The NHL’s makeover season is almost over. As teams ready their rosters for training camp, we take a look at who’s landed where via free agency and trades and what to expect from these transactions.
We previously looked at players who could struggle with their moves to new teams. This time around we’re focusing on NHLers who could be due for big years as they switch teams.
Here are four players who could enjoy productive seasons in their new environments.
Mike Green, Detroit Red Wings
Mike Green goes from quarterbacking one of the NHL’s deadliest power plays to…well, quarterbacking another one of the league’s deadliest power plays.
Green isn’t about to deliver another 30-goal season like he did with the potent 2008-09 Washington Capitals, but he’s likely to see his overall minutes climb back up over 20 per night under rookie head coach Jeff Blashill with the Detroit Red Wings.
Consider Marek Zidlicky’s performance while playing a leading role on the Red Wings’ man-advantage late last season. Now consider Zidlicky is practically a fossil compared to the younger Green, and whoa boy, we have a fit for the latter.
There’s a lot to like about Green with the Red Wings, including the very reasonable three-year, $18-million contract he signed this off-season.
Phil Kessel, Pittsburgh Penguins
For all the things Phil Kessel has done so well in his career that are quantifiable, it’s the potential impact the soft sciences could have as he moves from Toronto to Pittsburgh that have many thinking he could turn in a career year.
With the likes of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang present to help alleviate the pressure on Kessel to produce, not to mention handle the bulk of media duties, Kessel can just sit back and worry about playing hockey.
Despite never lining up with a true first-line centre with the Maple Leafs, Kessel scored at an elite level in six difficult seasons. Whether he plays with Crosby or Malkin, Kessel is likely to benefit from the presence of some all-world talent.
The 27-year-old scored 25 goals in 82 games last season. He also registered his lowest shooting percentage (8.9 per cent) since the 2007-08 season. The odds are in his favour to see his share of chances with the Penguins.
Milan Lucic, Los Angeles Kings
The Boston Bruins have been active on the trade front this off-season, moving perceived cornerstones like Dougie Hamilton and Milan Lucic in a pair of deals. Lucic is coming off of something of down year by his standards, failing to crack the 20-goal barrier for the first time in a full season since 2009-10.
The rugged winger could certainly add another 20-goal campaign to his CV in his first season with the Kings.
Lucic is expected to get a chance to skate with centre Anze Kopitar and right winger Marian Gaborik, two highly-skilled forwards who consistently push the puck in the right direction.
Lucic will also be playing for a new contract, as he’s entering the final year of a three-year deal that will see him earn $6 million against the salary cap. The 27-year-old is effectively walking into a situation that’s favourable for production.
Alexander Semin, Montreal Canadiens
Semin’s a long way from that 40-goal season with the Capitals in 2009-10. In fact, he scored a career low six goals in 57 games with the Carolina Hurricanes last year. Predictably, the Hurricanes bought out the remaining three years on his contract that paid him $7 million per year.
Semin, a career 12.8 per cent shooter, registered a career worst 6.5 per cent mark in 2014-15. Despite the lousy counting stats, Semin remained a positive possession player.
At the low, low cost of $1.1 million, the Canadiens may have themselves the steal of the off-season in this 31-year-old Russian.
The Canadiens are in desperate need of scoring help and it’s a reasonable bet they didn’t take a flier on Semin with plans to ask him to play a shutdown role in mind. Expect him to skate with linemates and in situations that are conducive to production.
If his shot totals come back up then lookout!
