NHL Power Rankings: 10 Players Who Benefited from a Scenery Change in 2010-2011

Sometimes a player just can't seem to get his game going.

Whether it's a problem with coaches, teammates, confidence or just playing on a terrible team in general, there are instances during which the only solution is a change of scenery.

A lot of the time, playing on a different team can reinvigorate a player. A fresh opportunity is all they need to find the game that they had lost.

Here's a look at 10 NHL players who ended up on new teams during the 2010-2011 season. With the exception of one that was claimed on waivers, all the players that I've listed were traded to the teams that they're currently a part of.

I'm pretty sure that they're all pretty happy about it.

Follow Jason on Twitter: @jhytel

10. Tomas Fleischmann, Colorado Avalanche

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

DENVER - DECEMBER 23: Tomas Fleischmann #14 of the Colorado Avalanche awaits a face off against the Minnesota Wild at the Pepsi Center on December 23, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Wild defeated the Avalanche 3-1. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Before being sidelined—perhaps permanently—with a blood clot in his lung, Tomas Fleischmann was tearing it up in Denver.

The talented Czech forward managed to score 21 points in 22 games with the Colorado Avalanche.

It was quite the improvement over the 10 points he scored in 23 games with the Washington Capitals, albeit with less ice time.

9. Alex Kovalev, Pittsburgh Penguins

Lou Capozzola/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 24: Alex Kovalev #72 of the Pittsburgh Penguins in action during a game against the Philadelphia Flyers on March 24, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Lou Capozzola/Getty Images)

It was no secret that Alex Kovalev was unhappy in Ottawa. He did not get along with coach Cory Clouston and his play, most times, was uninspired.

The disgruntled forward was traded to the Pittsburgh during the week leading up to the trade deadline.

Although he hasn’t been scoring points as much as he may like in Pittsburgh (he's only had five in 16 games), there is no doubt that Kovalev is happier as a Penguin.

8. James Wisniewski, Montreal Canadiens

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 12: James Wisniewski #20 of the Montreal Canadiens skates against the Pittsburgh Penguins on March 12, 2011 at CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Even though his points per game have only slightly improved since joining the Montreal Canadiens, James Wisniewski has been given the opportunity to compete for a playoff spot, something that is far removed from his former team, the New York Islanders.

His plus-minus rating was also taking a beating in Long Island (minus-18 in 32 games).

I wonder how low it would have dropped if he hadn’t been traded.

7. Sergei Samsonov, Florida Panthers

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

SUNRISE, FL - MARCH 10: Sergei Samsonov #14 of the Florida Panthers skates against the Ottawa Senators at the BankAtlantic Center on March 10, 2011 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Things were not going well for Sergei Samsonov on the Carolina Hurricanes. An impending unrestricted free agent, Samsonov was only able to register 26 points in 58 games with the ‘Canes.

His numbers were simply not good enough.

Samsonov was traded to the Florida Panthers on trade-deadline day. He’s rebounded by playing on the Panthers top line, scoring 11 points in 15 games with the Cats.

The former Calder Trophy winner should be happy—he’s shown the hockey world that he can still be an asset to a team.

6. Dwayne Roloson, Tampa Bay Lightning

Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 25: Dwayne Roloson #35 of the Tampa Bay Lightning protects the net against the Toronto Maple Leafs at St. Pete Times Forum on January 25, 2011 in Tampa, Florida. The Lightning defeated the Leafs 2-0. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Ima

Funnily enough, Dwayne Roloson’s save percentage on the Tampa Bay Lighting (.912) is less than it was before he was traded to the New York Islanders (.916).

His wins, however, have gone up in a big way.

Roloson has a respectable record of 16-11-4 in the 31 games that he’s started for the Lightning. Quite the departure from the 6-13-1 record he posted in 20 games started for the Isles.

Roloson must also be happy that he’s on a team that’s destined for the postseason—the 41-year-old hasn’t played a playoff game since 2006 when he led the Edmonton Oilers to the Stanley Cup Finals.

5. Erik Johnson, Colorado Avalanche

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - FEBRUARY 27: Erik Johnson #6 of the Colorado Avalanche is pursued by Todd Marchant #22 of the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center on February 27, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Erik Johnson was the fastest first overall draft pick ever traded. For whatever the reason, things just were not working out for the young defenseman in St. Louis.

Johnson looks to have turned his career around with the Colorado Avalanche.

Since the trade, he has scored 10 points in 18 games and seems altogether more involved: He’s turned up the intensity level, he’s hitting more and he’s blocking more shots.

The trade may have been just what the doctor ordered for Johnson, but I still don’t know what the GM of the Avalanche, Greg Sherman, was thinking.

4. Cory Stillman, Carolina Hurricanes

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 04: Dave Bolland #36 of the Chicago Blackhawks tries to clear the puck after a save by Corey Crawford #50 as teammate Brent Seabrook #7 and Cory Stillman #61 of the Carolina Hurricanes fall into the net at the United Center on March 4,

Cory Stillman is thriving in his return to the team he won a Stanley Cup with in 2006.

In the 16 games he’s played since rejoining the Hurricanes, Stillman has registered 13 points.

Being on a team that is making a playoff push must help, but I’m sure that being reunited with an old linemate like Eric Staal doesn’t hurt, either.

3. Blake Wheeler, Atlanta Thrashers

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 27: Blake Wheeler #26 of the Atlanta Thrashers celebrates his goal at 4:02 of the first period against the Ottawa Senators at the Philips Arena on March 27, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Blake Wheeler went from being a prospect with the Boston Bruins to a fourth-liner. Things were just not working out for the big forward—he didn’t seem to fit in the Bruins plans. His game had steadily declined since his impressive rookie campaign (in which he scored 21 goals and a total of 45 points) and the Bruins looked to have had enough of his inconsistency.

Thankfully for Wheeler, he was traded to the Atlanta Thrashers where he has become a valuable member of their top line.

In the 18 games he’s played with the Thrashers, Wheeler has registered 13 points.

2. Chris Stewart, St. Louis Blues

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 22: Chris Stewart #25 of the St. Louis Blues flips the puck past Radim Vrbata #17 of the Phoenix Coyotes during the NHL game at Jobing.com Arena on March 22, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Blues 2-1. (Photo by C

I’m not exactly sure if Chris Stewart needed a change of scenery, per se, but he sure has capitalized on it.

Since being acquired by the St. Louis Blues from the Colorado Avalanche, Stewart has scored 14 goals and added six assists. He’s registered a total 20 points in 21 games.

The 23-year-old power forward is fitting in quite nicely on his new team, helping fans in St. Louis forget about trading away Erik Johnson.

1. Michael Grabner, New York Islanders

Paul Bereswill/Getty Images

UNIONDALE, NY - FEBRUARY 21: Goalie Tomas Vokoun #29 of the Florida Panthers knocks the puck away from Michael Grabner #40 of the New York Islanders during an NHL hockey game at the Nassau Coliseum on February 21, 2011 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by

I wonder if the Florida Panthers are upset that they gave up on Michael Grabner so quickly.

Grabner, who was unable to crack the Panthers lineup, was picked up by the New York Islanders off waivers.

It turned out to be a pretty good move.

The rookie leads his teams in goals with 31. As it turns out, the leading goal scorer on the Panthers, David Booth, has only potted 22.

Hindsight is 20/20, I suppose.