Introduction:
I like the Canucks, but at this point in the season, looking at the Oilers and Minnesota, you have to wonder if the winner of this division is going to have to go undefeated. Edmonton and Minnesota have the benefit have the benefit of icing mostly the same squad that they iced the year before but Vancouver.... well they've changed significantly.
The defense, which missed 174 man-games to injury last season, remains mostly intact and the Canucks still have one of steadiest players in the league in net in their new captain Roberto Luongo so defense shouldn't be much of a problem once they work through early game jitters.
Key Departures:
Brendan Morrison
Markus Naslund
Morrison leaves a gaping hole at second line center that will be competed for all season by Kyle Wellwood (currently on waivers) and Ryan Kesler (currently dominant).
Naslund's defection to New York completes the exodus of the Canucks top line and identity for seasons (Bertuzzi-Morrison-Naslund). As if it wasn't already obvious, this is now definitely the Sedin Twins team.
New Faces:
Steve Bernier
Pavol Demitra
Bernier is a physical presence and relatively fast for a big man. He will be playing the Holmstrom role on the Canucks top line with the Sedins.
Demitra hasn't quite clicked yet with his linemates in Vancouver. Considering that we are five games in that means we are 5 games closer to Demitra's eventual injury. Perhaps this is the year that Demitra finally loses all fantasy value.
The Offense:
There are two givens on this team and then a bunch of question marks. You can't go wrong drafting a Sedin though. Whether they are the team's best option or just a clever marketing gimmick is for another blog to discuss.
You Should Be Happy You Drafted:
Henrik Sedin
Daniel Sedin
Henrik is, in my humble opinion, where all of the skill likes. Daniel scores the goals but Henrik set them up. So do you want to not ever worry about assists? Draft Henrik as your second (or even third in some leagues) center and watch them come rolling in.
FACT: Henrik is the oldest, born five minutes before his brother Daniel.
Daniel is one of the most valuable Left Wings in fantasy hockey. He is goo for between 30 and 40 gaols and 70 and 80 points. He doesn't really get PIM but he takes plenty of shots and is a powerplay monster.
FACT: He may be the youngest but he was selected before Henrik was (by one pick) in the 1999 NHL draft.
You Want to Be Ready to Snag:
Pavol Demitra
Steve Bernier
Ryan Kesler
Though Demitra hasn't played a full season since 2001-2002 he has usually been operating at a point a game pace when he WAS playing. This finally went away last season when Demitra scored only 54 points in 68 games. That's still pretty good, but should be viewed as a sign of Pavol's stock beginning to dip. Keep an eye on him, but don't get excited or expect too much.
FACT: Demitra failed to reach 20 goals last season for the first time since he started playing full seasons in 1997-1998.
Bernier is still young and has all kinds of time to deliver on his potential as a power forward, but until he does you should probably stay away from him. If he continues to play on the Sedin's wing then he could definitely be worth your time. Be patient.
FACT: Many scouts have questioned his endurance, skating ability and commitment. Bernier needs to find the right fit team-wise and the right motivation before he can be a true star in this league.
Ryan Kesler has been the surprise of the season so far, as he and linemate Alex Burrows have combined for 6 goals and 5 assists. This is one of those things that you expect will go away at some point. Should they remain even semi-hot however (I guess warm?) Kesler is an attractive pickup because of his PIM and respectable shot total.
FACT: Did you know that Ryan Kesler scored 21 goals last season? Neither did I.
The Defense:
A fundamentally sound crew that are top to bottom injury risks. There are three players that could have fantasy value, including the consistently underrated Mattias Ohlund and Sami Salo and the consistently overrated Kevin Bieska, and one whom the Canucks seem very high on, Alexander Edler.
You Should Be Happy You Drafted:
Mattias Ohlund
Kevin Bieska
Ohlund has been playing in the NHL for 10 seasons now. He has never scored 40 points or more. So keep that in mind before you get too excited about the 3 point outburst at the beginning of this season. When Ohlund is rolling however he tends to be getting the majority of his points on the powerplay and he is usually good for between 80 and 90 PIM.
FACT: While he has never cracked 40 points, in seasons where he played 70 or more games he has also never failed to reach 30 points.
But... I thought. I said he was consistently overrated, I didn't say he wasn't valuable. He gets points (even last year he was on pace for over 30 before getting injured) while putting up a ton of PIM (last year he was on pace for 180) while still taking an acceptable number of shots. All I've ever said then Bieska is that there are better more reliable options. Considering he has already missed three games to injury this year and hasn't scored a point it would appear I'm right.
FACT: If you are a fan of physical hockey, you'll like this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKXZC4x7hO8.
You Want to Be Ready to Snag:
Sami Salo
Alexander Edler
I think of the two Edler is the guy you want to keep an eye on, but Salo has shown himself to be an offensive threat in the past and both are off to strong starts so far this season. Edler was called up last season to fill in the gaps as various d-men were injured and has performed admirably so far in an expanded role this season.
FACT: Detroit wanted to draft Edler. Thats about all you need to know right?
The Powerplay:
Daniel Sedin
Henrik Sedin
Pavol Demitra
Kevin Bieska
Mattias Ohlund
The point men will rotate between Bieska, Ohlund, Salo and Edler, making it difficult to determine who really has the most fantasy value. Any unit with the Sedin's is a good unit but this one won't start producing until they can find the right combination of players, something Vancouver has been trying to do with the Sedin's for about 5 years now.
The Goalie(s):
Luongo. This team's chances begin and end with Roberto. Thought by many to be the best goalie in the NHL, and in the top 5 by pretty much everyone else, Luongo is going to have his work cut out for him again this season. A top 5 goalie in any fantasy format.
FACT: Luongo was part of the absolutely worst trade in NHL history... no not the Bertuzzi deal. Luongo and Olli Jokinen were traded to the Florida Panthers by the New York Islanders for Oleg Kvasha and Mark Parrish. We make fun of the Islanders a lot in this blog, and now you know why. They are the Keystone Cops of Hockey Franchise Management.
The Verdict:
The Canucks will be competitive but not great. The addition of say... Mats Sundin... could change things literally over night but until something like that happens I will comfortably state that the Canucks will miss the playoffs this year in a heart breaker.
Showing posts with label Team Previews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Team Previews. Show all posts
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Saturday, October 18, 2008
TEAM PREVIEWS: THE TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
Introduction:
So I'm going to come right out and say it. I have a bet going with Nick, author of the consistently funny 2 minute minors here at BTT, that the Toronto Maple Leafs will finish with the worst record in the league. He only requested that the bet include Tampa, the Islanders and the Kings but really if any team other then Toronto finishes below them I'll be shocked.
What's the bet you ask? I'll let Nick tell you that but I'll try to sort of hint at it at least. Its not quite a sportsman's bet, or a gentleman's agreement, or as the Spanish say an acuerdo de honor, but its close. I did a little research on that btw and it seems that these agreements came into play because people got tired of shooting their friends when they didn't pay up on losing wagers. So instead of wagering anything of value they just called it a gentleman's bet. Believe it or not.
So I've got a wager on the Leafs winning the Tavares lottery and being the worst team in the league. That should tell you about all you need to know for the sake of this preview but if you're interested in seeing my contractually obligated public evisceration of the Leafs... well then please read on.
Key Departures:
Mats Sundin
Darcy Tucker
Kyle Wellwood
Bryan McCabe
Andrew Raycroft
You know... just a couple of guys. No biggee. Sundin, one of the most consistently solid players in the NHL for over a decade now, refused to waive his no trade clause last season, a move when couple with similar refusals from Darcy Tucker and Bryan McCabe set the Toronto Maple Leafs back into the hockey stone age. That's right they now use Pterodactyls to sharpen their skates and elephants provide the water for washing their jerseys after tough games.
Tucker rarely lived up to the offensive potential that he seemed to have, but was always a useful force on the ice. The club bought his contract out in the offseason and watched him walk to Colorado without receiving anything at all in return.
Wellwood, who is now on waivers in Vancouver, was a decent center and though he never quite lived up to his potential he would still be the second best center on this team.
McCabe... is it just me or is this starting to feel like the closing credits of Animal House. McCabe was traded to Florida and is now the Mayor. He married his college sweetheart and the girl that he was peaking in the window at in Toronto. McCabe and his mohawk are on the Panthers. He might even play some games this season when his back feels better.
The Raycroft experiment ended this season and Andrew joined his buddy Darcy in Colorado. Andrew never ever looked comfortable in the blue and white. I wish him the best in Colorado as he was once a solid positional goalie in his early days with Boston. I'm also kind of partial to the 'lanche and at this point it is pretty clear that Budaj is not the answer for that team.
New Faces:
Curtis Joseph
Ryan Hollweg
CuJo! I love Curtis Joseph. FACT: Curtis Joseph is 4th all time in wins by a goalie. FACT: Curtis Joseph is also 4th all time in losses by a goaltender and only needs 9 more to be first on that list. I've always liked CuJo, and thats saying a lot because I've kind of sort of always hated Toronto. I have, on more then one occasion, almost bought a blue Maple Leafs jersey with the number 31 on the back. Welcome back Curtis. Enjoy sitting on the bench and watching someone else take the heat for his horrendous team, like you did for so many years. What a great way to ease into retirement.
Hollweg was added as part of the Maple Leafs quest to lead the league in suspensions this season. So far, so good as they currently lead the league with 2... both to Hollweg.
The Offense:
It doesn't look good. There is one person on the entire team that has proven himself to be an offensive force of his own and not one created by Mats Sundin... and Jason Blake hasn't done that in two years. I view this team's offense as similar to the Islanders but with more upside and less veteran gristle.
You Should Be Happy You Drafted:
No.
You Want to Be Prepared to Snag:
Nik Antropov
Jason Blake
Its not that these are the only players on the team that have a chance of being fantasy worthy, they are just the only ones that have even come close to doing it before. I like Alexei Ponikarovsky a lot, same for Alexander Steen. These are guys who have shown me flashes of brilliance and could flourish with more ice time this season... or crash completely. Antropov is big and slow. The Maple Leafs will never have an odd man rush so long as he is on the ice. However Antropov can absolutely barrel through people and starting to learn how to use that to his benefit. If he gets on a streak like he did several times last season then he will be worth your time.
FACT: Antropov has been a long time coming as he was drafted by the Maple Leafs 10th overall in the 1998 Entry Draft.
Blake has always confused me a bit. I never really understood where the 40 goal season with the Islanders came from and then I didn't understand where the 30ish goal seasons he had put up before that went last season. Please don't misunderstand me. I feel for the guy. I really do. It can't be easy to start the first year of a big contract in the most overly critical hockey market in the world by finding out you have a rare but treatable form of cancer. That has to be rough. That said... where did it go? He still took about a million (editor's note: actually 332) shots on goal, they just stopped going in, and its not like the Maple Leafs were a huge leap backwards from the Islanders team he had been playing on. Blake is worth watching, and that ridiculously large (editors note: again 300+) shot total makes him less of a risk.
FACT: Jason Blake has taken 300 or more shots in every season since the lockout.
The Defense:
Even without the presence of Bryan McCabe the Maple Leafs D-corps is still a place of some interest for fantasy hockey players as there are at least three players that are worthy of your attention.
You Should Be Happy You Drafted:
Tomas Kaberle
Pavel Kubina
Kaberle also declined to waive his no trade clause at the deadline... destroying a deal for Philadelphia's young center Jeff Carter. I'll give all of you Maple Leafs fans a second to collect your thoughts on that one. Better? OK. Team destroying no trade clauses aside Kaberle is and has been very good offensive d-man. It remains to be seen whether he can do it without his partner in crime McCabe and without Sundin in front of him, but early returns indicate that he can.
FACT: Kaberle has scored 40 or more points in 6 of his 9 seasons.
Kubina is a little bit more of a risk. His 40 points last season were a career high, but his value doesn't lie with point totals. If Kubina can manage mid-30's in points then his lack of points will be more then made up for by his PIM. Kubina is a solid 4th d-man in most leagues.
FACT: In 664 regular season games Kubina has amassed 827 PIM.
You Want to Be Ready to Snag:
Mike Van Ryn
Van Ryn came to the Maple Leafs in the McCabe deal over the summer. He has always been a decent offensive option and find himself receiving powerplay time on this depleted Maple Leafs squad. Keep an eye on him. He has two point through 5 games.
FACT: Van Ryn was drafted 26th overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 1998 entry draft.
The Powerplay:
Nik Antropov
Alexander Steen
Jason Blake
Tomas Kaberle
Pavel Kubina
It is what it is.
The Goalie(s):
Sundin got Toskala 33 wins last season. By now you know that I like to use Sv% to judge a goalie's skill. Sv% is the only stat over which a goalie really has any personal control. I think it can be confusing when, like Brodeur early in his career, Sv% is artificially deflated by excellent defense. That is not the case here. Toskala's Sv% has never cracked .910, but his GAA has never broken 3.00 so he's kind of a mediocre option in net. I don't know if he'll break 30 wins this year, in fact I'm betting on it. CuJo
FACT: Was part of one of the greatest groups of goaltenders this side of Chicago's tandem of Belfour and Hasek. The 2002-03 Sharks had as their backstops Nabakov, Kipprusoff and Toskala.
The Verdict:
Its going to be tough for this team to score goals and the defense and Toskala aren't going to be able to keep them in enough games as the season wears on. My advice, be like CuJo, get nice and comfy on your bench/couch/bean bag chair and watch the Maple Leafs burn.
So I'm going to come right out and say it. I have a bet going with Nick, author of the consistently funny 2 minute minors here at BTT, that the Toronto Maple Leafs will finish with the worst record in the league. He only requested that the bet include Tampa, the Islanders and the Kings but really if any team other then Toronto finishes below them I'll be shocked.
What's the bet you ask? I'll let Nick tell you that but I'll try to sort of hint at it at least. Its not quite a sportsman's bet, or a gentleman's agreement, or as the Spanish say an acuerdo de honor, but its close. I did a little research on that btw and it seems that these agreements came into play because people got tired of shooting their friends when they didn't pay up on losing wagers. So instead of wagering anything of value they just called it a gentleman's bet. Believe it or not.
So I've got a wager on the Leafs winning the Tavares lottery and being the worst team in the league. That should tell you about all you need to know for the sake of this preview but if you're interested in seeing my contractually obligated public evisceration of the Leafs... well then please read on.
Key Departures:
Mats Sundin
Darcy Tucker
Kyle Wellwood
Bryan McCabe
Andrew Raycroft
You know... just a couple of guys. No biggee. Sundin, one of the most consistently solid players in the NHL for over a decade now, refused to waive his no trade clause last season, a move when couple with similar refusals from Darcy Tucker and Bryan McCabe set the Toronto Maple Leafs back into the hockey stone age. That's right they now use Pterodactyls to sharpen their skates and elephants provide the water for washing their jerseys after tough games.
Tucker rarely lived up to the offensive potential that he seemed to have, but was always a useful force on the ice. The club bought his contract out in the offseason and watched him walk to Colorado without receiving anything at all in return.
Wellwood, who is now on waivers in Vancouver, was a decent center and though he never quite lived up to his potential he would still be the second best center on this team.
McCabe... is it just me or is this starting to feel like the closing credits of Animal House. McCabe was traded to Florida and is now the Mayor. He married his college sweetheart and the girl that he was peaking in the window at in Toronto. McCabe and his mohawk are on the Panthers. He might even play some games this season when his back feels better.
The Raycroft experiment ended this season and Andrew joined his buddy Darcy in Colorado. Andrew never ever looked comfortable in the blue and white. I wish him the best in Colorado as he was once a solid positional goalie in his early days with Boston. I'm also kind of partial to the 'lanche and at this point it is pretty clear that Budaj is not the answer for that team.
New Faces:
Curtis Joseph
Ryan Hollweg
CuJo! I love Curtis Joseph. FACT: Curtis Joseph is 4th all time in wins by a goalie. FACT: Curtis Joseph is also 4th all time in losses by a goaltender and only needs 9 more to be first on that list. I've always liked CuJo, and thats saying a lot because I've kind of sort of always hated Toronto. I have, on more then one occasion, almost bought a blue Maple Leafs jersey with the number 31 on the back. Welcome back Curtis. Enjoy sitting on the bench and watching someone else take the heat for his horrendous team, like you did for so many years. What a great way to ease into retirement.
Hollweg was added as part of the Maple Leafs quest to lead the league in suspensions this season. So far, so good as they currently lead the league with 2... both to Hollweg.
The Offense:
It doesn't look good. There is one person on the entire team that has proven himself to be an offensive force of his own and not one created by Mats Sundin... and Jason Blake hasn't done that in two years. I view this team's offense as similar to the Islanders but with more upside and less veteran gristle.
You Should Be Happy You Drafted:
No.
You Want to Be Prepared to Snag:
Nik Antropov
Jason Blake
Its not that these are the only players on the team that have a chance of being fantasy worthy, they are just the only ones that have even come close to doing it before. I like Alexei Ponikarovsky a lot, same for Alexander Steen. These are guys who have shown me flashes of brilliance and could flourish with more ice time this season... or crash completely. Antropov is big and slow. The Maple Leafs will never have an odd man rush so long as he is on the ice. However Antropov can absolutely barrel through people and starting to learn how to use that to his benefit. If he gets on a streak like he did several times last season then he will be worth your time.
FACT: Antropov has been a long time coming as he was drafted by the Maple Leafs 10th overall in the 1998 Entry Draft.
Blake has always confused me a bit. I never really understood where the 40 goal season with the Islanders came from and then I didn't understand where the 30ish goal seasons he had put up before that went last season. Please don't misunderstand me. I feel for the guy. I really do. It can't be easy to start the first year of a big contract in the most overly critical hockey market in the world by finding out you have a rare but treatable form of cancer. That has to be rough. That said... where did it go? He still took about a million (editor's note: actually 332) shots on goal, they just stopped going in, and its not like the Maple Leafs were a huge leap backwards from the Islanders team he had been playing on. Blake is worth watching, and that ridiculously large (editors note: again 300+) shot total makes him less of a risk.
FACT: Jason Blake has taken 300 or more shots in every season since the lockout.
The Defense:
Even without the presence of Bryan McCabe the Maple Leafs D-corps is still a place of some interest for fantasy hockey players as there are at least three players that are worthy of your attention.
You Should Be Happy You Drafted:
Tomas Kaberle
Pavel Kubina
Kaberle also declined to waive his no trade clause at the deadline... destroying a deal for Philadelphia's young center Jeff Carter. I'll give all of you Maple Leafs fans a second to collect your thoughts on that one. Better? OK. Team destroying no trade clauses aside Kaberle is and has been very good offensive d-man. It remains to be seen whether he can do it without his partner in crime McCabe and without Sundin in front of him, but early returns indicate that he can.
FACT: Kaberle has scored 40 or more points in 6 of his 9 seasons.
Kubina is a little bit more of a risk. His 40 points last season were a career high, but his value doesn't lie with point totals. If Kubina can manage mid-30's in points then his lack of points will be more then made up for by his PIM. Kubina is a solid 4th d-man in most leagues.
FACT: In 664 regular season games Kubina has amassed 827 PIM.
You Want to Be Ready to Snag:
Mike Van Ryn
Van Ryn came to the Maple Leafs in the McCabe deal over the summer. He has always been a decent offensive option and find himself receiving powerplay time on this depleted Maple Leafs squad. Keep an eye on him. He has two point through 5 games.
FACT: Van Ryn was drafted 26th overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 1998 entry draft.
The Powerplay:
Nik Antropov
Alexander Steen
Jason Blake
Tomas Kaberle
Pavel Kubina
It is what it is.
The Goalie(s):
Sundin got Toskala 33 wins last season. By now you know that I like to use Sv% to judge a goalie's skill. Sv% is the only stat over which a goalie really has any personal control. I think it can be confusing when, like Brodeur early in his career, Sv% is artificially deflated by excellent defense. That is not the case here. Toskala's Sv% has never cracked .910, but his GAA has never broken 3.00 so he's kind of a mediocre option in net. I don't know if he'll break 30 wins this year, in fact I'm betting on it. CuJo
FACT: Was part of one of the greatest groups of goaltenders this side of Chicago's tandem of Belfour and Hasek. The 2002-03 Sharks had as their backstops Nabakov, Kipprusoff and Toskala.
The Verdict:
Its going to be tough for this team to score goals and the defense and Toskala aren't going to be able to keep them in enough games as the season wears on. My advice, be like CuJo, get nice and comfy on your bench/couch/bean bag chair and watch the Maple Leafs burn.
Friday, October 17, 2008
TEAM PREVIEWS: THE ST. LOUIS BLUES
Introduction:
Don't look now but the team that most talking heads (a designation which I grudgingly accept as applying to myself now) had pegged as the worst team in the West is leading their division... you know the one with Chicago and Detroit. Do I think that will hold up? No. Do I think that St. Louis is a playoff team? Probably not. With Erik Johnson down St. Louis probably doesn't have the D to get it done.
What it does say is two things: a) The rebuilding started under John Davidson is beginning to work and b) say what you will about the rest of the team, but the offense can score.
Key Departures:
Erik Johnson
He's not gone but he might as well be for the purposes of discussing this season. If Johnson really does miss the entire season as a result of his freak knee injury you can bet the golf carts will be burned in effigy throughout St. Louis. The team is riding high, playing with what they have right now, but eventually the lack of D and the lack of Johnson's steadying presence on the point will cost them.
New Faces:
Chris Mason
Mason is "Legace's body" insurance. Unfairly run out of Nashville for crimes he didn't commit Mason will be a fine backup for Legace (who was unfairly run out of Detroit for crimes he didn't commit) and should be able to spell him for stretches if it becomes necessary. A good move for the organization.
The Offense:
So... they aren't the flashiest names and they don't put up the greatest stats but St. Louis has a good mix of veteran talent, skilled castoffs and young high draft picks. They have great ambassadors for the game, veteran leadership, and the future all in one place, that's how you build a team.
You Should Be Happy You Drafted:
Paul Kariya
Brad Boyes
Keith Tkachuk
We said this about Kariya when we ranked him as the 13th Left Winger, "He's an amazing talent even now. Don't let last season or his age convince you otherwise." So far BTT has been correct. Through 4 games Paul Kariya has 8 points and is skating like a player half his age and running the powerplay like a grizzled veteran. That may eventually slow but it certainly is encouraging. A top tier second LW option almost every league.
FACT: One more time for good measure, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51xq5G6053A
Boyes is off to a great start, picking up right where he left off last season. He has 4 goals and 2 assists through the first 4 games and looks strong in all aspects of the game. Boyes, one of the castoffs I mentioned above, Boyes doesn't get you PIM but he is a decent shooter and should be active on the powerplay all season.
FACT: Brad played several seasons of roller hockey for his hometown team, the Mississuaga Rattlers.
Last year was supposed to be the last season that Tkachuk was able to contribute. He had 58 points and 70 PIM. Now this is supposed to be the last season he can contribute. He has started the season with 5 goals and 8 PIM. Tkachuk won't keep this pace for the entire season, but when he stops scoring he will still contribute in other ways. He is a fine player to have on your bench as he is valuable in your lineup even when he isn't on a hot streak.
FACT: Keith Tkachuk was the first American born player to lead the NHL in goals, scoring 52 in 1996-97.
You Want to Be Prepared to Snag:
Andy McDonald
David Perron
Patirk Beglund
McDonald had a disgusting year after two great ones with Anaheim Ducks. If he returns to those heights, 85 and 78 points respectively, then he would be worth a roster spot.
FACT: Speedier then you might think, McDonald won the fastest skater competition at the 2007 NHL all star game.
Perron and Berglund are both low first round draft picks and, along with TJ Oshie, make up a trio of young talent that have really stood out for the Blues early this season. Perron and Berglund are receiving significant ice time, a good amount of it with Paul Kariya, and are really contributing to this club at a high level. Now when reality catches up with the Blues it is likely the rookies that will be the first to be affected but nevertheless their production should be watched carefully. Unexpected production from players no one else has heard of but you is where fantasy leagues are won and lost. Take heed.
FACT: 7. That's the number of first round draft picks St. Louis currently has playing offense for them.
The Defense:
Without the presence of Erik Johnson there isn't a whole lot to talk about here. Ultimately this will be St. Louis's problem this year (as it almost was the other day against the Maple Leafs of all teams). They are incapable of providing adequate protection for Manny Legace so if he is forced to leave a rebound he's kinda toast. If someone emerges here I'll be sure to let you all know.
The Powerplay:
Paul Kariya
Keith Tkachuk
Brad Boyes
Andy McDonald
Eric Brewer
Its a good unit that is going to miss Johnson's poise. Kariya is still aces at setting the table though as his 6 powerplay assists attest to.
The Goalie(s):
Legace is the starter here, but without D his numbers are going to suffer a bit this season, as likely will Mason's if he's called upon to spend any significant amount of time in the crease. Neither is a bad pickup as a spot starter but you certainly shouldn't place your hopes of a championship upon either.
FACT: Legace made the all star game last year. I know right?
The Verdict:
The Blues will be an exciting team to watch this year as they take another step towards becoming the dominant team they were in the 80's and 90's.
Don't look now but the team that most talking heads (a designation which I grudgingly accept as applying to myself now) had pegged as the worst team in the West is leading their division... you know the one with Chicago and Detroit. Do I think that will hold up? No. Do I think that St. Louis is a playoff team? Probably not. With Erik Johnson down St. Louis probably doesn't have the D to get it done.
What it does say is two things: a) The rebuilding started under John Davidson is beginning to work and b) say what you will about the rest of the team, but the offense can score.
Key Departures:
Erik Johnson
He's not gone but he might as well be for the purposes of discussing this season. If Johnson really does miss the entire season as a result of his freak knee injury you can bet the golf carts will be burned in effigy throughout St. Louis. The team is riding high, playing with what they have right now, but eventually the lack of D and the lack of Johnson's steadying presence on the point will cost them.
New Faces:
Chris Mason
Mason is "Legace's body" insurance. Unfairly run out of Nashville for crimes he didn't commit Mason will be a fine backup for Legace (who was unfairly run out of Detroit for crimes he didn't commit) and should be able to spell him for stretches if it becomes necessary. A good move for the organization.
The Offense:
So... they aren't the flashiest names and they don't put up the greatest stats but St. Louis has a good mix of veteran talent, skilled castoffs and young high draft picks. They have great ambassadors for the game, veteran leadership, and the future all in one place, that's how you build a team.
You Should Be Happy You Drafted:
Paul Kariya
Brad Boyes
Keith Tkachuk
We said this about Kariya when we ranked him as the 13th Left Winger, "He's an amazing talent even now. Don't let last season or his age convince you otherwise." So far BTT has been correct. Through 4 games Paul Kariya has 8 points and is skating like a player half his age and running the powerplay like a grizzled veteran. That may eventually slow but it certainly is encouraging. A top tier second LW option almost every league.
FACT: One more time for good measure, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51xq5G6053A
Boyes is off to a great start, picking up right where he left off last season. He has 4 goals and 2 assists through the first 4 games and looks strong in all aspects of the game. Boyes, one of the castoffs I mentioned above, Boyes doesn't get you PIM but he is a decent shooter and should be active on the powerplay all season.
FACT: Brad played several seasons of roller hockey for his hometown team, the Mississuaga Rattlers.
Last year was supposed to be the last season that Tkachuk was able to contribute. He had 58 points and 70 PIM. Now this is supposed to be the last season he can contribute. He has started the season with 5 goals and 8 PIM. Tkachuk won't keep this pace for the entire season, but when he stops scoring he will still contribute in other ways. He is a fine player to have on your bench as he is valuable in your lineup even when he isn't on a hot streak.
FACT: Keith Tkachuk was the first American born player to lead the NHL in goals, scoring 52 in 1996-97.
You Want to Be Prepared to Snag:
Andy McDonald
David Perron
Patirk Beglund
McDonald had a disgusting year after two great ones with Anaheim Ducks. If he returns to those heights, 85 and 78 points respectively, then he would be worth a roster spot.
FACT: Speedier then you might think, McDonald won the fastest skater competition at the 2007 NHL all star game.
Perron and Berglund are both low first round draft picks and, along with TJ Oshie, make up a trio of young talent that have really stood out for the Blues early this season. Perron and Berglund are receiving significant ice time, a good amount of it with Paul Kariya, and are really contributing to this club at a high level. Now when reality catches up with the Blues it is likely the rookies that will be the first to be affected but nevertheless their production should be watched carefully. Unexpected production from players no one else has heard of but you is where fantasy leagues are won and lost. Take heed.
FACT: 7. That's the number of first round draft picks St. Louis currently has playing offense for them.
The Defense:
Without the presence of Erik Johnson there isn't a whole lot to talk about here. Ultimately this will be St. Louis's problem this year (as it almost was the other day against the Maple Leafs of all teams). They are incapable of providing adequate protection for Manny Legace so if he is forced to leave a rebound he's kinda toast. If someone emerges here I'll be sure to let you all know.
The Powerplay:
Paul Kariya
Keith Tkachuk
Brad Boyes
Andy McDonald
Eric Brewer
Its a good unit that is going to miss Johnson's poise. Kariya is still aces at setting the table though as his 6 powerplay assists attest to.
The Goalie(s):
Legace is the starter here, but without D his numbers are going to suffer a bit this season, as likely will Mason's if he's called upon to spend any significant amount of time in the crease. Neither is a bad pickup as a spot starter but you certainly shouldn't place your hopes of a championship upon either.
FACT: Legace made the all star game last year. I know right?
The Verdict:
The Blues will be an exciting team to watch this year as they take another step towards becoming the dominant team they were in the 80's and 90's.
TEAM PREVIEWS: THE OTTAWA SENATORS
Introduction:
You know when you get that headache that isn't really a headache but is actually more of a pounding above your eye. And you just rub it and rub it but that only seems to make it worse and you take some Tylenol and hope it will go away but in the end it just stays there and even continues to bother you as you go to sleep? That's how I feel about the Ottawa Senators this year. Something is not quite right with the team and really no measure of creative roster massaging or the introduction of relief through free agency or trades is going to change it. They are going to be who they are going to be.
Who is that? A team that scores a lot of goals but ultimately either takes an early exit in the playoffs or fails to make it altogether.
Key Departures:
Ray Emery
Wade Redden
Mike Commodore
Cory Stillman
Andrej Meszaros
Emery went to Russia and so too did the "Days of Our Lives" style craziness that had taken over the Senators locker room. Its usually not a good sign when you are fighting your teammates in practice. In fact that's a terrible sign. I think this was a good move for Emery as he is a less then awful goalie and he'll get a chance to remind NHL teams of that. He wasn't going to be given that opportunity in North America this season.
You'd think that Wade Redden was the Frankenstein monster the way he was run out of town in Ottawa. He did everything but flee to a windmill. I'm going to be frank with you Sens fans. Say what you will about the guy he is one of the most patient, poised defensemen I've had the pleasure of watching and on top of that he's creative offensively and deceptively quick. What was to hate?
The fact the Commodore and Stillman are now both gone after Ottawa sent Joe Corvo, one of three offensive defensemen they used to have, and former BC great Pat Eaves to Carolina is evidence of the complete organizational ineptitude from which this team is suffering. Stillman never really clicked in Ottawa but another season surely would have helped with that. And Commodore was exactly the kind of bruising D-man that they now lack. Sure Jason Smith is all right but ... sigh...
Andrej Meszaros is better then you think. He's only 22 and on what was a crowded blue line was able to put together 35, 39 and 36 point seasons.
New Faces:
Jason Smith
Filip Kuba
Alex Auld
Jason Smith is a steady presence in the back, one of the few Ottawa looks to have at the beginning of this season. He isn't fantasy relevant except that he might be responsible for keeping a goal or two out of the net.
Kuba is an all right offensive defenseman. He wasn't particularly great in Tampa when Dan Boyle went down last season but he has a good shot and can pass and that's about all you need to get points on this powerplay.
Alex Auld is not the answer. He wasn't the answer for Vancouver. He wasn't the answer for Florida. He won't be the answer here.
The Offense:
I'm tired of asking if this is the year Mike Fisher becomes a reliable point producer. I'm tired of saying the Antoine Vermette has a ton of talent but that it never shows up on the score sheet and I'm done speculating about whether or not they will get any production out of their farm system. For fantasy purposes this is a one line team. They are all spectacular and other then Heatley are all also shockingly injury prone.
You Should Be Happy You Drafted:
Daniel Alfredsson
Dany Heatley
Jason Spezza
Alfredsson when asked about his recent knee surgery said "It went well. I had a loose piece in there. They took it out. I think in 20 minutes it was done. I feel fine. I can walk around no problem." This happened last Friday. Alfredsson was on the exercise bike on Monday. It makes you want to shout "They took out a piece of your knee! Really? You feel fine?" Regardless, the Sens, and tons and tons of fantasy owners better hope that Alfredsson in fact feels fine because he is the key to their seasons. Alfredsson is an elite right winger, that always misses a few games to injury. Better it happen now then when you are making that push at the end of the season.
FACT: Alfredsson has played one 82 game season... his first.
Hockey is an interesting world. Nobody talks about the past. I guess I'll honor that. Dany Heatley is a great hockey player and one of the best all around options you can have on your fantasy team. He plays on the wing, gets a ton of points and contributes in all the intangible categories.
FACT: Dany Heatley, at the age of 27, is already Team Canada's all time leader in goals, passing Marcel Dionne, and points, passing Steve Yzerman.
Spezza...Spezza is Joe Thornton but he passes less and scores more. He doesn't shoot, he doesn't really get PIM. He plays a soft game despite being a pretty big kid. But underneath all of that he's talented as high holy hell. We haven't seen the best this kid has to offer yet. He's fast and he's got hands the envy of every centerman to ever play the game. Some day, when his game comes together fully, he'll lead the league in scoring. Until then you'll just have to settle for the 90+ point season that's only frustrating because you know he's capable of more.
FACT: Spezza is yet another pick that should have been the Islanders. He was acquired with one of the draft picks, the second overall in 2001, the Islanders gave up for Alexei Yashin. Luongo, Heatley, Bertuzzi and Chara could all be on the Islanders right now. Think about that.
You Want to Be Ready to Snag:
Antoine Vermette
I know. I didn't say I'd stop it, I just said I was tired of it. But seriously WATCH THIS http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ho4eoeOxuKg He's soooo good! How is it possible that he can't string this together for an entire season??? Or at least long enough to be valuable.
FACT: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11ZJP3VeQN8&feature=related This is an absolutely filthy goal.
The Defense:
It looks pretty ugly back here. I could not have written this part preseason as I wasn't entirely certain that I wasn't going to be playing point on the Senators. I was waiting for the phone call.
You Should Be Happy You Drafted/Grabbed After Watching the Sweden Games:
Filip Kuba
It appears that Kuba is the guy on this powerplay, and that's probably the best option the Sens have until Brian Lee matures. Kuba is doing fine with the assignment right now, better then fine I guess as he has 4 assists, but we all know that the Sens fans turn on their d-men quickly if they don't make up for their forwards defensive ineptitude (See: Redden, Wade) so he shouldn't get too comfortable.
FACT: Kuba has been a plus exactly once in his career... his very first season he managed to be a +2.
The Powerplay:
Dany Heatley
Jason Spezza
Daniel Alfredsson
Antoine Vermette
Filip Kuba
Deadly unit. Spezza and Heatley really excel on the man advantage.
The Goalie(s):
Gerber was the feel good story of the season for the first half of the year and then the goat for the second half. With Ray Emery injured Gerber put up absolutely spectacular number through November, carrying the Sens to one of their best starts in franchise and NHL history... before the wheels came off and the bus flew off the highway, rolled down a hill, got hit by a train, and propelled into a lake full of sharks. I wish him luck this season. He will face stiff competition from Alex Auld who has occasionally resembled an NHL caliber starting goaltender. The best hope the Sens have this season is that Auld turns into this years Ty Conklin or Mathieu Garon.
FACT: The Minnesota Wild are only paying the goaltending tandem of Niklas Backstrom and Josh Haring $150,000 more then the Sens are paying Gerber.
The Verdict:
So my tone has been pretty harsh throughout the article, I recognize this. I think its warranted though. This is a team that could do great things with some creativity from the front office and better management of free agents and draft picks... but we're stuck with bad D and bad tending behind one of the most explosive first lines in the league. That line may win them enough games to get to the playoffs, but if that happens it will be an early exit again, and the Sens are running out of D-men to chase to the windmill when they need a scape goat.
You know when you get that headache that isn't really a headache but is actually more of a pounding above your eye. And you just rub it and rub it but that only seems to make it worse and you take some Tylenol and hope it will go away but in the end it just stays there and even continues to bother you as you go to sleep? That's how I feel about the Ottawa Senators this year. Something is not quite right with the team and really no measure of creative roster massaging or the introduction of relief through free agency or trades is going to change it. They are going to be who they are going to be.
Who is that? A team that scores a lot of goals but ultimately either takes an early exit in the playoffs or fails to make it altogether.
Key Departures:
Ray Emery
Wade Redden
Mike Commodore
Cory Stillman
Andrej Meszaros
Emery went to Russia and so too did the "Days of Our Lives" style craziness that had taken over the Senators locker room. Its usually not a good sign when you are fighting your teammates in practice. In fact that's a terrible sign. I think this was a good move for Emery as he is a less then awful goalie and he'll get a chance to remind NHL teams of that. He wasn't going to be given that opportunity in North America this season.
You'd think that Wade Redden was the Frankenstein monster the way he was run out of town in Ottawa. He did everything but flee to a windmill. I'm going to be frank with you Sens fans. Say what you will about the guy he is one of the most patient, poised defensemen I've had the pleasure of watching and on top of that he's creative offensively and deceptively quick. What was to hate?
The fact the Commodore and Stillman are now both gone after Ottawa sent Joe Corvo, one of three offensive defensemen they used to have, and former BC great Pat Eaves to Carolina is evidence of the complete organizational ineptitude from which this team is suffering. Stillman never really clicked in Ottawa but another season surely would have helped with that. And Commodore was exactly the kind of bruising D-man that they now lack. Sure Jason Smith is all right but ... sigh...
Andrej Meszaros is better then you think. He's only 22 and on what was a crowded blue line was able to put together 35, 39 and 36 point seasons.
New Faces:
Jason Smith
Filip Kuba
Alex Auld
Jason Smith is a steady presence in the back, one of the few Ottawa looks to have at the beginning of this season. He isn't fantasy relevant except that he might be responsible for keeping a goal or two out of the net.
Kuba is an all right offensive defenseman. He wasn't particularly great in Tampa when Dan Boyle went down last season but he has a good shot and can pass and that's about all you need to get points on this powerplay.
Alex Auld is not the answer. He wasn't the answer for Vancouver. He wasn't the answer for Florida. He won't be the answer here.
The Offense:
I'm tired of asking if this is the year Mike Fisher becomes a reliable point producer. I'm tired of saying the Antoine Vermette has a ton of talent but that it never shows up on the score sheet and I'm done speculating about whether or not they will get any production out of their farm system. For fantasy purposes this is a one line team. They are all spectacular and other then Heatley are all also shockingly injury prone.
You Should Be Happy You Drafted:
Daniel Alfredsson
Dany Heatley
Jason Spezza
Alfredsson when asked about his recent knee surgery said "It went well. I had a loose piece in there. They took it out. I think in 20 minutes it was done. I feel fine. I can walk around no problem." This happened last Friday. Alfredsson was on the exercise bike on Monday. It makes you want to shout "They took out a piece of your knee! Really? You feel fine?" Regardless, the Sens, and tons and tons of fantasy owners better hope that Alfredsson in fact feels fine because he is the key to their seasons. Alfredsson is an elite right winger, that always misses a few games to injury. Better it happen now then when you are making that push at the end of the season.
FACT: Alfredsson has played one 82 game season... his first.
Hockey is an interesting world. Nobody talks about the past. I guess I'll honor that. Dany Heatley is a great hockey player and one of the best all around options you can have on your fantasy team. He plays on the wing, gets a ton of points and contributes in all the intangible categories.
FACT: Dany Heatley, at the age of 27, is already Team Canada's all time leader in goals, passing Marcel Dionne, and points, passing Steve Yzerman.
Spezza...Spezza is Joe Thornton but he passes less and scores more. He doesn't shoot, he doesn't really get PIM. He plays a soft game despite being a pretty big kid. But underneath all of that he's talented as high holy hell. We haven't seen the best this kid has to offer yet. He's fast and he's got hands the envy of every centerman to ever play the game. Some day, when his game comes together fully, he'll lead the league in scoring. Until then you'll just have to settle for the 90+ point season that's only frustrating because you know he's capable of more.
FACT: Spezza is yet another pick that should have been the Islanders. He was acquired with one of the draft picks, the second overall in 2001, the Islanders gave up for Alexei Yashin. Luongo, Heatley, Bertuzzi and Chara could all be on the Islanders right now. Think about that.
You Want to Be Ready to Snag:
Antoine Vermette
I know. I didn't say I'd stop it, I just said I was tired of it. But seriously WATCH THIS http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ho4eoeOxuKg He's soooo good! How is it possible that he can't string this together for an entire season??? Or at least long enough to be valuable.
FACT: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11ZJP3VeQN8&feature=related This is an absolutely filthy goal.
The Defense:
It looks pretty ugly back here. I could not have written this part preseason as I wasn't entirely certain that I wasn't going to be playing point on the Senators. I was waiting for the phone call.
You Should Be Happy You Drafted/Grabbed After Watching the Sweden Games:
Filip Kuba
It appears that Kuba is the guy on this powerplay, and that's probably the best option the Sens have until Brian Lee matures. Kuba is doing fine with the assignment right now, better then fine I guess as he has 4 assists, but we all know that the Sens fans turn on their d-men quickly if they don't make up for their forwards defensive ineptitude (See: Redden, Wade) so he shouldn't get too comfortable.
FACT: Kuba has been a plus exactly once in his career... his very first season he managed to be a +2.
The Powerplay:
Dany Heatley
Jason Spezza
Daniel Alfredsson
Antoine Vermette
Filip Kuba
Deadly unit. Spezza and Heatley really excel on the man advantage.
The Goalie(s):
Gerber was the feel good story of the season for the first half of the year and then the goat for the second half. With Ray Emery injured Gerber put up absolutely spectacular number through November, carrying the Sens to one of their best starts in franchise and NHL history... before the wheels came off and the bus flew off the highway, rolled down a hill, got hit by a train, and propelled into a lake full of sharks. I wish him luck this season. He will face stiff competition from Alex Auld who has occasionally resembled an NHL caliber starting goaltender. The best hope the Sens have this season is that Auld turns into this years Ty Conklin or Mathieu Garon.
FACT: The Minnesota Wild are only paying the goaltending tandem of Niklas Backstrom and Josh Haring $150,000 more then the Sens are paying Gerber.
The Verdict:
So my tone has been pretty harsh throughout the article, I recognize this. I think its warranted though. This is a team that could do great things with some creativity from the front office and better management of free agents and draft picks... but we're stuck with bad D and bad tending behind one of the most explosive first lines in the league. That line may win them enough games to get to the playoffs, but if that happens it will be an early exit again, and the Sens are running out of D-men to chase to the windmill when they need a scape goat.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
TEAM PREVIEWS: THE NASHVILLE PREDATORS
Introduction:
The young and wingless. No team had a rockier offseason then the Nashville Predators. None. Really. The franchise is on its third goalie in three years and could be on its fourth by the end of this season. Alexander Radulov was so disappointed with the organization that he signed a contract with the KHL and refused to honor the remaining year of his contract with the Predators starting what still seems like it could blossom into an international incident. Oh... and Steve Sullivan is still hurt.
I'm going to be straight with you trap-o-philes, other then the defense, which is stellar, there isn't a whole lot to like about this club. Rebuilding is in full swing, or dismantling. Take your pick.
Key Departures:
Chris Mason
Marek Zidlicky
The Predators supposedly traded Tomas Vokoun two seasons ago because they were confident in Mason's ability to assume the role of the starter. Then this offseason, after a rough year from Mason in his first season as a full time starter, the Predators traded Mason because they were confident that Dan Ellis would be capable of assuming the starter's mantle. This will be Ellis' first year in the crease full time. Sound familiar. I thought it would. Yeesh.
Zidlicky had to go. He's good but he was holding back all of the young talent that the Preds have on the blueline. Look for Ryan Suter, Shea Weber and Dan Hamhuis to respond strongly to their increased ice time.
New Faces:
No one of consequence...
The Offense:
No one of... kidding. So its not quite THAT bad in Nashville, not yet anyway.
You Should Be Happy You Drafted:
Jason Arnott
JP Dumont
Arnott is everything to this team right now. He's the catalyst. He's the physical presence. He's the offense. He's the veteran leadership and the powerplay guy. He is going to have to bring it every night if the Preds are going to have a chance of being competitive.
FACT: Arnott suffered a head injury when Alexander Radulov "hugged him too hard" in the playoffs... Tough Radu-love.
JP Dumont is a very talented winger. His 72 points might be a bit too much to expect this season as Radulov really helped him step it up to another level last season... without hugging him. He is a solid late round pick.
FACT: Dumont had 8 game winning goals last season, tieing a franchise record.
You Want to Be Ready to Snag:
Martin Erat
I really do like Erat but until he shows that he is capable of more then 60 points his lack of shots and PIM are going to keep him from being a viable fantasy option. He received a seven year deal from the team this off-season, which boggles the mind considering their unwillingness to retain other forwards, and will have a lot to live up to.
FACT: Erat is a rarity in the NHL, a top line player selected late in the draft. Erat was selected in the 7th round of the 1999 NHL draft with the 191st pick.
The Defense:
Here's where things get sexy for this team. With Zidlicky gone there is no shortage of defenders who will be ready to step in and replace him on the man advantage. All of them are good but only 2 or 3 will be worth having on a fantasy team. Who you ask? Well happily I'm ready to answer that for you.
You Should Be Happy You Drafted:
Shea Weber
Ryan Suter
Weber never recovered from his knee injury at the beginning of the 07-08 season. All of that is behind now. Weber should have no problem regaining his 40 + point form and should add about 65 PIM for good measure.
FACT: Weber has a scintillating slapshot from the point and should benefit from increased powerplay time.
Suter was the 7th overall pick in the 2003 draft. At 23 he is way ahead of the curve for defensemen and could post a 40 plus point season for the first time this year. Weber is more of a goal scorer and Suter more of an assist guy but they both shot and they both rack up PIM. Because of where he plays you should be able to get him a little later then you might otherwise be able to.
FACT: Opponents of jingoism scroll down. Suter had this to say about representing the United States in international competition where he's been on three gold medal winning teams, "I feel it’s an honor to wear the Team USA Jersey and every time I’m on the ice I play my hardest and give everything I have. Playing for Team USA is one of those things you look forward to. When I got the call and was asked to play on this team, it was an easy answer. It didn’t matter who was on the team or who the coach was. It’s just an honor to wear the jersey and compete for your country."
You Want to Be Ready to Snag:
Ville Koistinen
Dan Hamhuis
Seriously, all of their defenders are good. Hamhuis was the 12th overall pick in the 2001 draft and Koistinen, who was undrafted, managed to score 17 points in only 48 games last year. If either of these guys start seeing regular powerplay time they will be worth a roster spot.
FACT: Hamhuis' nickname is "Hammer" because of his crunching bodychecks. For those of that have seen Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog "These aren't the hammer. The hammer is my..." bodycheck.
The Powerplay:
JP Dumont
Martin Erat
Jason Arnott
Shea Weber
Ryan Suter
This unit is going to miss Radulov's shiftiness and creativity. That said Arnott will be an effective screen and Suter and Weber are both great options at the point. It will be effective but it is still missing a piece or two.
The Goalie(s)
I'm going to say it right now. Pekka Rinne will start at least 28 games this year. I'm calling it. I like Ellis. He was pretty lights out last year and should be drafted as a number 2 goalie in most leagues, but its just not clear that this franchise knows how to manage its goalies. Ellis' save percentage was sterling last year at .924 and he managed 23 wins in 44 appearances... still I can't help but be concerned.
FACT: In 2006-2007 Chris Mason played 40 games for the Predators after Vokoun had problems with his hip mid-season. Anyone want to guess what his Sv.% was that year? .925. This is why I'm concerned about Ellis.
The Verdict:
The Predators will be more competitive then they have any right to be due to the spectacular group of young d-men and the gutsy play of one or more of their goalies. However they will fall short of the playoffs for the first time since 2002-2003.
The young and wingless. No team had a rockier offseason then the Nashville Predators. None. Really. The franchise is on its third goalie in three years and could be on its fourth by the end of this season. Alexander Radulov was so disappointed with the organization that he signed a contract with the KHL and refused to honor the remaining year of his contract with the Predators starting what still seems like it could blossom into an international incident. Oh... and Steve Sullivan is still hurt.
I'm going to be straight with you trap-o-philes, other then the defense, which is stellar, there isn't a whole lot to like about this club. Rebuilding is in full swing, or dismantling. Take your pick.
Key Departures:
Chris Mason
Marek Zidlicky
The Predators supposedly traded Tomas Vokoun two seasons ago because they were confident in Mason's ability to assume the role of the starter. Then this offseason, after a rough year from Mason in his first season as a full time starter, the Predators traded Mason because they were confident that Dan Ellis would be capable of assuming the starter's mantle. This will be Ellis' first year in the crease full time. Sound familiar. I thought it would. Yeesh.
Zidlicky had to go. He's good but he was holding back all of the young talent that the Preds have on the blueline. Look for Ryan Suter, Shea Weber and Dan Hamhuis to respond strongly to their increased ice time.
New Faces:
No one of consequence...
The Offense:
No one of... kidding. So its not quite THAT bad in Nashville, not yet anyway.
You Should Be Happy You Drafted:
Jason Arnott
JP Dumont
Arnott is everything to this team right now. He's the catalyst. He's the physical presence. He's the offense. He's the veteran leadership and the powerplay guy. He is going to have to bring it every night if the Preds are going to have a chance of being competitive.
FACT: Arnott suffered a head injury when Alexander Radulov "hugged him too hard" in the playoffs... Tough Radu-love.
JP Dumont is a very talented winger. His 72 points might be a bit too much to expect this season as Radulov really helped him step it up to another level last season... without hugging him. He is a solid late round pick.
FACT: Dumont had 8 game winning goals last season, tieing a franchise record.
You Want to Be Ready to Snag:
Martin Erat
I really do like Erat but until he shows that he is capable of more then 60 points his lack of shots and PIM are going to keep him from being a viable fantasy option. He received a seven year deal from the team this off-season, which boggles the mind considering their unwillingness to retain other forwards, and will have a lot to live up to.
FACT: Erat is a rarity in the NHL, a top line player selected late in the draft. Erat was selected in the 7th round of the 1999 NHL draft with the 191st pick.
The Defense:
Here's where things get sexy for this team. With Zidlicky gone there is no shortage of defenders who will be ready to step in and replace him on the man advantage. All of them are good but only 2 or 3 will be worth having on a fantasy team. Who you ask? Well happily I'm ready to answer that for you.
You Should Be Happy You Drafted:
Shea Weber
Ryan Suter
Weber never recovered from his knee injury at the beginning of the 07-08 season. All of that is behind now. Weber should have no problem regaining his 40 + point form and should add about 65 PIM for good measure.
FACT: Weber has a scintillating slapshot from the point and should benefit from increased powerplay time.
Suter was the 7th overall pick in the 2003 draft. At 23 he is way ahead of the curve for defensemen and could post a 40 plus point season for the first time this year. Weber is more of a goal scorer and Suter more of an assist guy but they both shot and they both rack up PIM. Because of where he plays you should be able to get him a little later then you might otherwise be able to.
FACT: Opponents of jingoism scroll down. Suter had this to say about representing the United States in international competition where he's been on three gold medal winning teams, "I feel it’s an honor to wear the Team USA Jersey and every time I’m on the ice I play my hardest and give everything I have. Playing for Team USA is one of those things you look forward to. When I got the call and was asked to play on this team, it was an easy answer. It didn’t matter who was on the team or who the coach was. It’s just an honor to wear the jersey and compete for your country."
You Want to Be Ready to Snag:
Ville Koistinen
Dan Hamhuis
Seriously, all of their defenders are good. Hamhuis was the 12th overall pick in the 2001 draft and Koistinen, who was undrafted, managed to score 17 points in only 48 games last year. If either of these guys start seeing regular powerplay time they will be worth a roster spot.
FACT: Hamhuis' nickname is "Hammer" because of his crunching bodychecks. For those of that have seen Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog "These aren't the hammer. The hammer is my..." bodycheck.
The Powerplay:
JP Dumont
Martin Erat
Jason Arnott
Shea Weber
Ryan Suter
This unit is going to miss Radulov's shiftiness and creativity. That said Arnott will be an effective screen and Suter and Weber are both great options at the point. It will be effective but it is still missing a piece or two.
The Goalie(s)
I'm going to say it right now. Pekka Rinne will start at least 28 games this year. I'm calling it. I like Ellis. He was pretty lights out last year and should be drafted as a number 2 goalie in most leagues, but its just not clear that this franchise knows how to manage its goalies. Ellis' save percentage was sterling last year at .924 and he managed 23 wins in 44 appearances... still I can't help but be concerned.
FACT: In 2006-2007 Chris Mason played 40 games for the Predators after Vokoun had problems with his hip mid-season. Anyone want to guess what his Sv.% was that year? .925. This is why I'm concerned about Ellis.
The Verdict:
The Predators will be more competitive then they have any right to be due to the spectacular group of young d-men and the gutsy play of one or more of their goalies. However they will fall short of the playoffs for the first time since 2002-2003.
TEAM PREVIEWS: THE MONTREAL CANADIENS
Introduction:
Its the year of the bleu, blanc (imagine its white), et rougue. The franchise is turning 100 years old this year and hopes to add a 25th Stanley Cup to its century of domination. Make no mistake, this is the best Canadiens team we've seen since Patrick Roy was still talking to his goalposts in Montreal instead of telling his kid to go beat the crap out of the opposing goalie. But is it a Cup team?
Key Departures:
Michael Ryder
Mark Streit
Ryder was expendable ad had long ago fallen out of favor with head coach Guy Carbonneau. He will not be missed here.
Streit on the other hand could be a significant loss. I'm convinced that most people could score about 30 points playing point on this Montreal Powerplay (yes Nick even the Cookie Monster) but it takes talent to score 62.
New Faces:
Alex Tanguay
Georges Laraque
Tanguay and Mike Keenan didn't see eye to eye and when that happens its never Keenan who blinks. So Tanguay found himself in Montreal to start the season. I'm not sure if Tanguay is still the 80+ point player he once was but he will certainly get every opportunity to be on this run and gun team.
Though Tanguay was the most talked about addition to this team Laraque may be the most significant. The Canadiens lacked a bruising forward that the opposition would fear last season and it showed as they were brutalized and eliminated in 5 games by the Philadelphia Flyers last season. Laraque should add a dimension to the team that was lacking last season and allow more players to play their games without fearing retribution.
The Offense:
There are seven players on this team who finished with more than 50 points last season. That is an astounding feat. The Canadiens finished second only to Ottawa last season in goals scored last season. I expect that number to go down a little this year, as teams will be more prepared to defend against the powerplay and have a better sense of matchups. That said the Canadiens are one of the most talented teams in the NHL and should be heavily represented in your fantasy league.
You Should Be Happy You Drafted:
Alex Tanguay
Tomas Plekanec
Andrei Kostitsyn
Alexei Kovalev
Saku Koivu
With Tanguay its not that I think 80 points is where he belongs so much as I know that he DOESN'T belong in the high 50's. Tanguay has always been a gifted playmaker and, additionally, has always played with very gifted finishers. Things will be no different here as Alex will be setting Tomas Plekanec and Alexei Kovalev on the first line nightly and getting significant powerplay. Early returns show that you should expect great things.
FACT: Tanguay's best offensive season actually came not with Peter Forsberg in Colorado as many believe but in 2006-2007 with Jarome Iginla in Calgary.
Plekanec is steadily turning into a very good player. He is not a physically imposing player nor does he take a ton of shots, but he is defensively responsible and a force on the powerplay. He is a good second/great third center.
FACT: Was also a member of the silver medal winning Czech team in the 2006 Olympics.
Kostitsyn the greater had a solid breakout campaign last year playing with Alexei Kovalev. Kostitsyn managed 26 goals and 27 assists. While he was surprisingly quiet on the powerplay he should see more ice time with the main advantage this season. A solid 60-70 point winger.
FACT: A. Kostitsyn has played with an edge to his game at every level but the NHL and may eventually add PIM to the areas he contributes to fantasy wise.
Oh my god! He's 35 and I'm still talking about Alexei Kovalev. Kovalev who took a year off from being relevant in 06-07 came storming back in 07-08. Kovalev notched 84 points, 70 PIM and was a machine on the man advantage notching 47 points there. His resurgence reminded me a lot of that of Teemu Selanne's in Anaheim, meaning that he was always a star he just needed to be treated like one and given guidance and a leadership role. Can he do it again? No. But I think he'll come pretty close.
FACT: Kovalev has been accused of criticizing the fans, media, coaching staff and team during his time with the Canadiens. Why then do they still cheer for him in Montreal? This hit on Darcy Tucker: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khywEqMgtUI
Saku Koivu, like Mr. T before him, beat cancer and continued to do the thing he loves most in life. For that I applaud the guy. I don't think, though early returns indicate otherwise, that Saku really has the offensive value that he once did but he has turned into something of PIM magnet in his 30's. Therefore any offensive risk he might pose can be considered negligible as will be offset by other concerns.
FACT: Cool story. Saku was criticized by Guy Bertrand, a nationalist lawyer, for not speaking French. Koivu is Finnish, and he speaks English and French, but his French is very limited. He responded in two ways. First he laughed it off in the press and said that he is embarassed by his French but that he does speak it to his wife in "intimate moments." Second at the next game a video was played in the arena featuring Koivu introducing the Montreal Canadiens with the phrase "Ici Saku Koivu, voici mon équipe" which translates as "Saku Koivu here, this is my team."
You Want to Be Prepared to Snag:
Christopher Higgins
Sergei Kostitsyn
Higgins hasn't played a game yet this season as he is suffering from a mysterious "lower body injury." Higgins has always impressed me with his play, but seems to be one of the odd men out in Montreal this season. With rumors swirling about his imminent trade I would keep an eye on Higgins. His value would vault if he ended up somewhere where he would be guaranteed more ice team.
FACT: Christopher Higgins is a traitor! An American born player, he grew up in New York... as a Montreal Canadiens fan!!
Ah yes... Kostitsyn the lesser. At last we have come to you. I'm about the only person in the fantasy circles who wasn't high on young Sergei this preseason, and right now he has 4 points through4 games. Can't win em all I guess. I do really think that this will cool off for Sergei as I feel he's a year or two away from really contributing at a star's pace, but I couldn't blame you if you wanted to get swept up in the KtLess excitement. He's fast and fun to watch.
FACT: Lil Kostitsyn makes 2.75 million less per year then his elder brother. I have this image of Andrei lighting cigars with 100 dollar bills and then offering to pay for Sergei's ramen noodles and mac and cheese, or whatever the Belarussian equivalent thereof is.
The Defense:
Montreal's defense IS its offense. They spend so much time in the opposing teams end that they rearely get a solid counterattack going. Unfortunately they are still a little thing behind the blue line, which accounts for Carey Price's elevated GAA last season. They don't have a ton of offensive talent in the back but its unclear exactly what Komisarek is yet. Right now he is already a great shutdown defender, blocking more shots then any other NHLer last season, but it was thought he might one day become a great puckmover. For now there isn't a whole lot of fantasy interest here beyond...
You Should Be Happy You Drafted:
Andrei Markov
Markov turned into an amazing offensive D-man over the last three seasons and was a critical part of Montreal's powerplay explosion last year. He will remain so this one.
FACT: Markov finished sixth in Norris Trophy voting last season.
The Powerplay:
Saku Koivu
Andrei Kostitsyn
Alexei Kovalev
Alex Tanguay
Andrei Markov
Lots of great puckmovers, with Kovaleve having the "heavy shot" of the bunch. Having watched a lot of the Rangers powerplay last season I would say that this unit is what Jagr was trying to mimic in New York... unsuccessfully. Scary fast and loaded with great playmakers, the Canadiens will live and die by this unit all year.
The Goalie(s):
Carey Price, your time has come. We'll never know whether Bob Gainey really wanted to put the future of his franchise up to the playoff scrutiny he was bound to receive last season or if he thought he had a deal in place with Alanta for Marian Hossa and Kari Lehtonen when he dealt Cristobal Huet, and it no longer matters. Carey Price has arrived. Price is prone to... lapses in judgment, but he is also prone to looking spectacular. Take what everyone else is saying with grain of salt and draft him as a later round number 1 starter or solid number 2 netminder on your fantasy team.
FACT: OMG! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikeCcQg6sf4
The Vedict:
When the offense sputters Carey Price is going to have to be spectacular but that might be an order he can handle. The Canadiens are the class of their division and may just be the class of the East.
Its the year of the bleu, blanc (imagine its white), et rougue. The franchise is turning 100 years old this year and hopes to add a 25th Stanley Cup to its century of domination. Make no mistake, this is the best Canadiens team we've seen since Patrick Roy was still talking to his goalposts in Montreal instead of telling his kid to go beat the crap out of the opposing goalie. But is it a Cup team?
Key Departures:
Michael Ryder
Mark Streit
Ryder was expendable ad had long ago fallen out of favor with head coach Guy Carbonneau. He will not be missed here.
Streit on the other hand could be a significant loss. I'm convinced that most people could score about 30 points playing point on this Montreal Powerplay (yes Nick even the Cookie Monster) but it takes talent to score 62.
New Faces:
Alex Tanguay
Georges Laraque
Tanguay and Mike Keenan didn't see eye to eye and when that happens its never Keenan who blinks. So Tanguay found himself in Montreal to start the season. I'm not sure if Tanguay is still the 80+ point player he once was but he will certainly get every opportunity to be on this run and gun team.
Though Tanguay was the most talked about addition to this team Laraque may be the most significant. The Canadiens lacked a bruising forward that the opposition would fear last season and it showed as they were brutalized and eliminated in 5 games by the Philadelphia Flyers last season. Laraque should add a dimension to the team that was lacking last season and allow more players to play their games without fearing retribution.
The Offense:
There are seven players on this team who finished with more than 50 points last season. That is an astounding feat. The Canadiens finished second only to Ottawa last season in goals scored last season. I expect that number to go down a little this year, as teams will be more prepared to defend against the powerplay and have a better sense of matchups. That said the Canadiens are one of the most talented teams in the NHL and should be heavily represented in your fantasy league.
You Should Be Happy You Drafted:
Alex Tanguay
Tomas Plekanec
Andrei Kostitsyn
Alexei Kovalev
Saku Koivu
With Tanguay its not that I think 80 points is where he belongs so much as I know that he DOESN'T belong in the high 50's. Tanguay has always been a gifted playmaker and, additionally, has always played with very gifted finishers. Things will be no different here as Alex will be setting Tomas Plekanec and Alexei Kovalev on the first line nightly and getting significant powerplay. Early returns show that you should expect great things.
FACT: Tanguay's best offensive season actually came not with Peter Forsberg in Colorado as many believe but in 2006-2007 with Jarome Iginla in Calgary.
Plekanec is steadily turning into a very good player. He is not a physically imposing player nor does he take a ton of shots, but he is defensively responsible and a force on the powerplay. He is a good second/great third center.
FACT: Was also a member of the silver medal winning Czech team in the 2006 Olympics.
Kostitsyn the greater had a solid breakout campaign last year playing with Alexei Kovalev. Kostitsyn managed 26 goals and 27 assists. While he was surprisingly quiet on the powerplay he should see more ice time with the main advantage this season. A solid 60-70 point winger.
FACT: A. Kostitsyn has played with an edge to his game at every level but the NHL and may eventually add PIM to the areas he contributes to fantasy wise.
Oh my god! He's 35 and I'm still talking about Alexei Kovalev. Kovalev who took a year off from being relevant in 06-07 came storming back in 07-08. Kovalev notched 84 points, 70 PIM and was a machine on the man advantage notching 47 points there. His resurgence reminded me a lot of that of Teemu Selanne's in Anaheim, meaning that he was always a star he just needed to be treated like one and given guidance and a leadership role. Can he do it again? No. But I think he'll come pretty close.
FACT: Kovalev has been accused of criticizing the fans, media, coaching staff and team during his time with the Canadiens. Why then do they still cheer for him in Montreal? This hit on Darcy Tucker: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khywEqMgtUI
Saku Koivu, like Mr. T before him, beat cancer and continued to do the thing he loves most in life. For that I applaud the guy. I don't think, though early returns indicate otherwise, that Saku really has the offensive value that he once did but he has turned into something of PIM magnet in his 30's. Therefore any offensive risk he might pose can be considered negligible as will be offset by other concerns.
FACT: Cool story. Saku was criticized by Guy Bertrand, a nationalist lawyer, for not speaking French. Koivu is Finnish, and he speaks English and French, but his French is very limited. He responded in two ways. First he laughed it off in the press and said that he is embarassed by his French but that he does speak it to his wife in "intimate moments." Second at the next game a video was played in the arena featuring Koivu introducing the Montreal Canadiens with the phrase "Ici Saku Koivu, voici mon équipe" which translates as "Saku Koivu here, this is my team."
You Want to Be Prepared to Snag:
Christopher Higgins
Sergei Kostitsyn
Higgins hasn't played a game yet this season as he is suffering from a mysterious "lower body injury." Higgins has always impressed me with his play, but seems to be one of the odd men out in Montreal this season. With rumors swirling about his imminent trade I would keep an eye on Higgins. His value would vault if he ended up somewhere where he would be guaranteed more ice team.
FACT: Christopher Higgins is a traitor! An American born player, he grew up in New York... as a Montreal Canadiens fan!!
Ah yes... Kostitsyn the lesser. At last we have come to you. I'm about the only person in the fantasy circles who wasn't high on young Sergei this preseason, and right now he has 4 points through4 games. Can't win em all I guess. I do really think that this will cool off for Sergei as I feel he's a year or two away from really contributing at a star's pace, but I couldn't blame you if you wanted to get swept up in the KtLess excitement. He's fast and fun to watch.
FACT: Lil Kostitsyn makes 2.75 million less per year then his elder brother. I have this image of Andrei lighting cigars with 100 dollar bills and then offering to pay for Sergei's ramen noodles and mac and cheese, or whatever the Belarussian equivalent thereof is.
The Defense:
Montreal's defense IS its offense. They spend so much time in the opposing teams end that they rearely get a solid counterattack going. Unfortunately they are still a little thing behind the blue line, which accounts for Carey Price's elevated GAA last season. They don't have a ton of offensive talent in the back but its unclear exactly what Komisarek is yet. Right now he is already a great shutdown defender, blocking more shots then any other NHLer last season, but it was thought he might one day become a great puckmover. For now there isn't a whole lot of fantasy interest here beyond...
You Should Be Happy You Drafted:
Andrei Markov
Markov turned into an amazing offensive D-man over the last three seasons and was a critical part of Montreal's powerplay explosion last year. He will remain so this one.
FACT: Markov finished sixth in Norris Trophy voting last season.
The Powerplay:
Saku Koivu
Andrei Kostitsyn
Alexei Kovalev
Alex Tanguay
Andrei Markov
Lots of great puckmovers, with Kovaleve having the "heavy shot" of the bunch. Having watched a lot of the Rangers powerplay last season I would say that this unit is what Jagr was trying to mimic in New York... unsuccessfully. Scary fast and loaded with great playmakers, the Canadiens will live and die by this unit all year.
The Goalie(s):
Carey Price, your time has come. We'll never know whether Bob Gainey really wanted to put the future of his franchise up to the playoff scrutiny he was bound to receive last season or if he thought he had a deal in place with Alanta for Marian Hossa and Kari Lehtonen when he dealt Cristobal Huet, and it no longer matters. Carey Price has arrived. Price is prone to... lapses in judgment, but he is also prone to looking spectacular. Take what everyone else is saying with grain of salt and draft him as a later round number 1 starter or solid number 2 netminder on your fantasy team.
FACT: OMG! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikeCcQg6sf4
The Vedict:
When the offense sputters Carey Price is going to have to be spectacular but that might be an order he can handle. The Canadiens are the class of their division and may just be the class of the East.
TEAM PREVIEWS: THE MINNESOTA WILD
Introduction:
This is another team that was making me do backflips of frustration this offseason as I tried to prepare team previews. There was much talk that Marian Gaborik, who is coming up on the final year of his contract, would be traded before the season started. Rumors include talk that Gaborik has turned down a 10 year deal estimated to pay at 8 million per and thus the Wild have no choice but to seek a willing trade partner.
Gaborik IS the best player on this team. He makes everyone who plays with him better. His presence or abscence could make or break the team. Keep that in mind as you read what follows.
Key Departures:
Pavol Demitra
Brian Rolston
and... apparently Aaron Voros
The fact that the Wild let Demitra walk speaks volumes as to their intentions with Marian Gaborik. In Demitra, Gaborik found not only a linemate but a countryman and a friend. Expect the two to try to end up somewhere together at season's end.
Rolston was a bigger loss to this team then I think they realize. His shot from the point on the powerplay will be missed and I'm not sure that Zidlicky is the answer.
New Faces:
Andrew Brunette
Marek Zidlicky
Marc-Andre Bergeron
and... apparently Antti Miettinen
At 35, Brunette's best days are behind him but he is an intriguing addition to this squad. In his second run with Minnesota expect Brunette to be more of a role player then anything else as the kids will be expected to take a bigger role.
Zids is expected to be the point man on this powerplay. He now joins Kim Johnsson, Kurtis Foster and Brent Burns as defensemen that were supposed to be the pointmen on this powerplay.
Bergeron could also join that list as his offense is significantly better then his defense. When deciding whether to be excited about Bergron consider this: He was benched by The Ducks last season, sure, but also the Islanders!
Antti Miettinen, who was a wallflower in Dallas last year, has thus far been the offensive catalyst for Minnesota. I expect him to cool down, which is why you won't find his name anywhere below, but he has already earned his place as a key addition.
The Offense:
At the moment it all begins and ends with Marian Gaborik. The supporting cast has improved over the last few years until this year when I feel it took a step backwards as I can't say that Nolan and Brunette are an improvement over Rolston and Demitra.
You Should Be Happy You Drafted:
Marian Gaborik
Yea its a short list, largely due to injuries and uncertainty. Gaborik played nearly a full season last year. Thats nothing short of a miracle and one he isn't likely to repeat. On the plus side, Gaborik's boundless offensive potential, already warranting him to go as high as number 3 amonst RW's despite the injury problems, could be let loose in the very near future. Can you imagine Gaborik playing in a free flowing offensive system. Thats reason enough to buy the center ice package.
FACT: Want me to define boundless for you. Boundless; adj.; In 2005-2006 he was limited to 65 games... he still scored 38 goals. Also Without Bounds
You Want to Be Prepared to Snag:
Pierre-Marc Bouchard
Mikko Koivu
Andrew Brunette
PMB is a good hockey player with injury problems out the yin-yang. Bouchard was limited in the preseason due to a sore back and now has already missed his first game of the season due to back problems. He has plenty of potential and would be a worthy addition to most teams if healthy despite his low shot total.
FACT: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a94J5apTJn0 Cool huh?
Koivu was on his way to a career year last year before beaking his leg. He finished the season with 42 points in 57 games and will have to improve on that number if he is to break through the depth at center to make himself fantasy worthy, agains considering his low shot total, lack of PIM's and Lemaire-system discipline. He will be Gaborik's center for as long as Gaborik is on the team so he is worth at least a look every now and again.
FACT: Yes, he is Saku's younger brother... making him, I suppose, Koivu the lesser.
Why Brunette? Because two years ago he 83 points and thats something we shouldn't lose sight of. Watch his line combinations and powerplay time. If the numbers start piling up the grab him.
FACT: He's got a goal and two assists so far but check out these numbers 69, 49, 63, 83, 59. Those are his point totals over the last 5 seasons. 2 of those are worth having despite his low SOG and PIM totals. The rest are not. Add accordingly.
The Defense:
This is a strong defensive team with multiple options on the point for the powerplay... however this team has a habit of swallowing talented pointmen.
You Should Be Happy You Drafted:
Brent Burns
Marek Zidlicky
If Burns keeps up his PIM total of a year ago and even comes close to delivering the same number of points then he was worth whatever pick you used on him. A speedy, hard hitting, gritty defensemen that gets powerplay time. What more could you want.
FACT: Burns used to play forward, but had more points as a defensemen in one season then he did in two seasons playing forward for the Wild.
Zidlicky is an interesting acquisition. Marek had some great years with Nashville and some terrible ones. What can you expect this year? I'd say about 40 points and 70 PIM with some powerplay time. That makes him fairly valuable in most leagues.
FACT: Kim Johnsson had less points in 76 games with the Wild then he did the season before that in 47 games with Philly. I'm just saying...
The Powerplay:
Marian Gaborik
Mikko Koivu
Andrew Brunette
Brent Burns
Marek Zidlicky
This is not a particularly inspiring unit. Brunett played well on the powerplay in Colorado, grinding it out in front of the net so I suppose he adds another dimension to this powerplay (one that was apparently already there in Aaron Voros) and Gaborik is always capable of doing something spectacular and impressive. Zidlicky should adequately replace Rolston on the point as well. It isn't going to be a team-changing unit, but it will probably get the job done.
The Goalie(s):
Niklas Backstrom is probably one of the more criminally underrated goalies in the league. For the last two seasons he has put up stellar GAA and Sv% numbers. Injuries are his problem but if he goes dow Harding has proven himself a capable, though not yet spectacular backup. To be safe if you draft Bakstrom you should probaby also have Harding on your roster.
FACT: Backstrom led the league in GAA and SV% in 06-07. Those numbers dipped slightly when he became the full time starter in 07-08... but only slightly.
The Verdict:
It is hard to say what this team will be until the Gaborik situation resolves itself. On paper they are a contender in the Northwest division, though still too weak for the Cup I feel. How will that paper look after Gaborik is gone? No one can know.
This is another team that was making me do backflips of frustration this offseason as I tried to prepare team previews. There was much talk that Marian Gaborik, who is coming up on the final year of his contract, would be traded before the season started. Rumors include talk that Gaborik has turned down a 10 year deal estimated to pay at 8 million per and thus the Wild have no choice but to seek a willing trade partner.
Gaborik IS the best player on this team. He makes everyone who plays with him better. His presence or abscence could make or break the team. Keep that in mind as you read what follows.
Key Departures:
Pavol Demitra
Brian Rolston
and... apparently Aaron Voros
The fact that the Wild let Demitra walk speaks volumes as to their intentions with Marian Gaborik. In Demitra, Gaborik found not only a linemate but a countryman and a friend. Expect the two to try to end up somewhere together at season's end.
Rolston was a bigger loss to this team then I think they realize. His shot from the point on the powerplay will be missed and I'm not sure that Zidlicky is the answer.
New Faces:
Andrew Brunette
Marek Zidlicky
Marc-Andre Bergeron
and... apparently Antti Miettinen
At 35, Brunette's best days are behind him but he is an intriguing addition to this squad. In his second run with Minnesota expect Brunette to be more of a role player then anything else as the kids will be expected to take a bigger role.
Zids is expected to be the point man on this powerplay. He now joins Kim Johnsson, Kurtis Foster and Brent Burns as defensemen that were supposed to be the pointmen on this powerplay.
Bergeron could also join that list as his offense is significantly better then his defense. When deciding whether to be excited about Bergron consider this: He was benched by The Ducks last season, sure, but also the Islanders!
Antti Miettinen, who was a wallflower in Dallas last year, has thus far been the offensive catalyst for Minnesota. I expect him to cool down, which is why you won't find his name anywhere below, but he has already earned his place as a key addition.
The Offense:
At the moment it all begins and ends with Marian Gaborik. The supporting cast has improved over the last few years until this year when I feel it took a step backwards as I can't say that Nolan and Brunette are an improvement over Rolston and Demitra.
You Should Be Happy You Drafted:
Marian Gaborik
Yea its a short list, largely due to injuries and uncertainty. Gaborik played nearly a full season last year. Thats nothing short of a miracle and one he isn't likely to repeat. On the plus side, Gaborik's boundless offensive potential, already warranting him to go as high as number 3 amonst RW's despite the injury problems, could be let loose in the very near future. Can you imagine Gaborik playing in a free flowing offensive system. Thats reason enough to buy the center ice package.
FACT: Want me to define boundless for you. Boundless; adj.; In 2005-2006 he was limited to 65 games... he still scored 38 goals. Also Without Bounds
You Want to Be Prepared to Snag:
Pierre-Marc Bouchard
Mikko Koivu
Andrew Brunette
PMB is a good hockey player with injury problems out the yin-yang. Bouchard was limited in the preseason due to a sore back and now has already missed his first game of the season due to back problems. He has plenty of potential and would be a worthy addition to most teams if healthy despite his low shot total.
FACT: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a94J5apTJn0 Cool huh?
Koivu was on his way to a career year last year before beaking his leg. He finished the season with 42 points in 57 games and will have to improve on that number if he is to break through the depth at center to make himself fantasy worthy, agains considering his low shot total, lack of PIM's and Lemaire-system discipline. He will be Gaborik's center for as long as Gaborik is on the team so he is worth at least a look every now and again.
FACT: Yes, he is Saku's younger brother... making him, I suppose, Koivu the lesser.
Why Brunette? Because two years ago he 83 points and thats something we shouldn't lose sight of. Watch his line combinations and powerplay time. If the numbers start piling up the grab him.
FACT: He's got a goal and two assists so far but check out these numbers 69, 49, 63, 83, 59. Those are his point totals over the last 5 seasons. 2 of those are worth having despite his low SOG and PIM totals. The rest are not. Add accordingly.
The Defense:
This is a strong defensive team with multiple options on the point for the powerplay... however this team has a habit of swallowing talented pointmen.
You Should Be Happy You Drafted:
Brent Burns
Marek Zidlicky
If Burns keeps up his PIM total of a year ago and even comes close to delivering the same number of points then he was worth whatever pick you used on him. A speedy, hard hitting, gritty defensemen that gets powerplay time. What more could you want.
FACT: Burns used to play forward, but had more points as a defensemen in one season then he did in two seasons playing forward for the Wild.
Zidlicky is an interesting acquisition. Marek had some great years with Nashville and some terrible ones. What can you expect this year? I'd say about 40 points and 70 PIM with some powerplay time. That makes him fairly valuable in most leagues.
FACT: Kim Johnsson had less points in 76 games with the Wild then he did the season before that in 47 games with Philly. I'm just saying...
The Powerplay:
Marian Gaborik
Mikko Koivu
Andrew Brunette
Brent Burns
Marek Zidlicky
This is not a particularly inspiring unit. Brunett played well on the powerplay in Colorado, grinding it out in front of the net so I suppose he adds another dimension to this powerplay (one that was apparently already there in Aaron Voros) and Gaborik is always capable of doing something spectacular and impressive. Zidlicky should adequately replace Rolston on the point as well. It isn't going to be a team-changing unit, but it will probably get the job done.
The Goalie(s):
Niklas Backstrom is probably one of the more criminally underrated goalies in the league. For the last two seasons he has put up stellar GAA and Sv% numbers. Injuries are his problem but if he goes dow Harding has proven himself a capable, though not yet spectacular backup. To be safe if you draft Bakstrom you should probaby also have Harding on your roster.
FACT: Backstrom led the league in GAA and SV% in 06-07. Those numbers dipped slightly when he became the full time starter in 07-08... but only slightly.
The Verdict:
It is hard to say what this team will be until the Gaborik situation resolves itself. On paper they are a contender in the Northwest division, though still too weak for the Cup I feel. How will that paper look after Gaborik is gone? No one can know.
TEAM PREVIEWS: THE FLORIDA PANTHERS
Introduction:
The Florida Panthers were rumored to be involved in virtually every major transaction that came down the pike this offseason. In the end they were only involved in two major ones, the traded Olli Jokinen to further enhance their D and they acquired Bryan McCabe for a song.
The Panthers a much changed team. Are they playoff worthy??? I don't think that they are there yet but it will all depend on how good their D is and whether or not their trio of youngsters on the top line can perform like top line talent.
Key Departures:
Olli Jokinen
Mike VanRyn
Jokinen was quite possibly the best player this franchise has yet seen (arguments will be accepted for Jovo-Cop and Beezer). His presence will be missed. The franchise needs to think not about filling the void left by Jokinen but working around his absence and creating a new identity for itself.
Van Ryn went to Toronto as part of the package for McCabe. He became expendable with all of the other additions to this team's D. He had surgery on both of his wrists prior to the 07-08 season and never quite recovered. He would have been lost on this talented blue line.
New Faces:
Cory Stillman
Keith Ballard
Nick Boynton
Bryan McCabe
Cory Stillman should provide some good scoring depth. He was an underrated player in Carolina, loved by the fans ignored by the reporters, and should be a good fit here.
Ballard and Boynton both had excellent seasons as stay at home d-men in Phoenix and should really help reduce Tomas Vokoun's workload this season. Ballard is an intriguing addition as he already had a 39 point season under his belt at the age of 25. Though he has yet to show that offensive upside again, and likely won't be given the chance to this year, he could be a very attractive pickup say... next year when Bouwmeester leaves for colder pastures.
What else is there to say about McCabe. The guy has been a powerplay master for the last few seasons. Now how much of that is Mats Sundin is a real question. McCabe, when healthy, will spend much of his time on the point with Jay Bouwmeester on the first powerplay unit and should be a solid addition.
The Offense:
Move along. Nothing to see here. I'm kidding. Florida has a trio of top line talent and a decent supporting cast to boot.
You Should Be Happy You Drafted (or Picked Up Off Of Waivers):
Nathan Horton
David Booth
Cory Stillman
Horton is the future of this team and the heir apparent to Olli Jokinen's throne atop the offensive categories in South Florida. He's also a strong power forward, delivering on average about 80 PIM a year without sacrificing offensive number. This makes him a very attractive pick at RW.
FACT: Horton was the 3rd overall pick in the 2003 draft. Despite his high profile draft position and bright future as an NHL player he still often hears "who?"'s when he goes out to dinner.
I'm going to come right out and say it, I would not have put Booth here preseason. I would like to think I'd have at least mentioned him in the "you want to keep an eye on" section. Nevertheless this is not the preseason. In the regular season Booth has looked very very good, and has put up strong numbers playing on the top line with Horton and Booth. If he's still available in your leagues I would highly suggest that you pick him up.
FACT: He plays like Holmstrom and really digs in in front of the net. Please God don't let me say "He plays like Aaron Voros" in next year's previews.
Stillman was playing on one knee for most of last season... and he still scored 65 points and most of those before his trade to Ottawa at the deadline. Cory is an unsung hero but a hero nonetheless, look for him to put up 60-70 points from the wing position on the second line and to put in some solid powerplay time.
FACT: Cory Stillman won back to back Cups with the Lightning in '04 and Carolina after the lockout in '06.
You Want to Be Ready to Snag:
Stephen Weiss
Weiss is the third member of the Panthers dynamic first line, but, alas, he is he center and therefore has a much higher standard to be fantasy relevant. If his line continues to clip along I would wager he'd be worth a look before too much longer. As always with centers that aren't superstars he doesn't shoot much and really doesn't get you PIM so he will have to score a lot to be worth your time.
FACT: Weiss hasn't really found his NHL groove yet, scoring only 28 goals in 175 career games. Jokinen's departure opens a door however.
The Defense:
God its deep! For now there are only a few players with fantasy value, as only so many players can play point on the powerplay, but if injuries pile up or Bouwmeester is traded there are a few intriguing prospects in the wings.
You Should Be Happy You Drafted:
Jay Bouwmeester
Bryan McCabe
Bouwmeester is already valuable, being the most offensively gifted D-man on this team, but could become even more valuable at the trade deadline. Bouwmeester has always possessed the tools but has yet to have a really truly spectacular breakout season. With the big contract on the line this year, I have a feeling this will be it. He also gets you a fair amount of PIM and shots.
FACT: Bouwmeester is only 24 and has 46, 42 and 37 point seasons to his credit.
Bryan McCabe is... well right now he's hurt, but he's a very very gifted D-man when healthy. The good news is that he's probably only going to miss about 2 weeks. When he comes back he will be the quarterback for the powerplay on this team and a tag team partner for Jay Bouwmeester. Should be fun to watch. McCabe also takes dumb penalties and a whole bunch of shots so he should be a nice addition to your team.
FACT: McCabe had a mohawk, which he died blue in the playoffs, while he was on Toronto. I can't wait to see what he does if the Panthers make the playoffs. Maybe he'll skin a cat and wear it as a cape around his neck.
You Want to Be Ready to Snag:
Keith Ballard
Cory Murphy
For all the reasons stated above Ballard instantly becomes interesting if by trade or injury the Panthers blue line starts to thin out a bit. He is only 25 and has tons of upside offensively as well as defensively.
FACT: Ballard led all NHL defensemen with 3 shorthanded goals in the 06-07 season. What does that tell you? Three things. He's fearless, he's fast, and he can score under pressure.
Murphy had... an interesting first NHL season. He was absolutely dominant at the start, got hurt and then never really got back to his earlier level of play. He will be in the background when he can crack the lineup this year but he will be in the mix should McCabe get injured or Bouwmeester find himself a new home during the season.
FACT: Murphy took a strange route to the NHL. Canadian born, Murphy played five seasons in Finland, garnering great offensive numbers and several trophies before being brought to the states by the Florida Panthers.
The Powerplay:
Nathan Horton
Stephen Weiss
David Booth
Jay Bouwmeester
Bryan McCabe
McCabe gives them a big shot from the point and will allow Bouwmeester to sneak up into the play to take shots from the slot and the circles. Booth will "Holmstrom it up" in front of the net and pick up the garbage of his "skilled" linemates. Should be a good unit.
The Goalie(s):
I really like Tomas Vokoun. He's one of the more acrobatic and entertaining goalies in the NHL. He's fun to watch, he'll look completley out of position and make the save anyway. He has to be a heart stopper if you are playing in front of him, but I'm not, so I'm allowed to enjoy it. Draft him with confidence as his SV% and win totals should be very respectable. The GAA could get a little out of hand, but this defense SHOULD help with that.
FACT: Vokoun led the league in saves last season with 2,033.
The Verdict:
Florida is a good but not great team. They will give everyone in their division trouble this season. Yes, even Washington. In the end I don't think they have enough weapons to get the job done, but they will make it interesting.
The Florida Panthers were rumored to be involved in virtually every major transaction that came down the pike this offseason. In the end they were only involved in two major ones, the traded Olli Jokinen to further enhance their D and they acquired Bryan McCabe for a song.
The Panthers a much changed team. Are they playoff worthy??? I don't think that they are there yet but it will all depend on how good their D is and whether or not their trio of youngsters on the top line can perform like top line talent.
Key Departures:
Olli Jokinen
Mike VanRyn
Jokinen was quite possibly the best player this franchise has yet seen (arguments will be accepted for Jovo-Cop and Beezer). His presence will be missed. The franchise needs to think not about filling the void left by Jokinen but working around his absence and creating a new identity for itself.
Van Ryn went to Toronto as part of the package for McCabe. He became expendable with all of the other additions to this team's D. He had surgery on both of his wrists prior to the 07-08 season and never quite recovered. He would have been lost on this talented blue line.
New Faces:
Cory Stillman
Keith Ballard
Nick Boynton
Bryan McCabe
Cory Stillman should provide some good scoring depth. He was an underrated player in Carolina, loved by the fans ignored by the reporters, and should be a good fit here.
Ballard and Boynton both had excellent seasons as stay at home d-men in Phoenix and should really help reduce Tomas Vokoun's workload this season. Ballard is an intriguing addition as he already had a 39 point season under his belt at the age of 25. Though he has yet to show that offensive upside again, and likely won't be given the chance to this year, he could be a very attractive pickup say... next year when Bouwmeester leaves for colder pastures.
What else is there to say about McCabe. The guy has been a powerplay master for the last few seasons. Now how much of that is Mats Sundin is a real question. McCabe, when healthy, will spend much of his time on the point with Jay Bouwmeester on the first powerplay unit and should be a solid addition.
The Offense:
Move along. Nothing to see here. I'm kidding. Florida has a trio of top line talent and a decent supporting cast to boot.
You Should Be Happy You Drafted (or Picked Up Off Of Waivers):
Nathan Horton
David Booth
Cory Stillman
Horton is the future of this team and the heir apparent to Olli Jokinen's throne atop the offensive categories in South Florida. He's also a strong power forward, delivering on average about 80 PIM a year without sacrificing offensive number. This makes him a very attractive pick at RW.
FACT: Horton was the 3rd overall pick in the 2003 draft. Despite his high profile draft position and bright future as an NHL player he still often hears "who?"'s when he goes out to dinner.
I'm going to come right out and say it, I would not have put Booth here preseason. I would like to think I'd have at least mentioned him in the "you want to keep an eye on" section. Nevertheless this is not the preseason. In the regular season Booth has looked very very good, and has put up strong numbers playing on the top line with Horton and Booth. If he's still available in your leagues I would highly suggest that you pick him up.
FACT: He plays like Holmstrom and really digs in in front of the net. Please God don't let me say "He plays like Aaron Voros" in next year's previews.
Stillman was playing on one knee for most of last season... and he still scored 65 points and most of those before his trade to Ottawa at the deadline. Cory is an unsung hero but a hero nonetheless, look for him to put up 60-70 points from the wing position on the second line and to put in some solid powerplay time.
FACT: Cory Stillman won back to back Cups with the Lightning in '04 and Carolina after the lockout in '06.
You Want to Be Ready to Snag:
Stephen Weiss
Weiss is the third member of the Panthers dynamic first line, but, alas, he is he center and therefore has a much higher standard to be fantasy relevant. If his line continues to clip along I would wager he'd be worth a look before too much longer. As always with centers that aren't superstars he doesn't shoot much and really doesn't get you PIM so he will have to score a lot to be worth your time.
FACT: Weiss hasn't really found his NHL groove yet, scoring only 28 goals in 175 career games. Jokinen's departure opens a door however.
The Defense:
God its deep! For now there are only a few players with fantasy value, as only so many players can play point on the powerplay, but if injuries pile up or Bouwmeester is traded there are a few intriguing prospects in the wings.
You Should Be Happy You Drafted:
Jay Bouwmeester
Bryan McCabe
Bouwmeester is already valuable, being the most offensively gifted D-man on this team, but could become even more valuable at the trade deadline. Bouwmeester has always possessed the tools but has yet to have a really truly spectacular breakout season. With the big contract on the line this year, I have a feeling this will be it. He also gets you a fair amount of PIM and shots.
FACT: Bouwmeester is only 24 and has 46, 42 and 37 point seasons to his credit.
Bryan McCabe is... well right now he's hurt, but he's a very very gifted D-man when healthy. The good news is that he's probably only going to miss about 2 weeks. When he comes back he will be the quarterback for the powerplay on this team and a tag team partner for Jay Bouwmeester. Should be fun to watch. McCabe also takes dumb penalties and a whole bunch of shots so he should be a nice addition to your team.
FACT: McCabe had a mohawk, which he died blue in the playoffs, while he was on Toronto. I can't wait to see what he does if the Panthers make the playoffs. Maybe he'll skin a cat and wear it as a cape around his neck.
You Want to Be Ready to Snag:
Keith Ballard
Cory Murphy
For all the reasons stated above Ballard instantly becomes interesting if by trade or injury the Panthers blue line starts to thin out a bit. He is only 25 and has tons of upside offensively as well as defensively.
FACT: Ballard led all NHL defensemen with 3 shorthanded goals in the 06-07 season. What does that tell you? Three things. He's fearless, he's fast, and he can score under pressure.
Murphy had... an interesting first NHL season. He was absolutely dominant at the start, got hurt and then never really got back to his earlier level of play. He will be in the background when he can crack the lineup this year but he will be in the mix should McCabe get injured or Bouwmeester find himself a new home during the season.
FACT: Murphy took a strange route to the NHL. Canadian born, Murphy played five seasons in Finland, garnering great offensive numbers and several trophies before being brought to the states by the Florida Panthers.
The Powerplay:
Nathan Horton
Stephen Weiss
David Booth
Jay Bouwmeester
Bryan McCabe
McCabe gives them a big shot from the point and will allow Bouwmeester to sneak up into the play to take shots from the slot and the circles. Booth will "Holmstrom it up" in front of the net and pick up the garbage of his "skilled" linemates. Should be a good unit.
The Goalie(s):
I really like Tomas Vokoun. He's one of the more acrobatic and entertaining goalies in the NHL. He's fun to watch, he'll look completley out of position and make the save anyway. He has to be a heart stopper if you are playing in front of him, but I'm not, so I'm allowed to enjoy it. Draft him with confidence as his SV% and win totals should be very respectable. The GAA could get a little out of hand, but this defense SHOULD help with that.
FACT: Vokoun led the league in saves last season with 2,033.
The Verdict:
Florida is a good but not great team. They will give everyone in their division trouble this season. Yes, even Washington. In the end I don't think they have enough weapons to get the job done, but they will make it interesting.
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