One Player on Every NHL Team in Danger of Being Replaced After 2015-16
It might be a little early for a look at who is set to lose their job this season, but in the spirit of the slideshow, we're going to do it anyway.
Turnover happens every season—in spades. Teams move players out because they're going in a different direction, or to bring in new assets, or simply to part ways because of salary-cap concerns. Many of the obvious choices to be moved are pending free agents with value on the trade market or players that teams are simply happy to walk away from and not have to pay any longer.
Others, and there are fewer of these, have term left on their current deals but have been passed by prospects or younger bodies at their position.
The salary cap always adds wrinkles in the modern-day era as well.
Click ahead to see one player on every team in danger of being replaced this season.
Anaheim Ducks: Frederik Andersen, G
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First off, the brutal start by the Anaheim Ducks is not the fault of goaltender Frederik Andersen. In fact, he's been their best player early this season with a top-10 save percentage and a goals-against average of just over two goals per game.
That doesn't change the fact that the 26-year-old Andersen has always been a bit of a placeholder while the No. 1-goalie-in-waiting, John Gibson, matures his game in the minors. In a results-driven business, that could obviously change. If Andersen is among the league's best performers the rest of the way, it will be tough to justify bringing up Gibson next year and finding a deal for Andersen elsewhere.
Salary-cap constraints may force the issue with Andersen set to become a restricted free agent due a large raise if he's the starter, with defensemen Sami Vatanen and Hampus Lindholm in the same situation and likely to command dollars that force a change in the crease.
Arizona Coyotes: Shane Doan, RW
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Now in his 20th NHL season, Arizona Coyotes captain Shane Doan still has the love of the game on his side. He's often last off the ice after warm-ups even at age 39.
His skill is still high enough to deserve a roster spot, but with his four-year deal worth $5.3 million per season expiring after this year, his future is uncertain. He scored 14 goals last season, his lowest total since 1999. This year, he's on pace for only a couple more tallies.
He'll probably play somewhere, but the Coyotes have a lower budget than many other teams with major holes to fill and raises to hand out. It's likely that Doan will want very large paycheck to hang around in the desert. He may also want to try for a championship somewhere else, and the Coyotes could look to deal him to a contender at the deadline this year to avoid the uncertainty in the offseason.
Boston Bruins: Loui Eriksson, LW
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Loui Eriksson has been in Boston Bruins trade speculation for the last couple of years but survived the purge last summer and finds himself in a nice position on the team's best line with the league's top scorer, David Krejci.
But if things continue to go this well for him statistically, the unrestricted-free-agent-to-be is going to price his way out of Boston much the same way Jarome Iginla did. The Bruins continue to flirt with the cap ceiling, and if Eriksson wants a raise on his $4.25 million annual average salary, squeezing him in will be difficult. The team has four young defensemen to re-sign as restricted free agents as well.
With a hot start, Eriksson's trade value is on the rise.
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Buffalo Sabres: David Legwand, C
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David Legwand was brought in by the Buffalo Sabres as a veteran presence for what was shaping up to be a very young group of forwards. He's not expected to produce much offensively but kills penalties and takes some key faceoffs. It's an important role but one that Ryan O'Reilly and the cast of young kids can take on as they grow.
Legwand is in the final year of a short-term pact that pays him $3 million. It's not a costly salary, but the Sabres can take it and spread it around to younger players building toward the ultimate goal, which is still years away from becoming a possibility.
Calgary Flames: Jonas Hiller, G
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The Calgary Flames' relationship with their No. 1 goaltender the past year and change has been a strange one, and even without a clear picture of the future between the pipes, it's likely to end as soon as the 33-year-old's contract is over at the end of this season.
Hiller took the majority of the starts in the split with Karri Ramo last season and put up decent numbers in the regular season, but he still saw head coach Bob Hartley turn to Ramo in the playoffs. Ramo started this season poorly and was sent down to the minors before Hiller got hurt this week, but Hiller is likely the netminder the Flames have hoped to be able to trade away for some value while still in that starting category.
Carolina Hurricanes: Eric Staal, C
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There was another NHL No. 12 that was clearly nearing the end of his run with another franchise in recent history. By waiting too long to deal away their captain at the time, the Calgary Flames didn't get nearly the return they could have had they pulled the trigger earlier.
In the case of the Carolina Hurricanes and their captain, Eric Staal, the time for peak return has probably also passed. But the team isn't going anywhere fast and with the just-turned 31-year-old's value depreciating quickly as his annual statistics have dropped the past couple of seasons, it may be now or never for the rebuilding franchise to part ways with their No. 12.
ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun wrote that the team and player aren't negotiating for the time being and evaluating the direction of the club. They've established they're still a long way from being competitive, which could seal the deal.
Chicago Blackhawks: Bryan Bickell, LW
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Bryan Bickell is getting paid way too much ($4.5 million in 2015-16) for his spot in the lineup. He was waived early in the year and not a single team decided to take a change on that big salary, so the Chicago Blackhawks are going to have to decide how they want to deal with him going forward.
The only thing that isn't really in question is the Hawks would prefer he was getting paid by someone else. They may have to bury him in the minors in order to get him off the active roster at this point, but it's hard to imagine him on the team this time next year given his abysmal production so far.
Colorado Avalanche: Alex Tanguay, LW
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Alex Tanguay has had a nice second go-round with the Colorado Avalanche, scoring 27 goals and 71 points in 105 games since rejoining the team that drafted him 12th overall back in 1998.
But all good things must come to an end, and at 35 years of age and on the final year of a deal that pays him $3.5 million per season, it's likely Tanguay will be ushered aside unless he's willing to take a discount over what he could potentially make on the open market.
Given the youth and promise of the Avs, and Tanguay's apparent comfort there, it wouldn't come as a huge shock if that were to play out. But if the team is again on the outside of the playoff picture at the trade deadline, he's an attractive piece for a contender to add.
Columbus Blue Jackets: Rene Bourque, RW
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Rene Bourque has been passed around to four teams in the past year. The reason is simple: He has a great deal of size and skill but lacks motivation and consistency.
With one assist in eight games played, he's not endearing himself to his current employers, and the Columbus Blue Jackets may just let the 33-year-old walk at the end of the year when his contract expires—unless they can pawn him off on another team at the trade deadline.
Dallas Stars: Valeri Nichushkin, RW
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How soon is too soon to part ways with a talented young player you spent a very high draft pick on?
That's the question the Dallas Stars organization has to be asking about Valeri Nichushkin right now. The 20-year-old winger had such a promising rookie season in a role beside Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn, and expectations were through the roof for the 10th overall pick in the 2013 NHL draft.
They started him on a scoring line this season, but he's struggled to make quick, correct decisions with and without the puck, so he has been a healthy scratch at times, a fourth-liner at others.
Some will pounce on this pick and point out that it's too early in his career to give up on him as a future star. And I'm not suggesting Nichushkin is a bust yet. What I'm saying here is that with other prospects, such as Mattias Janmark, passing him, it wouldn't be surprising to see Nichushkin replaced as the rising star.
It happened with Sven Baertschi and the Calgary Flames, who dealt the 13th overall pick in the 2011 draft to the Vancouver Canucks last year.
Detroit Red Wings: Kyle Quincey, D
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With a ton of free agents to sign this summer and not a tremendous amount of money to do it, the writing may be on the wall for defenseman Kyle Quincey—who was arguably the Detroit Red Wings' best overall blueliner to start the season before he suffered a concussion.
The pending unrestricted free agent is 30, and the Wings have a number of younger defensemen they can turn to in his absence.
Edmonton Oilers: Teddy Purcell, RW
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Teddy Purcell's role with the Edmonton Oilers has diminished with a renewed focus on the kids. And he's making $4.5 million this season, which is a hefty sum for a third-liner.
After a couple of decent complementary seasons for the Oilers, Purcell's production has really dipped early this year. The fact he's an unrestricted free agent come July with a nice, albeit short, history of postseason performances makes him an attractive piece to dangle at the trade deadline if the Oilers are not in a playoff position.
Florida Panthers: Willie Mitchell, D
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Thanks for the memories, Willie Mitchell.
Brought in for his leadership skills and his toughness on defense, the Florida Panthers captain will probably be replaced by one of the younger Panthers rearguards on the blue line next season.
The 38-year-old is one of two veteran defensemen set to become unrestricted free agents in July. The other is Brian Campbell.
They may only be able to keep one, thanks to some important contracts they'll need to renegotiate. Given that Campbell is still a strong puck-mover with decent production and plays alongside sophomore Aaron Ekblad, he's the most likely returnee—albeit at a discounted salary from his current $7-plus million per season.
Los Angeles Kings: Anze Kopitar, C
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Is this the end for Anze Kopitar?
Probably not. Teams don't let top centers go because of the difference of a million or so dollars. But while the Los Angeles Kings got some relief under the salary cap with the Mike Richards resolution, they still have to be wise with their dollars.
Kopitar will be a free agent if he can't get a deal done before July, and he will surely command more than $10 million on the open market. That's a steep price for a player who hasn't had just one point-per-game season so far, but most teams would shell it out for the perennial Selke Trophy candidate.
If the Kings don't, they'll be looking to move him at the trade deadline or draft.
Hey, anything's possible.
Minnesota Wild: Niklas Backstrom, G
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Technically, Niklas Backstrom has already been replaced. But the former Minnesota Wild starting goaltender won't even be able to collect a paycheck or sit in the press box for the Wild next season.
His contract expires in July, and the Wild are grooming younger netminder Darcy Kuemper behind starter Devan Dubnyk now.
According to Damien Cox of Sportsnet, Backstrom is doing what he can to get dealt earlier than later.
Montreal Canadiens: Alexander Semin, RW
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It didn't take Alex Semin too long to wind up in head coach Michel Terrien's doghouse in Montreal. The Canadiens made Semin a healthy scratch in Edmonton this week, instead allowing the diminutive Paul Byron to suit up in his place.
Semin is out of the gate slow on the highest-scoring team in the league. The 31-year-old has a single goal and three points through his first 10 games in Habs colors. He signed a one-year deal in the offseason, and even if the experiment is over, it was worth the risk at a minimal salary.
Nashville Predators: Mike Fisher, C
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Mike Fisher still has another season at $4 million, but his production has hit a point that makes the idea of keeping the center active for that dough much less palpable.
Fisher has a goal and two points through nine games. He's on-again, off-again with the top line in hopes he can be sparked offensively, but the 35-year-old family man may have hit the wall.
At best, he may find himself centering one of the bottom lines next season in the final year of his deal—replaced in the top six by another younger player he helped groom.
New Jersey Devils: Patrik Elias, C
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Patrik Elias is currenlty out with a sore right knee, but when he comes back to the ice, it will be for an extended farewell tour.
The longtime New Jersey Devils sniper turns 40 in April and is in the final year of his contract. Last season saw his offensive numbers dip to lows not seen since his first full season in the NHL.
New York Islanders: Kyle Okposo, RW
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Kyle Okposo and John Tavares have already been split up. That's step one to the divorce.
Okposo has been the beneficiary of Tavares' insane talent for years, but he's a free agent at the end of the season and will be paid far more than the New York Islanders intend to pay knowing they have so many young players to sign in the coming months and years.
Nikolay Kulemin and Frans Nielsen have meshed well with Okposo, proving he doesn't need Tavares to produce reasonable offensive numbers, but the Isles have loads of depth in that department, and it will come more cheaply in-house for next season.
New York Rangers: Dan Boyle, D
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When the New York Rangers traded for Keith Yandle last season, the writing was on the wall for Dan Boyle. The veteran puck-moving defenseman has seen his role decrease significantly. He's even been a healthy scratch this year.
The 39-year-old will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. So will Yandle—but we're betting the Rangers pony up to retain Yandle while letting Boyle test the market.
Ottawa Senators: Craig Anderson, G
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Chris Phillips and Chris Neil, longtime veterans in Ottawa, are both candidates to be let go as impending free agents, but goaltender Craig Anderson may be the most likely to be replaced by virtue of the young rising talent between the pipes behind him in Andrew Hammond.
If the Sens can save a few million by dealing Anderson away before his value is completely gone on the trade market, they'll do so happily.
They'd have to be outside the playoff picture or getting a quality backup goalie in return for this to happen during this season, however. And Hammond will have to improve on his early numbers (.875 save percentage, 3.69 GAA).
Philadelphia Flyers: Vincent Lecavalier, C
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Most thought the relationship would already have ended by now. A buyout was a very real possibility in the offseason, but the Philadelphia Flyers chose to stick with the former Tampa Bay Lightning star for one last crack at redemption.
It hasn't come.
Lecavalier has been a healthy scratch in all but one game this season. This week, he earned an assist in his debut, but his performance this season can only help him escape the Flyers sooner than the final three years of his current deal.
If the team can't trade him, it may buy him out.
Pittsburgh Penguins: David Perron, LW
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David Perron can be a frustrating player. He's speedy and skilled but somehow just lacks the consistency of a top player of his obvious talent level. And that's including when he suits up alongside Pittsburgh Penguins star centers Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.
Perron has been moved up and down the lineup this season, scoring his first point in Game 9 of the season. There has been some talk the Pens could shop him for defensive help.
The 27-year-old is in the final year of his current contract, making nearly $4 million.
San Jose Sharks: Raffi Torres, LW
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Raffi Torres is currently serving a 41-game suspension.
That doesn't bode well for his future in the NHL, never mind the San Jose Sharks, his current employer.
Torres is one of those guys players hate on other teams and only dislike when he's on their own. It remains to be seen whether the Sharks welcome him back when his suspension ends, but they have to pay him through to the end of the season when his contract expires.
It is hard to imagine another team taking him on this time. His rap sheet is extensive.
St. Louis Blues: David Backes, C
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St. Louis Blues captain David Backes is another one of those top names that could hit the free-agent market this summer.
Depending on how the Blues perform in the regular season, and especially in the playoffs, will determine whether the team officially enters the rebuilding phase. The Blues have been dominant in the regular season but haven't won a playoff round in what seems like an eternity.
Backes would fetch them an incredible return if they determine they're going to make massive changes after making some minor moves last summer.
Tampa Bay Lightning: Steven Stamkos, C
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It's insane to think the Tampa Bay Lightning would not just meet whatever price elite sniper Steven Stamkos' agent demands and call it a day on negotiations with the impending unrestricted free agent.
However, general manager Steve Yzerman has so far remained fairly silent on the issue, new trade speculation pops up almost daily and the two sides will approach an unfortunate end the longer things go.
A recent column by the Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch suggests Yzerman is trying to free up some money by dealing other players, but the risk of Stamkos moving on is a very real one.
Toronto Maple Leafs: Michael Grabner, RW
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When the Toronto Maple Leafs traded for Michael Grabner, it was for the purpose of freeing up roster spots and a bit of a kicking of the tires on the speedy former 30-goal scorer.
He started the season as a healthy scratch and has two points in six appearances so far. It's pretty safe to say he's not part of the Leafs' long-term plans and should find himself in a new home either at the trade deadline or as a free agent at the end of the season.
Vancouver Canucks: Brandon Prust, RW
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Brandon Prust was brought to Vancouver for a couple of reasons. One, it helped the Canucks get rid of problem child Zack Kassian. Two, Prust offered leadership skills and some toughness that doesn't come at a cost of defensive liability when he's on the ice.
In fact, the 31-year-old comes with a little offensive upside, and he can kill penalties, too.
But the pending unrestricted free agent is likely just a temporary plug-in for the Canucks, who are ushering in a new, younger group gradually enough to take over for the likes of the Sedin twins. With some holes to fill on defense and a more dynamic UFA-to-be in Radim Vrbata to consider bringing back, Prust will be on the back burner and should find work rather quickly somewhere else when the time comes.
Washington Capitals: Jason Chimera, LW
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After seven seasons in Washington, Jason Chimera may finally be squeezed out by the salary cap. It's not that the 36-year-old isn't still a productive member of the forward ranks with the Capitals. Chimera has three goals and four points through eight games this season.
However, the Caps have some talented young players pushing for roster spots, and the veteran has an expiring contract that may be used up dollar-wise for bumps in pay to the restricted-free-agent group.
Winnipeg Jets: Dustin Byfuglien, D
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Dustin Byfuglien is in the final year of his deal with the Winnipeg Jets, but there is a lot of uncertainty as to whether the budget team will want to boost his annual salary by nearly double to keep him in Manitoba.
There's no question he will get paid handsomely as an unrestricted free agent if he plays out the year without an extension in place. There's also no doubt he'd be among the most attractive pieces on the trade market this season if the Jets determined they are not willing to pay the price for his services.
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