Each and every summer, NHL teams assess the strengths and weaknesses of their team and presumably go out and improve the on-ice product. Players are signed or acquired to improve the team, and sometimes they are acquired to help improve an existing member of the team.
Thornton's arrival in San Jose, turning Cheechoo into a 50-goal scorer, is a prime example of this. Then, of course, there is the addition by subtraction. Allowing a player to test free agency so that a younger player within the organization can take over the role and responsibilities of that player.
Here are the five players in the Eastern Conference that I believe will have career-best offensive seasons in 2009.
*These are not the five players I believe will have the best improvements on their past totals. These are the top five players I believe will have career seasons.*
5. Stephen Weiss C - Florida Panthers
Weiss has long been the "future No. 1 centre" for the Florida Panthers. In his six seasons in the NHL, he has neither truly developed into that player, nor has he had the chance to truly be the No. 1 man with Olli Jokinen captaining the Panthers for most of that time.
Jokinen will be in the desert next season, and the torch has been passed on to Weiss. Even if he doesn't blossom into a true first-line centre, his stats should see an increase with the additional ice time and PP minutes, not to mention playing with the best wingers Florida has to offer.
The blossoming of David Booth last season, and the constant and steady improvement of Nathan Horton into a quality NHL power forward, should supply Weiss with the support he needs to have his best offensive season in 2009.
Best NHL Season: 74gp 20g 28a 48pts
Predicted totals for 2009: 82gp 22g 39a 61pts
4. Andrej Meszaros D - Tampa Bay Lightning
Meszaros has been a steady and solid defenseman since joining the NHL with the Senators in 2005-06. His rookie season was his best offensive season with 39 points and a whopping plus-34 rating.
Joining the Lightning won't help his plus/minus rating, but it should help increase his offensive totals. In Ottawa, Meszaros shared ice time with Redden, Chara, and Phillips over his three-year career.
In Tampa, Meszaros should be the go-to guy on defense and will see a spike in his ice time both on the PP and over the course of a game. Add to that the additions made by Tampa Bay over the summer, and it is quite obvious the Lightning are hoping to fill the net a great deal.
Best NHL Season: 82gp 10g 29a 39pts
Predicted totals for 2009: 82gp 12g 36a 48pts
3. Zach Parise LW - New Jersey Devils
This selection may come as surprise to some, considering Parise has improved his point totals in each of his three NHL seasons, including career highs in all three offensive categories.
However, anytime I watch Parise play, I can't help thinking about the offensive skill bubbling within. As last season progressed, you could see the change in style that Brent Sutter brought to New Jersey.
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2 months ago
I agree with the Phil Kessel breakout season. He found out after being benched for four games in the playoffs what it takes to be an NHL player and the level you need to be at and it showed in the last three games.
Good read!
2 months ago
Amen Shawn.
Kessel has all the tools to score 40+ goals regularly for the Bruins
2 months ago
I dunno about Kessel, I don't think he has the tools for 40+ goals for the Bruins.
I think only Patrice B. has the tools for that.
It'll be interesting to see how everyone plays this season though.
2 months ago
Good wheels, great snap shot. If you look at how he scored against the Habs coming of the opposite wing face off circle and snapping it home that is a play he can work all season long on the PP. Every big goal scorer has that one area where they work best from and I think Kessel may have found his spot.
2 months ago
What about Patrice Bergeron? He is clearly going to have a career year!
2 months ago
Well coming back from that injury I didn't think my chances of being correct were gonna be as goods as with Kessel
2 months ago
Hard to argue with any of those guys. I might also put Jordan Staal in on that list, if it were top 10
2 months ago
I thought about Staal long and hard but just thought he may always be a victim of not enough puck for Sid, Geno and Jordie.
2 months ago
Hey, props for recognizing Dawes' talent.
What do you think of the Caps; Backstrom?
2 months ago
I think Backstrom is a fantastic player. The reason I did not have him on my list is strictly because I was hoping to go 5 for 5. Backstrom had 69 points last season and as we know even the very best players some times suffer from a sophomore jinx. So I think he can elevate his game to surpass 69 points...YES....but do I think the 5 players I listed have better odds to have career seasons....ABSOLUTELY.
Yes Dawes is a terrific player. He does everything at high speeds. I love when a young player comes into the NHL and makes the most of what he is given and I believe that Dawes will be a big part of the Rangers this season. He is a big factor in why I think they win the ATL Division.
P.S. give it 2 to 3 more seasons and N. Backstrom will be the NHL leader in assists.
2 months ago
Nelson I agree with Phil Kessel is that he finally showed he can play every phase of the game. And has figured out how to put them all together at the same time. In past years when he tried to be more defensively aware his offensive game really struggled. When he focused on his offense he had no defense at all. Last season was a huge stepping stone for him. I think he reverted back late in the season but was put back in his place rather quick.
2 months ago
Ron, you are bang on. Phil took some time to get used to the NHL and I also think coming into the NHL dropping down a few notches in the draft from where he thought he might have gone he was a tad guilty of trying to do too much.....and let us not forget he played in his rookie season while finding out he had testicular cancer.
Again as I stated in my article I just noticed that he "showed up" late in the Habs/Bruins series and on the PP he was deadly from that area just off the left side face off circle and I just know he realizes he can make a career out of scoring from there.
2 months ago
I think Tanguay is going to have a career year for the Canadiens. They have great depth, and he is going to be used to do what he does best and that is make plays...
2 months ago
Nice choice Ryan, he has a very good chance. He would have hit the 80 point plateau to set a career high in points.
2 months ago
Yay! for weiss!
2 months ago
BRANDON DUBINSKY....25 GOALS THIS YEAR...ZHERDEV 35 +....i got a bunch of people i would add to this list...overall though, good selections...very happy you gave a young ranger respect.....i think dawes will be a perennial 30 goal 60 point producer with his quickness, speed, shot and vision...he faked the s*it out of brodeur and I LOVED IT...i just think Dubinsky is a real stud...future captain and # 1 center....along with anisimov will be amazing centers to give the rangers depth down the middle....might even have to shift one of them to wing to make room because we would have four really good centers...gomez, drury, dubi and anisimov....
2 months ago
I liked "Dubs" for the list as well. But I opted to spread it around.
2 months ago
PATRICK STEFAN IS THE GREATEST PLAYER EVER
about 1 month ago
wow...the above comment is extremely assinine...lol
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