NHL Free Agents: Each Team's Biggest Need This Summer

The NHL Draft doesn't have a ton of depth this season, so free agency will be one of the best ways for teams to improve their rosters for the 2012-13 season.

There are some big names expected to hit the open market, with stars such as Zach Parise and Alexander Semin looking for a big payday.

Let's look at each team's biggest need to fill through free agency.

Anaheim Ducks: Scoring Depth

Outside of Corey Perry, Bobby Ryan, and Ryan Getzlaf, the Anaheim Ducks don't have too much scoring depth.

Finding some second- and third-line scorers should be a top priority of the Ducks in free agency.

Boston Bruins: Sniper

With Nathan Horton's future uncertain because of his concussion, the Bruins would be smart to find a sniper on the wing, or just an offensive-minded winger who can give the team some more depth.

Buffalo Sabres: Power Forward

With Zack Kassian and Paul Gaustad leaving the team before the trade deadline this season, the Buffalo Sabres would be smart to add a power forward or two in free agency to give the team some more size and toughness.

Calgary Flames: Cap Relief

The Calgary Flames are very close to the salary cap and need to clear some room for a number of reasons.

First they need to sign Olli Jokinen to a new contract because he will be an unrestricted free agent this summer and has arguably been their best forward this season.

They also would be smart to move Jay Bouwmeester's massive contract if possible.

Carolina Hurricanes: Elite Forward

The Carolina Hurricanes need a lot of improvement, but they really need another top forward to help out stars Jeff Skinner and Eric Staal. Outside of those two players, there is little offensive skill on their team.

Chicago Blackhawks: Goaltending

The Chicago Blackhawks' goaltending has been inconsistent this season, and it would be ideal for the team if they could upgrade it in the summer.

Goaltending, and Jonathan Toews' health, will determine how far the team goes in the playoffs this season.

Colorado Avalanche: A Veteran

Outside of captain Milan Hejduk, the Colorado Avalanche don't have too many veterans. Finding a top-line or second-line forward with some veteran experience would be perfect for the Avalanche.

Columbus Blue Jackets: Goaltending

The Columbus Blue Jackets will never improve as a franchise unless they find a legitimate No. 1 goaltender that the team can build around.

They may find that player by trading star winger Rick Nash in the summer, but free agency is also an option.

Dallas Stars: Defensive Depth

The Dallas Stars have good goaltending and some solid depth at forward, but lack a true No. 1 defenseman. Beefing up their blue line is the next step to the Stars being a real contender in the Western Conference.

Detroit Red Wings: Defensive Depth

With the possibility of Nicklas Lidstrom retiring and Brad Stuart leaving as a free agent, the Detroit Red Wings will need to add some defensive depth through free agency.

They could call up defense prospect Brendan Smith, but they will still need to add a veteran.

Edmonton Oilers: No. 1 Defenseman

With a number of good offensive talents such as Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle, the next step for the Edmonton Oilers is finding a No. 1 defenseman to build the back end around.

Florida Panthers: Re-Sign Kris Versteeg

The Florida Panthers have a number of elite prospects who can fill their roster holes this summer, so priority No. 1 for the team in free agency is to re-sign star forward Kris Versteeg, who is having a career season offensively.

He will be a restricted free agent on July 1.

Los Angeles Kings: Scoring Depth

Even with Jeff Carter arriving at the trade deadline, the Los Angeles Kings still need some more scoring depth.

The team will need to find an upgrade over Dustin Penner in the summer and find a reliable scoring winger.

Minnesota Wild: Offensive Depth

With injuries to key forwards Devin Setoguchi and Mikko Koivu hurting the team offensively this season, the Minnesota Wild need to find a durable scorer who can contribute offensively.

The Wild have a lot of cap room in the summer, and may push hard to sign star winger Zach Parise. 

Montreal Canadiens: Elite Forward

Outside of goaltending, the Montreal Canadiens need a lot of improvements at both ends of the ice.

However, the lack of a true star forward is really hurting them. Many of their better forwards have been hurt this season, which has cost them.

Finding a top forward will be a priority, but re-signing star goaltender Carey Price and young defenseman PK Subban are the first orders of business.  

Nashville Predators: Re-Sign Shea Weber and Ryan Suter

Shea Weber and Ryan Suter are two of the best defensemen in the NHL and are both free agents this summer. Weber is restricted and Suter is unrestricted. 

The Nashville Predators must lock up Suter first then also convince Weber to stay. How far they go in the playoffs this season may determine Nashville's ability to keep both star blue-liners beyond this year.

New Jersey Devils: Re-Sign Zach Parise

Zach Parise wants to win and make a lot of money with the team he signs with in free agency this summer, but the New Jersey Devils can only give him the dollar part of that.

Parise is a top-tier player and a complete offensive star. The Devils will do everything they can to re-sign their captain, but I can't imagine him staying.

New York Islanders: No. 1 Defenseman

The New York Islanders need a No. 1-caliber defenseman badly, but it will be hard to attract one because the team isn't a top contender and they play in a terrible arena.

Christian Ehrhoff didn't sign with the Islanders last season when the Canucks traded his negotiating rights to them, and instead signed with Buffalo. He isn't even a No. 1 d-man.

New York Rangers: Left Wing

The New York Rangers need more left-wing depth and may find it when top prospect Chris Kreider joins the team soon.

However, if Kreider shows that he isn't ready for the NHL game yet, then the Rangers will need to find a left winger in free agency.

Ottawa Senators: Top-4 Defenseman

The Ottawa Senators could certainly use another top four defenseman, especially if they decide to move veteran blue-liner Sergei Gonchar and his sizable salary-cap hit.

However, if captain Daniel Alfredsson doesn't return next year and retires, then the Senators will also need to find a top six forward.

Philadelphia Flyers: Top Defenseman

With captain Chris Pronger's NHL future uncertain due to injury and Pavel Kubina and Matt Carle set to become free agents, the Philadelphia Flyers need to either re-sign some blue-liners or sign a No. 1 defenseman such as Ryan Suter in free agency.

The team's forward depth is strong and won't need much improvement.

Phoenix Coyotes: Re-Sign Top Forwards

The uncertainty of where they'll play next season is something that will hurt the Phoenix Coyotes' ability to attract free agents, which makes re-signing captain Shane Doan and top forward Ray Whitney top priorities.

If those two leave, the team's offense will be massively hurt. 

Pittsburgh Penguins: Backup Goalie

Marc-Andre Fleury is an elite goaltender and still doesn't receive the credit he deserves, but the Pittsburgh Penguins cannot afford to play him in too many games and allow him to tire.

Finding a better backup goalie in the offseason is something the team needs to address.

San Jose Sharks: Younger Forwards

The San Jose Sharks should seriously consider breaking up some of their core and getting younger at forward this summer. Outside of Logan Couture, the future offensive depth doesn't look too promising for the Sharks.

Finding a top young scorer is a big need for the Sharks, who have to get younger.

St. Louis Blues: Proven Goal-Scorer

The St. Louis Blues don't have an elite goal scorer, but with their defense-first style of hockey, a top offensive player isn't a top priority.

However, adding a reliable scorer would certainly give the Blues another leg up on many of their Western Conference rivals.

Tampa Bay Lightning: Goaltending

Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman gambled that veteran goaltender Dwayne Roloson would have another fine season at age 42 and he guessed wrong.

The Lightning won't make a deep playoff run like they did in 2011 anytime in the future without a better goaltender.

Toronto Maple Leafs: Goaltending

There's a lot of improvements that need to be made to help the Toronto Maple Leafs get back into the playoffs, but the top priority this summer is finding a top-tier goaltender.

A top line center and another top four defenseman are also big needs, but goaltending is the most important need to address.

Vancouver Canucks: 3rd/4th Line Scoring

When the Vancouver Canucks traded Cody Hodgson to the Buffalo Sabres at the trade deadline, they lost some of their scoring from the bottom two lines. 

In free agency, the Canucks need to find some more offensive depth for their third and fourth lines.

Washington Capitals: Better Defensive Talent

The Washington Capitals need to re-sign young defenseman John Carlson this summer but locking up Mike Green long-term might not be a good idea given his history of injuries.

The Capitals need to find a top defenseman in free agency this summer who can be a shut down player.

Winnipeg Jets: Defensive Depth

The Winnipeg Jets could really use another defensive defenseman to bolster their blue line and make them more difficult to play against.

The team could also add an offensive defenseman to make up for the loss of Johnny Oduya, who was traded at the deadline.