NHL Free Agency Frenzy
With the
start of the NHL season less than a week away, most free agents have either
stayed with their team or found a new home elsewhere. This frenzy known as the
NHL Free Agency started at exactly 12 p.m. E.T. on July 1st. It seemed that
numerous teams got help everywhere on the ice, while others made some
questionable moves. Here are some of the most notable signings from over the
summer.
Boston Bruins: It seemed that everyone
expected (or at least hoped) that the Bruins would get some help offensively.
However, the Bruins were very quiet this season, with the subtraction of one of
their 30 goal scorers, Jerome Iginla. Most people assumed that Iginla's one
year contract would be it with the team unless they went far enough into the
playoffs. This did not happen, as the Bruins got embarrassed in a game 7 loss
at home to their longtime rivals, the Montreal Canadians. So it didn't come as
a surprise when Iginla signed a 3-year contract with the Cup-contender Colorado
Avalanche. Also, it went unnoticed the back-up goalie Chad Johnson leaving for
the New York Islanders. With the stellar play of Vezna Trophy winner Tuukka
Rask, Chad Johnson had an overlooked 17 win season. Despite these two loses,
the Bruins should still be one of if not the best team in the Eastern
Conference.
Washington Capitals: The Capitals have one of
the best players in the world on their team with Alexander Ovechkin. In
addition, they also have star center Nikolas Backstrom. Even with their
offensive onslaught of goals, the Capitals rank among one of the worst
defensive teams in the league. However, the Capitals drastically improved their
defensive woes with two key signings. The Washington Capitals acquired
defensemen Brooks Orpik and Matt Niskanen from the Pittsburgh Penguins. Both players
signed long term deals, and the two should help improve a poor defensive
player. The capitals missed the playoffs for the first time since 2007 last
season, and the acquisition of these two players should get them in with at
least a wild card spot.
New Jersey Devils: Last season, it seemed
like every night Devils fans would watch them lose in a shootout, earning only
one of a possible two points. The devils finished 0-13 in shootouts. As Devils
fans are well aware of, if they had won only half of those shootouts, they
would have gotten into the playoffs as the final wild card spot. So in short,
the Devils weren't as bad as everyone thought they were. They had the best
penalty kill in the league, and had the 6th best goals against average. The negative
comes in when you realize that the Devils ranked in the bottom five in goals
for average. However, the Devils improved upon their offense with the signing
of Mike Cammalleri for a five year contract. In his 11 year career, he has
scored over 500 points and over 200 goals. This pick up brings help to players
like Jagr and Ellias. The Devils should sneak into the playoffs as either a
wild card or one of the top three teams in the Metropolitan Division.