The Vancouver Canucks have had quite a ride with goaltending in recent years and
attempted to solve the problem by signing the number one free agent
puck-stopper.
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Game looks into the Canucks signing Ryan Miller. The Canucks Get: G Ryan Miller.
Miller, 33, was having a terrific season in Buffalo, posting a .923 save
percentage in 40 games before he was traded to St. Louis. From there, Miller
struggled down the stretch, with aa .903 save percentage in 19 regular season
games before an .897 save percentage in the first-round playoff loss to Chicago.
That finish might have dimmed his star somewhat, but Miller has a repuation
earned with a save percentage of .919 over the past five seasons, during which
no one has registered more saves than Millers 8278. That rep isnt everything,
though. Miller is a 33-year-old who last made it out of the first round of the
playoffs in 2007 and his .925 even-strength save percentage over the past four
seasons ranks 22nd out of 43 goaltenders to play at least 4000 5-on-5 minutes.
Following their abrupt playoff departure, the Blues changed their goaltending
approach, retaining Brian Elliott with the expectation that they would add
prospect Jake Allen to the tandem for next season. Whether Miller is at the peak
of his game isnt necessarily the point though, because hes an upgrade in net for
Vancouver; more proven than Eddie Lack or Jacob Markstrom, and thats what
matters for the Canucks over the next three seasons. If they are going to remain
competitive for at least a few more seasons, then the Canucs cant be stumbling
around with question marks in goal, hoping that it will work out. New Canucks GM
Jim Benning was instrumental to the Buffalo Sabres decision to draft Miller in
1999, so its not altogether surprising that Benning would turn to Miller to help
the Canucks now. Miller doesnt guarantee success for the Canucks, but if he can
provide at least average, or ideally above-average, goaltending, then the
Canucks have had good enough possession numbers to compete for a playoff spot if
they get decent goaltending. Scott Cullen can be reached at
Scott.Cullen@bellmedia.ca and followed on Twitter at
http://twitter.com/tsnscottcullen. For more, check out TSN Fantasy on Facebook.
Cheap Chicago Bears Jerseys . According to
TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun, Brodeurs agent Pat Brisson has spoken to six
teams so far regarding the veteran goaltender.
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Ottawas Kyle Turris, Bostons Patrice Bergeron and St.The Philadelphia Flyers
returned to the playoffs, for the 17th time in the past 19 seasons, where they
were eliminated in seven games by the New York Rangers. Off-Season Game Plan
looks at a Flyers team that has challenges going forward, as they try to fit
under the salary cap and try to maintain their hold on a playoff spot. New GM
Ron Hextall has lots of talent on hand, but has issues to face too. For one
thing, they ranked 23rd in puck possession last season and its not easy to
sustain success when the other team has the puck so frequently. Perhaps the
biggest issue to handle this summer will be what to do with Vincent Lecavalier,
last summers big free agent acquisition who fell flat after joining the Flyers.
A buyout would be awfully expensive, so maybe the Flyers could find team willing
to take on Lecavaliers contract while Philadelphia pays some of the salary. The
Flyers have enough skilled players, and young, developing forwards, that they
should still be decent on the attack. Then, there is the defence, where they are
faced with the prospect of losing their best defenceman, Kimmo Timonen, to
retirement, and are paying a lot of money to guys who arent pusing the puck in
the right direction when they are on the ice. It might be easier to convince
Timonen to play another season, to buy some time, rather than overhauling a
defence corps that needs improvement. Even once the lineup is sorted, Hextall
looks at a goaltending situation which remains a question mark. Steve Mason is
coming off a good year, his best since his rookie year of 2008-2009, but what
happens if Mason regresses towards his previous norm? Hextall appears to be
taking the long view to his new job. "I like young players and I like draft
picks," Hextall told CSN Philly. "My vision is to build this team and to
continue to make this team better through the draft. That doesnt mean we wont
make trades. At some point if its a good enough player, and weve got to trade a
young player, we may look at that. But its not a vision of mine to trade young
players for older players." With all of the decisions that Hextall gets to make
as a first-time GM, he has a team that will expect to make the postseason again
next year, yett hes walking a fine line, fine enough that a few wrong decisions
or even a couple of bad breaks could be enough to cost them. Of course, the flip
side is that the Flyers are close enough that a few sharp decisions and a few
good breaks could put them right back in the playoff mix again next season. The
TSN.ca Rating is an efficiency rating based on per-game statistics including
goals and assists -- weighted for strength (ie. power play, even, shorthanded)
-- Corsi, adjusted for zone starts, quality of competition and quality of
teammates, hits, blocked shots, penalty differential and faceoffs. Generally, a
replacement-level player is around a 60, a top six forward and top four
defenceman will be around 70, stars will be over 80 and MVP candidates could go
over 90. Sidney Crosby finished at the top of the 2013-2014 regular season
ratings at 87.12. Salary cap information all comes from the indispensable
www.capgeek.com. CF% = Corsi percentage (ie. percentage of 5-on-5 shot
attempts), via www.extraskater.com. GM/COACHRon Hextrall/Craig Berube Returning
Forwards Player Rating GP G A PTS CF% Cap Hit Claude Giroux 79.42 82 28 58 86
53.2% $8.275M Jakub Voracek 72.97 82 23 39 62 55.2% $4.25M Wayne Simmonds 72.45
82 29 31 60 48.5% $3.975M Scott Hartnell 71.05 78 20 32 52 54.3% $4.75M
Matt Read 70.55 75 22 18 40 49.9% $3.625M Sean Couturier 66.80 82 13 26 39 49.1%
$1.75M Vincent Lecavalier 65.68 69 20 17 37 45.3% $4.5M Michael Raffl 62.99 68 9
13 22 52.6% $1.1M Zac Rinaldo 55.14 67 2 2 4 46.4% $750K Jay Rosehill 54.71 34 2
0 2 44.1% $675K Free Agent Forwards Player Rating GP G A PTS CF% Class 13-14 Cap
Hit Brayden Schenn 66.46 82 20 21 41 47.9% RFA $3.11M Steve Downie 62.47 62 4 20
24 49.6% UFA $2.65M Adam Hall 57.58 80 4 5 9 44.0% UFA $600K After having finger
surgery last August, it turned out that Claude Giroux wasnt in peak form to open
the season, and he started out with no goals and seven assists in the first 15
games, but Giroux was a force after that, scoring 79 points in 67 games the rest
of the way. Hes one of the premier power play point producers in the league and
no one has scored more total points in the past four seasons. Jakub Voracek has
emerged as a real offensive threat, a solid complement to Giroux on
Philadelphias top line. Over the past two seasons, Voracek ranks 23rd with 108
points and hes a skilled, big winger that can be difficult to remove from the
puck. Voracek, 24, also happens to be hitting his prime. Coming off a career
year, Wayne Simmonds had career-highs in goals (29), assists (31) and points
(60), while playing a career-high 16:46 per game. Hes missed nine games, total,
in six NHL seasons and only two players (Alex Ovechkin, James Neal) have more
than Simmonds 32 power play goals over the past three seasons. Hes not an ideal
possession player, but contributes plenty otherwise. A solid two-way player who
plays tough minutes, against quality opposition with more defensive zone starts,
Matt Read has also scored 57 goals in three seasons and played a career-high
18:48 last season. Hes valuable because he can play a variety of different roles
and ranked third among Philadelphia forwards in ice time per game. Read
frequently rides shotgun with Sean Couturier, the 21-year-old who plays a
shutdown role. He scored a career-high 39 points last season, but only three of
those points came on the power play, so there is potential for more offensive
production if he is given the opportunity. He had 96 points in each of his last
two junior seasons and scored 28 points in 31 AHL games as a 20-year-old, so the
pedigree is there for Couturier to take on a bigger role offensively, if he gets
the chance. Vincent Lecavaliers game went off a cliff last season. He had poor
possession numbers, despite offensive zone starts and relatively easy quality of
opposition; 37 points in 69 games was his lowest points per game since 2001-2002
and he ended up playing 15:11 per game, his lowest time on ice since his rookie
year, 1998-1999. Hes still under contract for four more seasons which is more
than a little problematic for a 34-year-old coming off a bad year. Austrian
winger Michael Raffl made a surprising jump to the NHL, almost directly from
Leksands in Swedens second tier, and while his production was modest, he had
respectable possession stats, which makes him a reasonable option as a depth
forward. Hes 25 and may not have enough offensive upside to fit higher on the
depth chart. Hes a physical presence on the fourth line, but Zac Rinaldo gets
buried in possession terms, and has seven goals and 470 penalty minutes in 165
career games. Among those lucky few who play enough to register at least 400
penalty minutes over the past three seasons, Rinaldos production is on the low
end. Jay Rosehill has fought 14 times in 45 games over the past two seasons, so
hes a heavyweight face-puncher, if thats required. Hes also put up eight points
in 117 career games and has been overmatched when it comes to puck possession,
which is why he ends up as a part-time player. Progress has been gradual for
Brayden Schenn, who did set career-highs with 20 goals and 41 points last
season, but he also had poor possession stats despite facing relatively easy
competition. It may be fair to wonder whether Schenn and Couturier are
blossoming as effectively as possible, as they both compete for playing time
down the middle behind Giroux. As the Flyers look to improve long-term, yet also
under some financial constraints, they could look to free agent wingers like
Mason Raymond, Benoit Pouliot or Radim Vrbata as possibilities to fit in a
scoring role without necessarily breaking the bank. Returning Defence Player
Rating GP G A PTS CF% Cap Hit Mark Streit 70.79 82 10 34 44 50.4% $5.25M
Andrew MacDonald 64.68 82 4 24 28 44.5% $5.0M Braydon Coburn 63.48 82 5 12 17
51.1% $4.5M Nicklas Grossman 61.23 78 1 13 14 47.2% $3.5M Luke Schenn 59.95 79 4
8 12 47.7% $3.6M Chris Pronger $4.941M Free Agent Defence Player
Rating GP G A PTS CF% Class 13-14 Cap Hit Kimmo Timonen 69.
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Jerseys Wholesale. 12 77 6 29 35 55.0% UFA $6.0M Erik Gustafsson
65.67 31 2 8 10 48.3% RFA $1.0M Hal Gill 53.39 6 0 0 0 47.6% UFA $700K In the
past seven seasons, there have been four defencemen to produce at least five
40-point seasons and one of them is Mark Streit, who missed one full season
(2010-2011) in that span as he recovered from shoulder surgery. Streit may not
be driving play, but the Flyers can do worse than getting respectable possession
numbers to go along with his offensive production. Its difficult to imagine what
the Flyers saw from Andrew MacDonald in 19 games to warrant a six-year,
$30-million contract extension, because MacDonald has been a puck possession
nightmare, whose with-or-without-you stats show that nearly everyone fares
better without him. There has been some evidence that his neutral zone defence
is an issue, and that would have to improve in order to give MacDonalds new
contract some value. Braydon Coburn hasnt materialized offensively the way that
might have been expected after a 36-point season in 2007-2008 but, as a big guy
who can skate and move the puck, hes been able to hold his own in a shutdown
role. The question going forward may be just how effective Coburn could be if
Kimmo Timonen doesnt return. Its pretty clear that, over time, Coburn has been
better with Timonen. Stay-at-home defender Nicklas Grossman scored a career-high
14 points last season and that indicates certain limitations to his game, the
same that are inherent to many stay-at-home defensive defencemen. Grossman gets
eaten alive in relative possession terms, yet he played more last season (1491
minutes) than he had in any previous season. This is the disconnect that comes
between old-school coaching and analytics that emphasize positive shot
differentials. After a decent showing in his first (lockout-shortened) season in
Philly, Luke Schenns game regressed dramatically. In six NHL seasons, Schenn has
alternated between having seasons with at least 21 minutes of ice time per game
seasons in which hes played fewer than 17 minutes per game. Last season saw him
play 16:32 per game and his per-game scoring rate (0.15 points per game) was the
lowest of his career. Even with that reduced ice time, Schenn ranked third among
defencemen with 260 hits last season, which means he didnt have the puck that
much, but the Flyers may need Schenn to handle a bigger role again in the
future. There are some holes on the Philadelphia defence. Maybe it was part of
the reason that they were so quick to sign MacDonald to an extension. A mobile,
undersized defenceman, Erik Gustafsson couldnt earn a regular spot on the Flyers
blueline and made the decision to sign in the KHL for next season.
Chris Pronger, while on the payroll, hasnt played since November 19, 2012 and
isnt going to play again. 39-year-old Kimmo Timonen could be on his way to
retirement, but it wouldnt be a surprise to see the Flyers or another team try
to convince him to keep playing. Timonen has been a stalwart on the Flyers
blueline, putting up strong possession numbers while facing top-tier opposition.
If he really is going to leave, that would create a significant hole.
Philadelphia could use a quality addition on defence even if Timonen returns, so
if Timonen leaves, might as well make it two. Free agents Sami Salo,
Anton Stralman or Raphael Diaz might help and taking a shot at top AHL
defenceman T.J. Brennan (from nearby Willingboro, NJ) might improve the Flyers
ability to move the puck from the back end. Returning Goaltender Player Rating
GP W L OTL GAA SV% Cap Hit Steve Mason 73.37 61 33 18 7 2.50 .917 $4.1M Free
Agent Goaltender Player Rating GP W L OTL GAA SV% Class 13-14 Cap Hit Ray Emery
64.77 28 9 12 2 2.96 .903 UFA $1.65M Has 26-year-old Steve Mason found what hes
been looking for in Philadelphia? In four-plus seasons with Columbus, Mason had
a .903 save percentage, and was one of the worst starting goaltenders in the
league over that time. But, in 68 games with the Flyers, Mason has a .920 save
percentage. His real value may be some point in between, but having a point in
between counts as progress. Should the Flyers lose Ray Emery to free agency,
they will need to find a suitable backup for Mason. How much the Flyers will be
willing to spend will likely depend on cap space, but a veteran with some
measure of reliability would be ideal. If not, why not take a chance on
Alex Stalock, a 26-year-old who was very good in 24 games for San Jose last
season? Top Prospects Player Pos. Team/League Stats Scott Laughton C Oshawa
(OHL) 40-47-87, +12, 54 GP Samuel Morin D Rimouski (QMJHL) 7-24-31, +12, 54 GP
Shayne Gostisbehere D Union (ECAC) 9-25-34, +33, 42 GP Nick Cousins C Adirondack
(AHL) 11-18-29, -9, 74 GP Mark Alt D Adirondack (AHL) 4-22-26, -16, 75 GP
Anthony Stolarz G London (OHL) 2.52 GAA, .926 SV%, 35 GP Robert Hagg D Modo
Ornskoldsvik (SHL) 1-5-6, even, 50 GP Jason Akeson RW Adirondack (AHL) 24-40-64,
-17, 70 GP Tye McGinn LW Adirondack (AHL) 20-15-35, -20, 54 GP Taylor Leier LW
Portland (WHL) 37-42-79, +48, 62 GP Petr Straka RW Adirondack (AHL) 9-18-27, -4,
60 GP Brandon Manning D Adirondack (AHL) 8-23-31, -24, 73 GP Picked 20th overall
in 2012, Scott Laughton has already played a handful of games for the Flyers,
and the gritty forward had a strong season in the Ontario Hockey League. He
should be able to challenge for a job next season. The 11th pick last summer,
Samuel Morin is a towering blueliner who could become an intimidating presence,
but he skates well for his size and has improving puck skills. A third-round
pick of the Flyers in 2012, Shayne Gostisbehere finished an impressive junior
campaign with national-champion Union College. Hes not big, but Gostisbehere can
skate, move the puck and work the point on the power play. Taken in the third
round in 2011, Nick Cousins is a two-way centre who went through a learning
process in his first pro season. Hell need to get stronger and continue to
improve if hes going to take the next step, but the 20-year-old can play a
feisty game that should endear him to the Flyers. Acquired from Carolina in
January, 2013, Mark Alt is defenceman with good size and physical game who had a
solid first pro season, during which he saw power play time and played a big
role in the AHL. A second-round pick in 2012, Anthony Stolarz has posted a .924
save percentage in 55 OHL games since leaving Nebraska-Omaha. At 6-foot-6,
Stolarz has prototypical size, yet hes a 20-year-old goaltender so its likely to
take some time before hes ready to mount a challenge for an NHL job. Drafted in
the second round last summer, Robert Hagg is a steady defensive defenceman who
joined Adirondack late last season after a solid season in the Swedish Hockey
League. He could use time to develop, but Hagg holds promise as a well-rounded
blueliner. Undrafted winger Jason Akeson has forced his way into consideration
for a spot with the Flyers, after scoring 172 points in 208 AHL games over the
past three seasons. He took a regular spot in the Flyers top nine in the first
round of the playoffs, and had respectable possession stats to show for it.
Power forward Tye McGinn was a fourth-round pick in 2010. Hes scored seven goals
and 10 points in 36 NHL games since, and had 34 goals and 61 points in 100 AHL
games over the past couple seasons. A fourth-round pick in 2012, Taylor Leier is
a skilled two-way forward who plays on a powerhouse Portland team and has
improved steadily over three WHL seasons. Signed as a free agent after he failed
to come to terms with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Petr Straka has some offensive
upside and was okay in his first pro season. Hell need to produce more to
warrant further promotion. Undrafted out of the Western Hockey League,
Brandon Manning is making it hard to ignore his contributions, racking up
penalty minutes to go with improving point totals. Flyers advanced stats and
player usage chart from Extra Skater DRAFT17th - Dylan Larkin, Alex Tuch, Josh
Ho-Sang. FREE AGENCYAccording to www.capgeek.com, the Flyers have approximately
$59.6M committed to the 2014-2015 salary cap for 16 players. Check out my
possible Flyers lineup for next season on Cap Geek here. Needs: One top nine
forward, depth forwards, one top pair defenceman, depth defencemen, backup
goaltender.What I said the Flyers needed last year: One top six forward, one top
four defenceman, goaltender.They added: Vincent Lecavalier, Michael Raffl,
Mark Streit, Ray Emery. TRADE MARKETVincent Lecavalier, Brayden Schenn,
Luke Schenn, Nicklas Grossman. Scott Cullen can be reached at
Scott.Cullen@bellmedia.ca and followed on Twitter at
http://twitter.com/tsnscottcullen. For more, check out TSN Fantasy on Facebook.
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