Luke Schenn Heads to Phoenix

Looks like Luke Schenn is heading from one Pacific Division team to another Pacific Division team.

Schenn has agreed to a two-year contract with the Arizona Coyotes today. He's only 26 years old and had 4 goals and 12 assists in 72 games with Philadelphia and Los Angeles last season.

You may remember Luke Schenn as the fifth overall pick by the Toronto Maple Leafs back in 2008. Well, he didn't last there, as he jumped from the Maple Leafs to the Flyers and then to Kings.

The new Coyotes GM John Chayka called Schenn "a good, young defenseman and will be a solid addition."

I think at this point, the Arizona Coyotes are just begging to get things turned around. The good news is they're trying to go young with their players, which means they're trying hard as ever to get good additions they know will pay off. The only thing about Luke Schenn is that he really hasn't been anywhere long enough to make a dent in the league. Plus, a two-year contract with the Coyotes is not really that promising either. I understand that the Coyotes are trying to get as many players as they can with the salary cap, but having Luke Schenn is somewhat of a short-term rental, rather than a long one. Maybe they're looking to see if he can really make a full impact with the Coyotes. If not, he walks in free agency in two years. If he can, he'll have a long-term deal.

Right now, the Arizona Coyotes are still up in the air. They could go either way. The Luke Schenn signing, to me, doesn't signal any movement forward yet. Maybe it will, but until it happens, all I can see is another signing by the Coyotes that can go both ways.

Jamie Benn And Muscle Surgery

It feels like I haven't heard of muscle surgery. Surgery on the muscles, I guess. I mean, I am not the greatest doctor ever or have a degree in medicine, but muscle surgery is a first for me, and it looks like an NHL player seems to be recovering from it. Guess the star?

If you picked Jamie Benn of the Dallas Stars, you would be correct. Then again, the title seemed to put two and two together.

That's right. Jamie Benn is recovering from muscle surgery to repair an abdominal muscle injury. According to GM Jim Nill, the full recovery time from this surgery is six weeks and the surgery went as planned. And based on the timeline, Benn will not be back on the ice til around September or so. The source of the injury wasn't made clear.

Possibly, the source of the injury came from the playoffs or it could've happened earlier, possibly in late March to early April. Either way, Benn looks to be ready for the 2016-17 NHL season, assuming the timeline goes as planned. The Dallas Stars shouldn't be worried now because of his point total last season (89 points with 41 goals and 48 assists) but when it comes to muscle surgery, there could be a little bit of concern, but that's all it should be. A little concerned, but a timeline that should expect him back on the ice before the season gets underway.

Anyway, the Western Conference champion Stars look to be a dominant team again and Jamie Benn is a key piece in them becoming champions again. So look for this team next season to be a force to be reckoned with.

An Editorial On Planes, Trains, and Sports

Today, on this blog post, I thought I'd take a small break from covering the NHL to bring you something that I have been doing since last November and have been spending a lot of money doing ever since: traveling for sports.

Now, as you may know, sports have become my life and I take advantage of it by writing about it every chance that I can get. Travel does get in the way, however, and sometimes I have dozed off before I even put the pen to paper. But as I've been traveling and have had to find new ways to travel and watch sports, I discovered the reliability and the importance of two major transportation systems: planes, particularly Southwest Airlines, and trains, particularly Amtrak's Capitol Corridor, San Joaquin (or San Joaquins, as it's now called, though I tend to use the former), and the Pacific Surfline. No doubt that traveling by plane and train has become easy and an affordable way for me to keep up on all the sports that I go to all the time.

Since I have been a member of Southwest Airlines since 2009 (recently got A-List status), I have been able to take advantage of low fares all over the West Coast, from going to Seattle to see my favorite team, the Seattle Seahawks, to visiting LA and San Diego to see baseball teams like the Dodgers, Padres, and Angels, to going out into the Central Valley to places like Stockton, Bakersfield, and Sacramento to watch AHL games or minor league baseball games, or even to Las Vegas just to relax and take a break from it all, or to watch the Las Vegas 51s.

No doubt that sports has become something of more than just a lobby, it's become a lifestyle and a living that I've tried to niche out for myself, and that wouldn't be possible without the affordability of these public transportation services. Now, they can start to get expensive if you constantly do it on a daily basis, no doubt about it, and while I work in a housekeeping job that doesn't pay as much as I would like it too, I have found a way to be able to do what I love doing and be able to keep some money coming in.

Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner and Southwest Airlines have been the two most used modes of transportation that I have used, primarily because I spend some time traveling between the two regions of California for sports. Southwest Airlines has reasonable prices between LA and the Bay Area so I can travel back and forth with some ease. Plus, who wouldn't love free peanuts and/or pretzels? Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner takes over the next portion of the next trip. I usually fly into Burbank Airport because of the Surfliner. There is a train station just south of the station where I can immediately hop onto the train and continue the journey from there. Mostly, I go into downtown LA from there to either check in to my Airbnb or to hop on Metro and go into Hollywood and check into an Airbnb that I have there.

The Pacific Surfliner has also been relatively easy in getting down to San Diego to go watch Padres games, usually Wednesday day games. I just hope aboard a train, usually Train 566 and it gets into San Diego around 11:30 AM. I spend most of the day in SD watching the Padres play whoever the opponent is, then hop back aboard Train 591 and head back up to LA. As you can see, the Pacific Surfliner has been relatively simple in getting me from Point A to Point B in no time at all. And it's also been helpful in when I don't go to sports games, I usually go to Disneyland and I can easily go to Anaheim Station then hop aboard ART or a Lyft and go straight to Disneyland. I spend all day there, then hop back aboard Train 591 and then back up to LA. As you can see, Pacific Surfliner has been my primary mode of train travel down around Southern California and has been great in providing service along my journey (in the form of too many cookies).

The Pacific Surfliner doesn't get all the credit, however. Whenever I can't go to LA, I'll just go see the Giants' affiliate, the Sacramento River Cats, and that's where Capitol Corridor comes in. Now, to be fair, I have not used it much because of my travel to Southern California, but when I do, it is also helpful and a great mode of transportation to bypass sometimes-congested Interstate 80. Capitol Corridor combines the ease of commuter rail and a great way to travel between two great cities. I just hop aboard a Capitol Corridor train at Richmond Station (because I take BART over from the Peninsula) and I just get off right at the Sacramento Station, right near Old Town and Raley Field. From there, I just check-in to my hotel room, then spend time in Old Town Sacramento before it's time to go to the River Cats game. Then, the next day, same great service just in the opposite direction back to Richmond, and ultimately BART and Caltrain back to my home in San Carlos.

There's one more mode of transportation that I use to attend sports games, and that credit goes to Amtrak's San Joaquin service. I have only used it three times before, twice to go to Bakersfield for Condors games, and then once to Stockton for a Stockton Ports game. Today, I used it again to go to a Stockton Ports game. San Joaquin, like Capitol Corridor and Pacific Surfliner, offer the same great service and an ability to get to Southern California without the use of a plane (through use of a bus in Bakersfield). I was glad to be able to enjoy the service to get me to Stockton with no problems at all (although I wish there were more Lyft drivers out here.)

So, as you can see, sports is my life and I always try to find a way to get there in a cheapest and more efficient and convenient way possible. So I say thanks to these great providers for letting me enjoy sports and for getting me there. I'll probably be working at one of these providers one day (hey, I take them a lot) so I gotta take advantage of great public transportation when I can. Sports is something I care deeply about and I want to make a living out of it (if that's even possible) So congrats to Southwest Airlines, Pacific Surfliner, Capitol Corridor, and San Joaquins (I actually prefer it without the S, but I don't handle their marketing strategy). Keep up the good work and looking forward to being back aboard for another adventure (whether sports or just a day off from it to the beach or such). Keep me in mind!

Note: I do not own any of these pictures. They are credited to the respective photographers or people who own that. I would name them but one of them I don't know, so if it's your photo, credit to you. You took a great picture.

Taking a Look at Cam Fowler

Is Cam Fowler really asking to be traded out of Anaheim? This is a subject I wish I didn't have to discuss, but because I'm a Ducks fan, a huge Ducks fan, I have to take point on this. So let me explain the story behind this:

Back on June 29, around the time after the NHL Draft happened, he opened up to ESPN's Pierre LeBrun about being surprised he was not traded before the draft. He has said he loves being in Anaheim and loves being a Duck, but feels that GM Bob Murray's hands are tied and that he might be looking to deal me (Fowler)

I think Bob Murray actually values Fowler more than Fowler realizes. First off, Fowler is an important part on the Ducks defense and played pretty well last season before walking into the Nashville situation that ended on a heartbreaking Game 7. That being said, I don't think Fowler is going to be traded, at least not anytime soon or possibly before the season starts. I think Murray wants Fowler to take point when it comes to leading defense, and I think Fowler needs to understand that yes it may be a business but some GMs find you a part of the team and realize that you need to step up and take command of the situation.

To me, Fowler is growing up a little slower than what I saw on the ice. He had said he was surprised he wasn't traded, which either tells me he would rather go play somewhere else or he wanted to follow the money. Bob Murray can pay him enough money to stay in Anaheim, so I don't see why Fowler would think there's more money for him somewhere else. Either way, he has said he likes being a Duck, so I think he should stop with all the NHL Draft surprise talk and just focus on getting his game in check and getting ready for the new season. Trust me, the Ducks are going to need a lot of momentum and a lot of their own talent in order to make an improvement on what was "a great season that ended in heartbreak."

However, if he does want to be traded, and something tells me there's a sniff of trade in the air, it is possible that Detroit will be asking for a defenseman. They need one and it makes sense for Fowler, since he calls Michigan home. If possible, if he can't stay in Anaheim, the best choice for him would be to try to get traded to the Red Wings. Right now, the Ducks can hold steady and they have plenty of time to do something about Fowler before he hits free agency.

P.A. Parenteau is Heading Back to Brooklyn

Looks like the New York Islanders got a lucky break from all the players that have left their team so far this free agency.

On Saturday, the Islanders agreed to a one-year deal with P.A. Parenteau to bring the veteran back to their team for a second stint. He played for the Maple Leafs last season, scoring 20 goals and 21 assists. That ties his career high he set in 2010-11, during his first season with the Islanders. He played well for them in the following seasons, having 49 assists and 67 points.

So far, P.A. Parenteau has eight seasons under his belt and 101 goals and 167 assists in 424 games to add to that. Unfortunately, bringing back Parenteau doesn't quite make up for the losses of Kyle Okposo, Frans Nielsen, and Matt Martin. Unfortunately, adding Andrew Ladd and Jason Chimera can't equal that either. Chimera is 37 and hasn't had quite a factor on the Capitals last season than he used to while Andrew Ladd comes over from Winnipeg, who didn't exactly make fireworks last season. (Hehe, Fourth of July reference)

I'm questioning the Islanders so far this offseason. Are they actually trying to make themselves worse or better? They could've brought back Kyle Okposo, an impactful player on that team, but they let him go. And losing Frans Nielsen as well doesn't help much for them either. Right now, I'm seeing them miss the playoffs because I don't know how they can be able to make up the production they brought last season. We'll see. They could surprise us right out of the gate, but right now, I see this as a ship that's going to sink if the season goes the way people think it's going right now.

But I root the best for P.A. Parenteau. He's on my Big Win NHL team, so hopefully he can have an impact this season in Brooklyn.

Kristers Returns to the Lightning

The Tampa Bay Lightning are keeping around their goaltenders for the foreseeable future.

On Saturday, they announced that they have re-signed goaltender Kristers Gudlevskis to a one-year, two-way contract, meaning he will split time next season with the Lightning and their AHL affiliate the Syracuse Crunch.

Last season, he played in 41 games for the Crunch and posted a 16-12-8 record with a 2.83 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage. He has only played in two career NHL regular season games, gaining a 1-0-1 record.

I'm not sure where the Lightning are going with this. I guess they're waiting to see if he can pick up the starting goaltending or backup goaltending job one day or if they are trying to give him more playing time in the AHL before possibly trading him away to gain something of value they could use. Either way, good for him. He gets some more playing time up in Syracuse and he could possibly join the Lightning should Ben Bishop leave next season or get traded sooner. Right now, the Lightning are trying to find the right pieces to get back to the Stanley Cup Final and making this move makes sense.

Who Is Anders Nilsson?

Some of you are probably thinking that right now. Well, let me tell you the story about what we are talking about Anders Nilsson.

He has been playing with the St. Louis Blues, mostly in their minor league system because Brian Elliott and Jake Allen had been on the Blues' roster. Then, Elliott was traded to the Flames and Allen signed a long-term deal. So this opens up the door for Anders Nilsson to acquire that backup spot, right? Wrong.

On Saturday, the Blues traded away his rights to the Buffalo Sabres and then was signed to a one-year, $1 million contract. Seems like a good deal considering that Nilsson hasn't had enough playing time to the NHL to worth having more. The Blues, however, do get a 2017 fifth-round draft pick, which means he was valuable enough for the Sabres to give up a draft pick.

The Sabres were hoping to find some experience in backup goaltending behind Robin Lehner and then losing free agent Chad Johnson to the Calgary Flames. So the Sabres found their backup goaltender. Question is will they start winning enough games next season for them to say they are trying to become elite? Who knows.

Jason Demers is Heading to South Florida

The Florida Panthers seem to be loading up on a lot of good players. And today, they just got themselves another defenseman.

Today, the Panthers announced that they have signed Jason Demers to a five-year contract. The deal is reported to be worth $4.5 million per season. That's actually a good value, considering that Demers is somewhat of an average player that can really help a team have success.

Demers had seven goals and 16 assists in 62 goals for the Dallas Stars last season. He can move the puck very well and he could possibly help in the Panthers transition game as well as on the power play and penalty kill squads.

Demers joins many new faces on defense for the Panthers, along with Keith Yandle and Mark Pysyk, as well as returning defenseman Aaron Ekblad.

The Panthers are certainly doing their homework and figuring out what they need to do to improve their team and I believe that getting Demers helps them. In an earlier blog post, I questioned the Stars' recent free agent moves, like trading away Alex Goligoski and signing Dam Hamhuis, but now I'm questioning why they didn't take any serious interest in resigning Jason Demers? Either way, the Panthers won out on a good deal with Jason Demers and that is why the Panthers are still one of my winners in NHL free agency so far: They know how to find good talent to improve themselves. Look for that to help them next season.

The Losers in NHL Free Agency

On my last blog post, I talked about the winners of NHL Free Agency so far. Well, I haven't talked about the losers yet and while I said I was questioning both the Stars and Blues, they don't fall onto my list of losers. They actually fall onto my list of "Wait-and-See." But right now, we're going to talk about the real losers so far in this free agency. Brace yourselves, puck heads!

New York Islanders
They were in the playoffs last year, am I correct? But now, they have just lost Kyle Okposo, Frans Nielsen, and Matt Martin, three players who helped them get to the playoffs. Replacing them? Andrew Ladd and Jason Chimera. Ladd comes from a Winnipeg team that failed to make the playoffs last season and has a seven-year deal that he probably won't last through. He's also be 37 when it ends and his production is starting to slip. Chimera is already 37 and already sliding as well. Granted, he was on a good Capitals team, but this two-year deal suggests that someone from the farm will be taking his place very soon. I don't see the Islanders as winners, I see them missing out on the playoffs next season.

Vancouver Canucks
The Canucks lost Dam Hamhuis and got Loui Eriksson. Exactly how is Loui Eriksson a upgrade and how exactly does he get a six-year deal? This team's in rebuilding mode and Loui Eriksson might not have that much more time in the league. He could possibly fit alongside the Sedins and possibly see some playing minutes, but helping a team in rebuilding mode for a long period of time? Probably not going to happen. He played well in Boston, but can't exactly be the difference-maker when it comes to rebuilding. That's usually the job of prospects to realize. The Canucks are missing the playoffs again this year because they still a lot of work and development to do.

Toronto Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs were surprisingly quiet on Friday and that's saying something for a team that was the worst team in the league last year. The Matt Martin signing is also puzzling. A four-year deal worth $10 million? What does that say to Leafs fans? They couldn't throw out money to find someone better. Look for the Leafs to miss the playoffs yet again.

Boston Bruins
David Backes joins the Bruins and gives them one of the best groups of centers in the league. The contract is something questionable, though. Five years and $30 million dollars on a 32-year-old? I understand he still has a lot of production left in this league, but he has a history of concussions and if this continues, he won't be in the league much longer. Boston's biggest need was help on the blue line and they didn't get it. They need to find a top-pair blue liner or possibly trade David Krejci away for one. Once again, the Bruins miss the playoffs.

So there you have it. The Islanders, Canucks, and Bruins are all losers so far in this free agency, and while it is not over, they have not made a splash to acquire some good talent they could use to improve their team. So until one of these teams finds a way to really improve their outlook and sign some good guys that can help improve, I don't see any of these teams making the playoffs next season.

Who Won in Free Agency So Far?

NHL free agency has just opened and already there are a bunch of winners and losers. There's a lot of fun that goes into signing new players, joining new teams, and other teams that were disappointed they didn't think about their deals. But in all fairness, NHL free agency is a free-for-all: Take what you can and give nothing back, as Jack Sparrow and Joshamee Gibbs have said many times. So who ultimately has won the day so far? Let's take a look at some teams that have done well for themselves and others that might have not.

Tampa Bay Lightning

I feel like they have won free agency so far. Steve Yzerman didn't even have to look for outside. Instead, he resigned his two favorite players, Steven Stamkos and Victor Hedman. Hedman got himself an eight-year deal and has proven that by being a solid defenseman. Meanwhile, Andrei Vasilevskiy is certainly moving into gaining that No. 1 role, which means Ben Bishop's tenure with the Lightning could soon be coming to an end.

Edmonton Oilers

The Oilers are trying to load up before moving into their new arena in the Downtown area. They just signed Milan Lucic to a seven-year contract and that reunites him with GM Peter Chiarelli, who was a part of the Bruins at one point. I thought the trade of Taylor Hall was a disaster but Chiarelli has averted that by signing a guy who is good on the boards. Plus, Lucic wants to play with McDavid. Edmonton looks to be a team with winning in mind, and they are certainly a threat now thanks to this deal with Lucic.

Chicago Blackhawks

The Blackhawks always seem to find a way to land good players. Brian Campbell is coming back to Chicago after agreeing to a bargain rate of $2.25 million for one year. They've been trying to fill a hole in their defense while trying to stay under the cap. Campbell can do that, even at 37 years old.

Florida Panthers

Aaron Ekblad may be back with the team, but have the Panthers turned the corner yet? Ekblad will indeed be the franchise player for years to come, but I'm not sure yet. James Reimer was also signed away from the Sharks to possibly be the backup to Roberto Luongo or possibly even succeed them. Reimer proves to be the insurance the Panthers need when it comes to a backup goalie. The Panthers look like a team ready to win, or a team that could fall apart mid-season if things don't go their way.

Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars may be the only team I am unsure of coming out of free agency so far. They just signed away Dam Hamhuis from Vancouver, but can he really do more than Alex Goligoski did? I felt trading away Alex Goligoski did might not have been a wise move, but let's hope Jim Nill is doing the right thing in bringing aboard Hamhuis. I'm still going to question this move until we get to the regular season.

St. Louis Blues

The St. Louis Blues are the one team I feel are not as good today as they were against the Sharks in the Western Conference Finals. They just lost David Backes and Troy Brouwer, two great pieces that were part of their Stanley Cup playoff run. Unfortunately, St. Louis has yet to sign a noteworthy free agent. The good news for St. Louis is that David Perron is back, but losing Backes and Brouwer could possibly hurt them.

And that is a look at some teams that have upgraded themselves this season. The Lightning and the Oilers are the big winners so far this free agency, while other teams, like the Stars and Blues, still have some question marks surrounding them. Can these teams look to improve next season and possibly win the Stanley Cup? We will find out next season.

On one of my future blog posts, I will be talking about the losers in free agency so far and why the Canucks, Islanders, and Bruins fall onto that list. Stay tuned.

Dam Hamhuis Seeing Stars

Dam Hamhuis is on the move. And he's seeing the stars in his line of sight.

The Dallas Stars announced today that they have signed defenseman Dam Hamhuis to a two-year, $7.5 million contract just hours after the NHL free agency period opened for business. Dam Hamhuis is yet another veteran adding to the strong young group of blue liners.

The 33-year old veteran comes over from the Vancouver Canucks, after spending six years there and six years in Nashville before that. Hamhuis comes to replace two veteran blue-liners. They traded away Alex Goligoski to the Arizona Coyotes and it looks like they will not be re-signing Kris Russell.

GM Jim Nill wanted to find a way to take care of the inconsistencies they had last season in front of their goalie net minders of Kari Lehtonen and Antti Niemi. Nill intends to bring back both net minders, but remains the question of who will ultimately get the No. 1 job.

I don't believe that Hamhuis is that much of the upgrade. Although he does play sort of the same style as Johnny Oduya, who they signed from Chicago last year, replacing two veterans in always tough. Goligoski was a solid player for the Stars and it was amazing to see that he got traded to a team that is on the up-and-up, but not exactly there yet.

The Dallas Stars still have a lot to do this free agency period, but at least they took care of their needs in signing Dam Hamhuis. Now we wait to see if he can be a difference-maker in helping the Stars take care of their inconsistencies.

Jim Rutherford Ain't Going Anywhere

The Pittsburgh Penguins just won their fourth Stanley Cup title in its history. Isn't it appropriate to reward the guy that helped put this team together in order to make that happen? It surely is.

Today, the Penguins announced that they have signed their GM Jim Rutherford to a three-year deal, just two weeks after winning the Stanley Cup.

Penguins CEO David Morehouse said, "Everything he was going to do from the first interview, he's accomplished."

Rutherford has certainly done that. He's made a series of move that seemed to focus on depth and speed, like bringing in Phil Kessel, Nick Bonino, Carl Hagelin, Eric Fehr and Matt Cullen, players that have proven to be agile and able to have speed and quickness to get to the puck. During its Stanley Cup run, over half of its goals were scored by players Rutherford acquired.

As a result of this Stanley Cup win, Rutherford is now the first GM to lead multiple franchises to championships. He won it in 2006 in Carolina and now here with the Penguins.

Good for him and good for the Penguins. You have to reward the guy that won it, and I think the Penguins did that. Unfortunately, he hasn't done much to the start of this free agency, but the Penguins gave him a contract based on what he has done for them so far and what he is capable of doing. Jim Rutherford, to me, is an excellent GM and somebody you would want on your team and putting it together. So good for Jim to get his deal and look for the Penguins to possibly win another Stanley Cup next season. No spoilers on my prediction yet. Free agency is not yet over.

Aaron Ekblad Agrees to Deal With Panthers

Looks like the Florida Panthers are keeping around one of their most prized draft picks for another eight years.

Today, the Panthers inked young Mr. Aaron Ekblad to a eight-year, $60 million extension. The deal became official when the free agency period began earlier today. The Miami Herald was the first to report this story.

This deal marks the most lucrative contract in Panthers history and would make Ekblad the NHL's fifth highest-paid defenseman behind P.K. Subban, Shea Weber, Dustin Byfuglien, and Ryan Suter. Ekblad is only 20 years old but did capture the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year after the 2014-15 season. This season, he had another strong one, being one of the Panthers' top defensemen of 2015-16. And in two seasons with them, Ekblad has 75 points on 27 goals and 48 assists. Can you say star-in-the-making?

Look, here's the thing about the Florida Panthers. They play in an area that doesn't really endorse hockey all that much. They either watch football, go to nightclubs, or basketball. But having Ekblad secures his future in Florida, as well as possibly bring Florida at chance at glory.

This is a good deal for the Panthers. Not only does it lock up Ekblad for another good almost-decade, but it can allow them to build a team in a way that makes Ekblad a crucial piece of becoming a part of a potential Stanley Cup-winning team. I'm looking forward to seeing Ekblad back out on the ice for the Florida Panthers and helping them to get there.

And by the way, since we are on the subject of the Florida Panthers, who likes the new logo? Just curious. It looks great, but at the same time, I miss the old one. What do you think?

Troy Brouwer Feels Like Calgary Heat

Summer is certainly delivering this summer, and up to Calgary the heat is already starting to rise thanks to the addition of Troy Brouwer to the Calgary Flames.

A four-year contract with $18 million? Pretty good deal for a guy who won the Stanley Cup as a member of the 2010 Chicago Blackhawks.

Brouwer is a eight-year veteran and he joins his third team in three seasons after helping the St. Louis Blues to the Western Conference finals, where they eventually lost to the Sharks. He is a three-time 20-goal-scorer and had 18 goals and 39 points in all 82 games with the Blues last season, and then add on eight goals and 15 points while in the playoffs.

Brouwer, I believe, is an impact player who can help a team in transition or a team that looks to be on the rise in a major way, and I believe that's what the Calgary Flames are. The Flames are a team that are destined to be great, maybe not Blackhawks great, but destined to be great. They already have a great number of stars in Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan, but I believe having that veteran presence there, which Brouwer brings, can help propel this team forward. His Stanley Cup winning experience can also help out as well.

I see the Flames as winners in this NHL free agency because of what Brouwer brings: size, mobility, and an elite ability to score, assist, and be a power skater. I guess Flames fans can't wait for this season to start now, huh?

The New Hurricanes

Hey puck heads!

I know it's been a while. The Penguins won the Stanley Cup, the Sharks did not, other teams got screwed by them. Yes, there's been a lot of news and notes and now we have entered the perfect time to get back into a hockey mix: NHL free agency, or as I like to call it, where players screw their original teams for more money. So how about we take a look at two players who left their respective teams to join the Carolina Hurricanes?

And do the names Lee Stempniak and Viktor Stalberg come to mind when you think hockey? Probably not in a star-studded way, but here they are. The Hurricanes have agreed to terms with Lee Stempniak on a two-year contract while Viktor Stalberg just got a one-year.

Lee Stempniak is set to make $2.5 million this season, as well as in 2017-18 and has 19 goals and 32 assists in 82 games with New Jersey and Boston this past season. So now Stempniak will head down the coast to Carolina in hopes to continue making an impact on a new season. I remember Lee Stempniak when he was with the Calgary Flames back in 2008 and now he's been jumping around a bunch of different teams, like St. Louis, Toronto, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, and the New York Rangers. He has had a stellar career, no doubt about it, but he has been jumping around a lot like a frog that just had too many cups of coffee.

In the meantime, Viktor Stalberg turns 30 years old and is set to make $1.5 million this season. Not as much as Stempniak, but Stalberg has proven to be a tough player who can score when necessary. Last season, he had nine goals and 11 assists in 75 games with the Rangers. He has been quoted by GM Ron Francis. as being "another big strong player who can skate" and "adding size to our forward corps was a priority this offseason." Yeah, well, nine goals and 11 assists is not something I'm probably going to look forward to if I'm a Carolina Hurricane fan, but he has won the cup with the Blackhawks in 2013 so if he can make an impact somehow that can help carry this team up, then why not try it.

The Hurricanes have a long ways to go to get back to where they want to be. I guess trying out Stempniak and Stalberg are a good way to go, but is it a long-term solution. Stalberg is on a one-year contract and if he doesn't perform to what the Hurricanes want, then he's gone. Meanwhile, Stempniak seems to be closing in on the end of his career. He is not exactly the goal and assist career he was early in his career, so you would have to see how much he brings. I want Stempniak to do well wherever he goes, but at the same time, how much is left in the tank for him. 19 goals and 32 assists last season isn't bad, but those numbers look them they are starting to decline. I want to see how they play and if they can be impactful players on a rebuilding team, then they have a chance to get into the playoffs and potentially be a threat in the Eastern Conference.