NHL veterans still fighting for spots
This off-season the NHL saw more veterans that usual enter the month of September without a contract. This was determined to be a by-product of the new NHL and its salary cap. With the new limitations on spending, teams are less likely to hand out a contract
to an ageing veteran when they can simply sign a rookie to an entry level deal and begin development. This new landscape forced several capable NHL vets to accept pro try-outs in the hopes that at the end of camp they could earn a contact.
Now that NHL training camps are coming to a close, it is becoming clear which of these veterans are going to be playing in the NHL next season and which ones may have to head to Europe or wait for offers further into the season. Below is a list of players
who were asked for try-outs and have either made an impression and could be close to a contract, or failed to make an impression and could sit out the 2010-11 campaign.
Stephane Veilleux – left wing
Stephane Veilleux had a poor season last year, only registering nine points in 77 games. Nevertheless, the winger has been a regular starter in the League for five seasons, most of those spent with the Minnesota Wild. It was this type of pedigree that caused
the Anaheim Ducks to invite him to camp. However, Veilleux failed to impress in the pre-season and was cut from the Ducks' deep forward core.
Veilleux’s experience and ability to play third line minutes could catch some eyes if players go down to injury early in the season. However, teams with deep forward units such as the Ducks will not be able to find room.
Jonathan Cheechoo – right wing
If you told a hockey fan in 2006 that Jonathan Cheechoo would be in camp on a pro try-out just four years after he came off a 56 goal, 93 points performance, they would not have believed you. Nevertheless, that was the case when Cheechoo rolled into Dallas
in the hopes of joining the Stars for the 2010-11 season. The forward’s numbers slowly dropped off after his 56-goal season to the point where last year with the Ottawa Senators he only managed 14 points. In camp this year it was clear that injuries he had
suffered over the past three years had caught up with him and he was cut by the Stars.
Many believe that Cheechoo still has the ability to score goals. However, a strong season in Europe this year may be the only thing that can earn him a new NHL contract.
Kyle Wellwood – Centre
Kyle Wellwood came into the League with a great deal of buzz after lighting it up in junior. In his first two seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs he showed why teams and scouts were so high on him. However, after those first two years, questions began to
arise about his health and work ethic, causing the Leafs to part ways with the young centre.
Wellwood was given another chance in Vancouver and transformed himself into a third line player. At the end of the season he was not offered a contract and accepted a try-out with the Phoenix Coyotes.
So far in camp Wellwood has impressed the Coyotes brass. Phoenix is not a high scoring club and Wellwood brings a level of imagination to the centre position, which the team lacks. Coupled with his ability on the power play, the 27-year-old is expected to
be offered a contract before the start of the season.
With less than one week left in most NHL training camps, veterans have a great deal to prove heading into the final pre-season games this weekend, as they hope to stay in the League for at least one more year.
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