NHL power Rankings: Post-draft, pre-free agency edition

NHL Power Rankings
With the 2018-19 season behind us, and teams adding to their talent pool through the draft, what will the 2019-2020 season hold? The free agency period looms on July 1, and teams will be looking to upgrade before the start of the season.
Here are they way-to-early power rankings.

31. Ottawa Senators
Ottawa lost what would have been the no. 4 overall draft pick thanks to the Matt Duchene deal, and Cody Ceci is a restricted free agent who needs a new contract.

30. Buffalo Sabres
The Sabres have just over $18 million in cap space and re-signed Jeff Skinner to an eight-year, $72 million deal.

29. Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton has the franchise pieces in place to build around, but they have got to start shedding some of the contracts that are weighing this team down like an anchor.

28. Los Angeles Kings
The Kings bought out the rest of Dion Phaneuf's contract and are looking for help around their aging core.

27. Detroit Red Wings
Newly minted general manager Steve Yzerman rattled draft boards when he took Mortiz Seider with the no. 6 overall pick, but he also needs to bring back restricted free agents Andreas Athanasiou, Tyler Bertuzzi, Jacob De La Rose and Anthony Mantha.

26. Anaheim Ducks
Anaheim bought out Corey Perry for cap relief, but still only have $10 million to play with this off season.

25. Vancouver Canucks
The Canucks came to an agreement with defenseman Alex Edler for two-years and $12 million.

24. Philadelphia Flyers
The Broad Street Bullies traded Radko Gudas to the Capitals for Matt Niskanen, and inked Kevin Hayes to a seven-year, $50 million contract.
They've also brought back Brian Elliott on a one-year, $2 million deal.

23. New York Rangers
Henrik Lundqvist will be surrounded by a new, young core featuring no. 2 overall pick Kaapo Kaako.
The Rangers are also making a pitch to Artemi Panarin for some veteran scoring.

22. New Jersey Devils
The Devils not only scored the number one overall pick in Jack Hughes, but they also fleeced the Nashville Predators for P.K. Subban. Can they make an even bigger splash this off-season?

21. Florida Panthers
After bringing in Joe Quenneville to coach and Roberto Luongo's retirement, the Cats are looking to bring in both Artemi Panarin and Sergei Bobrovksy this off season.

20. Chicago Blackhawks
Rumor has it San Jose Sharks captain Joe Pavelski has some interest in the Blackhawks, and they have just over $11 million to entice him.

19. Columbus Blue Jackets
After winning their first ever playoff series, it's possible the Blue Jackets lose a trio of talented free agents in Sergei Bobrovksy, Artemi Panarin and Matt Duchene.

18. Minnesota Wild
Jason Zucker's name has been floated around in trade rumors, and the Capitals have been linked to him.

17. New York Islanders
Behind Robin Lehner's fantastic season in net, the Isles proved everyone wrong at the start of the 2018-19 season with a trip to the playoffs.
This offseason, restricted free agent Anthony Beauvillier and captain Anders Lee both need new contracts.

16. Arizona Coyotes
With only $2 million in cap space, is this the year the Coyotes finally put it all together and make a playoff run?

15. Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pens have been rumored to be shopping Phil Kessel, and only have $3 million in cap space.

14. Montreal Canadiens
The Habs had one of the steals of the draft with Cole Caufield at 15, and have the cap space to bring back restricted free agents Artturi Lehkonen and Charles Hudon.

13. Carolina Hurricanes
The Canes have key free agents to sign in Sebastian Aho and Micheal Ferland.
They dealt defenseman Calvin de Haan to the Blackhawks and acquired Patrick Marleau from the Maple Leafs, but their goaltending situation is a toss-up since playoff hero Petr Mrazek is an unrestricted free agent.

12. Dallas Stars
Will the Stars bring back deadline acquisition Mats Zuccarello to help Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin on offense?

11. Nashville Predators
The Preds dealt P.K. Subban for cap space, and are intent on signing Matt Duchene away from the Columbus Blue Jackets.

10. Winnipeg Jets
The Jets dealt Jacob Trouba to the Rangers for Neil Pionk, and need to sign Tyler Myers, Patrik Laine and Kyle Connor to new deals.

9. Calgary Flames
Matthew Tkachuk is in need of a new contract and the goaltending situation is unclear as David Rittich and Mike Smith are both free agents.

8. San Jose Sharks
The Sharks made Erik Karlsson the highest paid defenseman in the league, but have five key free agents to bring back and over $14 million to do so.

7. Colorado Avalanche
Rookie defenseman Cale Makar made his first appearance for the squad in the playoffs, and with $38 million in cap space have plenty of cash to throw at free agents.

6. Vegas Golden Knights
The Golden Knights are currently over the designated salary cap, thanks in large part to a new contract signed by William Karlsson.
They'll need to shed a few contracts before the start of the season.

5. Toronto Maple Leafs
The Leafs are in the midst of free agent drama thanks to Mitch Marner's agent, Darren Ferris.
But talks have picked up between the two camps over the last few days and a deal seems to be in the works.

4. St. Louis Blues
The Blues managed to battle back from last in the league to Stanley Cup champions.
But they've got $17 million and have 12 players who are free agents this offseason, including star rookie goaltender Jordan Binnington.

3. Washington Capitals
The Caps extended qualifying offers to six players, including Jakub Vrana and Christian Djoos, while freeing up cap space by dealing Matt Niskanen to the Flyers.

2. Boston Bruins
After being one win away from a Stanley Cup, the Bruins will bring back most of their core, but Charlie McAvoy has reached his pay day.

1. Tampa Bay Lightning
Rookie center Brayden Point needs a new deal, but the Lightning have $10 million to accomplish that feat.