An Overview of Recent Signings
Most National Hockey League fans are focused on the free agency bonanza that will erupt following Ilya Kovalchuk’s decision to sign with a team, but in the meanwhile lots of teams are altering lineups through old fashioned trade acquisitions as well. These players are not elite snipers like Kovalchuk, but the following moves should impact all parties involved.
New York and Anaheim Swap Players: The New York Rangers sent rugged left-winger Aaron Voros and minor-league prospect Ryan Hillier to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for defenseman Steve Eminger.
Eminger has struggled to reach expectations and has played for five franchises in the last five seasons. Last year for Anaheim, Eminger managed 16 points in 63 games.
The gritty Voros is a dependable winger whose main function is to protect star players and provide physical defensive support. In 150 NHL games, Voros has 352 penalty infraction minutes. He had a total of seven points in 41 games last season.
Hillier is 22 years old and was selected by the Rangers in the third-round of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. Hillier has split the last few seasons between the American Hockey League and the East Coast Hockey League. He has been unable to match the dominant offensive stats he put up as a junior for the Halifax Mooseheads.
Overall, this trade is pretty evenly balanced but initially benefits the Rangers most. They needed defence to take the pressure off of their star goalie Henrik Lundqvist. Last season many of the Rangers defeats stemmed from Lundqvist simply being pummelled by far too many shots. Eminger’s 6’1” frame should be helpful in providing some cover.
The Ducks still have the possibility for Hillier to emerge, which has great long-term implications. While Hillier was a youth in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, he had at least 50 points in his last three seasons and 30+ goals in his final two years. Unfortunately, in 26 games with three teams last season, he only had seven points.
Voros gives the Ducks some much needed toughness to make up for the departure of their PIM leader from last season, Mike Brown.
Flyers Sign Nik Zherdev: After a season abroad in his native Russia, Nikolai Zherdev finally returns to the NHL. The 25-year-old right wing was signed to a one-year deal by the Philadelphia Flyers.
Speaking about the acquisition, Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren stated: "Nik is a highly-skilled player who, at 25 years old, we feel will be a good fit to our core of forwards. Prior to playing last season in Russia, Nik ranked as one of the top young point-producers in the NHL. We are pleased to add him to our team."
Zherdev originally started his NHL career with the Columbus Blue Jackets after being selected fourth in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. The most recent NHL team Zherdev has played for was the New York Rangers.
In that lone season with the Rangers, Zherdev played all 82 games and managed 23 goals, 58 points and a plus-6 rating.
Zherdev has played a total of 365 NHL games, in which he has recorded 99 goals and 239 points. He is a key offensive addition for the Flyers, who have been one of the most aggressive teams this offseason.
In addition to bolstering their defensive line to possibly the best in the League, Zherdev now adds to Philadelphia’s scoring abilities. Last year’s run to the Stanley Cup Finals may have seemed surprising. With their current line up, Philadelphia should spend most of next season in contention for the top spot in the Atlantic Division.
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