2021 NHL Draft: Needs and mock draft, part 1

 The 2021 NHL season came to an end last night, which means the offseason officially begins now. In 13 days, the Seattle Kraken draft their team while the entry draft will be a few days later. To that end, it's time to examine each team and their needs going into the draft. Since there are 32 teams, this will be broken down into sections, and it will be in order of original draft placement. 

1. Buffalo Sabres 

The owners of the first overall pick, the Sabres have needs almost everywhere, but especially up front. Sam Reinhart and Jack Eichel are both looking to leave, and it is possible that Rasmus Ristolainen also goes. With no clear top prospect in the draft, it is possible they go with Owen Power, a defenseman from Michigan. They also have eight other picks, so they can load up to give themselves more prospects for what is likely a rebuild of a rebuild that never got off the ground. 

Projected pick: Owen Power, D, Michigan

2. Seattle Kraken 

The Kraken are in position to pick the best available player here, and are likely to accrue another first round pick or two, as teams will try to get them to select a player to work under the cap. Odds are they will load up on veterans to give the drafted players time to develop, ala Vegas in their first year.

Projected pick: Matty Beniers, C, Michigan

3. Anaheim Ducks

The third overall pick in the draft, they have loads of prospects, but little veteran leadership, particularly if Ryan Getzlaf leaves. With Trevor Zegras pencilled in next season, it may benefit the Ducks to pick a player that can step in a year or two from now, given the development of Jamie Drysdale, among others. 

Projected pick: Simon Edvinsson, D, Frolunda

4. New Jersey Devils 

Experience, experience, experience. That is issue surrounding the Devils, especially since PK Subban keeps declining in skill. That also raises an issue on the blue line, where there is still a hole or two to be filled. Luke Hughes can be seen as a reach here, but reuniting him with older brother Jack may be a draw.

Projected pick: Luke Hughes, D, US NTDP

5. Columbus Blue Jackets 

Offense has been an issue since Artemi Panarin left. However, with Seth Jones not wanting to commit after next season, when he becomes a free agent, defense could be an issue, too. They have cap to work with, but Columbus has rarely been a destination for the bigger names.

Projected pick: Dylan Guenther, RW, Edmonton (WHL)

6. Detroit Red Wings 

They're still likely going to go with veterans on one year deals to help the kids along, and Moritz Seider is likely going to make the jump next season, giving Detroit their likely top defender. Goalie help is in short supply, and I can't see them reaching for Jesper Wallstedt this early. A trade down could happen here.

Projected pick: Brandt Clarke, D, Nove Zamky

7. San Jose Sharks 

A team in desperate need of prospects, defense is their biggest need, particularly since their top four average 32 years of age. Goalie help is also needed, but I think that gets answered via cheap FA pick up for now. If they need someone to step in now, William Eklund appears to be the most ready of the available talent, according to me.

Projected pick: William Eklund, LW, Djurgarden

8. Los Angeles Kings

Loaded with prospects everywhere but in goal, I get a feeling Los Angeles goes with the best available goalie here, the aforementioned Wallstedt. Beyond that, it's likely short term veterans filling out the roster to give a few prospects time to develop. 

Projected pick: Jesper Wallstedt, G, Lulea

NHL Mock Draft: picks 16-23

The NHL entry draft is officially one week away, and now, the final order is set, thanks to St. Louis winning the Stanley Cup. Though they won't have a first round pick, thanks to surrendering it to Buffalo in the Ryan O'Reilly trade, it does go to show that drafting wisely can reap its rewards, as Robert Thomas was a key contributor on the Cup-winning team.

16. Colorado Avalanche-Alex Turcotte, C, US NTDP (USHL)

This is another opportunity for the Avs to load up on forwards, and while Turcotte has had injury issues, he does boast some high-end talent. Where he ends up is unknown, since he played on the second line behind Jack Hughes, but putting up nearly two points a game is worth considering.

17. Vegas Golden Knights-Moritz Seider, D, Mannheim (Germany)

The only team to not have had a homegrown rookie on their NHL roster thus far, the Golden Knights are likely to continue that trend unless Cody Glass makes the roster. As it is, their blue line could use some refreshing, and they go with a physical specimen that could stand to benefit from better competition, but has the size and potential to one day succeed Deryk Engelland as the stay-at home type.

18. Dallas Stars-Egor Afanasyev, RW, Muskegon (USHL)

The lack of scoring depth was ultimately the Stars' undoing, and there isn't likely an immediate option to help that outside of free agency. Afanasyev has the tools to be a scoring power forward, but does need refinement, something that will happen in Windsor of the OHL next season.

19. Ottawa Senators (from Columbus)-Ryan Suzuki, C, Barrie (OHL)

A playmaker whose stock took a hit due to Barrie being in rebuilding mode, Suzuki is more of a playmaker at this point, but given the Senators' woeful center depth, combined with needing the help within a year or two, at the latest, Suzuki goes here instead of Alex Newhook.

20. New York Rangers (from Winnipeg)-Ville Heinola, D, Lukko (Finland)

Heinola has a similar skill set to Miro Heiskanen, but with less in the skating department at the moment. Given that the Rangers are fairly loaded with forward depth, it is possible that they choose to address defense here.

21. Pittsburgh Penguins-Ryan Johnson, D, Sioux Falls (USHL)

The Penguins need a puck mover in their system, as Kris Letang is not getting any younger, and his ability in his own end is eroding along with the rest of the team getting slower. Johnson will have time to develop and gain some weight, but his ability to start the offense from his own end is already pro-level.

22. Los Angeles Kings (from Toronto)-Alex Newhook, C, Victoria (BCHL)

Smart, two-way player that has quibbles with level of competition, Newhook is seen as a Tyson Jost clone, in that he has the ability to lead a team one day, but will need time to develop, something he can do at Boston College.

23. New York Islanders-Samuel Poulin, LW, Sherbrooke (QMJHL)

The Islanders are loaded just about everywhere in the pipeline, but they do lack a big body that can at worst, play on the third line right away. Poulin is the prototypical power forward that the team lacks, and given the Isles just re-signed both Brock Nelson and Jordan Eberle, they can take some time here and possibly just go with the best player available to them.

2019 NHL mock draft: picks 1-8

The NHL entry draft is less than two weeks away, and the draft order is almost set, as the final game that will be played on Wednesday will determine the last two spots. As is the tradition of this blog, I will take a shot at who will be taking who. Today, it is picks 1-8.

1. New Jersey Devils-Jack Hughes, C, US-NTDP (USHL)

The Devils need offense in a bad way, and that fact was further exposed when Taylor Hall missed significant amount of time this season. The middle Hughes brother (Quinn is a defenseman in the Vancouver Canucks system and Luke is eligible in 2021) reminds many of Patrick Kane when he came out in his draft year, and if Hughes is anything close to his potential, the Devils will be happy to take it.

2. New York Rangers-Kaapo Kakko, RW, TPS (Finland)

The other top candidate to go first overall, Kakko is a great consolation prize for a Rangers team that needs a flagship player that the team can sell their fans on in their rebuilding phase. While he's purely a winger, Kakko does just about everything well and has come up big in the clutch, scoring the gold-medal winner at the WJCs this year.

3. Chicago Blackhawks-Dylan Cozens, C, Lethbridge (WHL)

The Blackhawks would prefer a winger, but Cozens would be a great pickup here, as he has the size to be a power forward and the skill to eventually be a top line talent. It's uncertain where Dylan Strome's ceiling truly is, so picking Cozens makes sense in hedging their bets here.

4. Colorado Avalanche-Vasili Podkolzin, RW, SKA-Neva (Russia)

The Avalanche missed out on elite talent thanks to a few bounces of the ping pong balls, but they still get to draft a great talent here. Between Kirby Dach and Podkolzin, the Avs are getting a great talent to fill their forward depth. Given their depth in the pipeline that needs to come through, the Avs can afford to let Podkolzin develop, and when he is ready, they can be getting a Brad Marchand clone that plays more in control of his emotions.

5. Los Angeles Kings-Bowen Byram, D, Vancouver (WHL)

Without any real room for anything other than an immediate game changer, the Kings will need to play a little bit of a long game, and where the team has needs in the long-term is on the blue line. Byram is more of an offensive defenseman at this point in his development, but that is a spot where the Kings will need help down the line on the back end, especially since Jarret Anderson-Dolan and possibly Rasmus Kupari could crack the lineup up front within a year or two and there just simply isn't any cap room with eight players in their 30's on big deals and only Ilya Kovalchuk and Dion Phaneuf will have their deals expire in two years, which is the earliest that cap relief can come outside of a buyout.

6. Detroit Red Wings-Kirby Dach, C, Saskatoon (WHL)

The Red Wings still need an elite defender, but that isn't available in the draft this year. The good news is that the Wings still need help up front, and Dach will help out here. He may need a year or two in Saskatoon, but with Filip Zadina and possibly Joe Veleno being favorites to make the NHL next season, the wait may be a blessing for a team that simply needs all the help they can get, especially since they can be rid of Jonathan Ericsson's contract after next season.

7. Buffalo Sabres-Cole Caufield, RW, US NTDP (USHL)

Depth on the wings is terrible with the Sabres, and that has a trickle down effect on an offense that if it ever matched the potential of the unit on hand, would have not had this problem. As it is, potential still must turn into actual production, and only Jack Eichel has shown that of the forwards developed by the team. Caufield would be helpful as a second line winger with either Casey Mittelstadt or Sam Reinhart right now.

8. Edmonton Oilers-Victor Soderstom, D, Brynas (Sweden)

There's so many things the Oilers need, but with Oscar Klefbom and Darnell Nurse needing pay raises and so little cap room, the Oilers desperately need to fill that hole in case they lose either or both. Soderstom would be a year away, but he would provide a puck moving defender that the team lacks in the system.

Cutting Room

The past month has seen some changes in the NHL, as four teams as of this writing have changed head coaches in the middle of the season...and it's not December, yet. Let's run them down, and look at who may be next to go.

• The Chicago Blackhawks parted ways with Joel Quennville and replaced him with Jeremy Colliton, who was the head coach of the team's AHL affiliate in Rockford. The Quennville firing comes as a shock, but the reality was there was a major butting of heads lately between Quennville and General Manager Stan Bowman. Someone had to go, and soon, the other half may be gone by the end of the season, so this change is definitely a referendum on Bowman, who has put the Blackhawks on the verge of salary cap hell and hasn't adequately addressed the team's depth problem lately.
• The Los Angeles Kings were also in the mood to fire their head coach, as John Stevens was given his walking papers. Willie Desjardins was named interim coach. Stevens had a decent regular season last year, but his inability to get any offense out of the team come playoff time was exposed, and it has been further exposed this season despite adding Ilya Kovalchuk in the off-season. While Desjardins is an interim coach, was it really the best decision? Marco Sturm is the likely head coach in waiting, and skipping the middle man would have made more sense, although the Kings haven't been able to field a healthy goaltending unit lately, since Cal Petersen, he of a handful of games thus far, is now on the NHL roster until the likes of Peter Budaj and Jonathan Quick can get healthy again.
• Speaking of the Kings, they were the last team that Mike Yeo would be facing as the head coach of the St. Louis Blues. The Blues were shut out last night by that team, and an offensive dry spell that topped a team struggling to meet expectations meant the Mike Yeo experiment it over. Before I get to who is replacing him, it should be noted that the Blues hand-picked Yeo to replace Ken Hitchcock after the 2016-17 season, only to speed up that process by a few months, as Hitchcock was fired for Yeo. Just over two years later, Yeo is now looking for a new job. His replacement is...Craig Berube? This may be an interim move, but given that Berube was terrible as head coach in Philadelphia, it almost seems like the Blues WANT to fail.
• Spekaing of Hitchcock, he was lured out of retirement...again, as the Edmonton Oilers fired Todd MacClellan this morning. Hitchcock will be behind the bench for at least the rest of the season. One has to wonder if General Manager Peter Chiarrelli should be answering the phone because his job is now on the line. A team that has underachieved despite Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl and is also on the verge of salary cap hell, the Oilers may need to do more than just fire the head coach.

So, who could be the next coach to go? Randy Carlyle in Anaheim seems like a safe bet, as does Jeff Blashill in Detroit and Guy Boucher in Ottawa. 

Fight for the Throne

LOS ANGELES KINGS

2017-18 record: 45-29-8 (98 points)
Lost to Vegas in Conference quarterfinals
Captain: Anze Kopitar

The Los Angeles Kings were viewed as a dark horse entering the playoffs last season. Once again, a familiar problem surfaced, and the Kings made history alright, by being swept by an expansion team in the opening round. Worse, that problem of not having adequate enough scoring was exposed for all to see, as they averaged less than a goal a game. The Kings hope a returning Ilya Kovalchuk can address some of that offensive deficiency.

A middle of the pack team offensively in the regular season, the Kings actually didn't fare badly when you consider Jeff Carter missed half the season to injury. Adding Kovalchuk should solve some of that problem, though having a healthy Carter and a continued offensive revival from Dustin Brown would also help a team that relied far too heavily on Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty. Defensively, the Kings were the leaders in goals against, as teams had trouble scoring on them. Even in the sweep, the Kings played competitively, as each game was decided by a goal. Count on the defense to once again be near the top of the league and led by newly extended Doughty. Jonathan Quick shows no signs of slowing down, and in the playoffs, he was the team's best player by a mile. Health permitting, expect the same to happen.

Prediction: 2nd in the Pacific Division

The Kings have the defense to win another championship. However, their offense is what may keep them from pulling another deep run. They will need secondary scoring to show up, Kovalchuk to play well enough to justify his deal, and possibly another MVP-type season from Kopitar to have a shot at the Cup.

NHL Free Agency: Burning Money Edition

July 1 is known as a money burning day, as the first day of both NBA and NHL free-agency begins, as well as the New York Mets' tradition of giving long-gone Bobby Bonilla a million plus interest a year until 2035. So, how will the NHL make me laugh this time?

• The big shoe that needed to drop, did, as John Tavares announced that he would be taking the Toronto Maple Leafs' offer of seven years, and an annual amount of 11 million. It's a steep price for Toronto, and it still doesn't solve their defensive woes, but Tavares potentially shoves both Auston Matthews and Nazem Kadri down a slot, which improves their offensive output. The big concern would be what happens next offseason, when both Matthews and Mitch Marner are coming off their ELCs.
• The Maple Leafs' 11 million dollar gamble wasn't actually the worst move made. No, the worst happened this morning, as the Calgary Flames decided to throw five years and an annual cap hit of 5.75 million at James Neal. You might say that's better than what Washington threw at TJ Oshie, but even four years is excessive for a 30-goal scorer that is on the wrong side of 30, has major streaks of production and non-production, and may be headed for a steep decline ala Dany Heatley. The Flames also threw over 3 million to some guy named Derek Grant. Have fun with the RFA contracts of Elias Lindholm and Noah Hanifin.
• Los Angeles did the expected, and signed Ilya Kovalchuk to a three year deal. The hit carries a 6 million dollar price tag a year, and it had been announced that the Kings intended to make him the focal point of their offense. If you're paying him that much, he better be, and if he can still score 30 goals per year, it's not bad. So, where are the Kings screwed? The eight year extension that will be carrying an 11 million dollar hit that is going to Drew Doughty. The Kings learned nothing from the Dustin Brown and Marian Gaborik sagas. The Kings will be in Cap Hell even after Kovalchuk is gone thanks to the ridiculous contracts being handed out.
• Detroit likes to kick the can down the road, and signing both Jonathan Bernier and Thomas Vanek to deals, as well as re-signing Mike Green to a new two year deal is proof. On a contending team, these signings would actually be praised. However, Detroit is not even close to contending. I know there's the albatross contracts of Justin Abdelkader, Darren Helm, and Jonathan Ericsson, but there is no way they are a Jonathan Bernier away from playoff contention.
• Chicago actually didn't do badly with signing Cam Ward to one year, as he proved that he had something left, although that wasn't necessarily by choice in Carolina, as Scott Darling self-immolated. Brandon Manning is just a warm body on defense while I absolutely don't understand how Chris Kunitz will fit with the team.
• Vegas made moves, as they slightly overpaid for four years Paul Stastny and inexplicably threw 2.75 million a year for two years at Ryan Reaves.
• Pittsburgh signed Jack Johnson. The issue with Johnson isn't money, as about 3 million a year is sensible, but term, as five years is a little long. They also brought back Matt Cullen because I don't know.
• Boston signed Jaroslav Halak for two years and a 2.75 million annual deal. Halak had a bad year, but he should rebound somewhat, since Boston is a stronger defensive team and he won't have to be overextended, as he backs up Tuukka Rask. The Bruins also signed John Moore to the same 2.75 million a year hit, but for five years. I don't know if Moore is worth that much money-wise, but he's still relatively young, and you can do worse than him if you're a Boston team that figures to be led by Charlie MacAvoy and Brandon Carlo in the future.
• Buffalo moved on from the volatile Robin Lehner in favor of an older, but calmer Carter Hutton. Hutton is getting three years, and 2.75 million per year. The bigger news is that they traded Ryan O'Reilly to St. Louis and are getting back Patrik Berglund, Vladimir Sobotka, and two draft picks. The change was needed for both Buffalo and O'Reilly, which showed cracks late season. O'Reilly instantly gives St. Louis a second line center and takes the albatross contracts of both Berglund and Sobotka off the books.
• Speaking of the Blues, they gave David Perron four years and four million per year to make his return for a third time. Inconsistent as he is, it isn't a bad number, and he showed that he has something left. They also gave Tyler Bozak a three year, 5 million a year contract because I don't know. The money is too high for what will amount to a third line center, especially now that Brayden Schenn and O'Reilly will be in front of him. They also picked up a year rental of Chad Johnson for 1.75 million. Again, too high of a price, given his lack of production lately.
• Vancouver continues to want to tread water, as they handed out identical four year, 3 million per year contracts to Jay Beagle and Antoine Roussel. Two years and just under 2 million a year for Tim Schaller and three years and 3.36 million a year to Sven Baertschi were also handed out. None of those are Loui Eriksson bad, which is good, but only the Baertschi signing makes sense, as he can still deliver on some of his offensive upside. Roussel, Beagle, and Schaller do provide a defensive presence up front that had been sorely lacking since Ryan Kesler bolted town.
• If I began with the Maple Leafs, I have to end with the New York Islanders, the team Tavares is leaving behind. I don't think Tavares leaving is a death blow, as Mat Barzal looks like he will be the best player on the Islanders by this time next year, but it certainly hurts. Saying that, the Islanders signed Leo Komarov to four years and 3 million per year. The term may be a little long, and Komarov isn't going to provide major offense, but he will provide leadership and at a reasonable price, the Islanders will have room to move. They also re-signed Thomas Hickey for four years and 2.5 million. Thought to have been a bust after failing to crack the Kings roster in the time after he was drafted in 2007, he's turned out to be a respectable defender with the Islanders, and he was one of the few bright spots on a blue line that was awful last year. The big problem was signing Valtteri Filppula for 2.75 million. It's only one year, but the Islanders did not need Filppula, who clearly has nothing left at this stage of his career.

If I didn't mention your team, it's because there weren't any good or bad moves made. 

NHL mock Draft: picks 16-23

I'm trying to catch up here before the Draft Friday, so here's my picks from 16 to 23.

16. Colorado Avalanche-Joel Farabee, LW, US NTDP

The Avs addressed their blue line depth in last year's Draft, and now, their main objective is to get more scorers in the pipeline. A year at Boston University should give Farabee a chance to pack on a little weight, but his ability is there, and if he gets paired with either Nathan MacKinnon or Mikko Rantanen down the line, it would unlock his full potential.

17. New Jersey Devils-K'Andre Miller, D, US NTDP

The Devils are still fairly thin on the blue line even with the addition of Sami Vatanen and the emergence of Will Butcher. Miller still has room to grow, especially since he's still learning the position, but the rewards are immense and he will get a little time to learn in Wisconsin.

18. Columbus Blue Jackets-Rasmus Kupari, C, Karpat (Finland)

The ceiling is high for Kupari, but consistency is an issue that needs to be sorted out. Still, the Blue Jackets need scoring, and Kupari would, at his best, provide that.

19. Philadelphia Flyers-Serron Noel, RW, Oshawa (OHL)

The Flyers don't have much in the way of needs in the pipeline, but do have some holes to fill at the NHL level. Noel provides a power forward skill set that could very well match that of current Flyer Wayne Simmonds.

20. Los Angeles Kings-Jared McIsaac, D, Halifax (QMJHL)

The depth on the blue line may become an issue soon, especially if Drew Doughty leaves soon. McIsaac won't replace his offensive numbers, but everything else about his game suggests that he can be a solid player who's proficient in his own end.

21. San Jose Sharks-Jett Woo, D, Moose Jaw (WHL)

San Jose needs to get younger on the blue line, and there isn't much in the pipeline. Woo is more of a physical type and won't provide much offense, but his game is similar to Marc-Edouard Vlasic, something that the Sharks will happily take.

22. Ottawa Senators (from Pittsburgh)-Barrett Hayton, C, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)

Ottawa is thin down the middle, and if Matt Duchene leaves after the season, the Sens are in major trouble. Hayton will get a chance to show more of what he can do offensively, but he's already a player who shows great detail defensively.

23. Anaheim Ducks-Dominik Bokk, RW, Vaxjo Jr. (Sweden)

The Ducks need skill players, and bad. Bokk may just be scratching the surface of what he can do, and he may also need to pack on a few pounds, but the potential is there, and he got to play on the same team as Elias Pettersson, who is slated to debut in the NHL next season a year after being drafted.

Here Lie the Los Angeles Kings: They Never Scored

One of the trendy picks for a potential upset prior to the start of the NHL playoffs was the Los Angeles Kings over the Vegas Golden Knights. After all, the last regular season game for the Golden Knights was a 7-1 blowout loss to Calgary. So, what happened? The Golden Knights were able to pull out a sweep of the Kings, thanks to four straight one goal victories. However, that only tells part of the story. For the Kings, it is all about wasted opportunity and wasting the efforts of Jonathan Quick.

Having 1-0 results as bookends of the series should tell you all that you need to know as to why the Kings will be heading to the golf links right now. They were only able to score three goals total, and games one and four were shutouts that showed the Kings had trouble not only finding the net, but also keeping up with the Golden Knights. Say what you will about the Golden Knights being afforded the opportunity to field a competitive team, but the players picked by them not only had something to prove, but also bought into the system that coach Gerard Gallant installed. The right hockey people were picked for the front office, and the ability to capitalize on moves such as claiming Malcolm Subban off waivers from Boston and getting a first round pick in last year's draft from the Islanders for basically nothing show the acumen of the group. As for the Kings, less than a goal a game is not going to cut it in any sport, and certainly, even with Quick keeping the team in the games, it looked for all the world that the Kings just simply gave up on offense, rarely challenging the Golden Knights on any level offensively. It should say plenty that the team speed was virtually non-existent, and the players that can score, did very little of that. It didn't matter that Drew Doughty was suspended for game two of the series, as the Kings would have been dispatched quickly anyway.

Making the playoffs was nice for the Kings after missing out last year, but there are massive holes that need to be patched up before they can resemble a Stanley Cup contender again. Let's hope prospects like Kale Clague and Jarret Anderson-Dolan develop as hoped and Gabe Vilardi can be an answer down the middle for a team that may soon need to infuse some younger, quicker talent.

2018 NHL Western Conference Playoffs Preview

Now, it's the Western Conference's turn to get the preview treatment.

(1) Nashville Predators vs. (4) Colorado Avalanche

For not having one player that can kill you, the Nashville Predators did incredibly well this season. In fact, they claimed a few regular season trophies out of it. Their offense is a pick-your-poison type, with no player scoring above 64 points (Filip Forsberg) and no player cracking 30 goals (Viktor Arvidsson had 29), but half the roster cracked double digits in goals and six players scored above 50 points. Factor in the fact that the forwards can go five to six lines deep, and you have to figure out which players to prepare for. Defensively, this team isn't just good in their own end, as they were the second best defense in the league, but they can also kill you on offense. PK Subban and Roman Josi scored above 50 points, they along with Mattias Ekholm scored double digits in goals, and had Ryan Ellis not missed the first half of the season to injury, he would have joined them in possibly both categories. In goal, Pekka Rinne had his best regular season yet, and now, if he goes down, the Predators can feel comfortable with Juuse Saros in net.

Colorado was the true comeback story of the year, going from under 50 points in a season to a playoff berth on the last day of their regular season. Much of that is Nathan MacKinnon posting MVP-type numbers, as well as coach Jared Bednar having a whole off-season to implement his system. Mikko Rantanen took a major step forward in his second season, and Gabriel Landeskog had a bounce back season, providing much needed leadership on the team. Forward depth remains an issue, especially if MacKinnon's line gets shut down. The blue line played better this season, and Tyson Barrie, like most of the Avs, had a better season. The key here is Erik Johnson, who always seems to be injured every year, and heading into this series, this is no exception. If he misses any amount of time, they're done here. In goal, when healthy, the duo of Semyon Varlamov and Jonathan Bernier can be very good. The problem, as with Johnson, is that it hasn't always been the case. Varlamov is likely missing this series, and Bernier also missed time in the regular season. Bernier also has a bad habit of letting in soft goals, so this series bears watching in that regard.

Prediction: Predators in 5

(2) Winnipeg Jets vs. (3) Minnesota Wild

The Jets are in the playoffs for the second time since moving to Winnipeg in 2011. Their offense and depth can rival the Predators, but where the Jets have the ability to excel is their ability to be more physical. This year, they may have figured out the fine line between being physical and going over the line, as being in the box had been their downfall. Despite not having Mark Scheifele for stretches of time to injuries, the Jets got major contributions from Blake Wheeler and Patrik Laine, the latter of whom scored over 40 goals despite spending some time on the third line. Defensively, this unit is still very good, though Dustin Byfuglien is getting a little older. Having the likes of Josh Morrissey and Jacob Trouba step up has been beneficial and portends promise for the unit's future. In goal, it was supposed to be Steve Mason, but constant injuries opened the door once again to Connor Hellebuyck, and he took full advantage, winning 44 games and answering the ever-going question in goal.

The Wild's offense goes through Eric Staal, who has has a renaissance since signing with them prior to last season. He has been their best forward, with Jason Zucker and a healthy Nino Niederreiter all providing secondary offense. That's going to be important because Zach Parise has suddenly developed the Joe Mauer syndrome, as in he can't stay healthy and his contract is becoming an albatross. The blue line was one of the better units in the league. However, that was before Ryan Suter went down to injury. Now, they have to hope that a returning Jared Spurgeon can fill some of the offensive void left by him and that the rest of the unit can come together. In goal, as Devan Dubnyk goes, so often go the Wild. He had a fairly good season, but he will need to elevate his game if the Wild hope to be more than just a one and done team.

Prediction: Jets in 6

(1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (4) Los Angeles Kings

The Golden Knights surprised everyone out of the gate by taking the division lead. Despite injuries in goal and a late-season swoon, they were able to hold on to the Division title. Injuries are still a problem in goal, as Marc-Andre Fleury may still be dealing with the aftereffects of two concussions. Backup Malcolm Subban has also missed time to injuries. When healthy, though, this is an effective duo in goal. Defensively, their no-name group has played incredibly well, and Deryk Engelland has provided leadership from that group that has spread through the entire team. Up front, Jonathan Marchessault has been an offensive force, but the real surprise has been William Karlsson, who came out of nowhere to score over 40 goals. There is balance on the team, but did they use all of their mana too early?

The Kings are back, and health and resurgent seasons from key players is a big reason why. Jonathan Quick showed last season how important he was when he missed time to injury. A healthy Quick got them over the hump this season. On the blue line, Drew Doughty was his usual self, and depth here got better with the trade deadline acquisition of Dion Phaneuf. Up front, minus Jeff Carter missing time to injury, they got a major revival from Anze Kopitar and Dusting Brown played way better than in the past few seasons. Youth is served, with Adrian Kempe, Tanner Pearson, and Tyler Toffoli all playing pivotal roles.

Prediction: I have to be honest, I struggled with this pick, as it can truly go either way. There is always the threat of the Kings pulling a deep playoff run out of their hat, and the Golden Knights's most recent game at Calgary is cause for alarm. However, I feel that Gerard Gallant will rally the Golden Knights as he has all season and say Golden Knights in 7.

(2) Anaheim Ducks vs. (3) San Jose Sharks

The Ducks have the most momentum of any team heading into the playoffs, and John Gibson was a major part of that. He played his best hockey down the stretch, and Ryan Miller filled in the gaps when Gibson needed some rest. However, as has been the case the last few playoff seasons, does the clock strike midnight for Gibson, who struggled and acquiesced to Frederik Andersen and Jonathan Bernier? The blue line is still very strong despite not having Sami Vatanen (traded for Adam Henrique) and Cam Fowler, who may be out for the series. Up front, injuries made life tough for the team early on, but now, they have good depth down the middle, and the team is closer to healthy than they've ever been this season.

The Sharks have done well up front despite losing Joe Thornton for a stretch of time. The big question here is whether Evander Kane can truly be a difference maker in his first playoff appearance. Defensively, this is Brent Burns' unit, as he leads here. Martin Jones and Aaron Dell are a solid unit in goal, but overall, nothing about this team truly sticks out. That could make them dangerous in the playoffs.

Prediction: Ducks in 6

Losing Their Touch

LOS ANGELES KINGS

2016-17 record: 39-35 -8 (86 points)
Missed the playoffs
Captain: Anze Kopitar

Once again, the defense of the Los Angeles Kings was near the top of the league, but like recent seasons, the offense was lagging far behind. The result was not only missing the playoffs for the second time in three seasons, but also sweeping changes in the front office. Dean Lombardi's trade deadline gambling and inability to manage the salary cap cost him his job as General Manager while Darryl Sutter's inability to adapt to the current NHL style of play cost him the head coaching job. The Kings are a team in transition, now, but they intend to maintain their identity as one of the toughest teams to play against. Whether they can strike a balance between offense and defense is a question that won't be answered overnight.

The defense begins from the back end out, and even though it got bad from the outset, as Jonathan Quick missed a chunk of time, this group was pretty good given the circumstances. Peter Budaj, and later Ben Bishop, helped keep the ship afloat until Quick returned, and now with Quick ready to go again, it will be up to Darcy Kuemper and Jack Campbell to stake a claim to the backup job. The blue line is in good hands with Drew Doughty, as he drives this unit. The group behind him is still solid, but Jake Muzzin must rebound from a terrible season. Depth here is not a problem. Up front is where the problems were, as Anze Kopitar was far from his usual self, as he had trouble balancing production and captaincy duties. Jeff Carter was reliable, and Tanner Pearson did well, but the rest of the group was not. Tyler Toffoli is looking to be healthy and return to 30-goal territory while Kopitar is just hoping to be more comfortable with the added responsibilities. Adrian Kempe will be looking to make an impact, while Dustin Brown and Marian Gaborik are contractual millstones at this point. The penalty kill was great, but the power play reflected the team's troubles scoring.

Prediction: 5th in the Pacific Division

A return to health may help prop up some of the offensive numbers, but given the team's lack of overall speed, the Kings just might be treading water until the cumbersome contracts of Brown, Gaborik, and the long-since departed Mike Richards come off the books.

NHL Mock Draft: Picks 9-15

Continuing on with the NHL Mock Draft, and the rest of the lottery teams:

9. Detroit Red Wings- Eeli Tolvanen, LW, Sioux City (USHL)

Detroit was awful offensively, and short of guys like Dylan Larkin and Gustav Nyquist finding their offensive games again, they need a game-breaker badly. Tolvanen has the potential to be just that.

10. Florida Panthers- Owen Tippett, RW, Mississauga (OHL)

Florida has plenty of young talent in the pipeline, but it doesn't hurt to have another player ready, especially if Jaromir Jagr eventually hangs it up. Tippett is the biggest boom or bust pick of the potential first round players, but the upside is great here.

11. Los Angeles Kings- Martin Necas, RW, Brno (Czech Republic)

The Kings have been left behind when it comes to the changing game, which is speed. Necas provides their best chance at catching up, but he also brings a reliable two-way game up front, so it isn't just one dimension.

12. Carolina Hurricanes- Nick Suzuki, C, Owen Sound (OHL)

The Hurricanes are lacking down the middle, and while Suzuki isn't a gamebreaker down the middle, he is reliable and has enough offensive talent to one day be a number one center.

13. Winnipeg Jets- Michael Rasmussen, C, Tri-City (WHL)

The Jets don't have that intimidating presence up front, and while it is a folly to suggest that Rasmussen will be a great power forward, there is a lot to like, with his offense being no worse than third-line. At best, he would open up opportunities for the likes of Patrik Laine and Mark Scheifele.

14. Tampa Bay Lightning- Maxime Comtois, LW, Victoriaville (QMJHL)

While it is possible that the Lightning could lose some talent up front (Tyler Johnson and Ondrej Palat), they do have pretty good talent in the pipeline. Comtois would add a two-way element that has largely been missing from the forward unit, with potential for above average offensive output.

15. New York Islanders- Juuso Valimaki, D, Tri-City (WHL)

Because it is unknown whether the Islanders will ever put their young talent on display, one can never know how the defensemen will pan out. In the event that most don't, it may be wise to pick one, and Valimaki is more developed offensively than defensively, but the puck mover type is what they sorely need the most.

Black Monday in the NHL

The day after the NHL regular season ended, a few coaches and General Managers found themselves out of a job, making the term "Black Monday" an appropriate one. Let's look at where the axe fell, where some coaches and front office people managed a short reprieve, and which teams may be in trouble down the line.

First, the casualties:

• The Dallas Stars announced that Lindy Ruff would not return next season as head coach. In four seasons, Ruff led the team to the playoffs, but it was clear that in the just completed season, he could never solve their defensive woes and his message wasn't getting through. Gerard Gallant is rumored to be a name on the Stars' list for the next head coach.
• Tom Rowe was relieved of both head coaching and General Manager duties, and Dale Tallon was reinstated as General Manager, effectively meaning that owner Vincent Viola admitted the error of his ways after the previous season. Bad trades, an ill-timed firing of coach Gerard Gallant mid-season, and Rowe being in over his head in both roles now have the Panthers back at square one.
• Vancouver ended the Willie Desjardins experiment after three seasons, and in the process, canned assistants Doug Lidster and Perry Pearn. Desjardins led the team to the playoffs in his first season, but manipulating lines with little success and the second-worst record this season led to his ouster.
• The big bomb of the day belongs to the Los Angeles Kings, who fired head coach Daryl Sutter and General Manager Dean Lombardi. Luc Robitaiile and Rob Blake were moved up in the front office, with Blake assuming the General Manager role. Three years after the Kings won their last Stanley Cup, poor trades, salary cap mismanagement, and the inability to adapt to play in the NHL the last three seasons mean that the Kings' opportunity to win is now closed.

Now, let's look at who avoided the axe for now:

• Colorado was dead last in many categories, yet as of this writing, they have not announced whether coach Jared Bednar or VP of Hockey Operations Joe Sakic will be let go. Given that the Avs were in a bind about two months before the season, thanks to Patrick Roy leaving the head coaching job prior to this season, it would not be surprising if both were given one more year.
• Arizona still employs Dave Tippett as head coach despite a fifth straight season of playoff-free hockey. The Coyotes took a major step back this season, and one would think that it's time to look into a new head coach.
• The Buffalo Sabres were another team that took a step back. However, one could point to injuries as a reason for their decline, though one does have to wonder if Dan Bylsma should look over his shoulder soon. 
• The Winnipeg Jets were a streaky team this season, often on the wrong kind, though a strong finish to the season should render Paul Maurice safe for now.

Teams that will possibly look for permanent replacements:

• The Boston Bruins made the playoffs, and depending on how far they go could determine if Bruce Cassidy gets the interim label taken off.
• The New York Islanders missed out, but under Doug Weight's watch, they played markedly better than under Jack Capuano. Whether or not Garth Snow remains as General Manager is most likely going to determine the coaching job's fate.

The Waiting Game

The NHL Trade deadline, much like its free-agency period cousin, is largely a waiting game that sees some teams that need to make moves wait it out, sometimes too long. With the trade deadline two days away, the dominoes are falling rather slowly, but there are a couple of major ones that fell yesterday and many more that have yet to fall, with the possibility of them not falling at all.

Let's look at the two that did fall, as the Tampa Bay Lightning traded impending free agent Ben Bishop to Los Angeles for Peter Budaj, Erik Cernak, and a swap of draft picks. For Los Angeles, they can ease a recently returning Jonathan Quick back into the starting role with Bishop providing more than capable goaltending and possibly providing a two-headed monster in goal as they push for the playoffs. Budaj will be backing up Andrei Vasilevsky, who proved to be ready for the starting role while Bishop had his own injury issues. Budaj can also step in as needed, as he proved this season while Quick was out with injury. The Lightning also get a defensive prospect in Cernak, as well as some cap space that could be used to re-sign Jonathan Drouin or another of their own players that are set for free-agency after the season.

Later in the day, the Minnesota Wild once again rolled the dice on a mid-season acquisition, as they picked up Martin Hanzal and Ryan White, as well as a fourth round pick this year, from Arizona. A lower end prospect (Grayson Downing), a first round pick this year, next year's second round pick, and a conditional pick in 2019 go the other way. Given that Hanzal is a free agent after this season, this is a gamble, but this year's draft isn't particularly deep, and the Wild are suddenly strong down the middle, as Hanzal joins Eric Staal and Mikko Koivu as their centers. White provides an agitating presence for a team that can use it. The Coyotes get more draft picks, and given that they need a lot of things, it works here, especially since their arena issues remain unsolved at this point in time.

As for the moves yet to be made, there are at least two teams that haven't made trades that probably should, and both are sellers. First, the Colorado Avalanche. They are clearly not going anywhere anytime soon, and there hasn't been much in the way of talk for any of their players, with Jarome Iginla and Matt Duchene being the primary targets. Gabriel Landeskog is a dark horse option, at this point, but until they do something, that rebuild isn't going anywhere and they will be stuck in the basement. The other team that needs to make a move? The Vancouver Canucks. While they aren't out of it yet, they do need to figure out a contingency plan soon, as they aren't getting any younger, and it appears that Jake Virtanen is playing his way out of top young player status, if he hasn't already. Jannik Hansen and Alex Burrows appear to be likely targets, but it is possible that Ryan Miller would be given a look at, given that Jacob Markstrom has proven that he can handle the starting duties at the very least until Thatcher Demko is ready for full-time NHL duty.

Kingdom Crumbling Down?

LOS ANGELES KINGS

2015-16 record: 48-28-6 (102 points)
Lost to San Jose in Conference quarterfinals
Captain: Anze Kopitar

The Los Angeles Kings have been going all in for another Stanley Cup since 2012, but the last two seasons, the results have been far less than what they've hoped for, as they fell way short both times. Now, the salary cap threatens to have a stranglehold on the team's chances, thus closing a window of opportunity that may be there for just another season or two. Yes, they still have elite players at key spots, but whether they can field a team that be filled out with competent role players is another question.

Up front, Anze Koiptar has been their best player since he joined the NHL, and now, he has the captaincy added to his name. Unlike predecessor Dustin Brown, it shouldn't be a problem for him to adjust to the role while maintaining his production. Tyler Toffoli figures to be the next great offensive star for the team, and he already is a 30-goal scorer, while Jeff Carter continues to post solid numbers. Beyond that, there are question marks, namely can the Kings get continued secondary scoring from the likes of Tanner Pearson, Teddy Purcell, and a presumably healthy Marian Gaborik? They'll need it because Milan Lucic took both 20 goals and an imposing power forward type that opened doors for the offensive stars with him to Edmonton. A spike in numbers from Brown is hoped for, especially now that he no longer has the burden of wearing the captain's C. Defensively, they're as good as ever, and they are led by Drew Doughty, who finally got the recognition he deserved with his first Norris Trophy win. Jake Muzzin is solid, and a healthy Alec Martinez would certainly help, as would a healthy Matt Greene. However, the rest of the unit will be cobbled together by a combination of Brayden McNabb, Tom Gilbert, Zach Trotman, and Rob Scuderi. In a perfect world, either Kevn Gravel or Derek Forbort make an impact in the NHL. In goal, Jonathan Quick will continue to get the lion's share of the starts, and he shows little signs of slowing down. In the event he has to rest, one-time understudy Jeff Zatkoff will fill in. The power play was in the top ten, and figures to be again with Doughty and Kopitar leading the way. However, the penalty kill needs improvement, and certainly, not having their full compliment of players will help a little.

Prediction: 3rd in the Pacific Division

The Kings still have all the pieces necessary to make another Stanley Cup run, but time may be running out, as the salary cap looms large against their chances. They cannot afford to miss on another gamble the way they did when they traded for Andrej Sekera two seasons ago.

Leaders Wanted

The NHL season is less than two months away, and there are vacancies as far as who the captains will be, as well as potential changes with a couple of teams and one team already pulling the trigger on the change. Let's look at the teams that are or could be entering the season with a new captain:

Buffalo Sabres: Currently, Brian Gionta is the captain, but with just one year left on his current deal and the fact that his skills have been in decline for some time, it may be wise for the Sabres to think about a new captain. Ryan O'Reilly is the favorite to be the next captain, the only question is when he will inherit that role.

Carolina Hurricanes: The mid-season trade of Eric Staal means the Hurricanes will have a new captain. However, there is no clear cut leader in the clubhouse, as Jordan Staal is the closest they have, and he hasn't put up the numbers the elder Staal did when he was at the top of his game. Going with four alternate captains would be the best way to go, though if Justin Faulk shows something, he could swoop in and take the captaincy.

Colorado Avalanche: Gabriel Landeskog is currently the captain, but there have been rumors of him being on the move to acquire an NHL-ready defender. However, with Patrick Roy's unexpected resignation, that could mean Landeskog isn't going anywhere in the near future.

Edmonton Oilers: They went without a captain last year, as Andrew Ference was stripped of the C, and it is likely that the Oilers will once again, go with four alternate captains. The favored bet here is that they're going to wait until Connor McDavid is ready to inherit the role.

Florida Panthers: With Willie Mitchell likely to retire, the Panthers will need a new captain. However, picking from Aleksander Barkov, Aaron Ekblad, and Jonathan Huberdeau will not be an easy task. Expect the Panthers to go with four alternate captains, with Jaromir Jagr likely occupying one of those A's in a mentor role.

Los Angeles Kings: Dustin Brown had the captaincy handed to Anze Kopitar, and it was the right time to make this move, as Brown hasn't produced to his current deal, and perhaps not being burdened with added responsibility means an uptick in on-ice production. As for Kopitar, he's proven as a productive player and as one of the leaders of the Kings.

Nashville Predators: The Shea Weber-PK Subban trade sent shockwaves through the NHL, and in the process, left Nashville looking for a new captain. If they're looking to fill the gap in the interim, Mike Fisher would be the logical choice. Roman Josi doesn't appear to be ready for the role yet, but he was also the better defender last year. Subban has embraced the trade to Nashville, and it is not out of the question that he could be the guy that replaces Weber, both on the ice and with the captain's C.

St. Louis Blues: David Backes changed addresses in the off-season, and while Vladimir Tarasenko may appear to be the logical choice to be captain, it would be a folly to do so if it causes a decrease in goal scoring. Alex Pietrangelo would be the safer, and more likely pick.

Toronto Maple Leafs: Morgan Rielly has been a name kicked around as the next Maple Leafs captain. The front office appears to be leaning towards a player with more experience, which means Leo Komarov may be the guy they pick until Rielly is ready.

Winnipeg Jets: Andrew Ladd's trade mid-season left the Jets without a captain for part of last season. There are at least two options the Jets can go towards, as Dustin Byfuglien and Blake Wheeler are favorites to inherit the role. If they want to go bold, Mark Scheifele would be the answer.

Meet the 2016 Hockey Hall of Fame Class

This year's Hockey Hall of Fame class didn't have an obvious player entering their first year of eligibility, which meant that many of the players who have waited their turn to enter as one of the best to ever play had as good of a shot as anyone. Yesterday, three players and a head coach got the call to join the Hall of Fame in November.

Eric Lindros headlines the foursome, and while it has been wildly debated as to whether or not he deserves the nod, what is certain is that he dominated the game for a time in the mid to late 90's. Winning the Hart Trophy in the lockout shortened 1995 season, he also barely lost out on the Art Ross Trophy by tie-breaker and led the Flyers to a Stanley Cup Final in 1997. Injuries, namely concussions, curtailed what could have been a great career, but he still managed over a point a game.

Sergei Makarov spent the majority of his hockey career with the Red Army team in the old USSR, where he put up dynamic numbers alongside linemates Vladimir Krutov and fellow Hall of Famer Igor Larionov. He joined the NHL in the 1989-90 season, where he won the Calder Trophy at the age of 32, which forced the NHL to change the eligibility rules to cap at 26 years old for rookies. He amassed 384 points in 424 NHL games, and was on the winning teams for eight World Championships, two Olympics, and two World Juniors.

Rogie Vachon spent time with Montreal, Los Angeles, Detroit, and Boston, winning the Stanley Cup with Montreal twice. However, it was in Los Angeles that he earned his greatest recognition, setting many of the team's goalie records along the way. Only Jonathan Quick and Kelly Hrudey have put up great seasons in a Kings uniform alongside Vachon.

Pat Quinn will be posthumously honored. A player for nine seasons, he gained great recognition as coach of the Flyers, Kings, Canucks, Maple Leafs, and Oilers, making the Finals with the Flyers and Canucks one time each. He also held a managing position with Team Canada, and was Chair of the Hockey Hall of Fame at the time of his death in November 2014.

The induction ceremony will take place in November.

All Eyes on Las Vegas

Yesterday, the city of Las Vegas was the location for the NHL Awards ceremony. However, it was also the location that the NHL announced in a unanimous vote for the 31st team to play in the NHL starting in the 2017-18 season. Because this post will be all about Vegas, the expansion and Awards will be covered in one shot.

First, the expansion, and what it all means. Because of the unanimous vote, Las Vegas will have a team, and Bill Foley will be principal owner once that team gets rolling. As for arena, the T-Mobile Arena was opened two months ago with a team in mind, be it NHL or NBA, so arena is not an issue. The NHL paved the way for this expansion with a fair amount of preparation, right down to how they were going to plan the expansion draft, which will be explained at a later date. For now, the NHL doesn't plan on making immediate expansion to 32 teams, but will have Quebec City in mind. The hang-ups there? A weak Canadian Dollar, which was last seen at 78 cents to the American dollar, and geographic imbalance, as Quebec would have to kick an existing Eastern Conference team to the West, something that Las Vegas doesn't have to worry about, since they will play in the Pacific Division. The NHL did their homework before handing an expansion franchise to Las Vegas, but we'll see how it works long-term, as their nearest future rival Arizona has had a history of trouble bringing in fans.

The other business in Las Vegas? The annual Awards ceremony, which saw Patrick Kane take home the Hart, Ted Lindsay, and Art Ross trophies as the MVP as voted by the media, MVP as voted by the players, and most points, respectively. Blackhawks teammate Artemi Panarin took home the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year while Washington won big with Braden Holtby winning the Vezina as the goaltender of the year and Barry Trotz winning the Jack Adams as coach of the year. Los Angeles took home some hardware, too, as Anze Kopitar took home the Selke as the defensive forward of the year and the Lady Byng as the most gentlemanly player while Drew Doughty finally got his due recognition as defenseman of the year, winning his first Norris Trophy. The Bill Masterton Trophy for perseverance went to Jaromir Jagr, the General Manager of the Year was awarded to Jim Rutherford, the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award went to Shea Weber, the King Clancy Trophy went to Henrik Sedin, and the NHL Foundation Player Award went to Mark Giordano.

Restocking Needs Part 3

Los Angeles Kings

Number of picks: 4
First pick: 51st overall

Like the Rangers, the Kings have traded away picks in their quest for the Stanley Cup every year. However, the Kings have had some success, as they've claimed two Stanley Cups since 2012. With many of their best players in the prime of their careers, the Kings can afford to push their top prospects slowly. That doesn't mean the Kings should skip the draft, as there are still holes to fill, namely secondary scoring, one that can replace possible salary cap casualty Milan Lucic, and eventually a long-term replacement for Jonathan Quick when he starts moving past his prime.

Chicago Blackhawks

Number of picks: 7
First pick: 83rd overall

This draft will be a major test of just how well the Blackhawks hit on the late round picks, as they don't pick for the first time until round three. However, they have six other picks after that, so there's a chance they can replenish their system that will be in need of players in the next year or so. Given their annual salary cap issues, players will have to emerge sooner than wanted, so extra bodies are needed just about everywhere.

Florida Panthers

Number of picks: 5
Picks in the first round: 23rd overall

The Panthers are set as far as prospects are concerned, even with their best young players already on the NHL squad. However, identifying a replacement for Roberto Luongo is paramount, and while Samuel Montembault, a 2015 pick, may be the answer, drafting another goalie would be wise. Also, finding a shutdown defender to replace Erik Gudbranson would be a good idea, though it did net a potential secondary scoring option in Jared McCann.

Anaheim Ducks

Number of picks: 5 or 6
Picks in the first round: 24th overall

Despite a number of prospects that will eventually find their way to Anaheim, the Ducks suffered another early exit, and the uncertainty of what the next head coach will bring muddies the picture somewhat. What is clear is that secondary scoring to go along with what they have is needed, especially since Corey Perry pulled a disappearing act in the playoffs. Jakob Silfverberg is one answer, but the Ducks would love more answers, and if one of them is Perry re-emerging, that would be great. Also, finding a true number one defender would be great for a Ducks team that relies on all six to pull their weight.

Dallas Stars

Number of picks: 5 or 6
Picks in the first round: 25th overall

With a few key players possibly being on the way out, the Stars would need to plug in players from the pipeline. That means they would need to replenish with those that can play on the blue line, especially. A still suspect blue line needs answers, as does a forward unit that needs good two-way play on the bottom lines. Neither Kari Lehtonen nor Antti Niemi proved to be the true answer in goal, and there isn't anything resembling a future starting goalie in the system, so finding a goalie to develop is paramount.

Washington Capitals

Number of picks: 6
Picks in the first round: 26th overall

With no immediate needs, the Capitals can afford to take the best available player with their first pick. With nothing else to do until round four, the Caps will have time to figure out what parts needs restocking, which signs point to the blue line and possibly scoring. Anything the Caps pick this year will likely need two or three years to develop, which shouldn't be too hard, since the NHL roster is set for that time.

Tampa Bay Lightning

Number of picks: 9
Picks in the first round: 27th overall

Everything centers around what Steven Stamkos will do. The UFA-to-be lost a little leverage when the Lightning made the Conference Finals despite him not being there for much of it, and given the Lightning's salary cap issues potentially looming, it may result in Stamkos walking. As for draft options, another defender would be nice, as would someone that can step in and contribute right away offensively. Filling the leadership void will be harder if Stamkos walks.

St. Louis Blues

Number of picks: 7
Picks in the first round: 28th overall

The Blues have potentially some major holes to fill on their immediate roster with David Backes and Troy Brouwer likely leaving. A true number one defender would also be nice, particularly since Kevin Shattenkirk has been a perpetual name being floated around in trade rumors. The Blues don't hurt for offense, but getting a center would help, since that's where Backes would be leaving a void.

San Jose Sharks

Number of picks: 5
First pick: 111th overall

The first round pick that was traded for Martin Jones last off-season appears to be well-spent, as the Sharks made the Stanley Cup Finals this year. However, their pipeline continues to bear watching, as there aren't a great amount of high-end prospects. That doesn't mean the Sharks are necessarily mortgaging their future, as they now have an ability to see their prospects in their own backyard, and their best players, save for Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau, are still in their prime years.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Number of picks: 5
First pick: 55th overall

Their first round pick sacrifice for Phil Kessel, as well as giving up a few prospects, is bearing fruit as the Penguins made the Stanley Cup Finals. Despite not having much in the way of top end prospects, the Penguins get the most out of the players that are forced to step in when needed. However, at some point, it may be time to find top end prospects to go along with Daniel Sprong, particularly since Beau Bennett hasn't panned out while others such as Joe Morrow and Simon Despres were traded in deals that didn't pan out.

NHL Playoffs Preview: Western Conference

Part two of the 2016 NHL Playoffs preview will cover the Western Conference, which can be seen as California vs. the Central Division.

(1) Dallas Stars vs. (4) Minnesota Wild

The Stars were largely one of the best teams in the West, but they also had to play without Tyler Seguin for a few weeks to close out the season. His return for the first round is likely, which bodes well for the offensive juggernaut. However, the goalie problem still exists, as neither Kari Lehtonen nor Antti Niemi have seized the starting job. The blue line remains the wild card.

The Wild basically backed into a playoff spot, as it seemed that they didn't necessarily want the spot even after Colorado kept losing. A mid-season coaching change was barely enough to get there, but it may also be a short run, as the lack of depth on the blue line is getting exposed, as well as players up front not playing up to expectations. Devan Dubnyk will likely have to carry the team once again, and like last time, it may not be enough.

Prediction: Stars in 5

(2) St. Louis Blues vs. (3) Chicago Blackhawks

The Blues were neck and neck for the Central Division crown until the last game. Now, the playoffs are here and until they can make a deep run, there will always be questions as to whether the Blues can win when it counts with the current group. Outside of Vladimir Tarasenko, everyone on the team, coaches included, have something to prove.

Conversely, the Blackhawks stumbled their way into the playoffs, but they will have Corey Crawford back after he sat out for head issues. Depth, more than any other time, is a possible issue, particularly if players such as Marian Hossa don't make it back all the way. There's still Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, and Duncan Keith will be back after serving a seven-game suspension, plus the Blackhawks have been here before and know what to do.

Prediction: Blackhawks in 6

(1) Anaheim Ducks vs. (4) Nashville Predators

A slow start to the season gave way to a strong finish that saw the Ducks overtake the Kings for the Pacific Division crown on the last day of the season. Goaltending remains an issue, though John Gibson appears to be taking the lead as the starter, with Fredrik Andersen still lurking. The Ducks are coming together at the right time, with players such as Jakob Silfverberg and Rickard Rakell stepping up to compliment Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf. There still is no top defender on the team, but all six defenders are more than capable as a unit.

The Predators, like the Wild, also backed into the playoffs, needing three tries to make it, losing all three tries, yet Colorado didn't want it, either. Goaltending is also an issue, as Pekka Rinne hasn't been great, with Carter Hutton playing consecutive games for a short stretch at one point. The blue line is still a strong point, with Shea Weber and Roman Josi leading the way, but up front, there needs to be more than Filip Forsberg contributing. Mid-season acquisition Ryan Johansen is an X-factor here.

Prediction: Ducks in 6

(2) Los Angeles Kings vs. (3) San Jose Sharks

The Kings were on the verge of winning just their second Division title until Anaheim swooped in on the last day. Nonetheless, the Kings are back in the playoffs, and given their recent history in the playoffs, they should find a way back to the promised land. Jonathan Quick is still in goal, and Drew Doughty is still leading the way defensively while Anze Kopitar leads the charge up front. Where the Kings could use a boost is in just how much guys like Tyler Toffoli and Milan Lucic can do.

The Sharks get a chance to avenge their 2014 collapse to the very LA Kings team they faced the last time they were in the playoffs.  Martin Jones has been solid, but not great, which is why James Reimer was brought in. Both should figure to push the other until there is a true starter for the playoff run. Defensively, Brent Burns is the offensive firestarter while Marc-Edouard Vlasic is the rock in the Sharks' own end. Joe Pavelski is the leader up front now, with the team hoping that Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau have something left.

Prediction: Kings in 7

Trading Places

There's been a fair number of trades today, with Los Angeles trading with Philadelphia and Nashville trading with Columbus. First, Los Angeles gets Vincent Lecavalier and Luke Schenn while Philadelphia gets much needed cap space as well as Jordan Weal and a third round pick.

As for Columbus and Nashville, you may have noticed that I put the Portland Winterhawks logo as the primary picture. Well, it so happens that two Winterhawks alumni will be trading places, as Ryan Johansen (2009-11) goes to Nashville with Seth Jones (2012-13) going to Columbus. The trade is a culmination of the rather tumultuous relationship between Johansen and Blue Jackets' upper management that came to a head when Johansen clashed with coach John Tortorella once Tortorella was named as coach midway through this season. Johansen gets a fresh start with Nashville while Seth Jones will get his best chance to be the number one defenseman in Columbus now that he won't be stuck behind Shea Weber and Roman Josi.