Pacific Division beefs up in first hours of NHL free agency
One of the biggest story lines to come out of the chaotic, climactic first hour of NHL free agency is that the Pacific Division just got a lot more competitive.
The Left Coast didn’t pack as much punch in the 2015-16 campaign as it did in previous seasons. That changed — at least, it appears to have changed at this point in the offseason — with the addition of some big bodies spread across the division.
Milan Lucic
New Team: Edmonton Oilers
New Deal: seven years, $42 million
What He Can Bring To The Team: Granted, Lucic was in the division last year, in a one-year stint with the Los Angeles Kings. But the agitator heading up to Edmonton makes the team a bit more interesting. The move says something about how seriously the Oilers are taking the following season — no more relying on flashy draft picks to get the job done.
Of course, the Oilers are still putting their fate in Connor McDavid’s hands. However, they get a boost by putting a tough winger in Lucic out on the ice with the kid wonder. The 28-year-old winger even said in his interview with TSN on Friday that the first overall pick from the 2015 NHL Draft was a reason he chose Edmonton over other suitors.
Troy Brouwer
New Team: Calgary Flames
New Deal: four years, $18 million
What He Can Bring To The Team: This one is a bit of a no-brainer. Calgary could use help on the wing — possibly on a line with Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau as some have suggested. But the Flames also need to build a leadership core, one that goes beyond 32-year-old captain Mark Giordano. That’s where a player like Brouwer comes in.
Loui Eriksson
New Team: Vancouver Canucks
New Deal: six years, $36 million
What He Can Bring To The Team: Vancouver went into a nasty tailspin last season, which was started by a dismal record on home ice and a habit of blowing third-period leads. Clearly there is pressure on the 30-year-old Swede to jump-start the Canucks, especially since the team needs help in a variety of areas around the ice.
The SportsNet crew called Eriksson a “safe” signing, although also a “smart” pick for a team that needs help in multiple areas. The already-established chemistry with fellow countrymen Henrik and Daniel Sedin is definitely a plus.
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