NHL: Will New Teams Revitalize These Veteran Players?

Apr 13, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Phoenix Coyotes right wing Radim Vrbata (17) shoots on Dallas Stars goalie Tim Thomas (30) as defenseman Patrik Nemeth (37) defends during the third period at Jobing.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

10. Radim Vrbata- Vancouver Canucks

Vrbata’s decision to leave the Coyotes wasn’t an easy one for him, but Canucks GM Jim Benning made a pitch that was hard to resist for the 33 year old forward. Come to Vancouver and play on a top line with the Sedins, and a spot on the top power play. While it’s not guaranteed that Vrbata will remain a top line player or on the top power play unit in Vancouver, it certainly looks like he’d be a great fit on a line with Daniel and Henrik. After scoring 51 points (20G, 31A) last season for the offensively challenged Coyotes, Vrbata looks like he’s set up to have a big year in Vancouver. The Canucks are looking to bounce back after one of their worst seasons in recent memory, with a new head coach in Willie Desjardins it’s going to be an interesting team to watch this year. Vrbata will provide consistency on the top line, and should mesh well with the Sedins, who are both looking to have big years as well. The Canucks are hoping for their offense to return to form after last seasons debacle, and Vrbata will have to play a big part in that. He should end up with around 60-65 points this year in his first season with Vancouver.

Apr 9, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks defenseman Dan Boyle (22) is defended by Anaheim Ducks center Andrew Cogliano (7) in the third period at Honda Center. The Ducks defeated the Ducks 5-2 to clinch the Pacific Division title. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

9. Dan Boyle- New York Rangers

After being traded by the Sharks to the New York Islanders for a 5th round draft pick, Dan Boyle wound up signing with the Islanders next door neighbor instead. The Rangers will get exactly what they paid for in Dan Boyle, a hard working offensive defenseman who will really help their power play. Some say Boyle’s age will detract from his play on the ice, but he should be a great fit in Alain Vigneault’s system and he still has it in him to play a lot of minutes when he’s needed. Most of Boyle’s offensive production will likely come on the power play this year, and the Rangers should expect at least 40 points from him in 2014-2015.

Apr 23, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Mathieu Perreault (22) warms up before game four against the Dallas Stars in the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. The Stars defeated the Ducks 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

8. Mathieu Perreault- Winnipeg Jets

Mathieu Perraeult was a bit of a surprise last season, breaking out with 43 points in his first season with the Ducks. Signing with Winnipeg this offseason, he looks to continue to improve his play and increase his offensive production. Perreault will have a larger role on a Winnipeg Jets team that needs more offensive threats. Perreault could see some time on the power play for the Jets this season as well, though it appears his main role will be to center the Jets 3rd line. The Jets lack of offensive weapons could be a detriment to Perreault’s point production this season, but he should still be counted on to improve from his impressive performance last season. The Jets have high hopes for the up and coming 26 year old, and I don’t see him letting them down. Perreault should have around 50-55 points this season, and see continued improvements as a player entering the spotlight for the first time in his career.

Apr 13, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Ottawa Senators right wing Ales Hemsky (83) handles the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Senators won 3-2 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

7. Ales Hemsky- Dallas Stars

Now here is an interesting player to watch this season. After having several consecutive lackluster years in Edmonton recently, Hemsky was dealt to the Ottawa Senators last season, where he enjoyed instant chemistry with linemate Jason Spezza and scored 17 points in 20 games with the Senators. Hemsky looks to continue that success, joining Spezza on an offensively loaded Dallas Stars team that should be a goaltender’s nightmare this year. Hemsky was never known to be a goal scorer, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him eclipse the 20 goal mark on this team if he stays healthy throughout the year. The Stars are clearly counting on Hemsky and Spezza to continue to be productive in Dallas, and if they are, then Hemsky should be in the 45-50 point range this season.

Apr 20, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens left wing Thomas Vanek (20) misses a chance to score a goal against Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Anders Lindback (39) during the third period in game three of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports

6. Thomas Vanek- Minnesota Wild

At long last Thomas Vanek returns to his adopted home state of Minnesota, and he’ll be joining a Wild team that only continues to improve. Vanek had a pretty tumultuous season last year, after being traded twice and playing for 3 different teams, but through all of that he still managed to put up 68 points. Minnesota looks to be a great fit for the 30 year old sniper, and playing alongside Mikko Koivu and Zach Parise on the top line should prove deadly for opposing teams. Vanek’s scoring touch will be a welcome addition to the Wild power play as well, and he should be a regular contributor with the man advantage. The Wild were very excited to land Vanek and have high expectations for him this season. When all is said and done Vanek should have have around 75 points after his first season in Minnesota comes to a close.

May 10, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins right wing Jarome Iginla (12) skates with the puck during the second period against the Montreal Canadiens in game five of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

5. Jarome Iginla- Colorado Avalanche

It almost seems wrong to put Jarome Iginla in this category, but playing on a team with the offensive firepower that the Avs possess will greatly boost his production. Iginla fit very well with the Boston Bruins locker room, but 61 points on a team that finished 1st in the league is underachieving for a player of his caliber. Look at his stats and you’ll see he was more productive on the abysmal Flames team he captained before requesting a trade. Some people will point to his age as a factor for Iginla’s decreased point totals, but he was simply a victim of Claude Julien’s system in Boston last year. While very effective, Julien’s coaching style has never  favored offensive production.  Look for Iginla to be in the 70-75 point range this season in Colorado if he can stay healthy in the physically demanding Western Conference.

Apr 26, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Paul Stastny (26) celebrates after forward Nathan MacKinnon (not pictured) scored the game winning goal during the overtime period in game five of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Minnesota Wild at Pepsi Center. The Avalanche won 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

4. Paul Stastny- St. Louis Blues

This is another player that seems unfair to put in this category, but Stastny hasn’t been as productive in recent years as he has been in the past. St. Louis provides a unique opportunity for Stastny to join an established contender that had several players break through offensively last season. Alexander Steen, T.J. Oshie, Jaden Schwartz, the list goes on for the Blues in terms of players who had breakout seasons last year that look to continue improving this season. Stastny should fit right in with this team and he’ll enjoy a lot of success here in the coming years. I predict Stastny will end up near the top of the Blues scoring leaders this year with around 70 pts in 2014-2015.

Dec 29, 2013; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild forward Dany Heatley (15) shoots during the second period against the New York Islanders at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

3. Dany Heatley- Anaheim Ducks

Dany Heatley was never a fit in Minnesota, it doesn’t take a hockey genius to see that. The Ducks are hoping that they can get Heatley to play at an elite level again by giving him the chance to play on a top line with Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf. If that doesn’t sound like a goal scorer’s dream then I don’t know what does. Heatley’s career could get a shot in the arm in Anaheim, as he’s determined to prove he can still play at a high level in the NHL, and he’s set up in the perfect place to do just that. When Heatley went to Minnesota, they were a non-playoff team with a new head coach in Mike Yeo. Heatley did about as well as anyone could have expected in his first season with the Wild, scoring 24 goals and 53 points, leading the wild offensively in both categories. Then the big free agent signings of Zach Parise and Ryan Suter happened, and the writing was on the wall for Heatley. This wasn’t his team anymore. Heatley quickly fell out of favor on a Minnesota team that got younger, faster, and more defensive minded in his final seasons with the team.

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Through all the change and being forced to take a greatly reduced role, Heatley was a constant professional. Now Heatley will be going to an Anaheim Ducks team that is loaded with offensive talent at center, and will be given the chance to play with two of the best players in the league. I don’t think anyone will be expecting Heatley to return to his 2007 form as a 50 goal scorer, but I don’t think 25-30 goals is too much to expect out of the left wing. Heatley will be facing competition from young players looking to play on the top line all season, and he knows this could be his last chance in the NHL if he doesn’t perform. He will be more motivated than ever to compete at a high level, and I think we’ll see him putting up some surprising numbers this year. Look for Heatley to find the back of the net 25 or more times this year, while on his way to having a 60+ point season.

Apr 13, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Ottawa Senators center Jason Spezza (19) scores against Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Jeff Zatkoff (37) during the shootout at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Senators won 3-2 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

2. Jason Spezza- Dallas Stars

The Dallas Stars organization had to be grinning ear to ear when they made the deal that brought in center Jason Spezza. Over the past two seasons the Stars have transformed themselves into an offensive powerhouse, and a playoff contender. With Spezza centering the 2nd line and playing alongside Ales Hemsky again, this team should garner a lot of respect from opposing defenses this season. Spezza had been having a few down years in Ottawa, and clearly had felt that things weren’t going to change soon enough for his liking. Now playing in Dallas on a team that could become a legitimate Stanley Cup contender very soon, Spezza looks like he’s going to return to a point per game pace again. His last big season came in 2011-2012 when he scored 84 points (34G, 50A) in 80 games. Given the type of player Spezza is, and how talented the Stars are offensively, I don’t think it would be a stretch for him to reach totals like that again this season. I fully expect Jason Spezza to play a big part on this Stars team and contribute at least 80 points this year. The Central Division is going to be as tough as ever, but the Stars offense is going to be ready for the challenge.

Jun 7, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; New York Rangers center Brad Richards (19) warms up before game two of the 2014 Stanley Cup Final against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

1. Brad Richards- Chicago Blackhawks

Signing with the Blackhawks put Brad Richards in a position that must be the envy of centers all across the NHL, and that is why he ranks #1 on this list. He’ll be centering the Hawks 2nd line, playing alongside the like of superstar Patrick Kane, and the emerging young winger Brandon Saad. Richards’ offensive numbers were never impressive in New York, but this was a result of John Tortorella’s defensive-minded system. Alain Vigneault’s offense wasn’t ideal for a player Richards’ age either. The Blackhawks’ game seems to be a much better fit for the 34 year old, and he’ll have time to learn the system and form some chemistry with his new linemates.

“Chemistry is one of those things you can’t really explain. Right away you can see that (Richards) plays the game somewhat similar to the way I’m used to, so it’s kind of nice to have someone who can make those passes and make those plays.” -Patrick Kane on playing with Brad Richards

Richards will likely see a solid amount of time on the power play this year, the Blackhawks’ man advantage unit is one of the most perplexing in the league. With so much offensive talent on the ice they struggle mightily at times to find the back of the net. Richards will be able to help provide some different looks on the power play, and that could be where he has the biggest impact this season. Being number 1 on this list means there will be high expectations, especially playing for this organization, with these players. The Blackhawks are hoping that Richards will be the 2nd line center they’ve been looking for, and he seems like he’s ready to accept the responsibility. Richards’ goal should be to return being a 75-80 point player this year, and I would expect him to make the most of this opportunity.