the first time in the NHL gained experience that way, or like myself,Alex Ovechkin Red Jersey, playing more than I have in the past and learning. There were a lot of things that we can take away from this season to use to improve next season. You want to find that consistency and learning of the ways you can help the team."The 23-year-old was a significant offensive contributor for the Senators, with 29 points in 48 regular-season games and nine points in 10 postseason games. Turris credited the leaders in the locker room for easing the burden on the younger players and showing them the ropes."We've got a really good group of veterans – Daniel Alfredsson, Chris Neil, Jason Spezza, Chris Phillips – to lead us younger guys and steer us in the right direction,Tim Thomas Black Authentic Jersey," Turris said. "They set a great example and it's up to us to follow in their footsteps. Without that [leadership],Henrik Zetterberg Authentic Red Jersey, it would be a lot tougher. Then we have a good group of younger guys [with the talent] to follow their lead."Through 15 seasons with the Senators, Phillips has seen many players come and go. He said he's enjoyed the energy this group has brought and believes they can take away ample knowledge from this season."I think [this experience] can help them a lot," Phillips said. "Just going through it and seeing what it's all about. Even winning a round and moving on -- that's a big part of the game. [Next season] you're going back at it with no surprises; you know what to expect and how to handle it. On the ice, off the ice … a lot of things change. We're all going to want to improve on what we did this year."It's a fun group. They bring that youth and energy to the rink every day. They're playing music on the plane and having fun. We're all able to feed off of that. When you're enjoying coming to the rink, practice or game day, and you're having fun, that just translates into the game, and we've had a lot of success because of that. They all have another year under their belts up here, and I think our expectation is to constantly improve. It makes for an exciting group for next year."With a number of injuries to high-profile players plaguing their roster, Ottawa played the role of underdog much of the season. That, coupled with an abbreviated season, allowed them to occasionally sneak up on opposing teams. That won't be the case next season."[With everything we've achieved] I think people are going to have high expectations next year and that's a good thing," defenseman Marc Methot said. "That's a good problem to have. I think if we can come out of the gate healthy, you'll probably see a far more consistent hockey club and winning more games. Ultimately, that's the goal."
The St. Louis Blues re-signed defenseman Ian Cole and forward Adam Cracknell to new contracts on Tuesday.Cole, 24, received a two-year contract. He dressed in 15 games for the Blues this past season, posting one assist and 10 penalty minutes.A first-round pick by the Blues in the 2007 NHL Draft (No. 18), Cole (6-foot-1, 219 pounds) has played 67 games over parts of three seasons with the club. He has two goals,Henrik Zetterberg Red Jersey, 11 points and 67 PIMs.Cracknell, 27, received a one-year deal. He dressed in 20 games for the Blues this past season posting two goals, six points and a plus-3 rating.Cracknell (6-2, 210) has six goals and 14 points in 46 career NHL games over parts of three seasons.
GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- Brad Richards did not mince words when asked about his second season with the New York Rangers."Everything was a mess," Richards said Monday when the Rangers met the media for the final time before heading into the offseason.Richards made a pro-rated $12 million this season, the second of a nine-year, $60 million contract he signed in the summer of 2011, but after a subpar regular season, he was demoted to the fourth line in Game 6 against the Washington Capitals in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs before being left out of the lineup completely for Games 4 and 5 against the Boston Bruins in the Eastern Conference Semi