Nashville
Rough Cap Space: 17 million
Players Needed: 6
Need: Forwards: Scoring, scoring, scoring
Should Sign RFA's: none
Other Notable RFA's: none
Conclusion: Scott Nichol, a UFA could likely be signed, the Preds are in on Tanguay and are reportedly talking to the Kings.
New Jersey
Rough Cap Space: 12 million
Players Needed: 7
Need: Forwards: And 1 D
Should Sign RFA's: Zajac
Other Notable RFA's: none
Conclusion: The Devils have a lot of players to sign, but are still threatening a major deal through trade.
NY Islanders
Rough Cap Space: 23 million
Players Needed: 6
Need: Forwards: 3 forwards, 3 D
Should Sign RFA's: none
Other Notable RFA's: none
Conclusion: Tons of cap space due to a young team It is even more remarkable when you consider that no one in the NHL has 8 million tied up in goaltenders. They are going to get some talent to play with Tavares. This we know.
NY Rangers
Rough Cap Space: 7 million
Players Needed: 5
Need: Forwards: Defense 3, Forwards 2
Should Sign RFA's: Korpikoski, Dubinsky, Zherdev,
Other Notable RFA's:
Conclusion: So the Islanders have 23 million to sign 6 players and the Rangers have 7 million to sign 5. The Rangers made a great move ridding themselves of the Gomez deal, but then spent that credit on Gaborik. I love Gabby, but his injuries will be VERY much scrutinized in the Big Apple. The Rangers need to make a trade or send Redden down.
Ottawa
Rough Cap Space: 0
Players Needed: 2
Need: 1 forward, 1 defenseman
Should Sign RFA's: none
Other Notable RFA's: none
Conclusion: The Sens picture is of course muddied by Heatley, but if they do bring him back and play him on the big squad other deals will need to be made.
Flyers
Rough Cap Space: 1.5
Players Needed: 3
Need: Forwards: 1 D, 2 F
Should Sign RFA's: none
Other Notable RFA's: none
Conclusion: The Flyers may have to make a move to make this work. But fortunately they have their key roles filled and could get away with signing 3 500k deals.
Phoenix
Rough Cap Space: 19 million
Players Needed: 2
Need: Forwards: Forwards, Scoring.
Should Sign RFA's: Upshall
Other Notable RFA's: none
Conclusion: They are possibly moving Jovo out, signing Tanguay, but there needs to be a transfer of ownership to gain true long-term stability
San Jose
Rough Cap Space: 1 million
Players Needed: 6
Need: Forwards: forwards
Should Sign RFA's: none
Other Notable RFA's: none
Conclusion: The Sharks are in big trouble and they are playing it down, but 6 guys to sign with a million bucks only works in "real world" business. Cheechoo unfortunately will have to be sacrificed unless they are willing to bury guys.
St. Louis
Rough Cap Space: 9 million
Players Needed: 0
Need: Forwards: 0
Should Sign RFA's: none
Other Notable RFA's: none
Conclusion: The Blues are in a fantastic position. They are more likely to try to improve via trade in camp.
Tampa
Rough Cap Space: 8 million
Players Needed: 2
Need: Forwards
Should Sign RFA's: Downie, Karsums, Lashoff,
Other Notable RFA's: none
Conclusion: The Lightning have had a phenomenal off season, bolstering their defense to go with a potent and up and coming group of forwards.
Toronto
Rough Cap Space: 3 million
Players Needed: 2
Need: Forwards
Should Sign RFA's:Pogge
Other Notable RFA's: none
Conclusion: The other "T" team really made out well and shored up their defense as well. They will move Kaberle, and put in a pitch or two..
Vancouver
Rough Cap Space: 4
Players Needed: 2
Need: move scoring
Should Sign RFA's: Wellwood
Other Notable RFA's: none
Conclusion: The Canucks need some stability, and tying up Luongo could help. They are in the market for a D man as well. Kaberle.
Washington
Rough Cap Space: 4
Players Needed: 1
Need: move scoring
Should Sign RFA's: Morrisonn, Jurcina, Schultz, Fehr, Bourque
Other Notable RFA's: none
Conclusion: The Caps do have to make a move at some point to open up space for their RFAs and possibly bring in Afinogenov.