Boston Bruins: Top-6 Center<\/p>\n
The Boston Bruins were among the biggest surprise playoff teams this season. They\u2019re prime regression candidates for next season, but they could avoid dropping off by acquiring a top-six center. Elias Lindholm<\/a> isn\u2019t the player he used to be, and Pavel Zacha is unlikely to shoot nearly 23 percent again.<\/p>\n There are plenty of teams that need centers, as you\u2019ll see throughout this article, so the Bruins need to be aggressive in their pursuit. They have a top prospect in James Hagens, but to expect him to carry the load next season wouldn\u2019t be fair. GM Don Sweeney will have to find an external solution.<\/p>\n Buffalo Sabres: Top-6 Center<\/p>\n The Buffalo Sabres were one win and one goal away from reaching the Eastern Conference Final. Their season wasn\u2019t a fluke, but they need a couple of additions this offseason to build on their excellent 2025-26 campaign.<\/p>\n It was tempting to consider goaltending as the Sabres\u2019 most pressing need, but another center to complement their top six would be most impactful. Robert Thomas would be a perfect fit<\/a> if the St. Louis Blues decide to trade him. A center group of Tage Thompson, Thomas, and Ryan McLeod would give them one of the best 1-2-3 punches in the East.<\/p>\n Calgary Flames: More Scoring Punch<\/p>\n The Calgary Flames are in a rebuild, so they have many holes to fill. This is more of a broad need, but the Flames need more offensive punch throughout their forward group; they finished 29th in five-on-five goals this season.<\/p>\n Because of where they are as an organization, building through the draft is the Flames\u2019 best bet right now. They have a top-10 selection in the 2026 draft and should look to use it on a forward with offensive upside if there\u2019s a suitable one available in their draft slot.<\/p>\n Carolina Hurricanes: Goaltending<\/p>\n It\u2019s hard to pick a need for a team that\u2019s in the Stanley Cup Final, but goaltending is probably the most pressing need for the Carolina Hurricanes. Frederik Andersen has been excellent in the playoffs, but he struggled during the regular season. He will be an unrestricted free agent on July 1, and he\u2019s not getting any younger.<\/p>\n Andersen\u2019s backup, Brandon Bussi, is a solid 1B, but the Hurricanes need more of a sure thing in net. The wild card is Pyotr Kochetkov, who missed most of this season due to injury<\/a>. If the Hurricanes believe he can reach his potential, they may have an internal solution.<\/p>\n Chicago Blackhawks: Support for Bedard<\/p>\n The Chicago Blackhawks are still in rebuild mode, but it\u2019s time for them to begin moving things forward. They haven\u2019t made much progress in the standings, and that\u2019s partly because they\u2019ve failed to build proper support around Connor Bedard.<\/p>\n The Blackhawks have drafted quite well and have one of the best prospect pools in the NHL, but they need more NHL-ready talent around Bedard in their top six. GM Kyle Davidson needs to be aggressive in his pursuit of more scoring, just as the San Jose Sharks have been in supporting Macklin Celebrini.<\/p>\n Colorado Avalanche: Bottom-6 Center<\/p>\n It was honestly difficult to pick a need for the Colorado Avalanche. A look at their roster, and there\u2019s really no glaring flaw to address. Perhaps they need a bottom-six center since Ross Colton and Jack Drury could be cap casualties.<\/p>\n However, the solution may already be on their roster with Nicolas Roy, whom the Avalanche acquired at this season\u2019s trade deadline. With Nathan MacKinnon<\/a>, Brock Nelson, Nazem Kadri, and Roy, their center depth may already be set for next season.<\/p>\n Columbus Blue Jackets: Top-6 C<\/p>\n The Blue Jackets came just short of qualifying for the playoffs for the second consecutive season. Among the reasons they\u2019ve been stuck in the mushy middle of the NHL the last couple of years is that they don\u2019t have a true No. 1 center.<\/p>\n Sean Monahan can be a reliable second-line center when healthy, but the onus is on Adam Fantilli to take a step forward in his development. The Blue Jackets used a top-three pick on him, but he\u2019s yet to develop into the player they hoped he\u2019d be. If he can take a step forward next season, they may have an internal solution.<\/p>\n Dallas Stars: Top-4, Right-Handed Defenseman<\/p>\n Acquiring a top-four, right-handed defenseman is not a new need for the Dallas Stars. It\u2019s been a problem for some time, but GM Jim Nill has failed to address it properly. Nill\u2019s acquisitions on the right side over the last few seasons have included Cody Ceci, Tyler Myers, and Ilya Lyubushkin. That won\u2019t cut it for a team with Stanley Cup aspirations.<\/p>\n Nils Lundkvist did take a step forward this season, but the Stars still need another puck-mover on their right side. There\u2019s not much available in free agency, and they will be tight on cap space with Jason Robertson due for a significant pay raise<\/a> this summer. Nill will have to thread the needle to find an upgrade.<\/p>\n Detroit Red Wings: Getting a Proper Return for Larkin<\/p>\n Elliotte Friedman dropped a bombshell last week when he reported Dylan Larkin had requested a trade<\/a> from the Detroit Red Wings. His underlying numbers dropped off this past season, but he still finished with 30+ goals and 60+ points. He could be a high-end 2C for a Cup contender.<\/p>\n It\u2019s unfortunate news for the Red Wings. It also puts GM Steve Yzerman in a difficult spot. Everyone knows Larkin wants out, and he has a full no-trade clause. He can essentially pick where he wants to go. It doesn\u2019t give Yzerman a ton of leverage, but he has to net a solid return for Larkin. If not, they will have to rebuild again.<\/p>\n Edmonton Oilers: Goaltending<\/p>\n I think it goes without saying that the Edmonton Oilers need to solidify their situation in between the pipes. They acquired Tristan Jarry<\/a> midseason, but it did not work out as intended. Could they trade Jarry and find another 1A option via a trade?<\/p>\n The odds of that don\u2019t seem particularly high. They have to hope Jarry rebounds, especially with a better defensive environment than the one they had this past season. But GM Stan Bowman still needs to be on the prowl for a 1B who can complement Jarry in case things go awry again.<\/p>\n Florida Panthers: Goaltending<\/p>\n Injuries were the real story for the Florida Panthers this season. Aleksander Barkov missed<\/a> the entire season, but plenty of Panthers missed significant time. Health would go a long way, but GM Bill Zito may also need to address goaltending.<\/p>\n Sergei Bobrovsky<\/a> will forever be a Panthers legend, but he struggled this season and will be a UFA on July 1. He finished with a save percentage of just .877, and the Panthers have traded their top prospects, Spencer Knight and Devon Levi, who could have been his successors. It\u2019ll be interesting to see how Zito decides to address it.<\/p>\n Los Angeles Kings: Kopitar Replacement<\/p>\n Even if Quinton Byfield takes a step forward next season, the Los Angeles Kings still need to find a replacement for Anze Kopitar, who retired after this postseason. Kopitar\u2019s best days were behind him, but he\u2019s an all-time great King. They barely made the playoffs this season and could fall out of the picture next season if they don\u2019t add another center to replace him.<\/p>\n That\u2019s why the Kings are a potential fit for Larkin. I\u2019m not sure they have the assets to get a trade done, but he\u2019s exactly what they need down the middle. At the very least, GM Ken Holland, who drafted Larkin in Detroit, should be aggressive in his pursuit of the disgruntled Red Wings forward.<\/p>\n Minnesota Wild: Top-6 Center<\/p>\n The Wild are another team in desperate need of a center. It was a significant reason why they got bounced in the second round of the playoffs by the Avalanche. Joel Eriksson Ek is a fine second-line center, but the Wild won\u2019t go anywhere in the West with him as their 1C.<\/p>\n Larkin would be better suited as a 2C on a Cup contender, but an average 1C such as Larkin could work in Minnesota since they have Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy on the wings. Like the Kings, I\u2019m not sure the Wild have the assets to acquire Larkin, but they will likely be in heavy pursuit of him.<\/p>\n Montreal Canadiens: 2nd-Line Center<\/p>\n The Montreal Canadiens have a top-line center and Selke Trophy winner in Nick Suzuki<\/a>, but they otherwise lack depth down the middle. As such, GM Kent Hughes will likely be aggressive in trying to acquire a second-line center to build on their Eastern Conference Final appearance.<\/p>\n Among the possible targets could be New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck. It won\u2019t be cheap to acquire him, but he\u2019s the perfect second-line center. If he\u2019s open to playing in a Canadian city, he could be who Hughes and President of Hockey Ops Jeff Gorton target.<\/p>\n Nashville Predators: Top-4, Right-Handed Defenseman<\/p>\n You could argue that the Nashville Predators are also one of the teams in need of a top-six center, but the right side of their blue line is in worse shape. As constructed today, they have Nick Perbix, Ryan Ufko, and Justin Barron as their top-three right-handed defensemen.<\/p>\n The Predators barely missed the playoffs in the West, and a puck-moving, top-four defender would go a long way for them. Chris MacFarland is taking over<\/a> as GM and President of Hockey Ops, so he\u2019ll likely have some savvy, data-centric ideas to improve the position.<\/p>\n New Jersey Devils: Top-6 Winger<\/p>\n Playing style may have had something to do with the New Jersey Devils\u2019 offensive struggles this season, but there\u2019s no doubt they need more scoring punch up front. They finished 31st in five-on-five goals \u2014 only the Vancouver Canucks scored fewer five-on-five goals \u2014 and they were among the worst finishing teams in the NHL.<\/p>\n Unlike some of the other teams here, the Devils are in good shape down the middle with Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier. Assuming they sign Hischier to an extension rather than trade him, they need a winger to complement Hughes or Hischier. There are some options in free agency, but their best bet will likely come via a trade.<\/p>\n New York Islanders: Top-6 Forward<\/p>\n The New York Islanders have a budding franchise defenseman in Matthew Schaefer and a franchise goalie in Ilya Sorokin. What they\u2019re missing is more game-breaking scoring talent up front. Mathew Barzal is a 70-75 point player, but there\u2019s generally a lack of support around him and Bo Horvat.<\/p>\n GM Mathieu Darche has a difficult task at hand, trying to add more scoring. The Islanders aren\u2019t just one scoring forward away from being a Cup contender. They need a few, and they\u2019re candidates to regress from the finishing luck they had this season. Building through the draft is probably Darche\u2019s best bet at building a sustainable contender.<\/p>\n New York Rangers: Top-4 Defenseman<\/p>\n The New York Rangers seem to be at a bit of a crossroads as an organization. On one hand, they should be rebuilding. On the other hand, it\u2019s tough to rebuild when you have Igor Shesterkin signed to the contract he is. There are quite a few flaws on this roster, but the Rangers could use another top-four defender.<\/p>\n Adam Fox is one of the best defensemen in the NHL, and Vladislav Gavrikov had a great first season in the Big Apple, but there\u2019s not much depth behind them. Another second-pair defender would shore up their depth and make life a bit easier on Shesterkin.<\/p>\n Ottawa Senators: Top-4, Right-Handed Defenseman<\/p>\n Artem Zub is one of the better defensive defensemen in the NHL, but the Ottawa Senators could still use another right-handed shot to complement Zub and Jordan Spence. Bruce Garrioch reported<\/a> around the trade deadline that the Senators were searching for a right-handed shot, so it\u2019ll likely be an area they seek to improve this summer.<\/p>\n Some of it depends on what they think of Spence. He\u2019s absolutely crushed third-pair minutes, but can he play higher up the lineup? The Senators don\u2019t need a top-pair right-handed shot, but someone who can add depth in a second- or third-pair role would work.<\/p>\n Philadelphia Flyers: Top-6 C<\/p>\n The Philadelphia Flyers had a nice run to the playoffs and will look to build on it this offseason. They need a first-line center, but those don\u2019t grow on trees. Still, acquiring another legit top-six center would help them build on a solid season.<\/p>\n GM Danny Briere has assets to work with in terms of draft capital and prospects, and there are a few centers available on the trade market who could check off some boxes. I wouldn\u2019t expect Briere to overpay for a center, but it is their biggest need heading into the draft and free agency.<\/p>\n Pittsburgh Penguins: Youth<\/p>\n The Pittsburgh Penguins were perhaps the biggest surprise of the season, but GM Kyle Dubas shouldn\u2019t lose sight of the big picture. They need to continue getting younger as they slowly transition out of the Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin era.<\/p>\n Dubas has been proactive in trying to get younger over the last couple of seasons. If he can find a similar trade to the Egor Chinakhov deal<\/a> he made earlier this season, that would make sense for the Penguins. It can be on defense or up front. It doesn\u2019t matter.<\/p>\n San Jose Sharks: Veteran Defenseman<\/p>\n The San Jose Sharks made a push for the playoffs this season, but ultimately fell short. One reason is that they had one of the NHL\u2019s most porous defenses. You could argue that they need multiple veteran defensemen this offseason, but even one would go a long way.<\/p>\n Morgan Rielly is among the players who could be available<\/a> this offseason. He\u2019s not what he used to be, but he\u2019s still a solid offensive defenseman and would give the Sharks an upgrade on their blue line. They certainly have the cap space to take on his entire contract if he\u2019s willing to accept a trade to San Jose.<\/p>\n Seattle Kraken: Game-Breaking Scorer<\/p>\n The Seattle Kraken have a bunch of good players, but they lack game-breaking talent. Their best bet at acquiring a game-breaker is through drafting and developing one, such as Berkly Catton, but they still need more goal-scoring upside in their lineup.<\/p>\n For better or worse, I could very much see the Kraken backing up the Brinks truck for Alex Tuch in free agency. That contract won\u2019t be pretty, but he\u2019s a proven 30+ goal-scorer and 60+ point producer. It wouldn\u2019t shock me if the Kraken see him as a fit for what they need.<\/p>\n St. Louis Blues: Right-Handed Defenseman<\/p>\n Multiple Blues players have appeared on trade boards this offseason. There\u2019s potential for big change in St. Louis, but what could they use the most on their roster? A right-handed defenseman, preferably one that can play a second- or third-pair role (unless they trade Colton Parayko).<\/p>\n One target that could make sense for the Blues is \u0160imon Nemec, who will likely be on the move this summer. Perhaps that comes in a package that sends Jordan Kyrou to the New Jersey Devils. But Alex Steen, who\u2019s taking over as GM, should be looking to add a right-shot blueliner to the mix.<\/p>\n Tampa Bay Lightning: Young Scoring Forward or Defenseman<\/p>\n The Tampa Bay Lightning bowed out of the playoffs earlier than anyone anticipated. One reason for that may be that they\u2019re just too old. Most of their core players are on the wrong side of 30, and while most are still playing at a high level, older teams tend to wear down more quickly in the postseason.<\/p>\n Julien BriseBois is one of the best GMs in the NHL, so I\u2019m sure he has an idea that his team needs to get a bit younger. Finding a young forward isn\u2019t always the easiest because they aren\u2019t always available, but they could always use some youth on their blue line, too. Either one would help extend the Lightning\u2019s window just a bit longer.<\/p>\n Toronto Maple Leafs: Top-4, Right-Handed Defenseman<\/p>\n The Toronto Maple Leafs have a few needs to fill, but their blue line needs the most work. You could argue they need a couple of defensemen, but it\u2019s the right side that lacks depth and offensive ability. Chris Tanev has historically been one of the best defensive defensemen in the NHL, but he\u2019s coming off a serious injury<\/a>, so who knows how he\u2019ll look next season, especially at his age.<\/p>\n Top-four, right-handed shots are always scarce on the trade market and in free agency, so the Maple Leafs may have to pay a premium to acquire one. Still, if they want to rebound and make the postseason in the gauntlet that is the Atlantic Division, they will need a right-shot defender.<\/p>\n Utah Mammoth: Top-6 Forward<\/p>\n After years of rebuilding during the Arizona Coyotes era, the Utah Mammoth broke through and made the playoffs this season. However, there\u2019s still work to do, especially since they\u2019re in the Central Division and have to contend with the Avalanche and Stars.<\/p>\n The Mammoth\u2019s biggest need appears to be adding another top-six forward. It could be a center, depending on whether they believe Nick Schmaltz is better suited on the wing, or a winger if they see Schmaltz sticking down the middle. Having another top-six forward would help them narrow the gap a bit with their division rivals.<\/p>\n Vancouver Canucks: Top-6 Forward<\/p>\n What don\u2019t the Vancouver Canucks need? There are likely some difficult years ahead, but it\u2019s a new era with Ryan Johnson taking over as GM and Manny Malhotra as head coach<\/a>. At least there\u2019s reason to be cautiously optimistic, but they have their work cut out for them.<\/p>\n Among the Canucks\u2019 biggest needs is acquiring a top-six forward. Chances are that they will use the third overall pick to draft Malhotra\u2019s son, Caleb. He has top-six\/first-line potential, but he\u2019s likely a couple of years away from reaching that level. In the meantime, they need to ice a roster for next season, so finding another scorer would help them be a bit more competitive.<\/p>\n Golden Knights: Cap Space<\/p>\n You could argue that the Vegas Golden Knights need a goaltender, given their results during the regular season, but Carter Hart has been excellent in the playoffs. The more pressing issue for them is finding cap space.<\/p>\n The Golden Knights will enter the offseason with a roster of 17 and just $11.725 million cap space. That\u2019s without a contract for Pavel Dorofeyev, who\u2019s an RFA with arbitration rights and will likely command a hefty raise from his $1.835 million cap hit. Clearing Adin Hill\u2019s contract would help the Golden Knights, but that will come with a price, given the term (five years) and cap hit ($6.25 million). Either way, the Golden Knights need some more financial flexibility.<\/p>\n Washington Capitals: Top-4, Right-Handed Defenseman<\/p>\n The Washington Capitals took a step back this season after making the playoffs and advancing a round in 2024-25. Still, there\u2019s reason to be optimistic in the nation\u2019s capital. They have some promising prospects (Andrew Cristall, Ilya Protas, and Cole Hutson, to name a few) on the way.<\/p>\n Those prospects may make an impact sooner rather than later, but GM Chris Patrick will be on the prowl for a top-six forward and top-four defenseman<\/a> on the right side. I\u2019d argue the latter is the more pressing concern since they traded John Carlson at the trade deadline. They need to fill that gap, or their blue line will have some question marks entering next season.<\/p>\n Winnipeg Jets: Young, Game-Breaking Scorer<\/p>\n Almost everything that could have gone wrong went wrong for the Winnipeg Jets this season. But what hasn\u2019t been talked about enough is how much the team missed Nikolaj Ehlers, who walked in free agency last summer and signed with the Carolina Hurricanes<\/a>.<\/p>\n Ehlers finished this season with 26 goals and 71 points in 82 games. He\u2019s the exact type of player the Jets are missing in their lineup, but finding another Ehlers isn\u2019t easy. They don\u2019t grow on trees, and 70-point players cost a premium to acquire through trades. Still, the Jets need to find a young, top-six scorer who can give them some more scoring punch.<\/p>\n It should be an interesting offseason in the NHL. Every team has a couple of needs to fill, but there\u2019s not much to choose from in free agency, and who knows how the trade market will play out. It could leave teams with some question marks heading into training camp in September.<\/p>\n Free Newsletter<\/p>\n \n Get Commentary coverage delivered to your inbox <\/p>\n In-depth analysis, breaking news, and insider takes – free.<\/p>\n![\"Ross](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Ross-Colton-Avalanche-2-1200x893.jpg\")
Colorado Avalanche center Ross Colton (Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images)<\/p>\n![\"Anze](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Anze-Kopitar-Kings-3-1200x800.jpg\")
Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar gestures to the crowd after losing Game 4 of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Colorado Avalanche (William Liang-Imagn Images)<\/p>\n![\"Igor](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Igor-Shesterkin-Rangers-3-1200x800.jpg\")
New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images)<\/p>\n![\"Toronto](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Toronto-Maple-Leafs-Chris-Tanev-1200x800.jpg\")
Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Chris Tanev (John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images)<\/p>\n