NHL Free Agency: Updated Stock Report on Each Pacific Division Team

The Pacific Division was the NHL's most competitive throughout the 2011-12 season.

One point separated the division-winning Phoenix Coyotes (97 points) from the second-place San Jose Sharks (96 points) and the third-place Los Angeles Kings (95 points).

Even the fourth-place Dallas Stars (89 points) were in the playoff hunt until the season's final week, and the last-place Anaheim Ducks (80 points) were the league's best cellar-dweller.

Many people believed throughout the season that the parity in the Pacific Division was due to "mediocrity" rather than competitiveness.

This idea was of course debunked, as the Coyotes and Kings knocked off the rest of the Western Conference elite en route to the Conference Finals.

The Kings represented the Pacific Division and the West in the Stanley Cup Finals, where they beat the New Jersey Devils—a team from the supposedly superior Atlantic Division.

Now, as the NHL offseason rolls on, the Pacific Division is changing shape. Some teams are improving, some are getting worse. The 2012-13 season will likely again be a very closely contested one for these five teams, but the past month of activity will influence how the final results will be different.

Anaheim Ducks

Where stock was after last season

Low. The Ducks ended the season as the worst team in the Pacific Division. They were also the only Western Conference 2010-11 playoff team to miss the playoffs this year.

Stock up or down?

Down. The Ducks have not made any significant additions to their NHL roster, meaning they are still at the bottom of the Pacific Division barrel.

They traded Lubomir Visnovsky, weakening an already soft blue line. Teemu Selanne may not return next season, which would turn the already thin-rostered Ducks into a one-line team. In addition, the team is likely to move another star player—Bobby Ryan—and receive little in the way of immediate returns.

How it can change

If the Ducks re-sign Selanne and swing a good deal for Bobby Ryan, their stock will level out to where it was after the season. If they get a ridiculous deal for Ryan and land a quality free agent, their stock will go up.

Dallas Stars

Where stock was after last season

Fairly low. The Stars missed the playoffs for the fourth straight season, and have finished in ninth place the last two years.

Stock up or down?

Up. The Stars have been very active this offseason. Some moves have been good, some lateral, but none bad.

The Stars moved the talented but problematic and overpaid Mike Ribeiro for prospect Cody Eakin and a draft pick. They have lost grit in Steve Ott and Adam Burish, but added a much needed center in Derek Roy and two talented wingers in Jaromir Jagr and Ray Whitney.

While the team signed players that will not help them rebuild or win a Cup, they have improved their chances at re-entering the top eight out West in 2012-13. 

How it can change

The Stars' stock seems set for the offseason—they are a better team but not headed for greatness. There will likely be no changes until the trading deadline, when they'll either flip Jagr/Whitney for prospects or gear up for a playoff run.

Los Angeles Kings

Where stock was after last season

High. The Kings won the Stanley Cup.

Stock up or down?

Down. The Kings have not added any significant players. For most young, talented teams, this wouldn't be a bad thing—keep the core together and let them grow.

However, LA is coming off a Cup victory, which means that the core has already accomplished this goal. This in turn means that the team is facing an inevitable let-down, as well as a tougher season due to the target on their backs.

To cancel these things out, championship teams must improve—or at least shake up—their roster. LA has done neither.

How it can change

The Kings have an excellent roster, but face the difficult challenge of defending their title. The only way to get their stock back up to where it was after the season is with a dominant regular season; until then, they're simply one of several Cup-contenders.

Phoenix Coyotes

Where stock was after last season

High. The Coyotes had just completed their best season ever, losing in the Western Conference Finals to the eventual Cup champions. 

Stock up or down?

Down. The Coyotes have had a terrible offseason, largely due to the terrible state of their franchise.

They've done some role-player swapping, adding guys like Zbynek Michalek and Steve Sullivan while losing Adrian Aucoin and Taylor Pyatt. However, the Coyotes have lost their leading scorer Ray Whitney, and are at risk of losing their captain Shane Doan. 

How it can change

The same way it always does. Last summer, the Coyotes looked done as contenders, losing Ed Jovanovski and Ilya Bryzgalov. They responded with a division title and Conference Finals run. With Dave Tippett behind the bench, the sorry-looking Coyotes could once again storm into the playoffs.

San Jose Sharks

Where stock was after last season

Moderate. They made the playoffs for the eighth straight season but lost in the first round, getting a year older in the process. 

Stock up or down?

Slightly up. The team hasn't landed the big-name player they need to again become a Cup favorite, but they have improved their roster.

The signing of Brad Stuart significantly improves the team's blue line, making it an elite unit. The signing of Adam Burish is minor, but like Stuart brings toughness and consistency to a soft, inconsistent team.

Still, without goal-scoring talent and speed added up front, the Sharks will not surpass the Kings as division favorites and will not be deep enough to withstand injuries should they occur. 

How it can change

The Sharks' stock could change with the addition of a quality free agent forward or a blockbuster trade. The signing of a top-six free agent forward would almost certainly make the team division favorites, while a big trade would likely either do the same or the opposite.