UP FROM ROCK BOTTOM

NOT ONLY IS Steve Yzerman a first-year GM in Detroit, but he’s also a legend there, meaning the fan base will grant him maximum patience. The 2019-20 season was epic in a bad way as the Wings kept most of their top prospects off the barren NHL roster, which posted the lowest points percentage of any team since the 1999-2000 Atlanta Thrashers. Fans will be praying the draft lottery goes their way. IMMEDIATE NEEDS: The top need is warm bodies on defense, as Trevor Daley and Jonathan Ericsson go UFA. Detroit could use the vacancies to promote youngsters, but the depth is still thin enough that Yzerman may sign a veteran or two on one-year pacts with the purpose of using them as fodder for the trade deadline next winter. LONG-TERM NEEDS:…

SWITCHING TO GLIDE

TWO OF THE PAST three drafts have been abbreviated affairs for the Caps (four picks each time) and the 2020 crop could be the same, depending on one conditional pick with San Jose. Washington does have its first-rounder, however, so there will be the chance for value. When you’re in your Stanley Cup window, that’s all you can ask for. IMMEDIATE NEEDS: The defense corps unravelled in the second half, casting aspersions on John Carlson’s Norris Trophy quest. This team needs more puck-movers and fewer battleships. Getting younger would help, too: Jonas Siegenthaler was the only regular in his early 20s – everyone else was pushing 30. LONG-TERM NEEDS: With Ilya Samsonov going from goalie of the future to goalie of the present in short order, the Caps’ roster is in great…

TOP 100 PROSPECTS: 63-83

CENTERS OF ATTENTION

ANOTHER SEASON, another promising start, another disappointment. The Sabres own the NHL’s longest active playoff drought, which unofficially extended to nine seasons with 2019-20 paused and Buffalo nowhere near a wild-card spot. All the Sabres can do is hope another shiny piece acquired with an early draft pick in 2020 finally moves the needle toward progress. IMMEDIATE NEEDS: The Ryan O’Reilly trade in 2018 gutted the Sabres. Since Casey Mittelstadt wasn’t ready to take over as the No. 2 center behind Jack Eichel, the lineup depth collapsed. Mittelstadt ended up assigned to the AHL midway through this season. Buffalo needs a quality second-line pivot who can handle tough defensive assignments. LONG-TERM NEEDS: Dylan Cozens is expected to be Buffalo’s long-term answer at No. 2 center. On top of Rasmus Dahlin at No.…