Sometimes it is hard to say good-bye. A player that has been on your roster since draft day has waffled back and forth. They have some games that remind you why you selected them in the first place. Then they might disappear into oblivion, dropping a -3 on an empty score sheet just to remind you that they are still there.
They might bounce back, but then again, are you planning on waiting around? Speaking of which, how much time are you going to allow someone to tank on your roster?
The season is literally 25% over. Players pretty much are who you think they are going to be, so don’t expect some incredible turnaround. Here are ten players that you need to cut loose.
Try and trade them if you can’t bear the thought of dropping them. Some of these guys do have trade value, but you aren’t going to get much in return. Example: crappy Ryan Miller isn’t getting you Pekka Rinne. Maybe three years ago champ.
10. Ryan Miller, G, Buffalo Sabres-I love America, and I love Ryan Miller, but his best days might be behind him. Trade him if you can, but be realistic about what you want in return.
9. Gabriel Landeskog, LW, Colorado Avalanche-It’s not really fair to put him on the list, but he has had concussion symptoms for over two weeks now. Unfortunately, he is still on the “can’t cut list”.
8. Loui Eriksson, LW/RW, Dallas Stars-Eriksson has been the man in Dallas over the past three years, but has gotten off to a terrible start. He has scored four goals, but has been a non-factor this season. Trade him if you can.
7. Jason Spezza, C, Ottawa Senators-Get Spezza off of IR and drop him. Even if he does return from back surgery, he won’t be the same for another six months. Bad Luck Brian thinks Ottawa is having terrible luck this season.
6. Cam Ward, G, Carolina Hurricanes-I’m not sure what is going on with Ward, but he has been awful this year. Not much value in a trade, so look for free agents.
5. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, C, Edmonton Oilers-The "Nuge" is super talented, but he needs to gain about 25 pounds to be a force in the NHL. Great hands, great speed with the build of a 10th grade girl. Zero goals in 12 games.
4. Jonas Hiller, G, Anaheim Mighty Ducks-Hiller was a mid-level goalie at best. Viktor Fasth has already taken his job. Unless Fasth gets hurt, Hiller won’t play more than 10 more games this season.
3. Shea Weber, D, Nashville Predators-You might get a return in a trade only because of Weber’s name, but he’s been terrible so far.
2. Drew Doughty, D, Los Angeles Kings-Doughty’s line is this: zero goals, four assists, minus-10. Awful. Drop him.
1. Anders Lindback, G, Tampa Bay Lightning-His sample size is big enough to realize that he isn’t Pekka Rinne 2.0. He’ll get you some wins if Tampa can start scoring again, but they won’t win that many games because of him.