ANAHIEM DUCKS
Ducks have selected quite a bit of defensemen recently. Between that and future power forwards, they are well-stocked organizationally.
As for needs? As their vets get even older, plus some cap items to figure out, the key is to replenish in the same fashion that has led to draft success in the past. So, basically... more of the same.
BOSTON BRUINS
As a byproduct of advancing to the Eastern Conference Final for the second time in three seasons, the Boston Bruins were forced to send their 2013 first round draft pick to the Dallas Stars, as the final condition of the Jaromir Jagr trade. This means that, barring an unforeseen draft-day deal, Boston won't select their first new prospect until the end of the second round. At that spot, you will likely see Boston looking to add to their already deep pool of talented young forwards. In the junior ranks, Boston's prospect pool is a lot like their NHL roster, in the sense that it features a bevy of different types of players. Extraordinarily skilled Russian sniper Alex Khokhlachev (second round, 2011) is without a doubt the team's most dynamic offensive prospect, while hard-nosed, net-driving wingers Anthony Camara (third round, 2011) and Jared Knight (second round, 2010) also have the potential to make an NHL impact in the near future. In net, 2012 first round draft choice Malcolm Subban has developed into one of the league's highest rated goaltending prospects. At the pro level, 2013 AHL all-stars Ryan Spooner (second round, 2010) and Niklas Svedberg (undrafted, 2012) both seem poised to make the jump to the NHL next season.
- Benjiman Woodward, HockeyIndependent.com
BUFFALO SABRES
The Buffalo Sabres have two first round draft choices in the 2013 NHL Draft, their own pick(8th overall) and the Minnesota Wild’s top selection(16th overall) acquired at the trade deadline in the Jason Pominville deal. GM Darcy Regier may be very busy on the draft floor in Newark next weekend, with potential trades of veterans Ryan Miller and Thomas Vanek that could give the Sabres more picks. Barring a packaging of their two top selections to move into the top five, the Sabres hope that Sean Monahan of the Ottawa 67’s or young Swede Elias Lindholm fall to the #8 pick, but would not be disappointed to snag big Sault-Sainte Marie blueliner Darnell Nurse.
The Sabres appear to be entering an organizational rebuild with Regier and coach Ron Rolston at the helm. 2010 first rounder Mark Pysyk played extensively at the end of the regular season, 2011 top pick Joel Armia is expected to come to North America after completing three seasons in the Finnish SM-Liiga and 2012 selections Mikhail Grigorenko and Zemgus Girgensons are both expected to get serious consideration towards making the big club
in 2013.
- Michael Augello, columnist for Hockeybuzz.com
CALGARY FLAMES
The Flames have decent depth at all prospect positions, but unfortunately that depth is not of the high-end kind. Apart from TJ Brodie, who projects to be a top-3 defender, and Sven Baertschi, who projects to be a great 2W/good 1W, the Flames don't really have any high-end prospects. Corbin Knight, Roman Horak, Mark Cundari and John Gaudreau are among a plethora of players who will likely play at the NHL level, but deficiencies in their games will stop them from contributing to large degrees. Max Reinhart, Kenny Agostino, Tyler Wotherspoon and Ben Hanowski (among others) will likely be replacement-level cannon fodder for their careers. The Flames have no need for more goaltenders, as the organization has 5 goaltenders under the age of 27 under contract.
Therefore, the Flames are in desperate need of elite talent. Luckily for them, they have three picks in the first round this year: 6th, 22nd and 28th. To shore up their prospect pool, it’s likely the Flames need a good-to-great prospect at the defense and wing positions and a great-to-elite prospect at the centre position. The Flames likely won’t reach for a pick in the manner they did in 2012 with Mark Jankowski, who showed little this season at the NCAA level. If the Flames can manage to draft an elite centreman with the 6th pick and a defenseman/winger with the 22nd and 28th picks, their prospect pool would take a huge leap forward.
- Justin Azevedo of hockeyandbooze.com
CAROLINA HURRICANES
The Hurricanes are in dire need of a top four defenseman and have been dangling their fifth overall pick as bait to anyone who will listen. If the return is worth it, they would prefer to trade down, but not too far. After trading two first round picks, (Brandon Sutter and the eighth overall in 2012) and a former second rounder, (Brian Dumoulin), to acquire Jordan Staal last year, they cannot afford to relinquish anymore quality picks unless the return is "A plus". If they keep the fifth overall this year, they most likely will choose the highest ranked forward on their list and worry about adding a defenseman later.
Carolina's pool of prospects are generally not highly regarded and management has expressed public disappointment in their progress. Last season as the club faced a barrage of injuries, the team's depth had little answer and at one point the Hurricanes lost 17 of 20 games. This coming season, it's hopeful that rookie defenseman Ryan Murphy can add a jolt to the inconsistent powerplay and the Canes will depend upon progress from forwards, Zac Dalpe, Riley Nash, and Jeremy Welsh. Former Calgary Hitman, Victor Rask will be making his debut and might be able to jump ahead of the others.
- Bob Wage, of Canescountry.com
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
The Stanley Cup Winning Chicago Blackhawks take pride in having a 30th overall pick in the 2013 Entry Draft. Since the dismantling of the 2010 Stanley Cup team, the Blackhawks have made stocking up on prospects a main focus.
With Brandon Pirri, Jeremy Morin and Jimmy Hayes leading the way up front in the AHL, the pipeline is bursting at forward. Add in 2011 draft picks Phillip Danault and Mark McNeill who hope to make an impact in the next two years, slick Finish forward Teuvo Teravainen looks to add to the Hawks depth down the line.
A weakness within the organization includes help on the backend. However, they do own offensive defenceman Adam Clendening, who’s attracting praise from GM Stan Bowman, while Hawks fans await nasty American Stephen Johns to show his face in the Indianhead.
Goaltending depth would have been more of an issue for it not the signing of Finish superstar Antti Raanta. Another signing, the 2013 Hobey Baker award winner, Drew LeBlanc has his sights on a pivot position next year with the big club next year.
- Tyler Cameron @tycam HockeyIndependent.com
COLORADO AVALANCHE
'Not taking Seth Jones' announces Joe Sakic, who just happens not to be the GM who will be making the call. Yet everyone is repeating it anyway. Good thing they are announcing their plans... nudge, nudge, wink, wink.