EASTERN CONFERENCE
MEET THE NEW GUY
The cap-crunched Bruins couldn’t hunt for big-game UFAs, settling on power forward BRETT RITCHIE. He hasn’t lived up to his 16-goal breakout in 2016-17 with Dallas, but he’s just 26 and averages more than two hits per game. He replaces Noel Acciari on the physical fourth line.
The Sabres fortified the right side of their blueline acquiring COLIN MILLER from Vegas. He apslasyigendmshenelttse,rpeodsmtininguetelitsethpeorses,ersasniokninsgtahtisg.hHien’lol ffaiednBsiuvffeazloon’sepsotawretsr,pblauyt,hwehcircuhsrhaendkehdis1e6atshy.
Coming over from Vegas, the speedy ERIK HAULA missed much of this past season due to a knee injury, but his stint with the Golden Knights proved he can be an impactful scorer. Haula flirted with 30 goals in 2017-18 and was only dealt because Vegas was in a cap crunch.
The Columbus offense took a hit July 1, but GM Jarmo Kekalainen landed one replacement in GUSTAV NYQUIST, formerly of San Jose. Smart, skilled and versatile, Nyquist is a crafty forward, and his finesse game will be a nice contrast to some of the Jackets’ burly attackers.
VALTTERI FILPPULA, 35, isn’t a “sexy” signing for new Wings GM Steve Yzerman, but Filppula brings Cup-winning experience, kills penalties, can work a second power-play unit and handles faceoffs. He also prevents prospects Filip Zadina and Joe Veleno from being rushed to the NHL.
BRETT CONNOLLY was a bargain with an unexpected 22 goals for Washington at $1.5 million. Now a $3.5-million man for the next four years in Florida, he’s expected to score that much. He was a productive third-liner, ranking among the NHL’s top forwards in points per 60 minutes.
KEITH KINKAID won’t be more than a backup goalie to lighten Carey Price’s workload, but Kinkaid also makes for a fine cheerleader in a hockey-mad market. He’s known for sending out funny, emoji-riddled tweets and memes to celebrate victories. He will become a fan favorite.
He’s not the force he once was, but power forward WAYNE SIMMONDS can still contribute. Coming in on a one-year, $5-million deal, Simmonds is a net-front presence on the power play while adding toughness to a lineup that includes young stars Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier.
It was surprising when Robin Lehner was allowed to walk, but the Islanders filled the vacancy by grabbing Colorado UFA SEMYON VARLAMOV. The price was high – a four-year deal for a 31-year-old who has battled injuries – but Varlamov behind that defense should be a good fit.
New toys abound in New York, and one of the youngest gems is VITALI KRAVTSOV, who spent most of the past two seasons in the KHL with Traktor Chelyabinsk. Big, smart and skilled, he can play center, but the wing is a good place to start in his first season on North American ice.
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Trading for the rights to pending UFA KEVIN HAYES paid off for the Flyers – and Hayes. The 27-year-old nabbed a seven-year contract worth $50 million, which is a lot for a second-line center. But his size, reach and offense made him attractive to a Flyers team in need of depth.
Getting full value for Phil Kessel was going to be tough when teams knew the sniper was on the CtohuUatRtsTowIffSitehMnstCheEe.LTPHheIeNn2sN,5Eb-YyuetiasAr3-L6oElXbduGhtaAhsLaoCsnHeeEst3Na0Yb-UlgisKohaealdtNlheHiamLstsseeoalfffseaorsnsauthpnerdepemrohiteeirsnbtbiaaeclltktoaunpmd. aInbkretihnuegpsesvqoeumrisveaatloeilfintty. of a starter’s workload the past three seasons, he’s 39-24-5 with a 2.51 GAA, .919 SP and six shutouts in 63 starts. Yet Tampa had a fine backup in Louis Domingue. He’s trade bait now.
The Leafs love filling out their fourth line with cheap vets. JASON SPEZZA is the new Tyler Ennis. Spezza, 36, averaged $7 million-plus the past 11 seasons, so it didn’t sting to accept a leagueminimum $700,000 deal. He brings faceoff prowess, some offense and a sunny disposition.
Brooks Orpik retired, but the Caps replaced his physicality on the blueline when they traded Matt Niskanen to Philadelphia for RADKO GUDAS. The rambunctious veteran can sometimes go over the line with his hits, leading to suspensions, but he also keeps opponents on their toes.