Speculation: Which teams have the most potential to make improvements to their rosters this upcoming season?

[D1az]

I'd assume Minnesota is in a good position getting 15 million dollars of dead cap space off the books, with a really nice season overall despite that massive financial boat anchor.

 

[10YearsAfter]

Flyers, book it

 

[FinnishCoyote]

Utah has assets and 20m in cap space

 

[Stuzchuk]

CBJ may be a big player. Young team, plenty of capspace... might see some key UFA signing in Columbus

 

[matt trick]

Utah has assets and 20m in cap space

And a supportive owner who wants to be aggressive.

Anaheim also in the mix with a similar situation.

 

[Gregor Samsa]

Flyers, book it

Doubt it unless they want to throw a lot of money at both Tavares and Bennett and get both. Flyers have probably the worst center depth in the league and too many teams need top 6 centers and are more enticing destinations at this time

 

[andora]

Ome year too early imo to get nuts

They shouldnt toronto it yet

 

[JPeeper]

Flames have a ton of space and early rumors were we wanted to go big game hunting. Hopefully some other teams with cap can hand out all the big dumb contracts before Calgary gets their chance/no one wants to come here lol.

There will be $500+ mil signed July 1st and not one dime will be remotely close to good value.

 

[TheBeard]

SJ. They have a ton of space and I think Grier wants to start surrounding his prizes with real NHL talent and not just lotto tickets he's hoping to sell at the deadline.

 

[Rebels57]

Flyers, book it

I think next year is their push the chips in time. They have a bunch of dead cap space expiring and they need 1 more top 10 pick.

 

[OtherThingsILike]

The Penguins will have a ton of cap space (but so will a lot of teams) and a decent number of draft picks to use in trades.

 

[Gregor Samsa]

I think next year is there push the chips in time. They have a bunch of dead cap space expiring and they need 1 more top 10 pick.

This. That interview recently by Jones made it seem they are more or less holding tight and seeing how things play out next season. It will probably be rough but a high draft pick will be worth it. They should just evaluate what they have next season under Tocchet

They’ll have a bunch of prospects to play with as well. Some will probably be trade chips

 

[wintersej]

Too many teams have a ton of cap space. July 1st is going to be a train wreck.

 

[Spurgeon]

I'd assume Minnesota is in a good position getting 15 million dollars of dead cap space off the books, with a really nice season overall despite that massive financial boat anchor.

You’d think so, but we’ve already got most of our roster filled up.

Kap - Ek - Boldy
X - Yurov - Zucc
Ohgren - Hartman - Foligno
Trenin - Gaudreau - Hinostroza

Brodin - Faber
Buium - Spurgeon
Middleton - Jiricek
Bogosian

Gus
Wallstedt

That roster has just under $16M in cap space, but we still have to re-sign Rossi. If they move Rossi for picks, then I could see them signing Nelson + Boeser. Otherwise, I think they’re really only going to be in the UFA market for one player.

 

[NobleSix]

Sounds like the Habs will be busy this off-season.

 

[Go Wings]

Detroit but they'll probably overpay for some veteran bums.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

I think SJ, Chicago, Utah and Anaheim will have some fun this offseason with UFAs and/or trades

 

[The don godfather]

Bruins will be active.

 

[OVO16]

Lot of teams have cap-space it sounds like. Good year to be a free agent

If the leafs let Marner walk...then the leafs will have tons of cap-space to play with as well

 

[Hertl Power]

I doubt it is the sharks. Always have a problem bringing in players through free agency.

 

[ctmagic]

Guerin takes some big swings this offseason. He can’t lean on the buyouts anymore, his rope gets shorter now. He’s got a bit of cap to work with and a good number of prospects, and players (Rossi), as ammo. Don’t f*ck this up Billy.

 

[Clint Eastwood]

You’d think so, but we’ve already got most of our roster filled up.

Kap - Ek - Boldy
X - Yurov - Zucc
Ohgren - Hartman - Foligno
Trenin - Gaudreau - Hinostroza

Brodin - Faber
Buium - Spurgeon
Middleton - Jiricek
Bogosian

Gus
Wallstedt

That roster has just under $16M in cap space, but we still have to re-sign Rossi. If they move Rossi for picks, then I could see them signing Nelson + Boeser. Otherwise, I think they’re really only going to be in the UFA market for one player.

Didn't Wallstedt have a rough year in Iowa? I feel like he wouldn't be a lock to make the team unless there's more that meets the eye.

Same with Jiricek. Is he going to make the team or play a year in the AHL on a first call up basis?

 

[Petes2424]

It’s not even just additions over the summer.

There’s 4-5 teams who’s young cores are going to be even better next season. Columbus, Detroit, Anaheim and Buffalo to a smaller degree, seen lots of big positives with young, core players this past season. Marco Kasper, Gauthier, MacTavish, Carlson, Edvinsson, etc, will all be even better this coming season. Those teams with cores of young players, who’ve taken big those steps, are only going to keep getting better.

So the additions those teams make, will be even more important, because they’re not asking for average players to come in and be a core piece. Just to add very specific depth to help them win games, and blend well with their youngsters.

 

[LickTheEnvelope]

Flames have a ton of space and early rumors were we wanted to go big game hunting. Hopefully some other teams with cap can hand out all the big dumb contracts before Calgary gets their chance/no one wants to come here lol.

There will be $500+ mil signed July 1st and not one dime will be remotely close to good value.

This UFA crop and draft are weak as f.

 

[Fatass]

This UFA crop and draft are weak as f.

And still clubs will buy on July 1 and spend to the cap limit. Look at that idiot with Nashville last July! And so many said he did great. It’s losers who use July 1 to build their core.