MEET THE NEW GUY
WESTERN CONFERENCE
RYAN MILLER had more reasons than just hockey to choose the Ducks as a free agent. The 37-year-old stopper is married to actress Noureen DeWulf, whose career has her in southern California more often than not. Miller signed a reasonable two-year, $4-million deal to back up injury-prone John Gibson. It was a good family move.
It was just seven years ago DEREK STEPAN stepped into the Rangers lineup after two years at Wisconsin and scored 21 goals. There was no pressure back then and, as it turned out, he topped that total just once in the next six seasons. Now he’ll be an offensive horse and seasoned leader for a young Arizona team – and he just turned 27.
The Flames took a calculated risk going with 35-yearold Mike Smith as their No. 1 stopper this season. But they hedged it a bit picking up EDDIE LACK as the backup. The 29-year-old had a pair of solid 41game seasons with Vancouver prior to joining Carolina in 2015. What’s more, the Canes are picking up half of Lack’s $2.75-million ticket.
The 2017-18 Hawks will look more like the 2014-15 Hawks than last year’s team. Chicago dealt Artemi Panarin to reacquire BRANDON SAAD, a bigger, stronger left winger. He’ll likely reunite with Jonathan Toews. As for replacing Panarin on Patrick Kane’s line, it could be returning UFA Patrick Sharp or Nick Schmaltz.
The Avs bolstered their top-nine forward group with reclamation project COLIN WILSON, whom GM Joe Sakic called “another powerful forward to complement Gabriel Landeskog.” Wilson, who weighs in at 221 pounds, has struggled with consistency. He has produced in spurts in the playoffs, but the Avs may not get there for a while.
The Stars “won” the off-season by shoring up their goaltending with Ben Bishop, their defense corps with Marc Methot and their forwards with Martin Hanzal and ALEXANDER RADULOV, who signed a five-year deal worth $31.25 million. He should enjoy a career year playing alongside Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin.
Expectations have been sky-high for RYAN STROME since he was drafted fifth overall by the Islanders in 2011. But after a breakout 50-point season as an NHL sophomore, he has been producing like a fringe thirdliner. Jordan Eberle didn’t work out on Connor McDavid’s right wing. The Oilers hope Eberle’s replacement does.