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Best under the radar off-season additions? |
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Follow me on Twitter @ToddCordell
In this edition of the hotstove, we share our thoughts on the best off-season additions that have flown under the radar.
Todd Cordell
Vinnie Hinostroza was an excellent get for the Arizona Coyotes.
He bounced around the lineup a lot in Chicago – David Kampf was the only forward he played more than 150 minutes with – and was very productive regardless of where he slotted.
At 5v5 the Blackhawks controlled almost 54% of the shot attempts, and 52% of the goals, with Hinostroza on the ice and he averaged a very impressive 1.98 points per 60 in that game state.
He's a really talented player and his underlying numbers reflect that. Hinostroza should take off with more opportunity and he'll get that in Arizona.
James Tanner
My favorite under-the-radar pickup of the hockey offseason is the Flames signing Derek Ryan. Ryan is one of my favorite players in the NHL and he's extremely underrated. The Flames get a player who drives possession, scores at 5v5, can kill penalties, win faceoffs, be right-handed, and he's versatile - if you are suffering injuries, you can move him up the lineup and he'll fill in admirably. Ryan is no superstar, but he's a player who does everything pretty well and who will provide great value for his cap hit. I also think Ryan is one of the great stories in the NHL - making the league in his late-twenties almost like a Jose Bautista did with the Blue Jays. I don't know why he wasn't in the NHL for ten years before he was, but it seems like such a shame. Really happy to see him earn a few million and to go to a Flames team that had an absolutely great offseason and who are only a goalie away from competing for the Cup.
Peter Tessier
One move I really like is Arizona adding Galchenyuk. While it was a trade and not necessarily under the radar in terms of notice it was unexpected. It was out of nowhere really and possibly rather one-sided, or at least unbalanced.
Another move I like is what the Avs have done - Grubauer and Cole are smart additions for this team after last season.
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