Top Offseason Priorities for Teams Eliminated in 2nd Round of 2016 NHL Playoffs

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With the NHL ^[1]'s conference finals now underway, the clubs eliminated during second-round competition are left pondering their derailed playoff dreams. For teams such as the Washington Capitals (pictured above), it means assessing their biggest roster needs this summer.

Each club has their own unique issues to deal with. Salary-cap space, free agents and roster depth could determine the amount of action required to address their problem areas.

The following slideshow examines the top offseason priorities of the teams eliminated from the second round of the 2016 NHL playoffs. You can express your views on this topic in the comments section below.

Dallas Stars' Secondary Priority: Address the Defense

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Why it's an issue: Dallas Stars defenseman Alex Goligoski, Jason Demers, Kris Russell and Jordie Benn are eligible for unrestricted free agency in July. They must be re-signed or replaced before next season.

Analysis: While the Stars have over $17 million ^[2] in salary-cap space for 2016-17, they must avoid using most of it to re-sign defensemen. Goligoski is their most experienced puck-moving blueliner but could prove expensive to retain. Demers is a good depth defender and Russell is a shot-blocking specialist ^[3], but they're not irreplaceable. The rise of rugged young Stephen Johns could make Benn the odd man out.

Options: The Stars could retain half of their free-agent rearguards and replace the others with affordable talent. They had interest in Vancouver Canucks blueliner Dan Hamhuis before the trade deadline. Perhaps they'll revisit that option via free agency. They could also promote a young defender such as promising Julius Honka or Esa Lindell.

Dallas Stars' Top Priority: Improve the Goaltending

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Why it's the top priority: Of the 16 teams that entered the 2016 NHL playoffs, the Dallas Stars had the worst regular-season goals-against average ^[4] (2.78). The combined 3.23 goals-against per game ^[5] of Kari Lehtonen a nd Antti Niemi during the playoffs played a significant role in the club's second-round elimination.

Analysis: The Stars cannot stick with the Lehtonen-Niemi tandem for another season and expect a championship run next spring. Trading one of them could be difficult. Both are under contract for two more seasons (Lehtonen at an annual cap hit of $5.9 million; Niemi for $4.5 million) and carry modified no-trade clauses ^[6]. If a trade isn't possible, one of them could receive a contract buyout.

Options: If Lehtonen or Niemi gets traded or bought out, the Stars will need a suitable replacement. Free-agent possibilities include San Jose Sharks backup James Reimer and Carolina Hurricanes netminder Cam Ward. Anaheim Ducks netminder Frederik Andersen could be a trade target.

Nashville Predators' Secondary Priority: Find a Suitable Backup Goaltender

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Why it's an issue: Starting goaltender Pekka Rinne struggled at times ^[7] throughout the regular season and playoffs. It was a factor behind the Predators' second-round exit at the hands of the San Jose Sharks.

Analysis: The 33-year-old Rinne could use a reliable backup to share more of the goaltending duties. Carter Hutton is an unrestricted free agent this summer and probably won't return. He only saw action in 17 games ^[8] this season and less than 20 minutes in the postseason. That suggests head coach Peter Laviolette lacks confidence in him.

Options: With over $15.2 million ^[9] in salary-cap space and all but one (Filip Forsberg) of their core players signed through next season, they have room to boost their goaltending depth. Free-agent possibilities include James Reimer of the San Jose Sharks, Cam Ward of the Carolina Hurricanes, Jhonas Enroth of the Los Angeles Kings, Al Montoya of the Florida Panthers or Chad Johnson of the Buffalo Sabres.

Nashville Predators' Top Priority: Add a Reliable Scoring Winger

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Why it's the top priority: Consistency was an issue among the Nashville Predators' secondary scoring wingers. Colin Wilson had a solid playoff (13 points) but only 24 points ^[10] in the regular season. Craig Smith had a decent regular season (21 goals) but only two points in the playoffs.

Analysis: Wilson's playoff numbers could make him worth retaining. It could also enhance his trade value if management decides to shed his $3.9 million annual salary-cap hit ^[11]. Smith's been in decline ^[12] since his career-best 52-point performance in 2013-14 . Centers Mike Fisher ^[13] and Mike Ribeiro ^[14] are aging and could be replaced.

Options: Once the Preds re-sign Filip Forsberg, they'll have sufficient cap space ^[15] to re-sign other key players and bring in a reliable scoring forward. Wingers such as the Boston Bruins' Loui Eriksson or the New York Islanders' Kyle Okposo could be free-agent possibilities.

New York Islanders' Secondary Priority: Evaluate the Defense Corps

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Why it's an issue: The New York Islanders' defense corps struggled in their second-round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Throughout the postseason, the Isles gave up the second-highest ^[16] shots against per game (35.6).

Analysis: Blueliners Johnny Boychuk and Calvin de Haan had their difficulties coping with the speed of the Lightning. Boychuk's decline this season ^[17] (the first of his seven-year contract ^[18]) is troubling. The Isles won't have worry about replacing top-pairing defenseman Travis Hamonic, as he rescinded ^[19] his early-season trade request.

Options: The Islanders have over $19.7 million ^[20] in salary-cap space for 2016-17 but must re-sign or replace forwards Kyle Okposo, Frans Nielsen and Matt Martin. They're likely to seek blue-line improvement from within. A promising rearguard such as Ryan Pulock or Adam Pelech could see more playing time next season.

New York Islanders' Top Priority: Suitable Linemates for John Tavares

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Why it's the top priority: New York Islanders captain John Tavares carried the bulk of his club's offense in the 2016 playoffs. He was crucial to their advancement past the first round, but the Tampa Bay Lightning shut him down ^[21] in the second round.

Analysis: A lack of skilled linemates made it easier for the Bolts to contain Tavares. Right wing Kyle Okposo was ineffective against the Lightning ^[22]. He's a free agent this summer and probably won't be back. Left wing Brock Nelson didn't fare much better. Management must provide its franchise player with better scoring wingers.

Options: If the Isles new ownership is willing to spend, the team has sufficient cap room (19.7 million) to re-sign veteran second-line center Frans Nielsen, most of the restricted free agents ^[23] and add a top-line winger via trade or free agency. The Islanders could also wait for young forwards Ryan Strome or Anders Lee to blossom into stars, but that could waste another season or two of Tavares' playing prime.

Washington Capitals' Secondary Priority: Improve the Checking Lines

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Why it's an issue: The Washington Capitals' checking lines struggled against swifter opposition during the 2016 playoffs. They had difficulty containing the speed of the Pittsburgh Penguins during their second-round series, contributing to their early exit from the postseason.

Analysis: Center Mike Richards ^[24] is only 31, but his speed and skills have noticeably deteriorated in recent years. Left wing Jason Chimera ^[25] is a free agent and had a good season. At 37, however, he's reached the stage where age is a concern. It may be best to allow both to depart via free agency and seek younger, faster players.

Options: The Capitals have over $15 million in projected salary-cap space for 2016-17. Once they re-sign their key restricted free agents (defenseman Dmitry Orlov, forwards Marcus Johansson and Tom Wilson), there should be sufficient cap space to bolster the checking lines. They could promote a youngster such as left wing Jakub Vrana or look for depth in the trade or free-agent markets. ^[26]

Washington Capitals' Top Priority: Blue-Line Depth

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Why it's the top priority: A lack of skilled and swift defensive depth contributed to the Washington Capitals' second-round elimination. This must be addressed if they're to stage a Stanley Cup run in 2017.

Analysis: Beyond the Washington Capitals' top-three defensemen of John Carlson, Karl Alzner and Matt Niskanen, their blue-line depth ^[27] is thin. Thirty-five-year-old Brooks Orpik's best seasons are behind him. Dmitry Orlov has yet to fully establish himself as a second-pairing rearguard.

Options: The Capitals must carefully manage their $15 million salary-cap room to boost their defense, re-sign notable players such as Marcus Johansson and tweak their checking lines. Vancouver Canucks defenseman Dan Hamhuis could be a free-agent target.