While the NHL trade deadline came and went without the blockbuster trades that many felt would happen, there has already been plenty of talk about what is ahead with a lot that can change between now and the expansion draft. The teams near the bottom of the standings are already focused on what they need to do in the offseason to turn things around and for at least a couple of teams there will need to be a lot more than one or two minor moves. Here is a look at the NHL teams that need the most drastic offseason changes.
Colorado Avalanche
The fact that Colorado is on pace to finish with just 49 points this season puts them in historically awful territory as it would be the lowest total in an 82-game season since the first-year Atlanta Thrashers recorded just 39 points in their inaugural 1999-2000 season. It’s scary to think the Avalanche thought they had a team that could actually contend for a playoff spot this year and after a disastrous season they definitely need sweeping changes. It won’t be a surprise if head coach Jared Bednar is fired but beyond that there is a lot more that needs to be done in Colorado. Nathan Mackinnon, Matt Duchene, Gabriel Landeskog and Mikko Rantenen are all strong pieces but the Avalanche have averaged just 1.94 goals per game so they clearly need upgrades up front. Semyon Varlamov isn’t a terrible option in net but he has struggled with injuries and inconsistencies so it would make sense if Colorado decided to take a different direction in goal. There has been endless talk about the Avalanche potentially trading some of their core players but it might actually end up being a better idea for GM Joe Sakic to build around the core group with some substantial upgrades around them rather than purging even more talent for a roster that doesn’t have much to begin with.
New Jersey Devils
There are still a lot of people that consider New Jersey’s acquisition of Taylor Hall to be an absolute steal but it’s clear the franchise still has a lot of work to do to become a playoff contender once again. The Devils still rank 29th in league scoring with an average of just 2.22 goals per game and while their offense has struggled they have been a lot worse defensively as well this season, giving up an average of 2.83 goals per game. New Jersey is banking on Cory Schneider bouncing back with better numbers next year but that will likely require upgrades in front of him. Right now the Devils are a struggling franchise that is lacking an identity so they will need to make substantial changes this NHL offseason In order to get back on track.
Arizona Coyotes
Young GM John Chayka will have his work cut out for him trying to build a winner in the desert. Chayka made a couple of quality free agent signings in Radim Vrbata and Alex Goligoski last offseason but even with those additions the Coyotes are on pace to finish with only 67 points. Finding decent value for Martin Hanzal, Ryan White and Michael Stone was a step in the right direction and Arizona would be smart to accelerate their rebuild with the additions of at least a couple more talented veterans. However, it might be hard for Chayka to convince veteran players to join the Coyotes and that could mean leaning on the youth even more next season. Christian Dvorak, Dylan Strome and Jacob Chychrun are all quality building blocks but Arizona needs to figure out what to do with struggling second-year players Max Domi and Anthony Duclair. Both Domi and Duclair took steps back this season and it will be on the Coyotes to get them back on track or trade them based on their own evaluations of those NHL players.
Dallas Stars
The Stars took a monster step back this season after finishing at the top of the Western Conference standings a year ago and they will be lucky to hit 80 points hits year. Dallas actually added to its offense in the offseason but they have taken a step back at that end of the ice as their goals per game is down from 3.23 to 2.82 while their goals allowed per game has climbed from 2.78 to 3.18. The Stars have a solid core group with Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin, John Klingberg and Esa Lindell but they undoubtedly need to get better in net if they are going to bounce back next season. Jiri Hudler, Jason Spezza and Ales Hemsky all struggled with injuries and inconsistencies this season and it might be a good idea if Dallas made an effort to get younger. The Stars have the talent to contend for a playoff spot but until they significantly upgrade their goaltending, defense and secondary scoring they can not be considered a true Stanley Cup contender in the loaded Western Conference.
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