Free Agency ....
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FREE AGENCY DAWNS WITH PLENTY OF
MOVEMENT July 3, 2007
MOVEMENT July 3, 2007
Disappointment in Buffalo... Big names landing on Broadway... Hope restored in
Chicago (no, really!)... The first two days of free agency has created quite a stir. The
Blackhawks, Blues and Avalanche have made the biggest splash, while fans in Jersey,
Buffalo and Long Island still wait for their teams to do something, anything, to cover
their losses. American born players shown in blue. Here's a look at those teams that
have done well...
Chicago (no, really!)... The first two days of free agency has created quite a stir. The
Blackhawks, Blues and Avalanche have made the biggest splash, while fans in Jersey,
Buffalo and Long Island still wait for their teams to do something, anything, to cover
their losses. American born players shown in blue. Here's a look at those teams that
have done well...
CHICAGO
The Blackhawks have added free agent centers Robert Lang and Yanic
Perrault, while trading for left wing Sergei Samsanov and defenseman Andrei
Zyuzin. These players, along with carry-overs Martin Havlat and Martin
Lapointe will provide leadership while youngsters Jonathan Toews, Cam
Barker and Jack Skille try to make an impact on the roster with their
immense talent. Chicago boasts depth in goal with Nikolai Khabibulin and
Patrick Lalime, promising depth on the blue line. Detroit will no longer be
able to benefit from playing in the weakest division in the NHL, as the Hawks
and Blues are beginning to see the benefits of high draft picks.
The Blackhawks have added free agent centers Robert Lang and Yanic
Perrault, while trading for left wing Sergei Samsanov and defenseman Andrei
Zyuzin. These players, along with carry-overs Martin Havlat and Martin
Lapointe will provide leadership while youngsters Jonathan Toews, Cam
Barker and Jack Skille try to make an impact on the roster with their
immense talent. Chicago boasts depth in goal with Nikolai Khabibulin and
Patrick Lalime, promising depth on the blue line. Detroit will no longer be
able to benefit from playing in the weakest division in the NHL, as the Hawks
and Blues are beginning to see the benefits of high draft picks.
Los Angeles
The Kings' forwards proved themselves last year, as youngsters Mike
Cammalleri, Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown all had productive seasons.
The Achilles heel for this team proved to be depth and goaltending. While the
goaltending has yet to be addressed, depth has been acquired by GM Dean
Lombardi. Defenseman Tom Preissing signed a four year deal, and he will
soldify a blueline group that already consists of veteran Rob Blake, Lubomir
Visnovsky, Jaroslav Modry and future cornerstone Jack Johnson.
Offesnively, Lombardi added gritty winger Kyle Calder to go along with big
pivot Michal Handzus and playmaking winger Ladislav Nagy. Nagy should fit
on the top line with Kopitar and Frolov.
The Kings' forwards proved themselves last year, as youngsters Mike
Cammalleri, Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown all had productive seasons.
The Achilles heel for this team proved to be depth and goaltending. While the
goaltending has yet to be addressed, depth has been acquired by GM Dean
Lombardi. Defenseman Tom Preissing signed a four year deal, and he will
soldify a blueline group that already consists of veteran Rob Blake, Lubomir
Visnovsky, Jaroslav Modry and future cornerstone Jack Johnson.
Offesnively, Lombardi added gritty winger Kyle Calder to go along with big
pivot Michal Handzus and playmaking winger Ladislav Nagy. Nagy should fit
on the top line with Kopitar and Frolov.
Colorado
The Avalanche won the Ryan Smyth sweepstakes, as Joe Sakic stepped up
as captain and helped recruit the player known as "Captain Canada."
Smyth's gritty play and leadership will provide a huge boost to a lineup that
already contains youngsters Paul Stastny, Wojtek Wolski and Marek Svatos
along with veterans Sakic, Milan Hejduk and Scott Parker. The defense corp
received a huge boost with the addition of Scott Hannan, who was one of the
premier defensemen who hit the market this offseason.
The Avalanche won the Ryan Smyth sweepstakes, as Joe Sakic stepped up
as captain and helped recruit the player known as "Captain Canada."
Smyth's gritty play and leadership will provide a huge boost to a lineup that
already contains youngsters Paul Stastny, Wojtek Wolski and Marek Svatos
along with veterans Sakic, Milan Hejduk and Scott Parker. The defense corp
received a huge boost with the addition of Scott Hannan, who was one of the
premier defensemen who hit the market this offseason.
Philadelphia
The Flyers have completely revamped their roster, and optimism rules on
Broad Street. Daniel Briere will probably assume the captain's "C". Trades
netted forwards Scott Hartnell (who many believe is on his way to being one
of the premier power forwards in the game today) and Joffrey Lupul, while the
defensive make-over came in the form of former Oiler captain Jason Smith as
well as Nashville's former #1 Kimmo Timonen. GM Paul Holmgren has put his
stamp on this team, and they definitely now have the look of a playoff team.
The Flyers have completely revamped their roster, and optimism rules on
Broad Street. Daniel Briere will probably assume the captain's "C". Trades
netted forwards Scott Hartnell (who many believe is on his way to being one
of the premier power forwards in the game today) and Joffrey Lupul, while the
defensive make-over came in the form of former Oiler captain Jason Smith as
well as Nashville's former #1 Kimmo Timonen. GM Paul Holmgren has put his
stamp on this team, and they definitely now have the look of a playoff team.
St. Louis
Seemingly from out of nowhere, the Blues added superstar Paul Kariya with a
3 year deal. Adding Kariya to a line that includes promising youngsters Brad
Boyes and Lee Stempniak (who enjoyed a breakout performance at the
World Championships in Russia) gives this team the potency to move up in a
central division that seems to be tightening. Keith Tkachuk has been
brought back to fill out the second line, which should contain Doug Weight
and David Backes. Top prospect Erik Johnson will make his NHL debut on
a blueline deep in talent with returnees Barret Jackman, Eric Brewer and
Christian Backman. Team president John Davidson is quickly righting this
once-maligned ship.
Seemingly from out of nowhere, the Blues added superstar Paul Kariya with a
3 year deal. Adding Kariya to a line that includes promising youngsters Brad
Boyes and Lee Stempniak (who enjoyed a breakout performance at the
World Championships in Russia) gives this team the potency to move up in a
central division that seems to be tightening. Keith Tkachuk has been
brought back to fill out the second line, which should contain Doug Weight
and David Backes. Top prospect Erik Johnson will make his NHL debut on
a blueline deep in talent with returnees Barret Jackman, Eric Brewer and
Christian Backman. Team president John Davidson is quickly righting this
once-maligned ship.
Anaheim
While Teemu Selanne and captain Scott Niedermayer mulls his future, the
Stanley Cup champions have aggressively moved on to the task of defending
the NHL's first west-coast championship team in the modern era. Big Todd
Bertuzzi looks to recover his dominant power forward game, possibly taking
Selanne's place on the top line. His physical game should fit right in with the
rough game Anaheim plays. Defenseman Mathieu Scneider has been
added to an embarassingly dominant defense corp. If Niedermayer does
walk away, Scneider will assume the point on the power play. The rich quietly
got richer.
While Teemu Selanne and captain Scott Niedermayer mulls his future, the
Stanley Cup champions have aggressively moved on to the task of defending
the NHL's first west-coast championship team in the modern era. Big Todd
Bertuzzi looks to recover his dominant power forward game, possibly taking
Selanne's place on the top line. His physical game should fit right in with the
rough game Anaheim plays. Defenseman Mathieu Scneider has been
added to an embarassingly dominant defense corp. If Niedermayer does
walk away, Scneider will assume the point on the power play. The rich quietly
got richer.
New York Rangers
The two biggest names on the market have both signed on with the Rangers.
Scott Gomez should upgrade the top line, which lost Michael Nylander.
Chris Drury, captain clutch, will center the second line which could consist of
young talents Petr Prucha and Ryan Callahan. While the Blueshirts grabbed
all the headlines by signing the two premier centers, the roster still lacks the
#1 defenseman that can log 25-30 minutes per game and help groom Marc
Staal. This team is loaded with prospects who will be expected to lift the
Rangers to the next level. Jagr has never been considered a take-charge
kind of guy. But by adding Gomez and Drury, the Rangers have now found
the leadership that has been lacking since Messier skated in the garden.
The two biggest names on the market have both signed on with the Rangers.
Scott Gomez should upgrade the top line, which lost Michael Nylander.
Chris Drury, captain clutch, will center the second line which could consist of
young talents Petr Prucha and Ryan Callahan. While the Blueshirts grabbed
all the headlines by signing the two premier centers, the roster still lacks the
#1 defenseman that can log 25-30 minutes per game and help groom Marc
Staal. This team is loaded with prospects who will be expected to lift the
Rangers to the next level. Jagr has never been considered a take-charge
kind of guy. But by adding Gomez and Drury, the Rangers have now found
the leadership that has been lacking since Messier skated in the garden.
Detroit
The Red Wings added Michigan-native Brian Rafalski, who should make
this one of the best defense corp in the league. With perennial Norris Trophy
winner Niklas Lidstrom, ageless Chris Chelios, Niklas Kronwall and
youngsters Brett Lebda and Kyle Quincey, adding Rafalski virtually ensure
that whoever is in the Motwon net will face less than 25 shots per game next
year. They still need to add a top six right winger and replace Robert Lang.
with the improvements and maturation of the Blues and Blackhawks, Detroit
can't afford to stand pat.
The Red Wings added Michigan-native Brian Rafalski, who should make
this one of the best defense corp in the league. With perennial Norris Trophy
winner Niklas Lidstrom, ageless Chris Chelios, Niklas Kronwall and
youngsters Brett Lebda and Kyle Quincey, adding Rafalski virtually ensure
that whoever is in the Motwon net will face less than 25 shots per game next
year. They still need to add a top six right winger and replace Robert Lang.
with the improvements and maturation of the Blues and Blackhawks, Detroit
can't afford to stand pat.
Pittsburgh
The Penguins ensured that the Young Guns on their roster would still have
some veteran leadership to lean on. Wingers Mark Recchi and Gary Roberts
were resigned, while Petr Sykora should find a home playing alongside Sidney
Crosby. While they fell short of signing top target Scott Hannan, Darryl Sydor
should provide an upgrade on the blueline and help tutor top prospect Kris
Letang. There still is a hole to be filled at forward after the surprising loss of
19-goal scorer Michel Ouellet, but GM Ray Shero has done a good job of
adding quality while preserving cap space for the future.
The Penguins ensured that the Young Guns on their roster would still have
some veteran leadership to lean on. Wingers Mark Recchi and Gary Roberts
were resigned, while Petr Sykora should find a home playing alongside Sidney
Crosby. While they fell short of signing top target Scott Hannan, Darryl Sydor
should provide an upgrade on the blueline and help tutor top prospect Kris
Letang. There still is a hole to be filled at forward after the surprising loss of
19-goal scorer Michel Ouellet, but GM Ray Shero has done a good job of
adding quality while preserving cap space for the future.
Calgary
The Flames brought in task-master Mike Keenan to lead this team back to
the Stanley Cup finals. The team has targeted defense this offseason,
bringing in Cory Sarich and trading for Adrian Aucoin. Sarich adds size to
hopefully lessen the physical burden placed on Dion Phaneuf, while Aucoin
should regain his confidence now that he doesn't have to be the number one
guy like he was expected to be in Chicago. Wayne Primeau gives the fourth
line a physical presence as well as a steady faceoff man. GM Darryl Sutter
has taken a low risk flyer on Owen Nolan, who if he stays healthy could
provide help for Jarome Iginla. Speaking of Iginla, now that the bar has been
set for salaries, it is imperative that Sutter lock up his captain this summer.
The Flames brought in task-master Mike Keenan to lead this team back to
the Stanley Cup finals. The team has targeted defense this offseason,
bringing in Cory Sarich and trading for Adrian Aucoin. Sarich adds size to
hopefully lessen the physical burden placed on Dion Phaneuf, while Aucoin
should regain his confidence now that he doesn't have to be the number one
guy like he was expected to be in Chicago. Wayne Primeau gives the fourth
line a physical presence as well as a steady faceoff man. GM Darryl Sutter
has taken a low risk flyer on Owen Nolan, who if he stays healthy could
provide help for Jarome Iginla. Speaking of Iginla, now that the bar has been
set for salaries, it is imperative that Sutter lock up his captain this summer.