NHL Free Agency 2011: 4 Signed Defensemen That Will Break out Next Season

The NHL changes every year.

From the trap defense to the new NHL, it seems that the offensive and defensive styles of defensemen seem to change from decade to decade.

With the creation of the "New NHL" or post-lockout NHL, the League took a drastic turn to try and increase the scoring.

With this increase in offense, defensemen are now expected to step up offensively as well as clamp down defensively.

This article examines which four newly acquired defensemen are best poised for a break out career year in 2011-12.

1. Christian Ehrhoff

After playing with the highest scoring team in the league last year in the Vancouver Canucks, it is hard to imagine Christian Ehrhoff having a career year next year with the Buffalo Sabres.

Hard to imagine until one starts looking at who Ehrhoff could be playing with: Tyler Myers.

Ehrhoff put up 50 points with the Canucks this past season, but with the newly acquired Ville Leino, the Sabres, and their potential power play seem to be looking to make the jump to a top five power play.

If Myers (who is an RFA after this season) steps up his play this season, Ehrhoff (who makes $10 million this season) could see his numbers rise even further than last season, despite playing with the Sedinson the power play last year.

2. Alec Martinez

Alec Martinez is another young defenseman with a lot of potential.

Conveniently enough, Martinez just signed a two-year contract two remain with the Kings for at least the foreseeable future.

Combine that with a Los Angeles team that is still young and maturing, Martinez could be looking to make a huge jump in scoring from his 16 points in 60 games last season.

Martinez put up 16 points in 20 AHL games prompting his call up last season to the Kings.

Next season could potentially see Martinez double that 16 point output from last season possibly an outside chance at 40 points.

3. Sheldon Souray

Sheldon Souray was a great player not too long ago.

Before he decided to go AWOL and get on the bad side of Oilers GM Steve Tambellini—who sent him to the minors last season—Souray had 64 points (despite going minus-28) in 2006-07 with the Canadiens, and he had 53 points in 2008-09.

Souray is not really at the stage to have a "career year" at this late stage in his career, but he could see a significant rejuvenation in his career.

Playing in the NHL on a team other than the Oilers, could provide Souray a chance to get away from the negativity in Edmonton and get his numbers and playing time back to where he would like to see them.

4. Shea Weber

Alright, I know when I titled this article, I wrote "four signed defensemen" but let's be realistic here: barring some unforeseen circumstance of Shea Weber having a career ending injury, Weber's salary will be set in arbitration, and he will continue to improve on last year's numbers of 16 goals and 32 assists.

Shea Weber is arguably the toughest defenseman to play against in the entire NHL.

The thing to like about him is that he is only 25 years old, meaning he potentially has another 15 years of hockey to play.

Combine that with his 6'4", 235-pound frame and just the sight of this sometimes bearded man is enough to make anyone think twice about taking the puck to the net.

Weber will almost certainly improve further on his offensive statistics from last year.

And with a Nashville team that continues to grow, reaching the second round of the playoffs for the first time in franchise history last year, Weber will hopefully have more scoring help than in years past.

Honorable Mention: Drew Doughty

Drew Doughty has not signed with the Kings.

In fact, it may take a while for him to sign with any team unless he accepts an offer sheet that the Kings turn down.

Doughty had 59 points in 2009-10, but dropped to 40 points this season.

Seeing as how the Kings would like to figure a way out to sign Doughty long term, both sides will probably remain entangled in negotiations for the next little while.

But make no mistake, Doughty will be one of the League's elite defensemen for the next ten years most likely, and once he has a contract, he will have a breakout season in 2011-12.