By SHANE MALLOY

sportsnet.ca

The main considerations for the NHL draft are the long-term needs of the farm system, and what the organization will need five years from now. Expecting any draft pick -- even a first- or second-rounder -- to have an immediate impact on the current NHL roster is unrealistic. If you go back and look at your favourite team's NHL roster or any NHL roster from five years ago, you can see the high turnover rate of players. Generally, a first-round pick will take three seasons before making the NHL club, a second-round pick will take four years and the remaining picks could be five or more years. A long-term approach is needed during the NHL draft and if a prospect happens to make the jump early then that is simply good luck.

Team needs by division:

Atlantic | Northeast | Southeast | Central | Pacific | Northwest

Draft Needs: Offensive Defenseman

The Carolina Hurricanes understand that if you do not protect your end of the ice you have no chance of winning games, let alone championships. They have been fortunate in the past few drafts to be in a position to take Brandon Sutter and Zach Boychuk in the first round, which adds talent and character. They traded their last first-round pick for Jiri Tlusty, a developed prospect to add some skill to the farm system. The five defencemen -- Brett Carson, Brian Dumoulin, Michal Jordan, Casey Borer and Jamie McBain -- are all in different stages of development and have potential. The Canes could use an elite prospect on the blue line to strengthen the group. They have one goaltending prospect of note in Justin Peters, so restocking this area should be a priority over the next couple of drafts.

What's on the Farm

Key Prospects: (LW) Drayson Bowman, (C) Zach Boychuk, (D) Brett Carson, (D) Casey Borer, (G) Justin Peters

Strengths: Talent and depth on forward.

Weaknesses: They have one goaltending prospect and lack elite talent on defence.

Draft Needs: Elite defenceman, skilled centre

When you are building an organization, nothing is more vital to your long-term success than the entry draft. It will be up to new GM Rick Dudley and his crew to keep the farm system moving in the right direction. The Thrashers have a few defencemen with potential in Scott Lehman, Ben Chariot, Paul Postma and Arturs Kulda, but they need another elite defenceman. Since the trio of Nathan Oystrick, Bogosian and Valabik are playing in the NHL this makes the need even greater.

Up front they have a group of potential skilled and role players led by Jeremy Morin, Karl Klingberg, Daultan Leveille, Angelo Esposito, Riley Holzapfel, Spencer Machacek, Niklas Lasu, Danick Paquette and Andrew Kozek. In goal the Thrashers have a couple of prospects in Edward Pasquale and Chris Carrozzi that may project. It never hurts to have depth and talent in net so the Thrasher will need to draft another netminder soon.

What's on the Farm

Key Prospects: (RW) Jeremy Morin, (RW) Spencer Machacek, (C) Riley Holzapfel, (C) Angelo Esposito, (LW) Karl Klingberg

Strengths: Depth and talent on the wing

Weaknesses: Defence

Draft Needs: Defence

The Florida Panthers have a solid group of prospects in their farm system, but most of their elite prospects seem to make the jump to the NHL quickly. With Florida having the 3rd overall pick this year, look for them to add to the defence with their top pick. They have two top picks in the second round, so this is a great opportunity for the Panthers to fill the in gaps in the system.

Their top three forward prospects -- Shawn Matthias, Michael Repik and Drew Shore -- all have the potential to be top two-line players in the NHL. They have some depth behind them with Scott Timmins, A.J. Jenks, Josh Birkholz and Evgeny Dadonov. In goal they have the talented Jacob Markstrom to give them a bright future, but it would not hurt to add another goaltender to groom in the system. With only defencemen Keaton Ellerby, Adam Comrie and Colby Robak of note, the Panthers will need some added talent on the blue line in this year's draft.

What's on the Farm

Key Prospects: (RW) Shawn Matthias, (G) Jacob Markstrom, (D) Cody Robak, (RW) Michael Repik, (D) Keaton Ellerby, (C) Drew Shore

Strengths: Elite talent in goal, depth and talent at forward

Weaknesses: Depth on defence

Draft Needs: Skilled wingers

After purging their roster for prospects and draft picks, the Washington Capitals are beginning to see those young prospects develop. In a decade people will look back at the 2004 - 2008 NHL drafts of the Caps as the catalyst for a potential multiple Stanley Cup-winning team. The Caps have forwards with offensive potential in Dmitri Kugryshev, Francois Bouchard, Chris Bourque, Marcus Johansson, Cody Eakin and Anton Gustafsson. They have excellent possibilities on defence as well in Karl Alzner, John Carlson, Dmitri Orlov and Josh Godfrey. This group as a whole will need another couple of years before they all become a threat for roster spots, but the franchise is on the right path to re-establishing a winning tradition. Goaltenders Braden Holtby and Michal Neuvirth are both capable of playing in the NHL one day.

What's on the Farm

Key Prospects: (D) Karl Alzner, (C) Anton Gustafsson, (C) Marcus Johansson (G) Michal Neuvirth, (D) John Carlson

Strengths: Defensive talent, skilled centre

Weaknesses: Skilled wingers

Draft Needs: Skilled forwards

The Tampa Bay farm system is in need of a boost of offensive talent since the forwards they have are not developing as expected. Being the Stanley Cup champions seems like a long time ago and the luster is starting to wear off and they will need prospects to develop to replace older more expensive veterans. Now they have one gem to begin to build around in Steven Stamkos, but his exceptional talent will not be nearly enough to help turn things around. The Lightning has good talent in Dana Tyrell, James Wright, Carter Ashton and Richard Panik who might have a chance to play on the second or third lines regularly one day. The Bolts have potential on the blue line with Ty Wishart and slow developing Matt Lashoff, Vladimir Mihalik, Kevin Quick and Matt Smaby. Fortunately the Lightning have good goaltenders in Riku Helenius, Jaroslav Janus and Dustin Tokarski who both have the potential to be an NHL netminder. They could use a pure offensive defenceman to add the mix and a skilled offensive winger in this NHL draft.

What's on the Farm

Key Prospects: Key Prospects: (RW) Carter Ashton, (D) Vladimir Mihalik, (G) Dustin Tokarski, (D) Ty Wishart, (C-W) Dana Tyrell

Strengths: Goaltending, Depth and size on defence

Weaknesses: Skilled forwards