Part six in a seven-part review takes a look at the teams that failed to reach the postseason and what kind of impact each of them will have on your keeper-league squad. This week, we take a look at Los Angeles and Phoenix.
Los Angeles Kings Possibly on the way out… Ladislav Nagy is certainly gone – his owners can only hope that he remains in the NHL at all. Scott Thornton, Brian Willsie and Rob Blake are all unrestricted free agents. The team needs to re-sign pending restricted free agents Erik Ersberg, Peter Harrold and Patrick O’Sullivan, the latter of which could – and should – see an offer sheet or two if he is not locked up by July 1.
With the likes of Ted Purcell, Lauri Tukonen and Brian Boyle knocking on the NHL door, it is clear the Kings need to clear up some space up front. It only makes sense that they use this strength to address a weakness – experience on defense. That is why Michael Cammalleri’s name has surfaced in so many trade rumors.
The team will be looking to add… Besides a couple of defensemen, Los Angeles is still unsettled between the pipes. However, I think a tandem of Jason LaBarbera and Ersberg will be fine for two years until Jonathan Bernier is ready to step in.
General fantasy outlook… This is one of the best teams in the league to build your fantasy roster around. Think Pittsburgh in 2006. This is a purely offensive team with two lines of forwards who can score.
Phoenix Coyotes Possibly on the way out… Radim Vrbata is a terrible fantasy asset on another team, so for the sake of his fantasy owners he had better re-sign with Phoenix. I doubt another team would give him first-line minutes, nor would they have the patience to work with him through his slumps. Mike York is gone – probably from the NHL entirely. Niko Kapanen, Craig Weller, Matthias Tjarnqvist, Bill Thomas, Matt Murley and Brenden Bell are also unrestricted. Marcel Hossa, Joel Perrault, Daniel Carcillo and Matt Jones are restricted.
The team will be looking to add… Kyle Turris, Keith Yandle and probably Kevin Porter are ready for full-time duty, so the Yotes will not be adding anything of substance unless they lose Vrbata.
General fantasy outlook… It was a pleasure doing both Phoenix and Los Angeles this week, because they are two of the most promising teams in the NHL. Because they have a top-notch goaltender playing right now, the Coyotes may be a little bit ahead of the Kings and could sneak into the playoffs this season if they score like I think they will.
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