NHL Hot Stove: The Message Each Team Is Hoping to Send Its Fanbase

The NHL draft and free agency period is approaching, so team executives will be weighing their options. Each move made can send a message to the fanbase in a negative or positive way. 

Trades, free agent signings and draft choices can speak volumes. With that in mind, what message will each team hope to send its fanbase this summer?

Anaheim: Last Year Was a Fluke

The Anaheim Ducks had a terrible start to last season. It was an uncharacteristic season for a team that boasts talented forwards like Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Bobby Ryan. The Ducks have a few major players who will need new contracts at the end of next season.

For that reason, don't expect the Ducks to make any outrageous trades involving their big three. Bob Murray wants to prove that last year was a fluke and that the Ducks will be contenders.

If the Ducks flounder early next season, expect them to entertain offers for their contract-expiring stars.

Boston: We Will Be a Stanley Cup Contender Next Season

The Boston Bruins may not have Tim Thomas next season, but they will put their faith in Tuukka Rask in order to be a Stanley Cup contender next season. The Bruins are also a team expected to be in the Rick Nash sweepstakes. Adding a player like Nash would improve the Bruins offense in a big way.

If the Bruins can land a top piece like Nash or a secondary scoring veteran like Ray Whitney, it would be a huge sign to the fans that they intend to be in the 2012-13 Stanley Cup final.

Buffalo: It Is Time to Make Changes

The Buffalo Sabres are a team that is ready to make changes. They decided to trade prospect Zach Kassian at the trade deadline in exchange for young center Cody Hodgson. They also attempted to trade Derek Roy at the deadline.

The message the Sabres will try to send is that they are ready to trade some of their familiar faces. Terry Pegula has deep pockets and wants Buffalo to be a playoff contender, so expect changes to occur in Buffalo this summer.

Calgary: Maybe It Is Time to Consider Rebuilding

The Calgary Flames hired a new head coach, so there is a chance that a new system and style could be implemented in Calgary. A recent report from NBC indicates that the Flames may finally trade some of their veterans like Jarome Iginla.

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Roger Millions passes along an intriguing detail, though: it sounds like the Flames’ days of spending to the cap are over.

To be more specific, Millions expects the Flames budget to be around $55 million, which would be about $15 million less than the expected cap ceiling if the CBA doesn’t alter the cap. Either way, it sounds like the Flames’ spending will be reined in quite a bit.

Get rid of Kipper, Iggy or Bouwmeester?

According to Capgeek, the Flames currently have about $50.3 million committed to the cap next season, with 16 players covered. Millions and Kent Wilson believe that one or more of big-money players Jarome Iginla, Miikka Kiprusoff and Jay Bouwmeester might need to go to make things work.

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If the Flames ultimately trade their captain and the face of the franchise that is Jarome Iginla, it will signify a long-awaited rebuild.

Carolina: We Want to Be Big Players

The Carolina Hurricanes are a team that wants to be near the top of the Eastern Conference. To get there, the Hurricanes need more elite talent. Eric Staal is one of the league's top center-men and is arguably their only star outside of Cam Ward in goal.

Jeff Skinner has tons of potential, but the Hurricanes would love to have multiple weapons. By pursuing Zach Parise and Ryan Suter, the Hurricanes will show their fans that they are in it to win it.

Chicago: We Like Our Team and Think We Can Win

The 2011-12 Chicago Blackhawks were different than the 2009-10 Blackhawks, but they still found ways to be successful. The Blackhawks have players like Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Marian Hossa and Patrick Sharp who do great things for the team.

The Blackhawks have young talent on their roster and in their farm system, so expect their moves this summer to be quieter. The biggest move the Blackhawks might make is upgrading in net. Corey Crawford had a rough season, but the 'Hawks may give him another chance to right the ship.

Colorado: We Are Almost There

The Colorado Avalanche have tons of talented young players, who are progressing quite nicely. In a year or two, the Avs could be a very strong team. The first moves the Avs have made this offseason were re-signing David Jones and Milan Hejduk, two players who play an important role.

The Avs have some restricted free agents that they need to re-sign. But the overall message is that the team is developing with its youth movement and is almost on the way to being a solid contender in the Western Conference.

Columbus: It Is Time to Move Forward

Scott Howson wanted an absurd return for Rick Nash at the trade deadline, and no team was willing to give in to his demands. Howson then revealed that Nash requested the trade.

Nash wants to leave and Columbus wants a return for its franchise player. The fair asking price for Nash this offseason starts with two roster players, a draft pick and a prospect or two.

The message the Blue Jackets want to send is that they are ready to move forward in taking steps to become a contending team.

Dallas: We Will Make the Playoffs

The Dallas Stars came close to making the playoffs last year. A few injuries early on derailed the Stars' hot start and it was a tough road to hoe from that point onward. The Stars' primary task will be locking up free agent Jamie Benn.

Benn was one of the Stars' breakout players last season. With Benn on the team and their key players healthy, the Stars fans want to know that they can make the playoffs. There is always a good chance the Stars add a secondary scorer through free agency, but don't expect a huge splash.

Detroit: We Want to Make a Splash in Free Agency

Nicklas Lidstrom retired, ending a two decade-long career with the Detroit Red Wings. In addition, his retirement created a hole that will be impossible to fill on the Red Wings blue line. When you consider that Brad Stuart is likely leaving town, the 'Wings will need some top-notch defensive help.

Enter Ryan Suter.

Suter is a player who is going to get a massive pay day from his current base salary of $3.5 million a year. With all of the cap space the 'Wings have, they could persuade Suter and possibly Zach Parise to join their ranks.

The end of the Lidstrom era in Detroit may have started, but this summer, the franchise can head in a new direction with Suter and, potentially, Parise.

Edmonton: This Is the Year We Make the Playoffs

The Edmonton Oilers shouldn't be picking No.1 overall this year. I am not implying that there was a draft conspiracy, but another lottery-pick finish was not in the cards. The team was supposed to be a playoff contender with young stars Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle at the helm.

If the Oilers draft Nail Yakupov as expected, there is a good chance he will be thrown right into the fire. If the Oilers boast this much offensive firepower, expect them to make some defense upgrades via free agency to send a message that they will be a playoff team this season.

Florida: We Will Be Make It Past the First Round Next Season

The Florida Panthers returned to the playoffs this year and almost upset the New Jersey Devils in the first round.

They have a good set of forwards and some prospects who may make the team next year, so they could stand to add another player with offensive upside to show their fans that they will make it past the first round next season.

A player the Panthers could consider adding is Olli Jokinen.

Jokinen posted his best career numbers with the Panthers in the 2000s and was a top offensive threat. The Panthers now have a more established cast, so re-acquiring Jokinen would be a solid move.

Jokinen had a solid 61-point year for Calgary, so adding him to the fold would only increase Florida's offensive depth.

Los Angeles: We Will Be a Cup Contender Again Next Year

The Los Angeles Kings are one win away from capturing their first Stanley Cup. The message the team is going to send its fans is that they will be a legitimate contender once again next season.

The team's core is signed long term—sans Jonathan Quick, who likely will get paid big time this offseason— and that will only increase their odds for playoff success.

The team could go in two directions this offseason. The first direction would see the team holding onto the majority of their free agents and attempting to catch lightning in a bottle again. The second option could see the Kings targeting a high-profile player like Zach Parise.

Either way, the Kings will display to their fans that they will be a Cup contender next season.

Minnesota: We Want to Make a Splash in Free Agency

New Jersey Devils forward Zach Parise is the top free agent this summer. Minnesota would love to add the hometown kid to its roster because he is an offensive threat and all-world player. Adding a player like Parise would be huge for the Wild.

Since entering the NHL, Minnesota has drawn much of its talent through the draft or through trades involving prospects. If Parise was landed, it would give the Wild a credible offensive threat and would make Minnesota an attractive landing spot for future free agents.

Montreal: We Are Headed in the Right Direction

The Montreal Canadiens fired their general manager and head coach to start their offseason. The Canadiens now have a new coach and general manager. That alone should show the fans that they are ready to go in a new direction.

The Canadiens will try to dump Scott Gomez this offseason, They will also look to hold on to their young talented restricted free agents.

This changing of the guard should send the fans a message that indicates they are heading in the right direction to once again becoming a successful playoff team.

Nashville: We Want to Build for the Future

The Nashville Predators had no problem locking up Pekka Rinne for the foreseeable future earlier this season. But this offseason will be a lot more challenging when it comes to Shea Weber and Ryan Suter.

Suter is a UFA who could hit the open market on July 1st and earn a massive payday. His brother-in-arms Shea Weber does not have this luxury. Weber is a RFA and has his rights locked up to Nashville for at least one more year if they qualify him.

The odds of keeping both are just as high as losing both. If Suter walks, Weber likely could request a trade or a one-year-deal that will make him a UFA next season.

Either way, the Predators want to send a message that they are trying to build for the future, even though the top two stars may not share their vision.

New Jersey: We Want to Keep Zach Parise

The New Jersey Devils may not be able to re-sign Zach Parise due to financial constraints, but the team will send a message to the fans that they wanted to keep Parise but he decided to leave for more money.

Parise is a popular player and the Devils will need to apply some spin to the situation so the fans don't blame management for letting Parise walk. If the Devils fall short in the final, the fanbase will already be in the dumps, so adding the loss of a star player would only make matters worse.

New York Islanders: We Want to Be Competitive

The New York Islanders may lose one of their better players this offseason. P.A. Parenteau will test the free agent waters and odds are he will be signed to a deal the Islanders won't match. Even though the Islanders will lose Parenteau, they will likely replace him in some capacity.

The Islanders need a new building and unless the on-ice talent improves, the odds of the team remaining on Long Island long term are slim. The Islanders want to send a message to their fans that they want to be a competitive team next season.

New York Rangers: We Will Make the Stanley Cup Final Next Season

The New York Rangers fell two wins short of a Stanley Cup berth. The team was injured, slim on depth and offensively stagnant. This offseason the Rangers are expected to make a big push for Zach Parise, defensive prospect Justin Schultz and potentially Rick Nash if Parise is not an option.

The Rangers want to send a message to the fans that they were very close to achieving greatness in 2011-12, but 2012-13 will be the year the Rangers return to the Stanley Cup Final.

Ottawa: We Will Build Upon What We Have Going for Us

The Ottawa Senators took the New York Rangers to a Game 7 in the first round of the playoffs. With only 15 players signed through next season, the best moves the Senators can make start with extending Erik Karlsson.

After that, the Senators would be wise to keep role player and faceoff specialist Zenon Konopka. The Senators may lose Daniel Alfredsson if he decides to retire. If that happens, acquiring a top-notch right wing would be a wise move.

By keeping a successful team together for another season, chemistry will grow, players will improve and the team will have a better chance to be successful.

The message would be that the Senators showed they could contend with the top teams in the East and that they will build upon what they have going for them. A minor move here or there could be made, but the Senators like what they have going for them,

Philadelphia: We Will Be Healthy and Stronger Than Ever

The Philadelphia Flyers are a team with tons of talent but injuries derailed them. Chris Pronger missed a good chunk of the season, Jaromir Jagr had nagging injuries off and on and Claude Giroux and various others were banged up during the playoffs.

The Flyers are likely going to try to keep Matt Carle or they could opt to pursue Ryan Suter. Either way, the Flyers want to let their fans know that they are an elite team that will come back healthier, stronger and better than ever next season.

Phoenix: We Are Committed to Making It Work in the Desert

The Phoenix Coyotes arguably had their best season in the history of the franchise. The team thrived under the leadership of veterans Ray Whitney and Shane Doan, a surprising emergence of Mike Smith in net and  the power of youngsters like Mikkel Bøedker. 

The team wants to stay in the desert but nothing is set in stone. There is a tentative owner in Greg Jamison lined up, but as of right now, the team's future is up in the air.

That will make it hard to hold onto players long-term, but the team wants to send a message that they are committed to the desert long-term.

Pittsburgh: We Will Be a Top Eastern Threat Again

The groundwork on a Sidney Crosby extension is underway, which is a clear indication that Crosby will be a Penguin long-term. With Crosby back next year healthy and Evgeni Malkin coming off a Hart-worthy season, the Penguins will be one of the East's top threats.

The Penguins likely won't make any major moves because of their 2013 cap situation. So expect the Penguins to roll out their winning squad from this season, plus a healthy and stronger Crosby.

St. Louis: We Are a Scorer Away

The St. Louis Blues were one of the NHL's top defensive teams and rode that strength to the second round of the playoffs. The Blues may have solid goaltending and two-way forwards, but they need a legitimate goal scoring threat.

The message is that the team is close. Once the Blues address their goal scoring, they should be a top threat in the Western Conference.

San Jose: Time to Shake Things Up?

The San Jose Sharks have one of the most talented rosters in the NHL, but it hasn't resulted in any playoff success. Therefore, the front office could try shaking things up to light a fire under the current group.

The Sharks will show interest in Rick Nash. He is a power forward who could add size to the Sharks lineup. The Sharks were interested in Nash at the trade deadline but didn't want to pay a high fortune for him.

Now that the list of teams is likely smaller with names like Zach Parise on the free-agent market, a team like the Sharks would benefit from adding a player like Nash.

Tampa Bay: We Are Going to Make the Playoffs

The major hole in need of repair for the Tampa Bay Lightning is goaltending. This offseason, the Lightning will add a goaltender, according to TSN insider Bob McKenzie.

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@AdamV_L_ not ready yet. I think Tampa will trade for Jonathan Bernier.

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 8, 2012

 

McKenzie's tweet only further proves that the Lightning feel that they like their roster and  were only a goalie away from becoming a playoff team once again.

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Toronto: We Want to Make an Impact at the Draft

The Edmonton Oilers need defensemen. The Toronto Maple Leafs need a game-breaking forward. The Oilers have the No. 1 overall draft pick, and the Maple Leafs hold the No. 5 pick.

It is conceivable that the Leafs could package their No. 5 pick and a defenseman like Jake Gardnier or Luke Schenn for Edmonton's No. 1 pick. At No. 5 on the draft board, the Oilers could still pick up either Ryan Murray or Mathew Dumba.

Brian Burke has made his intention clear, so it will be interesting to see how the draft turns out for Toronto.

Vancouver: We Are Investing the Future in Cory Schneider

The Vancouver Canucks are trying to trade Roberto Luongo. They have sent a message that they are moving on and that Schneider will be given a chance as the starting goaltender. The message is very loud, considering Luongo's play helped Vancouver advance to the Stanley Cup Finals last season.

The Canucks are definitely shaking things up a little bit, so it will be interesting to see how the move pays of for Vancouver in the long run.

Washington: Changes Are Coming

Dale Hunter will not be back next year. There is a chance that Mike Green could be traded and it looks like Alex Semin will not be back in Washington. Changes are definitely coming for the Washington Capitals and that is the message being sent.

The team's style of play is evolving. It  will be interesting to see if the coach eventually hired builds upon Hunter's implemented system or if another change is implemented in Washington. 

The bottom line remains that the Capitals and their fans are in for some changes.

Winnipeg: Second Time Is a Charm

The Winnipeg Jets failed to make the playoffs in their first year back, but that was to be expected.

With a young group of players, some talented veterans and a young goaltender, Winnipeg's future is bright.

The team will look to send a message that they will make the playoffs next year. They could do that by  picking up players off the secondary free-agent market. Players like Jiri Hudler, Steve Sullivan and Ray Whitney could be interesting fits for Winnipeg.