Top Offseason Priorities for Teams Eliminated in 2nd Round of 2015 NHL Playoffs

As the NHL's final four playoff clubs gear up for their respective conference finals, the four teams they eliminated from the postseason face assessment this summer by their respective managements. They will attempt to address their shortcomings in the hopes of achieving better results next season. 

One of these teams was a conference finalist last year that came up disappointingly short this season. Another is a rebuilding club hoping to improve upon this season's surprising success. The other two teams have continually run afoul of their annual playoff adversaries. 

The following slideshow examines the top offseason priorities for the NHL teams eliminated from the second round of this year's playoffs, providing analysis of their specific issues. Feel free to voice your opinion in the comments section.

Calgary Flames' Top Priority: Address Their Goaltending

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The issue: The Calgary Flames currently have Jonas Hiller and the promising Joni Ortio as their goaltenders under contract for next season. However, backup Karri Ramo outplayed Hiller down the stretch and is an unrestricted free agent. 

Why it must be addressed: Neither Hiller, Ramo nor Ortio stepped forward as the definitive starter this season. Hiller was brought in as Calgary's starter, but he struggled at times. Re-signing Ramo could create a crowded crease, especially if Ortio proves NHL-ready next season. Ortio's contract becomes a one-way deal next season, meaning he'll earn $600,000 wherever he plays.

Analysis: General manager Brad Treliving must decide if he's going to stick with Hiller and Ramo and keep Ortio on the farm, let Ramo walk and go with Hiller and Ortio or keep Ramo and Ortio and try to trade Hiller. Treliving could also consider outside options to bring stability in the crease.

Calgary Flames' 2nd Priority: Right-Wing Depth

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The issue: Beyond first-line right wing Jiri Hudler, the Flames are thin at that position, especially on their second line. 

Why it must be addressed: The Flames lack a natural second-line right wing. Center Joe Colborne was used in that role during the playoffs. David Jones and Mason Raymond failed to provide sufficient production during the regular season. 

Analysis: General manager Brad Treliving could shop for a scoring right winger this summer. The Flames have over $23 million in cap space for next season. Their key free agents, Mikael Backlund, Lance Bouma, Josh Joorish and perhaps Karri Ramo, will be affordable re-signings, leaving sufficient room to add right-wing depth via trade or free agency.

Minnesota Wild's Top Priority: Re-Sign Devan Dubnyk

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The issue: The Minnesota Wild must re-sign unrestricted free-agent goaltender Devan Dubnyk.

Why it must be addressed: Dubnyk provided Minnesota with a much-needed stability in goal, earning a Vezina Trophy nomination in the process. Before the Wild acquired Dubnyk on Jan. 14, they were in danger of falling completely out of the playoff race. The 29-year-old goalie's performances carried them into the playoffs and a first-round victory over the St. Louis Blues. 

Analysis: General manager Chuck Fletcher must determine how much he's willing to pay Dubnyk and for how long. He needs to be careful not to overspend in case Dubnyk turns out to be a one-year wonder. A two- or three-year deal at $4 million per season could be in the offing.

Minnesota Wild's 2nd Priority: Bolster Their Scoring

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The issue: The Minnesota Wild's inability to match the Chicago Blackhawks' scoring depth led to their being swept from the second round of the 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs.

Why it must be addressed: It's the third straight year the Wild have fallen to the Blackhawks in postseason play—and the second straight season in the second round. Six of their seven goals against Chicago came in Games 1 and 4. For the Wild to attain playoff success, their offense must improve.

Analysis: Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher has previously brought in veterans scorers such as Dany Heatley and Thomas Vanek, but they had little impact in the playoffs. With limited cap space this summer, Fletcher could instead look toward promising young forwards such as Mikael Granlund, Charlie Coyle and Nino Niederreiter to step up next season.

Montreal Canadiens' Top Priority: Add More Scoring

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The issue: During the regular season and playoffs, the Montreal Canadiens were among the league's lowest-scoring teams.

Why it must be addressed: The Canadiens achieved 110 points during the regular season, largely on the back of superstar goalie Carey Price. Their anemic offense proved costly in the playoffs, dashing their hopes for a Stanley Cup run.

Analysis: The Canadiens lack a true first-line center, and they need at least another top-six winger. Of their forwards, Max Pacioretty, Tomas Plekanec, Brendan Gallagher and Alex Galchenyuk were the only ones to reach or exceed 20 goals. If general manager Marc Bergevin fails to make changes in this area, the Habs will find goals hard to come by next season.

Montreal Canadiens' 2nd Priority: Find a Shutdown Defenseman

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The issue: The Montreal Canadiens lack a top-two shutdown defenseman.

Why it must be addressed: As bad as the Canadiens offensive numbers were this season, their defensive stats weren't much better. If not for the superb goaltending of Carey Price, the Habs might have been battling for a wild-card berth this season.

Analysis: The Canadiens have a plethora of puck-moving defensemen but lack skilled shutdown blueliners who can make life miserable for opposing scorers. Alexei Emelin is the only one who fills that role at present. The Habs' defensive system needs work, and adding a big, physical, stay-at-home rearguard could certainly help.

Washington Capitals' Top Priority: Re-Sign Braden Holtby

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The issue: Washington Capitals starting goaltender Braden Holtby is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights this summer. 

Why it must be addressed: Holtby has established himself among the NHL's elite goalies and has brought stability between the pipes for the Capitals. Thanks to his superb goaltending, the Capitals came very close to advancing to the 2015 Eastern Conference Final before falling to the New York Rangers in seven games.

Analysis: Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan will have to pay big to keep the 25-year-old goaltender in D.C. It could cost a seven- or eight-year contract worth around $6.5 to $7 million annually to keep the netminder. If he remains among the league's top goalies, he will be well worth it.

Washington Capitals' 2nd Priority: Scoring Depth

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The issue: The Washington Capitals lack scoring punch beyond first-line forwards Alexander Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom.

Why it must be addressed: The Capitals were among the lowest-scoring teams in this year's playoffs. The New York Rangers effectively neutralized Ovechkin and Backstrom for most of their second-round series, and the Capitals lacked the offensive depth to counter this problem.

Analysis: Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan made bold moves to improve his club's defensive game last summer. He has over $19 million in cap space this time around, though most of that will be taken up by re-signing Braden Holtby, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Marcus Johansson. MacLellan could put his hopes in young forwards such as Kuznetsov and Andre Burakovsky stepping up next season.