The UFA season has largely been completed--aside from a few big names hanging around--and the NHL standings may look very different next season.
This year's make over awards go to the New York Rangers and the Tampa Bay Lightning. First, the 'ning--as runners up. For Florida's only relevant franchise, the makeover began weeks ago with the firing of John Tortorella and the hiring of Barry Melrose (aside: here's hoping Pat Burns makes it back to the NHL and squares off against Melrose. Was there anything better than the barbs the two exchanged in the 93 playoffs?). They then selected highly touted Steven Stamkos--a likely second line center behind Vinny the Becoming Great. Those changes alone would make headlines. But Tampa didn't stop. They have since added Vaclav Prospal, Gary Roberts, Ryan Malone, Radim Vrbata, Olaf Kolzig, Ryan Hall and Wyatt Smith. New look, yes. The result, however, will be determined. They've certainly added some size up front, but just how well that translates into success is anybody's guess. If Kolzig has another super year in him, they have solved their constant goaltending woes and may be ready to take another run at a playoff birth and beyond.
Despite the shake up in Tampa, first place in the makeover pagent (once again) goes to the Rangers. First, the departures: Jagr, Straka, Avery, Malik, Shanahan (most likely), Tutin, Backman. The bad news of that group? Avery. The good? Malik, Backman. The even? Jagr (it was time--this wasn't his team as far back as LAST year), Tutin (the fate of this move lies in Zherdev's hands), and Straka (still an effective player when healthy, but he became replaceable). Now the additions/retentions: Roszival, Mara, Valiquette, Redden, Zherdev, Kalinin, Naslund (and some other less impact players that we'll save for another time). There are question marks galore among this group. Can Roszival regain his 2006 playoff form--especially without Jagr? Can Valiquette give the Rangers enough quality starts to keep Hank fresh? Can Redden recover from a couple bad seasons in Ottawa? Ditto for Naslund in Vancouver? Is Zherdev on his way to being a league superstar? Or is he Kovalev part deux? Will Kalinin replace Malik and Backman as the team's tall, rangy, non-physical defensemen? Is his shoulder healthy enough? Like I said, plenty to worry about here.
But, two things are certain. One, the Rangers got younger, faster, and less offensive. They will have to count on young guns like Dawes, Prucha, Callahan, Dubinsky, and Korpikoski to provide scoring. If not, it'll be like watching the Devils. Two, they lack size and toughness. Not good against the likes of Philly, an improved New Jersey, a bigger Tampa, etc.
