9. OAKLAND RAIDERS (6-10)
LAST SEASON: Raiders entered 2017 full of optimism following 12-win season and first playoff berth in 14 years in 2016. Little went right for Oakland as QB Derek Carr regressed
Pat McAfee Jersey , defense struggled and coach Jack Del Rio was fired following third season. Jon Gruden returns to Raiders in charge of team that had plenty of holes. Defense struggled to generate pass rush or strong coverage in secondary as opponents easily picked apart unit. Offensive line that was so stout in 2016 showed some holes, contributing to Carr's struggles. WR Amari Cooper plagued by drops and had major dropoff following two straight 1,000-yard seasons. RB Marshawn Lynch provided boost in second half of season in return from retirement but Beast Mode wasn't enough to carry team to success.
THEY NEED: LB, CB, DT, T, RB, WR.
THEY DON'T NEED: QB, G, C.
POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: LB Roquan Smith, Georgia; CB Denzel Ward, Ohio State; LB Tremaine Edmunds, Virginia Tech; DT Vita Vea
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OUTLOOK: Team is being remade in Gruden's vision with significant changes made in free agency. Gone are stalwarts WR Michael Crabtree; CBs David Amerson, Sean Smith and TJ Carrie; and specialists Marquette King, Sebastian Janikowski, Jon Condo and Cordarrelle Patterson. Most of newcomers added so far are either in their 30s or role players, making draft key for finding more foundation pieces to team with Carr, Cooper and Khalil Mack. Linebacker and cornerback have been positions of need for years and still need help. Tackle also could be important with potential hole on right side and LT Donald Penn nearing end of career.
Editors:
To help you with planning for the NHL Draft in Dallas on June 22-23 and NHL free agency on July 1, here are some of our coverage plans. Please direct questions to Dave Zelio (dzelio(at)ap.org). Plans subject to change. This digest will be updated. All times Eastern.
TUESDAY, JUNE 19
HKN–OFFSEASON PRIMER
A jump in the salary cap from Vegas’ success sets the bar for what could be an eventful offseason with John Tavares, Erik Karlsson and others potentially on the move and another goaltending carousel getting ready to turn. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. SENT: 650 words, photos.
– HKN–HOFFMAN TRADED. Winger Mike Hoffman ends up in Florida as Senators try to resolve an ugly off-ice issue involving star defenseman Erik Karlsson. By Stephen Whyno. SENT: 640 words, photos.
HKN–NHL DRAFT-STAGNANT SABRES
BUFFALO, N.Y. – Holding the No. 1 pick in the NHL draft, the Buffalo Sabres are once again in position to put a stop to a decade-long freefall. The troubles began with losing co-captains Chris Drury and Daniel Briere in free agency in 2007
Ryan Kelly Jersey , the woes were compounded by poor drafts, numerous questionable high-priced signings and multiple management shuffles. By Hockey Writer John Wawrow. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos by 6 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20
HKN–NHL DRAFT-DAHLIN
Sweden’s Rasmus Dahlin is expected to become just the third defenseman to be picked No. 1 overall in the NHL draft, a smooth-skating, play-making blue liner with all sorts of promise to live up with the unusual hype. By Hockey Writer Larry Lage. UPCOMING: 660 words, photos by 6 p.m.
THURSDAY, JUNE 21
HKN–SUMMER OF OVI
The past 10 years, Alex Ovechkin went into the offseason facing questions about not being able to win and criticism of not being able to get it done. He is now a playoff MVP and Stanley Cup winner and his epic Stanley Cup celebration will stretch well into the summer. There’s work ahead, too: With three years left on his contract, it’s another important offseason in which he can’t slack off. He will have a new head coach, too. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. UPCOMING: 750 words, photos by 4 p.m.
HKN–NHL DRAFT
DALLAS – The action at the NHL draft is expected to start at the third pick if Buffalo takes Swedish defenseman Rasmus Dahlin first and Carolina goes with Russian forward Andrei Svechnikov as many expect. Brady Tkachuk and Quinn Hughes are among the Americans expected to go in the top 10. By Stephen Hawkins. UPCOMING: 700 words
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– Other spot coverage for pre-draft activities in Dallas on merit.
FRIDAY, JUNE 22
HKN–NHL DRAFT
DALLAS – Defenseman Rasmus Dahlin is expected by many to be the No. 1 pick in a deep NHL draft that includes Andrei Svechnikov, Filip Zadina, Adam Boqvist, Brady Tkachuk and Vitali Kravtsov among the top prospects. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. UPCOMING: 750 words, photos. Draft begins at 7:30 p.m.
– Other separates on merit.
SATURDAY, JUNE 23
HKN–NHL DRAFT
DALLAS – The NHL draft wraps up in Dallas with rounds two through seven. By Stephen Whyno. UPCOMING: 650 words, photos. Draft resumes at 11 a.m.
– Other separates on merit.
SUNDAY, JUNE 24
HKN–DRAFT-WINNERS & LOSERS
DALLAS – Analyzing the teams that made out the best and worst from trades and picks at the NHL draft. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. UPCOMING: 600 words photos by 5 a.m.
MONDAY, JUNE 25
HKN–FREE AGENCY-LOOKAHEAD
DALLAS – Movement at the NHL draft sets the stage for one of the most active free agency periods in recent history with John Tavares, John Carlson and others available. They can start speaking with other teams Monday ahead of the market opening July 1. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos by 5 a.m.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27
HKN–FREE AGENCY-THINGS TO KNOW
The New York Rangers are expected to be among the most active teams in free agency with a boatload of salary-cap space and aging goaltender Henrik Lundqvist. But they won’t be the only team looking to find top-end talent in a rare free agent pool full of it. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. UPCOMING: 600 words
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FRIDAY, JUNE 29
HKN–FREE AGENCY-NAMES TO WATCH
NHL free agency is top heavy, and the price will be high for forward John Tavares and defenseman John Carlson if the New York Islanders and Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals can’t keep them off the market. By Hockey Writer Larry Lage. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos by 6 p.m.
SATURDAY, JUNE 30
HKN–FREE AGENCY-GOLDEN KNIGHTS
The Vegas Golden Knights are among the NHL teams with the most salary cap space, giving the Western Conference champions some chips to put on the table in a bid to get back to the Stanley Cup Final. By Hockey Writer Larry Lage. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos by noon.
SUNDAY, JULY 1
HKN–FREE AGENCY RDP
John Tavares, John Carlson and a host of other players could be in play as free agency opens in the NHL. By Hockey Writer John Wawrow. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos by 7 p.m. Developing from free agency opening at noon.
With:
– HKN–FREE AGENCY-THE LATEST, real time updates throughout the day.
– Team separates on merit.
AP Sports
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