Sykora has played LW before, but our middle six is small, soft and quite prone to injuries as it is. I don't think I've ever seen a player lose as much speed as Sykora has either. He used to be pretty fast, now he's probably even below average. Still got some hands and a great shot, could help the PP out but I don't think we'll see him produce at 0.5 PPG rate anymore. If I wanted him back, it would be only for nostalgia... But I guess it would be better than doing nothing.
I guess for the sake of nostalgia we could justify it in this a shortened season. If he gets injured we have players of a similar scoring ability to fill in for him.
I guess for the sake of nostalgia we could justify it in this a shortened season. If he gets injured we have players of a similar scoring ability to fill in for him.
While I wouldn't say it's for the sake of nostalgia, we do need someone at left wing, and we don't have a great option amongst the kids. Maybe Maroon can force the issue, but I'd take Sykora over Winnik, Beleskey, DSP, or Cogs at LW in our top six. The only issue I'd have is if he wants something longer than a one-year deal.
This is something I'm very curious about... has anybody heard if the new CBA got rid of the "Schultz clause", where a player becomes a UFA after 4 years in the NCAA?
Sykora is a pretty decent PP specialist still. Which is exactly why he's a bad idea. Because our staff would just make him primary puck handler at the half wall, and ask him to thread passes backdoor to Getzlaf for the snipe.
This is something I'm very curious about... has anybody heard if the new CBA got rid of the "Schultz clause", where a player becomes a UFA after 4 years in the NCAA?
I think I read they didn't change it. It was proposed, but the NHLPA rejected it.
Huskins has been a whipping boy everywhere he's been since leaving Anaheim, but that was mainly because of his contract. As a 7th defenseman, I'd be all for it. Aside from his rookie season he's always been a plus player and Huskins played his best hockey with the Ducks, and could maybe add some winning mentality as he's always played on contenders.
Remember, camp isn't open and these aren't Duck invitees. For now he is just one of the local NHL guys who have been skating together. Although he is looking for a job, so he may be interested in staying.
Tough to understand why NHLPA would care, but Fehr seems to have fought for a few things membership wouldn't have cared much about, and NHL probably didn't push this one a whole lot.
From Eklund:
"Schedule to be announced soon. Signings and more will be starting around 7p.m. tonight, although the Memorandum of Understanding is currently still being written."
