Just feel terrible for VA, especially in a contract year. Last year he played almost the whole season after battling injuries for years, and you thought maybe he could end up being a Justin Williams, where he finds durability later in his career, and then boom, now it's a total lost year. He enters FA at 31, but boy does it feel like an old 31 with all the injuries. I am guessing he is not going to get a multi-year deal from anyone, which is a shame for him. It also sucks for the Kings because it's a loss of a highly skilled player, who also happens to be the Kings only real right-shot offensive threat up front.
As far as Lizotte, I still think people sell him short, especially his offensive game. Last year he had 11 goals and 34 points, none of those coming on the PP and less than 13 minutes a game. I think I'd probably prefer Turcotte due to age and contract, but as far as actual on-ice play they are quite similar players, especially when it comes to offensive ability and playing with two scorers, I am thinking Hiller probably likes Lizotte's defensive ability a bit more to play wing with those two.
