Nashville took Mike Richter in the expansion draft from New York, in hopes that whoever signed him would have to compensate them with draft picks. New York couldn't part with Richter, a superstar goalie like him, so easily, so they resigned him. Dan Cloutier isn't ready for the #1 job, and Robb Stauber isn't the best goalie. The Rangers also picked up John MacLean and Scott Fraser, two excellent wingers who could be on the top 2 lines. Manny Malhotra, the #7 guy in the draft this year, is expected to come up to the big leagues. He's an excellent player, and could be the #3 centre this season. Brent Fedyk was just recently signed, and is a good combonation of scoring and toughness. And happy retirement to Pat Lafontaine. He'll go up in the same category as Brett Lindros as victims of the diluted talent field thanks to expansion.
In Vancouver, Mark Messier is aging, at 38 years of age, and he doesn't have much time left. Add that Bure is probably on the way out, and that a goaltender is lacking, and it seems the Canucks are in trouble. A trade with Toronto is due since Potvin is the most eligible replacement for them. So, with the need for a centre, right wing and goalie, the Canucks signed Murray Baron, a gritty defenceman. They're also calling up defencemen Brad Ference, centre Josh Holden and right winger Bill Muckalt. They drafted defenceman Bryan Allen #4, and I'm surprised they passed on Malhotra. Ference and Holden are great for the future, but I don't see them doing much this early.
The Oilers have a little promise this year, compared to last. The main problem is goaltending. They've lost Cujo and Bob Essensa, but Eric Fichaud might be ready to step up. He has been compared to Felix Potvin. Josef Beranek is a key acquisition on left wing, and just last week, they signed former #2 pick overall Pat Falloon from Ottawa. And happy retirement to defenceman Kevin Lowe. Expect Chris Hajt to make an impact on the blueline. He's comimg up from Guelph, and I've seen him play. He could make an impact.
Carolina is trying to turn around their... well... bad image. They signed Ron Francis, a great playmaker/scorer/defensive forward/faceoff man/leader. He takes some pressure off of Keith Primeau. And I'm calling Jeff O'Neill to make his mark this season. Also, Carolina signed sniper Al Lafrate. Lafrate has possibly the hardest shot in NHL history, winning a few hardest shot competitions at the NHL All-Star Skills Competition. He'll add a scoring punch to this revitalized team.
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