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Musical chairs Breaking down the moves in the Western ConferencePosted: Monday August 26, 2002 2:23 PM
More than two months have passed since the Detroit Red Wings hoisted the Stanley Cup for the third time in six seasons. And many big names are now collecting their mail in new cities. Here is a team-by-team look at the important offseason moves among Western Conference teams. Click here for the lowdown on the Eastern Conference teams. CENTRAL DIVISIONChicago Blackhawks
Up front, Smith is hedging that Sergei Berezin’s scoring touch will return to the form that he remembers when both were in Toronto. This is consistent with the philosophy previously employed in acquiring former Leafs Michael Nylander and Steve Thomas. The signing of Theo Fleury -- a hopeful swap-out of scoring to replace Tony Amonte’s departure to the Phoenix Coyotes -- also has a precedent. Sutter coached Fleury in Calgary and is fully aware of what he brings to a team, the exact line of reasoning the Blackhawks followed last fall when they plucked Phil Housley off the Flames' unprotected list. So, there are definite patterns forming in the Windy City, all designed to help the Blackhawks develop another trend -- a succession of playoff appearances. Columbus Blue Jackets
First, he bolstered the blueline with guys who are miserable to play against by signing free agents Luke Richardson and Scott Lachance. Then he helped the attack by adding free-agent pivot Andrew Cassels, a solid two-way player known for his passing. Cassels had his best seasons in the mid-1990s with the Hartford Whalers when he was getting the puck to Geoff Sanderson, who flourished as a goal-scorer, likewise enjoying his best NHL years. Now reunited in Columbus, MacLean is undoubtedly relying on the pair rekindling that long-ago demonstrated chemistry. Alas, the Florida-Columbus connection ends there. The Panthers benefited from veteran John Vanbiesbrouck’s stellar play, while the Blue Jackets parted ways with their dependable and experienced puckstopper, Ron Tugnutt. It is the only position where the Jackets don't have proven NHL talent, and it is the one position where experience is an absolute must. Detroit Red Wings
Sure, Lord Stanley will be on Curtis Joseph's speed dial, and longtime assistant coach Dave Lewis will bring his own brand of fire and fine tuning to the head coach’s role. It’s just hard to imagine that the strength of mindset isn't somewhat diluted this time around. That is especially true when compared to last season’s unique convergence of individual motivations that made winning it all the only fitting ending on so many levels. Will the Red Wings again be among the elite of the league? Absolutely. Additionally, they will be fun to watch and foreboding on many levels to play against. Nevertheless, given the change in the emotional dynamics, a successful title defense might be a stretch. If they do repeat, however, their destiny will be one as a bona fide dynasty. Nashville Predators
That’s not to say that the incoming vets aren't viable and valuable. They all have proven themselves at various points in their careers. It’s just that pluggers already define the Preds; they need an infusion of upper end skill. With it, the Predators might actually ascend in the ridiculously difficult Western Conference. Without it -- and as it stands right now -- it will be snore of the same in Nashville, with goal scoring nothing more than hearsay. They are destined to work relentlessly every night to try to steal low-scoring affairs late in the proceedings, only to come up short in the standings, thus securing refund status come April. St. Louis Blues
No, the challenges facing the Blues will be in nurturing the development of several youngsters -- players who are critical to the success of the team this year and the franchise overall. The other test will be getting off to a strong start to the season in the ultra-competitive Western Conference -- despite the absence in the early going of captain Chris Pronger. Meeting those agenda items simultaneously won't be an easy task -- one, though, more easily facilitated given the low roster turnover this time around. NORTHWEST DIVISIONColorado Avalanche
Calgary Flames
Unfortunately, the major issue at hand illustrates the economic issues facing the Flames. They have one of the brightest, most charismatic and best young players in the game, yet they are struggling to get him signed. Having Jarome Iginla on your team should be the harbinger of burgeoning opportunity, not appear as if it is a burden. Until they resolve this matter, there isn't much point in evaluating the offseason of the Flames. Edmonton Oilers
Minnesota Wild
While the Wild upgraded down the middle, they only added youngster Dieter Kochan from Tampa Bay’s organization to their stable of goaltenders. It remains their weakest position, despite the Wild’s defensive discipline, and threatens to undermine any strides made on the offensive side of the ledger. Vancouver Canucks
Anyway, the removal of three proven NHL players from their roster -- two from the blueline for a team that finished middle of the pack defensively -- breeds uncertainty. That is especially true when you consider the two rearguards brought in, Nolan Baumgartner and Jaroslav Obsut, have 33 NHL games of experience between them. The lost production from Cassels will have to come incrementally -- a little bit provided by the holdover centermen, as each moves up one spot on the depth chart. Thus, instead of building on last season’s strong second-half showing, the Canucks must first prove their depth by counting on and assimilating unknown commodities. Not exactly ideal in the tightly compacted Western Conference. PACIFIC DIVISIONAnaheim Mighty Ducks
Beyond the marquee moves, Murray has also replenished the organization’s entire prospect pipeline with no fewer than 12 signings from Europe and major junior. Some were free agents, while others were draft picks. Will the payoff be a postseason berth? Maybe. Regardless, though, widespread change was a necessity and it is afoot in Anaheim. Dallas Stars
In goal, Ed Belfour’s five-year reign is over and it is time to see if understudy Marty Turco is up to the challenge of performing as a No. 1 netminder. To ease the load, general manager Doug Armstrong made maybe his best move of the summer when he dealt for solid citizen and still-capable veteran netminder Tugnutt. No controversy at this position this year -- just harmonious results -- as Dallas returns to the ranks of the elite after a year of self-induced slippage. Los Angeles Kings
Phoenix Coyotes
If the question for Phoenix heading into the offseason was how to follow up last season’s pleasant results, their response seems obvious -- operate with competitiveness as the top priority. San Jose Sharks
Darren Eliot, a former NHL goaltender, is a hockey analyst for CNNSI.com. |
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After a season of vast improvement under head coach Brian Sutter, general manager Mike Smith opted to stay the course. Using the same philosophy as the past couple of seasons, Smith again added depth to the blueline and signed offensive players coming off down seasons -- mainly guys he or Sutter were very familiar with. Signing free agents Jason Strudwick and Nathan Dempsey gives the Blackhawks upwards of 10 defensemen who can legitimately play in the NHL. That may seem like overkill, but when you consider how injury and fatigue wreaked havoc with the top four last year, it suddenly seems more appropriate.
General manager Doug MacLean is serious entering year three, and no one should be surprised. He coached the Florida Panthers start-up that amazingly made it to the Stanley Cup finals in 1996 in just the franchise’s third campaign. Not that his Blue Jackets will replicate that phenomenal feat, but MacLean is giving his team the best chance at improvement by following a formula favored by those early Panthers incarnations -- namely, dealing for proven NHL veterans.
Are the Red Wings chasing destiny or tempting fate with their offseason posture of following the path of least resistance? Only time will tell. Besides, you can't really blame them for minimizing the reaction to the forced changes. Consider, though, the loss of focus with Dominik Hasek and Scotty Bowman retired and captain Steve Yzerman lost for a goodly stretch of the season. And the Red Wings collective resolve and commitment -- from the outset of training camp to the hoisting of the Cup -- was the defining trait of their championship.
The Predators embark on their fifth season under the banner of a marketing campaign that gives season ticket holders a money-back guarantee if the team fails to garner its first playoff berth. Bold. Much more so than the cautious, conservative approach taken by general manager David Poile when he added journeymen forwards Brent Gilchrist, Clarke Wilm, Jeff Toms, Cameron Mann and blueliner Pascal Trepanier. Poile’s recipe is like trying to jazz up cabbage soup by adding, well, more cabbage.
Finally, the status quo appears appealing to general manager Larry Pleau. Well, sort of. After churning his roster relentlessly the past 18 months, the Blues enter this season mostly trying to pull it all together and get better with the guys they have. The defection of Scott Young to Dallas is certainly a loss, but one that they can overcome. Same thing regarding pedestrian rearguards Marc Bergevin and Steve Halko landing elsewhere.
General manager Pierre Lacroix does his best work at the trade deadline, which last season saw him strengthen his backline by acquiring Darius Kasparaitis. The Rangers overpaid Kasparaitis mightily, rendering any possibility of signing with the Avalanche meaningless. Depth defenseman Trepanier also exited Colorado, but, overall, it has been a very quiet summer in the Mile High City. And with good reason. The upcoming campaign is not about what the Avalanche lacks. Rather, the significant players already in place -- namely Peter Forsberg -- define it. Yes, the Avalanche held it together rather nicely in his absence, securing yet another divisional title before he was able to return for the playoffs. So, despite having to reshuffle the top four on the blueline, with Forsberg available from the beginning of the season, Colorado is immediately a more imposing team.
The offseason moves they made hint at their identity -- a small-market team trying to piece it together. These minor adjustments include signing veteran winger Martin Gelinas and picking up two youngish former prospects from the Pittsburgh Penguins organization, Robert Dome and Martin Sonnenberg, both of whom have failed to develop as pros. To address their need for a backup goalie behind starter Roman Turek, they opted to deal for journeyman Jamie McLennan, who spent last season in the American Hockey League. Interestingly, the tandem worked together for the St. Louis Blues in 1999-2000, the year Turek made the All-Star team and won the Jennings Trophy.
Conversely, the Flames’ Alberta brethren in Edmonton found a way to get their main man up front signed. True, the dollars involved in signing Anson Carter inked in no way approached Iginla’s ticket. Still, general manager Kevin Lowe showed creativity and flexibility in pursuing a one-year pact -- one that leaves open the possibility for an Iginla-like scenario next summer in Edmonton if Carter delivers. Talk about incentive -- maybe just the right motivation to provide the necessary edge to put the Oilers back in the playoff mix -- with the potential to be a true win-win situation.
General manager Doug Risebrough has added a couple of new centermen who are cut in the same smallish, but quick and hard-working mold that he has favored in building the Wild. Cliff Ronning and Bill Muckalt share similar styles and stature with incumbent pivots Wes Walz and Jim Dowd. Ronning is the smallest of the bunch, but is the most skilled. He gives the Wild another interesting option on the power play with his ability to make quality passes in tight spaces. All can move to the wing as well, depending on the situation, which gives coach Jacques Lemaire some flexibility.
General manager Brian Burke stuck with his struggling team in the first half and that vote of confidence paid off. The Canucks were the best team in the league during second half of the season, making a dazzling run to the playoffs. Well, Burke didn't have his loyalty reciprocated, as defensemen Lachance and Strudwick, along with centerman Cassels fled via free agency. So it goes in this age of money and movement.
Most everything has changed around the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim out of necessity. From the hockey operations under new general manager Bryan Murray to the business side under newly appointed Doug Moss, the Disney Ducks are undergoing a much-needed, long-overdue attitude adjustment. Murray has been a headline-maker this summer, hiring a new coach in Mike Babcock, trading goaltender Steve Shields to Boston and signing veteran centerman Adam Oates, one of the game’s all-time great passers. Turns out he was just getting started. Murray made a blockbuster deal with the Devils, acquiring goaltender J.F. Damphousse, forward Petr Sykora, defenseman Mike Commodore and prospect Igor Pohanka for defenseman Oleg Tverdovsky and winger Jeff Friesen and minor leaguer Maxim Balmochnykh.
Speaking of marquee moves, no team restocked and retooled like the Stars. Talk about learning from past mistakes. Whereas last summer’s free-agent spending spree proved ill-fated due to ill-fitting choices, this summer’s bonanza appears spot-on. Bill Guerin, Scott Young and Ulf Dahlen all should plug in seamlessly under new coach Dave Tippett. Likewise, dependable blueliner Philippe Boucher won't have any transition issues, either, as he and Tippett are both coming from the Kings.
In addition to the departures of Tippett and Boucher, also moving on are Kelly Buchberger, Ronning, with the team passing on Nelson Emerson’s contract option. Instead, the Kings will look to get younger up front, with the acquiring of Erik Rasmussen from Buffalo and the signing of prospects Pavel Rosa and Mike Cammalleri. Rosa returns to North America after spending the past two seasons in Finland. The 1995 third-round pick of the Kings played 32 games for L.A. over two seasons before heading back overseas. University of Michigan product Cammalleri might have the inside track at filling Ronning’s vacated spot. Both Rosa and Cammalleri are smallish scooters with offensive instincts, giving the Kings some much-needed pep at the forward position. Much harder might be compensating for Boucher’s 22 minutes a night on the blueline. One option might be Andreas Lilja, a 27-year-old Swede who looked solid in limited duty in his first season of North American hockey.
The Coyotes stunned most by making the playoffs in the spring of 2002. The summer of ’02 has seen them continue their string of surprises with bold player moves. The offseason wrangling culminated with the unforeseen shell-out of serious dough to secure the scoring services of free-agent winger Tony Amonte, who instantly becomes their biggest star and most recognizable player. This followed a trade with Philly that upgraded the goaltending position by getting Brian Boucher to back up Sean Burke. Going to the Flyers was goaltender Robert Esche and forward Michal Handzus. Gritty grinder Denis Pederson signed with Nashville, but is ably replaced by the similarly tenacious veteran Buchberger, who signed from L.A.
Only two players are gone from last year’s roster: little used Alex Korolyuk and fourth-line graybeard Stephane Matteau. The big news for the Sharks is that they kept their impressive nucleus together by re-signing everyone, including Teemu Selanne before he tested the market as an unrestricted free agent. The players sense that they have a good thing going in San Jose. They sense that they are very close to emerging from the hotly contested Western Conference. Everyone else can at least expect them to continue lurking amongst the league leaders.
