26 replies to this topic

[ahtikullervo]

It is early. Too early. To predict what the „new NHL” will look like. But it is too much time without (NHL) hockey... All the trades, all the games, entire show... So I make a silly brave attempt to describe our rivals as I see them now... Maybe it is time to take the whole series up again in the endof September. Maybe next week when the buy outs begin, rumour mill will heat up in such a speed...

[ahtikullervo]

#1 in the West (Detroit Red Wings)

I hate to put this team to this position, but I am very much afraid it is the reality: these guys are #1 favourites in the West once again! And after Scotty Bowman once again they have a really strong coach. We if anybody know it too well...

Current situation:

13 players, $30,723,000

Players under contract: Nicklas Lidström ($7.6 million), Derian Hatcher ($4.9 million), Robert Lang ($3.8 million), Ray Whitney ($2.7 million), Brendan Shanahan ($2.3 million), Kris Draper ($2.1 million), Darren McCarty ($1.7 million), Kirk Maltby ($1.4 million), Tomas Holmström ($1.4 million), Jiri Fischer ($1.4 million), Manny Legace ($1.1 million), Jamie Rivers ($323,000)

Key restricted free agents: Pavel Datsyuk, Niklas Kronwall, Henrik Zetterberg

Key unrestricted free agents: Chris Chelios, Curtis Joseph, Mathieu Schneider, Steve Yzerman

For the „new NHL” this squad is „too heavy” in economic sense. Some cuts are nessessary. Some radical changes. Some guys are expected to be bought out. Usually the names of Hatcher, Shanahan & Whitney are mentioned in this context, sometimes McCarty too. Some guys are not expected to be back (at least not with former salaries). Chelios, Schneider & CuJo... Interesting is the question: what will Datsyuk do? There were strong stories and rumours that he will stay in Russia. Now it seems it will ot be the case.

Zetterberg & Kronwall will be signed for sure! No doubt these 2 Swedes will play a huge part in Detroit next season.

Goal. Looks like Manny Legace is #1 at the moment. It depends who will be available, but I believe Detroit will be active in search for someone to challenge him for that spot.

Defence. Lidström, Kronwall, Fischer, Rivers. Dfence is already strong. Lidström is one of the best defencemen in the World at the moment, Kronwall was best in AHL last season and Fischer has played for Babcock in Cincy... Will Bykov be ready to return from Russia? And what about Dandenault? Will Red Wings match the possible offers from elsewhere?

Forwards. Yzerman will provide all the locker room leadership without a doubt. Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Lang & Co must provide the goals. Draper, Maltby & McCarty are the best 3rd line in the league... Jiri Hudler (and Niklas Kronwall) are in my expectations candidates for the best rookie award. Shanahan will be missed, but not too much... Still room for a guy or 2 from UFA lists, but the team is looking almost ready...

And one more reason to consider them #1 candidate for ruling the West is the division they play in... Already for some years only St.Louis has been their rival. Nashville, Chicago & Columbus have been weak(er)...

Possible lines:
Legace MacDonald/UFA
Lidström-Kronwall
Fischer-Woolley
Dandenault (Bykov/UFA)-Rivers Schneider(UFA)

Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Yzerman (UFA)
Hudler-Lang-Holmström
Maltby-Draper-McCarty (Yzerman) Franzen-Mowers-Williams
Bootland

[ahtikullervo]

#2 in the West (Vancouver Canucks)

Ok, this is a bit brave vote... Canucks are in the mix of several rumours... Who will stay? Näslund? Bertuzzi? Who will go? And who will come? Scott Niedermayer? Paul Kariya? There are so many different scenarios new GM Nonis must choose from. Now he'll have his work cut out for him as the Canucks have numerous young, key restricted free agents to lock up. And goalie question: will Cloutier be the guy who this team goes to chase the Cup with???

Current situation:

Nine players, $13,574,000

Players under contract: Todd Bertuzzi ($5.3 million), Ed Jovanovski ($4 million), Trevor Linden ($1.5 million), Ryan Kesler ($722,000), Alex Auld ($513,000), Kiril Koltsov ($513,000), Jonathan Aitken ($342,000), Wade Brookbank ($342,000), Jeff Heerema ($342,000)

Key restricted free agents: Dan Cloutier, Marek Malik, Brendan Morrison, Mattias Öhlund, Sami Salo, Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin, Brent Sopel

Key unrestricted free agents: Markus Näslund, Martin Rucinsky

Vancouver does not have too many heavy contracts to buy out. Actually nobody is expected to be boughtout. I doubt if Linden is worth 1,5 million, but he is more locker room hero than on the ice leader today.

Goal. Cloutier is current #1. Question is not if, but when he will get a guy to challenge that role. Vancouver has stumbled in play offs with its goaltending too much recent years.

Defence. Jovanovski, Öhlund, Salo, Malik, Allen, Sopel... Not bad. And if therumours of Scott Niedermayer come true – very good! Very offencive guys in there and that should be an advantage in „new NHL”.

Forwards: Very much open in the 1st line. Näslund is the 1st question. And if he goes Bertuzzi will be next. GM has said almost the same about Markus that Burke in Anaheim about Babcock: we do/did everything... We all know what happened. Sedin twins are a year older and should be ready to take even bigger role. For me interesting is what happens to Jarkko Ruutu. He reminds me Rob Niedermayer – not the most skillful guy out there, but all heart. The guy who is ready to do everything for his team. And yes Rob is talked there too... Scott dreams of playing with his brother. If we will make some dealing and stuff that will land us Näslund, maybe we will lose Rob?

Possible lines:

Cloutier Auld/UFA

Jovanovski-Malik (S.Niedermayer)
Öhlund-Sopel
Allen-Salo Bieksa (Koltsov/Baumgartner)

Näslund (Kariya)-Morrison-Bertuzzi (UFA)
D.Sedin-H.Sedin-Brookbank (R.Niedermayer)
Cooke-Kesler-Linden
King-Chubarov-Bouck
J.Ruutu

[ahtikullervo]

#3 in the West (Phoenix Coyotes)

This is a tricky one. I hope/believe/dream that the best team in Pacific in 2005/2006 is Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. But as I am doing this series on our rivals, let me pick another team... Phoenix Coyotes!

Gretzky as a possible coach. This would motivate many kids out there. If Wayne takes the job I expect desert dogs to mean business. And there team is almost ready. Not many big changes on the horizon... In a way it is good – guys have more time to practice than to discuss business with agents and lawyers...

Current situation:

22 players, $29,068,000

Players under contract: Shane Doan ($3 million), Brian Savage ($2.9 million), Petr Nedved ($2.2 million), Ladislav Nagy ($2 million), Mike Comrie ($1.7 million), Sean O'Donnell ($1.7 million), Brett Hull ($1.7 million), Mike Johnson ($1.7 million), Mike Ricci ($1.5 million), Denis Gauthier ($1.4 million), Cale Hulse ($1.1 million), Oleg Saprykin ($1.1 million), David Tanabe ($988,000), Keith Ballard ($912,000), Fredrik Sjöström ($836,000), Brent Johnson ($760,000), Matthew Spiller ($722,000), Tyson Nash ($608,000), Krys Kolanos ($608,000), Boyd Devereaux ($570,000), Michael Rupp ($570,000), Jason Chimera ($494,000)

Key restricted free agents: Brian Boucher, Brent Johnson, Paul Mara, Derek Morris.

Key unrestricted free agents: none

This team was built for 2004/2005. It was ready year ago. In this big gamble owners of Coyotes were on the opposite of Boston Bruins – those are in a terrific position to build a totally new team under new rules... But Coyotes are not in deep trouble either. The only buy out candidate in my mind is Savage. Nedved and Hull lost a valuable year at their careers (both coming to end of it), but both should/could be valuable at their best! Goalie situation is open for a big name to drop in (Khabibullin back??? Rumours say that he has bought some property in Arizona...), but if not no big worries either...

Goal: While waiting ´Bullin Wall back, the more realistic future seems to be resigning RFAs Boucher & Johnson. This tandem is not too spectacular, but on their good days they do not cause any problems...

Defence: Morris, Tanabe, O’Donnell, Gauthier, Mara, Hulse... Defence is not bad at all. Derek Morris is yet not signed, but I guess he will not be hard to sign – playing for Gretzky and having Turin Olympics in mind there is no better place than Phoenix for him! The only question is depth, but in „new NHL” this will be for many many other teams too!

Forwards: Doan, Nagy, Comrie and Co have new guys to help: Nedved, Hull, Rupp, Chimera... Ricci will add his valuable skills to this roster – I could not believe Sharks letting him join division rivals! Attack of Coyotes seems to be a permanent threat. There is enough skills. And the economic package is solid too... no terrible contracts. As I said this team is ready... Maybe the most ready roster in entire NHL.

Possible lines:

Boucher
Johnson (Khabibullin)

Morris-Gauthier
Tanabe-Mara
Hulse-O’Donnell
Spiller

Nagy-Nedved-Johnson
Kolanos-Comrie-Doan
Saprykin-Ricci-Sjöström
Nash-Rupp-Chimera
Cleary

[ahtikullervo]

#4 in the West (Colorado Avalanche)

No New York Rangers of Colorado this year. Kariya-Selänne plan backfired last season and I believe it will stir things in many pots for years to come. Their trick was something of a kind and now in Sweden there are questions if Näslund-Forsberg will do „Kariya-Selänne”... Most probably both Kariya & Selänne themselves are gone for this season.

I believe the biggest problem was coach Granato. He just could not handle all the super stars. Colorado Avalanche should have been the Stanley Cup Champions in 2004, but...

Now in Colorado the big question is Foote or Forsberg? Ideal (in „old NHL” common) answer: both, seems to be out of question. Seems that the best hockey player in the world „Foppa” will be let go... Injury prone or not, but he can dominate games on his own!

It would be an irony if the 2nd „Kariya-Selänne”, the Swedish version, really would happen in Anaheim, the home of „Paul & Teemu Show”!

Current situation:

10 players, $22,584,000

Players under contract: Joe Sakic ($6.7 million), Rob Blake ($6.4 million), Steve Konowalchuk ($1.9 million), Chris Gratton ($1.9 million), Vincent Damphousse ($1.5 million), Ian Laperriere ($1.1 million), Bob Boughner ($988,000), Ossi Väänänen ($988,000), Antti Laaksonen ($646,000), Cody McCormick ($372,000)

Key restricted free agents: David Aebischer, Milan Hejduk, John-Michael Liles, Alex Tanguay

Key unrestricted free agents: Vincent Damphousse, Peter Forsberg, Adam Foote, Andrei Nikolishin, Teemu Selanne, Paul Kariya

If we look at numbers, Avs are almost in the situation we are: their10 players and 22,584,000 and our 11 players and 22,291,000. But numbers do not tell it all. Avs have to sign Hejduk, Tanguay, Aebischer, Liles and Foote/Forsberg... This means Avs will be the team that starts buying out contracts next week or so. Gratton, Konowalchuk – in this order are in line. It would free more than 3,4 million... Then again Blake alone could free 6,4 million... Possibilites... One thing for sure: Sakic is safe!

Goal. Though Aebischer has not been a dissapointment, he is no Partick Roy. And that has showed in play offs. And play offs are the one and only thing that counts in Denver. Though it is not very common belief, I am sure we hear some news in Avs goalie department this season!!!

Defence. Blake, Foote, Liles, Väänänen, Boughner... Dream team. Blake & Foote spend huge minutes out there... I believe that Colorado will keep those 2. Best defence in entire Western conference.

Forwards. Sakic is the clear king of this town. Though not as skillful as Forsberg (nobody is...), more reliable on health... Even after departure of Teemu, there are enough Finnish guys to keep me interested in Avs: defenceman Väänänen, forwards Hahl & Laaksonen. Another duo though: Hejduk & Tanguay, their contracts, are priority for Avs. And even in the „new NHL” those guys will not be cheap. Avs will have a lot of work to do remain under 39 million. Avalanche is a big-market team that has moves to make and money to spend and skills to put a good team on ice (like Detroit)... So You just can not count them out!

Possible lines:

Aebischer
Budaj/Sauvé

Blake(?)-Boughner
Liles-Foote
Väänänen-Skrastinsh
Sauer

Hejduk-Sakic-Tanguay
Laperriere-Hinote(Forsberg)-Svatos
Konowalchuk(McCormick)-Hahl-Laaksonen
Worrell-McLean-Hendrickson (Hinote)
Nikolishin (?)

[ahtikullervo]

#5 in the West (St.Louis Blues)

This is quite a safe bet. St.Louis still have a good team out there. And keep an eye on what this team does once the free-agent period begins. There are 2 big contracts: Tkachuk & Weight. Both are really good players, but I can not believe St.Louis can keep both + Demitra & Pronger. What will happen to MacInnis? Is he ever going to play NHL hockey (read about some exhibition charity game) again?

Current situation:

14 players, $24,566,000

Players under contract: Keith Tkachuk ($7.6 million), Doug Weight ($5.7 million), Patrick Lalime ($2.4 million), Eric Weinrich ($1.4 million), Dallas Drake ($1.2 million), Barret Jackman ($1.1 million), Mike Sillinger ($1.1 million), Christian Bäckman ($912,000), Petr Cajanek ($836,000), Jay McClement ($608,000), Reed Low ($570,000), Eric Bogunieki ($456,000), Andy Roach ($380,000), Reinhard Divis ($304,000)

Key restricted free agents: Eric Boguniecki, Jamal Mayers, Chris Pronger, Bryce Salvador

Key unrestricted free agents: Pavol Demitra, Alexander Khavanov, Al MacInnis, Chris Osgood

Goal. Lalime & Divis is a duo Blues count on. It was a sad suprise last year that Lalime was very weak in play offs. This guy is a bit strange – either he performs really well (in Penguins, Senators) or is a real shadow... He was our property for awhile, but never played a single game for us!

Defence. It has been the strenght of this club. Chris Pronger & Al MacInnis alone are super stars of that area. Then Khavanov, Jackman, Weinrich, Salvador & Roach are more or less solid. Bäckman is not bad either... But now the situation is wide open. Pronger is rumoured to be departing, MacInnis might have played his last game in NHL... Pronger is very very expensive, then again he is very very good... Tough decisions to make! Weinrich is too expensive for his current potential too – expected to be bought out!

Forwards. Tkachuk is real good. Weight is high above average. These 2 Team USA leaders are on the same time very expensive... Cajanek, who is also a very good hockey player comes with much more reasonable salary. And the problem of Blues is scoring. UFA Pavol Demitra could once again be helping in that section, but he is not the cheapest guy around! Blues are expected to buy out Weight and search for some younger and cheaper guns out there. Another choice would be a trade (fans dream of Hemsky for Weight), but this summer trades like that are not very realistic.

Among St.Louis fans in different internet sites one thing is taken for granted: Blues once again make play offs. In the same breath they sigh: and will be kicked out in the 1st play offs round... In the new possible structure where teams play 8 times their division rivals the question is if Chicago, Nashville & Columbus have developed enough to challenge Detroit & St.Louis?

Possible lines:

Lalime
Divis

Pronger (UFA)-Khavanov
Salvador-Jackman
Roach-Bäckman
MacInnis

Demitra (UFA/Kariya?)-Tkachuk-Cajanek
Sejna-Mayers(UFA)-Boguniecki
Sillinger-Drake-McClement
Rycroft-Johnson-DiSalvatore
Low

[ahtikullervo]

#6 in the West (Dallas Stars)

Another wild guess. Dallas ir rumoured to be in the beginning of rebuilding. Very many questions yet unanswered... Will Modano stay? Will Guerin & Turgeon be bought out? What kind of changes will happen in defence? Numminen? Zubov? Stars owner Bill Hicks was one of the owners' hard-liners during the lockout, and he is no stranger to eating big contract money. Dallas could turn to be the most Finnish team in NHL this season: Numminen, Lehtinen, Miettinen & J.Jokinen...

Nine players, $23,112,000

Players under contract: Bill Guerin ($6.8 million), Pierre Turgeon ($4.6 million), Jere Lehtinen ($3.6 million), Marty Turco ($3.2 million), Philippe Boucher ($1.8 million), Stu Barnes ($1.1 million), Jon Klemm ($1.1 million), Trevor Daley ($456,000), Jaroslav Svoboda ($456,000)

Key restricted free agents: Jason Arnott, Brendan Morrow

Key unrestricted free agents: Mike Modano, Teppo Numminen, Sergei Zubov

Goal. Turco & Tugnutt will handle the job. Turco is good, but he is not Ed Belfour. Eddy was a winning play offs goalie, and though old and expensive in some way something Dallas still would need!

Defence. Hatcher back? He will be free and this time much cheaper... Zubov and Numminen? Will those guys accept smaller pay check? How much smaller? Or are they willing to test open market? Boucher & Klemm are no rainmakers...

Forwards. Will Modano be resigned. He is Mr. Dallas Stars. His decision will decide the face (fate?) of Stars 2005/2006. Jere Lehtinen will once again be Selke candidate... Morrow is good. Young Finnish guys Miettinen and Jokinen both could make the team. And the names that have been mentioned to be bought out – Guerin & Turgeon will open up a lot of money (11,4 million!!!) to rebuild... Dallas could go after any of the big names then (with more reasonable price) or try to get some youth.

My wild guess is that Dallas will not rule the Pacific Division this season. Pacific will be very even – and in this race 3 best teams will most probably make play offs, but none of them will seriously challenge for #1 spot. Under this more division and conference centered system it is very important how strong the division one is in, is... In Pacific all teams lose points a lot.

Possible lines:

Turco
Tugnutt

Hatcher (Numminen)-Zubov
Boucher-Daley
Klemm-Erskine
Belle

UFA-Modano-Morrow
Lehtinen-Arnott-DiMaio
Jokinen-Barnes-Miettinen
Svoboda-Hagos-Ott
UFA

[ahtikullervo]

#7 in the West (Calgary Flames)

So I predict that Miikka Kiprusoff & Jarome Iginla will once again outplay Edmonton Oilers... As I said in earlier post, new more rivalry centered system will most probably guarantee that from no division more than 3 clubs make the top 8.

I do not expect Calgary to do Anaheim – after playing in Stanley Cup Finals not making playoffs the next year. Though it would not be a major suprise. In West at least 11 teams are serious play offs candidates!

Current situation:

13 players, $14,140,000

Players under contract: Toni Lydman ($1.9 million), Rhett Warrener ($1.8 million), Robyn Regehr ($1.7 million), Marcus Nilson ($1.4 million), Stephane Yelle ($1.4 million), Chris Simon ($1.2 million), Roman Turek ($1.1 million), Jason Wiemer ($950,000), Dion Phaneuf ($912,000), Shean Donovan ($627,000), Byron Ritchie ($399,000) Mike Commodore ($391,000), Steve Montador ($361,000)

Key restricted free agents: Andrew Ference, Jarome Iginla, Miikka Kiprusoff, Daymond Langkow, Jordan Leopold, Ville Nieminen, Steve Reinprecht

Key unrestricted free agents: Martin Gelinas

Though 13 players signed and only 14 million spent, things shoul/could look fine, but... But key ones like Iginla, Kipper, Leopold & Langkow are yet unsigned... And they will not be cheap, as will not be UFA play off hero Gelinas!

Goal. Kipper was the best goalie last time NHL was around. And he took Finland to World Cup Final too! He will be great next season too, no doubt at all... It suprised me that Sharks were so certain about Nabokov, that they had no room for him. Turek will remain in Europe, his NHL career seems to be over.

Defence. Leopold, Regehr, Lydman, Warrener, Phaneuf, Commodore... This is a good group! Phaneuf is one of the most interesting rookies this season. I expect him to fight for the rookie of the year title...

Forwards. Iginla is the key guy. No doubt that Flames will keep him. He has shown interest in continuing... So no worries. Departure of Conroy left a hole, but not too deep. Yelle and Wiemer are not the superstars, upgrade for less money could be available. On the other hand Flames probably can not afford to buy them out. Besides Iginla also Reinprecht, Langkow are unsigned... Kobasew, Simon are good ones... Flames are not very deep, but on their good day they can beat anybody...

Possible lines:

Kiprusoff
?

Regehr-Warrener
Lydman-Leopold
Commodore-Phaneuf
Montador

Kobasew-Langkow-Iginla
Reinprecht-Simon-Yelle
Gelinas-Wiemer-Clark
Nieminen-Donovan-Lombardi
UFA

[ahtikullervo]

#8 in the West (Nashville Predators)

Nashville has been developing steadily. I hope their growth continues and that they seriously challenge St.Louis. Can not believe they could match Detroit this season... But the building of rivalry with St.Louis is good thing. The Predators are in great shape and will not need to buy anyone out. If they do a good job with their restricted free agents, they may have enough money to make a run at an unrestricted free agent or two who might've been bought out by his previous club.

Current situation:

12 players, $12,276,000

Players under contract: Kimmo Timonen ($2.5 million), Tomas Vokoun ($2.3 million), Scott Walker ($1.5 million), Marek Zidlicky ($1.1 million), Denis Arkhipov ($1.1 million), Ryan Suter ($912,000), Jordin Tootoo ($646,000), Shane Hnidy ($608,000), Shea Weber ($551,000), Scottie Upshall ($451,000), Andrew Hutchinson ($304,000), Chris Mason ($304,000)

Key restricted free agents: Scott Hartnell, Shane Hnidy, David Legwand, Andreas Lilja

Key unrestricted free agents: Andreas Johansson, Jason York

Goal. Vokoun was very weak in Finnish SM-liiga, and also in Czech league games. He was a shadow of himself in EHT games... ... and he was fabulous in Worlds! He was the key lock in the World Champion Czech team! He can play, he can win games, that are important.

Defence. Timonen, Zidlicky, Eaton, Suter, Lilja, Hnidy... Not too impressive, but not bad either. Timonen & Zidlicky I would love to see in Ducks jersey any day!

Forwards. Sullivan was a great grab from Chicago. Wonder what he will do? Erat, Walker, Tootoo, Legwand - this is group of well balanced forwards... I believe Nashville is pretty well prepared, no need for big names.

Possible lines:

Vokoun
?

Timonen-Zidlicky
Eaton-Suter
York (UFA)-Hnidy
Lilja

Sullivan (UFA)-Legwand-Walker
Johansson-Erat-Arkhipov
Upshall-Tootoo-Hutchinson
Mason-Hall-Orzagh
Johnson

[ahtikullervo]

#9 in the West (Edmonton Oilers)

Edmonton is one of the teams I am not very sure of. They could be higher, but also lower... In a way they should be in a very good position – there are no „monster” contracts, but on the same time 5 key players (Smyth, Brewer, York, Hemsky & Torres) are unsigned. If those are all piority, then the roster should be quite familiar. And that roster has not been a sure play offs squad in NHL. Many of the guys are very well known on international level as they have participated on World Championships (Smyth, Brewer, Staios, Dvorak, Hemsky, Rita, Isbister, Cross, etc...).

Edmonton is not famous for being themost expensive team out there. This all together should point out that no big name chase is not going on.

Current situation:

13 players, $13,514,000

Players under contract: Jason Smith ($2 million), Steve Staios ($1.6 million), Radek Dvorak ($1.6 million), Ty Conklin ($1.1 million), Brad Isbister ($1.1 million), Ethan Moreau ($1.1 million), Georges Laraque ($1.1 million), Cory Cross ($874,000), Alexei Semenov ($760,000), Fernando Pisani ($612,000), Marc-Andre Bergeron ($608,000), Doug Lynch ($532,000) Todd Harvey ($528,000)

Key restricted free agents: Eric Brewer, Ales Hemsky, Jani Rita, Ryan Smyth, Raffi Torres, Mike York

Key unrestricted free agents: none

Goal. Ty Conklin is #1. But he is not Brodeur like veteran, who playes 70+
games... Back up Jussi Markkanen („Juicy Rebound” who started his NHL career with SO against Ducks) will 99% for sure remain in Russian league. He has joined Lada players, who are currently in Finland. Rumours tell that Joseph could be on his way back to Edmonton, to share the goalie duties.

Defence. Brewer, Staios, Smith, Cross, Pisani‚ Semenov. Once again a solid line up. 4 or 5 of those guys have played for Team Canada on Worlds (and Canada has been very sucsessful)... Brewer is clear #1 guy.

Forwards. Priority is to resign Smyth. He is leader. Sign that he has been Team Canada Captain on Worlds sais it all – this guy is a true leader. All heart. Oilers has many young guns who are relativly cheap and full of potential: Torres, Hemsky, Rita, Salmelainen, Bergeron... Laraque is agreat enforcer. Isbister has been a little dissapointment.

Possible lines:

Conklin
Markkanen (Joseph/UFA)

Brewer-Staios
Cross-Smith
Pisani-Semenov
Woywitka

Hemsky-Smyth-York
Isbister-Dvorak-Torres
Moreau-Laraque-Rita
Salmeainen-Harvey-Bergeron
Pouliot

[ahtikullervo]

#10 in the West (San Jose Sharks)

Last time hockey was around they played in Conference Finals against Calgary Flames. And were beaten by their season beginning #3 goalie Kiprusoff. This team is young, but has already some suprisingly strong leadership (McCauley, Marleau, McLaren, Rathje, Thornton)...

German NHL players are not a common thing. Sharks have Stürm, Goc & Ehrhoff... And some more guys in the system.

Current situation:

11 players, $13,877,000

Players under contract: Evgeni Nabokov ($3.3 million), Scott Hannan ($2.1 million), Kyle McLaren ($1.9 million), Scott Thornton ($1.7 million), Alyn McCauley ($1.1 million), Marcel Goc ($836,000), Jonathan Cheechoo ($760,000), Vesa Toskala ($684,000), Christian Ehrhoff ($608,000), Milan Michalek ($471,000), Mark Smith ($418,000)

Key restricted free agents: Nils Ekman, Patrick Marleau, Brad Stuart, Marco Stürm

Key unrestricted free agents: Mike Rathje

Some important signings to be done – all 4 above mentioned RFA’s and Rathje too!

Goal. Nabokov is still #1, though I believe Toskala is better goalie... But the duo is really good. Maybe the best in our division?

Defence.McLaren, Hannan, Rathje, Stuart, Ehrhoff, Davison... It is physical defence and when Ehrhoff gets a bit more NHL experience good enough.

Forwards. No big names a la Damphousse, Selänne, Nolan any more. But last time hockey was around they were really even and well balanced. Patrick Marleau is starting to live up huge expectations... Cheechoo, Ekman & Korolyuk all were positive suprises last year. There are many hard workers in this squad. Now Korolyuk is rumoured to be among those Russian players who will not return to NHL. Team has some money to spend. Like everybody else they are dreaming of ... Näslund. Some rumours take Nolan and/or Selänne back...

Possible lines:

Nabokov
Toskala

McLaren-Hannan
Stuart-Rathje
Davison-Ehrhoff

Ekman-Marleau-Korolyuk (UFA)
Chechoo-UFA (Damphousse)-Stürm
Goc-Thornton-McCauley
Michalek-Smith-Dimitrakos
Primeau

[ahtikullervo]

#11 in the West (Columbus Blue Jackets)

This is a mystery to me. How Columbus manages each year to stay behind Minnesota? From the very start they have looked better on paper and this year is no exeption. But in real life tables have turned from the start of season...

I just can not put the team with Rick Nash, Nikolai Zherdev, Manny Malhotra, Trevor Letowski to the bottom of the table. Besides those youngsters the veteran leadership should be there with guys like Sanderson, Marchant, Cassels, Vyborny (captain of World Champion Czech team!), Shelley, Lachance, Richardson. Everything should be OK or even better.

Current situation:

14 players, $18,671,000

Players under contract: Geoff Sanderson ($2.5 million), Todd Marchant ($2.5 million), Andrew Cassels ($2.4 million), Luke Richardson ($2.1 million), Marc Denis ($1.5 million), Scott Lachance ($1.5 million), Radoslav Suchy ($1.1 million), David Vyborny ($1.1 million), Tyler Wright ($912,000), Nikolai Zherdev ($912,000), Jody Shelley ($608,000), Manny Malhotra ($570,000), Trevor Letowski ($551,000) Dan Fritche ($418,000)

Key restricted free agents: Rostislav Klesla, Rick Nash

Key unrestricted free agents: none

Goal. Denis is yet not been the guy he was expected to be once in Colorado. Brathwaite is reported to stay in Russia.

Defence. Klesla, Richardson, Lachance, Suchy. Klesla yet unsigned. But will be for sure. Those veterans were all reliable on their old clubs. And after every signing I have thought: a good or at least decent move. Somehow in life it does not work... Bad chemistry? Weak coaching?

Forwards. Svitov will stay in Russia. President of Omsk club does not use „maybe” or „most probably” in his context. But though this is a big loss, he is not the #1 priority. This is signing Rick Nash. He is awsome! I’d give Fedorov + anybody from Ducks for him immediately! And Zherdev is super cool... What is the problem with old guys, why do they not score??? Mystery. Vyborny is really good.

Possible lines:

Denis
Brathwaite(?)/UFA

Klesla-Lachance
Richardson-Suchy
Fritche-Spacek
Hefferman

Vyborny-Zherdev-Nash
Cassels-Letowski-Sanderson
Marchant-Wright-Malhotra
Shelley-Svitov-Holzinger
?

[ahtikullervo]

#12 in the West (Minnesota Wild)

I know that they will once again prove e wrong and end up much higher... It is strange how this low budget team from year to year will be much better on ice than on paper. Gaborik is a star. No others. Mikko Koivu is an interesting young kid. His older brother Saku made it to the top. Cancer story aside, he is the first non Canadian Captain of Habs. And that is hockey history.

Back to Wild. This team has the face of its coach. But does that face look as bright in „new NHL”. Personally I think it will not be that big difference on ice. Hockey is basically the same game despite some differences in rules. Though there are differences in NHL & international hockey fact is fact: Lemieux, Heatley, Sakic, Fedorov, Forsberg, Koivu, Palffy, Iginla are big names under any rules...

Current situation:

13 players, $15,738,000

Players under contract: Marian Gaborik ($2.7 million), Brian Rolston ($2.4 million), Dwayne Roloson ($1.7 million), Filip Kuba ($1.7 million), Wes Walz ($1.5 million), Matt Johnson ($912,000), Brent Burns ($836,000), Nick Schultz ($836,000), Mikko Koivu ($836,000), Pascal Dupuis ($760,000), Alex Henry ($570,000), Raymond Giroux ($532,000), Rickard Wallin ($456,000)

Key restricted free agents: Pierre-Marc Bouchard, Manny Fernandez, Willie Mitchell, Richard Park, Andrei Zyuzin

Key unrestricted free agents: Andrew Brunette

Goal. Roloson will be in. I believe Fernandez too. Those 2 have given much better performance than I ever believed they are capable of...

Defence. Kuba, Schultz, Giroux, Mitchell, Zyuzin, Wallin. Not too impressive, but somehow it just works.

Forwards. Gaborik is good, even better. Gaborik, at $2.7 million, is the team's highest-paid player, but he's got loads of offensive talent and the Wild are pretty thin in the goal-scoring department without him. Walz, Rolston, Johnson, Dupuis on the name list in my mind do not sound better than the veteran list of Columbus, but their performance on ice is far more impressive. Chemistry? Good coaching? Luck? I believe the levelof Wild should be on the level of play off series they had against us – 1 goal in 4 games... Wild have room under the cap, but they are not faous for spending too much... From rumour mill: adding Demitra or Satan and Bondra or Palffy would be intriguing – 1st Slovak superstar line (Gaborik-Demitra(Satan)-Bondra(Palffy))...

Possible lines:

Fernandez
Roloson

Kuba-Schultz
Mitchell-Zyuzin
Wallin-Giroux

Gaborik-UFA-Brunette(UFA)
Dupuis-Johnson-Walz
Bouchard-Koivu-Daigle
Park-Rolston-Burns
Henry

[ahtikullervo]

#13 in the West (Los Angeles Kings)

Frolov staying in Russia. Current UFA list is impressive: Jason Allison, Anson Carter, Adam Deadmarsh, Roman Cechmanek, Zigmund Palffy, Luc Robitaille, Martin Straka, Jozef Stümpel... How many of them are in the future plan of Kings?

It all points out – Kings could be very different team when the season starts.

Current situation:

13 players, $16,618,000

Players under contract: Aaron Miller ($2.7 million), Mattias Norström ($2.7 million), Craig Conroy ($2.4 million), Lubomir Vishnovsky ($1.5 million), Mathieu Garon ($1.2 million), Nathan Dempsey ($912,000), Dustin Brown ($912,000), Denis Grebeshkov ($912,000), Trent Klatt ($912,000), Derek Armstrong ($760,000), Tim Gleason ($646,000), Sean Avery ($532,000), Jeff Cowan ($532,000)

Key restricted free agents: Mike Cammalleri, Alexander Frolov

Key unrestricted free agents: Jason Allison, Anson Carter, Adam Deadmarsh, Roman Cechmanek, Zigmund Palffy, Luc Robitaille, Martin Straka, Jozef Stümpel

Goal. Garon will not be #1 goalie in NHL this season. Cechmanek is not the best UFA out there... And Kings need a good goalie to survive in Pacific. Anaheim, Dallas, San Jose & Phoenix each 8 times...

Defence. Miller, Norström, Vishnovsky, Dempsey, Grebeshkov, Cowan. Not very impressive. Miller & Norström are not at their best any more. Miller could be bought out. Vishnovsky is rumoured to play in Russia next season. But there are better rumours for Kings fans. Those will bring either Pronger or Blake to La La land... And that will be whole another story then!

Forwards. Hard to say anything. Big names: Palffy, Robitaille, Deadmarsh, Allison, Straka, Carter, Stümpel are UFAs. Will any of them remain in Staples? Frolov is most probably staying in Russia. Not very promising. Conroy, Klatt, Armstrong, Avery, Gleason, Brown & Pirjetä...

Possible lines:

Garon
Cechmanek(?) (UFA/Khabibullin,Joseph,Osgood)

Miller (Pronger/Blake)-Vishnovsky(?)
Norström-Dempsey
Grebeshkov-Gleason
Weaver (Corvo)

UFA (or Frolov???)-UFA (Forsberg, etc)-UFA (Näslund, etc)
Robitaille-Conroy-Brown
Klatt-Cammalleri-Belanger
Cowan-Pirnes-Avery
Lehoux

[ahtikullervo]

#14 in the West (Chicago Blackhawks)

Somebody must be left to that spot... And though I lke the logo and the history of the Windy City team, it looks like they are the best candidates for being biggest underdogs. The Blackhawks and new GM Dale Tallon will immediately regret the deals they gave Cullimore and Barnaby in the summer or 2004. They would have been able to sign much better players post-deal for that money. GM Tallon will have to start from clean table. Some things are good though: if Daze will have a healthy season, he will do fine. Tuomo Ruutu is a nice young man – he is Great on and off the ice. He has been used as TV commendator/expert on Finnish TV onlast couple of Worlds and he is cool!!!

Current situation:

Nine players, $10,798,000

Players under contract: Eric Daze ($2.3 million), Jassen Cullimore ($1.9 million), Matthew Barnaby ($1.4 million), Curtis Brown ($1.3 million), Kyle Calder ($1.3 million), Tuomo Ruutu ($836,000), Steve McCarthy ($760,000), Michal Barinka ($551,000), Anton Babchuk ($451,000)

Key restricted free agents: Tyler Arnason, Mark Bell, Bryan Berard, Jocelyn Thibault

Key unrestricted free agents: none

Goal. Thibault is not a bad goalie.

Defence. Berard, Cullimore, Babchuk, Kukkonen. Not awful, but nothing too impressive either.

Forwards. Daze, Barnaby, Brown, Ruutu, Calder, Arnason, Moen, Barinka... Without some UFA signings this team looks to be ... leight? Ruutu will be fun to watch... But the team for sure misses Sullivan and some other bigger names they have lost in recent years. But I expect some (big) changes...

Possible lines:

Thibault
Leighton/Anderson

Berard-UFA (Aucoin?)
Cullimore-Vandermeer
Babchuk-McCarthy
Kukkonen

Daze-Arnsaon-Ruutu
Calder-Brown-Barnaby
Bell-Nichol-Keith
Moen-McLean-Vorobiev
Yakubov (Barinka)

[SacredCow]

Good lord, Ahti! Great stuff, but how long did this take you?

[ahtikullervo]

Good lord, Ahti! Great stuff, but how long did this take you?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Too long... ... but it helped "passing time". Now players said YES yesterday and I bet owners will say the same too! Tomorrow the FUN starts! And I am ready to enjoy it 100%!!!

[Veca]

Busy, busy Ahti.... It's good to have the NHL back and Ahti working so hard..

[PortBeach13]

Indeed!

Great work Ahti!!!

[DropThePuck]

Here's what Slam! Sports put together:
How The West Will Be Won

11. ANAHEIM MIGHTY DUCKS

21 POINTS

Key additions: D Scott Niedermayer

Key subtractions: None

The skinny: "Even though he's not on the ice, I think Brian Burke will make a big difference there," McGuire says. "Scotty Niedermayer, if he's not the best player in the league, he's definitely the best defenceman. The powerplay should be real effective and without the red line, Peter Sykora and Sergei Federov are going to have big years. They'll also have an infusion of youth with Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry."

[Dark Knight]

I think it's nuts to rate Nashville, LA and CBJ ahead of the Ducks, but hey, I'm no overpaid expert

[ahtikullervo]

Us 11th... ... no-no-no...

[jojo983]

Ok how come they rate the Ducks 11th and write a nice thing about them but then rate Colorado 8th? and write

The skinny: The loss of Forsberg is huge," McGuire says. "The loss of Foote is gigantic.

[ahtikullervo]

Ok how come they rate the Ducks 11th and write a nice thing about them but then rate Colorado 8th? and write

The skinny: The loss of Forsberg is huge," McGuire says. "The loss of Foote is gigantic.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It is all kind of wild guesses thrown around. New rosters, new format... It is very open ball game out there!

[Dark Knight]

Ok how come they rate the Ducks 11th and write a nice thing about them but then rate Colorado 8th? and write

The skinny: The loss of Forsberg is huge," McGuire says. "The loss of Foote is gigantic.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I agree. Try skating around without a ... Foote