Each week Pro Hockey Rumors supplements its news articles with original pieces from our writers. This week brought us excellent and in-depth articles on a variety of prescient topics, including salary cap deep dives, free agent profiles, and future prognostications. Check out the best of the best below:
Salary Cap Deep Dives
Our writers continued with our salary cap deep dive series by previewing the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Tampa Bay Lightning, and the Washington Capitals. The Maple Leafs will be tight to the cap in the coming future, the Caps may lose a valuable defenseman or goaltender, GM Steve Yzerman has worked magic in Tampa Bay, and the Bruins are set to rebuild on the fly. Check out each of them here:
Boston Bruins
Tampa Bay Lightning
Toronto Maple Leafs
Washington Capitals
An Early Look at the 2018 Draft Class
This article breaks down five of the likeliest players to headline the 2018 NHL draft class. Swedish prospect Rasmus Dahlin leads the pack with his Erik Karlsson comparisons, but the creative hands of Andrei Svechnikov could garner more attention as the Russian plays for the OHL Barrie Colts. Joe Veleno, Adam Boqvist, and Brady Tkachuk round out the group.
The Oldest NHL Rosters Going Forward
Seth Lawrence looks at the three oldest NHL rosters going into the 2017-18 NHL season and dissects what each team needs to do to remain (or become) successful. While an older team is not necessarily a detriment, it does imply that the team has few young players playing meaningful roles. In a salary cap era, successful teams need productive players on cheap contracts to maintain competitiveness.
Upcoming UFA Goaltenders With Something to Prove
Next year’s goaltending UFA crop may lack star power, but it does contain many interesting potential rehabilitation projects. This season provides those pending UFA goaltenders with an opportunity to turn things around and show teams that they are worth more than their current reputation belies. Whether it’s a former starter regulated to backup duties, or an aging veteran with just enough left in the tank, the following goaltenders can significantly improve their stock going into unrestricted free agency.
Comparing Distances Between NHL and AHL affiliates
This article breaks down how far each team’s AHL affiliate is from its parent club. Some teams have a local AHL club in the same city, while others have teams over 1,000 miles away. Having a relatively local AHL affiliate provides ample benefits for an NHL club. Having coaching staff in the same vicinity allows the NHL and AHL club to more seamlessly instil a organization playing system, and reduces travel issues when recalling or reassigning players. But not every team enjoys that benefit.
Free Agent Profile: Lauri Korpikoski
Unrestricted free agent winger Lauri Korpikoski hasn’t been able to build upon the offensive potential he displayed earlier in his career with the Coyotes but he has still successfully carved out a bottom six niche role over the past few years. Despite being a safe bet for around 20 points in a lower spot in the lineup, he has yet to land somewhere for 2017-18.
Czech Republic Could Have Olympic Edge With Unsigned Players
With the NHL not allowing its players to play in the 2018 Winter Olympics, the playing field is suddenly much more level for less historically-dominant nations. One nation—the Czech Republic—seems to be in positions to best take advantage due to key unsigned free agents. Jaromir Jagr, Milan and Zbynek Michalek, and others could turn the Czech Republic into the most talented team in the tournament.