James GordonAfter one of the biggest post-season challenges in the history of the NHL, teams and players have had to endure the same difficult post-season start.
The wage ceiling in the new collective bargaining agreement remained unchanged at $81.5 million, forcing teams to look for plans and exchange expensive talent to open their doors. The economic impact of the closure of COVID-19 has led to cutbacks that have reduced the signing capacities of free agents and teams. Then came the shadow of Seattle Cracking, because the expansion project was designed as a large off-season solution.
Some teams have done well in all this. The other teams… …they’re not that many. In the first weeks of the low season you will find testimonials from all 31 NHL teams.
Join the team:
ANA | ARI | FOREST | BUF | CGY | AUTO | CHI
COL | CBJ | DAL | DET | EDM | FLA
LA | MIN | MTL | NSH | NJ | NYI
NYR | OTT | PHI | PIT | SJ | STL
TB | TOR | FROM | VGS | WSH | WPG
Pay attention: Emily Kaplan evaluated the teams of the Central and Metropolitan Division and Greg Wyszynski – Pacific and Atlantic Ocean. Advanced statistics thanks to the evolution of hockey and the Natural Stat Trick, unless stated otherwise. Space information via Cap Friendly.
Important additions: Ф. Derek Grant, D. Kevin Shuttenkirk…
Loss of keys : Dee Michael Del Zotto, Dee Eric Goodbranson, Dee Matt Irwin, G Ryan Miller.
Current space in the lid : $0
It’s the right thing to do: I’ll sign Shattenkirk. During the season, the 31-year-old defender made the jump from a ransom with the New York Rangers to the Tampa Bay Lightning Blue Line Stanley Cup. With three years and an average annual value of $3.9 million with a limited trade defence, Shattenkirk strengthens the right side of the defence and possibly gives Hampus Lindholm a new partner.
Doubtful movement: Stay on course. The ducks will demand more from their next young wave, including forwards Sam Steele and 19-year-old wilderness man Trevor Zegras. But this is a team of veterans: David Bakes (36), Ryan Getzlaf (35), Shattenkirk, Adam Enrique (30) and Jakob Silfwerberg (30). Shouldn’t the team that missed qualifying in consecutive seasons mix the genres even more?
What’s left to be done: Add a replacement goaltender. Anthony Stolarz has played 26 games NHL experience with three teams. Given the tight schedule, Duck will probably need a senior veteran paired with John Gibson. Is this gonna be Ryan Miller the cheap way again?
Cool: B+. Shattenkirk’s signature is amazing, full of positional demands and will help you play a powerful game. Grant contract – three years, $1.5 million in AAV is a fine for a former duck, which is a well-known product. The team opens a hat spot and places Ryan Kesler ($6,875 million) in a long-term injury reserve, but the Ducks feel the pain of a ransom for Corey Perry ($6,625 million) under a flat hat. Maybe they can postpone one contract or the other, but on the other hand, they seem to be working with a veteran team.
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