Players in potential danger.

For a while now, the summer and particularly the 1st of July, has been a tradition of questionable signing or crazy contract offers. This year, it seems like general managers in the NHL have been very rational in the signatures and trades that they've made. Hockey feed was inspired with Sportsnet.ca Jeff Simmons top 4 players that could possibly struggle with their new team.

1. Francois Beauchemin, Colorado Avalanche: Beauchemin had his best years in Anaheim. Some players do better in some cities, like Erik cole in Carolina or Mike Camalleri in Calgary. A change of scenery is usually useful for player's career, but with Beauchemin, it probably means the start of his decline. At 35 years old next season, playing on a top pairing in the NHL is a tremendous task to accomplish, Colorado might not be the ideal for him. Look for Beauchemin's offensive production to decline. Patrick Roy is probably hoping that Beauchemin plays more of a mentor role than on the ice.
2. Martin Jones, San Jose Sharks: Jones is an interesting case. His numbers look good, but he only started 29 games in his career. He is 25, a bit young to assume the starting role by himself. His defence group in San Jose is far from being as good as the one he had with the L.A Kings. Although Jones has everything playing against him, I feel that he will succeed. His play at the World Hockey Championships was excellent for Team Canada. Jones could possibly find himself on either side of the spectrum; either he's going to have a very good season or a very bad one. There won't be any middle in his case. He will benefit from the best supporting cast a player in this list will have.
3. Johnny Oduya, Dallas Stars: Oduya his probably the player with the toughest job on his hands from the others in the list. Leaving one of the most impressive defence in the NHL, he joins a group of players that finished 26th in the league for goals against. Ode will also play a bigger role than with the Blackhawks, which might not fit him. Remember Johnny Oduya in Winnipeg? Nobody does, because he wasn't either good or bad. Which Oduya will we see in Dallas? Stars' management hope to see the Johnny Oduya who played for the Chicago Blackhawks.
4. Cam Talbot, Edmonton Oilers: Talbot is a key piece of the Edmonton oilers rebuild. He has the chance to bring an end to the goalie problem in Oil Country since Dwayne Roloson. Talbot's case is close to Jones' but he will have more pressure because of his age, his experience behind Henrik Lundqvist and because he plays in Canada. The Oilers' newest goaltender should have great support from his attack, but he will face major defensive breakdowns, a rare thing when you play for Alain Vigneault's team. Definitely the most interesting case on the list, Talbot could also be the one that does the best. He's well equipped to face his new challenge.

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Image Courtesy Keystone Press

JW