NHL Teams with the Most Work Still to Do in 2015 Offseason
The NHL's 30 teams have passed through the draft and free agency, with fans left to suss out who won and who lost at the annual auctions. There are several teams that have basically done their work and a few others waiting for arbitration cases before proceeding with shaping the rest of their rosters.
A few teams were not successful in trading at the draft or in free agency, and their shopping lists have a distinct lack of check marks. Those teams still have time—we're many weeks from training camp—but the pressure is on to get something done in an effort to upgrade rosters.
Here are 10 teams that won't be taking long holidays this summer and what they need to accomplish before September.
Note: All roster and free-agent information courtesy of NHL Numbers.
Chicago Blackhawks
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What Have They Done? The Chicago Blackhawks have done substantial retooling so far this summer, all in an effort to get under the cap. Major moves included trading Brandon Saad to the Columbus Blue Jackets and Patrick Sharp to the Dallas Stars. A small but possibly important addition came when the team signed Viktor Tikhonov from the KHL.
What's Left to Do? Chicago will need to make at least one more transaction for cap reasons. The moves this summer have resulted in a little over $1 million in cap space, but signing Marcus Kruger will eat that up and more, plus the team will want a little cushion for injuries and trade-deadline additions. They could also use more depth on defense, something every NHL team wants for next season.
What Is Available? The Blackhawks may have to trade a significant piece—such as Brent Seabrook—in an effort to rid themselves of the cap issues. It is far more likely we see winger Bryan Bickell sent away for little return.
Columbus Blue Jackets
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What Have They Done? The Columbus Blue Jackets made a blockbuster trade this summer, bringing in offensive winger Brandon Saad from the Chicago Blackhawks. It was a bold but justified move, as Scott Cullen of TSN asserted in the hours after the deal. They also signed center Gregory Campbell from the Boston Bruins in free agency, via the team website.
What's Left to Do? Columbus needs defensemen. According to Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch, the team has been aggressive this summer but without success. According to Portzline, the Blue Jackets discussed Dougie Hamilton of the Boston Bruins before the B's dealt him to the Calgary Flames and made an offer to free agent Paul Martin before he signed with the San Jose Sharks.
What Is Available? Despite the late date, there are significant talents available via free agency. Among the most attractive, according to NHL Numbers, are Cody Franson, Christian Ehrhoff and Johnny Oduya. Columbus doesn't have much cap room left, so a trade may be the more attractive option.
Dallas Stars
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What Have They Done? The Dallas Stars shored up their two-way play in a big way by acquiring Patrick Sharp from the Chicago Blackhawks. As Mark Stepneski writes on the team website, player and team are happy with the match.
What's Left to Do? The cost for Sharp was Trevor Daley, and that means the Dallas defense—already a concern—is now absolutely a major area of worry. There's an excellent chance we see the Stars address defense in the coming days.
What Is Available? The free-agent list still has some excellent options, including former Blackhawks player Johnny Oduya. The Stars have the cap room to make it happen.
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Edmonton Oilers
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What Have They Done? The Edmonton Oilers were very active this summer, with the biggest acquisition being No. 1 overall selection Connor McDavid. They also traded for goalie Cam Talbot and signed top free agent Andrej Sekera on July 1.
What's Left to Do? The Oilers could use another defenseman, and there are still quality players available. The club is getting tight to the cap but has room if bargains make themselves available.
What Is Available? The free-agent list contains some fine talent, including Cody Franson, Christian Ehrhoff and Johnny Oduya. If Edmonton can acquire one more veteran defender, it could be considered a playoff contender.
Los Angeles Kings
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What Have They Done? The Los Angeles Kings have had a roller-coaster offseason, and much of their roster remains up in the air. The acquisition of Milan Lucic was huge, but the ongoing saga of Slava Voynov remains the major story. Brian Melley of the Associated Press (via the Globe and Mail) covered the situation in early July, giving a clear view of the degree of uncertainty for the Kings.
What's Left to Do? The roster without Voynov means there's a significant hole on defense. Los Angeles has so much up in the air the team's positives—it also signed Jhonas Enroth—are buried under an avalanche of controversy that also includes the Mike Richards contract cancellation, as covered by the team website.
What Is Available? The Kings have over $7 million left but have several positions to fill. If they elevate minor leaguers like Jordan Weal and Derek Forbort, they should have enough room to sign a low-level free agent. A good guess would be Anton Volchenkov, who could provide veteran minutes and step back down the depth chart if and when Voynov returns.
Nashville Predators
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What Have They Done? The Nashville Predators have been relatively quiet so far this summer. The team signed center Mike Ribeiro, defenseman Barret Jackman and forward Cody Hodgson but has plenty of work to do before fall.
What's Left to Do? The Predators have to sign restricted free agents Calle Jarnkrok, Craig Smith and Colin Wilson. They have significant cap room, so they may be able to add to their talent base when all of their roster players are signed.
What Is Available? Nashville is in a fantastic position, with only nine forwards signed and three restricted free agents to come. That gives them two open roster spots and a lot of nervous free-agent forwards still looking for summer contracts. Erik Cole, Eric Fehr and Alex Semin are among the interesting options for the Predators.
New Jersey Devils
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What Have They Done? The New Jersey Devils are heading in a new direction, so change has been constant this summer. Among the major items: an astute signing of defenseman John Moore, a draft day trade for forward Kyle Palmieri and the team did not renew the contract of draft guru David Conte.
What's Left to Do? The Devils have only five defensemen under contract, including RFA Adam Larsson. They have 11 forwards under contract and badly need offense.
What Is Available? Alexander Semin is the most naturally talented scorer remaining on the market, and in a summer of change, his signing in New Jersey would qualify as major news. The team may also find a depth defenseman to help a young and emerging group.
New York Rangers
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What Have They Done? The New York Rangers have been active this summer. The team dealt goalie Cam Talbot for draft picks, acquired goalie Antti Raanta and signed free-agent forward Viktor Stalberg.
What's Left to Do? The Rangers have a lot of internal moves to come. With less than $9 million in cap room, the team must sign RFAs Derek Stepan, J.T. Miller and Jesper Fast.
What Is Available? New York's big issue is cap space, and the club may be forced to make a trade in order to make room. Ryan Lambert of Puck Daddy estimates Stepan's value at more than $7 million, so getting a contract at better than value will be vital to the Rangers.
Ottawa Senators
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What Have They Done? The Ottawa Senators have been one of the quietest teams this summer, with only the trade of goalie Robin Lehner and forward David Legwand on draft day getting a lot of ink.
What's Left to Do? The Senators are a budget team, so getting RFAs Mike Hoffman and Alex Chiasson under contract may be more difficult than it appears. Travis Yost of TSN presents a strong case for Hoffman, and that may spell trouble in the Canadian capital.
What Is Available? Ottawa may have to force a trade to make it all work. The team has over $11 million in room—which is plenty, even with a generous arbitration process—but the Senators' internal cap is always a worry at this time of year.
Washington Capitals
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What Have They Done? The Washington Capitals made two big moves this summer, including the exceptional free-agent signing of Justin Williams. A trade with the St. Louis Blues for winger T.J. Oshie gives the team the potential for a new look on their top two lines.
What's Left to Do? The Capitals need to sign goalie Braden Holtby, a key player in their success last season. There's $12 million in cap room, but the team needs to be both fair with the player and true to its vision of the future. The Caps also need room to sign Marcus Johansson, another RFA.
What Is Available? If there's some money left over, Washington might be wise to check on a return for Eric Fehr, who had a good season with the team one year ago. If it can get all that done and come in under budget, Capitals fans should be confident about the team's chances in 2015-16.
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