10 NHL Veterans Most Likely to Lose Their Roles in 2014-15
NHL teams have finalized their rosters and are ready for battle in the 2014-15 season. In many cities, teams chose a veteran in good standing over an up-and-coming youngster, and that will mean another season in the league for some older, established players.
The race isn't over yet, and some big names could be out of a job during this season. A veteran NHL player who can no longer provide consistent performance becomes vulnerable to losing his job, and there are a few prime candidates entering the season.
Here are 10 NHL veterans in danger of losing their jobs in the 2014-15 season.
10. Travis Moen, LW, Montreal Canadiens
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His Current Role: Travis Moen is a respected role player for the Montreal Canadiens, heralded for his toughness and penalty killing.
Why He's Vulnerable: Moen is 32 and has a lot of miles on him. He missed time at the end of last season due to a concussion.
Who Replaces Him: Montreal used four regular forwards on the penalty kill in the first two games of the season, and Moen wasn't one of them. He dressed for one game and sat for the other one. Moen's time in Montreal may be nearing an end.
9. Brian McGrattan, RW, Calgary Flames
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His Current Role: Brian McGrattan is one of the best enforcers in the NHL at this time. He knows his role and delivers it every night. The only negative is the unnecessary penalties that count against him as a player.
Why He's Vulnerable: NHL teams are dropping the enforcer from their lineups at a rapid rate. The opening-night lineups from NHL.com show McGrattan as one of the last men standing who represent the modern enforcer.
Who Replaces Him: NHL teams are sending down pugilists and replacing them with players who can help at even strength or on the penalty kill. The Calgary Flames are among the last teams in the league to employ this type of player. It's possible that McGrattan will be the last of the throwback enforcers to appear in a game. If things continue as they are now, that could happen later this season.
8. Shawn Horcoff, C, Dallas Stars
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His Current Role: Shawn Horcoff is a veteran center who plays a secondary role for the Dallas Stars. He's played up and down the lineup during his career, and he is a versatile forward and an excellent mentor.
Why He's Vulnerable: Horcoff has played over 870 NHL games and has skated miles. His foot speed becomes a bigger issue with each passing season, and his contract is up at the end of the year.
Who Replaces Him: The Stars have upgraded the center position in a big way over the last couple of summers, adding Tyler Seguin and Jason Spezza. Young Cody Eakin is taking more minutes away each season, and the club added more veteran leadership in Vernon Fiddler. Horcoff will have a tough time getting minutes in 2014-15.
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7. Daniel Briere, C, Colorado Avalanche
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His Current Role: Daniel Briere is a veteran offensive forward who will spend the season with the Colorado Avalanche.
Why He's Vulnerable: Briere is 37 now, and this is his third team in the last three years. His point totals over the last three full seasons were 68, 49 and 25.
Who Replaces Him: The Avalanche have all kinds of candidates to replace Briere, but it might be worth keeping an eye on Dennis Everberg. He's an interesting addition and could steal some minutes from the veteran as the season rolls along.
6. Eric Brewer, D, Tampa Bay Lightning
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His Current Role: Eric Brewer is a veteran NHL defender who has had a long and productive NHL career.
Why He's Vulnerable: Brewer is part of an extremely deep defensive group with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The additions of Anton Stralman and Jason Garrison moves Brewer well down the depth chart.
Who Replaces Him: The Lightning chose to play six defensemen in their first game of the year, and Brewer didn't make the cut. Brewer is in some trouble as a regular with Tampa Bay.
5. Dainius Zubrus, LW, New Jersey Devils
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His Current Role: Dainius Zubrus is an offensive forward with the New Jersey Devils.
Why He's Vulnerable: Zubrus is not an outstanding player at this point in his career. The Devils have added several offensive options this fall and playing time may become an issue.
Who Replaces Him: The addition of Martin Havlat could signal the end of the line for Zubrus as a Devil. Both men had a point in the first game this season, but Zubrus will need to deliver more offense than a year ago to stay in the lineup.
4. Chris Kelly, C, Boston Bruins
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His Current Role: Chris Kelly is a two-way forward for the Boston Bruins, who employ him as a checking center or winger. Kelly has been a Bruin since they acquired him from the Ottawa Senators at the trade deadline in 2011.
Why He's Vulnerable: Kelly has always been able to deliver significant offense in a checking role, a valuable item for a contending team. His offense fell off badly a year ago, and he was heavily reliant on Carl Soderberg for possession success.
Who Replaces Him: The Bruins have several options to replace him, including emerging Ryan Spooner. Kelly carries a significant cap number for his role through 2015-16 at $3 million, and Boston may choose to use a less expensive player in the role.
3. Robyn Regehr, D, Los Angeles Kings
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His Current Role: Robyn Regehr is a rugged veteran who plays defense for the Los Angeles Kings.
Why He's Vulnerable: The Kings have young players pushing up the depth chart, and Regehr is an obvious candidate for reduced playing time based on age and productivity. In 2012-13, after coming over in a trade from the Buffalo Sabres, he played over 21 minutes a night. In the first game this season, he played only 17 minutes.
Who Replaces Him: As Lisa Dillman from The Los Angeles Times explains, the Kings are playing Brayden McNabb in a feature role until Jake Muzzin returns from injury. When that happens, a decision will have to be made about McNabb's spot in the lineup. At that point, Regehr may be vulnerable.
2. Antti Niemi, G, San Jose Sharks
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His Current Role: Antti Niemi is the starting goaltender for the San Jose Sharks. He's won over 100 games with the Sharks since coming over from the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010.
Why He's Vulnerable: Niemi's save percentage was off this past season, and there's always a concern about erosion as goalies age. His save percentage was tied for No. 7 in 2012-13, but he fell into a tie for No. 28 in 2013-14.
Who Replaces Him: Alex Stalock outplayed Niemi in last spring's playoffs, and the Sharks won't hesitate to use him after the disappointment of last spring. Niemi's first game of 2014-15 saw him shut out the Los Angeles Kings, a very good short-term item for the veteran.
1. Marc-Andre Fleury, G, Pittsburgh Penguins
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His Current Role: Marc-Andre Fleury is the starting goaltender for the Pittsburgh Penguins, a position he has held for most of the last nine seasons.
Why He's Vulnerable: Fleury is not among the league's best goalies in terms of save percentage, but he's paid like an elite goaltender. In 2013-14, he finished in a tie for No. 23 in save percentage and made $5 million for the season. His contract ends this season, and Pittsburgh may look elsewhere.
Who Replaces Him: The Penguins would likely look outside the organization for a replacement, perhaps as early as this season. Thomas Greiss is an adequate backup, but Pittsburgh may be reaching a crossroads with Fleury and may make a move with a trade at the deadline.
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