Old Faces in New Places: NHL Free Agency Roundup

This summers crop of free agent signings has been one of the most intriguing in recent years. A couple big names decided to pack up and ship out to new cities. Some left to chase childhood dreams, and another is making their much-anticipated NHL return. I'm going to highlight five of the most anticipated signings, and what to expect from them this coming season. Starting with the biggest name of them all, John Tavares.

Previous Season (With Islanders): 82 Games Played, 37 Goals, 47 Assists, 84 Points

Tavares crushed New York Islanders fans hearts when he announced that he would be leaving to join his childhood team, the Toronto Maple Leafs. Tavares spent 9 seasons with the Islanders, enjoying plenty of personal success when he wasn't injured. Since the NHL lock-out in 2012-13 Tavares has played 82 games twice, this past season where he put together an outstanding 84 point season, and the 2014-15 season when he accumulated 86 points (his career high). The team though has not had the same success. During his 9 year tenure, the Islanders reached the playoffs just three times. For a player of Tavares' quality that simply is not good enough.

Now with the Toronto Maple Leafs Tavares has the chance to not just make the playoffs year in and year out, but also finally contend for the Cup. Tavares is headed to a young and offensively potent Maple Leafs club that will not struggle to score goals. During the free-agency period, Tavares expressed serious interest in playing with Mitch Marner, who in his first two NHL seasons has put up 61, and 69 points. This means that Tavares doesn't have to elevate the play of the players around him like he did for the Isles. Tavares will, in turn, have more space when he's on the puck, which should lead to an increase in points. Then there's the cherry on top for Tavares, Power Play time with Auston Matthews. In Matthews first two seasons he has scored 34, and 40 goals. With Tavares controlling and moving the puck on the Power Play, both players will benefit from the extra space the other's presence creates. Tavares could and really should be in for a career year, and many fruitful ones beyond as well.

Prediction: With the young talent that now surrounds Tavares he won't have to take the physical beating that he did during his time with the Isles. This should lead to another injury free year. Tavares now also has the playmakers around him to truly thrive. With that said here's my projected totals for Tavares: 35 Goals, 60 Assists, 95 Points.

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