Adam Proteau looks at four Western Conference NHL teams that have the potential to upgrade their roster enough to achieve their goals next season.
The NHL’s off-season has already begun for all but two teams, and some are set up to make big moves this summer.
After previously looking at four Eastern Conference teams set to make a splash, we’re identifying four Western Conference NHL squads in the same position. These are teams that didn't get the result they wanted this season and either have the cap space and/or the trade assets to make some big upgrades.
Utah's NHL team is a given – Carol Schram took a closer look at them here.
Here are four more in no particular order, with salary information courtesy of PuckPedia.
Anaheim Ducks
The Ducks showed some positive signs this past season. But in the end, they finished with the NHL's third-worst record – and that should spell change for them this off-season.
Anaheim GM Pat Verbeek has $33 million in salary cap space as well as seven picks in the first three rounds of this year’s NHL draft. He should use as much of his asset base as possible if the Ducks want to challenge for a playoff berth in the improving Pacific Division next season.
The Ducks have what it takes to make a notable splash in free agency and trades. Verbeek showed last year his team needed veteran help, signing defenseman Radko Gudas and forward Alex Killorn in free agency. Anaheim will need similar help this coming year, and with plenty of talent likely to hit free agency, the Ducks have more than enough cap space to lure experienced hands. Even if it's not the top free agents, they could have a huge opportunity to attract some solid veterans who can get between 40 and 60 points.
Most intriguing for Anaheim is their situation in goal. Veteran starter John Gibson would probably welcome a trade, but his $6.4-million salary – and the three years he has left on his current contract – make him difficult to move.
In the right circumstances (read: if the Ducks are willing to retain some of Gibson’s salary), Gibson may get a new home, and youngster Lukas Dostal will take over the No. 1 gig.
There’s great pressure in Anaheim to make a sizeable step forward, and the California climate makes the Ducks even more attractive as a destination. Verbeek can’t afford to stand pat and be close to the basement again. The Ducks must make some more positive headlines as Verbeek continues nailing down his team’s identity.
Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles was a Jekyll-and-Hyde group this season, looking strong at some points and rough at others. The way they lost to Edmonton in the first round of this year’s Stanley Cup playoffs should provide enough impetus for Kings GM Rob Blake to upgrade his roster.
The Kings have about $19.9 million in cap space, but much of that will go to up to six RFAs, including emerging star forward Quinton Byfield, and either the return of veteran goalie Cam Talbot or a new netminder to form a tandem with David Rittich.
They may not have the type of generational talent to serve as a bedrock next season, but they can spend up to the cap ceiling. Whether the Kings get there by trades or free agency – or both – is up to be questioned, but there’s no doubt change is coming in some fashion.
For instance, would veteran winger Tyler Bertuzzi be a fit with the Kings? We think so. Bertuzzi’s grit is what Los Angeles needs more of, and he’d have a cap hit that won’t upset the Kings’ salary structure.
Regardless, the Kings need an infusion of new blood. Blake isn’t going to sit by idly as other Pacific Division teams improve around him.
Colorado Avalanche
The Avalanche were an imposing group for much of the season, but they fell to the Dallas Stars in Round 2 of the playoffs in no small part because their offense withered when the games mattered most.
Colorado architects Joe Sakic and Chris MacFarland were one of the NHL’s most aggressive management teams last off-season. Regardless of whether or not team captain Gabriel Landeskog returns to action next year, the Avs will be a different-looking – and better – Central Division team.
Colorado has about $15.9 million in cap space to use this coming season, with some of that likely going to UFAs Jonathan Drouin and/or Sean Walker. For that reason, we expect the Avalanche to be a threat on the trade market rather than free agency. MacFarland and Sakic have always been willing to swing a deal or to bring in new talent, including trading Bowen Byram for Casey Mittelstadt before the NHL trade deadline, and this summer should be no different. There's room for improvement beyond the team's top forward line and in net.
With Valeri Nichushkin out of the lineup until at least mid-November, the Avs can’t afford to stand pat in the difficult Central. Sakic and MacFarland have proven they know how to build a Cup-winning squad, but re-jigging the lineup to get back to that level will be extremely difficult. That said, we expect them to be one of the more active teams this summer and set themselves up for another deep playoff run.
Minnesota Wild
Yes, the Wild remain hamstrung by buyout penalties for Zach Parise and Ryan Suter. Their combined $14.75-million buyout cap hit will get drastically reduced but not until the 2025-26 season.
Minnesota has just $5.9 million in cap space this coming season, but they’ve got 19 players under contract. With that, Wild GM Bill Guerin could make the most of the trade market, as free agency will see him outbid on virtually every available player.
With Kirill Kaprizov, Matthew Boldy and Brock Faber leading the way, the Wild have some important components signed for well beyond this coming season. But it’s the supporting cast that needs alterations. The Wild should figure out how to acquire accomplished veterans to give Minnesota the boost they need to be a true playoff contender in 2024-25.
An experienced veteran like Kings winger and UFA Viktor Arvidsson would probably fit into their budget and give them more sandpaper up front, but Guerin could look at other teams’ rosters and see if there’s a trade fit that improves Minnesota’s strength immediately and that doesn’t sacrifice too much of the future.
If goaltender Jesper Wallstedt is ready for NHL action next season, perhaps Filip Gustavsson will become available. Marco Rossi has also surfaced in trade speculation. Either player would be a valuable trade asset to upgrade the Wild now.
The Wild finished 11 points out of a playoff spot this season, so it will take a good push to make them a post-season berth this coming year. That said, the team has been resourceful in the past, acquiring players like Gustav Nyquist, Gustavsson and Marcus Johansson for relatively low costs. They should do similar things this summer to improve the team’s lot.
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