NHL Trade/Free Agent News: Every Team's Biggest Roster Hole Heading into Summer

When free agency begins on July 1, every NHL team will be looking to fill the holes on its roster by looking at which free agents are a good fit and what trades can make the team better.

Since this free-agent class isn't as talented as in years past, we could see more trades this summer than we normally see.

Let's look at every team's roster hole(s) that must be fixed in the offseason.

Anaheim Ducks

With Jason Blake likely going to leave the team in free agency unless he is willing to take a decent pay cut, left wing will be a position of need for the Anaheim Ducks.

Without Blake, Bobby Ryan would be the team's only dependable left winger from an offensive standpoint.

Boston Bruins

Since Brian Rolston and Benoit Pouliot may leave the team in free agency, the Boston Bruins also need more depth at left wing.

The Bruins need a more productive third-line left winger that can also help the team's awful power play.

Buffalo Sabres

Injuries over the last few years have created the needed for more defensive depth in Buffalo. The Sabres need to improve defensively if they want to win the Northeast Division in 2012-13.

They have to be able to play well, even if one of their better blueliners such as Christian Ehrhoff goes down with an injury for an extended period of time.

Calgary Flames

Even if the Calgary Flames re-sign their second-leading scorer, Olli Jokinen, they still need to add more depth and youth at the center position.

They need another playmaker who can help talented wingers such as Jarome Iginla and Mike Cammalleri score goals more consistently.

Carolina Hurricanes

In an ideal world for the Carolina Hurricanes, giving Eric Staal's line a superstar scorer on the wing would be the best way for the team to improve.

Unless they can convince Zach Parise to sign with the team in free agency, the Hurricanes will have to find Staal a winger in the trade market.

Chicago Blackhawks

Other than examining the strength of their goaltending talent and depth, the Chicago Blackhawks should consider adding another quality center that can score on a consistent basis.

Colorado Avalanche

Acquiring a No. 1 defenseman would be a smart move for the Colorado Avalanche, but since they have a lot of free agents to re-sign in the offseason, I don't see that happening.

Columbus Blue Jackets

The glaring hole on the Blue Jackets roster is certainly at the goaltender position; there's no doubt about it. If the team is committed to trading Rick Nash in the summer, not acquiring a quality goaltender as part of that deal would be unacceptable.

Dallas Stars

Finding another center who cans score goals and serve as a playmaker for the team's plethora of talented wingers should be a top priority for the Dallas Stars this summer.

A few good offseason moves could make Dallas a strong contender for the playoffs in 2012-13.

Detroit Red Wings

If the Detroit Red Wings can add a talented young defenseman and a young scorer in the offseason, they will win the Western Conference next year.

Edmonton Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers cannot keep drafting offensive players No. 1 overall in the draft when their most glaring roster hole is on defense.

The team's lack of a No. 1 defenseman has held them back for years, so trading the top pick to move down a bit in the draft for a defenseman, while getting some other value in return, would be the best move for the Oilers.

Florida Panthers

The Florida Panthers need to decide what their plans for their goaltending are going forward. Should they hand over the starting job to top prospect Jacob Markstrom, or should they make a bold trade for Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo?

The Panthers would be one of the few teams with enough salary cap space to take on Luongo's enormous contract.

Los Angeles Kings

There aren't any glaring holes on the Los Angeles Kings roster that will need to be addressed this summer. However, adding a reliable scorer on the wing would be a nice addition for general manager Dean Lombardi to make.

Minnesota Wild

Adding a top-six center would be a huge boost to the Minnesota Wild considering their lack of depth at the position and the injury issues that prevented Mikko Koivu from being on top of his game last season.

Montreal Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens have a lot of roster issues to address in the summer, but adding another top defenseman should be their top priority in the trade market and/or free agency because I don't think they will bolster their blueline with the No. 3 overall draft pick.

Nashville Predators

Locking up elite defensemen Ryan Suter and Shea Weber for the long-term future is the challenge that will decide the Nashville Predators' success over the next decade.

New Jersey Devils

If Zach Parise doesn't want his future to be in New Jersey, then the Devils will be finding a top score to replace him. In the event that goaltender Martin Broduer retires, the Devils would also need to replace him as well.

New York Islanders

The New York Islanders' biggest need is finding an elite defenseman who is already an NHL star or drafting a top defenseman prospect with the No. 4 overall pick.

The Islanders should really consider doing both.

New York Rangers

I don't expect the Rangers to make a Brad Richards-like signing in free agency this summer, but re-signing Brandon Prust and finding another center who can score goals should be two things that general manager Glen Sather does in the offseason.

Ottawa Senators

The Ottawa Senators need to find another top-six winger that can score goals on a consistent basis. Re-signing Norris Trophy finalist Erik Karlsson should be the first order of business in Ottawa, however.

Philadelphia Flyers

Chris Pronger's future as an NHL player will probably be the biggest factor in determining what the Flyers' plan of attack will be in the summer. Either way, acquiring a top-four defenseman needs to happen for the Flyers to improve next season.

Phoenix Coyotes

After the Phoenix Coyotes' top forwards really struggled offensively against the Los Angeles Kings in the Western Conference Finals, the team needs to look at adding a scorer or two who can provide a more consistent offensive punch in the playoffs next season. These players would ideally have proven playoff success.

Replacing Ray Whitney with a younger scorer would also be a smart idea.

Pittsburgh Penguins

The most glaring hole on the Pittsburgh Penguins roster is on their blue line, but the top task for the team this summer must be deciding what the future holds for Sidney Crosby and Jordan Staal.

Should Pittsburgh re-sign both players? General manager Ray Shero has several different options to consider this summer.

San Jose Sharks

Finding a more consistent scorer at the right wing position in the free agent or trade market in the summer should be a goal for the Sharks.

The moves made this offseason by general manager Doug Wilson will determine whether the Sharks will contend for a few more years or head for a rebuild.

St. Louis Blues

The St. Louis Blues need a superstar goal scorer that can shine against strong defensive teams. They don't have that player on their roster right now.

This was evident in the playoffs when Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick dominated the Blues forwards in a series sweep in the second round.

Tampa Bay Lightning

The most glaring hole on the Tampa Bay Lightning is obviously at the goaltender position. If the Lightning can find a star goalie in the free agent or trade market, then they could make the Stanley Cup Final next season out of the Eastern Conference.

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Maple Leafs' issues have been clear for several years now: They need a top-line center and a star goalie.

General manager Brian Burke should consider trading for either Jordan Staal or Roberto Luongo to help address the team's weaknesses.

Vancouver Canucks

The top priority for Vancouver Canucks general manager Mike Gillis this summer should be bolstering the depth and talent of the team's blue line. If Gillis can accomplish this, then the Canucks could find themselves back in the Stanley Cup Final next season.

Washington Capitals

If Alexander Semin decides his that future would be better away from Washington, then the Capitals will need to find another superstar winger that can score goals and contribute to the power play. Figuring out which defenseman to re-sign will also be a tough challenge for the Capitals.

Winnipeg Jets

Adding a No. 1 defenseman could be the one move that makes the Winnipeg Jets a playoff team in the Eastern Conference next season. The Jets need to improve their defensive corps in the summer.