Top Players that Need to Improve Next Season -NHL Special Part 1
Just because some players have a history of being the best does not guarantee them success during the 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season or even the playoffs as a matter of fact.
Here are some players which will be looking for a comeback next season after not playing up to expectation during the last one.
Jeff Carter (Los Angeles Kings)
If one player had a rollercoaster of a year, it was definitely Los Angeles Kings’ 27-year-old centre, Jeff Carter. After being confirmed for another season with Philadelphia Flyers, being traded to Columbus Blue Jackets in one of the biggest trades of the previous year and struggling but succeeding to get out of Ohio and into Los Angeles to go on and win the Stanley Cup.
Jeff Carter did it all last season, but it definitely did have a negative effect on his performance seeing how he had just 34 points (21 goals, 13 assists) in 55 games and ended off with a plus-minus rating of -12.
His attitude towards demanding a trade from Columbus was certainly very disappointing to the Blue Jackets team and general manager Scott Howson, who saw a dynamic duo of Rick Nash and him working to improve the club after signing him on to a 11-year, $58 million deal.
Carter really came out big in the playoffs with Los Angeles with former Philadelphia teammate Mike Richards on his side, potting 13 points (8 goals, 5 assists) in 20 games played.
Next season will be one which Los Angeles Kings will look towards him to lead them to the top right from the first game and if there is not a significant change in regular season performance, LA will certainly not hesitate in bringing in a replacement.
Brad Richards (New York Rangers)
Brad Richards had captured the spotlight of last year’s free agency after he demanded to be separated from the Dallas Stars organisation due to the lack of proper ownership to hear their demands, something very similar to the Shane Doan situation.
He was all over headlines as analysts tried to predict the 32-year-old ending up later on but it all came down to landing a spot with New York Rangers with a nine-year, $60 million mega deal to accommodate him. Instead of working all out to make a reasonable difference, Richards fell down from 77 points to the 66 points (25 goals, 41 assists) last season in 82 games played.
He had 91 (24 goals, 67 assists) in the 2009-2010 regular season and is dropping down each season. Will New York regret their decision, only Brad Richards has the power to affect that decision and clearly, next season is one which they need him to step up.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and in no way represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
Tags: