Team Needs: Atlantic Division

Boston Bruins

Team needs: Veteran puck-moving defenseman, speedy top-line winger

The reigning President's Trophy winners rode to the top of the league standings on the strength of a deep and balanced roster, yet their weaknesses were eventually exposed at the hands of the Montreal Canadiens in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Bruins relied on a host of young defensemen while keeping trade deadline acquisition Andrej Meszaros in the press box for all but four games of that series, furthering the belief that Boston needs to add a veteran puck-moving defenseman along the lines of Keith Yandle, Alex Edler or Tom Gilbert.

While the team is said to be looking to bring back Jarome Iginla to play on the top line, the team's lack of speed was also made apparent by Montreal, and the Bruins may be better served pursuing a younger, faster option to play alongside David Krejci and Milan Lucic.

The Bruins will also need to sign sign Torey Krug, Reilly Smith and Matt Bartkowski (all restricted free agents) to new deals while facing a $4.75 bonus overage penalty.

Tampa Bay Lightning

Team needs: Top-four defenseman, scoring to fill St. Louis hole

Victor Hedman lived up to the hype the preceded him as the second overall pick in 2009, recording 55 points (13 goals, 42 assists) from Tampa Bay's blue line. After that, however, production from Lightning defensemen took a large hit, with no other player topping five goals or 30 assists. 

After having passed on Seth Jones in the 2013 Draft, Steve Yzerman should be looking to add a puck-moving, offensive defenseman in order to balance his roster.

While the Lightning possess a wealth of talent up front, trading Martin St. Louis created quite a hole in terms of offensive production. While this may be offset, in part, with the likely addition of Jonathan Drouin, the Lightning would be well served be seeking out a top-six forward with some scoring pop.

Retaining the services of Ryan Callahan could fill this hole, but they made need to look elsewhere if he prices himself out of the market.

Montreal Canadiens

Team needs: P.K. Subban, scoring forward

The top item on general manager Marc Bergervin's offseason to-do list is signing Subban to a long-term deal; according to reports, he's looking for contract in excess of 7 years, $45 million, which seems quite reasonable and could make the task easier for the Canadiens. 

Montreal took care of its other gifted offensive defenseman Monday afternoon, signing Andrei Markov to a three-year, $17.25-million deal. Expect young blue-liners Nathan Beaulieu and Jarred Tinordi to see expanded roles, as they represent cost-controlled options to counter the high salaries of Markov and Subban (when the time comes).

The Canadiens will also be looking for a suitable replacement up front to fill the hole left by a very underwhelming Thomas Vanek. Montreal did well to acquire for the prolific forward at a good price prior to the deadline, but the move failed to pay dividends in the playoffs. 

Montreal would do well to add an offensively-gifted forward who can push play down the ice in an attempt to improve the team's overall possession numbers.

Detroit Red Wings

Team needs: Top-four, right-handed defenseman; veteran forward

The Red Wings roster is a strange one, featuring exactly zero defensemen who shoot right-handed. Consider this the biggest need facing general manager Ken Holland, hence the many reports suggesting Detroit is targeting Matt Niskanen and/or Anton Stralman via free agency.

As per Capgeek, Detroit has close to $19 million in available cap space, some of which needs to be used on upgrading the forward core. The Red Wings relied on the services of several AHL call-ups with Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk sidelined at various points last season, while Stephen Weiss - last summer's big addition - contributed next to nothing.

Look for Detroit to be in on free agents such as Marian Gaborik, Thomas Vanek and Jarome Iginla.

Ottawa Senators

Team needs: Get value for Jason Spezza, figure out who they are

For better or worse - from an Ottawa perspective, anyway - it appears as though captain Jason Spezza will not be a Senator next season after requesting a trade. While the loss of the captain leaves a big hole up front, he may be flipped in order to fill various holes on the roster - namely depth up front and a top-four defenseman.

Prior to any deal involving Spezza, Ottawa has upwards of $37 million in available cap space, but general manager Bryan Murray seems to be handcuffed by the dreaded internal budget set by owner Eugene Melnyk. 

With Milan Michalek set hit hit free agency this summer and Bobby Ryan, Marc Methot and Craig Anderson all possibly hitting the market in 2015, the Senators must determine whether they're trying to put together the best possible team in the present or whether they're in full-out "future mode."

In the present, they desperately need some scoring touch up front and some size and skill in the form of a top-four defenseman.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Team needs: Depth at center, top-four defenseman, trade James Reimer

The Maple Leafs fell out of playoff contention in epic fashion, winning one regulation game in their last 14 while revealing all of their flaws along the way.

The Maple Leafs - who brought in Brendan Shanahan as the new team president while retaining the services of Dave Nonis and extending head coach Randy Carlyle - continue their quest to find a number one center, despite their allegiances to Tyler Bozak. It's unclear whether Dave Bolland will be back in the mix, but either way, Toronto needs depth up the middle - just as it always does.

Toronto's issues in 2013-14 revolved around historically bad possession numbers, something that quality depth on the blue line - as well as increased roles for up-tempo defensemen like Jake Gardiner and Morgan Reilly - can help to rectify. Will this involve a Dion Phaneuf trade? Stay tuned.

Finally, Toronto should be looking to get value in exchange for James Reimer, before this good Christian boy from Manitoba absolutely loses it.

Florida Panthers

Team needs: Help for the kids

Despite finishing 29th overall, the Panthers' future is almost as bright as the sun in Miami, beginning with a center corps of Jonathan Huberdeau, Aleksander Barkov and Nick Bjugstad. 

Add veteran goaltender Roberto Luongo and the first overall pick in the 2014 Draft to the mix - likely to be used to select defenseman Aaron Ekblad - and sandy beaches to the mix, and general manager Dale Tallon has quite the power point presentation for luring potential free agents to Florida.

And he'll need it, because there is no shortage of areas of potential improvement on this roster.

Buffalo Sabres

Team needs: Connor McDavid

What can be said about the worst team in the NHL last season, and one that jettisoned its two best players along the way? 

The good news for Sabres fans is that Terry Pegula appears to remain more committed to winning than making money, and new general manager Tim Murray seems to have sufficient smarts and moxie to direct the rebuild.

Buffalo has a plethora of needs at every position, and will likely come in near or at the bottom on the NHL standings again in 2014-15 - which is fantastic news, considering Connor McDavid is draft eligible and will lead the Sabres out of the depth and on to glory. 

Best case, of course.