NHL Teams Most in Need of Late Improvements Before the 2015-16 Season

During the offseason, all 30 NHL teams made moves to bolster their respective rosters. However, several teams could use further improvements before the upcoming season begins.

Some teams, such as the Arizona Coyotes and Buffalo Sabres, are in the midst of significant rebuilding projects. Others, like the Boston Bruins and Los Angeles Kings, need additional roster adjustments if they hope to make the playoffs next spring.

The following slideshow examines the NHL teams most in need of improvements before the 2015-16 season begins. Problem areas are indicated, along with analysis of recent moves and an outlook for the upcoming season. Feel free to voice your opinion in the comments section below.

Arizona Coyotes

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

Areas to improve: The rebuilding Arizona Coyotes need stability in goal, another experienced top-four defenseman and scoring punch at forward. 

Analysis: While starting goalie Mike Smith struggled last season, Coyotes general manager Don Maloney will stick with him. He also added Anders Lindback as Smith's backup. If Maloney seeks blue-line help, Cody Franson remains available via free agency. He'll look to promising wingers Max Domi and Anthony Duclair to boost the offense.  

Outlook: Maloney has plenty of salary-cap room to bolster his lineup via trade or free agency, but it remains to be seen if he'll use it. Depending upon how things shake out in training camp, he could add an affordable free agent or two. For the most part, it appears he's sticking with his youngsters this season. 

Boston Bruins

Nick Wass/Associated Press

Areas to improve: The Boston Bruins lack an experienced backup for starting goalie Tuuka Rask. They could also use a puck-moving defenseman and a replacement for power forward Milan Lucic, whom the B's dealt to Los Angeles in June. 

Analysis: General manager Don Sweeney could give promising 21-year-old Malcolm Subban a long look as Rask's backup. On July 29, the Boston Herald's Steve Conroy reported the Bruins were “kicking the tires” on free-agent defensemen Cody Franson, Marek Zidlicky and possibly Christian Ehrhoff. Big-bodied right wing Jimmy Hayes could fill the role of power forward.

Outlook: If Subban isn't ready yet for prime time, Sweeney could look for an experienced backup via trade or free agency. The Bruins GM has limited cap space, but he could still sign an affordable free-agent blueliner. Don't expect any further additions at forward before the season starts.  

Buffalo Sabres

Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

Areas to improve: The Buffalo Sabres lack an experienced starting goaltender, skilled blue-line depth and experienced forwards on their checking lines. 

Analysis: Sabres general manager Tim Murray is entering the second full season of his rebuilding plan. While he made several significant moves this summer (selecting Jack Eichel in the NHL draft and acquiring goalie Robin Lehner and centers Ryan O'Reilly and David Legwand), more improvements are required. However, this is an ongoing process that will take more than one season to address.

Outlook: Depending upon Murray's evaluation of his roster during training camp, he could add a veteran forward or defenseman via trade or free agency before the season begins. As for further major moves, however, Murray is likely done for now.

Carolina Hurricanes

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

Areas to improve: The Carolina Hurricanes are in need of skilled second-line scoring depth. Their defense could use an experienced shutdown blueliner. 

Analysis: Hurricanes general manager Ron Francis is transitioning his club toward a younger roster. Twenty-year-old forwards Elias Lindholm and Victor Rask could form part of their second line. Francis also added James Wisniewski to his blue line, though he's known more for his offense than his defensive skills.

Outlook: If Francis decides to add an experienced forward, free-agent options include Brad Boyes, Curtis Glencross and former Hurricanes winger Jiri Tlusty. Otherwise, he'll probably stick with his current roster to see how things unfold with his youngsters this season.

Edmonton Oilers

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

Areas to improve: The Edmonton Oilers still need an experienced starting goaltender, while the depth of their defense corps is a concern. 

Analysis: During the NHL draft, Oilers general manager Peter Chiarelli acquired promising goalie Cam Talbot from the New York Rangers. Talbot has yet to play a full NHL season as a starter, while Ben Scrivens struggled in that role with the Oilers last season. Chiarelli signed veteran defensemen Andrej Sekera, but the blue line could use another experienced top-four rearguard.

Outlook: Chiarelli seems comfortable with the Talbot-Scrivens tandem in goal. He'll hope young blueliners Justin Schultz, Oscar Klefbom and Darnell Nurse improve under new head coach Todd McLellan. With limited cap space, any additions Chiarelli makes will be inexpensive. 

Los Angeles Kings

Jae C. Hong/Associated Press

Areas to improve: The Los Angeles Kings need experienced checking-line centers and could also be in need of a top-four defenseman. 

Analysis: During the offseason, the Kings lost center Jarret Stoll to free agency. General manager Dean Lombardi terminated the contract of fading center Mike Richards. The NHLPA has filed a grievance on Richards' behalf. Blueliner Slava Voynov faces an uncertain future following the completion of his 90-day jail term on a domestic violence charge.

Outlook: The Kings have over $6.3 million in cap space, but that's not counting Voynov's salary and the full value of Richards' contract. Voynov's return will address their defensive needs, but Lombardi must await the outcome of Richards' grievance before determining if he has sufficient cap space for other moves.

New Jersey Devils

Joel Auerbach/Associated Press

Areas to improve: The New Jersey Devils are in need of scoring depth at right wing. They also need another experienced top-four defenseman. 

Analysis: First-year Devils general manager Ray Shero is attempting to inject youth into an aging lineup. Acquiring Kyle Palmieri in a trade with Anaheim adds some offense at right wing, but they still need more. The Devils have a promising young defense corps. Adding a reliable veteran rearguard for leadership and experience could prove beneficial.

Outlook: Shero will likely evaluate his lineup in training camp before deciding if further moves are required. He has sufficient salary-cap space to sign a free-agent right wing and defenseman. Available wingers include Brad Boyes and Jiri Tlusty, while Cody Franson and Christian Ehrhoff are options on defense.

Philadelphia Flyers

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

Areas to improve: The Philadelphia Flyers must make room on their blue line for at least one of their promising defensemen. They also have to move out aging forwards Vincent Lecavalier and R.J. Umberger. 

Analysis: General manager Ron Hextall could end up shopping a veteran blueliner to clear a spot for a young rearguard such as Samuel Morin, Shayne Gostisbehere or Ivan Provorov. Lecavalier and Umberger are fading talents, and their expensive contracts are difficult to trade. 

Outlook: Unless Hextall is willing to absorb part of Lecavalier's or Umberger's salary cap in a trade, he's stuck with them for another season. He could have better luck moving a defenseman. Luke Schenn, 25, is an unrestricted free agent next summer. Schenn's right-handed shot could prove to be a valuable asset in the trade market. 

Toronto Maple Leafs

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Areas to improve: The Toronto Maple Leafs need a proven first-line center, a first-line right wing and a true top-two defenseman. 

Analysis: The Leafs are in the midst of a long-overdue rebuild. They dealt leading scorer and right wing Phil Kessel this summer to Pittsburgh. They added forwards P.A. Parenteau, Shawn Matthias and Daniel Winnik via free agency, but they won't replace Kessel's offense. It could take a while to address their other needs. 

Outlook: More work must be done, but there's only so much a rebuilding team can accomplish in the first year of a roster overhaul. Lou Lamoriello, recently hired as the Leafs new general manager, will need time to fully evaluate his current roster before making significant changes.

Vancouver Canucks

Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

Areas to improve: The Vancouver Canucks lack second-line scoring punch and are in need of reliable blue-line depth. 

Analysis: Canucks general manager Jim Benning shipped center Nick Bonino and promising defenseman Adam Clendening to Pittsburgh for center Brandon Sutter. He also dealt veteran blueliner Kevin Bieksa to Anaheim for a second-round draft pick. Former 30-goal winger Alex Burrows has steadily declined in recent years. Their defensive depth drops beyond Dan Hamhuis, Alex Edler and Chris Tanev.

Outlook: Sutter was usually a third-line center in Pittsburgh, so it'll be interesting to see how he fares as a second-liner in Vancouver. As for addressing his other needs, Benning has limited salary-cap space entering this season. If he hopes to further bolster his lineup, it'll have to be via trade. 

Roster information via NHL.com. Salary info via General Fanager.