Ok, So for all you Westerners.....Lets finish off the Needs of the Western Conference with the Top 3 Needs of the 8 teams in the Pacific...To see the needs of the Central Teams check out the right column on the homepage...
Lets start off with the shocker in the NHL right now..."quack, quack, quack...."
PACIFIC DIVISION NEEDS
Anaheim Ducks (13-6-1, 27 pts in 20 GP)
Last Year: 35-37-10 (80 pts) | Projected: 53-25-4 (111 pts)
Top 3 Needs:
- Defensive Structure - 31st in expected goals against (3.04 per 60)
- Defensive Depth - High-danger chances against (30th in NHL)
- Veteran Playoff Experience - Young team needs leadership
Vegas Golden Knights (9-4-6, 24 pts in 19 GP)
Last Year: 50-22-10 (110 pts) | Projected: 39-17-26 (104 pts)
Top 3 Needs
- Forward Depth - When Eichel/Marner off ice: 32.2% goals share, 44.1% xG share
- Middle-Six Scoring Winger - Need second-line offensive help
- Depth at All Positions - Too top-heavy currently Who will be the Goalie Starter?
Los Angeles Kings (10-6-4, 24 pts in 20 GP)
Last Year: 48-25-9 (105 pts) | Projected: 41-25-16 (98 pts)
Top 3 Needs:
- Defensive Depth Issues - Cody Ceci and Brian Dumoulin struggling badly
- Goal-Scoring Forward - Need finisher to complement strong possession game
- Playoff-Proven Depth - Players who can elevate in postseason
Seattle Kraken (9-5-5, 23 pts in 19 GP)
Last Year: 35-41-6 (76 pts) | Projected: 39-21-22 (99 pts)
Top 3 Needs:
- Star Power - Lack impact player at top of lineup
- Offensive Depth - Too reliant on Jared McCann
- Wright/Beniers Breakout - Need young centers to develop into stars a little faster
Edmonton Oilers (9-9-4, 22 pts in 22 GP)
Last Year: 48-29-5 (101 pts) | Projected: 34-33-15 (82 pts)
Top 3 Needs
- Goaltending Upgrade - Skinner inconsistent; need reliable starter
- Defensive Depth - Blue line needs reinforcement, But also need some Defensive Forwards
- Defensive D to help Ekholm
San Jose Sharks (9-8-3, 21 pts in 20 GP)
Last Year: 20-50-12 (52 pts) | Projected: 37-33-12 (86 pts) |
Top 3 Needs:
- Building Around Celebrini - Need some more complementary pieces for franchise center
- Defensive Structure - Complete rebuild of blue line
- Draft Capital - Continue accumulating picks and prospects
Vancouver Canucks (9-10-2, 20 pts in 21 GP)
Last Year: 38-30-14 (90 pts) | Projected: 35-39-8 (78 pts)
Sellers Top 3 Needs:
- Quinn Hughes Situation - Potential departure looms; need clarity
- Elias Pettersson Revival - Star forward needs to return to superstar form
- Defensive Depth -Marcus Pettersson was a start...but need more help
Calgary Flames (6-13-3, 15 pts in 22 GP)
Last Year: 41-27-14 (96 pts) | Projected: 22-49-11 (56 pts) |
Top 3 Needs:
- Offensive Production - 32nd in goals scored; worst offensive team
- Goaltending Consistency - Dustin Wolf's slow start concerning. Still need to replace Vladar's wins
- Complete Rebuild - Major organizational overhaul needed