Tuukka Rask and The 10 Young Players That Need a Change of Scenery
It is hard to say that a young player needs a change of scenery because it is hard to know when a player is done developing.
For teams, the difference between holding on too long and giving up too early is so minute that it hardly ever goes right.
The following players are young and a scenery change might be the best thing for the organization and the players themselves.
Happy 2011 and enjoy!
Antti Niemi, G, San Jose Sharks
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I never felt like Niemi played all that well during Chicago’s championship run last year. I thought he just played well enough to get wins but failed to show an ability to take a game over.
There had to be a reason why the Blackhawks walked away from him in arbitration. Now we know why.
Too much was expected of him in San Jose, especially considering how weak their defense is and how close to a championship they are.
Niemi was better off going to a team like Jaroslav Halak did in St. Louis. Halak is a building block that will have time to develop and Niemi will be rushed.
Luke Schenn, D, Toronto Maple Leafs
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Luke Schenn is a good defender who has a ton of potential.
The problem is he plays in Toronto.
If he was on a team with a strong, seasoned defensive group, he would be able to develop in the proper manner.
The Maple Leafs should never get rid of him but they need to surround him with a better, more stable group.
Wayne Simmonds, F, Los Angeles Kings
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The Kings are close to being a serious Cup contender and it is possible that Wayne Simmonds is a trade chip for a veteran forward.
If Simmonds goes to a mediocre team, he could be featured more in the offense and allowed to play his full game.
Simmonds can be a physical presence that can add in the offensive zone and he is super fast. His energy could turn a team like New Jersey in a new direction (just an example).
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Andrew Ladd, F, Atlanta Thrashers
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I know he just got to Atlanta from Chicago, but he could be a great addition to a team closer to a championship.
Ladd has the experience and he would make a solid second line player on a team with a good forward group. He would add depth and could play valuable minutes at vital times.
Andrew Ladd adds leadership and is still very young. His potential is why he’ll stay in Atlanta.
Brent Seabrook, D, Chicago Blackhawks
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Seabrook would be a top defender on half the teams in the NHL. I think there will be at least one team willing to part with some good picks and prospects to get their hands on a defender of Seabrook’s quality.
The Blackhawks will be facing more salary cap issues at the end of this season so a Seabrook move might be more likely.
Seabrook could become a captain on a team that is on the rise or the beginning to a turnaround for a bad team.
Shea Weber, D, Nashville Predators
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As one of my personal favorite NHL players, I wish he was in a better market so that the rest of the world would see his talent.
Shea Weber is a great defender, a good leader, and a powerhouse shot from the point.
If Weber wants out of Nashville, he could just hold on for one more year and become an unrestricted free agent. He needs to be on a good team because he could be a playoff monster in the waiting.
Jason Spezza, F, Ottawa Senators
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Jason Spezza wants out of Ottawa, no matter what he and the management say.
As the deadline approaches, Ottawa will be forced to look at their options and whether or not it will be feasible to keep him or make the move.
Spezza would be a top line center on any team he goes to and could be the difference between the playoffs or not for some teams.
John Tavares, F, New York Islanders
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Let me preface this with he’s not going anywhere.
With that said, Tavares’ growth would move a lot faster with better forwards surrounding him.
Imagine Tavares on the Kings or another team that has great depth at forward. He would have less pressure and a greater chance of succeeding sooner.
Tavares will be great with the Islanders and could make the Islanders a serious Cup contender in the future.
Alexander Semin, F, Washington Capitals
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Semin will almost certainly stay with the Capitals until the end of the season and then become an unrestricted free agent.
Semin will be a huge signing for a team and it will be a good change for him.
It still has to be seen if when he has all the pressure on him, whether or not he will be able to sustain his offensive scoring paces. I know he won’t, I just hope he doesn’t turn into a Kovalchuk.
Tuukka Rask, G, Boston Bruins
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With Tim Thomas playing amazing again, I think it’s time for Boston to get what they can from having a solid player is Rask.
I know a mediocre team will send good pieces to Boston for a “goalie-of-the-future.”
Rask is a good goaltender that is still young and has a lot of potential so he would find a spot on a team somewhere. It would be best for both the Boston Bruins and Tuukka Rask for a move to be made.
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