The 2010 Olympic break has just started so we will be without any NHL action for the next few weeks. We’re going to use this time to go over each NHL’s team situation. We will do the Eastern Conference this week followed by the Western Conference next week. We will go in order of the standings, from top to bottom.

Washington Capitals:
The Capitals may be the favorite to reach the Stanley Cup from the East but they are missing a piece or two to be a true powerhouse. They could certainly use another defensive defenseman, someone who can clear the crease, and they need to figure out their goaltending situation. Semyon Varlamov is back from groin and knee injuries but has yet to convince the Caps that he is the goalie they should ride into the playoffs, while Jose Theodore is way to inconsistent to instill any confidence in Washington. So the question will be, will the Capitals make a trade or two at the deadline to try and solve their needs?

New Jersey Devils:
The Devils already made their big move by acquiring Igor Kovalchuk from the Thrashers so there is little to no reason to believe they will have anything else up their sleeve. That being said no one expected them to be major players in the Kovalchuk sweepstakes so who knows what the Devils may be thinking. One minor move they may make, that I was a bit surprised they didn’t take care of in the Kovalchuk trade, would be to acquire a backup goaltender. Yann Danis is not the answer and they don’t want to abuse Martin Brodeur the last six weeks of the season. Perhaps the Islanders Martin Biron could be making a trip across the Hudson River?

Ottawa Senators:
This is a team that needs to be careful. The Senators are clearly playing above their heads and really aren’t contenders for the Cup. They would benefit by not mortgaging the future and doing all they can to win this season, but trying to stay the course and keep getting better for the long haul. I’m not saying they should be trading players who are helping them now but they certainly shouldn’t give away any young players or draft picks to try and compete with the likes of the Capitals or Penguins.

Pittsburgh Penguins:
The Penguins may be the most complete team in the East. We know what Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin can do for the offense, and Sergei Gonchar does the same for the defense. The question will be should the Pens pick up another defenseman if they don’t trust Alex Goligoski or Kris Letang to shoulder the load. The Penguins may also want to trade for a wing, Ray Whitney, to balance out their scoring.

Buffalo Sabres:
The Sabres will go as far as goaltender Ryan Miller can take them. He is still having an outstanding year, but has shown signs of late that he is starting to wear down over a long season. Perhaps he was saving himself for the Olympics; of course the extra work he is going to get in the Olympics won’t do anything to remove those doubts. The Sabres could always use to add offense before the trading deadline but they may not have the chips or the finances to bring in the top quality talent they need.

Philadelphia Flyers:
The Flyers seemingly have everything in place to make a serious cup run this season with the exception of goalie. Ray Emery was signed during the offseason and everyone including the Flyers knew that his signing was a shot in the dark. Maybe it would work, maybe not. Well now that it looks like his season and maybe even his career is over we know that gamble didn’t pay off. The Flyers were lucky that they were able to be claim Michael Leighton off waivers from the Hurricanes. Leighton has played outstanding for Philadelphia so far this season, but will the Flyers trust their playoff run to Leighton and Brian Boucher? Unlikely, perhaps Marty Turco from Dallas would be more to their liking.

Boston Bruins:
The Bruins were a team that was hot and heavy for Kovalchuk and it wouldn’t surprise anyone if they make a play for a first or second line forward before the deadline. What would they have to offer an interested team? Well there have been rumors that last year’s Vezina Trophy winner Tim Thomas. Thomas has been a disappointment so far this season and may have even lost his starting job to Tuukka Rusk. Rusk has started the past six games and may have proven to the Bruins that he can handle the starting job.

Montreal Canadiens:
The Canadiens have already replaced their general manager which would lead one to believe that more significant changes may be on their way. Bob Gainey was replaced by Pierre Gauthier. Gainey was a big believer in goaltender Carey Price even though Jaroslav Halak has outplayed him pretty badly so far this season. Most pundits believe that Gauthier should trade one or the other, but which one? The market seems to be much higher for Price but will Gauthier have the nerve to trade a player who was once thought to be their franchise goaltender?

Tampa Bay Lightning:
Where will Vincent Lecavalier end up? Rumors have been flying around that new ownership wants Lecavalier and his contract traded from the organization. Not the best way to maximize your return by announcing that you want to get rid of what used to be your top player. Steven Stamkos has taken over the leadership role on the team and he is their future. The Lightning have quite a few holes on their roster and Lecavalier may solve one or two. The Lightning need more depth up front, another top defenseman and a franchise goalie wouldn’t hurt.

New York Rangers:
It’s easy to see what the Rangers need, offense. If the opposing team can shut down Marion Gaborik, then the Rangers offense is done. The Rangers also know this is what they need as they acquired Olli Jokinen from the Flames before the Olympic break. Is Jokinen the answer? Well he certainly can’t hurt but the Rangers may not be finished re-structuring their roster.

Atlanta Thrashers:
The Thrashers are in full sell mode. Kovalchuk went to the Devils for young players and draft picks, Kari Lehtonen to the Stars for the same. Good chance that more of the same is to come.

Florida Panthers:
The Panther higher ups actually apologized to their fans for the team’s play of late, they even went as far as telling the fans that they didn’t like the team as constructed and that changes will be on their way. Well I’m guessing we should take them at their word and assume they will be moving some of their players.

New York Islanders:
The Islanders should continue with their current strategy and that is to collect young players and draft picks to continue building for the future. They haven’t played as poorly this season as some thought they would, but aren’t really playoff contenders more or less contenders for the Stanley Cup. The Isles have three goaltenders on their current roster. Rick DiPietro has returned from injury, and although he is not playing like a true franchise goalie, he has proved himself to be healthy. His contract makes him untradeable, but since he has returned to full health either Dwayne Roloson or Martin Biron could be dealt. Roloson has played better this season then Biron but is also 40 and signed for next season. Biron hasn’t played as well this season but can handle a backup or starting role.

Carolina Hurricanes:
It seems like everyone wants forward Ray Whitney. Whitney may not be an elite goal scorer but he can certainly be a useful piece to a contender that needs help on the second line and/or the power play. Defenseman Joe Corvo is another player that has been mentioned in trade rumors. The Canes could be big time sellers at the deadline.

Toronto Maple Leafs:
You never can really tell what general manager Brian Burke will do. Even though the Leafs are in last place in the East Burke is not against trying to acquire top talent, even if it will cost him draft picks or younger players. That being said one has to believe that defenseman Tomas Kaberle will be traded before the deadline.

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