yave1964 Posted July 18, 2018 Share Posted July 18, 2018 Looking through the unsigned players this morning to see who is still without a seat as the music has clearly stopped playing and saw quite a few players who held down regular jobs last year still looking for a home. In fact it would be pretty easy to field an entire team, not a good team mind you but an NHL capable club. Everyone listed below is still an unrestricted free agent and could be signed on a low risk, medium return deal if a team is interested.... GOALIE: Lehtonen, Pavelec and Steve Mason are all still sitting by the phone waiting for a phone call. A team ISO a veteran goalie who can play 20-25 games on the second night of back to backs could find something worth using here. DEFENSE Toby Enstrom is still unsigned and capable of a solid bottom pair role at the least, others still there for the taking are Hamhuis, Gorges, Seidenberg, Orpik, Sbisa, Oduya, Emelin and Bieksa are aging vets hoping for one final contract. Used correctly, 15 minutes a night in a P/K role and defensive zone faceoffs most of these guys still have a little left in the tank. CENTER Vermette has no offense left but can still win faceoffs like few others, Winnick, Letestu both are 4th line centers who could help someone, Stajan and Dominic Moore are likely done. WINGERS Rick Nash is the best of the bunch but he is unsure if he is coming back after his latest concussion issues. Lots of 30ish guys such as Versteeg, Joel Ward, Wingels, Bouma, Hartnell, Cammalleri, Pouliot, Stempniak, Jurco, Chris Stewart, Drew Stafford, Shane Prince, Chimera, Read, Moulson, Chiasson and Colborne all held NHL jobs recently, most are going to be looking for a camp invite come September. Most likely wont get one. What they all have in common is their age, most are in their early thirties and have lost a half a step which in todays game is the kiss of death. I heard McKenzie state that a current GM described todays players as 'Young, fast and dumb' and that by the time they learn the game they have lost a half a stride and they are gone for younger and faster. Most of the guys listed in this grouping who are still without contracts can still play a bit but will never again have a chance. The game has changed and left them lagging behind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J0e Th0rnton Posted July 18, 2018 Share Posted July 18, 2018 2 hours ago, yave1964 said: Looking through the unsigned players this morning to see who is still without a seat as the music has clearly stopped playing and saw quite a few players who held down regular jobs last year still looking for a home. In fact it would be pretty easy to field an entire team, not a good team mind you but an NHL capable club. Everyone listed below is still an unrestricted free agent and could be signed on a low risk, medium return deal if a team is interested.... GOALIE: Lehtonen, Pavelec and Steve Mason are all still sitting by the phone waiting for a phone call. A team ISO a veteran goalie who can play 20-25 games on the second night of back to backs could find something worth using here. DEFENSE Toby Enstrom is still unsigned and capable of a solid bottom pair role at the least, others still there for the taking are Hamhuis, Gorges, Seidenberg, Orpik, Sbisa, Oduya, Emelin and Bieksa are aging vets hoping for one final contract. Used correctly, 15 minutes a night in a P/K role and defensive zone faceoffs most of these guys still have a little left in the tank. CENTER Vermette has no offense left but can still win faceoffs like few others, Winnick, Letestu both are 4th line centers who could help someone, Stajan and Dominic Moore are likely done. WINGERS Rick Nash is the best of the bunch but he is unsure if he is coming back after his latest concussion issues. Lots of 30ish guys such as Versteeg, Joel Ward, Wingels, Bouma, Hartnell, Cammalleri, Pouliot, Stempniak, Jurco, Chris Stewart, Drew Stafford, Shane Prince, Chimera, Read, Moulson, Chiasson and Colborne all held NHL jobs recently, most are going to be looking for a camp invite come September. Most likely wont get one. What they all have in common is their age, most are in their early thirties and have lost a half a step which in todays game is the kiss of death. I heard McKenzie state that a current GM described todays players as 'Young, fast and dumb' and that by the time they learn the game they have lost a half a stride and they are gone for younger and faster. Most of the guys listed in this grouping who are still without contracts can still play a bit but will never again have a chance. The game has changed and left them lagging behind. I'd take Vermette on the Sharks as 3rd or 4th line C for a min deal so we can use Hertl at wing or C, depending. Maybe Cammaleri could be serviceable in a reduced role with old Deboer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yave1964 Posted July 18, 2018 Author Share Posted July 18, 2018 1 hour ago, J0e Th0rnton said: I'd take Vermette on the Sharks as 3rd or 4th line C for a min deal so we can use Hertl at wing or C, depending. Maybe Cammaleri could be serviceable in a reduced role with old Deboer Yeah looking through the list, Bieksa as a bottom six defender who blocks shots and hits people would be a nice fit on the Wings, I have been kind of surprised that Vermette and Letestu and maybe Vesteeg among the forwards haven't found a home as of yet, and Enstrom, Hamhuis and Bieksa on the back end should be able to find someplace to play. Kind of surprised that these six are still laying out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jammer2 Posted July 31, 2018 Share Posted July 31, 2018 I can see the Habs adding Bieska for a mill a year on a 1 year deal. They have been desperate to add toughness, he brings that and a bit of offense, even at his age. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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