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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Knightfall" data-source="post: 2900520" data-attributes="member: 2012">From The Score's 2006 NHL Draft Center pageAnother look at each teams needs heading towards Draft Day.NHL TEAM NEEDSSummer shopping lists begin with Draft Day...The NHL Entry Draft is not the only way franchises can fill some of their weaknesses and team needs. However, it's probably the best solution in the long run. For short-term relief, NHL clubs will be busy making trades, attempting to re-sign pending free agents and setting up their shopping lists for when the UFA market opens on July 1. Here's a team-by-team look, as well as potential draft-day surprises... <a href="http://forecaster.ca/thescore/hockey/extras.cgi?2006-nhl-draft-team-needs" target="_blank">http://forecaster.ca/thescore/hockey/extras.cgi?2006-nhl-draft-team-needs</a>Here are some highlighted bits from that page...ANAHEIM DUCKS>> Ducks GM Brian Burke is never conservative, and rarely does the expected move. His selection of right wing Bobby Ryan No. 2 overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft surprised many, as did the trading of Sergei Fedorov to Columbus at mid-season. This time around, Burke is expected to deal one of his netminders but he may choose to keep both. <<BUFFALO SABRES>> Of the 10 Sabres defensemen that appeared in at least one postseason game this spring, none are under contract for the 2006-07 campaign and beyond. Therefore, the team will definitely look for a defenseman with their first-round pick this time around. Since none of Buffalo's 10 playoff rearguards can be considered a legitimate No. 1 defenseman, they'll seek out an all-around type. <<CALGARY FLAMES>> When the Flames acquired Daymond Langkow from Phoenix in 2004, they expected better production than 59 points in 82 games. Langkow was supposed to be the player that would vault captain Jarome Iginla to another level of NHL superstars. It never materialized, so now the pressure is on GM/coach Darryl Sutter to once again upgrade the center position in Calgary. <<CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS>> With the No. 3 pick overall, the 'Hawks are in good position to fill a glaring organizational need. It was hoped that Tuomo Ruutu (No. 9 overall in 2001) would emerge as a franchise forward, but the talented Finn has been beset by major injuries. Therefore, a new offensive leader is required. Chicago GM Dale Tallon has pressure to make the right choice in a very important draft. <<DALLAS STARS>> Stars captain Mike Modano is better suited to being a second-line pivot at this stage of his brilliant career, while unrestricted free agent Jason Arnott is not expected back in Dallas for the 2006-07 campaign. Therefore, the club needs to start grooming Modano's eventual successor, as well as add more depth down the middle. Joel Lundqvist and Perttu Lindgren should help. <<DETROIT RED WINGS>> The Red Wings have already announced that Manny Legace, who was excellent during the regular season but struggled in the playoffs, will not return as the starting goalkeeper. Therefore, a new veteran will be brought in. With youngsters Jimmy Howard and Stefan Liv in the system, Detroit's prospects in goal are looking up. That said, neither is ready for the No. 1 gig in Motown. <<EDMONTON OILERS>> Lowe traded his first-round draft pick in 2006 in order to acquire Roloson's rights, and must now try to re-sign the 36-year-old veteran goalkeeper before he tests the UFA market. If Lowe fails to do so, he may make another bold move in order to secure the rights to another No. 1 netminder. Now more than ever, the Oilers know the value of goaltending. <<FLORIDA PANTHERS>> Goaltender Roberto Luongo continues to make headlines this off-season. A restricted free agent this summer, Luongo is one season away from becoming a UFA. There have been reports suggesting his agent won't agree to more than a one-year deal this off-season, so it's becoming more likely that Keenan may opt to trade Luongo this summer. <<MONTREAL CANADIENS>> The Habs have been linked to trade rumors involving goaltender David Aebischer, since the latter wants to be a starter again. If potential UFA netminder Cristobal Huet re-signs with Montreal, Aebischer is a good bet to be traded. However, Gainey has also expressed the notion of keeping both veteran puck-stoppers as an insurance policy. <<NEW JERSEY DEVILS>> The Devils never fully recovered from losing Scott Niedermayer to Anaheim via unrestricted free agency last summer. Potential replacements Vladimir Malakhov and Dan McGillis flamed out, so GM Lou Lamoriello was forced to nickel-and-dime the blueline situation the rest of the way. Look for the Devils to place a strong emphasis on defense at the draft table this year. <<NEW YORK ISLANDERS>> The Islanders are rumored to be interested in buying out the remaining five years of center Alexei Yashin's deal. There has even been speculation that the club would offer NHL teams their own 2006 first-round pick (No. 7 overall) to any team willing to take on Yashin's contract. Smith may want to wipe the slate clean in his first big move as GM. <<OTTAWA SENATORS>> The Sens are expected to lose one of stalwart defensemen Zdeno Chara or Wade Redden to unrestricted free agency. They may even lose both. Therefore, adding a top-four defenseman either right away or in the not-too-distant future is another top priority for Muckler. First rounder Brian Lee (2005) may soon be ready, but another early-round defenseman is needed. <<PHILADELPHIA FLYERS>> Kim Johnsson, Eric Desjardins and Chris Therien may all leave via unrestricted free agency this summer, while Joni Pitkanen and Wade Skolney are also un-signed heading into 2006-07. The blueline is aging quickly and needs a greater infusion of youth. The Flyers must also do a better job of adding great-skating rearguards to their stable of hard-hitting behemoths. <<PHOENIX COYOTES>> Gretzky's presence behind the Phoenix bench for the next five seasons should entice veteran NHLers to move to the Desert as unrestricted free agents. However, Barnett and co. must also find enough homegrown talent in order to balance out the roster. The current Coyotes regime has shown a propensity to gamble at the draft table. <<PITTSBURGH PENGUINS>> With Sidney Crosby already in the fold, the Penguins are expected to welcome fellow phenom center Evgeni Malkin to the roster in 2006-07. Therefore, wingers that are capable of finishing off plays are now a major need within the Pens organization. However, adding another reliable blueliner is still tops on Pittsburgh's wish list. That may be rectified via the free-agent market. <<ST. LOUIS BLUES>> Pleau may not be adverse to swinging a trade on draft day. He may decide to trade down from No. 1 in order to accumulate more players/picks, and he may also decide to move up from the bottom of the first round with his second selection. The rebuilding process has begun in the 'Show Me State', so Blues management will leave no stone unturned. <<TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING>> For head coach John Tortorella's sanity, as well as for the good of the team, the Lightning must find a new starting netminder this off-season. John Grahame is expected to leave via unrestricted free agency this summer, while veteran Sean Burke is no more than a backup these days. European imports Fredrik Norrena and Johan Holmqvist may help, but more is needed. <<TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS>> There have been rumblings this off-season about Sundin retiring, but expect him to play at least one more season. Enforcer Tie Domi, on the other hand, is expected to be bought out by Leafs management so that he can retire. Don't look for veteran goalie Ed Belfour to return in 2006-07, but center Eric Lindros might if he accepts a one-year contract. <<VANCOUVER CANUCKS>> Once and for all, GM Dave Nonis must resolve the starting goalie issue--whether it be by sticking with either Alex Auld or Dan Cloutier, or finding outside help. Also, the Canucks have suddenly gone from a super-skilled lineup to a top-heavy roster. They'll need to find more wingers that can put the puck in the net in order to take more pressure of Naslund and Bertuzzi. <<WASHINGTON CAPITALS>> The Capitals need to spend some money this off-season in accordance with the NHL's salary floor. That, plus the presence of Ovechkin, could attract several free agents to the District this summer. However, McPhee may decide to stay the course for one more season to allow several other youngsters the opportunity to develop at the NHL level. <<</blockquote>

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