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Top 3 bargains in the NHL this year

December 11, 2009 05:33 PM | Posted by   Cassie Campbell  

Just because I’m a girl doesn’t mean I like to shop. In fact, I hate it. I have to know exactly what I want when I take off to the mall. Quick, easy, and painless is my shopping motto!

However, I do like a good bargain. Here are my Top 3 bargains in the NHL this year …

3. Maxim Afinogenov – The Russian was coming off a subpar year and received no offers in the off-season. At the urging of his good friend Vyacheslav Kozlov, Afinogenov went to Atlanta Thrashers on a tryout basis to seek full-time employment. He was signed after training camp to a one-year deal worth $800,000 US. He can be a risky player and can still frustrate the best of coaches with his high-risk style, but on the top line alongside Antropov and Kovalchuk he has thrived with 26 points in 29 games played this year. That includes 11 goals and 15 assists. He makes less than teammates Marty Reasoner and Jim Slater. If he keeps it up on a consistent basis, he should get a hefty raise next season.

2. Matt Moulson – This young man is second behind John Tavares in New York Islander scoring with 23 points through 31 games played. He has 14 goals on the season, which no one saw coming except maybe himself. He has really found some chemistry alongside teammates Kyle Okposo and Tavares. He makes $575,000, which is $135,000 less than Rob Schremp who has been a healthy scratch on several occasions for the Islanders this season.

1. Rich Peverley – He has put point per game stats basically at every level he has played at - in the ECHL, AHL and now, with a new opportunity in the Atlanta Thrashers lineup, in the NHL. The best part about Peverley is that he is very cap friendly. He’s making just $500,000 this season while notching 29 points in 29 games. One thing to note is that some of these points have come while playing on the third line with Colby Armstrong and Evander Kane. Peverley will get a raise next season. On Oct. 20, he signed a two-year deal that will see him paid $1.3 million per season. Still a bargain!

Now, it’s time for me to go Christmas shopping! Ugh!

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