5 NHL Teams That Will Improve Drastically in 2012-13

The Edmonton Oilers are one team that will drastically improve in the 2012-13 NHL season, thanks to a strong draft and their moves in free agency.

Several other teams with young players who are developing into star players will break through next year and become playoff contenders.

Here are five teams that will improve mightily next year.

Dallas Stars

The Dallas Stars should be one of the most improved teams in the Western Conference next season. Young players like Jamie Benn give Stars fans reasons to be excited about their team's hopes for next year.

If the Stars can make sure they have enough depth and talent on the blue line, Dallas will be a top contender for the Pacific Division title and an almost-certain playoff team.

With strong goaltending and a consistently productive offense, Dallas will make the playoffs next season.

Montreal Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens will contend for the playoffs next season if they don't have the same injuries to key players.

With a healthy Carey Price in net and an improved blue line, the Canadiens could be a difficult team to beat.

With a talented new general manager in Marc Bergevin, Montreal should be able to make the moves necessary in free agency to help the club contend next year.

Ottawa Senators

The Ottawa Senators will keep getting better next season and will build on their playoff berth from this past year.

Young center Kyle Turris and Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson will continue to improve and will help make the Senators one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. Their depth on the blue line, between the pipes and at forward is quite impressive.

With the young talent needed to make a major trade for a superstar and the salary cap space to sign a big star in the offseason, Ottawa will be a team to watch this summer.

Minnesota Wild

The Minnesota Wild will likely be aggressive in free agency and could also be active in the trade market. They have strong goaltending and several offensive players who can score goals at an impressive rate, if healthy.

If top prospect Mikael Granlund comes to the NHL as expected, he will help add much-needed goal scoring and speed to the team's top two lines.

The Wild will be a top contender for one of the final playoff spots in the Western Conference next season.

Edmonton Oilers

The Oilers will not be in the draft lottery next season unless several stars suffer injuries. Nail Yakupov will add another complete offensive player to the forward group. And with young center Sam Gagner continuing to improve, Edmonton could certainly be one of the highest-scoring teams in the league next season.

The addition of top prospect Justin Schultz will help strengthen the Oilers' blue line, but they still need to add another quality defenseman in free agency.

The time is now for the Oilers to take the next step as a franchise and contend for the playoffs.