Monday, August 29, 2011

#7 in the East: New York Rangers


The New York Rangers remain fully intact from the previous year - sans a few mediocre players. Chris Drury retired. Congratulations on a terrific career! Drury is the one the classiest individuals to ever play the game. Tortorella is still behind the bench and I anticipate even more emotion from him, especially in this year's "HBO 24/7" special against the Flyers. This is by far my favorite program...ever.

The big story out of the Big Apple this off-season was the acquisition of Richards. Richards rejoins Tortorella for what they hope will be a repeat of the 2004 performance that saw both men raise the Cup. Richards signed a massive 9-year, $60 million contract. Check this out. He is a phenomenal playmaker and the organization is hoping he meshes well with Gaborik. Gaborik is a sniper with tremendous speed when healthy. That stipulation is very important because he has a long history of injury woes that date back to his days in Minnesota. If Gaborik can stay on the ice and harmonize with Richards, this team will be lethal. The next two players listed on the salary cap chart, Callahan and Dubinsky, were both signed over the summer and are integral parts of the Rangers' future. Dubinsky had a great season last year - eclipsing 50 points. My guess is  he stays right around this figure after being bumped to the second line. Callahan reminds me so much of Drury. Fans can tell he truly enjoys playing the game. He works hard on every shift and has a nice skill set to complement. He should be right around the 50-60 point mark this year. Wolski had an underachieving 35-point campaign last year. If he doesn't come out of the gates firing, I could see the Rangers trading his services away - most likely back to Phoenix. I like Sean Avery, I just wish he wasn't such a jerk. I understand that it's his job, but he usually takes it one step, or dive, too far. Hopefully he can get along with the officials both on and off the ice. Anisimov is a big body that controls the puck well along the boards. I like his game and hope he takes a step forward this year. Boyle and Rupp are two more big bodies - just bigger. Boyle stands at 6'7" and Rupp at 6'5". Both players are experts at grinding out their opponents but also contribute a bit offensively. Boyle cashed in 35 points last season and I can see 40 points for him this coming season. Rupp will be used as protection for some of the more skilled players. What can you say about Stepan? At $875,000, this kid is an absolute steal and will only continue to grow and mature. Good news for you Ranger fans! Fedotenko and Christensen are both fillers, although Fedotenko holds more value. Christensen is a very talented player, but he seems to miss that drive Callahan and others possess. Fedotenko has his moments and I anticipate him being more productive this year. Prust rounds out the troops and brings some more grit to the lineup. 


Offensive Score: B+


While the Rangers defense is very young, it's also quite talented. Girardi is a terrific all-around defenseman. He kills penalties, blocks shots, shoots the puck and puts up points. Any team would be lucky to have this stud on the blue line. One could say the same thing about Staal. Coming from such a hockey-rich family, Staal knows what it takes to make it in today's NHL...and so do his brothers. I have yet to see Erixon really play, but all I hear are good things. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what this guy can accomplish. Honestly, this applies to much of the defensive group. Del Zotto took a slide towards the end of the year, but he's a very skilled player who I'm sure can rebound just fine. I think this is McDonagh's year to breakout. I watched him play a few games and was impressed with his composure. Eminger, I wish I could see you another way. Sauer is another defenseman with a chance to shine. We will see what he does with it. This whole defensive corps has something to prove. In a way, I'm taking a shot in the dark here.


Defensive Score: B-


Goaltending is where the Rangers really shine. In my opinion, Lundqvist has been the most consistent goalie over the past five or so years. He is easily one of the best league. His positioning is absolutely impeccable and he never seems to scramble. At times, he doesn't seem aggressive enough but his reflexes make up for this. And with Biron at $875,000, this is quite the tandem. I got to watch Biron in Buffalo and the combination of his blue eyes and wild saves make for exciting hockey.


Goaltending Score: A


How much of a difference can one player make?

Sunday, August 28, 2011

#6 in the East: Tampa Bay Lightning


The Tampa Bay Lightning finished off a tremendous year this Spring falling one goal short of the Stanley Cup Finals. This was a huge improvement to the previous campaign in which the team finished 12th in the Eastern Conference. The emergence of Stamkos was a large factor in this success, but so were the additions of Guy Boucher (coach) and Steve Yzerman (GM). Both of these gentlemen have done a fantastic job molding the progression of this team.

On offense, the Lightning have over $20 million tied up in three players - albeit three very good players: Lecavalier, St. Louis and Stamkos. The true leader of this team, St. Louis, will continue his dominance over the League. Over the past four seasons, he has averaged around 90 points. He has all of the assets, aside from size, that make a complete hockey player. The Lightning were able to wrap up Stamkos for another five years. This is music to my ears. It's comforting to see a player with some magnitude of loyalty to the organization that drafted him. His pricetag of $7.5 million is fairly reasonable considering what he brings to the table. Lecavalier is another fantastic forward. Overpaid? Yes, however he is still an integral component of this team. Lecavalier can still put the puck in the back of the net and I expect his goal total to rise this coming year - hopefully between 35-40. There have been rumblings of a Malone trade all summer and for good reason. His $4.5 million weight on the salary cap isn't fitting as he put up a meager 38 points. I like his game, but the production is tanking. This may be due to his inability to play over 70 games the past three seasons. I cannot wait to see what Purcell does this season. I was very impressed with his performance in this year's playoffs and I hope he keeps making plays like this. Ah, Downie...what an oxymoronic name. He provides time and space for his teammates by crushing opponents. He's not just a pummeling idiot though. Downie certainly has a knack for finding the right spot in front of the net. I can easily see 20 goals coming from him next year. I thought Moore was solely a defensive forward, but he showed me another dimension last year, especially in the playoffs. I would really like to see him play with Thompson next year. Thompson works extremely hard and does all of the little things correctly, including penalty killing. He's actually been given the nickname Nate Boucher by his teammates because he plays as the coach desires. He should see more ice time next year. Tyrell, Hall, Ritola and newcomer Shannon round out the forward depth. Shannon played well for the Senators last year. He was the only player who played more than 25 games while maintaining a positive plus/minus. That says a lot. Hall is an excellent energy player and does a tremendous job killing penalties. If only he and Betts played on the same team. I will admit I don't know a significant amount about Ritola or Tyrell, but I look forward to studying this coming year.


Offensive Score: A-


Brewer heads a group of fairly solid defensemen. Putting points up on the board isn't Brewer's job. It's shutting down the opposition's top line and that's exactly what he does with his huge frame. His leadership is going to be vital to this young team's success. Kubina has been shipped around to a few, different teams over his career and I'm not sure why. His pricetag is a little exaggerated but he provides some useful offensive skills without sacrificing defense. I don't know where Ohlund was last year but I'm expecting him to rebound this year. If not, he may be relocated. Although 5 more years at $3.6 million would be hard to sell. Hedman has a lot of expectations coming into this season. I guess that comes with the territory of being drafted second behind Tavares. I see him getting at least 40 points this season. Clark is another solid offensive contributor. More importantly, like Hedman, he's a puck-moving defenseman - which is the most important part of an offense. The Lightning brought in Gilroy from the Rangers. I haven't watched a ton of footage with Gilroy in it, but he seems to be a capable 5th or 6th defenseman. I'm looking forward to his progression in the NHL. Bergeron is an offensive defensman, but is a slight liability on defense. He'll be important on the power play. Gervais finishes out the defense. I watched him play on the island and was usually satisfied with his play. If any of the defensemen should become injured, he is more than capable of handling the responsibilities. 


Defensive Score: B


Roloson, who turns 42 at the start of next season, is back for another stint with the blue and white. Although he went 24-25 last season, he was most impressive in the playoffs. I still remember when he and Pronger carried the Oilers to the Stanley Cup Finals. If he had stayed healthy throughout that run, I truly believe they would have won. Roloson is reliable and that's exactly what you want from a goaltender. His current backup, Garon, has filled this position for many years and is comfortable handling 25-30 games a season. With the depth at forward, the Lightning can afford a few goals and still get a win.


Goaltending Score: B


The Lightning may be poised for another strike!

Sunday, August 21, 2011

#5 in the East: Buffalo Sabres



The last prediction was bold. This one is even bolder.

The Sabres are fortunate enough to have a new owner – and one that cares to boot. Pegula has bottomless pockets and will spend whatever is needed to make this team a contender. Good job Terry, you have done just that! And with the sturdy Ruff behind the bench, Buffalo is set for another successful season.

On offense, the Sabres look almost identical to the previous season – just replace Connolly with Leino. Leino is a tremendous hockey player, but the length and amount of his contract are questionable. Regardless of the price tag, he will provide useful skills to this line-up. His determination, especially around the net, will help the Sabres cash in on scoring chances. He also creates a lot of open ice for his teammates by drawing opponents away from their position. I’m hoping this season ends the ebb and flow of Vanek. With so much talent, he should be one of the best scorers in the game but at times, he seems plain lazy. Vanek needs to put his heart into the game every night and we should see a point-per-game player. Pominville has an exaggerated salary but his two-way play definitely has a positive value. His point production is also important to this team and with the absence of Connolly, Pominville should receive important penalty kill minutes. Roy is an interesting player. His point production is up there with some of the best in the league and he seems to carry much of the defensive weight for his line. He is a crucial component to the top six, I just hope the diving and whining stop. I’m looking forward to an even better year from Stafford. Since the beginning of his career, Stafford has shown his determination. This drive will continue into the 2011-2012 season. I’d really like to see him paired with Leino on a line. Boyes comes in at $4 million and has to be considered expendable at this point. He was brought in to maintain some sort of point production, but has failed thus far. With Buffalo currently $3 million over the cap, Boyes may be on the chopping block. Well, after Kotalik ($3 million). Another option is burying either player in the minors. Hecht and Gaustad are extremely valuable veterans on this otherwise young offense. Hecht will continue to shoot pucks from ten degrees off the goal line. Make your jokes, but at least he is getting the puck to the net. Gaustad is a faceoff machine and will play vital defensive minutes. Ennis and Gerbe are two small, yet highly talented, young forwards. Both players are incredibly fast as well and this speed generates more space for their linemates. I expect both of these players to be near the 50-point mark which makes them extreme bargains! McCormick was resigned for just over one million a year for three seasons. When he first came over, I didn’t see him cracking the lineup. Now I can’t imagine it without him. He bruises, shoots, protects and skates – exactly what you need out of a bottom-six forward. Rounding out the forwards is Kaleta. He is a fairly one-dimensional player, but shows flashes of offensive ability. He will continue crushing opponents and being a pest.

Offensive Score: B+

Buffalo’s defense has completely changed. On the backend, the Sabres now have Regehr, Ehrhoff, Leopold, Sekera, Myers, Morrisonn, Weber and Gragnani. Regehr, as stated by Crosby, is easily one of the toughest defenseman to play against. His big body prevents teams from moving the puck, like cycling, and his defensive intelligence ensures minimal turnovers. Ehrhoff is going to be most important to Buffalo on the power play. He may not have the biggest shot, but he does what’s most important: putting the puck on net. Ehrhoff will get ample time, ten years in fact, to show off his value. Leopold, a solid top-four defenseman, was absent for a large portion of last season with an injury. He and Regehr played together in Calgary. Their chemistry and leadership will reverberate throughout the Buffalo locker room with positive results. Sekera has shown both flashes of brilliance and stupidity. In fact, my close group of friends and I defined a term in his honor. When someone states that a player “pulled a Sekera,” he has made a nice play followed by a poor decision. I’m going to trust the organization’s opinion of this player and assume he brings it together this season.  Morrisonn has struggled with the Sabres and should be worried about his roster spot with up-and-comers like Weber and Gragnani. Weber has become a very reliable defenseman despite his short playing record. He is another big body on the backend who’s getting smarter with every game. Gragnani showed off his potential in the playoffs with his tremendous offensive skills. Buffalo has a very solid defensive team.

Defensive Score: A-

Miller is one of the best goalies currently in the game. His superstitions seem to be working. What I like most about Miller is that he takes his job very seriously. He truly wants to be an all-star goaltender and this drive is exemplified in his game. Enroth doesn’t get a ton of playing time, but he made the most of what was provided to him. Honestly, he played very well. I could see him earning a number one spot…on another team.

Goaltending Score: A


I'm looking forward to Buffalo's progress!

Friday, August 19, 2011

#4 in the East: Philadelphia Flyers

Wow! I hardly recognize this team.

Following such a crazy off-season, this will be one of the bolder predictions on the chart. I know everyone has their own opinion – and not all will agree with mine – so feel free to express yours in the comments or submit a question via Twitter @HolyJumpin40.

My favorite quote from this entire ruckus comes from Paul Holmgren himself: “What we did today was make two good hockey tradesBoth these trades were very difficult for us to make, but at the end of the day, we do think we made good hockey deals.”

And he is absolutely correct. I’ll get into the roster in a second, but first I want to break down the two trades.

In: Voracek, Simmonds, Schenn, Couturier and Bryzgalov
Out: Richards, Carter

Now we can start. The Flyers’ offense is still going to be extremely productive this coming year. As productive as 2010-2011? Probably not. But, the Flyers obtained some help in other departments to easily cover for the offensive shortcomings – if there are any. The first two centers on the depth chart are both capable of handling the production lost by the trades. As the case with Paille, I was fortunate enough to consistently watch Briere play in Buffalo. I used to think Briere was a slacker who never put his nose in the corner. After watching the previous two playoff runs, I’ve discovered he hustles very hard – and to the net! I can’t say enough about Giroux. He’s a terrific playmaker with a deadly shot. Hartnell is a large pest with a scoring touch who has a knack for finding and creating open ice. Jagr, welcome back. This should be an interesting situation. Even though he hasn’t played in the NHL for a few seasons, I’m sure he can still put up decent numbers with this squad, especially on the power play. Marking my calendar:




Voracek came in to provide a big body with offensive creativity on the wing. I predict he’s going to flourish in Philadelphia with his new cast. By the way, crazy stat about this athlete: 101 points in 53 games playing for Halifax in the QMJHL. In addition to Talbot’s hockey smarts and charisma, his veteran leadership will help the developments of Schenn and Couturier as they ease into the spotlight. When these two youngsters are ready for the NHL, they will be READY for the NHL. When that occurs, the Flyers will be supersaturated with centers. Van Riemsdyk will be a forward I watch closely. I cannot wait for him to pick-up where he left off last year. There is a reason he was drafted so high and he will showcase why this year. Simmonds is another player who hopefully translates last year’s playoff success into this season. He works and hits hard, without sacrificing scoring. Nodl was a big surprise for me last year and I picked him again this year, although I how he will play with Richards gone. He may stumble. Betts and Shelley bring both determination and sacrifice. Betts kills penalties like nobody’s business. Shelley does the same, except replace “kills penalties” with “protects teammates.”

Offensive Score: A-/B+

The Flyers' defense is as strong as ever, assuming Pronger comes back healthy as an ox. After all, that’s exactly what he is: an ox. Pronger tortured the West with his booming slapshot and physical play before moving to the Atlantic Division. Now his torment falls to the Eastern Conference where he will continue to dominate and direct play. Timonen is a solid, offensive defenseman. He has his mental lapses, but presents a valuable skill set to the team. Carle came into his own with this organization and his growth will only progress. Meszaros resurrected his career after Tampa Bay and found a niche on this deep roster. Coburn is a bruiser and I love to watch this guy play. He makes sound decisions and throws his body around at will. Lilja and Bartulis round out the bottom two defenders. Both serve the same purpose with their big bodies: eating up space.

Defensive Score: A-

Gettin’ Bryzy with it! I don’t agree with the length of his contract, but I do agree with his value. Bryzgalov has had an interesting career with success in both Anaheim and Phoenix. One saw post-season success, the latter regular. With a new squad in front of him, Bryzgalov will soar alongside his trusty fellow Russian, Bobrovsky. Bobrovsky has seen NHL action and is going to be ready when needed.

Goaltending Score: A


Change can be good.


Thursday, August 18, 2011

#3 in the East: Boston Bruins


Firstly, congratulations to the 2011 Stanley Cup Champions!

This year, the Northeast and Atlantic got a bit more difficult, so the Bruins fell to third.

With a large target on their back, defending this trophy becomes increasingly laborious. Luckily for the Bruins, their lineup remains fairly intact from the previous cup run. Recchi’s retirement was expected and it’s a small price to pay for a championship. Ryder, or as I like to call him “Flo-Ryder,” departed for more money. He has a tremendous shot, but benefited immensely from his surroundings. The Bruins have $7 million left to sign Marchand and another defenseman possibly. This team will be a strong contender for the Cup again. Guaranteed.

Offense, welcome back! The Bruins possess all of the necessary features of a strong, offensive team: scoring, intelligence, grit, speed, etc. Their highest paid player, Bergeron, is well worth his price tag. He is one of the best at his position on both sides of the puck. Krejci keeps getting better every year and I look forward to seeing another fantastic season from him – maybe even a point-per-game. Lucic! I never like to see players get hurt, but I hope we see more of that from him this year. Oh, points are welcomed too. During the Stanley Cup Finals this year Horton was severely injured. I was glad to see him up and at ‘em a few days later. Let’s hope he comes back strong. I know I expect it. Ryder was once a part of great “third” line with Kelly and Peverley. These two play so well together. Julien would be wise to keep them together and push a fourth-liners up. Hint: Paille. I had the pleasure of watching Paille play here in Buffalo. He has incredible speed and a ton of determination. Speaking of speed, Seguin should get a chance to exemplify his with more playing time. This will also come with higher production. Campbell and Thornton are two hard-nosed athletes always looking to attack the net. They are also aware of their defensive responsibilities. Pouliot is a complete wildcard. Savard, we all hope you can come back and show off those playmaking skills. Finally, Marchand will absolutely be resigned; it’s just a matter of when. When he does return in a Bruin sweater next season, he will pick up right where he left off – soaring.

Offensive Score: A-

And an even warmer welcome back to the defense. I believe this team has one of the top three defensive rosters in the league. Chara will continue to assert his dominance on the game of hockey. With an 11-foot stick and the most potent slapshot in the league, it’s impossible to stop this force. His partner, Seidenberg, is a more than reliable defenseman who also chips in a good number of points. Ference, thanks for the memories. I hope you keep this edge. I don’t care what the NHL thinks. I love it. Keep playing solid defense as well please. Corvo was brought in as a weapon for the powerplay. We should see solid production from him on a deeper roster. Boychuk is up and coming. As such, I expect his numbers to increase. McQuaid is another defenseman on the rise. His large stature and aggressive attitude maintain a safe area for the goalies.

Defensive Score: A+

Thomas and Rask. Do I even need to elaborate further? Fine. Where Tim Thomas will be next year is anyone's guess, but I anticipate another strong season. It may not be record-breaking, but it’ll be good and hopefully with lots of spectacular saves. Like this one and this one and this one and this one. If not, Rask is there to back him up. After all, Rask is the goalie of the future. The question remains when he’ll take over the starting role…for more than half a season.

Goaltending Score: A

Repeat?

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

#2 in the East: Pittsburgh Penguins



If - that is the biggest word surrounding the Pittsburgh Penguins’ upcoming season. In 2010-2011, the Penguins spent the majority of their season without star forwards Malkin and Crosby. If they can both return to their superstar status, the Penguins will be an extremely dangerous team this coming season. Dan Bylsma is one of the best coaches in the league and will continue to lead the team to perennial success

On the offensive side of the puck, the Pittsburgh Penguins are safe. As stated above, if Malkin and Crosby keep playing as they have been when healthy, the team should expect the goal horn to sound frequently. Even without Malkin and Crosby, the Penguins have shown that they can still succeed with their offensive depth. Jordan Staal is one of the most underrated players in the game. He may not be a sniper or a speed demon, but he works incredibly hard on every shift and is instrumental in shutting down the opposing team’s top line. Sullivan should be a valuable addition to the Pens’ lineup with his goal-scoring touch. I expect him to play with either Malkin or Crosby eventually. Neal has not lived up to my expectations, but I anticipate increased production from his previous 45-point campaign. Kunitz is a sparkplug who supplies consistent production, although most players would if they played with Crosby. Either way, he is an important piece to the Penguins’ lineup. Dupuis is back for at least one more season and is a valuable contributor for his salary. Kennedy has shown flashes of brilliance and I believe this will be the year he shines – maybe even eclipsing the 50-point mark. Adams and Asham will continue doing what they do best: bruising. But what I like about both of these players is that they completely understand their roles within the organization. On occasion they even go beyond their roles, chipping in points here and there. Letestu demonstrated he is ready for the big club. Unfortunately, being on one of the strongest teams down the middle, he is left with 4th-line minutes. And finally  Mr. Cooke, what will we see from you this year? Hopefully a cleaner game. Although there is a sharp drop-off after the higher talent -Malkin and Crosby - the Penguins’ still have a nice offensive score.

Offensive Score: A-

The Penguins’ defensive troops both confuse and impress me. Last season, even without Crosby and Malkin, the Penguins still were able to succeed. While there were some players who stepped up on offense, most of the responsibility fell on the defenders. Other than Letang, the Penguins don’t possess any lethal offensive threats. However, there are a number of defensemen that pride themselves on their title: defense Orpik is the archetype of a defensive defenseman. His size forces opponents to the corners and his intelligence decreases scoring chances and turnovers. Michalek is a little overpaid for his 20 points and even plus/minus, but is stable at his position. Martin is another slightly overpaid defenseman; however his 16 PIMs last year indicate his strong discipline. This is compounded by the fact that he averages the 2nd most TOI after Letang. Lovejoy, Engelland and Niskanen round out the bottom three. Of these, Lovejoy appears to have the strongest game – not face.

Defensive Score: B+

The Penguins’ goaltending situation is quite sturdy with Fleury and Johnson. Fleury’s personality grew on me over the years as did his style of play. He has done a great job settling into his NHL role. Early in his career Fleury would often find himself out of position due to his aggressive nature. A few seasons have past and he has truly come into his own. Johnson will continue to be a stable backup goaltender that should see about 20-25 games. I’m actually surprised no team has given him another chance at a No. 1 position.

Goaltending Score: A-

Good team, right?

Monday, August 15, 2011

#1 in the East: Washington Capitals




Already possessing one of the league's most ferocious rosters, George McPhee and the Washington Capitals made all of the right moves this off-season to truly contend for the Stanley Cup in 2012. Much like San Jose, The Caps have always missed that playoff-drive needed to push them into the Stanley Cup Finals. Bringing in a few veterans with playoff experience should provide Washington with that additional boost to put an end to their struggles.

Up front the capitals are one of the strongest teams. Players like Ovechkin, Backstrom, Knuble, Laich and Semin headline the troops. These leaders are supported by strong role players such as Chimera and Johansson along with new additions Ward, Brouwer and Halpern. The newcomers bring an extensive amount of playoff experience to a team that desperately needs postseason success – and not just four or eight wins, but the full 16. Fans are growing anxious and now is the time to strike.

As for specific forward predictions, I see Ovechkin and Backstrom rebounding from their “slumps.” The 2011-2012 season may see one of these players eclipse the 100-point mark. Although there are rumors of Semin’s departure, I cannot imagine the team trading away one of their prolific snipers. He will be needed in the playoffs when goals are more scarce. He will not be needed to fight, haha. Laich will be increasingly relied upon as the season progresses and I anticipate him stepping up to the challenge. He is a good two-way forward with size and skill. Knuble will continue to be the presence in front of the net needed for those invaluable garbage goals. Chimera, one of my favorite shut-down centers, will continue to grind out games with his size and speed. With increased ice-time, Johansson should see a rise in his production to a possible 40+ point season. You cannot say enough about the additions of Ward, Brouwer and Halpern. Ward came with a high price-tag, but brings energy and enthusiasm to the club. In the playoffs this year, Ward proved he can be a difference-maker, both on and off the score sheet. Brouwer brings proven playoff experience, a Stanley Cup ring and the knowledge of how to mesh with skilled players. I expect Brouwer to crack the top-six eventually. And finally, Jeff Halpern comes in at $825,000. What a deal. He may not be the flashiest player, but he will play sound hockey and make smart decisions – something every team needs.

Offensive Score: A

On the backend, the Capitals are also solid. Their defensive depth chart looks something like this: Green, Wideman, Schultz, Hamrlik, Poti, Erskine, Carlson and Alzner. That’s eight defensmen that are top-six-worthy. Having that many NHL-ready defensemen is a blessing. Just ask Mike Gillis. While Green can sometimes be a defensive liability, his offensive talent overcompensates. A slight slump is his numbers this year shouldn’t carry over to the upcoming season. I expect his rampage on goaltenders to continue. Wideman is another offensive asset. He will provide a stable right-handed shot that should be utilized on the 2nd PP unit.  Schultz is a another strong defenseman who is most notable, at least to me, for his excellent plus/minus in 2009-2010 – indicating his 5-on-5 value. I cannot quite put my finger on the value of Poti. I have seen him make smart plays. I have seen him make idiotic plays. He is not worth his price tag, but is still a solid defenseman. Erskine is a big boy and will continue to be a menace on the backend, providing much needed security for the more talented players. Finally, this year is a tremendous opportunity for Carlson and Alzner to prove their worth. I predicted Alzner over Carlson to be the big surprise for this team only because Alzner seems to have a firmer grasp on his defensive responsibilities while Carlson tends to be offensively-focused.

Defensive Score: B-

And last, but certainly not least, we arrive at the Capitals’ goaltending situation that greatly improved over the summer with the addition of Vokoun. Vokoun has always played for subpar teams like Nashville and Florida. Coming to a winning team like the Capitals will not change the fact that he is an excellent goaltender. It will be interesting to see how he adjusts to receiving fewer shots a game. Is he a goaltender that gets into the zone with a flurry of shots? If so, he could be in trouble. But, I highly doubt that. With a strong team in front of him, Vokoun may be in the discussion for the Vezina Trophy next year. Neuvirth is more than capable of handling the backup duties and will continue to play at a high level.

Goaltending Score: A

The Capitals will be a scary team when October rolls around.

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Hitting

The next article(s) will be an explanation of my season predictions. I apologize for the wait. I'm thinking about doing sections rather than one piece. For now, I wanted to discuss a topic that’s been on my mind for a while: hitting. NHL.com currently has a plethora of videos highlighting extraordinary hits from the 2010-2011 season. While the hits are quite entertaining, what happens after intrigues me.

Why do players jump any opponent who delivers a hit? I understand sticking up for your teammates, but there is a time and a place to do so. Hits are landed throughout the length of the game. If your teammate happens to be on the receiving end of one of these big checks, there will be plenty of time for that opposing checker to receive the proper consequences.

Before I begin, I would like to clarify that my opinions solely reflect on LEGAL checks.

Here are some examples of proper and improper reactions to a handful of hits:

Wrong Reaction: Tootoo on Frolik 




This is a perfect example of exactly what is wrong with the current mentality in the NHL. Jordan Tootoo lined up a prefect check on Frolik, who – surprise, surprise – did not have his head up. After delivering the check, Tootoo gets jumped by Bryan McCabe. Why? McCabe deserves a penalty. He delayed the game by jumping Tootoo. McCabe also threw off his gloves.

This is not the only example. Here are a few more misguided reactions:

Wrong Reaction: Doughty on Hall 



This particular situation, both players and announcers, baffles me. In the video, Taylor Hall receives a leading pass in the neutral zone from a teammate. As he stretches out for the puck, Drew Doughty flies in from just inside the blueline and sends Hall spinning into the boards. Dustin Penner immediately stops and attacks Doughty. For what? Checking? I understand that Hall is a very important player to the Oiler’s organization. I also understand that when a teammate is hit this hard, it’s natural to come to his aid. However, Hall has no one to blame but himself. There are several other options for his teammates rather than the blindside pummeling of Doughty. These stoppages only serve to hinder the flow of the game and as a devoted hockey fan, I shake my head – because it’s up.

The announcers worsen the situation by labeling the check a hit to the head. Well, when your head is at the approximate height of an opposing player’s hip, it is near impossible to hit anything else. Moral of the story: watch where you’re skating.

Now, with the foolish attitudes out of the way, let’s take a look at how hockey should be played.

Correct Reaction: Phaneuf on Ruutu



In this clip, Dion Phaneuf lines up an open-ice check on Tuomo Ruutu cutting across center ice. Earlier in the game, Ruutu delivered a fairly heavy hit on Phaneuf against the boards. Phaneuf kept the hit logged in his memory just as he should. And finally, later in the game, he delivered the crushing blow and both players skated away accepting their fate - just as they should. Thank you! Moving on….

Correct Reaction: Umberger on Seabrook



I really enjoy this clip because it provides an example of a strange situation in hockey where players engage one another before arriving to the puck. When this situation arises, officials have an important decision to make: did both players engage in the physicality or did an individual interfere? Here, Umberger and Seabrook both make eye contact and accept the physical play. Umberger gets the better position and sends Seabrook careening into the boards. After the hit, both players get up and the two teams resume play without any interference. Perfect. 

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Predictions for the 2011-2012 NHL Season


I contemplated a variety of options for the first post of my blog, but could find no substitute for the infamous "prediction post." Before I write, I must begin with a disclaimer: I am no fortune teller - nor an expert on hockey. I have however spent my entire life studying the game. Hockey is my true passion. I won't get sappy with an emotional story on why hockey is so spectacular because I assume if you're reading this we may share something in common. Explanations of my rankings will come later.

Let's get at it! Here are my predictions:

Eastern Conference
1. Washington Capitals
2. Pittsburgh Penguins
3. Boston Bruins
4. Philadelphia Flyers
5. Buffalo Sabres
6. Tampa Bay Lightning
7. New York Rangers
8. New Jersey Devils
9. Montreal Canadiens
10. Winnipeg Jets
11. Carolina Hurricanes
12. Toronto Maple Leafs
13. Florida Panthers
14. New York Islanders
15. Ottawa Senators

Western Conference
1. San Jose Sharks
2. Vancouver Canucks
3. Detroit Red Wings
4. Los Angeles Kings
5. Anaheim Ducks
6. Chicago Blackhawks
7. Minnesota Wild
8. Columbus Blue Jackets
9. Nashville Predators
10. Calgary Flames
11. St. Louis Blues
12. Edmonton Oilers
13. Dallas Stars
14. Phoenix Coyotes
15. Colorado Avalanche

Dark Horses:
Eastern Conference - Winnipeg Jets & Toronto Maple Leafs
Western Conference - St. Louis Blues & Edmonton Oilers
Possible Exaggerations:
Eastern Conference - Buffalo Sabres & New Jersey Devils
Western Conference - Columbus Blue Jackets & Minnesota Wild


Difference-makers

Washington Capitals 
Expected Performers: Vokoun, Backstrom, Ovechkin
Supporting: Laich, Brouwer, Johansson
Stable Pieces: Ward, Halpern, Hamrlik
Surprise: Alzner

Pittsburgh Penguins 

Expected Performers: Crosby, Malkin, Letang
Supporting Performers: Staal, Sullivan, Neal
Stable Pieces: Orpik, Fleury
Surprise: Kennedy


Boston Bruins 

Expected Performers: Thomas, Chara, Krejci
Supporting Performers: Marchand, Bergeron, Lucic
Stable Pieces: Seidenberg, Kelly, Peverley
Surprise: Seguin

Philadelphia Flyers

Expected Performers: Bryzgalov, Giroux, van Riemsdyk, Briere
Supporting Performers: Hartnell, Jagr, Voracek
Stable Pieces: Talbot, Simmonds, Pronger
Surprises: Nodl, Schenn

Buffalo Sabres 

Expected Performers: Miller, Vanek, Stafford, Ehrhoff
Supporting Performers: Myers, Leino, Ellis
Stable Pieces: Regher, Pominville, Hecht
Surprise: Gerbe

Tampa Bay Lightning

Expected Performers: Stamkos, St. Louis, Lecavalier
Supporting Performers: Purcell, Malone, Downie
Stable Pieces: Brewer, Roloson, Thompson
Surprise: Moore

New York Rangers

Expected Performers: Lundqvist, Richards, Gaborik
Supporting Performers: Callahan, Dubinsky, Anisimov
Stable Pieces: Staal, Girardi, Boyle
Surprise: Stepan

New Jersey Devils

Expected Performers: Parise, Brodeur, Kovalchuk
Supporting Performers: Elias, Zajac, Zubrus
Stable Pieces: Clarkson, Greene, Steckel
Surprise: Larsson

Montreal Canadiens

Expected Performers: Price, Cammalleri, Plekanec
Supporting Performers: Gionta, Markov, Subban
Stable Pieces: Gomez, Moen, Gill
Surprise: Cole - if healthy

Winnipeg Jets

Expected Performers: Ladd, Byfuglien, Little
Supporting Performers: Enstrom, Antropov, Kane, Pavelec
Stable Pieces: Little, Fehr, Hainsey
Surprise: Wheeler

Carolina Hurricanes

Expected Performers: Staal, Ward, Skinner
Supporting Performers: Pitkanen, Kaberle, Sutter
Stable Pieces: Larose, Ruutu,
Surprise: Jokinen

Toronto Maple Leafs

Expected Performers: Kessel, MacArthur, Connolly
Supporting Performers: Phaneuf, Reimer, Lupul, Liles
Stable Pieces: Lombardi, Grbovski, Kulimen
Surprises: Bozak, Franson

Florida Panthers

Expected Performers: Fleischmann, Weiss, Booth
Supporting Performers: Upshall, Campbell
Stable Pieces: Kopecky, Jovonaovski, Goc
Surprise: Bergenheim

New York Islanders

Expected Performers: Grabner, Tavares, Moulson, Streit
Supporting Performers: Comeau, Okposo
Stable Pieces: Reasoner, Rolston, Jurcina
Surprise: Nielsen

Ottawa Senators

Expected Performers: Anderson, Spezza, Alfredsson
Supporting Performers: Gonchar, Michalek, Regin
Stable Pieces: Philips, Neil ("stable")
Surprise: Butler

San Jose Sharks

Expected Performers: Thornton, Marleau, Havlat, Boyle
Supporting Performers: Niemi, Pavelski, Couture
Stable Pieces: Mitchell, Handzus, Clowe
Surprise: Burns 

Vancouver Canucks

Expected Performers: H. Sedin, D. Sedin, Kesler
Supporting Performers: Burrows, Luongo, Raymond
Stable Pieces: Bieksa, Salo, Malhotra
Surprise: Hansen

Detroit Red Wings

Expected Performers: Lidstrom, Datsyuk, Zetterberg
Supporting Performers: Kronwall, Howard, Franzen, Filppula
Stable Pieces: Stuart, Cleary, Holmstrom
Surprise: Helm

Los Angeles Kings

Expected Performers: Kopitar, Richards, Quick, Duughty
Supporting Performers: Brown, Williams, Johnson, Gagne
Stable Pieces: Mitchell, Stoll
Surprise: Martinez

Anaheim Ducks

Expected Performers: Ryan, Getzlaf, Perry, Selanne*
Supporting Performers: Hiller, Koivu, Visnovsky
Stable Pieces: Lydman, Blake, Beauchemin
Surprise: Fowler
*if playing

Chicago Blackhawks

Expected Performers: Toews, Kane, Hossa, Sharp
Supporting Performers: Crawford, Brunette, Keith
Stable Pieces: Bickell, Montador
Surprise: Bolland

Minnesota Wild

Expected Performers: Backstrom, Heatley, Koivu
Supporting Performers: Setoguchi, Cullen, Bouchard
Stable Pieces: Brodziak, Clutterbuck
Surprise: Latendresse

Columbus Blue Jackets

Expected Performers: Nash, Carter, Wisniewski
Supporting Performers: Mason, Umberger, Prospal
Stable Pieces: Methot, Vermette, Pahlsson
Surprise: MacKenzie


Nashville Predators
Expected Performers: Weber, Rinne, Suter
Supporting Performers: Fisher, Legwand, Kostitsyn
Stable Pieces: Tootoo, O'Reilly
Surprise: Wilson

Calgary Flames

Expected Performers: Iginla, Kiprusoff, Tanguay
Supporting Performers: Bouwmeester, Bourque, Jokinen, Langkow
Stable Pieces: Giordano, Morrison, Moss
Surprise: Glencross

St. Louis Blues

Expected Performers: Backes, Halak, Stewart
Supporting Performers: Shattenkirk, Oshie, Steen
Stable Pieces: Arnott, Langenbrunner, Jackman
Surprise: Berglund

Edmonton Oilers

Expected Performers: Hall, Eberle, Smyth
Supporting Performers: Whitney, Belanger, Hemsky
Stable Pieces: Horcoff, Barker
Surprise: Omark

Dallas Stars

Expected Performers: Benn, Eriksson, Ribiero
Supporting Performers: Ryder, Lehtonen, Robidas
Stable Pieces: Ott, Morrow, Daley
Surprise: Goligoski

Phoenix Coyotes

Expected Performers: Doan, Yandle, Whitney
Supporting Performers: Hanzal, Vrbata, Korpikoski
Stable Pieces: Klesla, Stempniak
Surprise: Turris*
*if signed

Colorado Avalanche
Expected Performers: Duchene, Stastny, Hejduk
Supporting Performers: Johnson, Jones, Mueller
Stable Pieces: Kobasew, Quincey, O'Reilly
Surprises: Galiardi, Landeskog