Top Players that Need to improve next season -NHL Special Part 2
Mike Richards (Los Angeles Kings)
A combined effort of Jeff Carter and Mike Richards got Los Angeles Kings to new heights but looking at them separately, Kings could have been better off with another choice instead
Richards had been acquired by Los Angeles from Philadelphia Flyers during last year’s offseason, which also led the Kings to bringing on board his former teammate in the Eastern Conference, Jeff Carter, from Columbus Blue Jackets.
Both were reunited in the West Coast had to meet the expectations of spectators all around the National Hockey League (NHL).
He had played in 74 games with Los Angeles and put up 44 points (18 goals, 26 assists) after being signed on to a mega, $69 million deal over the next 12 years of his career by Philadelphia Flyers back in the 2008-2009 regular season.
Richards was drafted as the 24th overall pick by Philadelphia Flyers back in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft during the opening round. He played on a different team for the first time in his career history this time and plans on continuing to show the
world why Los Angeles won the Stanley Cup this time around.
He had a major impact on the Stanley Cup Finals for sure, potting 15 points (4 goals, 11 assists) in 20 games played.
Los Angeles brought on both former teammates for one reason and that was to use them together, creating a dynamic duo which would provide them with immense offensive depth on different lines.
James Reimer (Toronto Maple Leafs)
The Toronto Maple Leafs had a lot of expectations from 24-year-old goalie, James Riemer, but unfortunately, the youngster that showed so much potential in different stages of his career, failed to do so consistently and let the club down in various areas.
Reimer was given 34 games to play in and he won only 14 while losing 14 as well with a save percentage of .900 and 3.10 goals-against average.
It was much worse than his first season in the NHL with Toronto back in 2010-2011 as he put up 20 wins in 37 appearances along with maintaining a .921 save percentage and 2.60 goals against average.
Reimer still has two seasons on his three-year deal with Toronto Maple Leafs, which is worth a total of $5.4 million and could have him either traded for a better replacement or even bought out since fans are sick and tired of seeing a team like Toronto
failing every year.
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