Remaining Free Agents and where they currently stand –NHL Special Part 2
Pavel Kubina (Philadelphia Flyers)
When you see a defenseman of Pavel Kubina’s calibre struggling to secure a job in the National Hockey League (NHL), you know that there is something wrong with the system.
The veteran defender might not be as strong or quick as he used to be, but the native of Celadna, Czech Republic, is still very much capable of bringing down the house when needed the most.
He had 15 points (3 goals, 12 assists) in 69 games played last season but unfortunately, failed to grab the attention of the Flyers management and is still an unrestricted free agent after his two-year, $7.7 million deal came to an end earlier in July.
Kubina has got the skills of an elite defenseman, but with age comes decline and it seems the case with the veteran.
He was traded to Philadelphia after spending nearly two seasons with his original draft team, the Tampa Bay Lightning, but seeing how he is still without a contract, Kubina’s situation just might end in retirement if he does not bring down his demand of a multi-million dollar contract soon.
Dwayne Roloson (Tampa Bay Lightning)
Speaking of veteran players struggling to get back into primetime hockey, Dwayne Roloson seems to be the perfect example. The goalie who led Tampa Bay Lightning to the 2011 Eastern Conference Finals is now having a tough time getting a job as his one-year, $3 million contract came to an end after his worst career season ever.
In 40 appearances, Roloson only won 13 matches, lost in 16 while he was pulled out and similar stuff in the rest.
His save percentage was a disappointing .886 along with an unacceptable 3.66. With stats like that, it is not hard seeing why teams are not making the calls to his agent.
At the age of 42, playing in the NHL with a track record like his seems impossible, unless your Teemu Selanne, who seems like he is getting better with age, but unfortunately with Roloson, that does not seem to be the case.
As the offseason progresses, Roloson might be able to secure an opportunity with some team around the league that may be desperate for a backup goalie and will have to prove himself during training camp and the preseason like Ray Emery did last year with Chicago Blackhawks.
Other than that, Dwayne Roloson might just be better off calling it quits while he still has some respect from fans and fellow teammates before ruining another hockey year.
To Be Continued...
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