Search for your favorite player or team
© The Hockey News. All rights reserved. Any and all material on this website cannot be used, reproduced, or distributed without prior written permission from Roustan Media Ltd. For more information, please see our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
Draft Preview 2008
The Hockey News has been providing the most comprehensive coverage of the world of hockey since 1947. In each issue, you'll find news, features and opinions about the NHL and leagues across North America and the world.
FLORIDA’S FUTURE ALREADY IN PLACE
With 16 players already signed and a handful of free agents on the roster expected to be resigned, the Panthers won’t be looking for much outside the organization as they plan for 2008-09. Among their six restricted free agents, the No. 1 priority will be getting defenseman Jay Bouwmeester locked into the same kind of long-term deal Nathan Horton and Stephen Weiss signed last summer, when both re-upped for six years. RFAs Rostislav Olesz and Kamil Kreps are also expected to return, while GM Jacques Martin could bring back Gregory Campbell or go in another direction. Mid-season pickups Wade Belak, Jassen Cullimore and Magnus Johansson, all unrestricted free agents, are also expected back. Versatile Steve Montador and Branislav Mezei, both UFAs, are unlikely to return. Florida anticipates any short-term needs to be at forward…
CAPS STOCKING UP THEIR CUPBOARD
General manager George McPhee doesn’t like parting with the draft picks he’s hoarded during rebuilding and he escaped the trade deadline with a substantial stash, including a first-rounder and three second-round selections in a deep draft. While the Caps rely on youth, he’ll stockpile more promising players to supplement the emerging youngsters who are critical to the franchise’s development. By the time the next crop of picks is NHL-ready, some of the young defensemen will be veterans and their veterans will have retired. McPhee believes a team can never have too many defensive prospects and the Capitals have shown a willingness to let talented blueliners learn in the NHL. Or the Caps could load up on forwards. With superstar Alex Ovechkin signed to a 13-year, $124 million-pact that will gobble up substantial cap…
NEEDS OBVIOUS AND PLENTIFUL
Apuck-moving defenseman and a backup goalie are the Hurricanes’ biggest needs this off-season, along with the continuing replenishment of a depleted farm system. With eight forwards under contract – nine counting 2007 first pick Brandon Sutter, whom the Canes expect to challenge for a roster spot next fall – and three restricted free agents, the Canes are set in that department, especially if they decide to re-sign Sergei Samsonov. Cam Ward will be back in goal, but the Canes will need a new backup. Michael Leighton, who has had an outstanding season in the AHL, will get first shot. The real turnover will be on defense, where Bret Hedican and Glen Wesley are both unrestricted free agents who are likely to retire. With three defensemen under contract and two restricted free agents, the…
LOWLY OFFENSE OBJECT OF FOCUS
Blues president John Davidson said his No. 1 priority this off-season would be examining his team’s offense. “For whatever reason, we haven’t scored and we have to figure out why,” he said. Only two teams (Columbus and the Islanders) scored fewer than the 2.5 goals-per-game the Blues scored this season. A year ago, St. Louis was fourth-lowest in the NHL. The Blues have a few highly touted forward prospects in their system, so the need for scoring is a short-term desire at this point. T.J. Oshie (University of North Dakota) and Patrik Berglund (Swedish Elite League) may be on the Blues roster next year, but likely won’t produce the kind of offense the team is looking for as rookies. So the Blues will look toward free agency for a boost. With a projected…
Made possible with the support of
