Loading ...NHL Free Agency Part 2
by Sieck
Yep, it’s time for the second installment of my series that’s attempting to keep up with the revolving door of player movement that is the NHL free agency market. How about I try to tackle (or should I say check?) the Southeast Division?
Washington Capitals: Well, they lost ageless wonder Sergei Fedorov to
Mike Knuble: Hooray! This year everyone will really learn why I'm one of the most underrated players in the NHL.
Mother Russia, and it looks like Viktor Kozlov may be out of the picture, too. So, what did the defending Southeast champs do? They stole slightly younger (at 37) Mike Knuble away from Philadelphia and signed throw away forward Brendan Morrison from out of Anaheim and Dallas’ trash heap, all at a pretty inexpensive price. Are they good signings? Uh, yes. Are they upgrades over Fedorov and Kozlov? Uh, absolutely! Knuble is going to play with Alexander Ovechkin (the best player in the league, I don’t care what anyone says) and tremendous passer Niklas Backstrom. Knuble is going to present a whole different problem for defenders trying to deal with Ovie, and I’m going to guarantee at least 70 points for “Knubes” this season. I can’t stress enough how I disappointed I was to see him leave the Flyers, because he could have stayed, and wanted to stay. And Morrison? He got a raw deal last year due to injuries, but the center is still serviceable and provides Washington with a solid second-line pivot to complement Alexander Semin.
Carolina Hurricanes: The big story here is what the Canes kept. Erik Cole, Jussi Jokinen and Chad LaRose all decided to re-sign with the club, and it was a great move on everybody’s part. Give credit to the players for realizing the climate of the market and staying where their bread was buttered. Also give credit to the franchise for not over-extending themselves and offering these solid, but not star players inflated contracts. Together, this trio will keep the team very competitive, along with their core of stars, and I believe that Carolina could very well challenge Washington for the division crown this year. Besides, Cole doesn’t belong anywhere but in Carolina. He plays his best hockey there, and he’s a fan favorite. Cole leaving (despite his stint with the Oilers last year) would be like if Jesse Jane left Digital Playground. It just wouldn’t make sense.
Florida Panthers: Of course, the loss (actually trade) of top defenseman Jay Bouwmeester to Calgary is going to be tough for Florida to deal with, but they were never going to be able to re-sign him anyway. Give the club some props for at least getting something out of the deal in serviceable D-man Jordan Leopold. The highly-touted Leopold has underperformed recently but should still help a defense that also lost Nick Boynton to Anaheim, and Karlis Skrastins to Dallas. It could be another long year in Florida, but extending young star David Booth’s contract is a plus, bringing in the leadership of Steve Reinprecht from Phoenix should help a little, and signing Scott Clemmensen who almost made New Jersey Devils fans forget Martin Brodeur was hurt last season and will steal starts from Tomas Vokoun was also good. Besides, it’s sunny there, so what does anyone have to complain about? Complaining about anything in the state of Florida is like complaining about dropping a Skittle when there’s a whole bag to glom from.
Tampa Bay Lightning: Speaking of revolving doors, I don’t think I can count as high as the number of players that played for the Lightning last year. It was a brutal campaign for a team that just a few short years ago, was a world beater. I mistakenly predicted that they would have a bounce back year, but I’m going to again be bold: The Lightning will be better this year. I’ll qualify it by stating that they still may miss the playoffs, but they’ll at least be competitive. As far as signings, the luring of longtime Vancouver D-man Mattias Ohlund for seven years happened early and flew somewhat under the radar, but it’s a significant move. While his offensive numbers have dipped in recent years, he’s still one of the better defensive back-liners in the business, and he’ll help an already decent defensive core that severely underperformed last season. Adding Matt Walker from Chicago and Kurtis Foster from Minnesota doesn’t hurt, either. However, I would be remiss if I didn’t talk about one Antero Nittymaki, who the Bolts signed away from Philly for a mere $600,000. (I again curse the Fly Boys for not keeping this guy). Here’s another prediction: Nitty will eventually wrestle away the starting goaltending job from Mike Smith this year. This guy is better than people think. He’s the MVP from the last Olympics. We’re not talking about a chump here, but I’ll get off my bitter high horse. It also helps the Lightning that they still have Vincent Lecavalier, who’s always the subject of trade rumors.
Mattias Ohlund: Mmm...pixy stix and 7-year deals are delicious.
Atlanta Thrashers: Can everyone hear me laughing? Poor Ilya Kovalchuk. One of the best left-wingers in the game must continue to toil in obscurity on one of the worst franchises in the NHL. Atlanta’s big signing?… Wait for it… Nik Antropov… AHAAAHAAAAAA! Here’s my advice for the Thrashers: They might as well sign my dad. He can still throw an elbow here and there, and I guarantee he’ll play for league minimum. OK, I’ll give them some credit for grabbing Pavel Kubina in a trade with Toronto, but he’s far from the answer to their southern prayers. I even doubt that Amazing Grace could save a wretch like the Thrashers.
What a weak division. The caps should run away easily with this. Just for the record I appraised mike knubles house in Haddonfield when he signed with the Flyers.