Top Priority for Each NHL Team That Missed the 2016 Playoffs

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As the NHL ^[1] prepares for the upcoming Stanley Cup playoffs, teams that didn't qualify must deal with disappointing ends to their respective seasons. For the general managers of clubs such as the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens (pictured above), they must prioritize and address roster weaknesses before next season.

Rebuilding teams, such as the Leafs, must determine which areas of their rosters need the most attention. For clubs that began this season as playoff contenders, such as the Canadiens, it means addressing what went wrong to ensure a bounce-back performance in 2016-17. For some, changes could involve their management or coaching staff.

In the following slideshow, we'll examine the top priority for each NHL team that will, or could, miss the 2016 playoffs. As always, you can weigh in with your thoughts in the comments section below.

Boston Bruins/Detroit Red Wings/Philadelphia Flyers

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Entering the final weekend of the 2015-16 regular season, the Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings and Philadelphia Flyers were battling for the two remaining Eastern Conference playoff berths. As one of these clubs will miss the playoffs, here's a brief look at the top offseason priority for each.

Boston Bruins: Replace their aging veteran defensemen ^[2] with younger talent. Zdeno Chara (39 years old), Dennis Seidenberg (34) and recently the acquired John-Michael Liles (35) are past their primes. It's taken a toll on the Bruins' defensive stats ^[3]. Management has yet to find a suitable replacement for Dougie Hamilton, who was dealt last summer to the Calgary Flames.

Detroit Red Wings: While inconsistent goaltending has been an issue this season, offense is the bigger concern. The Wings are among the lowest-scoring clubs ^[4] (207). They're going through a transition period, adding younger players to eventually replace their aging scorers. That trend will likely continue.

Philadelphia Flyers: The Flyers' offensive game had some problems earlier in the season, but it's the defense that still needs improvement ^[5]. They started bringing in younger blueliners this season, most notably the 22-year-old Shayne Gostisbehere. They could move out older defenders ^[6], such as Mark Streit (38) and Nick Schultz (3 3), in the offseason.

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Priority: The Arizona Coyotes must improve their defense. Goaltending is an obvious weakness ^[7], but while they're stuck with Mike Smith's hefty contract ^[8] (good for $5.67 million annually until 2019), Louis Domingue ^[9] could be Smith's heir apparent. Improving the blue-line depth could make life easier for their goalie tandem.

Why it's an issue: The defense corps was among this season's worst ^[10], conceding an average of 31 shots per game. They possess a genuine superstar in Oliver Ekman-Larsson and several promising young rearguards ^[11] but lack experienced defensive depth.

Options: The Coyotes have over $34 million ^[12] in salary-cap payroll invested in just 13 players for 2016-17. They have sufficient cap room to add a skilled veteran blueliner or two via trade or free agency. Potential free-agent ^[13] targets could include Alex Goligoski, Kris Russell or Jason Demers of the Dallas Stars or hard-nosed San Jose Sharks rearguard Roman Polak.

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

Priority: The rebuilding Buffalo Sabres are a work in progress and need depth at every position. The biggest issue is a lack of skilled scoring depth on the wings.

Why it's an issue: The Sabres were among this season's lowest-scoring ^[14], lowest-shooting teams. Left wing Matt Moulson ^[15] is a spent force, left wing Evander Kane ^[16] was frequently sidelined and center/winger Tyler Ennis ^[17] lost most of the season to injury.

Options: Sabres general manager Tim Murray has plenty of depth in draft picks ^[18] and prospects to peddle as trade bait for an established scorer. He could target a cap-strapped team looking to shed an expensive salary this summer. Unrestricted free-agent targets could include Chicago Blackhawks left wing Andrew Ladd, New York Islanders right wing Kyle Okposo and Boston Bruins right wing Loui Eriksson.

Lenny Ignelzi/Associated Press

Priority: The Calgary Flames need to improve their goaltending. Jonas Hiller, Karri Ramo, Niklas Backstrom and Joni Ortio combined for a league-worst ^[19] 3.16 goals-against per game in 2015-16.

Why it's an issue: The lousy goaltending hampered the Flames' development this season, preventing them from returning to the postseason. With a deep defense ^[20] and an offense powered by rising stars Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan, the Flames could become a perennial playoff team with a proven starting goalie.

Options: Unrestricted free agents ^[21] Hiller, Ramo annd Backstrom won't be back. Ortio, 24, is a restricted free agent and could be retained as an affordable backup. They could scour the trade market for an experienced starter. Free-agent options include James Reimer of the San Jose Sharks and Cam Ward of the Carolina Hurricanes.

Charles Krupa/Associated Press

Priority: The rebuilding Carolina Hurricanes stayed in the playoff chase ^[22] longer than expected. A lack of proven scoring depth ^[23], however, ensured they finished outside the postseason picture for the seventh straight year.

Why it's an issue: They are among this season's lowest-scoring clubs ^[24] (2.40 goals-per-game average). Since now-departed center Eric Staal's offensive decline began two years ago, the Hurricanes' scoring has suffered. While they have several promising forwards ^[25] in their ranks, they lack an established and reliable offensiv e presence. If this goes unaddressed, their non-playoff streak will continue.

Options: General manager Ron Francis has depth in draft picks and promising young players to use as trade bait. Teams in need of shedding salary this summer could contact him. Francis also has $38 million ^[26] invested in 13 players for 2016-17, giving him plenty of salary-cap room to pursue a scorer via free agency.

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Priority: For the third consecutive season, the Colorado Avalanche are among the NHL's worst defensive teams ^[27], conceding an average of 32.3 shots per game. As a result, they're missing the playoffs for a second straight year. They must improve play in their own zone

Why it's an issue: The Avalanche made the playoffs two years ago largely because of the efforts of overworked goaltender Semyon Varlamov ^[28]. His declining numbers since then have exposed their weak defensive game. Should this go unaddressed, the Avalanche will be staring at a third consecutive season outside the postseason picture.

Options: Such poor defensive play usually results in a coaching change. However, it seems doubtful general manager Joe Sakic will replace head coach and former teammate Patrick Roy. They cannot ignore the fact their system isn't working, though. Perhaps hiring a specialist defensive coach would improve matters.

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

Priority: The Columbus Blue Jackets need an experienced top-two defenseman. Though they've got a couple of promising blueliners ^[29] in Seth Jones and Ryan Murray, they need a proven veteran to improve a defense that gave up too many shots ^[30] (31.1 per game) this season.

Why it's an issue: The Blue Jackets must avoid saddling Jones and Murray with too much responsibility this early in their careers. Adding a skilled veteran who can skate on the first defense pairing could provide stability and leadership.

Options: Unless the Jackets shed salary this summer, limited salary-cap space ^[31] will likely keep them out of free agency this summer. They'll have to consider their trade options in the offseason. They gave up a good young forward in Ryan Johansen earlier this year to get Jones. It could cost them another to bring in a quality veteran blueliner.

Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photo/Getty Images

Priority: The Edmonton Oilers are in dire need of defensive help. They've been lacking a true top-two defenseman for some time.

Why it's an issue: The constantly rebuilding Oilers have been among the league's worst defensive teams ^[32] for years. They've got some promising young rearguards ^[33], such as Darnell Nurse, Oscar Klefbom and Brandon Davidson. However, these kids need an experienced leader to help them adjust to the NHL game, as well as improve t he Oilers' performance within their own zone.

Options: Pickings are slim for top-two defensemen with leadership skills in this summer's free-agent market ^[34]. The Oilers will have another high first-round draft pick this year, plus they're top-heavy in young scoring forwards ^[35]. They could try packaging that pick and center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins or right wing Jordan Eberle for a return that finally bolsters their blue line.

Wilfredo Lee/Associated Press

Priority: Losing superstar goaltender Carey Price to a season-ending knee injury ^[36] in November had the unexpected consequence of exposing the Montreal Canadiens' lack of scoring punch ^[37]. Without Price to steal games for them, the Habs tumbled out of playoff contention.

Why it's an issue: If the Canadiens are to bounce back into playoff contention next season, general manager Marc Bergevin must bolster his offense. They've been lacking a true first-line center for years and need more offensive depth on the wings. Attempts to fix the problem on the cheap last summer by signing Alexander Semin and trading for Zack Kassian ended in failure.

Options: Alex Galchenyuk's long-overdue move into the first-line center role late in the season seems to be addressing that particular need. Bergevin has over $64 million ^[38] committed to next season's salary-cap payroll, but all his key players are signed. He could have room to add a reasonably priced scoring winger via trade or free agency.

Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

Priority: The New Jersey Devils were among this season's top 10 teams in goals against per game (2.48), shots against per game (28.8) and penalty-killing percentage (82.8). What killed their playoff hopes, however, was their league-worst offense ^[39] (2.19 goals per game).

Why it's an issue: The Devils cannot continue to rely ^[40] on a banged-up Mike Cammalleri, an inconsistent Travis Zajac and cheap free-agent signings (such as the now-departed Lee Stempniak) for the bulk of their scoring. General manager Ray Shero must provide superstar goalie Cory Schneider the offensive support he deserves.

Options: The Devils have $40 million ^[41] in salary-cap payroll committed to 13 players for 2016-17. Some of it will be spent on re-signing key players. If ownership is willing to spend toward the cap ceiling, there should be enough to bolster the scoring depth. New York Islanders right wing Kyle Okposo or Colorado Avalanche winger Mikkel Boedker could be worthwhile free-agent targets ^[42].

Chris Szagola/Associated Press

Priority: The Ottawa Senators are once again among the NHL's worst defensive teams ^[43] (32.7 shots-against average). This is a problem that's gone unaddressed for too long. Head coach Dave Cameron hasn't done any better than his predecessor, Paul MacLean, in improving their poor play within their own zone.

Why it's an issue: In recent years, the Senators overcame their lousy defense with skilled goaltending. However, the overworked tandem of Craig Anderson and Andrew Hammond couldn't save them this season. Beyond superstar Erik Karlsson, veteran Dion Phaneuf and promising Cody Ceci, the Sens lack skilled and reliable blue-line depth ^[44].

Options: The Senators could consider free-agent possibilities such as Kris Russell of the Dallas Stars or Keith Yandle of the New York Rangers. They could also shop restricted free-agent winger Mike Hoffman ^[45] for a defenseman. Another coaching change could also be in the cards.

Joe Skipper/Associated Press

Priority: The Toronto Maple Leafs commenced a long-overdue and much-needed rebuild last year. They must continue to acquire and develop promising young players.

Why it's an issue: The Leafs spent the past decade adding expensive players through trades and free agency. All it got them was one playoff appearance. They've already got some promising youth ^[46] on the roster (such as defenseman Morgan Rielly and center William Nylander) and in their system (such as forwards Mitch Marner and Nikita Soshnikov). It's best to continue a patient rebuild instead of seeking a quick fix.

Options: The Leafs are well stocked with draft picks ^[47], some of which could use as trade bait to add some established young NHL talent this summer. There could be a temptation to pursue Tampa Bay Lightning center and Toronto-area native Steven Stamkos via free agency. However, it'd be more sensible to add more affordable depth players to mentor up-and-coming talents.

Mark Humphrey/Associated Press

Priority: The Vancouver Canucks spent the last two seasons attempting to rebuild on the fly. It was a failure in 2015-16, as they missed the playoffs for the second time in three years. Management must consider a more significant offseason roster overhaul.

Why it's an issue: Several of the Canucks' core players ^[48] (such as Daniel and Henrik Sedin, Ryan Miller and Dan Hamhuis) are aging. General manager Jim Benning must continue transitioning toward younger NHL talent to complement promising young Canucks such as Jake Virtanen, Bo Horvat and Ben Hutton.

Options: With $58 million ^[49] invested in next season's salary-cap payroll, the Canucks should consider shedding some salary. It might be worthwhile to quietly entertain trade scenarios for the Sedins, provided they're willing to waive their no-movement clauses. That would free up more cap room to acquire affordable youth via trade or free agency.

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Priority: The ownership of the Winnipeg Jets must consider a change in leadership. Since relocating from Atlanta in 2011, the Jets have reached the playoffs only once. They were supposed to be a perennial postseason club by now.

Why it's an issue: Winnipeg fans are loyal, but the constant losing will eventually test their patience. While they have sufficient roster depth ^[50] to be a competitive club, they're lacking the necessary leadership to get them to the next level. That also includes behind the bench and in the front office.

Options: Having traded away former captain Andrew Ladd at this season's deadline, the Jets should consider bringing in a replacement via trade or free agency to add a fresh approach. St. Louis Blues center David Backes could be available as an unrestricted free agent. Coaching possibilities could include Claude Julien if the Boston Bruins decide to replace him.

Player and team stats (as of April 7, 2016) via NHL.com ^[51]. Salary info via CapFriendly ^[52].