Over the next two months, the hockey world will focus on the chase for Lord Stanley's prize. But before we dive headfirst into that wild journey, let's sign off for this season and look at the teams that won't make the spring party.
We'll touch only on the 12 teams that were officially eliminated from the playoffs as of Friday morning. Let's start with the Western Conference, and we'll do the East later today:
Edmonton Oilers
Shame on yours truly for picking the Oilers to win the Northwest Division at the start of the season, but it sounds like we contributed to some inflated egos on that team. Check out what Edmonton Journal columnist Dan Barnes had to say this week as he wrapped up a disappointing season:
I saw a team that believed the preseason press clippings and wasn't willing to work hard enough to justify them, a team that would not impose its will on an opponent at home, as if there was no need because they were simply good enough to get it done with minimal effort. They didn't fold under pressure, they looked down their noses at it. … The Oilers were a team without commitment, effort or structure on too many nights and it produced the lasting impression of a team with no identity and nothing to celebrate.
One interesting theory about this team is the kids and the veterans are on two different wavelengths. First-year GM Steve Tambellini will need to address that, while also adding an important piece up front if he can. Super-talented Ales Hemsky still hasn't found the right fit. The Oilers have good depth on the blue line and can shed one of those bodies to make a deal.
And finally, and this is hardly news, but we figure coach Craig MacTavish will probably not be back. He's a good coach and a classy guy, but after nine seasons at the helm, it's obvious it's time for change.
Dallas Stars
We were told Thursday that the Stars' front office is not thinking about a coaching change. So it appears coach Dave Tippett is likely safe, which probably makes sense. The man loses Brenden Morrow and Sergei Zubov for almost the entire season and Brad Richards for the most important part of the year -- the team's three best players -- and people expect the Stars to survive that? Come on, folks; let's be realistic. Being healthy will be a big offseason improvement heading into the 2009-10 campaign.
This season wasn't a total loss; it provided for breakthroughs from Loui Eriksson and James Neal, among others, while Steve Ott took another giant step in becoming a hugely effective player and leader. But there needs to be upgrades, notably on defense. Will the aging Zubov, a UFA, be back? For more on the Stars, check out Mike Heika's piece this week in the Dallas Morning News.
Los Angeles Kings
This team is on the cusp. What's not to like: a blue line featuring Drew Doughty, Jack Johnson, Kyle Quincey, Matt Greene and (soon enough) Thomas Hickey; a forward group led by Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown; and a goalie group that -- finally -- shows much promise with Jonathan Quick, Erik Ersberg and Jonathan Bernier. Now comes the tricky part: getting over the hump.
We believe GM Dean Lombardi will attempt to add a major offensive piece this summer. The Kings are dead last in the NHL in five-on-five scoring this season, so they want to add an impact, high-end forward. If Tampa makes Vincent Lecavalier available, then that's a possibility; ditto if Atlanta eventually moves Ilya Kovalchuk (although it would rather not) or if Colorado shops Ryan Smyth. The latter isn't in the same category offensively as the first two players, but he oozes character and work ethic, and that's another area the Kings wouldn't mind improving. On the free-agent market, Marian Gaborik could be an option, but we doubt it for the kind of money and/or term his camp wants. The Kings want to add a big name; let's see who they end up with.
Phoenix Coyotes
GM Don Maloney got a head start on his offseason chores by adding some speed and offensive experience at the trade deadline last month (Scottie Upshall, Matthew Lombardi, Petr Prucha, Nigel Dawes) while also creating more financial flexibility moving forward. With the Olli Jokinen experience not working out, the Coyotes would like to add another front-line center, although that's easier said than done. Either way, another top-six forward is a goal in order to take a little pressure off all the youngsters up front. We think the Coyotes will also look at trying to add a top-four blueliner and a backup goalie that can push Ilya Bryzgalov. Bottom line: There's still lots of work to do in the desert, although it's a good young core moving in the right direction.
Colorado Avalanche
Our ESPN.com colleague Terry Frei covered this baby as well as you can last week in his terrific piece on the team. But if Joe Sakic retires, that gives the Avs the perfect window to start the rebuild. We would also try and move some of the high-paid veterans, like Scott Hannan and Smyth (no-trade clause, but you can ask him) in order to clear up cap space and get younger. It's time to regenerate this franchise. Getting John Tavares or Victor Hedman in the June draft would be a nice start. Oh, and finding a goalie wouldn't be a bad thing, either.
Pierre LeBrun
