stion during the offseason was whether QB?Colin Kaepernick would | Forum

They dont earn major headlines, but the summer hockey landscape is littered with veterans who have signed a one-year contract with the goal of impressing a team enough to earn just one more multiyear deal. Air Force 1 Schwarz Schweiz . And if it doesnt work out? Ask Alexander Semin, who last summer signed a one-year contract with the Montreal Canadiens after being bought out by the Carolina Hurricanes. He played 15 games, was placed on waivers by December and was last seen winning a KHL title.Players used to get paid for what they had done in the league. Now theyre paid for what we predict theyre going to do in the league. The cap has changed the mentality of how we look at players, said former?New York Rangers?and?Islanders GM Neil Smith. If you dont fit into one of two groups -- young, up-and-coming star or veteran superstar -- then youre going to have to sign a short-term deal because no one wants to use up their cap on a guy theyre scared of.Here are the players who have signed deals and are looking at a similar make-or-break season in 2016-17.Thomas Vanek, LW, Detroit Red Wings: Vanek appeared to be a crucial piece when the Minnesota Wild signed the high-scoring winger to a three-year, $19.5 million contract in 2014. At the time, he was fresh off a productive 68-point season and a trip to the Eastern Conference finals with the Canadiens. But Vanek never made it to the third year of that contract, being bought out by Minnesota last month before signing a one-year deal with the Wings. The two-time 40-goal scorer struggled mightily last season, scoring 18 goals and posting a minus-10 before going goalless in 10 Wild playoff games. Vanek, 32, isnt being signed to be a bottom-six forward, meaning he must recapture his scoring touch to stick around. Hell have every opportunity to do that with the Red Wings, who boast talented centers in Darren Helm, Dylan Larkin and fellow free-agent signee Frans Nielsen, not to mention scoring wingers in Henrik Zetterberg and Gustav Nyquist.P.A. Parenteau, RW, New York Islanders: The one-year deal Parenteau signed to return to the Islanders makes it four teams in four seasons for the veteran. But Parenteau might have found the perfect landing spot after navigating between the Colorado Avalanche, Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs. A ninth-round pick in 2001, Parenteau enjoyed his greatest success with the Islanders, including a watershed 2011-12 season in which he collected 67 points riding shotgun alongside an emerging John Tavares. That breakout season came at the perfect time because Parenteau signed a four-year, $16 million contract with the Avalanche the following summer. But he never regained his scoring touch and has struggled to maintain consistency since then. He did manage to score 20 goals on the rebuilding Maple Leafs last season, his first time reaching the mark since his first season with the Islanders. The opportunity to rekindle his old chemistry with Tavares could be the 33-year-olds best chance to earn one last multiyear contract.Chris Kelly, C, Ottawa Senators: Despite being an important depth forward on the Boston Bruins 2011 Stanley Cup-winning team, Chris Kelly seemed destined to end up elsewhere. Despite being beloved by teammates and fans alike, Kelly was the subject of trade rumors for years. His production dipped and he missed almost all of last season with a broken leg, leaving Kelly with little leverage negotiating with a front office at a cap crossroads. Like Parenteau, however, Kelly might have found the perfect landing spot. The center was drafted by the Senators in 1999 and spent parts of seven seasons there before being traded to Boston in 2011. At 35, hell be looked to for leadership and depth, but saddled with a one-year deal, there isnt much room for Kelly to slip in his return to Canadas capital.Mason Raymond, LW, Anaheim Ducks: If the 2011 Stanley Cup finals were a career-defining triumph for Kelly, it was very much the opposite for Raymond. Playing for the runner-up Vancouver Canucks in that closely contested seven-game series, Raymond sustained a severe back injury on a Johnny Boychuk hit in Game 6. The injury sidelined him for several months and Raymond still hasnt fully recovered. He signed with Toronto in 2013 and enjoyed a 19-goal season with the struggling Maple Leafs. That performance earned him a three-year contract with the Calgary Flames. But Raymond failed to fulfill expectations in Calgary, finishing the season in the American Hockey League before the Flames bought him out in June. At 30, hell have an excellent opportunity to recapture his scoring touch with the Ducks playing alongside world-class players Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Ryan Kesler. Hell also be playing for new Ducks coach Randy Carlyle, who is back for his second stint in Anaheim and coached Raymond during his comeback 2013-14 season with the Leafs.Cory Conacher, C, Tampa Bay Lightning: This might actually be the third or fourth chance for the diminutive Conacher, who played last season in Switzerland after spending much of 2014-15 in the AHL. If Conacher is looking for one last shot at the NHL, hell do no better than Tampa. An undrafted free agent out of unheralded Canisius College, Conacher was the 2011-12 AHL MVP before bursting into the NHL with the Lightning. Seeing considerable ice time with both Steven Stamkos and Vincent Lecavalier, Conacher collected 12 points in his first seven NHL games. Then he was traded to the Senators for goalie?Ben Bishop in what remains one of the more lopsided deals in recent NHL history. Conacher has bounced around but is still only 26 and cant expect many more chances to prove himself. With all the talent surrounding him in Tampa, there might not be a better opportunity for him to get one last crack in the NHL. Air Force One Schweiz . -- Peyton Manning will have all of his wide receivers available for the first time in a month when the Denver Broncos begin their playoff run Jan. Nike Just Do It Schuhe Air Force 1 . Philadelphia is 2-0 against the Senators this season and scored five goals in each victory. The Flyers recorded a 5-0 win in Ottawa on Nov. 12 and then earned a 5-2 home decision on Nov. 19. The Flyers have claimed three straight and four of the last five encounters with the Sens overall and Philly has won two in a row and three of its past four tests in Canadas capital city. http:///...shandel-schweiz.html .Y. -- Paul Byron and Matt Stajan scored as the Calgary Flames started a five-game road trip with a 2-1 overtime win over the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday afternoon. NFL Nation reporters take you inside what to expect for each teams training camp, including position battles worth watching, rookies who should start and more.For a list of training camp sites, as well as rookie and veteran reporting dates, click here.AFC East | AFC North | AFC South | AFC West NFC East | NFC North | NFC South | NFC WestAFC EASTBuffalo BillsWhile fans wait to see if Tyrod Taylor looks the part of a franchise quarterback and if top cornerback Stephon Gilmore will report at the start of camp, the pressure builds for an organization that hasnt made the postseason in 16 years.Miami DolphinsNew coach Adam Gase is implementing new offensive and defensive schemes in his first training camp with the Dolphins, and theres plenty of room to grow after last years 6-10 season.New England PatriotsThe buzz is all about the quarterbacks in this years camp as Jimmy Garoppolo takes over the starting duties during Tom Bradys four-game suspension to start the season.New York JetsWhile the Jets have signed?Muhammad Wilkerson?to a new deal, the next biggest question mark entering camp is who will be the starting QB: Ryan Fitzpatrick or Geno Smith? Crunch time is fast approaching in the Jets contract standoff with Fitzpatrick.AFC NORTHBaltimore RavensThe Ravens showed their confidence in QB Joe Flacco with a three-year, $66.4 million extension. Its now up to him to strengthen his arm, after not throwing much this offseason, and in the process?regain his championship form.Cincinnati BengalsMost of the starting jobs in Cincinnati are settled, but the Bengals still need to sort out in camp who will be catching passes opposite A.J. Green, including perhaps an undrafted receiver.Cleveland BrownsThe Browns enter training camp having much hope that?Robert Griffin III?can revive his career, but uncertainty still abounds at the quarterback spot.Pittsburgh SteelersAs the Steelers open training camp, a refreshed Ben Roethlisberger should have plenty of weapons to get fired up about, including LeVeon Bell?-- if he has?a smooth return from his knee injury.AFC SOUTHHouston TexansThe Texans put their offense through an extreme makeover this offseason, including the signing of QB Brock Osweiler and free-agent RB Lamar Miller. Will Houstons offense show an improved look in camp after last years first-round playoff exit?Indianapolis ColtsThe Colts gave up 118 quarterback hits last season, second most in the NFL. They will use most of camp to see who will man the right side of the offensive line come the regular season.Jacksonville JaguarsGeneral manager Dave Caldwell promised to make the defense a priority in the offseason, and he kept his word. The Jaguars made big moves in free agency and the draft, increasing the expectations that Jacksonville will?compete for the division title.Tennessee TitansCan coach Mike Mularkey and his staff create and shape an offense that puts quarterback Marcus Mariota in the best position to excel? The Titans will try to translate some optimism into real improvement, starting at camp on July 29.AFC WESTDenver BroncosSince the Broncos won the franchises third Super Bowl this past February, their offseason seemingly has been one big-ticket drama after another. It will be intriguing to see how a team that lauded its character and selfless discipline responds.Kansas City ChiefsSo much of what the Chiefs do defensively involves Justin Houston and Eric Berry. Houston had surgery on his ACL in February and Berry remains unsigned. Kansas City is unsure whether either will be at training camp, which?could make for two large holes on that side of the ball.Oakland RaidersThe Raiders havent made the playoffs since the 2002 season, but the optimism surrounding the team is a sign that the streak may be about to end. If QB Derek Carr does not come unhinged in the pocket, he should be able to help the Raiders take the next step. Will the Raiders believe the hype or use it as fuel in training camp?San Diego ChargersAs Chargers coach Mike McCoy likes to say, San Diego drafted Joey Bosa for a reason, and that was to make game-changing plays along the defensive line. The biggest storyline of camp will be Bosas contract as the Chargers need him to sign and get to camp on time.NFC EASTDallas CowboysThe health of QB Tony Romo and WR Dez Bryant is the top priority this preseason. If they are good to goo, the Cowboys will be good to go. Nike Air Force 1 Bestellen Schweiz. But can the defense hold up its end?New York GiantsAll eyes are on Jason Pierre-Paul and Victor Cruz as camp begins. The Giants carry many question marks as they try to finish at .500 or better for the first time since 2012, but health has been their biggest issue in recent years.Philadelphia EaglesWhile it will be compelling to watch coach Doug Pederson create a new culture and Jim Schwartz do a makeover on defense, the preseason will revolve around quarterbacks Sam Bradford, Carson Wentz and Chase Daniel as the focal point.Washington RedskinsThe Redskins had an excellent offseason; expectations are climbing for QB?Kirk Cousins, a deep group of pass-catchers and big signee Josh Norman. The start of camp will show whether Washington will be a team to watch for the next few years or the same old Redskins who revert to losing.NFC NORTHChicago BearsChicagos passionate fan base has learned the hard way over seven seasons that the organization will go only as far as QB Jay Cutler takes it. So far, Cutler has reached the playoffs just once in 10 NFL seasons. Can the Bears improve from 6-10 last season?Detroit LionsUntil Jim Bob Cooters offense is completely unveiled, how the Lions plan to replace star receiver Calvin Johnson will be on the top of every story written about Detroit this season. Will the committee approach help QB Matthew Stafford build on a?consistent 2015 season?Green Bay PackersJordy Nelson will be almost a full year removed from season-ending knee injury, and Jeff Janis might be the new Mr. August with five TD catches in two years of preseason games. Keep tabs on Nelson and Janis as Packers camp kicks off in Green Bay, Wisconsin.Minnesota VikingsComing off their first NFC North championship since 2009, and with their new home at U.S. Bank Stadium ready for this season, the Vikings will be followed by as much optimism as they have in some time. Fans expect the team to contend in the NFC, and the Vikings ability to do so will likely depend on the development of third-year quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.NFC SOUTHAtlanta FalconsRookies could make a significant impact for the Falcons this season, particularly on defense, so it will be worth monitoring how they progress. And on offense, QB Matt Ryan knows he didnt play his best last season, including 21 turnovers, so camp is the chance to start anew.Carolina PanthersThe three Cs -- Cam Newton, complacency and cornerbacks -- make up the storylines for the Panthers as they enter camp coming off a Super Bowl loss. Who will replace Josh Norman, and how can Newton improve on his NFL MVP season?New Orleans SaintsThe Saints can be playoff contenders if they can just make their defense respectable. But that has proved to be a tall order in recent years, as they have been wasting the back half of QB?Drew Brees prime. Can the defense be fixed?Tampa Bay BuccaneersThis is no longer Lovie Smiths team -- its Dirk Koetters, which means the clock starts ticking now, as Koetters two predecessors got only two years each before they were fired. The pressure is on, including the question of how QB Jameis Winston will produce in his sophomore season.NFC WESTArizona CardinalsAfter setting franchise records for wins, points and yards last season while coming up a game short of the Super Bowl, the top storyline for 2016 has written itself: Its Super Bowl or bust for the Cardinals.Los Angeles RamsThe teams return to Los Angeles after an absence of more than two decades is a top storyline to follow this training camp. But for that return to be successful, they need more production from the quarterback position. Enter rookie QB Jared Goff.San Francisco 49ersThe big question during the offseason was whether QB?Colin Kaepernick would be traded. He wasnt, and after multiple surgeries, the Niners former starter said he is ready to get his job back. The only problem is that?Blaine Gabbert is standing in his way.Seattle SeahawksSeattles focus during training camp will be on two players who finished last season on the sideline: running back Thomas Rawls and tight end Jimmy Graham. Getting them back on the field in conjunction with QB Russell Wilson & Co. will make?for a tough team to beat. ' ' '