How Every Stanley Cup Contender Can Solve Its Biggest Weakness at Trade Deadline

The Los Angeles Kings rolled to the Stanley Cup championship from the eighth spot in the Western Conference.

They didn't clinch a spot in the playoffs until the final week of the season, and then they were hockey's best team in the postseason.

Many pundits like to point out that any team that makes the playoffs is a threat to go all the way if they get hot. That's a bit too simplistic. The Kings found their balance after a late-season trade brought in the goal-scoring talents of Jeff Carter and Los Angeles suddenly found a way to score goals.

This year, we see nine teams that have a legitimate chance to win the Stanley Cup. The well-balanced Western Conference has six of those teams, and one of them is sitting outside the top eight as of April 1. However, if that team earns a playoff spot, we see them having a legitimate chance.

Here's how these nine contenders can fix weaknesses by the trade deadline.

Chicago Blackhawks

The Blackhawks served notice that they were going to seize control of the Western Conference when they whipped the defending Stanley Cup champion Kings on their home ice on opening day.

Led by Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, the Blackhawks play the puck possession game, and they do it extremely well. They have a talented defense, and the goaltending has been sensational with Corey Crawford and Ray Emery.

However, Stan Bowman knows that his team is not perfect. If the Blackhawks are going to make a serious run at the their second Stanley Cup championship in four years, they need some help on defense.

Bowman also addressed their need for a center who can control the faceoff dot when they acquired Michal Handzus from the San Jose Sharks for a fourth-round pick in 2013 (per NHL.com). Handzus is winning 55 percent of his faceoffs this season.

Montreal Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens are a lot more than a surprising team that has rebounded from a poor season in 2011-12.

The Canadiens are riding high in first place in the Northeast Division. They have quickness, excellent playmaking and an ability to execute in clutch situations. While they tended to fade away when the game was on the line last year, that's when they have been at their best this year.

They have loads of talent in Max Pacioretty, Tomas Plekanec, Michael Ryder, Brendan Gallagher and P.K. Subban. The coaching of Michel Therrien has given this team discipline and determination.

Carey Price can be spectacular in goal, but he has a few nights that are not up to par.

However, if the Canadiens are going to go on a run in the postseason, they need some size and strength. The Canadiens depend on speed and quickness, and their smaller players compete with fire, but a bigger opponent could wear them down in a long playoff battle.

The Canadiens need some size up front and on the blue line.

Anaheim Ducks

The Anaheim Ducks have been nearly as surprising in the Western Conference as the Montreal Canadiens have been in the Eastern Conference.

The Ducks are a big, strong and hard-hitting team that has combined clutch scoring with great goaltending. The Ducks have beaten the Chicago Blackhawks in all three of their meetings this season, including two in regulation.

However, the Ducks are not a perfect team. If general manager Bob Murray is going to give this team a better chance, it needs some more scoring from its forwards.

It's not just about Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Bobby Ryan. While golden oldies Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu will provide occasional offense, the Ducks can use some more offensive pop, and Murray would be wise to add it prior to the trade deadline.

Boston Bruins

The Boston Bruins started the season in a sensational manner and would have been the hottest team in the league in the first two months if not for the Chicago Blackhawks.

They slowed down quite a bit in March, and their inability to score clutch goals is the team's biggest weakness. The top line of Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand and Tyler Seguin has been an ongoing concern most of the season, but the second line of Nathan Horton, David Krejci and Milan Lucic has struggled to find consistency.

The Bruins need scoring help, and that's why Peter Chiarelli went after Jarome Iginla (per Boston.com). He may not find a scorer with Iginla's touch the rest of the way, but if the Bruins are going to make a run at their second Stanley Cup in three years, he must find someone who can score clutch goals.

The defense may need some help, as Adam McQuaid (shoulder) will probably miss the rest of the regular season.

Los Angeles Kings

The Los Angeles Kings were unimpressive in the early going, as they were suffering from the Stanley Cup hangover that impacts so many championship teams.

However, they have shaken off those issues and are a solid team once again. The Kings are not in championship form yet, but it is going to take a substantial effort for any Western Conference team to beat them.

The Kings appear to have the firepower this year, but injuries have hurt them on the defensive end. General manager Dean Lombardi acquired defenseman Robyn Regehr from the Buffalo Sabres for a pair of second-round draft picks.

The deal was first reported by Darren Dreger of TSN:

"

Regehr to Kings for a pair of 2nd round draft picks. #tradecentre

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) April 2, 2013"

Pittsburgh Penguins

The Pittsburgh Penguins are going for it this year.

General manager Ray Shero may have won the trade deadline sweepstakes already since he has already acquired Jarome Iginla, Brendan Morrow and big defenseman Douglas Murray.

However, the Penguins have been getting hit hard by injuries, so Shero may not be done. He knows he can't replace Sidney Crosby (broken jaw) during the regular season since he's the best player in the game.

Shero won't make any more major moves, but he could be helped by a center who can win some faceoffs and a depth defenseman with Kris Letang (lower-body injury) sidelined.

Minnesota Wild

The Minnesota Wild continue to shock the hockey world with their stellar play as the season progresses.

After playing up-and-down hockey in the first two months of the season, they have been one of the most consistent teams in the league over the last month. After an excellent month of March, the Wild have won eight of their last 10 games and they are in a fever-pitch battle with the Vancouver Canucks for first place in the Northwest Division.

The Wild have talent and leadership. Adding Zach Parise and Ryan Suter during free agency was a great move, and those two have asserted themselves as the season has progressed.

The team also looks fairly complete, and the Wild do not figure to be very active prior to the trade deadline. However, if general manager Chuck Fletcher is going to make a move, he might want a defenseman and a depth forward.

The Wild do not want to give up any of their young talent, so staying with a pat hand may be the way to go.

Vancouver Canucks

The Vancouver Canucks are used to running away and hiding in the regular season.

At the start of the year, there was little reason to think they would not be strong President's Trophy contenders. However, they have been pushed hard by the Minnesota Wild for first place in the division.

The Canucks still think of themselves as a legitimate Stanley Cup contender, but they don't look as strong as the 2011 Stanley Cup finalists. Much of that is due to Ryan Kesler's injury issues that have allowed him to play just seven games.

The Canucks could use some help on the front line to offset his absence. If they can pry Mike Ribeiro away from the Washington Capitals or Jaromir Jagr from the Dallas Stars, that could help their chances of making a long run in the postseason.

The Canucks may still move Roberto Luongo, but that is not considered a sure thing.

Edmonton Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers? Stanley Cup contenders?

Most observers would dismiss that possibility in 2013. The Oilers aren't even in the top eight as of April 1. They are two points out of a playoff spot.

However, they have won three games in a row and their young talent is just starting to percolate. With Taylor Hall, Sam Gagner, Jordan Eberle, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Ales Hemsky leading the way, the Oilers could be quite a lot to handle for any team in a playoff series if they come in with momentum.

The Oilers could use a big-time defenseman and a physical forward to complete their team. If they can add two players who fill these needs, the Oilers just might have the right stuff to make a long run.

That's a lot to ask and certainly a long shot, but the Oilers have talented skaters and scorers. It's simply a matter of their talent jelling at the right moment.

It could happen this season.