MEET THE NEW GUY
WESTERN CONFERENCE
The circle of NHL life sometimes lands you back where it began. MIKE CAMMALLERI is back in L.A. 15 seasons after making his debut, following three seasons at the University of Michigan. It’s worth noting his bargain salary of $1 million is less than the $1.075 million he first signed for in 2002.
The Wild hope TYLER ENNIS returns to the speedy, shifty form that made him a first-round pick in 2008 and threetime 20-goal man with Buffalo. He has to score if he’s going to replace Jason Pominville. Ennis, however, has just eight goals in 74 games over the past two years, battling major concussions.
The Preds needed to get stronger at center after losing to Pittsburgh in the Cup final. So, they signed one of the Penguins’ centers, NICK BONINO. He’s clutch, with three career playoff OT winners, and he’s gutsy, finishing Game 2 of the final with what turned out to be a broken tibia, sustained blocking a shot.
MARCUS SORENSEN is 25 and just barely eligible for the Calder Trophy. The left winger played 19 games for the Sharks this past season and impressed in the AHL with 34 points in 43 games. There are roster spots available and the early line is the undersized sharpshooter will crack the lineup.
The Blues lost too much size and physicality up front when David Backes and Troy Brouwer departed last summer. They got some of that back trading for BRAYDEN SCHENN. He can play left wing or center, and will compete for the coveted top-line gig with Vladimir Tarasenko on the right side.
If SAM GAGNER wants to get acclimated to Vancouver, he can talk to his teammates or just call his dad. Dave Gagner spent a half-season with the Canucks at the end of his 15year NHL career. Gagner will see at least one familiar face – newcomer Michael Del Zotto was his teammate two seasons ago in Philadelphia.
VADIM SHIPACHYOV isn’t just a new face in Vegas. He’s a new face around the NHL. The Russian center, 30, is more playmaker than scorer. He finished two points behind linemate Ilya Kovalchuk in the KHL scoring race this past season, and Shipachyov’s 50 assists were one off the league lead.
The Jets thought Connor Hellebuyck was their goalie of the present, but he struggled in 2016-17. Signing STEVE MASON at a starter’s annual salary of $4.1 million tells us Hellebuyck has been demoted back to goalie of the future. Mason’s deal is just two years long, and he’s expected to mentor Hellebuyck.