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Previous ranking: 4
2022-23 finish: Second-round loss
Toronto’s top priority is negotiating an Auston Matthews extension ASAP. Is new GM Brad Treliving up to the task? The Leafs will pull out all the stops to keep Matthews happy and in the fold (it’s no coincidence they targeted Shane Doan as an advisor), but the key is actually getting that new deal over the line. — Shilton
Previous ranking: 7
2022-23 finish: First-round loss
The Rangers fired coach Gerard Gallant after losing to the Devils in the first round and hired Peter Laviolette to spark this star-laden roster. With rentals Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko off to free agency, who will the Rangers target to bolster their offense and get faster? — Wyshynski
Previous ranking: 19
2022-23 finish: No playoffs
Owen Power is entering the final season of his rookie contract. Buffalo will want to talk extension sooner than later — but what will that look like? Power could go the bridge-deal route, or go long-term for a little less money per season. The Sabres are undeniably on the rise, and Power is part of that. The question is: What price will be right? — Shilton
Previous ranking: 9
2022-23 finish: First-round loss
Even with veteran players hitting free agency, the Wild remain cap-strapped in their attempt to boost a roster that went out in the first round of the playoffs. Especially with starting goalie Filip Gustavsson needing a new contract. — Wyshynski
Previous ranking: 11
2022-23 finish: First-round loss
CapFriendly projects the Kings will have a little more than $7.3 million in cap space to improve a team that has the bulk of its roster under contract. Of course, there is a goaltending situation to sort out: Trade acquisition Joonas Korpisalo is a free agent, leaving Pheonix Copley on his lonesome for now. And how does Michigan alum Erik Portillo fit into the plan for this season? — Clark
Previous ranking: 14
2022-23 finish: Second-round loss
There are a few captivating situations to monitor for the Kraken this summer. How will they structure a new deal for Vince Dunn? In general, how will they deploy a projected $20.3 million in cap space to improve the roster? Perhaps most importantly, how can the team get Philipp Grubauer to harness his postseason success into something more consistent? — Clark
Previous ranking: 21
2022-23 finish: No playoffs
It looks like the Senators might have a new owner. Now, Ottawa needs a new plan. Alex DeBrincat isn’t planning to re-sign, which means his rights could be traded away. Continued instability around the Senators future could drive other players — including UFAs — away. Ottawa has a burgeoning young core to support; the faster its other business gets handled, the better. — Shilton
Previous ranking: 15
2022-23 finish: No playoffs
In missing the playoffs by three points, the Flames showed they were close. Could a new coach in Ryan Huska do the trick? Or will new GM Craig Conroy attempt to make roster improvements — despite having a projected $1.25 million in cap space? — Clark
Previous ranking: 24
2022-23 finish: No playoffs
The Red Wings are desperate to add more scoring. How aggressive is GM Steve Yzerman willing to be to give the team a boost up front? Does he go after someone like Alex DeBrincat in a trade? Target a veteran like Alex Killorn in free agency? It feels like the Red Wings could be on the cusp of contention, but only if Yzerman can pull on the right threads. — Shilton
Previous ranking: 20
2022-23 finish: No playoffs
New head coach Andrew Brunette is expected to crank up the offense in Nashville. Will the Predators seek to play that way with its core, or will new GM Barry Trotz seek to remake this roster? — Wyshynski
Previous ranking: 18
2022-23 finish: No playoffs
New team president (and interim GM) Kyle Dubas has over $20 million with which to build a new supporting cast around Sidney Crosby, Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin — the Core Three? — while helping to transition the Penguins to whatever comes next after their playing days are done. — Wyshynski
Previous ranking: 13
2022-23 finish: First-round loss
Will the Jets decide to run it back in the hopes of making the playoffs, or blow it all up in the hopes for a better future? Arbitration-eligible RFA Pierre-Luc Dubois wants out, and other longtime Jets such as Blake Wheeler could be on the move, too. — Clark
Previous ranking: 22
2022-23 finish: No playoffs
The Capitals have a new young head coach in Spencer Carbery and some interesting calls to make about veteran players such as Evgeny Kuznetsov, Tom Wilson and Anthony Mantha. Expect GM Brian MacLellan to make some bold moves to keep Washington competitive during Alex Ovechkin‘s record chase. — Wyshynski
Previous ranking: 23
2022-23 finish: No playoffs
Goaltender will be one of the primary positions to monitor when it comes to what might happen with the Blues. Mainly, can Jordan Binnington find a way to regain the consistency that eluded him in 2022-23? And who could be the best option to work in tandem with him? — Clark
Previous ranking: 25
2022-23 finish: No playoffs
Getting the salary cap situation in order is a top priority for Canucks; as of now, CapFriendly projects the team to be $668,750 OVER the salary cap for 2023-24. Yes, this is a team that missed the playoffs by 12 points. — Clark
Previous ranking: 29
2022-23 finish: No playoffs
Can the Canadiens actually land Pierre-Luc Dubois? It’s clear Dubois won’t be signing a contract extension in Winnipeg. The Montreal native has been tied to his hometown team for months. Will there be a trade? Dubois would be an ideal support for the Canadiens’ talented young cast and would seriously expedite the rebuilding efforts. — Shilton
Previous ranking: 31
2022-23 finish: No playoffs
The Blue Jackets have been busy already adding players (such as Damon Severson and Ivan Provorov) and coaches (Mike Babcock). How much further is Columbus willing to go to be a playoff contender? Coming off a horrible season, and being aggressive out of the gate this offseason, indicates Columbus is far from finished retooling. — Shilton
Previous ranking: 30
2022-23 finish: No playoffs
The Blackhawks stripped their roster down to the foundations in an attempt to secure the first overall pick. Now that Connor Bedard is on the way, how hard will GM Kyle Davidson go to surround him with talent this early in his career? — Wyshynski
Previous ranking: 26
2022-23 finish: No playoffs
The Keith Jones and Danny Briere regime has already started to shake up the team’s roster. Expect names such as Carter Hart, Scott Laughton and Tony DeAngelo to be among those in the Flyers rumor mill as the makeover continues. — Wyshynski
Previous ranking: 27
2022-23 finish: No playoffs
The Coyotes lost out on a new arena in Tempe, lost out on one of the top two overall picks in the draft and lost longtime executive Shane Doan to the Maple Leafs. Could star forward Clayton Keller be what they lose next? — Wyshynski
Previous ranking: 28
2022-23 finish: No playoffs
What will happen on the Erik Karlsson front? The Sharks have a 100-point-scoring defenseman that playoff teams would like to have — with the caveat that Karlsson has four more years on a contract at $11.5 million annually (and a full no-movement clause). — Clark
Previous ranking: 32
2022-23 finish: No playoffs
This will be one of the most important offseasons in recent franchise history. Beyond hiring a teacher in coach Greg Cronin and whatever the Ducks decide to do with the No. 2 pick, there’s also the matter of signing Jamie Drysdale, Troy Terry and Trevor Zegras to new contracts. — Clark
