Top Offseason Priorities for Teams Eliminated in Round 1 of 2015 NHL Playoffs

As the second round of the 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs begins, the respective management groups of the teams eliminated in the opening round are assessing the reasons behind their demise. They will spend the offseason responding to their top roster priorities.

Each club has various factors to address. Some are rebuilding clubs, hoping to further their development next season. Others are teams that failed to turn strong regular-season performances into postseason successes. Some are once-dominant clubs trying to regain their fading championship luster.

The following slideshow examines the top offseason priorities for NHL teams eliminated in the first round of the 2015 playoffs. It explains why these issues must be addressed and analyzes the options. Feel free to post your take in the comments section.

Detroit Red Wings

Carlos Osorio/Associated Press

The priority: The Detroit Red Wings must determine the status of their head coach and the starting goaltender.

Why it must be addressed: Coach Mike Babcock is in the final season of his contract. It remains to be seen if he'll stay or sign with another club. Backup Petr Mrazek supplanted former starting goalie Jimmy Howard and was superb against the Tampa Bay Lightning. As a result, Howard's future in Detroit could be in doubt. 

Analysis: If Babcock decides to move on, general manager Ken Holland could move quickly to replace him. One option could be former San Jose Sharks coach Todd McLellan. Howard has four years on his contract at an annual cap hit of $5.292 million. If Holland feels the more affordable Mrazek is the real deal, Howard could hit the trade block.

Nashville Predators

Nam Y. Huh/Associated Press

The priority: The Nashville Predators must build upon the promise of a better-than-expected 2014-15 regular season.

Why it must be addressed: The Predators' playoff series against the Chicago Blackhawks was a snapshot of their regular season, starting strong but finishing poorly. One reason was their sloppy defensive numbers against the Blackhawks. Another was a lack of consistency among some of their top scorers. 

Analysis: Because playoff rental Cody Franson was a bust, general manager David Poile might pursue a veteran top-four defenseman via trade or free agency. He could also add a top-six winger and perhaps a skilled checking-line forward. Pending free-agent centers Mike Ribeiro and Mike Fisher could be re-signed to short-term contracts.

New York Islanders

Alex Brandon/Associated Press

The priority: The New York Islanders must bolster their blue-line depth.

Why it must be addressed: ESPN.com's Craig Custance notes that injuries to Travis Hamonic, Calvin de Haan and Lubomir Visnovsky revealed the Islanders' need for another experienced top-four defenseman. Such an addition could also improve their woeful penalty killing.

Analysis: General manager Garth Snow must re-sign restricted free agents Anders Lee, Brock Nelson and Thomas Hickey. After that, he should have sufficient salary-cap room to add an affordable second-pairing blueliner via trade or free agency.

Ottawa Senators

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The priority: The Ottawa Senators must free up salary-cap space to re-sign their key free agents.

Why it must be addressed: The Senators usually don't spend to the salary-cap ceiling. They have over $57 million invested in payroll for 2015-16. Young forwards Mark Stone, Mike Hoffman, Mika Zibanejad, Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Alex Chiasson are restricted free agents. Goaltender Andrew Hammond and forward Erik Condra are unrestricted. 

Analysis: If Hammond is re-signed, backup goalie Robin Lehner ($2.25 million cap hit) could be dealt. Ottawa could try to convince Chris Neil ($1.9 million) to waive his no-trade clause. The Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch speculates Jared Cowen ($3.1 million), Colin Greening ($2.294 million) and David Legwand ($3 million) could also be traded or bought out. 

Pittsburgh Penguins

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The priority: The Pittsburgh Penguins must find skilled linemates for Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

Why it must be addressed: The Penguins were dead last in goals during the opening round of the playoffs and 19th during the regular season. Chris Kunitz, 35, is no longer a reliable scoring winger. Pascal Dupuis' future is in doubt after missing most of this season due to blood clots in his lungs.

Analysis: The Penguins have over $57 million invested in 14 players for 2015-16. General manager Jim Rutherford might shed some salary to add affordable scorers. If Kunitz ($3.85 million cap hit) and defenseman Rob Scuderi ($3.375 million cap hit) can't be traded, they could be bought out. Rutherford could draw upon his depth in young blueliners as trade bait for a scorer.

St. Louis Blues

Ann Heisenfelt/Associated Press

The priority: The St. Louis Blues must consider a coaching change and shaking up their roster core.

Why it must be addressed: Despite finishing among the top four in the overall standings three times since 2011-12, the Blues consistently disappoint in the playoffs. They lack the leadership and drive necessary to become legitimate Stanley Cup contenders.

Analysis: General manager Doug Armstrong must decide if he'll bring back head coach Ken Hitchcock for another season or seek a replacement. Playoff underachievers like T.J. Oshie, David Backes, Alexander Steen and Patrik Berglund could be dealt, perhaps for players to better complement young guns Vladimir Tarasenko and Jaden Schwartz. 

Vancouver Canucks

Gerry Thomas/Getty Images

The priority: The Vancouver Canucks must improve their defense corps.

Why it must be addressed: Defensive miscues were the Canucks' undoing in their series against the Calgary Flames. The Province's Jim Jamieson believes a defensive overhaul is in order. The Canucks have limited cap space next season, which could force general manager Jim Benning to shed a couple of veterans to make room for younger talent.

Analysis: Jamieson speculates Benning could attempt to trade 33-year-old defenseman Kevin Bieksa ($4.6 million cap hit) or 32-year-old rearguard Dan Hamhuis ($4.5 million). Both have no-trade clauses and a year left on their contracts. Benning could seek younger talent via trades or free agency. He could also promote blueliners Adam Clendening and Frank Corrado into full-time roles.

Winnipeg Jets

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The priority: The Winnipeg Jets must keep their core talent intact.

Why it must be addressed: The Winnipeg Sun's Ken Wiebe indicates that the Jets have several free agents to re-sign this summer. They must also attempt to re-sign captain Andrew Ladd and top defenseman Dustin Byfuglien. Both are eligible next summer for unrestricted free agency.

Analysis: The Jets have over $47 million invested in next season's payroll. Their priority re-signings include Drew Stafford and Lee Stempniak, who meshed well with the Jets after joining the club this season via trades. If Ladd ($4.4 million cap hit) and Byfuglien ($5.2 million) are willing to accept short-term deals, they could receive significant raises.

All statistics via NHL.com and all salary information via NHLNumbers.com.