Protected Players List, Part 8 of 14: New York Aviators

Here's 5 more Aviators players...

Jarret Rush

Stats: 25 y/o Defenseman; 47 GP, 1 G, 16 A, 17 Pts, +21

Thoughts: The Aviators wasted no time locking down Rush for their sophomore season, and for good reason too. 5 of his points came on the powerplay, and he takes a relatively low number of penalty minutes relative to games played; 59 minutes to 47 games. Finishing the season with a +21 proved he's not defensively liable and is very capable of defending the Aviators' net. Performed very well in the playoffs too, posting a goal and 3 assists for a +7 in 9 games. This is the kind of defenseman a lot of teams are desperately searching for more of.

Verdict: Announced this week to have signed a contract with the Aviators for the 2011-12 season. Staying for sure.

John Goffredo

Stats: 24 y/o Center; 47 GP, 24 G, 27 A, 51 Pts, +14

Thoughts: At 51 points and only a +14 comparatively, Goffredo and his linemates weren't the most defensively sound players on the Aviators team, but at over a point per game, it also didn't matter too much. Goffredo takes very few penalties, and is a scoring threat from all areas of the ice. In the playoffs, he continued his strong play with 3 goals and 3 assists in 9 games. Of those 51 points, a full third (5 goals and 12 assists) came on the powerplay. Also put up a very respectable pair of shorties.

Verdict: His biggest value may lie in his ability to center the man advantage down low. Totally a keeper just for the powerplay minutes he eats up, if nothing else.

Michael Thomson

Stats: 27 y/o Right Wing; 39 GP, 18 G, 29 A, 47 Pts, +29

Thoughts: Thomson is another common sight in the New York hockey scene, having done his time with the Brooklyn Aces prior to the Aviators. He is yet another player on the Aviators roster averaging over a point per game, and boasts a very impressive +29 to end the season with. Like Goffredo, he's a huge asset on the powerplay. 13 of his 47 points (2 goals, 11 assists) came on the advantage, helping to make New York one of the most feared teams in the league for those with a habit of spending time in the box. In the playoffs he made an absolutely heroic effort, potting 2 goals and 13 assists in 9 games. Of those points, 7 were powerplay assists.

Verdict: Another vital piece of the puzzles if the Aviators want to continue to strike fear into the hearts of opposing PK units.

Nicholas Vandenbeld

Stats: 26 y/o Left Winger; 16 GP, 3 G, 7 A, 10 Pts, +6

Thoughts: Vandenbeld saw most of his action in the back stretch of the season, and logged 9 playoff games as well. He finished with respectable numbers and managed to notch a shorty in the playoffs. Not quite amongst New York's elite starpower, Vandenbeld is a very respectable depth player nonetheless. As it stands, he has all the opportunity in the world to elevate his production level now that the Aviators have lost a few key pieces of their offensive artillery.

Verdict: Stays for depth; could move up with the departure of players like Puntureri.

Nicholas Kuqali

Stats: 26 y/o Defenseman; 40 GP, 1 G, 13 A, 14 Pts, +20

Thoughts: Kuqali anchored New York's defensive corps for almost the entire season, and at 6'2'' and 205 pounds, he definitely made his presence known crossing the blue line. 14 points in 40 games is solid for a defenseman of his role, and he kept well out of the penalty box for the most part. New York seems to be taking a very smart path in locking down their talented Dmen early, and Kuqali is no exception. He's a huge part of the system.

Verdict: Recently announced to have been resigned by the Aviators. Dependable two-way defenseman are a commodity. 1^st or 2^nd defensive pairing this fall, says I.