Not every NHL playoff contender must make a big move just for the sake of it. These three teams are better off being patient, says Adam Proteau. Jack Eichel and Ross Colton [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA3MzYxMzIzNTc3NjQ4NTQz/usatsi_23027298_168400847_lowres.jpg] Jack Eichel and Ross Colton The NHL’s off-season is a lot of fun in no small part because teams make big roster moves. But there’s no need for all teams to go out and alter their lineup in a major way. Indeed, for some teams, standing pat is the best move. Here are three teams that should be patient and wait until the NHL’s trade deadline next spring before they make big moves: COLORADO AVALANCHE The Avalanche have had a rollercoaster existence with some members of their roster – most notably, with injured captain Gabriel Landeskog and with winger Valeri Nichushkin. But their core of talent is under contract for this coming season. If Avalanche GM Chris MacFarland simply takes care of Colorado’s free agents, including winger Jonathan Drouin and defenseman Sean Walker, there’s no need to make the number of moves the Avalanche made at this time last summer. The Avs have more than $17.1 million in salary cap space to fill out their roster, but with 14 players signed, there’s not a ton of cap space to devote to new acquisitions. Depending on what happens with Landeskog and Nichuskin, the Avalanche could be in a position to make a big splash during the season once they take the temperature of the team and figure out areas to address. But Colorado can afford to take its time, and if they don’t make major moves before the start of the season, their roster is still good enough to battle for a top position in the Central Division. VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS Let’s be real – the Golden Knights, ever proactive, made their biggest moves this past season with the trade acquisitions of star defenseman Noah Hanifin and forward Tomas Hertl. They have about $1.2 million in cap space, but they’ve also got 20 players under contract for 2024-25. Absent some unforeseen problem with the roster, they’re set to go as-is, and they’ll be one of the Pacific Division’s top teams with the lineup they have right now. Who knows – the Golden Knights may choose to get ahead of the curve and strike before other teams get into the trade market. Vegas GM Kelly McCrimmon has earned his reputation as an aggressive wheeler-and-dealer, and he could make roster moves at any point in time. But the question here is whether the Golden Knights need to make moves. And the answer is "no," they don’t. The Golden Knights are deep, skilled and motivated to win with the lineup they have right now, and that’s more that can be said for many, if not most of the NHL's teams. They have crucial top-tier experience, and the franchise’s braintrust can rest easy that they’ve got enough juice to get them well into the regular season before they truly consider moves of note. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING The Lightning have 19 players signed for next season, and they’ve got $4.46 million in cap space to play with, but all of that money may have to go to UFA star winger and captain Steven Stamkos. Bolts GM Julien BriseBois hasn’t been shy about pushing the limit with the cap ceiling, adding veteran blueliner Ryan McDonagh for his second stint with the franchise. But unless BriseBois can shake loose cap space in trades or loses Stamkos, the way the Lightning’s lineup looks right now is the way their lineup will look when the regular season begins. Tampa Bay’s competitive window is beginning to close, but that doesn’t mean the Lightning should be making trades just to give off the impression they’re keeping up with the Joneses in the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference. It’s true BriseBois has painted himself into a corner cap-wise, but the depth and experience the Lightning will start the season with is admirable, and being patient will be crucial for them. BriseBois is a proven winner, so he doesn’t need to prove anything to anyone. It’s all about slowly but surely ratcheting up their game as a unit and figuring out their next moves well down the line.
