Off Season Wants (Forwards)
I know it’s been a while since I’ve posted a decent article so I’m looking to rekindle my writing skills, which we all know were never very sharp in the first place.
I’ve been looking a lot into this free agent market and it’s pretty well known that the Blues will look do make some moves this off-season, but we wont be driving hard for a 10 million dollar man, sorry Kovalchuk fans! So, trying to be as realistic as possible in my top three free agent wants.
1. Alex Tanguay
Tanguay had a down year in Tampa, but still has the skill to produce.
After a season with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Alex struggled playing his game in Tampa Bay. Rick Tocchet didn’t put Alex in a lot of positions to put up big points. He spent a lot of time on the third and fourth line in Tampa. The playing time he did get on the second line was mostly with Vincent Lecavalier who had a very down year himself.
With most of the offense coming from Steven Stamkos and Martin St. Louis, the rest of the offensive players struggled to produce. Alex included in that.
The season before last, Alex played quite well in a shortened season with the Montreal Canadiens, posting 41 points in 50 games before . Alex spent the previous two season with Calgary posting 139 points (40 goals, 99 assists) in 159 games.
Alex can play both left wing and center and has the ability to post 20 goals – 40/50 assists in the right role which I think he could fill playing in St. Louis.
Maxim Afinogenov had a rebounding year in Atlanta this year.
2. Maxim Afinogenov
As a long time Afinogenov fan, when people said he’d never again be a successful NHLer and would be bolting to “Mother Russia” last off-season, I said someone would sign the guy they call “Mad Max” and would get a absolute bargain.
When Max signed with the Atlanta Thrashers for a $.800k last season, I expected big things playing with fellow country man Ilya Kovlachuk and Slava Kozlov along with Kazakhstan forward Nik Antropov. Boy was I right. after playing in the dog house of Lindy Ruff the last few years, Max got to utilize his speed and skill in Atlanta by posting a 61 point season (24 goals, 37 assists).
Maxim is expected to get a decent pay raise this off-season, but I wouldn’t expect his contract to pass the three million dollar mark. Which is easily affordable with the pay roll the Blues will hold. Max could fill a need of speed and skill and the ability to finish to the Blues.
3. Alexei Ponikarovsky
Ponikarovsky one of those, 'hard to gauge' seasons this past year.
Ponikarovsky is the biggest question mark in my opinion because his salary could be outrageous or right at market value, which in my opinion would be around the three million dollar mark. Not to mention his questionable play with Pittsburgh after the trade deadline.
Alexei potted 41 points in 61 games with Toronto this past season, but only nine points in 16 games games with Pittsburgh and has only 4 points in 10 playoff games this year, and was a healthy scratch the last game for Pittsburgh in place of Mike Rupp.
He has the skill to pot 20+ goals, 50+ points a year and has the size to win those big battles in the corner. If you could get him on a cheaper side, say at or around three million a year, then you do it. But there are others above him I would rather have.
These are my realistic choices that actually have a possibility of happening. Of course I’d rather have Ilya Kovalchuk, Patrick Marleau or Tomas Plekanec above the following three, but the likeliness of landing these players are slim to none.
The next edition will be focusing on defense, then last will be goaltending. Please let me know what you think and what are YOUR top forward wants this offs eason?
Randall Ritchey
