A new season brings new hope for more than 700 players who will skate in the National Hockey League this year. Here are 10 players on the hot seat, looking to bounce back from an off year.
A new season brings new hope for more than 700 players who will skate in the National Hockey League this year.
For some, it offers a chance to take their game to the next level - to prove they are worthy of playing in the best league in the world. For others, bona fide NHLers, it is an opportunity for redemption, a chance to get back in their team's good books.
Here are 10 players on the hot seat, looking to bounce back from an off year:
Dion Phaneuf, Calgary Flames: The big defenceman doesn't like to be reminded of his drop in performance last season. When asked about it at Team Canada's summer orientation camp he got a little indignant, huffing and puffing at reporters. That's fine. All it really shows is how determined he is to put the past behind him and get back on the path that will one day lead to him being named the Norris Trophy winner as the NHL's best defenceman. It will happen, probably sooner rather than later. Phaneuf has all the tools. He is an above average skater with a booming shot and likes to join the rush. Btu after seasons of 20, 17 and 17 goals, the Edmonton native slumped to 11 and also went from plus-12 in 2007-08 to minus-11.
Rod Brind'Amour, Carolina Hurricanes: At 39 it might be a little much to expect Rod the Bod to turn back the clock and play like he did in his prime. Nobody expects that to happen. At the same time, he cannot be a defensive liability if the Hurricanes hope to be competitive in the Eastern Conference. The captain was a team-worst minus-23 last year. When he's on his game Brind'Amour is one of the most complete forwards in the league and remains a valued leader.
John Madden, Chicago Blackhawks: Madden has never been mistaken for a Rocket Richard Trophy winner as the NHL's leader in goals, but to slump to seven goals in 76 games after scoring 20 the year before is simply unacceptable. Madden remains one of the NHL's best checkers and a threat to score when his team is playing shorthanded, but he has the speed and skill to score at even strength. If he gets his game back the Blackhawks will stand an ever greater chance of taking the next step in their quest to get to their first Stanley Cup final since 1992.
Darcy Tucker, Colorado Avalanche: There were rumours Tucker might be bought out for the second year in a row, but that didn't happen. Once one of the NHL's biggest pests, but also a consistent scorer, Tucker has dipped from 28 goals four years ago to 24, 18 and just eight last season. He's just 34 years old so there should be plenty left in the tank. The big question is, did his release by the Toronto Maple Leafs crush his spirit?
Scott Gomez, Montreal Canadiens: There is no question about this guy's speed and shot, but does he have the other intangibles to be one of the NHL's most productive forwards? A 33-goal scorer four seasons ago, Gomez was a flop on Broadway scoring just 32 goals in two seasons. Little wonder the Rangers moved him. Gomez should get plenty of opportunity to score in Montreal where coach Jacques Martin's defence-first system should remind him of his days with the New Jersey Devils, whom he helped win two Stanley Cups.
Chris Drury, New York Rangers: You can't mention Gomez without also talking about Drury. The pair arrived together with big hopes of reviving the Rangers, but it clearly hasn't happened. Drury is more of a complete player than Gomez, but he needs to put up big numbers to justify his existence. Maybe 37 goals three years ago with Buffalo was an aberration, but 30 shouldn't be out of the question.
Brian Rolston, New Jersey Devils: After back-to-back seasons of 31 goals with the Minnesota Wild, the Devils had to be disappointed with Rolston's output of just 15 last season. Maybe that's why they went out and signed his old coach, Jacques Lemaire. This being an Olympic year, expect Rolston to find his game in a hurry as he eyes a spot on Team USA.
Jonathan Cheechoo, Ottawa Senators: Injuries have slowed Cheechoo the past few years, but he's healthy now and the Senators clearly expect him to pick up some of the slack created by the departure of sniper Dany Heatley. Since leading the NHL with 56 goals four seasons ago, Cheechoo has scored 35 goals in the past two years including just 12 in 66 games last season.
Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens: Is the Price right? A year after he was celebrated as the next big thing in the Canadiens crease, he was vilified for putting more emphasis on his social life than working on his game. Price got a big break when GM Bob Gainey signed Jacques Martin as the team's new coach. Martin, if nothing else, will implement a system that will lead to fewer goals being scored on the Canadiens and that should help get Price back on track.
Tomas Kaberle, Toronto Maple Leafs: Perhaps it's hard to perform when you pick up the papers every day and read that your team doesn't want you. That being said, Kaberle remains with the Maple Leafs and if this team is serious about making the playoffs, they will need more production than the four goals and 31 points he accumulated in 57 games last season. Perhaps the arrival of sharp-shooter Phil Kessel will help.
