The Atlantic Division has become much more challenging than last year.
The Pittsburgh Penguins replaced Jordan Staal with Brandon Sutter, while taking in a high draft pick in the process. They also signed Tomas Vokoun, who should be a good complement to Marc-Andre Fleury. The New York Islanders lost PA Parenteau (a one-year wonder), and signed Brad Boyes. The New York Rangers acquired Rick Nash for peanuts and the Philadelphia Flyers acquired Luke Schenn, and still have a shot at Shea Weber.
The New Jersey Devils? They lost a 1st and 3rd liner to free agency, and are now missing a void. Zach Parise and Alexei Ponikarovsky are both gone, and one has to wonder if either of them will be replaced (or attempted to be replaced, for that matter).
Parise is irreplaceable. The only possible available player who can fill Parise's skates is Bobby Ryan from Anaheim. The Cherry Hill native who could soon be leaving Anaheim, per multiple reports. He could do a good job on that 1st line. He's a similar, two-way player, although Parise arguably has more offensive output. That's not to say that Bobby Ryan will not be great, but he still has a while to go.
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Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Will Agathis
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