On the heels of a wildly successful season wherein the Maple Leafs not only advanced to the playoffs, but gave the first-place Washington Capitals all they could handle in an eventual first-round loss, head coach Mike Babcock acknowledged a roster that finished 30th just last season still needs work.
"We have to improve our hockey club. We understand that and that's what we will go about doing," Babcock added at Tuesday's press conference. "... In order to be consistent as a team you have to build something that has enough depth that you can do it time in and time out."
As for 2017-18, Babcock warned that repeating this year's success is no guarantee in today's NHL.
He maintained the team won't deviate from the plan laid out by president Brendan Shanahan and implemented by general manager Lou Lamoriello, saying all three will work together to improve the team over the summer.
In the immediate future, Babcock will head to France and Germany to take in the World Championship, with an eye on players the team might look to add in free agency or via trade.
The Anaheim Ducks and Edmonton Oilers are set to duke it out for Central Division bragging rights in a second-round playoff series.
Here are three players who could make a huge impact and give their team the edge.
Rickard Rakell
In case you missed it, someone other than Corey Perry led the Ducks in goals this season for the first time in five years, and by a wide margin. That would be Rakell, who broke out to the tune of 33 goals in 71 games, with Jakob Silfverberg coming in a distant second with 23.
Rakell has remained productive in the postseason, recording two goals and three assists in Anaheim's four-game sweep of the Calgary Flames.
A big factor in the Swede's surge has been the shift from center to the wing, where he's found success playing alongside Ryan Getzlaf, who drew the primary assists on both of Rakell's goals against the Flames. It's not his natural position, but he's taking advantage.
"Playing more on the wing this year gives me different looks and more opportunities to score," Rakell said in late March, per Jared Clinton of The Hockey News. "It gives me more of a chance to find rebounds and have the puck closer to the net. It’s obviously easier to score from there."
Credit goes to head coach Randy Carlyle for making the adjustment and helping Rakell find his wings.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
It might sound odd to pump the tires of a player who failed to record a single point in the opening round, but here we are.
In truth, Nugent-Hopkins was one of the most important contributors in the Oilers' series win over the defending Western Conference champion San Jose Sharks.
Flanked by Milan Lucic and Jordan Eberle, Nugent-Hopkins led Edmonton with 17 shots over the six games, and created several other chances that just didn't click. But for head coach Todd McLellan, the center's contributions at the other end of the ice have been equally important.
"He has the tools to be a tremendous two-way player. When you’re chosen at that spot in the draft (first overall in 2011), you often come in as a one-dimensional, offensive-type player," McLellan said, per Reid Wilkins of CHED 630.
"In his situation here, he was thrust into that role, and he produced, and that’s the way he was going to go. He had some good years, but the team didn’t win a lot. It’s always about the team. He’s been able to adjust and learn a few things."
While paying in that two-way role and being counted on to shut down the opposition, Nugent-Hopkins was a positive possession player against the Sharks, meaning he was on the ice for more shot attempts for than against.
If his line can start finishing its scoring chances, and if Nugent-Hopkins starts putting up points - thereby relieving some pressure from Connor McDavid - these Oilers could be a force.
John Gibson
When the Ducks traded Frederik Andersen to the Toronto Maple Leafs last summer, it was with the intention to give Gibson - who's long been thought to be the heir apparent in Anaheim - the starting job.
In his first full season in that starting role, Gibson impressed with a record of 25-16-9 and a .924 save percentage, but was slowed through March with a lower-body injury. Backup Jonathan Bernier, who was indirectly acquired in the Andersen move, filled in admirably, but Gibson was always tabbed as the main man in net when healthy, and largely proved himself worthy against the Flames.
In three of the four games, Gibson stopped 101-of-106 shots against, good for a save percentage of .953. His series numbers were brought down by a poorer showing in Game 3, in which he was yanked after allowing four goals on 16 shots.
Provided that one start was a blip, Gibson appears ready to backstop the Ducks to new heights, fully justifying the decision to anoint him as the team's goalie of the present and future.
Betting Line
Team
Moneyline
EDM
+110
ANA
-140
Prediction
The Ducks have flown under the radar in Carlyle's second tour of duty behind the bench, but there are reasons why Anaheim rose to the top of a competitive Pacific Division and earned home-ice advantage in this series.
For one, and as mentioned above, this isn't just Getzlaf and Perry's team, as the Ducks boast the kind of veteran savvy and youthful exuberance that takes teams deep into the playoffs.
On the blue line, for example, the likes of Shea Theodore and Brandon Montour have stepped up and in for the injured Cam Fowler and Sami Vatanen. The latter two could return any day, giving the Ducks seemingly impenetrable depth on the back end.
And up front, the scoring of Rakell and Silfverberg is balanced out by the shut-down ability of Ryan Kesler, who recently earned a nod as a Selke Trophy finalist, as well as Antoine Vermette, who remains a force in the faceoff circle. And Patrick Eaves, by the way, is looking like the best trade deadline pickup of them all at this point.
Make no mistake, the Oilers are an up-and-coming force, but these Ducks are skilled, tough, and hungry, and their experience will thwart Edmonton's surge - for the time being at least.
The Toronto Maple Leafs center and likely winner of the Calder Trophy as the NHL's top rookie decided against representing Team USA at the World Championship, saying he's "exhausted" from the grind of a long season, according to Chris Johnston of Sportsnet.
Here's what his year has looked like:
Matthews is expected to spend some time with his family before getting back to work in the offseason.
The 19-year-old led all rookies with 40 goals and 69 points this season, and recorded an additional four goals and one assist in six playoff games.
The Minnesota Wild will be standing relatively pat following an early exit from the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
That was the message delivered by general manager Chuck Fletcher on Tuesday, with the caveat that the hockey world is headed for an interesting offseason with the addition of the Vegas Golden Knights and a salary cap that isn't expected to rise all that much.
The Wild were eliminated in five games by the St. Louis Blues, but Fletcher appears to at least somewhat agree with head coach Bruce Boudreau's assessment that the better team lost.
"(We've got) a good group and a good team," Fletcher added, per Chad Graff of The Pioneer Press. "We've just got to keep pushing.
"People don’t want to hear about the regular season, but it’s still an 82-game, six-month picture," he continued. "We were a remarkably consistent team. We took a lot of steps this year."
The Wild finished fifth overall in the regular-season standings with a team-record 106 points.
Zaitsev appeared in four of six playoff games against the Washington Capitals, including the final three games, in which he averaged well over 20 minutes of ice time.
He failed to record a point and was a minus-four in the series following a strong showing in the regular season as a rookie.
It was a rare moment of honesty in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Following a series win over the Boston Bruins, Erik Karlsson admitted to having been playing with two hairline fractures in his left heel.
As the Ottawa Senators now prepare to face off against the New York Rangers in the second round, head coach Guy Boucher was asked if he was concerned about what Karlsson had disclosed, fearing the opposition may target the sore spot.
"It's over," Boucher countered Tuesday, per Ian Mendes of TSN. "That's why he said it. He's perfectly healthy now."
Perhaps a higher power has been at work since Karlsson suffered the injury back in late March:
Despite the foot issue, Karlsson recorded six assists and averaged 30:24 of ice time in the series against the Bruins.
The former NHL center has served as head coach of the AHL's Utica Comets since 2013, and although Vancouver's farm team finished outside of the playoff picture this season, Green led the club to success in the past, including a Calder Cup Final appearance in 2015.
Green also coached the WHL's Portland Winterhawks to a league championship in 2013.
As a player, he logged 970 games over 16 seasons, recording 193 goals and 262 assists.
A formal announcement is expected within the next couple of days, per McKenzie.
The Predators and Blues will now battle for a spot in the Western Conference Final. This series looks to be a battle of two defensive specialists, but that's just one of the storylines to keep an eye on heading into this second-round clash.
No, the Russian forward hasn't been injured, but with just one goal and only two helpers in the previous series, it's clear the Blues will be wanting more from their offensive dynamo.
Tararensko had 16 more goals than his closest teammate and 20 more points during the 2016-17 campaign. He also led his club with nine power-play goals during the regular season and the team could certainly use more of those.
So it's time for him to get back on track. During his playoff career he has averaged at least one goal every other game and that's exactly what the Blues would like to see from the 25-year-old.
The Blues need Tarasenko to be at his best. That being said, if the Predators can keep him in check, they will certainly help their chances of escaping the series with a win.
Rinne vs. Allen
Don't expect any blowouts here.
This matchup will feature the two hottest goalies going in Pekka Rinne and Jake Allen. In fact, these two men both arguably won their team's first-round series single-handedly.
Goalie
GP
Save Percentage
Goals-Against Average
Shutouts
Rinne
4
.976
0.70
2
Allen
5
.956
1.47
0
Rinne certainly has the edge in the numbers, thanks in large part to the two goose eggs he posted in the first two games against the Blackhawks, but it should be noted that Allen has been the busier of the two, having faced an average of nearly five more shots per game.
That being said, it sure looks like we have the makings of a real goaltending duel on our hands.
The Wild were the better team, but still the Blues reigned victorious thanks in large part to the man mentioned above. The Blues were out-dueled in almost every aspect of the game and sit in the playoff basement in several important categories.
They rank last among all postseason clubs in shots per game (26.8), shots against per game (38.8), tied for last in power play proficiency (6.7 percent), and rank second-last among teams remaining in goals per game (2.20).
It's becoming quite clear that this is not a winning formula, and while they may have escaped the first round, they cannot depend on Allen to save the day once again.
Mike Yeo must get his club back to controlling some of the play if they are to advance to the next round.
Betting Line
Team
Moneyline
Predators
-110
Blues
-110
Prediction
As mentioned above, this should be a tight one.
Both teams muscled their way to the second round on the backs of great goaltending and solid play in their own end. However, recent trends in these playoffs suggest the Predators have the edge.
While the Blues got by almost entirely on goaltending, the Predators got both great performances from Rinne and solid offensive contributions in the first round.
The team averaged 3.25 goals per game, good enough for third in the postseason behind the Pittsburgh Penguins and Anaheim Ducks. The Predators are averaging the highest percentage of goals scored at 5-on-5, while just seven of the Blues' 11 goals have come at full strength.
The Predators also own the more well-rounded and versatile defense core. We could see some ugly looking hockey, but when all is said and done, the Predators are likely to prevail.
theScore's hockey editors are ready for Round 2. Our picks for the four series are below, as well as our first-round prediction performances.
Eastern Conference
Senators vs. Rangers
Editor
Pick
Josh Gold-Smith
NYR
Craig Hagerman
NYR
Flip Livingstone
NYR
Ian McLaren
OTT
Sean O'Leary
NYR
Sonny Sachdeva
NYR
Navin Vaswani
NYR
Cory Wilkins
OTT
Josh Wegman
OTT
Only two editors picked the Senators to beat the Bruins in the first round. They've picked up only one additional believer as they head into the Eastern semifinals against the Rangers.
Capitals vs. Penguins
Editor
Pick
Josh Gold-Smith
WSH
Craig Hagerman
WSH
Flip Livingstone
PIT
Ian McLaren
WSH
Sean O'Leary
WSH
Sonny Sachdeva
PIT
Navin Vaswani
WSH
Cory Wilkins
PIT
Josh Wegman
WSH
We believe it's the Capitals' time, as they prepare to tangle with the Penguins in what is the second round's most exciting series.
Western Conference
Blues vs. Predators
Editor
Pick
Josh Gold-Smith
NSH
Craig Hagerman
NSH
Flip Livingstone
STL
Ian McLaren
NSH
Sean O'Leary
NSH
Sonny Sachdeva
NSH
Navin Vaswani
NSH
Cory Wilkins
NSH
Josh Wegman
NSH
None of us picked the Predators to upset the Blackhawks. Don't lie, you didn't either. With all due respect to the Blues, we've converted, almost to a man, to believers of Nashville.
Ducks vs. Oilers
Editor
Pick
Josh Gold-Smith
ANA
Craig Hagerman
ANA
Flip Livingstone
EDM
Ian McLaren
ANA
Sean O'Leary
EDM
Sonny Sachdeva
ANA
Navin Vaswani
EDM
Cory Wilkins
ANA
Josh Wegman
ANA
Like Rangers-Senators and Capitals-Penguins, this one comes in at 6-3, as well, in favor of the Ducks. Can't spell spoilers without Oilers, though.