The news that the National Hockey League (NHL) is targeting January 1 as next season’s potential start date provides each franchise with plenty of time to get themselves organized for the campaign.
Although the date is not entirely set in stone just yet, it offers some breathing space for organizations that have plenty of work to do on their teams during the off-season.
Commissioner Gary Bettman remains committed to playing a full 82-game regular season plus play-offs – a factor that will leave many teams wondering if they have the squad depth to cope. With the NHL draft underway and the free agency period upcoming, this is undoubtedly a crucial period for ice hockey teams across North America.
The salary cap is still set at $81.5 million, giving General Managers an additional headache to contend with over the coming weeks.
Read on as we look at some of the most significant issues that selected NHL franchises will need to address before the new campaign gets underway.
Blues Face Big Pietrangelo Conundrum
Just one year after defying the NHL betting odds to captain the St Louis Blues to their first-ever Stanley Cup success, top defenseman Alex Pietrangelo could leave during free agency. The 30-year-old is still an elite-level performer, but he has been unable to agree on a new deal with the Blues and looks ready to test the waters elsewhere.
He put up 52 points in 70 games during the 2019/20 regular season to take his career tally to 450 points in 758 NHL games.
Pietrangelo would leave the Blues with a massive gap to fill in their defensive unit, and it will be interesting to see if they are prepared to allow him to leave.
Pundits have suggested that Toronto Maple Leafs and Vegas Golden Knights are possible destinations for Pietrangelo and both those moves would make sense.
The Knights desperately need a player like Pietrangelo, but do the Blues want to strengthen one of their leading contenders for the Stanley Cup? Time will tell.
Krug Edging Towards Boston Exit?
Torey Krug has been an integral part of the Boston Bruins’ roster over the past few years, but he could well be heading elsewhere during the off-season.
Krug has been strongly linked with the Detroit Red Wings over the past few months, but that move would undoubtedly irk Boston fans if it came to fruition.
The primary issue for the Bruins if they lose Krug is how they would go about replacing a player who is a crucial element of their hugely successful powerplay unit.
Krug is understood to be holding out for an $8m per year deal, putting him way beyond Brad Marchand’s annual salary of $6.125m.
GM Don Sweeney has been clinging to the hope that Krug will fail to get what he is looking for elsewhere and end up sticking with Boston.
However, he could easily be left with egg on his face, with Krug’s ability on the puck making him an attractive proposition in free agency. Losing him would be nothing short of criminal.
Hall Could Resolve Oilers Depth Issue
Taylor Hall is rated as the top forward in free agency, and the Arizona Coyotes star is unlikely to be short of offers during the off-season.
NBC Sports’ Pierre McGuire has indicated that the Edmonton Oilers or Calgary Flames are his most likely destinations and the former strongly appeal as his best option.
Hall was drafted by the Oilers back in 2010, and an emotional return to Edmonton on a long-term deal looks a sensible move for both parties.
The Oilers desperately need some quality depth options to compliment the likes of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, and Hall would undoubtedly fit the bill in that respect.
He would slide neatly into the Oilers’ top six and provide head coach Dave Tippett with more flexibility in assembling his lines.
If the Oilers are serious about contending for the Stanley Cup, signing a player of Hall’s ability is precisely the sort of statement they need to make.
Hawks Can’t Afford to Lose Crawford
Chicago Blackhawks’ GM Stan Bowman has remained optimistic that he will agree a deal with Corey Crawford, but his positivity is beginning to look misplaced.
The netminder is poised to enter free agency, leaving the Blackhawks looking woefully short of quality options between the pipes.
Thomas Greiss could be a viable alternative for Chicago having posted some impressive numbers with the New York Islanders over the past two seasons.
The Blackhawks have also been linked with Darcy Kuemper and Anton Khudobin, although neither boasts the ‘wow factor’ that Crawford possesses.
Although he is now in the veteran stage of his career, Crawford remains a better goalie than some of the players tipped to replace him.
If Bowman can get a deal done for around $3.5m per year, that would represent decent value and buy the franchise some valuable breathing space.
Capitals Offer Lundqvist a Last Hurrah
With Braden Holtby set to leave the Washington Capitals, the 2017/18 Stanley Cup winners have a void to fill in goal.
Ilya Samsonov has been widely tipped for NHL greatness, but asking him to carry a team on his back at 23-years-old would not be a sensible move.
With a tight schedule next term, the Capitals will need another quality goalie, and New York Rangers legend Henrik Lundqvist may well be the perfect fit.
Lundqvist has confirmed that he is eager to continue in the NHL and the opportunity to act as a mentor to Samsonov could be too good to ignore.
Johan Rylander of the Gothenburg Post has claimed that the 38-year-old will sign for Washington in free agency and the move makes perfect sense.
Lundqvist will have a genuine shot at winning his first Stanley Cup as part of a stacked Capitals roster, and he could be the difference-maker for them next season.