Team Needs: 3 Pacific clubs that have to make a splash
Ahead of the NHL draft and free agency - which opens July 1 - we're looking at three teams from each division facing pivotal offseasons. First up, the Eastern Conference's Atlantic Division.
Calgary Flames
(77 points)
Needs: Goaltending and a seasoned top-six forward.
The Calgary Flames need a goaltender, and that's no secret.
The team was reportedly pushing hard to land Frederik Andersen from the Anaheim Ducks before he was shipped to the Toronto Maple Leafs, and has been in talks with the Pittsburgh Penguins about Marc-Andre Fleury.
The club is coming off a season that saw it finish last in the league in goals against, averaging 3.13 per game, while allowing the 11th fewest shots, which clearly points to the goaltending.
The Flames dressed four goalies last season, and each one failed to impress.
| Goalie | Games | Wins | Goals-Against Average | Save Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karri Ramo | 37 | 17 | 2.63 | .909 |
| Jonas Hiller | 26 | 9 | 3.51 | .879 |
| Joni Ortio | 22 | 7 | 2.76 | .902 |
| Niklas Backstrom | 4 | 2 | 3.55 | .881 |
On the other side of the puck, the Flames are thin outside of Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan. Joe Colborne and Mikael Backlund took steps forward with career years, but both lack goal-scoring prowess.
What all these players have in common is they're under age 27. The Flames could use a skilled forward who could lead the team's front end. A potential fit might be Andrew Ladd, who has averaged more than 25 goals per season since the 2010-11 campaign, and has a Stanley Cup on his resume.
Edmonton Oilers
(70 points)
Needs: defensemen
It's the same old song and dance with the Edmonton Oilers.
Sure, the club could use help up front, but with a hopefully healthy Connor McDavid, a continually improving Leon Draisaitl, and the likes of Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle still contributing admirably, forwards aren't nearly as much in demand as D-men.
On the back end, the club has budding prospects in Oscar Klefbom, Brandon Davidson, and Darnell Nurse, but they're still years away from being elite, and outside of that the defensive core is thin.
They have reportedly kicked the tires on St. Louis Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk, but the club will need more than just one reliable name.
With the No. 4 pick in the draft, and a number of skilled defensemen on the table, the team could use that to help aid their biggest hole.
Related: Oilers losing draft lottery a blessing in disguise
Andrew Ference is a candidate to be bought out once he's healthy, while Eric Gryba, Adam Pardy, and Nikita Nikitin will likely be allowed to test free agency.
Brian Campbell, who is likely to test the free-agent market, could be a stabilizing force on the back end, while also providing guidance to the team's young core.
Vancouver Canucks
(75 points)
Needs: Skilled two-way forwards and defensemen
The Vancouver Canucks could use a boost at all positions.
The Canucks recently missed the postseason for just the second time in the last eight seasons, largely thanks to an ageing core.
Vancouver finished with the second-fewest goals last season, averaging just 2.27 per game - only slightly better than the New Jersey Devils. On the other side of the puck, the team didn't fare much better, finishing 23rd in goals against, giving up an average of 2.91 per game.
For the 10th straight season, Daniel and Henrik Sedin finished one-two in team scoring, but the twins are now 35 years old, and need some assistance up front.
No player outside the Sedins managed more than 40 points, so goal-scoring is a must. With a young crop coming up, though, the team also needs someone who can play with an edge - a player similar to that of Ryan Kesler, ironically.
On the defensive side of the puck, the team needs an offensive-minded blue-liner.
Alex Edler led the team's defensemen with just six goals last season, while Ben Hutton's 25 points bested all Canucks pivots. That just won't do.
The Canucks hold the fifth overall pick in the draft and should have ample opportunity to select either a solid two-way forward like Pierre-Luc Dubois, or a puck-moving defenseman. That being said, the additions shouldn't stop there, as the team needs help now and not later.
The club needs to be active in free agency and on the trade front to fill those holes.