-sign.
Retaining Carlo Colaiacovo and Cam Janssen with short term contracts is wise because both should be in their prime and will perform well in contract seasons. Re-upping seasoned veteran Paul Kariya's contract would be ill-advised only if he demands too much money. St. Louis should consider keeping him.
St. Louis would be a great spot for Bobby Ryan, if he does not sign with the Ducks. Whatever they would have to give up to get him would be worth it for his tremendous upside.
The Blues could be a sleeper in the Kovalchuk sweepstakes, but like Nashville they will have to woo him away from glamorous LA, comfortable New Jersey, and his hometown of Russia.
Calgary Flames
Pressing Need: Offense to keep loyal fans interested
Targeted Players: Alex Tanguay and Olli Jokinen
Level of Need: Need to get to the playoffs, not sign washed up former players
Transaction Status: Complete
Impact on Team: Flames will be in the cellar of the Western Conference with a hefty payroll
Calgary finished 10th place in the Western Conference Finals and have retained most of their longtime stars, but their team is getting older and the management insists that they are contenders although they are a team that will be in the playoff bubble, at best, with their current roster.
The thought process on picking up former Flames Olli Jokinen and Alex Tanguay probably is that the fans would come to see games, hoping that the two players return to form in a Flames uniform.
Odds are all the Flames will get by adding their former stars is older. The team is pressed against the cap and both players will have to play significantly better than they have been in the last few years in order for the Flames to avoid being big sellers at the trade deadline.
If things go as expected in Calgary, there are many players the team could be dealt that could make a major impact in the postseason.
Anaheim Ducks
Pressing Needs: Retain core, build for the future
Targeted Players: Bobby Ryan
Level of Need: Needed for the long run, keep fan interest
Transaction Status: Incomplete
Impact on Team: Big
The Ducks are looking to the future. Turnover Toni (Lydman) will have to completely change his game to make the Ducks, who no longer have the Niedermayers nor Chris Pronger from their Stanley Cup season in 2007, a playoff contender.
Picking up Cam Fowler in the draft is a borderline steal and the emergence of players like Dan Sexton, Ryan Carter, and Sheldon Brookbank show a promising future for the Ducks. As long as they keep their minor league teams stocked and don't splurge before everyone reaches their potential, the Ducks should once again be a sleeper playoff team in years to come.
However, one major factor could keep the Ducks from getting back to the Stanley Cup.
Bobby Ryan.
Ryan is an NHL-proven player that is a restricted free agent and must be re-signed. Recently he turned down a 5-year, $25 million contract. If he leaves Anaheim there will be plenty of teams that would jump on the opportunity to add him to their roster.
Dallas Stars
Pressing Need: To move on from the Mike Modano era
Targeted Player: Adam Burish
Level of Need: Moderate
Transaction Status: Complete
Impact on Team: A step in the right direction
The Stars should not be looking to do anything dramatic. If they play their cards right and end up on the edge of the playoffs they could be buyers at the trade deadline. If they try to become an instant contender they could disrupt the growth and molding of the young core they have.
Dallas has enough talent in their core to make a run at a lower seed in the playoffs. Loui Eriksson, Mike Ribeiro, Brad Richards, and Brenden Morrow are all capable of making an impact in the NHL. Stephane Robidas and Trevor Daley are solid defensemen, but they need other players to hold their ground when they are on the bench.
Adam Burish adds offense, but adding a free agent like Willie Michell or Andy Sutton is a necessary improvement in order for Dallas to make it to the next level.
Minnesota Wild
Columbus Blue Jackets
Pressing Need: Direction
Targeted Players: Proven defensemen
Level of Need: Moderate
Transaction Status: Unlikely to happen
Impact on Team: Improve defense, start a foundation
Save for claiming Ethan Moreau off of waivers, Columbus has been rather quiet in Free Agency. Columbus will probably opt to hold on to their money--currently they are $9.6 million under the cap with 20 players signed--and allow their prospects to develop.
If the Blue Jackets make any additions to their team they should consider adding defensemen. Mike Commodore is the only notable man on their blueline and Columbus could use more security for standout goaltender Steve Mason.
Signing Willie Mitchell or Andy Sutton will most likely be too expensive for the Blue Jackets--who have six defensemen on their roster, but trading for Robyn Regehr or Sheldon Souray would instantly upgrade their blueline and allow Columbus to keep the puck out of their net, allowing their younger players to make plays instead of worrying about their mistakes.
Edmonton Oilers
Pressing Need: Offense to keep loyal fans interested
Targeted Player: Kurtis Foster
Level of Need: Moderate
Transaction Status: Complete
Impact on Team: Adds defense at low cost
The Oilers are probably going to deal Sheldon Souray in order to reduce payroll and hope that their prospects develop.
Edmonton has a solid fanbase and, although it is wise to allow prospects to develop and keep cap space in order to reward them on payday, adding a solid center like Marc Savard or Mike Ribeiro to set up Taylor Hall, Ales Hemsky, and Dustin Penner may spark some offensive firepower and keep fans interested.
Eastern Conference
Washington Capitals
Pressing Need: Stanley Cup berth
Targeted Player: NHL-proven center
Level of Need: Moderate to high
Transaction Status: Unlikely
Impact on Team: Could keep them ahead of the Eastern Conference
The Washington Capitals have cap room, $11.6 million with 17 players signed, but they will be smart to keep it in order to re-sign Alexander Semin after his contract expires next year.
Washington re-signed Jeff Schultz, indicating they are likely to keep their core together as opposed to dealing Semin. The only reason why they might consider dealing the winger is that he may demand a long-term contract and Ovechkin and Backstrom are already locked up well into their 30s.
The addition of Marc Savard or Jeff Carter (via trade) would ensure that the Caps remain on top of the Eastern Conference. Although Washington had 123 points last year--the 2nd place Devils had 103 points--Tampa Bay underachieved and should be a playoff team next year and Carolina and Atlanta should take a few games from Washington during their division matchups.
As it stands Washington probably will once again contend for a spot in the Stanley Cup.
New Jersey Devils
Pressing Need: Stanley Cup berth
Targeted Player: Ilya Kovalchuk
Level of Need: High
Transaction Status: Reports indicate Devils and Kovy are close to a 7 year, $60 million deal
Impact on Team: Kovalchuk makes the team a Stanley Cup contender
Even if Kovalchuk does not sign with the Devils, New Jersey's front office has made the team even better.
Although the team lost Paul Martin, the highly sought after Anton Volchenkov is an upgrade and Henrik Tallinder is a solid blueliner in his own right.
Like the addition on Brian Rolston a few years ago, New Jersey went back to the old well by bringing Jason Arnott over from Nashville. In his second stint with the Devils Arnott should add firepower to an offense that includes Patrick Elias, Jamie Langenbrunner, and Zach Parise.
The Devils will probably content for the Cup with or without Kovalchuk, but the addition of the former Thrasher gives the Devils a significant edge over almost every opponent in the Eastern Conference.
Buffalo Sabres
Pressing Need: Tomas Vanek to score, defensive replacements
Targeted Player: Rob Niedermayer
Level of Need: High
Transaction Status: Complete
Impact on Team: Moderate
Buffalo natives are growing restless. Their team, which won their division but like every other division champion was bounced in the first round, is not making any major moves in order to make a playoff run this year.
Henrik Tallinder, an outstanding mentor for sophomore defenseman Tyler Mayers, and Toni Lydman, who was falling out of favor in upstate New York, are gone. Replacing them is talented but aging Rob Niedermayer and up-and-coming defenseman Jordan Leopold.
The Sabres are probably going to slide, regardless of Ryan Miller's ability in net and the team's aptitude when it comes to scoring by committee. Losing two talented defensemen on a team that relies on work in their own zone will be harmful in the long run.
In order to stay competitive the Sabres, who are often reluctant to spend money, will have to expect a big season from Tomas Vanek.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Pressing Need: Stanley Cup berth
Targeted Players: Zbynek Michalek, Paul Martin
Level of Need: High
Transaction Status: Complete
Impact on Team: Big
Stanley Cup Champions two years ago, the Penguins still have many players who will allow them to compete for Lord Stanley's mug again next year.
Longtime Penguin Sergei Gonchar is in Ottawa and Jordan Leopold is in Buffalo; however, the Pens upgraded their defense by adding Paul Martin and Zbynek Michalek. Both players are hitting their prime and were hot commodities on the free agent market.
Pittsburgh has most likely rounded out their roster and will be ready to compete again next year. The only remaining question is whether or not Evgeni Malkin will remain with the team. Reports have indicated that Jordan Staal is ready to become a top-six forward and Malkin is disgruntled with the Pens' organization.
He is unlikely to move, but any team that adds him will get a great offensive boost.
Ottawa Senators
Pressing Need: Keep the remaining core together, build up defense
Targeted Player: Willie Mitchell, Andy Sutton
Level of Need: High
Transaction Status: Unlikely
Impact on Team: Either player could bolster the Sens' defense
After the loss of Anton Volchenkov the Senators must improve their defense in order to allow their skill players to play wide open hockey without reserve.
Sergei Gonchar adds offense from the blueline but is questionable in his own zone. The addition of free agents Willie Mitchell or Andy Sutton, or trading for Sheldon Souray of the Edmonton Oilers, should fill that hole for the time being.
The Sens have their roster well filled out. The only question is whether or not superstar Jason Spezza wants to remain on the team. Odds are he will stay with the Senators, but teams with a lot of cap room in need of offensive firepower will not pass on Spezza despite his hefty contract.
Boston Bruins
Pressing Need: Offense
Targeted Player: At one time Robyn Regehr
Level of Need: Need offense, defense doesn't hurt
Transaction Status: Incomplete
Impact on Team: Still questions about Savard
The Bruins will have added offense courtesy of first round draft pick Tyler Seguin. Assuming Zdeno Chara remains in Boston the Bruins should be primed to win their division--Ottawa and Buffalo have failed to improve--and possibly take over the East.
Standing in their way is the massive contract of Marc Savard, whose production decreased last year when he missed half the season with injury. Savard was rumored to be involved in a swap with the Flames, but nothing came of it.
Should Savard relocate the Bruins must get offense in return in order to avoid impeding their progress to the Stanley Cup.
Philadelphia Flyers
Pressing Need: Avoid Stanley Cup hangover
Targeted Players: Dan Hamhuis, Evgeni Nabokov
Level of Need: High
Transaction Status: Unable to sign either player
Impact on Team: Could be devastating
The Flyers look poised for a Stanley Cup hangover.
1) Jeff Carter or Simone Gagner might leave
2) Daniel Briere has been in a car wreck
3) Neither Dan Hamhuis nor Evgeni Nabokov signed with Philly
The Flyers have a strong team, but time will tell whether or not they are able to hold it together and get back to the Stanley Cup Finals. Chris Pronger remains on the team and Michael Leighton re-upped.
Additionally Sean O'Donnell and Andrej Meszaros should strengthen the blueline, although there is speculation that Braydon Coburn may leave: creating another problem Philly has to fix.
Mike Richards and Scott Hartnell can still provide offense, and James van Riemsdyk has incredible potential, but the Flyers will need more than them to compete next year.
Montreal Canadiens
Pressing Need: Another playoff run
Targeted Player: Vincent Lecavalier
Level of Need: High
Transaction Status: Unlikely
Impact on Team: Huge
Habs fans always seem to believe that they will land native son Vincent Lecavalier. Since winning the Stanley Cup in 2004, Lecavalier has not lived up to his mammoth contract and Tampa Bay has been slipping.
Regardless, Tampa has the league's leading scorer from last year Steven Stamkos, whose 51 goals tied Sidney Crosby for the Rocket Richard Trophy, and Martin St. Louis has re-signed for four more years. The Bolts look like a playoff team this year and probably will be keeping Lecavalier.
Otherwise the Habs have been pretty quiet during free agency. They re-signed Tomas Plekanec, which would have been a big loss if he had walked, and look satisfied with their roster.
Montreal has not gotten worse, but they have not gotten significantly better. They will probably be a playoff team next year, but do not expect them to be seeded very high, as other teams in the East have greatly improved.
New York Rangers
Pressing Need: Spend money wisely
Targeted Player: Bobby Ryan
Level of Need: High
Transaction Status: Depends on if Ryan signs with Ducks
Impact on Team: Significant
According to CapGeek.com, the Rangers have $7.8 million and 20 players signed and no buyouts, which means the team has money to spend if they find a player they like.
Kovalchuk is too expensive so he probably will not be in a blue sweater. Lee Stempniak and Alexander Frolov are good options to add offense and Willie Mitchell would be a good fit on the blueline. Trading for Tomas Kaberle also would be an option, although the Rangers may have to give up too much to get him.
Bobby Ryan looks like a great fit for the Rangers. He's a young 30 goal scorer with great upside and can be fit under the cap. They would have to give something up to get him, but it would be worth the price to get a young, NHL-proven player.
Atlanta Thrashers
Pressing Need: Rejuvenating fan interest
Targeted Player: Dustin Byfuglien
Level of Need: Imperative
Transaction Status: Complete
Impact on Team: Difficult to tell, many fans in Atlanta appear to have lost faith
Having seen NHL superstars Ilya Kovalchuk, Dany Heatley, and Marian Hossa arrive and leave Blueland, the Thrasher faithful has been reduced to a few thousand diehard hockey fans.
The task for Atlanta's management is simple: keep the team from doing what the Flames did in 1980... leave the city.
In order to do this the Thrashers added the a key component to Chicago's Stanley Cup run, Dustin Byfuglien, and three other former Hawks, Brent Sopel, Ben Eager, and Andrew Ladd, to their roster.
Not to be overlooked is the signing of Steve Mason. A solid netminder in his own right, Mason should be a great alternative to young, up-and-coming goalie Ondrej Pavelec.
Although these moves will probably not fill Philips Arena immediately, should these seasoned NHL stars mesh with Atlanta's young core the team will be able to rejuvenate interest in the city.
Carolina Hurricanes
Pressing Need: Avoid stumbling out of the gates like last season
Targeted Player: Joe Corvo
Level of Need: High
Transaction Status: Complete
Impact on Team: Big
The Hurricanes were supposed to compete as a playoff team in the Eastern Conference, but their team came off the rails in a big way at the beginning of the season. They were able to recover and salvage their dignity, but the team will need to be in the mix again this season in order to keep Carolina natives interested.
The 'Canes have a strong young team and adding a veteran like Corvo is a smart move. The team only has one long term contract, Eric Staal, and could take on another solid player (or two) to sign to a long term deal and still save money for the future.
Carolina may be reluctant, but with a little pushing from the coaching staff the addition of a player like Savard, Kaberle, or Iginla--now or at the trade deadline--would get this team back in the playoff hunt and keep Carolina competitive for years to come.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Pressing Need: To live up to expectations
Targeted Player: Brad Richards
Level of Need: Imperative
Transaction Status: Depends on Dallas' season
Impact on Team: Big
Going under the radar in free agency this season is the Steve Yzerman-led Tampa Bay Lightning. Once an incredibly popular hockey team that looked like a potential perennial contender was plagued with poor management and fell out of the spotlight.
Martin St. Louis, rumored to be heading out of Florida, is back with the team for another four years, Mike Lundin and Teddy Purcell have re-signed, Andrej Meszaros--maligned since being signed with the Bolts--is headed out of town, Pavel Kubina adds offense from the blueline and Dan Ellis is an upgrade in net.
The Bolts have plenty of room to work, with $20.7 million left in the cap and 15 players to sign. There are seven defensemen on the roster, so the team will be focused on adding forwards.
Brad Richards would be a great pickup for the Bolts. He played on their Stanley Cup-winning 2004 team and has not been the same player since joining the Stars. Dallas is in a financial predicament and the Bolts could take advantage by snagging Richards if he becomes available.
New York Islanders
Pressing Need: Rejuvenating fan interest
Targeted Player: Ilya Kovalchuk
Level of Need: High
Transaction Status: In progress
Impact on Team: Big name player to bring people into the arena
The Islanders have more cap space than any team in the league and probably will not spend a lot of it in order to curtail losses and save money to pay up-and-coming stars John Tavares and Kyle Okposo.
If the team can land Kovalchuk it would be a large step forward as they try to rebuild their franchise. The team has plenty of cap space and Kovy has shown interest in New York.
If they don't land Kovy there are other players who would be a great fit on the island:
1) Build up the defense: Tomas Kaberle
Building defense is never a bad idea and Kaberle is one of the best. He's not outrageously expensive and a good building block for the future.
2) Player with playoff experience: Jeff Carter or Marc Savard
Both have extensive playoff experience and are solid pivots that younger players can rally around. Either player would bring people into the arena.
3) Big name player with a large contract: Evgeni Malkin
Jordan Staal is ready to step it up in Pittsburgh and Malkin is reportedly disgruntled. If Malkin can be moved the Isles should welcome him with open arms.
4) A lower-priced player with great upside: Bobby Ryan or Alexander Frolov
Ryan is a restricted free agent, but he is no longer a project and could be a great player for loyal Islanders fans to watch develop into a superstar. Frolov has great potential, but also can be a thorn in the side of a coaching staff.
Florida Panthers
Pressing Need: Serious rebuilding
Targeted Player: Hard to tell, team needs to cap space open in order to create flexibility for the future
Level of Need: Low
Transaction Status: Mostly selling
Impact on Team: Opening cap space, team likely to be stuck in Eastern Conference cellar
Unless the Panthers have a lot of hidden talent, Florida looks to be stuck in the bottom of the Eastern Conference for this year. They are not likely to make a big splash in free agency, hoping to save money and cap space for the future.
Nathan Horton and Keith Ballard have left the Sunshine State. Tomas Voukoun was expected to be a trade piece, but his large contract is going to dissuade teams from taking interest in him, as there are many goaltenders on the market and few teams want to spend at that position.
Time will tell if Dave Tallon can do with the Cats what he did with the Hawks before they were popular.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Pressing Need: A playoff birth for their loyal fanbase
Targeted Player: Tomas Kaberle's status in Toronto is in question
Level of Need: Avid fanbase is really itching for some wins
Transaction Status: Filled out roster with Colby Armstrong, Brett Lebda, and Kris Versteeg
Impact on Team: Dramatic improvement
The Maple Leafs spent the offseason rounding off their roster. Time will tell if Kessel was worth giving up the No. 2 pick and if Dion Phaneuf is the right fit for captain in the legendary franchise.
Toronto is probably not a playoff team, but assuming all of the stars on their team mesh appropriately the Leafs should take a big step forward this year.
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