NHL: Improved Teams

NHL: Improved Teams
By John Rego, TheSportsStand.com (7/19/07)

I have been a fan of the NHL since 1979 and even though there have been some drastic changes since the 2004-2005 lockout, I still enjoy the game very much so. My favorite team the Carolina Hurricanes (formerly the Hartford Whalers) benefited greatly from the lockout as they won the Stanley Cup in the 05-06 season.

Last season the Hurricanes really had a Stanley Cup hangover. The main reasons why were because, first they had some major injuries to players that helped them win in 05-06. Cory Stillman missed the first 40 or so games with major shoulder surgery. Stillman scored 28 points in the previous playoff and was sorely missed on the power play the first half of the season. Even when he came back in December, he was not the same player. In 43 games he only had 24 points, which was a major drop from 76 points in 72 games in 05-06. A second major loss was Frank Kaberle. Kaberle scored the game winning goal in game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final in 06. He had only 8 points in 27 games after having 44 in 77 the Stanley Cup Season. The power play suffered immensely as well. A third reason was just being inconsistent. Goalie Cam Ward, who won the Conn Smythe the previous playoff year, had an incredible playoff year with a 15-8 record and a GAA of 2.14. Also not in the stats were some of the most acrobatic saves that I have ever seen. In game 1 of the Finals he robbed S Horocoff of Edmonton at least twice. For the 06-07 season, Wards GAA rose to 2.93 and was not nearly the standout goalie that the Canes hoped he would be.

Now a major reason why that I think the Canes will improve and make another run at the Cup in 07-08 is that they just re-acquired Matt Cullen, who had signed a Free Agent contract with the Rangers in the Summer of 06, after winning the Cup. Cullen centered the 3rd line and helped give the team a balanced lineup in their Stanley Cup season. He had 25 goals and was a master in the shootout. His production dropped off in NY, but being in familiar surroundings, he should excel. I am not saying the Canes will win the Cup, but I think they should have a chance at competing for it in the playoffs.

Now to me a team that has added a couple of huge names this offseason and should be a contender because of this is the New York Rangers. They have added Left Wing Chris Drury, who scored 37 goals last year for the Buffalo Sabres and is known as a clutch player in the playoffs, by seeming to score in overtime or late in a game to help his team win. Chris was a major part of the 2000-2001 Colorado Avalanche winning the Stanley Cup that year in Ray Bourques final season. Drury is also an excellent defensive forward and is not afraid to throw his weight around. Also they have added center Scott Gomez, who is an excellent playmaker (13 goals and 47 assists and in 06 had 33 goals and 51 assists) and should help make a potent NY Rangers lineup even stronger. These two player additions are a major reason why the Rangers traded Cullen back to the Canes as they needed to add some space to their salary cap.

Another team to me that will be greatly improved is the Philadelphia Flyers. The Flyers have added Kimmo Timmonen (13 goals 55 points on defense), Scott Hartnell (22 goals) from Nashville and via free agency Daniel Briere, who was a major player in the last 2 years success of the Buffalo Sabres. Briere had a career high 32 goals and 93 points this past season. These players added to late season addition goalie Marty Biron (18-12. 3.03 split with Buff/Phi), should make this team a contender this year. They also have superstar Simon Gagne, who scored 41 goals this past year after potting 47 in 05-06. Only time will tell to see how good this group can be, but I think they are ready for a breakthrough after a bad 2006-2007.