10 NHL Teams in Need of Big Offseason Changes

As this NHL season's playoff contenders jockey for position down the stretch, those sitting outside the postseason picture, such as the Edmonton Oilers (pictured above), could face significant roster changes in the offseason.

Like the Oilers, there are several clubs in need of defensive improvement. Some, like the New Jersey Devils, must address their anemic offense. Rebuilding clubs, such as the Toronto Maple Leafs, need help at every position. 

Here's a look at the 10 NHL teams in need of big offseason changes, examining their performance this season, areas to address and potential moves. Feel free to weigh in with your thoughts in the comments section below. 

10. Montreal Canadiens

Associated Press

After a hot start to the season, the Montreal Canadiens' offense went cold.

Performance in 2015-16: The Montreal Canadiens had a strong start to this season, with 18 victories and 39 points in their first 25 games. By March 7, however, they won only 12 more games. With 66 points in 66 games, the Habs are heading toward the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. 

Problem areas: Losing superstar goalie Carey Price for most of the season to a knee injury was a major blow. A lack of scoring punch proved fatal to the Canadiens' playoff hopes. After ranking among the league leaders in goals earlier this season, they've slid to 17th and could tumble even further. 

Potential moves: The Canadiens could pursue an established first-line center and scoring right wing via trades or free agency this summer. Acquiring such players won't be easy for a club with over $64.3 million invested in salary-cap payroll for 2016-17. Promising forwards Michael McCarron and Nikita Scherbak could become roster regulars next season. 

9. New Jersey Devils

Mel Evans/Associated Press

Lack of scoring punch hurt the New Jersey Devils' playoff hopes this season.

Performance in 2015-16: The New Jersey Devils remained close to playoff contention, but they've fallen out of the postseason picture in recent weeks. After 67 games, the Devils have a record of 31 wins, 29 losses and seven overtime losses for 69 points.

Problem areas: Despite superb goaltending by Cory Schneider and a solid defensive game, the Devils are among this season's lowest-scoring teams. They also generate the fewest shots on goal. That lack of scoring punch doomed their playoff chances this season. 

Potential moves: Devils management cannot waste Schneider's prime years by icing another offensively anemic roster. The front office must give its star goaltender the scoring support he deserves. With only $39.2 million invested in 12 players for next season, the Devils have the cap space to add a couple of scoring forwards through trades or free agency. 

8. Columbus Blue Jackets

Associated Press

A bad start to this season ultimately doomed the Columbus Blue Jackets' playoff hopes.

Performance in 2015-16: A season-opening eight-game losing skid put the Columbus Blue Jackets into a hole too deep to climb out of in the NHL standings. Their record is a woeful 27 wins, 31 losses and eight overtime losses for 62 points in 66 games. They sit near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. 

Problem areas: Goaltending was an issue this season, as starter Sergei Bobrovsky struggled with inconsistency and injuries. Defense was also a concern, as the Jackets gave up far too many shots against this season. Their offense also has room for improvement. 

Potential moves: Promising goalie Joonas Korpisalo might share more of the workload with Bobrovsky next season. With over $65 million invested in their 2016-17 salary-cap payroll, management could attempt to trade expensive veterans such as left wing Scott Hartnell and defenseman Fedor Tyutin. The savings could be used to bolster their forward and blue-line depth.

7. Winnipeg Jets

Associated Press

A weak power play is among the reasons the Winnipeg Jets are outside this season's playoff picture.

Performance in 2015-16: After reaching the playoffs last season, the Winnipeg Jets once again find themselves outside the playoff picture. With 27 wins, 33 losses and five overtime losses for 59 points in 65 games, the Jets are near the bottom of the Western Conference standings. 

Problem areas: Their offense is close to the bottom third, and they possess a very poor power play. Their penalty-killing percentage and goals-against numbers rank among the league's worst. 

Potential moves: The Jets tend to be a budget team, but they could go shopping for improvement through trades or free agency. Rookie goalie Connor Hellebuyck could become their full-time starter next season. If so, veteran netminder Ondrej Pavelec could be traded. Youngsters such as defenseman Jacob Trouba and forwards Marko Dano and Nikolaj Ehlers will likely take on more responsibilities. 

6. Vancouver Canucks

Associated Press

The Vancouver Canucks' transition toward a younger roster hurt their playoff chances this season.

Performance in 2015-16: Having reached the playoffs in 2015, the Vancouver Canucks struggled through a disappointing performance this season. After 65 games, the Canucks had 25 wins, 28 losses and 12 overtime losses for 62 points. That puts them well outside the 2016 postseason picture. 

Problem areas: The Canucks are attempting to transition toward a younger roster. Veterans such as defenseman Dan Hamhuis and forwards Radim Vrbata and Alex Burrows are past their prime, while young forwards Bo Horvat, Jake Virtanen and defenseman Ben Hutton have yet to reach theirs. As a result, their offensive and defensive numbers have suffered this season.

Potential moves: Management will likely continue to rebuild with youth. If so, pending free-agents Hamhuis and Vrbata might not be re-signed. Burrows could be traded or bought out. With over $56 million invested in next season's salary-cap payroll, the Canucks could seek affordable young talent through trades or the free-agent market.

5. Calgary Flames

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

Lack of quality goaltending proved costly to the Calgary Flames this season.

Performance in 2015-16: After a surprise run last season into the 2015 playoffs, the Calgary Flames regressed this season. With 27 wins, 34 losses and five overtime losses for 59 points in 66 games, the Flames are near the bottom of the Western Conference standings. 

Problem areas: Goaltending was the Flames' biggest weakness this season. Their goals-against numbers are among the worst. So are their power-play, penalty-killing and faceoff-win percentages. 

Potential moves: Goaltenders Jonas Hiller and Karri Ramo are slated for unrestricted free agency in July. That could provide an opportunity for the promising Joni Ortio to crack their goalie tandem. Management will likely add an experienced starter. Depending on the cost of re-signing young stars Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan, the Flames could also seek a skilled second-line center or winger. 

4. Arizona Coyotes

Associated Press

The rebuilding Arizona Coyotes experienced some growing pains this season.

Performance in 2015-16: Through the first half of this season, the rebuilding Arizona Coyotes were in playoff contention. In recent weeks, however, injuries and the inexperience of their younger players sent them tumbling down the standings. After 66 games, the Coyotes have a record of 28 wins, 32 losses and six overtime losses for 62 points. 

Problem areas: The Coyotes have given up the most goals this season. Starting goaltender Mike Smith has been sidelined since mid-December. Young backup Louis Domingue has done his best to replace Smith but lacks experience. Defense also remains an issue, their penalty-killing is among the league's worst and they're not generating a lot of shots.

Potential moves: Management will likely continue rebuilding around young stars Max Domi and Anthony Duclair. The Coyotes do, however, have the salary-cap space to bring in some experienced depth. If captain Shane Doan retires, they might pursue a top-six right wing. Center Martin Hanzal, who's a year away from free agency, could become a trade candidate. 

3. Edmonton Oilers

Associated Press

Budding superstar Connor McDavid (center) brought the Edmonton Oilers no closer to the playoffs.

Performance in 2015-16: The long-struggling Edmonton Oilers scarcely showed signs of improvement this season. With a record of 26 wins, 35 losses and seven overtime losses for 59 points in 68 games, they're near the bottom of the NHL's overall standings. 

Problem areas: The Oilers need help at both ends of the ice. They are among the league's worst clubs in goals for, goals against, power-play percentage, shots for and shots against. Defense remains their biggest issue. They lack skilled, experienced top-four blueliners.

Potential moves: They possess depth in talented young forwards to use as trade bait to address their defensive issues. Possible trade candidates could include right wing Jordan Eberle and center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Perhaps they'll also consider dangling their 2016 first-round pick, especially if they win the draft lottery again. 

2. Toronto Maple Leafs

Associated Press

The rebuilding Toronto Maple Leafs need improvement throughout their roster.

Performance in 2015-16: The first full season of the Toronto Maple Leafs' rebuild has been a painful one. After 65 games, the Leafs' record of 21 wins, 33 losses and 11 overtime losses for 52 points has them buried at the bottom of the NHL's overall standings. 

Problem areas: You name it, the Leafs got it. Their goaltending's among the league's worst, they're among the lowest-scoring teams and their defense is near the bottom third. They're lacking depth in experienced, skilled talent at every position. 

Potential moves: Management is committed to rebuilding with youth. Promising forwards William Nylander, Mitch Marner, Nikita Soshnikov and Kasperi Kapanen could become roster regulars in 2016-17. With over $53 million invested in salary-cap payroll for next season, the Leafs could try bolstering their lineup with skilled veterans in this summer's trade and free-agent markets. 

1. Buffalo Sabres

Gary Wiepert/Associated Press

The Buffalo Sabres could be active in this summer's trade and free-agent markets.

Performance in 2015-16: After finishing at the bottom of last season's league standings, the Buffalo Sabres made some improvement this season. In 67 games, the Sabres have a record of 27 wins, 31 losses and nine overtime losses for 63 points. 

Problem areas: The Sabres added promising young talent in center Jack Eichel and acquired skilled veterans such as Ryan O'Reilly last summer. However, they remain very much a rebuilding team. While their goaltending and special teams stats improved, their offensive and defensive numbers are among the league's worst. 

Potential moves: Acquiring O'Reilly from the Colorado Avalanche last summer proved general manager Tim Murray isn't afraid to make bold moves to speed along his roster rebuild. He has depth in draft picks this year and carries over $46.8 million in salary-cap payroll for 2016-17. Murray could be active again via the trade market or free agency this summer to address those roster weaknesses.

Player and team stats (as of March 7) via NHL.com. Salary info via Cap Friendly.