NHL Offseason Goals For Every Team

Yes, we still have the playoffs to go (which I am very excited for) but what fan doesn’t love speculating about the NHL offseason?

With uncertainty surrounding the salary cap for next year, teams face tough decisions this summer. Below, we have a goal for each and every team heading into the sunny days. What NHL offseason changes do you think your team needs to make?

Please note: This is a collaboration of opinions. Contributors – Aly Dhanani and Ryan Ritchie.

Anaheim Ducks

Unrestricted Free Agents:

F David Perron, F Jamie McGinn, F Shawn Horcoff, F Chris Stewart, F Mike Santorelli, D Korbinian Holzer, G Anton Khudobin

Restricted Free Agents:

F Brandon Pirri, F Rickard Rakell, D Sami Vatanen, D Hampus Lindholm, G Frederik Andersen

2016-17 Salary Cap Commitments:

$53,549,165 (8F/6D/1G – 15/23)

Average Salary Cap Hit – $3.57 million dollars

24/50 total contracts

Biggest Question Heading Into NHL Offseason:

Can Anaheim afford to re-sign Rakell, Vatanen, Lindholm, Pirri, Andersen (and whoever else)?

Aly: What do you think of a Mike Hoffman for Vatanen trade? As I mentioned in my Weekly Roundup column, Hoffman’s future in Ottawa is in jeopardy, and there is a highly unlikely chance he’ll be back next year. But with Bruce Boudreau, who has worked with another dynamic goal scorer in Alex Ovechkin, Hoffman will get tons of playing time. To further add to the speculation, the Ducks and Sens have worked on blockbuster trades in the past.

Ryan: Based on Vatanen’s rumored asking price to open negotiations, it seems moving the young defender makes the most sense for a budget team that still needs to sign Hampus Lindholm, Brandon Pirri, Frederik Andersen, and Rickard Rakell.

Let’s not forget that Anaheim owns two starting goaltenders. While it’s conceivable the pair can co-exist much like Cam Ward–Eddie Lack, Kari Lehtonen–Antti Niemi, and Petr Mrazek–Jimmy Howard, it might be unfair to force the pair to split starts, or worse – one seeing significantly less time in the crease. John Gibson easily owns top 10, arguably top 5 potential to be an elite starter in the NHL.

You also have to wonder if Bob Murray is comfortable going into another new season with the same question marks at left wing? Getzlaf and Perry are at their best when together – they just need a winger to play with. Can Nick Ritchie fill that void after a solid summer of training in the gym?