This ride to the Stanley Cup final has been a fun one to watch. But with a roster reliant on depth, expansion presents a difficult task. Can the hard-line objective approach to management continue in Nashville or will other factors come into play?
Spotlight: David Poile & the Quest for a Cup
30 IN 30 Expansion Preview - New York Islanders
I think we can all agree this Barclays Centre experiment needs to end as soon as humanly possible. Any rink that has an off-centre scoreboard, shoddy ice, and Deutsche-league style car in the corner should be deemed unfit for the NHL. Nevertheless, the Islanders keep trucking along. How does Garth Snow keep you focused watching the team on the ice and not on the ugly venue?
30 IN 30 Expansion Preview - Tampa Bay Lightning
30 IN 30 Expansion Preview - Philadelphia Flyers
Goaltending will always lie at the crux of the Flyers problems, but a new focus towards defensive depth could be on the way to help. With Expansion ahead Ron Hextall would love nothing more than to unload a contract like Andrew McDonald's onto the inaugural list. Sadly for him, this is a pipe dream. Instead the Broad Street Bullies will be waving goodbye to a more valuable commodity.
30 IN 30 Expansion Preview - Winnipeg Jets
30 IN 30 Expansion Preview - Carolina Hurricanes
After multiple seasons scraping the salary cap floor, and stockpiling defensive depth, the opportunity is there to take on a bigger asset and push forward into the playoff picture next year. As a willing and able trade partner for those in a bind, it begs the question: could the Canes actually improve this summer because of expansion?
30 IN 30 Expansion Preview - Los Angeles Kings
Despite strong calls from the fan base to match their new divisional foe and drop the 'Los' in Los Angeles, the Kings will instead be looking to drop a certain former captain from their lineup. An 'out with the old' theme should continue this summer, as a desperate need for team speed exists within the Kings lineup. Will the expansion draft help or hinder this process?
30 IN 30 Expansion Preview - Florida Panthers
30 IN 30 Expansion Preview - Dallas Stars
30 IN 30 Expansion Preview - Detroit Red Wings
For as long as we've enjoyed Little Caesars Hot N' Ready's after a downing a few beers, the Red Wings have been a part of playoff hockey. Unfortunately, the streak has ended and odds of a quick turnaround are low. With the expansion draft set to leave them worse for wear, what can Kenny Holland do to mitigate the damage.
30 IN 30 Expansion Preview - Buffalo Sabres
30 IN 30 Expansion Preview - New Jersey Devils
Welcome to the Jersey Shore, a hidden land of great goaltending, talented forwards, and lousy defence (*GTL). But don't feel too sorry for their situation, the luck of the Irish is with this team (in which I mean Taylor Hall, who is most likely not Irish) as they have nabbed the first overall pick in this years Entry Draft along with the rumoured return of a prior saviour.
