What Each Team Needs Going Into Free Agency

Northeast Division

This week, I will preview the six NHL Divisions, all 30 teams in all, and talk about what each team has and what they need in order to contend this upcoming season. With July 1 free agency just over 5 days ahead, teams are gearing up for what will be crazy few days of signing and possible trading in order to prepare for September. The first division I will look at is the Northeast which includes the Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Montreal Canadians, Ottawa Senators, and Toronto Maple Leafs.

Boston Bruins

After winning the Stanley Cup in 2011, the Bruins looked strong heading into the playoffs this past season. However, the Washington Capitals were able to hang with them in the first round and steal the series in overtime to eliminate the defending champs. The Bruins have done a nice job this offseason so far re-upping Gregory Campbell and Chris Kelly. Kelly's four year deal, which was rejected by the NHL, should become official July 1st when the cap number becomes fixed at around 70 million per team. The Bruins don't have the most cap room in the league but also don't need that much. Tukka Rask will be locked up long term soon. The Bruins could use a solid backup goaltender behind Rask with Thomas sitting out this year. They could use a defenseman to replace Joe Corvo who will get more money on the open market. They could also use one more goal scorer to fill in a spot between the second and third line. Nathan Horton's status is unknown due to his concussion problems. One thing is for certain; the Bruins will heavily try to get rid of Tim Thomas' five million dollar cap hit to a team needing to reach the ceiling to open up some extra space. His time in Boston seems to be over for good.

Buffalo Sabres

The Sabres had a very good draft and are therefore starting to stockpile prospects, especially centers. They are in the process of signing center Mikhail Grigorenko, who they were able to steal after defenseman became the hot commodity at the draft. If he deems ready, he will suit up this year in the NHL. After an abysmal start last year that at one point saw star goaltender Ryan Miller go down with a concussion at the hands of Milan Lucic, the Sabres had a strong run to end the season, nearly getting into the playoff picture when it was all said and done. The Sabres want to add even more centers when free agency opens next week. Brad Boyes will be a free agent, as well as Jochen Hecht who is on injured reserve. One hope is Ville Leino will step up and ensure the $27 million they spent on him wasn't a waste. Tyler Ennis is a key priority the Sabres want to resign as he will be an RFA. The Sabres lack at scoring which will be looked at, however, have a very strong defense and goaltending which will lead them into this upcoming season.

Montreal Canadians

The Canadiens had an atrociousness season last year and ended up firing their head coach, interim head coach, and general manager as the year went by. Marc Bergevin, the new GM, has his work cut out for him in the upcoming weeks. Travis Moen is someone the Canadiens are looking to bring back but that isn't as easy as it looks anymore. The grinding type players are becoming a major commodity on NHL rosters and are looking for more and more money each year. RFA'S Raphael Diaz, Lars Eller, Alexie Emelin, Blake Geoffrion, and PK Subban will need to be taken care of or let go. Another key issue is getting goaltender Carey Price locked up long term as Bergevin has already put his faith in Price the moment he took over as GM. Scott Gomez will not be returning after being bought out. The Canadiens have a nice core of players that need some help from the outside. Jaromir Jagr is one name floating around the Canadiens. Look for him to be in their plans come July 1st. Depending upon who they Canadiens resign, that will determine exactly what they are looking for this offseason. One things for sure, they need to take a step forward or that city will torment them once again.

Ottawa Senators

The Senators have already done some work this summer locking up Norris Trophy winning, stud defenseman Erik Karlsson to a seven year deal worth around 45 million dollars. It seems as if they will not be bringing back center Zenon Konopka or defenseman Filip Kuba. They also have some decisions to make on RFA's Nikita Filatov and Nick Foligno. Foligno is a no brainer as he had a very nice year producing points while also playing a physical, aggressive game on the second line. A big question rides in the captain, Daniel Alfredsson, who is contemplating retirement after a glorious NHL career. GM Bryan Murray has been quite active already this offseason. He is throwing offers for Rick Nash, who has stated he won't play for Ottawa, to try and big in some big time offense. In the end, the Senators need some of everything. With only Spezza, Turris, and Michalek on the current roster who can put up points, Ottawa will need some scoring. Also, with the loss of Kuba and possibly Matt Carkner and Matt Gilroy, Chris Philips and Erik Karlsson will need some back end help. Jared Cowen will be back, but rumors are Murray is trying to move Sergei Gonchar's contract. In net, Craig Anderson and Ben Bishop should be a good one-two punch. 

Toronto Maple Leafs

Who knows what is ever going on in Toronto as GM Brian Burke never really shows or tells much. A pure hockey trade brought over James van Riemsdyk from Philadelphia after the draft ended Saturday for defenseman Luke Schenn. The biggest question in Toronto still is goaltending. Upcoming UFA Jonas Gustavsson's rights were traded to Winnipeg over the weekend leaving James Reimer to be the man in Toronto. Down the stretch, he really struggled as Toronto lost all hope for gaining a playoff berth. Roberto Luongo is on the block, but has stated he won't come to the Leafs, nor do we know if Burke will actually make a pitch for him. Burke stays confident in Reimer, but at this point, he may be the only one. The Leafs have a good mix on defense of veterans and youngsters. They may try to add another piece after trading Schenn this weekend. On offense, the Leafs have some real good names like Phil Kessel, Joffrey Lupul, Mikhail Grabovski, and more to add to van Riemsdyk. The Leafs must lock up Nikolai Kulemin and Cody Franson as well. The key for the Leafs will be to see if they add a goaltender. They are also rumored to be out of the Rick Nash sweepstakes, but as we always know, Burke is hunting for something to add. 

The Northeast will be a pretty competitive division this year as Boston once again looks solid. Buffalo is gaining momentum after a good end to the season last year. Ottawa surprised many last year and will look to build upon what they did. Toronto and Montreal are question marks as they try and rebuild and become successful again. If I had to guess at this point what they would look like at the end of the upcoming season, I would say Boston on top, followed closely by Buffalo. Ottawa will trail them followed by Toronto and Montreal as the bottom feeders in the division. Of course that's just a guess and much has to do with how they look after free agency settles down.