BY ANDREW GHARIB – FAN FUEL BLOGGER
It’s no secret that their are players around the NHL that would benefit from a new team. Sometimes a change of scenery is all they need to return to their former glory.
With that in mind, here are five NHL players that need a change of scenery to get their game back to where it should be.
The writing’s on the wall with Cory Schneider breaking out. One thing I noticed with Vancouver is that the Canucks play more comfortably in front of Schneider and it shows. Lou has plenty of game left in him, and his contract isn’t as bad as everyone would suggest. After a pretty respectable playoffs, his stock will be very high.
He will be gone this offseason, look for him to be moved to a destination like the Tampa Bay Lightning where he could push a very talented team over the top.
2. Jarome Iginla
Whether or not Jay Feaster wants to admit it, he should trade Iginla and start rebuilding his team. The Calgary Flames are at best an inconsistent bubble team, and don’t have the depth or talent to compete for a Stanley Cup. Miikka Kiprusoff shouldn’t be far behind and they could get some great young pieces if they make a move right now.
3. Rick Nash
Columbus was a gong show last year and Nash needs to get away from there as soon as possible. With GM Scott Howson’s trade deadline circus this past year, Nash would be better served playing the prime of his career with a contending team. He could fetch a generous return. Nash wants to win, but he won’t come cheap.
4. Luke Schenn
While I’m loathe as an Ottawa Senators fan to admit that Schenn is a future star, he should be a star NOW. Ron Wilson didn’t help his development and reduced Schenn’s ice time in the latter half of the Leafs season, which not coincidentally happened while they went through a massive losing streak to eventually miss the playoffs yet again. Perhaps the defensive minded Randy Carlyle can get him out of his funk, but one thing is clear, the Leafs need to shake things up if they are to ever end their playoff drought.
5. Tim Thomas
The Bruins went out in the first round this year and need a small shakeup. Dealing Thomas is the perfect place to start, as he is nearing the end of his career but can still deliver at a very high level and potentially put a struggling team over the top (such as the Florida Panthers). Ever since the White House comments, things seemed off in Boston and it’s best if they part company sooner rather than later, and give the job to Tuukka Rask. Not that I’m forgetting talented youngster Anton Khudobin, who will challenge Rask for the number one job if Thomas departs.
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