NHL: Weekend Warriors

Weekend Warriors

(posted 10.30.06)

by Cory Kornelsen

Cory Kornelsen looks at the top performers this past weeend from around the National Hockey League.

Martin Brodeur - after some inconsistent play, the Devils now find themselves leading the Atlantic division. The main reason being the play of goaltender Martin Brodeur who picked up his third shutout of the season and second in a row thanks to a 22-save performance in a 1-0 victory over the Blue Jackets. The shutout was the 83rd of his illustrious career moving him past the great Jacques Plante for fourth on the NHL's all-time list and just one shy of joining Glenn Hall who sits in third. Terry Sawchuk is the overall leader with 103 followed by George Hainsworth with 94.

Pascal Leclaire - the offensive woes continue for the Columbus Blue Jackets who were lucky to split their weekend games thanks to goalie Pascal Leclaire, brilliant in stopping all 38 shots for his first shutout of the season in a 2-0 victory over the Los Angeles Kings. He then turned away 20-of-21 shots the following night but received zero support from teammates in a 1-0 loss to the Devils.

Thomas & Chara - the Boston Bruins, tied with the Blue Jackets for the NHL's most inept offense, were also bailed out by their goaltender in a 2-1 win over the Ottawa Senators. Tim Thomas was beaten only once, while the Bruins were two men short, and kicked out 35 shots to lead his team to victory. The efforts of Thomas gave Zdeno Chara a chance to play hero by scoring the winning goal with less than five minutes on the clock, and take bragging rights - for now - over his former club.

Detroit Red Wings - the Wings kept pace with the Nashville Predators on top the Central division with wins over Dallas and St. Louis. Captain Nicklas Lidstrom, who scored two goals including the game winner against Dallas, was a tower of strength for the Wings over the weekend averaging 28 minutes of ice time while posting a combined plus-5 rating. Pavel Datsyuk also broke out offensively with four points in the two wins. Datsyuk, who recorded points in only one game out of the first seven, is now riding a four-game scoring streak. Tomas Holmstrom also chipped in with four points to pick up his play as well.

Tomas Kaberle - the Toronto Maple Leafs were desperate to find the win column after dropping a gruesome back-to-back series against the Senators during the week. Coach Paul Maurice had his club fired up Saturday as they dominated play for most of the night, firing 51 shots at David Aebischer and the Montreal Canadiens. After blowing a 4-2 third period lead, the Leafs pulled it out in the shootout with Kyle Wellwood scoring the eventual winner in the seventh round. The game also marked the return to form of struggling defenseman Tomas Kaberle, who scored three straight goals for a natural hat-trick and then added another beauty during the shootout. He also added an assist for a four point night during 30 minutes of ice-time and a plus-2 rating.

Jaromir Jagr - it took a little time - 10 games to be exact - but Jaromir Jagr now finds himself in familiar territory - leading the league in scoring despite being hampered by a sore shoulder. The Rangers' captain delivered a dominating four-point performance during a 7-3 win over the Phoenix Coyotes and leads all players with 18 points.

Ilya Bryzgalov - after playing second fiddle to Jean-Sebastien Giguere to start the year, Ilya Bryzgalov, who has appeared in only one of the Ducks last eight games, made the most of his chance by making 14 saves for the shutout. Bryzgalov was rarely threatened during a 60-minute snoozefest, as the depleted Hawks were no match for the suffocating Ducks' defense. Anaheim and Buffalo remain the only teams who have yet to lose a game in regulation this season.

Dwayne Roloson - picked up his first shutout of the season as a strong third period effort lifted the Oilers past the Washington Capitals in a 4-0 victory. Roloson turned away 19 shots including some key saves in the second period before the Oilers turned it on with three goals in the final frame. The win also keeps the Oilers unbeaten on home-ice with a 6-0-0 record.

Dan Boyle - it was a tough weekend for the Tampa Bay Lightning who lost to the San Jose Sharks and the Carolina Hurricanes and find themselves in last place in the Southeast division. For fantasy owners however, one bright spot was the play of defenseman Dan Boyle who picked up four assists and now has six points in his last four games.

Pittsburgh Penguins - congrats to Sidney Crosby, Evgeny Malkin, Jordan Staal and the Pittsburgh Penguins for their sensational start. With an 8-2 pounding over the Flyers on Saturday, the Pens have won four straight and now boast the best winning percentage in the Atlantic Division. Crosby scored the first hat-trick of his career and has eight points in his last four games, while Malkin also chipped in with three points and has recorded a goal in every game so far to ride a five-game goal and point streak. Staal picked up an assist and has four points in his last three games. The trio will no doubt be creating havoc on the opposition for years to come and look to march the Penguins back to the glory days of the early nineties soon, very soon.

Weekend Warriors

(posted 10.23.06)

by Cory Kornelsen

A few goaltenders shared the spotlight and some stole the show, but many teams were firing on all cylinders in a number of high scoring games as we look back at the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde weekend that was.

The stage was set in Montreal with the visiting Avalanche in town as one-time local hero Jose Theodore retuned to the Bell Center for the first time since being traded for David Aebischer. The Montreal faithful were in fine form welcoming Theodore under a chorus of jeers and harassing him all night with their local chants. Aebischer got the start for the Habs and also had the chance to battle his former mates. A classic confrontation it was not as both clubs lit the lamp early and often with Montreal eventually coming away victorious with an 8-5 win. Sheldon Souray continued his strong special teams play collecting two goals and one assist on the power play to finish the game with four points. Souray now leads all NHL defensemen in scoring with nine points in seven games. Saku Koivu and Andrei Markov also chipped in with three assists each, leaving Aebischer with errrr... bragging rights and many Habs fans very satisfied.

After losing their first three games the St. Louis Blues reached the .500 mark collecting three points on the weekend with a victory over the Black Hawks and an overtime loss against the Canucks. Speedy winger Lee Stempniak who is moving up the Blues' depth chart picked up four more points and leads the team in scoring with eight points.

The New York Islanders, who also lost their first three games picked up a win over the Carolina Hurricanes and have climbed back up to the .500 plateau as well. Alexei Yashin picked up four assists and now has 11 points in eight games in what is one of his best starts in recent years.

Radim Vrbata had four points over the weekend to continue his strong play. That's the good news because what a difference a weekend can make. The Chicago Black Hawks, who were off to a promising start dropped both their games over the weekend and to make matters worse, have also lost the services of Martin Havlat, Michal Handzus and goalie Nikolai Khabibulin. Havlat, who was leading the league in scoring, is expected to miss 3-4 weeks with a right ankle injury and Khabibulin, could also be on the shelf for 4-6 weeks with a fractured finger. Handzus meanwhile, is likely gone for the rest of the season with a knee injury. This almost certainly spells the end to Chicago's playoff hopes and the sound that was just heard was… well probably nothing since nobody was showing up to the games anyway. Da' one bright spot; they still have Da' Bears.

The Dallas Stars continued their strong play picking up two more wins over the weekend. Goalie Marty Turco, wait a minute -check that, goalie Mike Smith or "sweet cheeks" as his new best friend – "the bench" calls him, was the hero turning away all 22 shots he faced against the Coyotes. All kidding aside, Smith was making his NHL debut and picked up his first career shutout in the process. The rookie keeper has posted solid numbers wherever he has played and may prove to be a valuable backup this year as the Stars may use him more often during the regular season and easing some of the burden for Marty Turco, who will want to be well rested and ready come playoff time.

So much for a goalie controversy in Anaheim. Jean-Sebastien Giguere has appeared in six straight games for the Ducks and picked up two more wins over the weekend against Minnesota and Los Angeles. Giguere was the difference in both games stopping 56-of-59 shots as well as 3-of-4 in the shootout victory over the Kings. Giguere now sits fourth among goaltenders with a 1.78 goals-against average, and a .941 save percentage.

Goaltender Manny Fernandez of the Minnesota Wild also had a stellar weekend for his club. The Wild split a tough weekend series on the road in California losing a close one to Jean-Sebastien Giguere and the Ducks, but rebounded the following night with a convincing 4-1 win over the San Jose Sharks. Fernandez was brilliant in both games blocking 58-of-61 shots and is now tied for the league lead with six wins and is second overall with a 1.60 goals-against average and a .945 save percentage.

And Finally…. Congratulations to the Buffalo Sabres who continue to spot a perfect record. The Sabres, who are now 8-0 beat the Carolina Hurricanes for the second time this year (5-4), and continued to pour on the offence in a commanding 6-2 victory over the Boston Bruins. Maxim Afinogenov picked up two goals and three assists in the wins and now has 10 points in his last three games and finds himself leading the league in scoring with 14 points. Not to be outdone was super sophomore Thomas Vanek, who also had two goals and three assists. Vanek, who had to work on his defensive game and his play without the puck coming into this season was a plus-4 and now leads the league with a plus-10 rating. Defenseman Brian Campbell helped the cause by adding four assists and forwards Jason Pominville and Derek Roy also chipped in with three points each. Now if they can only do something about those uniforms. How about more retro? Please?

Line Combinations – Northeast Division

(posted 10.23.06)

by Cory Kornelsen

Boston – injury bug creeping in

Phil Kessel – Patrice Bergeron – Glen Murray

P.J. Axelsson – Marc Savard – Brad Boyes

Jeff Hoggan – Wayne Primeau – Shean Donovan

Nate Thompson – Yan Stastny

Zdeno Chara – Paul Mara

***Brad Stuart – Jason York

Milan Jurcina – Nathan Dempsey

Wade Brookbank

*** Brad Stuart left Saturday's game due to a broken finger

***Other injuries: Andrew Alberts (shoulder, mid-November) Mark Stuart (knee, early November) Mark Mowers (shoulder) Marco Sturm (thigh) are day-to-day

Buffalo – rolling over the competition with perfect 8-0 start

Jochen Hecht – Daniel Briere – Jason Pominville

Thomas Vanek – Derek Roy – Maxim Afinogenov

Jiri Novotny – Chris Drury – Ales Kotalik

Andrew Peters – Paul Gaustad – Adam Mair

Henrik Tallinder – Toni Lydman

Teppo Numminen, Dmitri Kalinin

Jaroslav Spacek – Brian Campbell

***Tim Connolly (concussion, sidelined indefinitely)

Montreal – starting to experiment with different defense pairings

Chris Higgins – Saku Koivu – Michael Ryder

Sergei Samsonov – Tomas Plekanec – Alex Kovalev

Mike Johnson – Radek Bonk – Alexander Perezhogin

Garth Murray – Steve Begin – Guillaume Latendresse

Mike Komisarek- Andrei Markov

Sheldon Souray – Craig Rivet

Janne Niinimaa – Mark Streit

***Mathieu Dandenault (thigh, day-to-day), Francis Bouillon (knee) and Aaron Downey (concussion) are sidelined indefinitely

Ottawa – line juggling resulted in 8-1 victory over Devils

Patrick Eaves – Jason Spezza – Dany Heatley

Dean Mcammond – Chris Kelly – Daniel Alfreddson

Antoine Vermette – Mike Fisher – Chris Neil

Christoph Schubert – Alexei Kaigorodov – Brian McGratton

(Denis Hamel)

Wade Redden – Andrej Meszaros

Chris Phillips – Joe Corvo

Tom Preissing – Anton Volchenkov

***Peter Schaeffer (hip-flexor, day-to-day)

Toronto – offense clicking but injuries still cause for concern on defense

Kyle Wellwood – Mats Sundin – Alex Steen

Chad Kilger – Michael Peca – Darcy Tucker

Alexei Ponikarovsky – Matt Stajan – Jeff O'Neill

Bates Battaglia – Jon Pohl – Ben Ondrus

(Alexsander Suglobov)

Tomas Kaberle – Bryan McCabe

Ian White – Hal Gill

Brendan Bell – Wade Belak

***Nik Antropov (leg), Staffan Kronwall (ankle), Pavel Kubina (knee) and Andy Wozniewski (shoulder) are all sidelined indefinitely

Talented Mr. Roto ICE League Update

(posted 10.17.06)

by Gus Katsaros

I currently sit in Second spot among the experts, on the strength of the number one goaltending tandem of Dwayne Roloson and Andrew Raycroft (combined 6 W, 2.19, GAA .929 SV%). I could use a few more goals, however.

Something has to give with my struggling defense. My power play quarterbacks have struggled early on. Wade Redden, Tomas Kaberle and Dan Boyle are a combined, zero goals, three assists, minus-2, and eight measly penalty minutes. Brian Rafalski has five assists (5-0-5-5) and Brendan Witt (5-0-2-2) has outscored Tomas Kaberle and Wade Redden together. Ottawa's power play is 1-for-30 in the first five games, which explains Redden's lack of production, while Boyle's Lightning, also have had trouble with the man advantage (3-for-32). I need more contributions from the defense. Who knows how long my goaltending can sustain this level? My only consolation is that it can't get any worse, barring injury, and if my goaltending tandem keeps this pace and the defense starts scoring, I could be sitting comfortably among the leaders.

Stay tuned for updates and a link for public viewing.

Streaking and Stinking

This section is where you will find the best and worst of the period.

Streaking …

Brendan Shanahan(NYR), LW (6-7-2-9)

Came out of the gates smoking hot, building a six game point streak, patrolling the flanks and dominating the power play. Shanny's the real deal and he's come to play. If he maintains this level of intensity, which he very well should, he could threaten the 50-goal mark. Hasn't shown any signs of age, instead he has been a physical force as well as offensive weapon on Broadway.

Toronto Maple Leafs (6-3-1-2), 22 goals-for, 19 goals-against

When the Leafs hit the wall in a 4-1 opening night loss to the Senators, many expected them to be a dance partner, sometimes showing up the opposition only to wither away once the postseason arrived. They were in dire need of scoring, it was said. Factors in scoring up front, were scarce. It would be offense by committee for the Buds.

Keys to the Leafs success this season hinge on Mats Sundin (6-4-48). Kyle Wellwood (6-1-7-8) with a spot on Sundin's wing and Darcy Tucker (6-5-2-7) have contributed, but offense is coming from across the roster, (See Matt Stajan below). For the Leafs to survive, their power play will have to be great. To succeed, they will need the contributions by committee that they have shown so far in the first six games.

Stinking …

Jan Bulis (Van), LW, (5-0-1-1)

Has not been able to find any chemistry with Brendan Morrison while the Canucks, trying to find a sign of life placed Ryan Kesler on their line. Has been reluctant to shoot and hasn't positioned himself in prime shooting territory, playing on the periphery and looking a step slow. Expected to alleviate the departed Anson Carter's production, Bulis has been a bust early, with no indication of there being a quick turn around. Be weary.

Dany Heatley (Ott), RW (5-0-4-4) and Jason Spezza (Ott), C (5-2-0-2)

Too cute. Last season, the cute stuff was effective. This season, it's just frustrating. The Senators dynamic duo has not been able to duplicate last season's success and coach Bryan Murray has experimented with Patrick Eaves and Antoine Vermette on their flank, while captain Daniel Alfredsson made an appearance there as well. Spezza is guilty of trying to make that extra pass, or the extra play instead of getting the puck to the open man, or to the net. Dany Heatley has looked uninterested since the postseason. Against Montreal, they were both left off the shootout rotation, a clear sign they are not in the coach's good books at the moment. As the Senators try to tighten up defensively, there will be more woe in the nation's capital. The flip side is that these two guys are too talented to sit back and wait for the slump to end. A breakout waiting to happen.

Fernando Pisani (Edm), RW (5-0-0-0)

Has not scored a point in this young season while hampered with a sore knee. Has not been taken out of the lineup, but does seem to be a step behind the play. Normal defensive awareness is still active in playoff hero Pisani's game, although he is having trouble adjusting to stop and starts. Watch for further progress on the knee. It might be time to shelve this experiment if he is on your roster for the time being.

Keep An Eye On

Joe Corvo (0-0-0-0)

Makes his regular season debut and should have an almost immediate impact, as long as his right foot is fully healed. It's a double-edged sword with Corvo. He has the wheels to be effective and enhance Ottawa's transition game, but at the same time, to come back from a foot injury this quick, and play the game of skating will be a challenge. Game ready differs from practice ready. Regardless, he should be activated if you have him stashed in reserves. Ottawa has to start scoring. Soon. Corvo will help.

Radim Vrbata (5-2-5-7)

Carolina discard flourished last season in the offense starved Windy City (45-13-21-34). Playing on a line with fellow Czech mates Martin Havlat and Michal Handzus, only gives him more potential to develop big numbers, while slipping through the cracks on the waiver wire. Could maneuver a career year, working hard on the wings and getting NHL Second Star Martin Havlat the puck. Good fit, and great potential.

Matt Stajan (6-3-2-5)

Took him a while to get used to added bulk, looking lethargic some nights. Stajan has recently picked up the tempo, meshing on a line with Jeff O'Neill (6-1-3-4) and Alexei Ponikarovsky (6-2-2-4). Has developed a presence earning quality icetime, buying into Paul Maurice's system and giving the Leafs a legitimate second scoring line.

Mark Bell (SJ), LW (2-1-0-1)

Injured his groin Oct 7. Will return on the top line with Joe Thornton and Jonathan Cheechoo. Has potential to score 30 goals this season. San Jose is being cautious and may work him in slowly. This adds more scoring depth, to an already deep forward unit. Activate him immediately.

Zach Parise (NJ), LW (5-3-2-5)

In the 7-6 shootout win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, Brian Gionta stole the spotlight scoring a natural hat-trick, but Parise was the best Devils forward on the night. Slick stickhandling and stop and starts, with some great hands have handcuffed defenders and he has taken it to heart to drive the net. There is too much inconsistency in the lineup and Parise finds himself with different linemates every few games. This makes it difficult to develop a rapport, while at the same time displaying how dynamic he could be on any given line.

Schedules

5 games – Florida

Four games – Atlanta, Buffalo, Carolina, Edmonton, Phoenix, San Jose, Toronto, Vancouver

Three games – Anaheim, Chicago, Colorado, Columbus, Dallas, Los Angeles, Ottawa, Montreal, Minnesota

Two games – Boston, Detroit, Nashville, New Jersey, NY Islanders, NY Rangers, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Tampa Bay, Washington

One game – Calgary

Note* These are weekly games beginning Friday-to-Thursday.

My Whipping Boys

These are teams that will struggle this season, whether because of an injury bug tearing through the lineup, or that they are just not competitive enough to string together a few wins.

Calgary's lone game is against the Coyotes. The Flames have struggled offensively this season, with nine goals through the first five games. Bench those Flames for the week.

Stone cold Phoenix hosts the red-hot Dallas Stars then sweeps through Alberta to face the Oilers and Flames on consecutive nights, and back home to host the Oilers, a three game in four night stretch (DAL, @EDM, @CAL, EDM).

Games of Note

Evgeni Malkin makes his NHL regular season debut against New Jersey.

Florida plays five games in seven nights (Phi, @Atl, Atl, @NYR, @NJD) including a pair of two-games on consecutive night affairs.

Non-Conference Games

Goalie Jose Theodore and the Colorado Avalanche face off against the Montreal Canadiens on a Saturday Hockey Night in Canada affair, the first time he has returned since the Habs dealt him.

Toronto makes a visit to Columbus on Friday night, their second non-conference game in a week.

Pittsburgh hosts the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday night.

Alexander Ovechkin will make his debut in Colorado when Washington rolls into town Wednesday Oct 25.

Injuries

Long Term: 2 weeks or more

Sergei Fedorov, Clb, C (Knee) – end of October

Mike Ricci, SJ, C (Neck surgery) – early to mid November

Sandis Ozolinsh, NYR, D (Knee surgery) – end of October

Steve Reinprecht, Pho, C (Fractured right clavicle) – out eight weeks

Keith Ballard, Pho, D, (broken hand) – Mid-November

Cory Stillman, Car, LW (shoulder surgery) – January

Frantisek Kaberle, Car, D (shoulder surgery) – March

Pavel Kubina, Tor, D (knee) – mid-late November

Short Term

Evgeni Malkin, Pits, C, (shoulder) – Returns October 18 versus the Devils

Andrew Ladd, Car, RW, (shoulder) – early November

Weekend Warriors

(posted 10.16.06)

by Cory Kornelsen

The NHL continued its fast and exciting pace with some very impressive performances over the weekend that was.

After stumbling out of the blocks going winless in their first four games, the Carolina Hurricanes won back-to-back games over the Thrashers and Penguins. It's no coincidence the defending Stanley Cup champions found their winning ways the same time Rod Brind'Amour decided to find the scoresheet. Brind'Amour picked up four points including a three assist effort against the Thrashers and averaged close to 24 minutes of ice time. Goaltender Cam Ward also picked up the level of his play stopping 56-of-60 shots in the two games and will be counted on heavily due to a depleted defense core with injuries to Bret Hedican, (upper-body) Glen Wesley, (lower-body) and Frantisek Kaberle who is out indefinitely recovering from shoulder surgery.

The Buffalo Sabres remain perfect after a thrilling shootout victory over the Red Wings and then capped off the weekend by flexing their offensive muscles in a 7-4 win against the Rangers. Chris Drury, who has recorded points in every game so far, collected five more including a three-goal, four point performance on Saturday night and leads the Sabres in scoring with nine points. Drury was also impressive in the faceoff circle winning 67 percent of the time and also leads a talented group of forwards by logging close to 20 minutes of ice time per game. Daniel Briere also chipped in with four points in the two games and had a beautiful shootout goal beating Dominik Hasek with some shifty and slick stick-handling moves to the forehand side.

The Minnesota Wild are also unbeaten in five games coming off a commanding shutout victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Manny Fernandez turned away all 24 shots he faced for his first shutout of the season. Fernandez now has four wins with a 1.77 goals-against average and a .935 save percentage which should be very encouraging for fantasy owners. Fernandez now has the benefit of being the clear cut number one man this season and will no doubt build upon his breakout 30 win campaign.

With two impressive wins over division rivals Los Angeles, and Anaheim over the weekend, the Dallas Stars and Marty Turco continue to spot a perfect record with five straight wins. Turco turned aside 60 of 64 shots in the victories plus two more in the shootout against the Ducks. Although he still hasn't found the secret formula for the playoffs, expect Turco to once again post monster numbers during the regular season. Newly acquired Mike Ribeiro has apparently found his home on the range looking quite comfortable on the Stars second power play unit with Brenden Morrow and Antti Miettinen. Ribeiro had a goal and three assists over the weekend, all with the man advantage.

And finally… Congratulations to Mats Sundin for scoring his 500th goal. The Leafs captain did it in style with a three-goal performance against the Flames scoring the milestone and winning goal while the Leafs were killing off a penalty in overtime. Sundin, who has had his share of line mates over the years, has been playing with Darcy Tucker and Kyle Wellwood and the trio has combined for 14 points in the last four games. Toronto fans should also be encouraged by the Leafs offensive output which was a major concern to start the season but lead the league in goals with 22.

Buffalo Sabres - Doing all the Right Things

(posted 10.15.06)

by David Burstyn

The Buffalo Sabres are a shining example of building from within. The Sabres through a series of successful drafts have managed to accumulate a solid of nucleus of young players as they inch closer and closer to the Stanley Cup. No longer the underdog, the Sabres are poised to make a statement this season and led by such gifted youngsters as Thomas Vanek, Jason Pominville and Derek Roy they certainly boast the deepest roster in franchise history.

Mckeen's was on hand for the thrilling home opener at the HSBC and files these notes on several young promising Sabres for years to come.

Thomas Vanek (Buf), LW

Motivated this season by an 8 game benching in the last year's playoffs, he reported to camp in better game shape .. lost about 5 pounds and seems to be a tad faster .. concentrated on his defensive assignments more so than last year and was able to create scoring chances due to his diligence .. always creating with the puck, he was prone to some bad passes in the early going but settled down nicely to generate ample scoring opportunities throughout the game .. showed tremendous patience when he drew everyone to him before making a behind the back pass to set up Novotny, out muscling Komisarek along the boards in the process .. seems to want the puck more this year and is showing more intensity in his puck pursuit however he needs to show this consistency on all shifts .. charges the net with authority resulting in game tying assist in dying seconds of the game .. Vanek should be able to eclipse his point totals of last season and if continues to play with his new found confidence expect to see Afinogenov like numbers of last year for him this year ..

Jason Pominville (Buf), RW

Backed by a new contract this season the diminutive speedy winger is a key cog in the success of the Sabres .. saw duty on the second line before being bumped up to the first line in the third period and tied up the game with a blast from the face off circle .. boasts one of the best releases and shots in the league .. used on the point on the PP he can make plays along the boards and control the tempo of the play .. shown signs of improvement on the PP in terms of his defensive skills by supporting the defence and not playing so high on the point rather comes back to anticipate a short pass and using his speed and strong puck skills to man the puck himself out of the zone .. tenacious in his puck pursuit and is capable of stripping the puck away from the opposition .. like many Sabre players of last year who had breakout campaigns expect no less from Pominville this year as his skill set coupled with his abundant time on the PP should help to pad his stats ..

Derek Roy (Buf), C

After a dazzling season and stellar post season, Roy returns to the fold centring the second line and brings a strong two way effort to the team .. speedy forward usually draws two forwards to him, breaking down the defenseman's box and opening up seems .. manufactured scoring chances with his slick stick handling but seemed a little lost on occasion to find his scoring position .. spilt the face off duties with Drury .. still gets man handled in front of the goal as he attempts to stay there but is capable of making plays alongside the boards .. a fixture on special teams .. Roy should be able to make strides in the offensive department as his speed and velvet soft hands make it hard for him to go too long without scoring ..

Jiri Novotny (Buf), C

Joining the Sabres in his first full season with the club, he was used to centre the third line and did an admirable job .. not overly skilled he is a smart player who understands his position .. decent speed once he gets going but rather average foot speed .. still a tad behind the play .. willingly went to the net showing courage and was rewarded in the process from a beautiful feed from Vanek .. showed some fear and apprehension in advancing the puck .. still adjusting to the NHL game however it is defensive skill that makes him a fixture in this line up as his offensive totals will be marginal at best ..

Paul Gaustad (Buf), C

Employed to replace some of the size and toughness they lost in the off season with the departures of Mike Grier and Jay Mckee he fills the void modestly .. a hulking forward who can skate surprisingly well he off sets his lack of first step by always moving his feet .. a physical force he always looks to throw a good clean hit .. limited hands and finishing skills, is rarely able to capitalize on his chances but does have a decent wrist shot , will have to scratch and claw to get 15 in this league .. defensively he shows a good understanding of the game .. satisfies a role for this team and is more than willing to accept and relish in it .. Gaustad will not be an offensive force but is a good team guy and plays to his limits helping the team in any capacity ..

Dimitri Kalinin (Buf), D

After a horrible regular season and sustaining an injury early in the second round of the playoffs, Kalinin returns this season with much too prove .. good puck skills and shows creativity with his vision and 1st pass ability, launched Danny Briere on a break away for a goal .. good mobility and swift skating enables him to head man the rush however still seemed to lack confidence in that regard .. strength is still an issue as he is unable to contain streaking forwards and his plays along the boards usually resulted in costly give aways .. slowly starting to find his old form, Buffalo management still sees considerable potential in him and offensively he can still create, expect to see his point totals double this season ..

Montreal Canadiens - Building for the Future (posted 10.14.06)

by David Burstyn

Recent years have shown that the Montreal Canadiens have been rather unsuccessful at the draft table. Bob Gainey was employed in 2003 to change that and while the players he has been involved with drafting have yet to make an impact, the Canadiens have been fortunate to benefit from the 2001 which includes such NHL regulars as Mike Komisarek, Alexander Perezhogin and Tomas Plekanec. First round selection Chris Higgins of the 2002 draft has also paid huge dividends and is a key contributor to rebuilding this once proud franchise into a Stanley Cup contender.

Mckeen's was on hand for a recent contest involving the Montreal Canadiens and files these notes on the above mentioned players.

Chris Higgins (Mtl), C/W

Scoring outburst in the second half of the season including 18 of his 23 goals led to his placement on the top line this year .. solid two-way player he thrives in all three zones .. strong skater with deceptive quickness as he pounced on many loose pucks .. good hockey sense really understood where to be which resulted in many scoring chances including a three point night, was instrumental in all goals he scored or was in on as he read the play exceptionally well .. has shown increased confidence on the number one line and always looks to create and make plays .. Higgins is a solid addition to this club and a future captain as his work ethic coupled with his offensive abilities make him an obvious candidate ..

Tomas Plekanec (Mtl), C

The ultra talented Czech is playing along side Alex Kovalev and Sergei Samsonov, the line could be one of the fastest and most naturally skilled in the league .. they created many scoring chances however were stymied by the stellar goal tending of Ryan Miller, Plekanec himself was robbed of two goals .. despite his talented line mates he did an solid job of making and creating plays himself .. very fast with good separation gears he bursts into the offensive zone .. smart passer and strong puck skills .. defensively he is still raw as he has yet to identify his man and appears confused at times .. Plekanec shows all the promise to be an explosive player in this league capable of consistent 25 goal, 60 point seasons ..

Alexander Perezhogin (Mtl), RW

Getting acclimatized to the NHL game last season, Perezhogin posted modest numbers considering his lack of ice time .. with the departures of Ribiero and Zednik he will be expected to assume a greater role in the offensive department .. solid understanding of the offensive game, he moves into scoring positions and has an excellent release .. a shifty player his skating is ok however it is the way he manages to sneak into the zone that makes him such a dangerous player .. big sturdy frame he tends to lose his temper and retaliate rather quickly often losing his discipline .. does not like to get hit .. will still develop slowly this season however with his individual skills it will only be a matter of time till he reaches his potential at this level, finding the right line mates will also be critical in his development ..

Mike Komisarek (Mtl), D

Komisarek is your typical stay-at-home defenseman .. he is a big rangy player who is mean and hits to hurt .. does not have the quickest feet but his long stride helps him to close the gap and his huge frame angles off players and successfully blocks shots .. can launch his body and eliminate players with well placed body checks .. cool, calculated decisions with the puck, not overly imaginative but is safe in his decision making .. offensively he has little creativity, he pinches on occasion but must be mindful not to get caught as he has slow feet and can easily be beaten the other way .. thinks and feels the game well in his own zone .. will never be an offensive force however his skill set, understanding of position and strength in front of the net make him a complimentary top four defender ..

Guillaume Latendresse (Mtl), RW

After several successful pre-season stints, Latendresse has finally managed to make the big club .. the only French-Canadian forward on the team .. saw minimal action in the game, logging the least amount of ice amongst forwards .. still getting used to the speed of the game and will need to make drastic improvements in his decision making .. massive frame works to his advantage as it gets in the way .. average stick handler however quite a poor skater .. still quite a long road for him to travel however being in the locker room and earning his minutes will be good for his overall development ..

Power Play Units (posted 10.13.06)

by Gus Katsaros

A look at some of the early season power play units

Northwest Division

Calgary

Kristian Huselius – Daymond Langkow – Jarome Iginla

Dion Phaneuf – Roman Hamrlik

Alex Tanguay – Matthew Lombardi – Tony Amonte (Chuck Kobasew)

Robyn Regehr – Andrei Zyuzin (Mark Giordano)

Colorado

Andrew Brunette – Joe Sakic – Milan Hejduk

John-Michael Liles – Brett Clark

Wojtek Wolski – Paul Stastny – Marek Svatos

Patrice Brisebois – Ken Klee (Tyler Arnason)

Edmonton

Ryan Smyth – Shawn Horcoff – Joffrey Lupul

Jarret Stoll – Daniel Tjarnqvist

Raffi Torres – Ales Hemsky – Fernando Pisani

Petr Sykora – Marc-Andre Bergeron

Minnesota

Mark Parrish – Brian Rolston – Marian Gaborik

Pavol Demitra – Kurtis Foster

Mikko Koivu – Todd White – Pierre-Marc Bouchard

Kim Johnsson – Petteri Nummelin

Vancouver

Markus Naslund – Henrik Sedin – Daniel Sedin

Mattias Ohlund – Lukas Krajicek

Taylor Pyatt – Brendan Morrison – Jan Bulis

Sami Salo – Kevin Bieska

Pacific Division

Anaheim

Chris Kunitz – Andy McDonald – Teemu Selanne

Scott Niedermayer – Chris Pronger

Dustin Penner – Ryan Getzlaf – Corey Perry

Francois Beauchemin – Shane O'Brien

Dallas

Jussi Jokinen – Eric Lindros – Jere Lehtinen

Mike Modano – Sergei Zubov

Brenden Morrow – Mike Ribeiro – Antti Miettinen

Jaroslav Modry – Stephane Robidas (Trevor Daley)

Los Angeles

Alexander Frolov – Anze Kopitar – Dustin Brown

Rob Blake – Lubomir Visnovsky

Patrick O'Sullivan (Sean Avery) – Derek Armstrong (Craig Conroy) – Michael Cammalalleri (Brian Willsie)

Brent Sopel – Kevin Dallman (Oleg Tverdovsky)

Phoenix

Ladislav Nagy – Steven Reinprecht – Shane Doan

Ed Jovanovski – Derek Morris

Mike Comrie – Joel Perrault – Owen Nolan

Zbynek Michalek – Keith Yandle (Keith Ballard-injured)

San Jose

Mark Smith (Mark Bell-injured) – Joe Thornton – Jonathan Cheechoo

Matthew Carle – Christian Ehrhoff

Steve Bernier – Patrick Marleau – Milan Michalek

Marc-Edouard Vlasic – Scott Hannan (Kyle Mclaren)

*** Thornton and Marleau will often double-shift and take the place of the second defenseman on the point

Central Division

Chicago

Martin Havlat – Michal Handzus – Martin Lapointe

Jeffrey Hamilton – Duncan Keith

Rene Bourque – Bryan Smolinski – Radim Vrbata

Adrian Aucoin – Jim Vandermeer

Columbus

Rick Nash – David Vyborny – Nikolai Zherdev

Duvie Westcott – Adam Foote

Fredrik Modin – Mark Hartigan – Anson Carter

Anders Eriksson – Ron Hainsey

Detroit

Tomas Holmstrom – Pavel Datsyuk – Henrik Zetterberg

Nicklas Lidstrom – Mathieu Schneider

Johan Franzen – Robert Lang – Mikael Samuelsson

Niklas Kronvall – Jason Williams

Nashville

Martin Erat – Jason Arnott – Steve Sullivan

Paul Kariya – Marek Zidlicky

Scott Hartnell – David Legwand – Jean-Pierre Dumont

Kimmo Timonen – Shea Webber

St. Louis

Keith Tkachuk – Doug Weight – Bill Guerin

Martin Rucinsky – Dennis Wideman

Radek Dvorak – Petr Cajanek – Lee Stempniak

Eric Brewer – Jamie Rivers

Streaking and Stinking (posted 10.12.06)

by Gus Katsaros

Streaking …

Brian Pothier (Wsh), D, (2-0-4-4)

Staked his claim as the Capitals power play QB and has responded with four assists in two weekend games. A stabilizing presence on the blueline, he brings the teachings of old Senators coach Jacques Martin and a decent defensive awareness to the club. Look for more out of the defenseman.

Kari Lehtonen (Atl), G, (2-0-0, 0.65 GAA, .976 SV%, 2 SO)

Lost first game in a shootout against the Lightning, but followed up with two consecutive shutouts against the Panthers (22 saves) and Lightning (34 saves). Atlanta plays back-to-back Friday at home to Carolina and Saturday at Washington, wrapping up three games in four nights. Carolina has struggled out of the gate and the Ovechkin crew in Washington will play spoiler this season. It's likely that Lehtonen can build on the impressive start to the season.

Anze Kopitar (LA), C, (2-2-3-5)

What's better than scoring your first career NHL regular season goal in your first game, at the tender age of 19? Scoring your second goal in the same game and follow it up with a three assist effort against the visiting St. Louis Blues, averaging just under 21 minutes pre game. Has settled in as a top six forward and is not showing any signs of youth, except for some erratic defensive play. His highlight reel goals and creativity have ensured his stay on one of the top two lines.

Olli Jokinen (Fla), C (4-3-3-6)

Must be sending John Grahame a 'Thank You' card. Came alive after notching goose eggs in the last two games with a four-point night (2-2). Came across a hot Kari Lehtonen of the Thrashers and a determined Toronto squad, before breaking out against Carolina. As age and brittleness remove Joe Nieuwendyk from the lineup, Jokinen will eat his minutes, carrying the club on his back just as he did last season.

Stinking …

Carolina Scoring

Eric Staal, one goal in four games. Eric Cole, one goal. Ray Whitney two assists. Rod Brind'Amour, pointless. Throw a dart throughout the roster and you find nothing there. Their power play is 3-for-27 for the season. Carolina is finding it difficult to remain competitive, let alone garner a title of contender. Ice has been a precious commodity and even Rod 'the Bod' is receiving less in recent games. It is tough to recommend that there is an immediate turn around. The Canes aren't performing anywhere near last season and are struggling with their own demons. There is one exception on the roster. Eric Staal has the capability to turn into an offensive machine on a whim. He should be held on the roster, regardless.

Thomas Vokoun (Nsh), G, (0-2-0, 6.67 GAA, .803 SV%)

Allowed 13 goals-against in opening two games of the season and will be in tough to get his average down to a respectable level. It may be a while until owners see his goals-against average under two. Was it worth the high draft pick to secure him in your lineup? Five of the six goals against the Wild were on the power play. Nashville has been playing horrendous defense and has lost two high scoring games. If they don't find a way to improve their defensive showing, Vokoun may be the biggest bust on the draft sheet.

Keep An Eye On

Milan Michalek (SJ), LW, (3-3-0-3)

Preseason leader in goals with seven, has secured his spot on the wing with red-hot Patrick Marleau (3-0-5-5) and looks to be on the verge of a breakout year. Coach Ron Wilson has been giving him prime ice time in important situations, indicating a confidence in the winger. Will have first big test on the road this week.

Kyle Wellwood (Tor), LW, (4-1-5-6)

Has solidified his role on Mats Sundin's wing and has impressed thus far with offensive creativity and quick hands. Talk of this being a breakout campaign is not as far fetched as in the preseason. Has taken 16 shots-on-goal over four games. Carried the Leafs offense on his back, just like his number 42 against the Panthers, scoring his first goal of the season on the Leafs 42nd second shot-on-goal, in the third period of a shootout win over the Florida Panthers.

Schedules

4 games – (5 total) Avalanche, Canadiens, Red Wings, Lightning, Predators

3 games – (16 total) Sabres, Hurricanes, Sharks, Rangers, Flames, Flyers, Blackhawks, Coyotes, Oilers, Stars, Thrashers, Canadiens, Islanders, Capitals, Devils, Penguins,

2 games – (8 total) Ducks, Blues, Maple Leafs, Canucks, Panthers, Bruins, Senators, Wild

1 game – (1 team) Blue Jackets

Note* Schedules and lineup usually have a Friday deadline. Weekly games Friday-to-Thursday, with a new cycle starting the following Friday.

My Whipping Boys

These are teams that will struggle this season, whether because of an injury bug tearing through the lineup, or that they are just not competitive enough to string together a few wins.

Carolina plays three games in four nights, all on the road (@Atl, @Pit, @TB)

Toronto plays two games, while a laundry list of wounded keeps getting bigger. Nik Antropov is already out, Andy Wozniewski and Pavel Kubina were lost on the weekend.

Games of Note

Non Conference Games

The Calgary Flames are four-game road trip to the East to play Northeast Division (@Ott, @Tor, @Mtl, @Bos)

Buffalo Sabres are in Detroit on Friday October 13.

The Nashville Predators take their fire-wagon hockey on the road into the Atlantic Division after hosting the Coyotes on Saturday (Phx, @NYI, @NYR, @NJ)

Forever rivals, Toronto and Montreal both have two non-Conference games. Calgary visits the Leafs Saturday night, and then Les Habitant on Tuesday. The Leafs host the Avalanche in their only other game this week. The Canadiens travel to Chicago on Wednesday Oct 18.

New York Islanders return from a Western swing that saw them open their first four games on the road, only to play the next seven straight at home, and nine of their next ten games at home.

Injuries

Long Term: 2 weeks or more

Sergei Fedorov, Cbj, C (Knee) – end of October; Joe Corvo, Ott, D (Broken Foot) – late October; Mike Ricci, C (Neck surgery) – early to mid November; Sandis Ozolinsh, D (Knee surgery) – end of October; Evgeni Malkin, C, (Shoulder) – mid-late October; Alyn McCauley, C, (Knee Surgery) – minimum two weeks for recovery

Short Term

Pavel Kubina, Tor, D, (Left Knee) – indefinitely; Keith Ballard, Phx, D, (possible fractured hand) – indefinitely; Joe Nieuwendyk, Fla, C, - Left Monday's game versus the Maple Leafs and didn't return

Suspensions:

none

Greg Johnson announced his retirement. He had signed to play with the Detroit Red Wings this season

Power Play Units (posted 10.8.06)

by Cory Kornelsen

A look at some of the early season power play units

Southeast Division

Atlanta

Marion Hossa – Scott Mellanby – Vyacheslav Kozlov

Ilya Kovalchuk – Steve McCarthy

Jonathan Sim – Bobby Holik (Glen Metropolit) – Steve Rucchin

Greg De Vries – Niclas Havelid

Carolina

Erik Cole – Ray Whitney – Scott Walker(Glen Metropolit)

Eric Staal – Tim Gleason

Andrew Ladd (Eric Belanger) – Rod Brind'Amour – Justin Williams

David Tanabe – Anton Babchuk (Bret Hedican)

Florida

Gary Roberts – Olli Jokinen – Jozef Stumpel

Jay Bouwmeester – Bryan Allen

Nathan Horton – Joe Nieuwendyk – Todd Bertuzzi

Ruslan Salei – Mike Van Ryn

Tampa Bay

Martin St.Louis – Vincent Lecavalier – Ryan Craig

Brad Richards – Dan Boyle

Dimitry Afanasenkov – Vaclav Prospal – Ruslan Fedotenko

Filip Kuba – Paul Ranger

Washington

Alexander Ovechkin – Dainius Zubrus – Chris Clark

Brian Pothier – Ben Clymer

Alexander Semin – Kris Beech – Richard Zednik

Jamie Heward – Mike Green

Atlantic Division

New Jersey

Brian Gionta – Patrik Elias – Jamie Langenbrunner

Scott Gomez – Brian Rafalski

Zach Parise – Travis Zajac – Sergei Brylin

Paul Martin – Jim Fahey

New York Islanders

Chris Simon – Viktor Kozlov – Miroslav Satan

Alexei Yashin – Tom Poti

Jason Blake – Shawn Bates – Mike York

Alexei Zhitnik – Bruno Gervais

New York Rangers

Brendan Shanahan – Michael Nylander – Martin Straka

Jaromir Jagr – Michal Rozsival

Petr Prucha – Matt Cullen – Adam Hall

Karel Rachunek – Fedor Tyutin

Philadelphia

Simon Gagne – Peter Forsberg – Mike Knuble

Joni Pitkanen – Geoff Sanderson

Kyle Calder (R.J. Umberger) – Mike Richards (Petr Nedved) – Jeff Carter (Randy Robitaille)

Frederick Meyer – Nolan Baumgartner

Pittsburgh

Nils Ekman – Sidney Crosby – Colby Armstrong

Sergei Gonchar – Ryan Whitney

John LeClair (Michel Ouellet) – Ryan Malone (Jordan Staal) – Mark Recchi

Kristopher Letang – Mark Eaton (Robert Scuderi)

Power Play Units (posted 10.8.06)

by Cory Kornelsen

A look at some of the early season power play units

Northeast Division

Boston

Marco Sturm – Marc Savard – Glen Murray

Zdeno Chara – Patrice Bergeron

P.J. Axelsson – Brad Boyes – Phil Kessel

Brad Stuart – Paul Mara

Buffalo

Chris Drury – Daniel Briere – Jochen Hecht

Jaroslav Spacek – Jason Pominville

Thomas Vanek – Derek Roy – Maxim Afinogenov

Brian Campbell – Teppo Numminen

Montreal

Chris Higgins – Saku Koivu – Michael Ryder

Andrei Markov – Sheldon Souray

Sergei Samsonov – Tomas Plekanec – Alexei Kovalev

Craig Rivet – Janne Niinimaa

Ottawa

Patrick Eaves – Jason Spezza – Dany Heatley

Wade Redden – Andrej Meszaros

Peter Schaeffer – Mike Fisher – Daniel Alfredsson

Tom Preissing – Christoph Schubert

Toronto

Darcy Tucker – Mats Sundin – Kyle Wellwood

Bryan McCabe – Tomas Kaberle

Bates Battaglia – John Pohl – Jeff O'Neill

Pavel Kubina – Ian White

New Season, New Hope (posted 10.5.06)

by Gus Katsaros

New season, new hope, renewed optimism. On Opening Day of the regular season, every fan's team is a Stanley Cup contender, every player is fresh and ready to score 100 plus points – at least that is what their fantasy owners hope.

Poolies and fantasy league participants are checking their lineups that they have submitted for the week, with visions of fantasy success. The exhibition season is over, the real season begins. As such, here is a look at how Week 1 shapes up.

If there are any questions, please feel free to send an email to guskatsaros@rogers.com or leave questions on the Forums Message board. I will be checking the forums, at least, twice a day.

Streaking and Stinking

This space will normally be filled with players streaking or stinking it up. Although we could fill this space with many examples from preseason, the reality is that exhibition stats could be skewed by the tinkering of the roster by coaches trying to ice the best possible players. Columbus center, George Platt, scored seven points (4-4-3-7) in preseason, securing a spot on the fourth line, but I highly doubt that fantasy GM's are running over each other trying to get him in their lineups.

This section is where you will find the best and worst of the period with in-depth analysis.

Keeping An Eye On …

Brian Gionta signed a new 3-yr deal with the Devils and will be able to play in the home opener. Has not played in any exhibition games and will be rusty. The good news for fantasy owners is that he is back in the lineup.

Slava Kozlov has played the exhibition season with Marian Hossa and gathered six helpers for his efforts.

Mike Fisher is starting the regular season as second line center with wingers Daniel Alfredsson and Peter Schaefer. Scoring 10 points in preseason (6-4-6-10) is an added boost to his defensive awareness, but he also scored 22 goals last season playing in 68 games in a primarily checking role. Given the green light, he could start the season on a role on an already explosive Ottawa squad.

Paul Kariya had six points in two games (2-2-4-6) to lead the Nashville Predators in exhibition. Steve Sullivan had two goals and four points in two games, while Josef Vasicek scored two goals and five points in exhibition games.

Still glowing red after scorching the preseason, Patrick Marleau (6-3-9-12) and his San Jose open the season against the St. Louis Blues and the NY Islanders. The line of Patrick Marleau centering Steve Bernier (6-4-6-10) and Milan Michalek (5-7-2-9) is the hottest line going into the NHL regular season.

Schedules

Six teams have three games for the week, with five of them playing three games in four nights. Goaltending switches will play a factor in some of your goaltending decisions and with a tight schedule, back-ups may be called in.

Buffalo - @Car, Mtl, @Ott

Carolina – Buf, NJ, Was

Colorado – Dal, @Min

Ottawa - @Tor, Tor, Buf

Toronto – Ott, @Ott, Mtl

Vancouver – @Det, @Clb, @Avalanche

Remaining teams have two games until October 8.

Whipping Boys

These are teams that will struggle this season, whether because of an injury bug tearing through the lineup, or that they are just not competitive enough to string together a few wins.

Carolina had trouble with Washington late last season; always seemingly, the Caps had their number.

St. Louis opens on the road facing a red-hot San Jose team then off to Los Angeles, to square off with the Kings. The Blues tried to bolster their anemic offense but will still be one of the whipping boys.

Games of Note

Ottawa gets to open the season beating up on the Leafs and then faces the team that knocked them out of the playoffs, the Sabres.

Colorado is home to Dallas Wednesday night at 10pm ET and then flies to Minnesota for a game starting at 8:30 pm ET.

Nashville opens the season at home against the Chicago Blackhawks, which could get ugly with Nashville's enhanced offense. Chicago is 2-8 versus Nashville in their last ten.

Injuries

Long Term: (2 weeks or more)

Sergei Fedorov, Clb, C (Knee) – end of October

Joe Corvo, Ott, D (Broken Foot) – late October

Steve Konowalchuk, LW (heart) – retired due to heart condition

Mike Ricci, C (Neck surgery) – early to mid November

Sandis Ozolinsh, D (Knee surgery) – end of October

Evgeni Malkin, C, (Shoulder) – mid-late October

Alexander Mogilny, RW (Hip) – will not return to the NHL. Salary is erased from the New Jersey Devils available cap space

Short Term:

Jordan Leopold, D, (Hernia) – mid-October

Jay McKee, D (Knee) – mid-October

Suspensions:

Rostislav Klesla, D, Clb – Two games. Will return October 9.

Pavel Kubina, D, Tor – One game. Returns Oct 5 at Ottawa.

NHL: 30 Players To Watch (posted 10.4.06)

by Gus Katsaros

Preseason stats listed as: (GP-G-A-PTS)

Dustin Penner (Ana), LW (6-2-6-8)

Enjoyed a phenomenal preseason on a line with Todd Marchant and fellow rookie Ryan Shannon. The six-foot four winger exploited his size and remarkable poise to further enhance last season's playoff performance.

Slava Kozlov (Atl), LW (4-0-6-6)

Playing with Marian Hossa could see a duplicate of Kozlov's numbers from last season in the 70-point range. The loss of Marc Savard creates a void which Kozlov seems to be the best available fit.

Phil Kessel (Bos), LW-C (5-0-3-3)

His bullet wristshot didn't find the twine in the preseason, but Kessel found himself on the first line with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Boyes. Has impressed management with his speed and energy, though may not last here due to inexperience and defensive limitations.

Thomas Vanek (Buf), LW (6-3-2-5)

Came out of the gates in a big way to erase a forgettable playoff where he ended up a healthy scratch eight times. Has developed good chemistry with Derek Roy (6-1-3-4) and Maxim Afinogenov (4-1-2-3), and will be expected to help supplant J.P. Dumont's loss. Must stay focused to remain in the lineup.

Daymond Langkow (Cgy), C (3-1-1-2)

When it appeared that Matthew Lombardi (5-2-1-3) would inherit first-line duties, coach Jim Playfair decided to reunite Langkow with Jarome Iginla (4-3-2-5). Definitely a boost for Langkow, though perhaps a drop for Lombardi, now playing between Tony Amonte (5-1-3-4) and Kristian Huselius (5-2-3-5).

Eric Cole (Car), RW (4-1-3-4)

Made a miraculous recovery to skate in the Finals for the Stanley Cup Champs. Mere fact he is able to play hockey once again is astonishing, but to be one of the better Canes in preseason is a good sign. Kept up well physically and hasn't lost any strength or balance, albeit slowed down as the games wore on.

Radim Vrbata (Chi), RW (6-3-3-6)

Thrived in preseason on the first line with Martin Havlat and Bryan Smolinski, continuing last season's late scoring surge (45-13-21-34) after being dumped by Carolina. The Blackhawks could surprise some teams, especially if Vrbata can produce consistently. Likely starts on the second line as coach Yawney looks to build a second scoring unit around Vrbata, Smolinski, and eventually Tuomo Ruutu.

John Michael-Liles (Col), D (5-1-3-4)

Designated power play point man can utilize his skills as QB without Rob Blake. Solid skater, good in transition but has a tendency to appear like he is floating some shifts. Honorable mention to Wojtek Wolski (4-1-2-3) and Paul Stastny (6-1-3-4). Playing beside Marek Svatos, the rookie duo looked great together in preseason while generating 31 shots combined.

Geoff Platt (CBJ), C (4-4-3-7)

Won a spot playing on the fourth line after leading the Blue Jackets in preseason scoring. Columbus may find winning is just as difficult this season which opens the door for players such as Platt and Mark Hartigan, especially if a sub-par exhibition from Gilbert Brule (5-0-0-0) spills over into the regular season.

Eric Lindros (Dal), RW-C (4-2-2-4)

Will start the season playing wing on the second line, with newly named captain Brendan Morrow (5-1-1-2) and recent addition Mike Ribeiro, who slides into the center spot. Lindros is still standing after getting through preseason without major injuries, but the bad news is that he hasn't looked very sharp..

Niklas Kronwall (Det), D (7-2-4-6)

The MVP of the World Championships is on the verge of the breakout season which knee surgery robbed him of last season. Honorable mention to Jiri Hudler (7-4-2-6) who gets a chances to crack the Wings after leading the Griffins in scoring last season. Received his NHL welcome via a nasty crosscheck in the face, courtesy of Pavel Kubina.

Jarret Stoll (Edm), C (4-4-2-6)

Rediscovered scoring touch in preseason to compliment his overall face-off efficiency. Played a very active game offensively during exhibition games, similar to last season's early heroics. Can he maintain the intensity over an entire schedule this time?

Jozef Stumpel (Fla), RW-C (5-1-2-3)

Gets another opportunity to stick on a line with Olli Jokinen (5-1-3-4). The duo created some magic down the stretch as the Panthers looked to snag a playoff spot, and have also impressed in preseason. They could receive a boost as well from the addition of Jokinen's former teammate Ville Peltonen, out for 2-3 more weeks recovering from a separated shoulder.

Alexander Frolov (LA), LW (5-2-6-8)

Meshed impressively during preseason with standout Kings' rookie Anze Kopitar (4-2-3-5) and Brian Willsie (3-1-4-5). Though he clicked with new linemates, Frolov still looked a little sluggish at times and must continue to make better use of his size.

Petteri Nummelin (Min), C (4-1-3-4)

Talented Finnish blueliner returned to NHL after a four-year stretch with Lugano in the Swiss-A League. Looks comfortable on the smaller rinks and keeps up with the speed of the game. Could be a welcome addition to the suddenly offensive-looking Wild this season, though Nummelin still lacks size and defensive stability.

Saku Koivu (Mtl), C (5-2-4-6)

After suffering a devastating eye injury, the Habs' captain has looked comfortable in his return with no reported issues regarding his sight. Koivu appears to be ready based on a productive preseason reunited on a line with Chris Higgins and Michael Ryder. Honorable mention to newly signed rookie Guillaume Latendresse (7-3-2-5).

Josef Vasicek (Nsh), C (5-2-3-5)

Missed 59 games due to injury and failed to crack a deep Carolina squad in the postseason. Fit in nicely on a roster which boasted great production in the preseason. Paul Kariya (2-2-4-6) and Steve Sullivan (2-2-2-4) continue to contribute, with Ramzi Abid (2-4-0-4) and rookie Alexander Radulov (6-2-24) adding supplementary support. Radulov may stick with the big club after first appearing to be headed to the minors, albeit a minor role.

Travis Zajac (NJ), C (5-0-2-2)

With all the hoopla surrounding the Devils' struggles to get under the salary cap, the slick-handed rookie out of North Dakota quietly won a spot on the opening roster. Zajac has exceptional smarts and skills, however may still suffer through some rookie pains as he adapts to the faster pro pace.

Jason Blake (NYI), RW-L (3-2-02)

The best Islander forward in the preseason on a line with Shawn Bates and Jeff Tambellini, who draws honourable mention as one the club's top performers overall at training camp. The trio combined for 28 shots in four games as Blake's energy continues to stimulate those around him.

Adam Hall (NYR), RW (5-2-3-5)

The Blueshirts wanted a defensive presence and Hall certainly hasn't disappointed in preseason, while also providing a scoring touch as a bonus. Will boost the third line and could even slide into a top-six role temporarily if injuries strike.

Mike Fisher (Ott), C (6-4-6-10)

Adopted the second-line center spot and flourished in preseason, after being derailed by an ankle injury late last season. Displays better hands than the typical checking center, and will start the season between captain Daniel Alfredsson and Peter Schaefer.

Jeff Carter (Phi), C (6-2-2-4)

The Flyers have huge holes to fill with the losses of Michal Handzus and captain Keith Primeau. Fortunately Carter seems to be ready to take some of the burden off the top line after some spectacular flashes of brilliance during preseason. Will get every opportunity to establish himself as a key top-six contributor.

Keith Ballard (Phx), D (5-0-3-3)

Sophomore rearguard is living up to his label as the club's 'Hardest Working Player' while building on the physical play that drew rave reviews last season. Will inherit an even bigger role for the Coyotes this season playing with ex-Bruin Nick Boynton.

Jordan Staal (Pit), C (6-0-1-1)

Exploited the absence of Evgeni Malkin to snag a spot with the main club, while older brother Marc, a defenseman with the Rangers, was demoted to the minors. Pittsburgh have nine games to evaluate Staal's performance while Malkin recuperates from a shoulder injury. Though Staal showed impressive poise for his age, many believe his development would be best served back in Peterborough.

Petr Cajanek (StL), C (4-1-6-7)

Trying to erase a horrendous 2005-06 season, Cajanek has looked terrific centering for a remodeled Keith Tkachuk. However that may change with Tkachuk complaining about bask spasms already. Honourable mention to Bill Guerin (4-5-1-5) who has made a distinct impression on the Blues and could be in line for a healthy rebound.

Milan Michalek (SJ), LW (5-7-2-9)

Fired a preseason hat trick against the Sabres and has proven a perfect second-line fit alongside red-hot mates Patrick Marleau (6-3-9-12) and Steve Bernier (6-4-6-10). Michalek appears more in sync with his linemates now while channeling his efforts more effectively on the ice. Expect the Sharks to wreak havoc if this unit can sustain their momentum.

Vincent Lecavalier (TB), C (5-4-6-10)

Started the exhibition with a bang and has been the best Lightning forward so far. However, Tampa could be hard-pressed defensively this season, which magnifies the importance of their star forwards to consistently produce at a high level - something Vinnie and company failed to achieve last season.

Kyle Wellwood (Tor), RW-C (5-1-3-4)

Displayed excellent speed and creativity in the preseason playing right wing on the top line with Mats Sundin (5-2-4-6), while also being more attentive to defense. Complements Sundin with his ability to execute at high speed, but will need to sustain his energy levels to hold a top-six spot. This experiment might just work though expects some early jitters.

Ryan Kesler (Van), C (5-2-2-4)

Goals have been difficult to come by for a Canucks team desperately trying to replace the missing offense of Todd Bertuzzi and Anson Carter. Kesler skated with more confidence in preseason, seemingly buoyed after the Flyers recently tried to steal him away as a restricted free agent. With Marc Chouinard unavailable for the short term, look for Kesler to get loads of icetime early on.

Ben Clymer (Wsh), D (6-2-5-7)

Reverted back to a defenseman again after playing right wing last season. Stormed out of the gates in preseason and may have found a new role as a pointman on the power play. Honorable mention goes to Jakub Klepis (5-1-4-5) who delivered a brilliant preseason to secure a spot on the roster.

NHL Prospect Watch: New Kids On The Block (posted 10.2.06)

by Cory Kornelsen

With the start of the regular season less than a week away, it is crunch time for all 30 NHL clubs to trim rosters for opening night. One big question is deciding which young players are ready to take that next step in their career. Here are some of the hotter prospects who have performed well enough during the preseason to warrant a shot at cracking the opening 23-man rosters.

Eastern Conference

Northeast Division

Buffalo - With Tim Connolly sidelined by concussion problems and forwards Drew Stafford and Clarke Macarthur assigned to Rochester, Jiri Novotny and Dan Paille appear to have earned the final two spots up front. The battle for the seventh spot on defense looks like it will go to Nathan Paetsch but Andrej Sekera has been so impressive that he could make things interesting.

Boston - Phil Kessel has been turning heads throughout training camp and should start the season on one of the Bruins' top two lines.

Montreal - For the second year in a row Guillaume Latendresse has had a magical camp and has won the final forward spot over Andrei Kostitsyn. With chants of "Guy, Guy, Guy" echoing through the Bell Center whenever he is on the ice, Latendresse has been the talk and toast of the town.

Ottawa - The jury is still out on Alexei Kaigorodov who has had a disappointing camp. Penciled in as the second line center to start training camp, Kaigorodov is now battling just to remain with the Senators and may start the season in Binghamton for more North American experience. Prospect Josh Hennessy brought over in the Martin Havlat trade is also in the mix for a final roster spot.

Toronto - Defenseman Ian White has done his part to remain with the Leafs and injuries to Carlo Colaiacovo and Brandon Bell has opened up a spot for Andy Wozniewski to round out Toronto's top six on the point. With Kyle Wellwood moving to the wing, John Pohl looks to have secured the final spot at center but it may have caused Alexsander Suglobov (whose play has warranted a roster spot) to be the odd man out.

Atlantic Division

New Jersey - It will be interesting to see how the Devils cap situation unfolds over the next few days and how it impacts their roster. Forwards Travis Zajac and Barry Tallackson have both played well enough and are deserving of roster spots.

New York Islanders - After playing 21 games for the Islanders last season, forward Jeff Tambellini has been terrific in camp skating with Jason Blake and Shawn Bates and will start the season as one of the Islanders top six forwards

New York Rangers - Center Jarkko Immonen has had a slow camp but has come on in the last few days and will be given every chance to make the team but still must battle Brandon Dubinsky and Ryan Hollweg who have had strong camps for a final spot. Nigel Dawes is all but assured a place on the third line and Marc Staal is still in the mix for a final spot on defence. The Rangers do not wish to send Staal back to OHL, but will have no choice if he doesn't crack the roster.

Philadelphia - Top prospects Ryan Potulny, Stefan Ruzicka and Alexander Picard have all been sent down to the AHL and Canadian World Junior standout Steve Downie has been sent back to Peterborough.

Pittsburgh - It looks like Evgeny Malkin will be out at least until late October but if his play during his brief appearance is that good; the NHL can already engrave his name on the Calder Trophy. The Penguins should do the right thing and send Jordan Staal back to Peterborough but the 18 year old phenom has been terrific in his first pro camp. Noah Welch looks to have secured a spot on the Penguins blue line but defenseman Kristopher Letang is also making a case with a super camp thus far.

Southeast Division

Atlanta - Defenseman Braydon Coburn suffered a setback in his bid for a roster spot suffering a shoulder injury during a preseason game. Coburn will likely start the season in the AHL, which leaves Mark Popovic challenging for the final spot on defense. Forward Alex Bourret who also suffered an injury (concussion) to start camp recovered quickly and the Thrashers have been impressed with the steps he has taken to improve his maturity and dedication. Has been given a long look at camp but may benefit from some experience at the AHL level. If he doesn't crack the roster, expect Bourret to make an appearance with Atlanta some point in the season.

Carolina - Injuries to defensemen Frantisek Kaberle and Bret Hedican have opened the door for Anton Babchuk who has had a strong camp and will likely remain part of the Hurricanes defense for the season. In a move that may come back to haunt Carolina, top defensive prospect Jack Johnson was traded to Los Angeles for Tim Gleason and Eric Belanger to address immediate concerns in their lineup.

Florida - Florida will start the season with a veteran lineup as the organizations top prospect, Anthony Stewart was sent down to Rochester. It appears Stewart, has still not recovered from a severe wrist injury he suffered last season.

Tampa Bay - Eric Perrin appears to have won the job centering the fourth line but an injury to Rob DiMaio should keep forward Nick Tarnasky on the roster come opening night. Moose Jaw Warrior standout Blair Jones has also had a strong camp and his stock is on the rise within the organization.

Washington - Jakub Klepis has had a great camp and will start the season on the Capitals second or third line. One rookie to definitely keep an eye on this season is defenseman Mike Green. He combines great two -way abilities with terrific hockey sense and quick decision making skills. Green has earned a roster spot and should work his way towards being a top four defenseman on the Caps' blue line.

Western Conference

Northwest Division

Calgary - Center Dustin Boyd is getting a long look thanks to a solid camp as is Andrei Taratukhin. Taratukhin has steadily progressed throughout camp but may benefit from a pro stint in the AHL before joining the Flames lineup. Boyd may best be suited for a year in the minors where he will see quality minutes. Mark Giordano has won a spot on defense and may even see some power play duty on the second unit.

Colorado - Wojtek Wolski will stick around for good this season and is a good bet to be among the rookie scoring leaders. Expect him to see plenty of power play duty. With the sudden retirement of Steve Konowalchuk and injuries to Brad May and Pierre Turgeon, Paul Stastny looks to have secured a place on the team and has been the surprise of camp with solid two-way play. John Boychuk is also in the mix on defence with Jordan Leopold's injury status still uncertain.

Edmonton - In the battle of big wingers Alexei Mikhnov may have won the battle with Jean-Francois Jacques and Brad Winchester. Mikhnov has impressed with his range and all-around skill while Winchester and Jacques have had unproductive camps. Patrick Thoreson has been a bolt from the blue with a stellar camp and has all but secured a roster spot and fellow centerman Marc-Antoine Pouliot should round out the Oilers group of forwards with the demotions of Rob Schremp and Toby Petersen. Defenseman Ladislav Smid who came over as part of the Chris Pronger trade has been solid and should have an immediate impact and be part of the Oilers top six on the blue line.

Minnesota - Goaltender Josh Harding has been in tough for the backup role to Manny Fernandez. Finnish league star Niklas Backstrom has had a solid camp and could start the season with the Wild. Harding was expected to be the backup but suffered a slight setback when he injured his groin in practice.

Vancouver - Defenseman Luc Bourdon looks to have claimed a roster spot but has had a less than stellar camp. The Canucks will be quite careful with Bourdon's development to start the season so don't expect an immediate impact as he is not ready for top four minutes. Forward Jannik Hansen has been quite the surprise and is challenging for a final spot up front. Hansen, who was taken in the ninth round in 2004, looks like quite the steal by the Canucks.

Central Division

Chicago - The Hawks swarm of young killer B's, David Bolland, Brandon Bochenski, Michael Blunden and Dustin Byfuglien have all had solid camps and will be a huge part of Chicago's future but will likely be sent down to the AHL. The two B's making the most buzz however are Adam Burish who looks to have won a final forward spot and defenseman Cam Barker who will join the Hawks in late October when he is expected to return from a fractured ankle injury

Columbus - Gilbert Brule should be one of the more productive rookies this year and will be one of the top six forward for the Jackets. With injuries to Sergei Fedorov and Alexander Svitov, expect Brule to see plenty of ice time and power play duty to start the season.

Detroit - Forward Jiri Hudler looks to have finally earned a spot with the Wings sealing his fate with a three-goal game against the Lightning. He will be thrust into a top six role and counted on to pick up some of the scoring void left by the departure of Brendan Shanahan. Tomas Kopecky also appears to have earned his wings delivering a steady two-way performance and will likely skate with Kris Draper and Kirk Maltby in more of a defensive role.

Nashville - When the Predators signed forward J.P. Dumont it seemed Alexander Radulov was ticketed for the AHL, but based on his performance it looks like Radulov will stick with the Predators to start the season and likely on the third line. The Predators have plenty of fire power up front so expect Radulov to be worked in gradually.

St. Louis - Two of the organizations top prospects forward, David Backes and defenseman Roman Polak, have an outside shot at cracking the roster, but will likely spend the season in the AHL.

Pacific Division

Anaheim - Dustin Penner has picked up right where he left off from last year's playoffs and should be penciled in as a top Calder candidate. Penner will continue to improve and should see valuable power play time. Small and speedy AHL standout Ryan Shannon has impressed with his offensive ability and could win a job as a depth forward with the ability to play on the top three lines. Shane O'Brien is also in the mix as the seventh d-man and has the ability to fill the physical void left by the departure of Vitali Vishnevsky.

Dallas - With the addition of newly acquired Mike Ribeiro and Patrik Stefan's hip injury not that serious, the Stars now have a log jam up front which will probably mean that top prospect Loui Eriksson will be returned to Iowa of the AHL. Goaltender Mike Smith has also won the role as the backup to Marty Turco.

Los Angeles - Anze Kopitar has had a terrific preseason and will start the season as the Kings second line center. His development was instrumental in the Jack Johnson trade making Eric Belanger expendable. Last seasons AHL rookie of the year Patrick O'Sullivan has also shown he belongs in the NHL. O'Sullivan will also play on one of the top two lines and should be one of the more productive rookie forwards.

Phoenix - Injuries to Mike Ricci and Fredrik Sjostrom have opened the door for speedy Russian prospect Enver Lisin, who has all the tools to be successful in the new NHL but still may need some North American refining in the AHL. Defenseman Keith Yandle who was a standout in the QMJHL, has been great in camp and if not for the Coyotes having so many mobile, puck-moving d-men; Yandle may have made the team outright. If he doesn't remain as the seventh defensemen, expect Yandle to make a few appearances with Phoenix at some point during the season.

San Jose - Defenseman Matt Carle's offensive potential and all around smarts should make him one of the leagues top rookies this season and will be given every opportunity to quarterback a promising power play. Carle's production will be counted on filling the void left by the departure of Tom Preissing and has a realistic shot at breaking the 40-point mark. Marc-Edouard Vlasic has been a bit hit and the surprise of camp. The Sharks have been extremely impressed with the defenseman's ability to move the puck and his overall decision making. A season back in junior may ultimately be in the cards, but don't be surprised if Vlasic is "skating with Sharks" come opening night.

Goodbye Industry Experts League, hello ICE – Invitational Challenge of Experts. (posted 9.29.06)

by Gus Katsaros

The Talented Mr Roto.com ICE League – as it will be referred to in the future – was changed to the acronym to identify itself among the multitude of fantasy leagues on Yahoo!

Although not yet finalized, this league should be made public so that fantasy followers can watch the chaos unfold as the season goes on and follow along in our coverage. Once a link is available, I will be posting it on Mckeenshockey.com

Feel free to make any comments, suggestions and, oh … of course, send some love to the McKeen's rep.

Forums

Feel free to visit and post on the McKeen's http://mckeenshockey.rivals.com/forum.asp should you have fantasy player questions. I try to go to the forums as much as I can, and will be there to answer all your fantasy questions, concerns.

For questions, please indicate what type of league (head-to-head, rotisserie, keeper etc.), scoring categories (G A +/- PIM PPP PPG GA SV% W) and roster size (# of forwards/defense/goalies).

Feel free to drop a line at guskatsaros@rogers.com with questions, however the forum may have others that will benefit from responses, fantasy nuts, like you. I'm still playing around with the idea of having questions answered through this column, or forums. More to come.

NHL Preseason Notes

Broken feet, wonky backs, body parts flying all over the place…

What has training camp, a busy exhibition schedule and travel given back to the NHL?

Groin pulls. More and more players seem to have tweaked their groins.

Those affected include Jason Arnott (Nsh) (precautionary), Jonathan Cheechoo (SJ) (precautionary), Tomas Kaberle (Tor) (precautionary – hasn't participated in exhibition games), Kim Johnsson (Min) (now back with club), and Wade Redden (Ott) (day-to-day).

A list of ailing from the preseason and effects on fantasy.

Longer Term:

Antero Niittymaki (Phi), G – 6-8 weeks torn muscle in left hip during practice Tuesday September 26. Robert Esche will be counted for more than just battling for a number one spot.

Steve Konowalchuk (Col), LW – previously penciled in as a sleeper pick, a heart abnormality has forced him off the ice until the condition is rectified.

Joe Corvo (Ott), D – 4-6 weeks fractured foot

Less than a month to return:

Jordan Leopold (Col), D – could return as early as mid-October, which should bolster the Avalanche blueline.

Greg Johnson (Det), C – herniated disc. Not much fantasy value.

Michal Rozsival (NYR), D – 2 weeks with a knee injury

Nikita Alexeev (TB), RW – eye injury 2 weeks

Precautionary:

Joe Thornton (SJ), C – Bruised foot. Mostly precautionary, no impact on draft position

Joe Sakic (Col), C – Hip Flexor. Precautionary, with no impact on draft position.

Keith Tkachuk (StL), RW – back spasms – minor and precautionary (where have we seen that before)

Eye popping Rookies

Phil Kessel has amazed Bruins management that could see him in the lineup all season. Preseason usually brings out the best in those looking for a roster spot. Toronto prospect, Jiri Tlusty has impressed in Toronto, but unlike his first round counterpart Kessel, will report to the AHL to start the season as an 18 year old.

A certain kid in Pittsburgh turned heads but popped his shoulder. Evgeni Malkin will be taken early in many drafts. With an injury taking out and with the potential to hinder his debut campaign, it could be a good idea to downgrade him, just a tad.

In Edmonton, Rob Schremp could start the season in the AHL, while Dustin Penner built off the Ducks playoff experience from last year's Cup run to secure a spot.

Really Under the Radar

Adrian Aucoin (Chi), D has looked good so far in the preseason and looks to have put groin trouble and shoulder surgery from last season behind him. Many will forget about him, but he will get prime ice time and will be the power play QB for the Blackhawks. So far, he has had an excellent preseason that may spill over into the regular season.

Petteri Nummelin (Min), D Defenseman has looked comfortable in the Wild preseason lineup and could step in to snag a spot. Fresh off five seasons in the Swiss-A league with the HC Lugano club, has given him a good backdrop of the wide open NHL. Will better his first stint in the NHL with Columbus in 2000-01. Will turn 34 years old in November and could stabilize an already good Wild defense, as well as continue the mobility to bolster Minnesota's offense.

Unsigned Free Agents

Jason Allison (FA), C – Hard to imagine Allison being left off an NHL roster this close to the regular season opener. Allison's contributions are as a power play specialist and nothing more. Last season, yes, he scored 60 points (66-17-43-60) but was a dismal minus-14 to go along with it. Attributes that made Allison successful in the past have all but vanished going forward. Strong and balanced on his skates, he could maneuver through the checking and clutching and was good along the boards fighting for the puck and dishing it to teammates. In the newly enforced rules NHL, his lack of foot-speed makes him a step behind the play. Always.

Most of his points were scored while on the power play (9-30-39) and many of those assists were the second variety, after a pass to Tomas Kaberle and to McCabe on the power play. At this point, there is little fantasy value.

Brian Leetch (FA), D – Still unsigned swift skating veteran has not indicated with which team he will be making his return although with Sandis Ozolinsh injured, it may be back with the Blueshirts.

Eric Daze (FA), RW – Twenty games over three seasons was not what the Blackhawks (and Daze himself) expected when they took him in the fourth round in 1993. Eleven seasons, surgery on three separate occasions and Daze is looking to call it a career.

NHL Preseason: Sabres vs. Penguins (posted 9.27.06)

by David Burstyn

The point difference between the Sabres and the Penguins was a whopping 52 last season. The Penguins much like the Sabres are a young team waiting patiently for their future superstars to develop. The core nucleus looks good with the likes of Sidney Crosby, Ryan Whitney, Marc-Andre Fluery and Evgeny Malkin leading the way for seasons to come.

The Sabres were in a position similar to the Pens having failed to make the playoffs for six straight years before exploding last year to come within one victory away from a Stanley Cup final. Several players had career years allowing the Sabres to loose some of their veteran players in order to give the youngsters more ice-time. Speed is the name of the Sabres game and with many players who can execute they look to lead the North East division this year.

Mckeen's was on hand for a recent exhibition contest between the Sabres and Penguins and files these notes on several prospects.

Sidney Crosby (Pit), C

Hardly a prospect anymore, he has all the tools to dominate the league for many years to come and potentially win the scoring race .. his first step acceleration is leaps and bounds ahead of everyone else .. he flies on the ice using little energy and pounces on rebounds faster than others .. one shift he took a shot and recovered his own rebound only to do it again .. has a sixth sense as to where players should be and made several passes that were not expected .. his speed enables him to strip slow defenseman from behind of the puck .. made centring feeds that resulted in scoring chances and always throwing the puck on net to see what might happen .. showcased impressive footwork in attacking Brain Campbell not one but twice on the same shift as he nearly pulled the Savardian spin-o-rama on him while cutting to the net .. was sent to the penalty box for arguing a call, will need to be less abusive towards the officials as he has developed a somewhat whiney attitude .. a break out campaign especially if Malkin can return sooner than expected.

Stephen Dixon (Pit), C

Played a decent game however suffered from inconsistency between shifts .. looked good at times and was invisible on others .. good skater he needs to keep his feet moving at all times, as he looked sluggish especially in his first few strides .. lacked intensity and did very little to create either physically or offensively .. made a nice inside out move in dying minutes to promote a scoring chance but his lack of strength to fight defenseman off negated any opportunity .. needs to protect puck better as well .. showed potential but is still a year away from landing coveted third/4th line duty.

Ryan Stone (Pit), LW

A raw forward who competes and is physically tough .. fought with Adam Mair and landed a few nice shots in a one sided fight .. his first step is not what it needs to be and his skating is average at best .. his lack of speed prohibits him from keeping up with a rush .. he hits and looks to play physical at all times .. active stick is used to help him bridge the gap between faster players .. will benefit from a year at the AHL level where he will be a top six forward.

Ryan Whitney (Pit), D

With the absence of Sergei Gonchar this game, more was expected from him .. failed to generate many quality scoring chances rather electing to hang back and make safe passes out of the zone .. showed good presence on the back end, as he was able to rid the puck out of the zone or go for a skate with it .. suffered behind the net as he coughed up the puck on a few occasions and was not strong enough to recover .. drew penalties as a result and will need to be more mindful and disciplined .. did not showcase his booming shot .. should be over shadowed by Gonchar on the PP and will have a hard time repeating last year's totals.

Kristopher Letang (Pit), D

Played with surprisingly good poise and made healthy decisions with the puck .. smaller yet well built he was able to utilize his speed to create offence .. swift, fluid skater who can launch an attack and is more of an offensive minded defender .. registered a goal and an assist in contest .. his footwork allows him to force defenders to the outside, however he still needs to get stronger .. could be a sleeper pick as the defence is relatively weak and his offence could warrant a roster spot, one to watch out for.

Micki DuPont (Pit), D

Super small defender, who uses his feet via speed to maximize scoring chances .. played well on the PP, as he was more noticeable with the open ice .. made smart plays at the line and showed quality puck handling skills .. relatively ineffective in five on five situations as he is just too small even for the new NHL landscape, got out muscled on several occasions along the boards .. may play if an injury should occur otherwise he looks to be AHL bound and he may have a difficult time succeeding in that league as well.

Jiri Novotny (Buf), C

Third line centre impressed with his through understanding of the game and hockey smarts .. played many minutes as Ruff auditioned him in many situations to see how he would perform .. rather weak skater, he has slow acceleration and is often beaten one-on-one to loose pucks as a result .. his large frame allows him to close the gap somewhat as does his astute positioning .. he can make clever passes with the puck but still needs to be faster in his decision-making and shoot more .. would benefit from advancing the puck a little further then making a pass .. average at face offs, he tries to use his frame to bully players out of the circle once the puck is dropped .. a reliable two-way player he should see his ice-time increase this year and expect his point totals too as he may hover around double digits mark for goals.

Clarke Macarthur (Buf), LW

An aggressive player who looks to cause a disturbance whenever necessary .. good acceleration and speed .. shows decent hands but not a natural goal scorer, has to work hard for his chances .. decent vision and passing skills .. goes to the net to bang away loose pucks and is strong on his skates, which allows him extra time .. a smart player he is not easily coaxed into giving the puck away and makes sound decisions with the puck when pressured .. a fixture in the AHL with the potential for a call-up as the Sabres forwards lines is just too deep.

Chris Thorburn (Buf), C

A tall, physically imposing forward who is an intense competitor and suffocates his opponents with strong fore-checking skills .. displays impressive speed for a player his size .. struggles at times to find proper offensive positioning to score .. average stick handler he is capable of making nice touch passes and uses his large frame to shield the puck .. looks to return to the AHL and dominate, as there simply is no room for him add to the fact that other prospects are coming up the charts it will make it even harder for him to crack this roster.

Dan Paille (Buf), LW

An average skater who is still quite raw offensively .. does not seem to have the finish despite generating many chances for himself and by others .. has good creativity with the puck especially around the net and is able to attract the attention of opposing defenseman .. plays more comfortably along the half boards and behind the net, preferring to cycle the puck and create that way .. will take a hit to advance or make a play with the puck .. good strength as he was able to hold his own against bigger players .. shows the signs of a good role player in a fourth line capacity with an offensive game that will take a few years to develop.

Andrej Sekera (Buf), D

Has made improvements in every game .. a quick learner he can log the puck up or spin off of players to make a simple pass out of the zone .. still raw in terms of his overall game but confidence is increasing and Ruff used him in many situations including PP, PK and 3 on 3 in overtime .. is able to pick apart a play with a precise pass and sees the ice very well as was exhibited with a two-line breakaway pass that sent Vanek in all alone .. very calm, does not look rushed and plays with good poise .. will need to work on the release of his slap shot, as it is a much better shot than his wrister .. could possibly make the team but a conditioning stint in the AHL seems more likely to occur .. will emerge as one of Buffalo's better defenders in short period of time.

Industry Expert Draft Recap (posted 9.18.06)

by Gus Katsaros

In two hours and nine minutes, it was over. Twelve people, including myself gathered online to discuss such important matters as Steve Young's 43-year contract with the USFL, the price of gas, and the over/under on Rick DiPietro's new contract. Charles Charles Charles … hasn't Spiderman taught you anything?

Oh, they also conducted the initial Industry Expert Fantasy Hockey League. Keeping in the theme of the day it was proposed to be a keeper league for 15 years. A good laugh was had by all.

The random draft order awarded mckeenshockey.com third overall pick.

The draft began with a pick auto-drafted from a list, which validated the importance of having a detailed pre-draft ranking. Yahoo! allows users to construct a pre-draft list. It is strongly recommended to use this vital tool in case you are absent or have computer problems. The list keeps your strategy and rankings in tact.

Joe Thornton went first overall, followed by Miikka Kiprusoff. With the third overall pick, I chose Sidney Crosby. It wasn't that difficult decision. First round selections were fairly safe all the way through, until Rob Aquino from Sportsblurb shocked the pool by drafting Evgeny Malkin.

First round. Wow, that was early. To close the round, Ray Flowers from Fantasyhockey.com chose back-to-back goaltenders, Martin Brodeur and Roberto Luongo. Here's the list of who went in the first round.

1. J. Thornton- Rotowire (Jan Levine)

2. M. Kiprusoff- rotoworld (Michael Finewax)

3. S. Crosby- mckeenshockey (Gus Katsaros)

4. A. Ovechkin- TSN.ca (Scott Cullen)

5. J. Jagr- RotoPass (Pete Becker)

6. D. Heatley- TalentedMrRoto.com (Eric Maltais)

7. J. Spezza- Fanball (Christian Peterson)

8. I. Kovalchuk- The Hockey News (Darryl Dobbs)

9. D. Alfredsson- Y! Sports (Matt Romig)

10. J. Cheechoo- CBS Sportsline (Dan Dobish)

11. E. Malkin- Sportsblurb.com (Rob Aquino)

12. M. Brodeur- FantasyHockey.com (Ray Flowers)

Scoring categories were G, A, +/-, PIM, PPP, W, GAA, SV%.

I was set on a goaltender in the second round for my strategy could take form. Goaltenders were valued higher than my evaluations and came at a premium.

The second round snaked its way back from twelfth spot to the beginning. I hoped to get my goalie. It was looking good until three picks before mine, Eric Maltais from The Talented Mr Roto snatched up Manny Fernandez. Uh-oh … Things changed.

Missing out on Fernandez forced a change in strategy, mid-stream. It wouldn't work in conjunction to my spot in the rotation. Instead of picking a goalie, I picked Scott Niedermayer, hoping Tomas Vokoun was available on the way back, four picks away. Three picks passed and on the fourth, Michael Finewax of Rotoworld took Nashville's starting goalie. I grouped all the rest of the goalies in a middle of the pack bunch. I decided to forego the nets, in favor of defenseman Wade Redden. It would be eighteen picks before the next pick. When it finally came back my way in round four, I chose Patrik Elias. It was inevitable, I would pick up a middle of the pack goalie.

Panic set into the rest of the draft order through the third round, as GM's drafted goaltenders Ryan Miller, Marty Turco, Cam Ward and Martin Gerber. Goaltenders were at a premium and by the end of the third round, nine goalies had been chosen. A lesson of value attributed to goaltenders for you fantasy leaguers. Scott Cullen from TSN.com made his first goalie pick Kari Lehtonen, in the fourth round and seemed to emulate my strategy.

I went the other way. Sometimes a contrarian view will go a long way.

Goaltending scores three of eight categories. Important, yes, but still not going to make or break your chances of winning outright. If I was to forfeit some ground from lack of goaltending, my other category representation better be stellar. I started stockpiling defensemen. With a list that includes Niedermayer, Redden, Tomas Kaberle, Brian Rafalski, Dan Boyleand Brendan Witt. With the exception of Witt, every one of those players is a powerplay QB helping in the powerplay point's category, but it does something else.

It provides some insurance should my forwards slightly falter. As a unit, my defense has the potential to contribute a lot more too individual categories – goals, assists, powerplay points, and penalty minutes – than other GM's. This in turn gives my forwards a tiny bit of leeway. Witt picking up some penalty minutes could help in that category. It also gives me a monopoly on many of the top defensemen in the league providing some trading leverage. (psst, … lets keep that in the McKeen's family)

In the end, I chose a starting goalie that could conceivably attain 30 wins, but who knows about save percentage and goals against. That might be iffy. Ending up with Dwayne Rolosonin the fifth round and taking a chance of a rebound year for Andrew Raycroft in round thirteen. Gambles? Yes, but someone has to win in Toronto, and Roloson is good for 30 wins. Their stats won't lead the pack, average at best, but that is all I want.

At the draft, I felt like I was not doing very well. Analysis of the rosters as they seem now, it could be anyone's title. Transactions during the season will have an impact, which keeps GM's honest in setting their roster and remaining competitive. Good luck to all.

Notes:

Rod Brind'Amour went undrafted. Hard to believe that he would be left off a roster coming off a dream season. I discounted his contributions this season, but with Cory Stillman (who was picked in the 15th round) out for a long period, his workload will increase. He won't last long should even if he should come flying out of the gate.

Ryan Whitney was not listed in the application, and to substitute, Yonkman was used as the selection.

Sean Avery was picked in the eleventh round as a penalty minutes ringer. This pick got me to thinking of taking up a bench spot with Nashville's Darcy Hordichuk as a PIM ringer.

Rookies that might make a contribution were snatched up earlier than I expected, but well down in the draft. Blue Jackets Gilbert Brule was chosen in the thirteenth round, while Nashville's Alexander Radulov was taken in the fifteenth. LA's Patrick O'Sullivan was chosen in the twentieth round.

The most difficult round was the ninth, in which I ended up picking Kyle Calder.

First bench player chosen was Ducks goaltender J.S. Giguere in the seventh round.

A heart-felt disclaimer by Peter Becker of Rotoworld preceded the fifth round selection of Detroit's Dominik Hasek. It wasn't that bad a pick, maybe not at that spot. The disclaimer was appropriate.

Many players with the potential to play with Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin were chosen. Besides Malkin, Nils Ekman, and Colby Armstrongthat ended the season strongly for the Penguins, Dainius Zubrus and Richard Zednik for the Capitals.

Anson Carter signed a one-year deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He was also left off any rosters. Carter's production was hinged on the improved production of the Sedin twins in Vancouver last season. This sentiment seemed to be unanimous among the experts.

Draft Lineup

Center

Sidney Crosby (1st), Patrik Elias (5th - Not sure how he got branded as a center though), Mike Comrie (17th)

Right Wing

Teemu Selanne (6th), Kristian Huselius (15th), Scott Walker (18th)

Left Wing

Martin Straka (8th), Kyle Calder (9th), Andrew Brunette (12th)

Defense

Scott Niedermayer (2nd), Wade Redden (3rd), Tomas Kaberle (7th), Brian Rafalski (10th), Dan Boyle (11th), Brendan Witt (19th - need the penalty minutes)

Goalies

Dwayne Roloson (5th), Andrew Raycroft (13th)

Bench

LW - Ray Whitney (14th), LW - Jason Blake (16th), C - Mike Fisher (20th), RW - Mark Parrish (21st), C - Michal Handzus (22nd)

Industry Experts Fantasy League (posted 9.8.06)

by Gus Katsaros

Industry Experts Fantasy League

The inaugural draft of the Industry Experts fantasy league, announced this past spring, will take place Tuesday September 12. Twelve representatives from industry leaders in fantasy hockey will pit their stakes in battle.

Grr … Ok, maybe not that intense.

Late in the game, there has been a change in the roster. In the stead of Ron Jones, originally slated to represent McKeen's Hockey, will be myself (insert cheer here).

Throughout the season, this column will feature updates as well as some intricate details, such as transactions, jumps in the standings, as well as strategy that will provide insight for your own forays in your own respective leagues.

I feel a certain intimidation, like a rookie in the dressing room, participating in this event. I feel anxious, timid and yet, somewhat confident. There is a reason they are called Industry Experts, and to throw my hat in the ring with them is an honor. I am not going into this as just a participant. I want to win. For glory and of course, bragging rights. Bring it on.

Each member GM will pick three centers, six wingers - three each – six defensemen, and two goalies. There will be five additional bench players and two slots for injured reserve.

Waiver activity, as well as trades, will be allowed, however, this is not a keeper league.

The list of participants is set below:

Rob Aquino – Sportsblurb

Pete Becker – Rotopass.com

Scott Cullen – TSN (The Sports Network)

Darryl Dobbs – The Hockey News

Dan Dobish – CBS Sportsline

Michael Finewax – Rotoworld

Ray Flower – Fantasy hockey.com

Jan Levine – Rotowire

Christian Peterson - Fanball

Matt Romig – Yahoo

Eric Maltais - TalentedMrRoto.com

Gus Katsaros – McKeen's

The league will feature rotisserie scoring within categories of G, A, +/-, PIM, PPP, W, GAA, SV% with stats hosted by Yahoo! Sports. Rotisserie scoring assigns a point value based on a poolie's rank to a category. (e.g. ranked first in goals in twelve-team league is 12 points. Last rank is one point.) At season's end, each poolie is awarded points in each category rank and added for total points. Most points wins.

Value Drafting

Fantasy winners sniff out value. Pools are won by breakout players, a comeback season, that extended scoring streak by a player in a contract year.

A disclaimer for buying a future-oriented commodity, such as a stock or mutual fund, is past performance does not guarantee future gains. Keep this in mind on draft day as the surprise stars from last season linger in your minds.

Value players are often overlooked. A comparison of value is former Dallas Stars, Jason Arnott and the player he was replaced with, Eric Lindros. Both players are draftable in their own respective spots, with Arnott taken higher due to his point potential, based on respectable second line center totals from last season. Lindros is likely to be taken later in the draft.

Arnott rode first and third quarter numbers to 32 goals and 76 points last season – a contract year, surprise, surprise. Could this be a repeat? Averaging 17 minutes a game, those are impressive numbers. In Nashville, he will have second line center duties with similar ice time, but chances are his totals will slightly dip.

Value dictates a decrease in rank. Even if he repeats last season's totals, that is a ceiling and will not likely outperform those numbers. For the spot he is slated to be chosen, does he represent decent value?

Eric Lindros scored at a pace of 0.85 points-per-game in the first quarter with some prime ice time for the Maple Leafs while Mats Sundin recovered from an orbital bone injury. The return of Sundin and a December wrist injury derailed his tenure as a Maple Leaf. He, too, averaged about 17 minutes a game for the blue and white and will likely be used in Dallas as a second line center, replacing the aforementioned Arnott.

In the comparison, which player would show reasonable potential to outperform and be a valuable asset on your roster? You can draft Arnott with hopes of a repeat, capped off at the numbers from last season.

Drafting Lindros at a later point, offers more potential to outperform offensive expectations of next season. Potential for injury aside, Lindros could surprise many poolies by becoming a shadow of his former self. That could dictate a return of close to 60 points, a surge of almost 40 points compared to last season's 22 points in 33 games.

Winning a fantasy league requires some deeper analysis of value. Everyone will have their hands at stars. Those picks provide a base for the poolie to accept a higher risk, for a greater reward.

As you prep your lists, ask the question, where does this player deserve to be drafted and stick to your assessment. Some players deserve the extra attention. Others do not. It is a lot harder to draft a player on potential. Once the ball starts on a roll and picks up steam, at that point you have to trade a more valuable asset to get him. Are you willing to do that?

The Evolution of Hockey (posted 9.1.06)

by Gus Katsaros

Chapter two of the new NHL. The stale product offered prior to the lockout, was an illustration of how the game smacked directly into an evolutionary barrier. Pre-lockout hockey revealed the inevitability of necessary changes to ensure a bright future, yet retain substance. Results of new rules implemented in 2005-06 suggest positive progress.

Evolution involves the incorporating new ideas into existing models, a new means of survival, otherwise face extinction. Hockey faced extinction. The game had to break through the barrier to the next phase, or die, stagnant in the grips of a 'neutral zone trap.' Hindsight exposed why the trap reaped success and became a strong determinant of a decrease in scoring. Factors such as, player/goalie equipment, goaltending skills, hockey schools, fighting, systems, and expansion produced the pre-lockout game fans witnessed.

In the seventies, the conventional NHL player was average. NHL stars were heads above the plugger. Most players were farm-boys. Making bids to forego tractor blades they exchanged them for skate blades to carve out a living. Stars, like Guy Lafleur, Bobby Orr and Phil Esposito, skated circles around mediocre opposition with ease. The reason these young men were playing in the NHL was validated on the same grounds in today's NHL.

They were the best of the best.

Goaltenders donned huge, heavy equipment that got heavier as games wore on and they retained moisture. The weight of the equipment wore them down, which made the butterfly style challenging. Most goalies were of the stand-up variety. The reduction in weight had a greater impact than increased equipment size. Lighter equipment led to improved mobility and the butterfly style easier to develop, leading to more technically sound goalies. Modern era goalies are down fast and back up with greater ease than the netminders in the past.

Players equipment followed the blueprint becoming lighter, but bigger. Shoulder pads made of lightweight plastics look and feel like armor. Faster, better skating forwards and defenseman with better equipment added an element of fearlessness into their game.

Towards the late seventies, a generational breakout of kids participating in organized leagues, expanded developmental junior leagues, along with teams within those structures. Kid's involvement in the game, peaked at a time European talent began to flow into the NHL. Teams were not only getting better quality players, they enjoyed a multitude of sources. This factored in on NHL expansion in the early nineties, discussed below.

With the choice now available to NHL teams, competition for a roster spot spawned a new innovation. One not readily available to the farm boys.

The hockey school.

Specializing in teaching fundamental skills such as power skating and goaltending, kids learned basics at an earlier stage of development. Schools provided a guided boost developing skills at a more rapid pace. Kids enrolled in goalie schools became better skilled, with lighter equipment and improved technical positioning. Players engaged in power skating school, became faster, better balanced – making the blades second nature – with lighter armor-like equipment.

Advanced skill levels, alone, did not factor directly into the trap. A peripheral component aided in the creation of the system.

Fighting.

Franchises could not risk their star players being hurt fighting, which reduced the amount of willing fighters in the league. In the protection of assets, emerged the role of enforcer. Fighting was reduced to the equivalent of a circus-side event, with a defined set of combatants, left in the game as an attraction to the fan, but too barbaric – and risky for franchise assets – for the continuation of previous participation. In the old NHL the slightest sneer sparked a bench brawl. Tough players were able to handle themselves with fists. The repercussion for a high stick, an errant elbow or low hit, was a face full of leather and maybe a few broken teeth. How many times do you smile when you see old footage of Don Cherry flailing his arms for the bench to empty? With players developing into the most talented crop, a new role emerged affected by a rule change. The bench brawl was abolished, with stiff fines and penalties given to troublemakers. The instigator penalty filtered its way down to individual scuffles. Suddenly, a menacing look did not receive an invitation to tussle.

A lax attitude towards retaliatory fighting majors empowered players to use the stick as an element of interference. The stick, meant to handle the puck, is not to be used on any other player. Nowhere within the rulebook is stick-work pardoned.

Players peaked with talent and offensive creativity, fighting was reduced to the role of enforcer, and the appeal of the game to an increased audience led to league decisions on expansion. More teams meant more players, thinning the talent pool league-wide, with less gifted players. This gave birth to the 'utility' player, third and fourth liners with basic duties, and a regular shift, existing due to a display of character, not skill. But, still playing a sport for a decent income.

To remain competitive, it took more than having good assets. It meant a paradigm shift into the defensive system that threatened the evolution of the game. The trap was the inevitable culmination of advanced skills, with reduced fisticuffs, in a league thin with talent. Stacking a team with talented assets also meant opening up the wallet, creating skyrocketing salaries and the eventual lockout. If talent was not at the disposal of franchises, then there was also another option.

The neutral zone trap – once labeled 'defensive hockey' – was an option for teams that did not have the available offensive talent. As the game developed and players got bigger and better, implementing variations to the trap became easier for coaches to teach, in particular stifling the opposition, shutting them down in the neutral zone. One cannot teach offense. That is a component of creativity, an influence of innate talent. The use of sticks, clutching and grabbing as well as other tactics that stifled offensive creativity had to be removed from the game. As boring as the trap was, its effectiveness was paramount. Owners weren't overheard saying, 'gee, that sure is a boring game,' while counting profits from playoff games.

To accommodate the bigger, swifter game, an unlikely option was to increase the ice surface area, opening up lanes for skaters. How could one justify to owners to take out the required seating (the expensive seats), to accommodate the expanded playing surface?

We are now witnessing a changing of the guard where old faces will drop off. Some aren't built for the new NHL and have retired – Brett Hull, Vincent Damphousse, Luc Robitaille – while others – Brendan Shanahan, Joe Nieuwendyk, Rod Brind'Amour – are still functioning at the pace and style of the game.

Surviving.

Sometimes, evolution needs a nudge. Changes to the rules had to be implemented to retain the purity of offensive talent, built on speed and creativity. The inaugural season was successful, spelling out a good chance that the NHL will stay the course and call games as they did last season. What the future holds could be determined by how chapter two plays out in 2006-'07.

You Have Questions; Good, We Have Answers (posted 8.24.06)

by Gus Katsaros

Studying yet? Why not? I know why, you're waiting for the McKeen's Annual Hockey Yearbook to hit the stands. It won't be much longer, but there is a lot of work to do. Many questions will arise, before and after the initial regular season draft.

You have questions, we have the answers. To start, here are some of the bigger questions going into the draft.

Dominik Hasek

Funny how life works. In '01-2 as the Detroit Red Wings were proceeding to win their third Stanley Cup in six seasons, Manny Legace played backup to the Dominator. In the '06-7 season, Hasek fills the void created by management's decision to let Legace walk.

Chris Osgood was the Red Wings goalie in '00-1, and played for the Islanders the following season while his replacement, Hasek, went on to win the Stanley Cup as his replacement. In '06-7, Hasek may be backing up the goalie he first replaced in Hockeytown.

Some names from the '01-2 Cup-winning squad remain on the current Wings roster, but the situation in Motown is not the same. At that time, the Red Wings were contenders. Clear contenders, amassing 116 points. This is not your older brother's 'Big Red Machine.' Five players from that roster are no longer in the NHL (Yzerman, Hull, Larionov, Robitaille, and Steve Duchesne) while Sergei Federov has been long dealt and Shanahan is now a Ranger.

Hasek, who will turn 41 next season, still maintains that he could play at the elite, NHL level. Last season with an explosive Ottawa squad, he managed to gather 28 wins and 5 shutouts, in 43 games as the go-to goalie. In Detroit, he may not have the same opportunity to duplicate, or even beat those numbers. Having the Blackhawks, Blue Jackets, and Blues to beat up on in the Central Division will help out his totals, but he could very well split the majority of games with Osgood.

Hasek is the biggest question mark of the upcoming season. Fantasy leaguers may drool at the possibility. While they are drooling, look to make a better selection. Once they are fed up with his performances, or lack thereof, (Osgood could very well be starting more games this season as they share duties) he could be picked up in a minor trade, or off the waiver wire.

Saku Koivu

"When I look in a straight line, everything is fine," he tells La Presse. "But when I look side-to-side... it's a bit of a problem." (Courtesy of AP as appears on TSN)

Yikes!

Is this really the player that you want on your fantasy roster? The easy answer is, well, maybe. He is still captain of Les Habitants, and that alone makes him special, but doesn't justify an early draft position. He's also the same player that went into a 23 games goal-scoring funk last season. Fortunately, he made up for his lacking in goals totals, with 15 assists, in that same span. There is no questioning his leadership skills, but those don't win fantasy leagues.

With impaired vision, does his passing ability suffer along with that? Will he be relegated to being a perimeter player? If he ends up scoring less and can't react to peripheral plays, could his totals suffer? You bet.

Be weary when picking Koivu. No stranger to adversity or injuries, he could miss the early part of the season. Let someone else worry about his health and effectiveness.

Martin Havlat

When the reigns belonged to Jacques Martin's defensive system in Ottawa, one player was given the green light to free wheel around the rink. No, not Alfredsson. Not Marian Hossa. Martin Havlat learned a lot about playing within a structured defensive system, but his skill-set demanded he be part of an explosive offense. In Round One of the '05-6 playoffs, he demonstrated what he could do in a freewheeling NHL. As the Senators playoff lives diminished with each passing game against the Sabres in Round Two, so did Havlat's ice-time and dwindling numbers.

So what's different in Chicago? For one, he won't have the support talent he had in Ottawa. This can be a plus. It was a support cast because Havlat is the kind of player that can carry offense on his own. He has the potential to be a 90-point and perhaps a 100-point scorer. When was the last time the Blackhawks had that? Jeremy Roenick in '93-4, with 107 points, 46 of them goals.

The coaching staff will have to build a support cast and will try various options. Havlat has that Ovechkin-type ability to single handedly dominate any game given the ice time and the green light. Focus of the Hawks offense will be around Havlat, after having traded Mark Bell and Kyle Calder. Will he score 90 points this coming season? If Chicago allows him the mobility and he stays healthy, he very well could.

Josef Vasicek

Many may overlook Vasicek due to the numbers from last season. He did however suffer a knee injury in November that forced him to miss a considerable amount of the season. Then he ran into a winning lineup in the post-season that he couldn't crack until Doug Weight hurt his shoulder in the Finals.

He will have an opportunity to play with Jason Arnott or Paul Kariya and can produce bigger than expected numbers over the course of the season. His size will be welcomed on the smallish Predator forwards as will be free agent addition Arnott.

If you're looking at sleeper picks, this is the one guy who should be included on that list. He may not put up all-star numbers, but his production is very tempting.

Season Preview

Stay tuned for a season preview, with a detailed breakdown of the teams and influences that can determine the fate of NHL clubs this season.

Yearbooks, Nolan and Golf (posted 8.21.06)

by Gus Katsaros

Why You Will Win your Fantasy League

Visiting mckeenshockey.com, you've realized the importance of doing homework prior to a draft. You've realized the informative and necessary information contained within the pages of the McKeen's Annual Hockey Yearbook. Its worked in the past, it will do so again. Many sources for information exist, with the Internet and other publications, but there is something special about the Annual Yearbook that keeps readers coming back. The magazine inspired me to write for McKeen's.

A quality look at the breakdown of teams is more important now than in past seasons. The new cap era of the NHL ensures player movement similar to that of the past two off-seasons. Lineups from the previous season may change significantly during the off-season with unrestricted free agent signings and trades to make room for potential signings and to get a return for assets with value. Martin Havlat traded to Chicago is a prime example of that.

Keeper leagues will require even more attention. Some selections could be no-brainers. Alexander Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby are examples. What about Eric Staal? Jonathan Cheechoo? Both of those players have stability on their respective clubs to be considered keepers. Alexander Frolov? The loss of Demitra will have a significant impact on his production. Or will it?

Keeping up to date is one thing as fantasy leaguers watch everything unfold. Analysis and potential impact is more important now than any point in the history of the NHL and fantasy. This is where the Yearbook plays perfectly in the hands of the informed fantasy participant. Advanced copies are currently available and hitting newsstands after August 28.

Owen: The Other Nolan

Much like his namesake and new Islanders coach, Ted, Owen Nolan will be returning to the NHL next season. After a long and arduous grievance filed against the Toronto Maple Leafs in a salary dispute, the 34-yr old will be plying his trade with the Phoenix Coyotes, providing a distinct brand of leadership, Nolan style. The Desert Dogs will have another veteran that they can rely upon. The former Canadian Gold Medallist hasn't played a game since the 2003-'04 season scoring 19 goals and 48 points in 65 games. There is no reason to think that he would not be capable of returning to the 30-goal 80-point range this season, although health is always an issue. Nolan is a player that should go within the 'third shot.' (see below) Many will overestimate his value, particularly if his health problems resurface. He has not played under the scrutiny of the new NHL and could be in for a rough start. He has the speed and the offensive touch to be a capable producer, while his rugged style may be a detriment as he gets used to the new rules. A breaking in period is due, but overall his season totals look promising. He has trimmed down in off-season conditioning and his surgically repaired knee is not a problem.

Watch for his performance in the pre-season, and look for regular season totals of 25 goals and 60 points.

Fantasy Drafts Are Like Golf

Maybe it's the summer influence but with golf still on my brain, it only seemed fitting to associate the process of the initial fantasy draft with a par four on the golf course.

First Shot – Driver

The first shot is strictly to put the ball into play. A good drive sets the tone for approach shots to the hole. This is comparable to the first few rounds of the draft, where the stars and guaranteed point producers are chosen. A drive down the middle is like taking a proven player, known for his production. Shank it, and it's a lot of recovery. Trying too hard to kill the ball off the tee can land a golfer in some unsavory positions for their second shot. This is like taking a player with potential to earn star points, but taken too early in the draft for their level of production. Drafters must try to get as much stable production possible in these early rounds, just like a good drive down the pipe.

Factors affecting ball flight are conditions in which the golfer does not have control. Wind, (injuries) sudden rainy conditions (personal reasons, suspensions, etc items that keep your drafted player out of the lineup) can effect the production of these players. Keep your eye on the main objective of these early rounds. Experimentation with a golf shot is for the range, not on the course. Fantasy drafting should maintain the same approach.

Second Shot - Most important shot on the hole

After a tee shot, this is the most important shot of the hole. A good drive sets up an attempt for birdie. A less than stellar drive makes this a recovery shot to get back on the right track. It could also lead to a bogey or (gulp) worse. Creativity is key, with an outlook for stability.

Look for a steady producing player with constant production in the draft rounds after star players are chosen. An aggressive attack at the pin is like taking a player that receives plenty of ice-time, powerplay time and generates scoring opportunities. This stage is where the most important picks are made. All drafters will have a star or legitimate producer(s) after the first few rounds. In this round, taking a chance with some players can be like attacking the pin, and not making the appropriate shot. Too many players that are potential producers, but in the end busts, can lose a fantasy team their first place finish in leagues. Take the player that will give your roster a steady base of production and a foray into riskier picks could be made in later rounds.

Third Shot - getting it close to the pin

Having made a perfect shot and landing on the green, take the time to evaluate its many different conditions. Does it slope? Right or left, up or down? Haw far away from the cup? These decisions are crucial and can be the difference between a one-under par birdie, or par for the hole.

This is the spot where some of the riskier picks could be made. Many players that are in this tier get picked too early in the draft. The derivative of this is that some players that should have already been picked are undrafted and still available. One can take a greater risk in this frame, knowing that players in the higher frame will make up for any shortfall of these players. If a gem surfaces from this spot, that can only be an added bonus. This is the round that drafters can make their sleeper picks, barring anyone else having their eye on those specific players. Research is crucial for this round. Should there be no great sleeper prospects in these later rounds, then stay the same course and make safe picks, like a safe shot to the green. A couple of gems, however, and you're laughing to Fantasy heaven!

Fourth Shot - Getting it in the hole

Missed the birdie putt? It's all right. Par is still a good possibility. If the hole was played properly, par should be an easy tap-in or a gimme. All that matters at this point is getting the ball in the hole and finishing off.

At this stage of the draft anyone of significance has been drafted! It's a wonder that there may be any players left even worthy of drafting. Sleeper picks should be used here, if available. Once again, if the risk in drafting a player in this tier is worth the reward, make the selection. Here, drafters rely on some luck or shrewd picks based on their preparation for their respective drafts.

New Impacts from Free Agents (posted 7.20.06)

by Gus Katsaros

While free agents signings are in the limelight, within the shadows lurk reapers of the additions. One needs a map to follow the movement. This will become the norm in the NHL off-season. Many of the best players will have a big impact on their teams, some with scoring production and others with character and other intangibles. Sometimes an addition to a team can alter its philosophy. A coaching change could have a similar impact.

With that in mind, here are some of the stories to look for in the 2006-'07 season.

Roberto Luongo

The Canucks defense will realize that they will be able to be more mobile with Luongo minding the cage. Similar to what Dominik Hasek did in Ottawa, Luongo allows the squad in front, better mobility and quicker transition. Vancouver will be in deep for scoring after trading away Todd Bertuzzi and losing Anson Carter – safe to say he won't return. A scoring hero or consistent producer will need to emerge. They can improve the system they play to take better advantage of more offensive opportunities. Greater mobility is an asset as shown by the playoff runs of the Sabres and Oilers.

A far stretch is an improved penalty-killing unit. Penalty-killing forwards are collapsing down low blocking shots and getting in the way of shooting lanes. With better goaltending, more confidence in the goaltender, checkers could recover the free ice given to point men with aggressive checking. Applying more pressure on the points gets in shooting lanes and reduces shots through to the net. Aggressive penalty killing will lead to turnovers that could lead to more goals. The Canucks could use offense from all sources. Having a goaltender that allows for the creation of offense is a bonus the Canucks may not have fathomed.

Eric Lindros

The Maple Leafs should never have let Lindros walk away. No knock on Michael Peca, but for the role of third line center, Lindros at $1.5-million makes more sense in a tight cap environment, with more offensive potential. Pushed into a higher role after Mats Sundin went down with a broken orbital bone, he responded with eight goals and four assists in twelve games, including a seven game points streak (7 7-1-8). After Sundin came back, he lost his starring role and resumed his third line duties, a role originally assigned to him in Toronto.

Lindros may not be the offensive threat he was in the past, but he is still a presence. Regardless of whether he scores, or shows up every night, the opposition must remain mindful of this presence. In the lineup, he is a threat. If he gets on a roll in Dallas he could return to the 60-70 point range. Perhaps higher. The opposition, due to his presence, may check Lindros and linemates heavily. Their production can possibly decrease, which won't cut it for the role of a second line center. Making the most of this opportunity he could become a bona fide second line center. Be mindful of his linemates. Their production will be hinged on his effectiveness.

Of course, this is all contingent on Lindros remaining healthy. Hard to think that a severed tendon could be a good sign. As long as it wasn't a concussion, everything else is minor. Last season it was a tendon in his wrist that kept him out of the lineup. Dallas may have signed a gem, for $1.55-million. An image that could come back to haunt the Maple Leafs.

Alex Tanguay

Jarome Iginla finally has someone capable of offense, but even more so, a guy that can keep up with his speed. Not that Langkow is slow, but Tanguay can execute at top speed, much like Iginla's in-motion wrist shot. This pairing could be the deadliest combo in the NHL and will be relied upon to score on the goal-starved Flames, to remain a threat every night. This pushes Daymond Langkow to the second line center role. At five-eleven, 190 pounds, he might find it a more comfortable fit for the Flames. Offense is thin in Calgary, and cost them a first round playoff exit. Spreading the creativity around is a good option.

New coach Jim Playfair will have to open up the offense to succeed. Darryl Sutter imprinted defense to the Flames who are not about to lessen up because of a coaching change. Playfair will have to tweak it a bit. Tanguay gives him the option to implement new elements to increase offense. Kiprusoff, similar to Luongo, can allow a higher tempo game, mindful of the defensive system worked at by Sutter.

Jeff O'Neill

Jeff O'Neill will benefit most along the Leafs roster, being familiar with Paul Maurice. Coach Maurice is already aware of O'Neill's capabilities, as well as occasional nights off, having coached him in Carolina. It's Maurice's job to keep his player motivated and happy, and its O'Neill's job to produce. This will be a mutually beneficial relationship between them, with scales tipping to the side of Maurice rewarding his player with ice time as long as he produces.

Maurice will give him prime ice time, with a top center, like Sundin. He clicked well with Alex Steen and Matt Stajan for a stretch after returning from press box banishment in March. Dismal defense sent him to the press box on more than one occasion. That was before Allison went down. Things seemed to change for the Leafs after his injury and they played what could be considered an 'up-tempo' style, which O'Neill contributed more offensively and was more involved in games. Keep that 'up-tempo' phrase handy. Coach Maurice used it to describe his vision of the Leafs next season. That could only bode well for O'Neill.

Joffrey Lupul

He will become a fixture on the second line with Jarrett Stoll and Raffi Torres, essentially taking over Sergei Samsonov's old spot. He has the potential for thirty goals, and 35-40 could also happen with regular ice. Six-foot-one Lupul will need to tone down on shenanigans that land him into penalty trouble. A gifted scorer and playmaker, he will thrive with the Oilers, lifting his totals to see his first 30-goal season. Jarret Stoll could find himself surrounded by two bruising 30-goal/60-point wingers, Lupul and Raffi Torres.

No longer a rookie, he will be relied upon to be a vital component of the Oilers offense. He will also, unfairly be compared to what Chris Pronger 'would have' brought to Edmonton. His physical game will mesh with Raffi Torres, while his speed and intensity fits in perfect with the aggressive forechecking style, the trademark of the Oilers.

Ed Jovanovski

Found the desire to play for Wayne Gretzky too overwhelming, to become the Desert Dogs number one defender. Phoenix acquired Nick Boynton earlier from Boston. Derek Morris and upstart Keith Ballard to boast a mobile defense, almost custom built for what Jovo-cop brings to the hockey club.

Jovanovski battled through injuries missing 27 games (abdominal surgery) but returned for five games in April scoring twice and adding three helpers. His injuries forced him to miss the Olympics and a major reason that the Canucks exclusion from the playoffs. The tough defender will find room to lead the rush and quarterback the powerplay, much like in Vancouver, but with one differentiation. The Naslund/Bertuzzi combination that helped the powerplay is not duplicated in the Phoenix lineup. Given his natural abilities and smooth skating, he may tend to overplay and get caught. He won't have the same offensive support so his numbers may dip.

He could also start slow, similar to Sergei Gonchar only not to the same detrimental extent. Look for a slow start initially while there is an adjustment to new Phoenix's style and teammates. Once acclimatized, he could skyrocket. Watch for streaky scoring.

What Spiderman Can Teach the NHL (posted 7.16.06)

by Gus Katsaros

With great power, comes great responsibility.

Words of wisdom from the Friendly Neighborhood Spiderman, which should be adapted to the NHL. Interchange power with parity, and the new catch phrase is NHL-ready.

Parity means the spreading of talent over more franchises to remain competitive. Given the effort of some General Managers so far in the off-season, as well as the previous summer, parity could be costly.

The salary cap era meant a stable market value according to skill set. If a few GM's overpriced available talent to the detriment of their franchises, did it really matter? They are only hurting themselves, and their club's chances of success.

On the surface that is possible. In reality, a ripple effect is created in salaries, which factored into the original lockout. Chicago's three-year/$18-million deal for Havlat was parallel to Minnesota forward Marian Gaborik's deal at three-year/$19-million. The practice is eerily reminiscent of the pre-lockout NHL, where some players waited for others to sign their deals and establish market value. Both players have 50-goal potential and are priced in that range.

The Flyers must be cringing at those numbers, which will have a serious impact on another young gun, further hindering their ability to sign restricted free agent Simon Gagne.

GM's like Ottawa's John Muckler who shed a potential $6-million salary before it hit the books, recognized this type of cleansing would flow through hockey clubs in waves. His Senators were caught in that situation, where he would lose a potential asset, but still come out with a $6-million opening in cap space. Parity is hinged on cap space availability.

When teams can no longer afford to keep their assets, and have used a great portion of their potential, just like a stockbroker sells an asset to lock in the gain, will have unload them in a trade to get some value, or attempt to re-sign them when players are no longer bound by restricted status.

Clubs are highly reluctant to accept some hefty contracts – unless the temptation is irresistible, ala Chris Pronger. The Devils are finding it difficult to move Alex Mogilny ($3.5-million), Vladimir Malakhov ($3.6-million) or both. Who would accept Mats Sundin at $7.6-million? Perhaps Bryan McCabe's $5.75-million salary will be a similar elephant in a few years.

Teams that handcuffed themselves last season are struggling now to generate a competitive roster. This is how parity breaks down in the NHL.

The Philadelphia Flyers spent close to the maximum last season on players fit for the old NHL only to find the game had changed. Now they are stuck with contracts like Derian Hatcher's ($3-million plus) for another three seasons. Mike Rathje will patrol the Flyers blueline for another four years, barring a trade. Peter Forsberg was in and out of the lineup and a slow immobile defense had the cohesion of oil and water. The overall performance of their signings last season, relative to salaries and lengths of the contracts turned these free agents from assets to liabilities. It is difficult to move them and free cap space. The efforts have handcuffed the franchise to the point where they may not be able to sign Simon Gagne.

The Tampa Bay Lightning signed monster long-term deals with Martin St Louis for six years ($6-million) and Vincent Lecavalier four years ($7.2-million). St Louis underachieved coming off a career year, but his production may have leveled off. Suddenly, he wasn't a $6-million player. An important cog in the Stanley Cup run, he is virtually untradeable now. They repeated this practice with Brad Richards, signing the restricted free agent to a monster long-term contract. To secure the services of three young stars they traded Fredrik Modin to Columbus for goaltender Marc Denis. The defense will be thin – as will be the supporting cast at forward – drastically changed with the loss of Pavel Kubina and trading of Darryl Sydor to Dallas. Suddenly the Stanley Cup Champs, one year removed may struggle to make the playoffs.

Toronto may have overpaid for the services of Czech native Pavel Kubina. A zealous effort to sign their targeted free agents before they were shut out. They handcuffed themselves last season. The organization guessed incorrectly in their strategy, including maintaining Ed Belfour, signing Tie Domi – only to release him in June – and perhaps even McCabe and Sundin to free up room to rebuild after the contender tag fizzled. They guessed some players would play for less than market value for the honor of wearing the Maple Leaf. This season they roared out of the gate to snatch their second defensive pairings early. Mats Sundin will make $7.6-million this season, which reduces to $3.8-million next season. This opens up some more cap space, which could only enhance the Leaf lineup.

The Chicago Blackhawks found Nikolai Khabibulin difficult to unload at the trade deadline. Teams showed interest in the goaltender's talent and skill, although horrified of the massive $6.75-million contract, which still has three seasons remaining. He looked less than stellar when the season began and battled injuries all season long. Adrian Aucoin signed a four-year/$16-million. Again, injuries played a role last season in the success of the Hawks and Aucoin was lost to them by January with shoulder surgery. Not able to lure any free agents in this off-season (other than Patrick Lalime) GM Dave Tallon returned to trade deadline dance partner John Muckler to pry Martin Havlat from the Senators in a three-way deal.

Boston added Alexei Zhamnov and Brian Leetch at high-end contracts, and both were hurt last season. Zhamnov's season was over after breaking an ankle January 7, against the Lightning. His $4.1-million salary now eats up valuable cap space. They shed the salaries of Joe Thornton and Sergei Samsonov, only to sign Zdeno Chara ($7.5-million/5-yrs) and Marc Savard ($5-million/4-yrs) at somewhat inflated values. The Bruins have now added $12.5-million between two players who in four or five years may not have the same impact, while the organization is still burdened with a massive contract. Trading them away will be difficult.

New Jersey is looking at the possible loss of either Scott Gomez or Brian Gionta. They are desperately trying to move Alexander Mogilny who was banished to the minors to free up cap space. But Lamariello decided to hand out a seven-year $42-million contract to keep Patrik Elias a Devil. He also adds Colin White to that time frame, with a six-year $18-million deal. One would have figured that they would have learned from the Alexei Yashin signing that contract length could be a detriment.

Some players may have received a higher contract as goodwill, such as Rob Blake and his two-year/$12-million deal with the Kings. He is a draw, but is not necessarily a $6-million defenseman. Mark Parrish signed a five-year contract for $10-million in Minnesota, who despite being labeled as 'frugal' in the past, opened up the vault to enhance their scoring. GM Doug Risebrough has done a decent job with that organization, despite missing out on the post-season. Future-wise, however, they have a competitive team.

This is increased parity across the whole system. More player movement means more competitive franchises season to season. It also could mean a return to the salary increases that saw the initial lockout, should GM's overprice various players. General Managers had a full season to learn how the cap works. This year, some franchises find themselves living with the mistakes that they made last season. Should the unthinkable happen, such as a cap decrease, which is likely, GM's will be caught once again trying to resurrect their clubs. How they will do that is still a mysterious variable.

With great power, comes great responsibility.

The NHL should look to Spiderman and tweak the catch phrase.

With great Parity, comes great responsibility.

Fantasy Hockey Impact at the Draft (posted 6.27.06)

by Gus Katsaros

Free Agent Frenzy

Welcome to the new NHL off-season. When did it get all so complicated? The new salary cap era has ensured a plethora of eligible players willing to ply their trade in other surroundings. In the past, potential UFA's featured a few solid gems, with scattered second tier players. Rosters were set with signed players while General Managers shopped the market for the last piece of the puzzle, a goal-scorer, perhaps a power winger. At the onset of free agency, specially designed to minimize maverick GM's throwing money around to fill their rosters, GM's did a slight revert to their old levels of offering players contracts perhaps above expectations. The penalty for overspending on talent, is the loss of valuable cap space, a harsh lesson General Managers around the league found out the hard way.

Last season featured a return to business with many GM's caught flat-footed. After a season of practical application in the cap era, organizations were better prepared for the possibilities offered on the open market. This year, on July First, GM's signed 30 deals, unprecedented in the NHL. Some GM's won, others needed to fill a need for the roster spot and may have overestimated the market. Is Pavel Kubina worth $5-million a season? How about Marc Savard at the same salary? Zdeno Chara, the second highest paid defenseman in the NHL?

Many questions are still left for the off-season, including a list of Restricted Free Agents. (For an example of options with restricted free agents and salary arbitration, see the New Jersey Devils below.) A clearer picture of the rosters from a Fantasy perspective will be available closer to training camp, another reason to check out the Annual Hockey Pools Magazine.

Stealing Thunder

Making headlines and stealing the thunder from the free agent market for the second year in a row is the trading of defenceman Chris Pronger after requesting to be traded from Stanley Cup Finalists, the Edmonton Oilers. Before last season the Oilers traded Eric Brewer, Jeff Woywitka and Doug Lynch to the Blues, in exchange for the six-foot-six rearguard and promptly signed him to a five-year deal worth an attractive $6.25-million per season, relative to the market (Chara got $7.5 million per season). Pronger goes to the Anaheim Ducks, who with this addition should re-attach the moniker of 'Mighty.'

A solid group on defence, already boasting the talented Scott Niedermayer has become even mightier. There could potentially be a Norris Trophy winner on the ice for the entire game. If one doesn't get you, the other does. Odd man out is the talented Francois Beauchemin who could be used to fetch a scoring forward to replace the loss of Joffrey Lupul in the deal back to the Oilers.

They gave up a good portion of their future, as well as a roster player. In return they added the touted best defenseman in the NHL.

The Oilers also received prospect Ladislav Smid a 2007 First round draft pick, a conditional 2008 First round draft pick and a 2008 Second round draft pick.

Notable Available Free Agents

Eric Desjardins is still available for a team that might need a veteran presence. He missed eight games early in the season with a concussion and then dislocated his shoulder and went on to miss another 28 games. Fourteen of his 24 points came in 18 games prior to being injured. He was able to keep up with the faster paced NHL and can still be a useful addition to a team. Watch where he ends up.

Anson Carter is a name being kicked around Toronto with mutual interest in signing the former Canuck. Carter lit it up last season, playing alongside the Sedin Twins on the West Coast. Another trade request involved the Leafs in the form of Gary Roberts asking to go back to hockey's Mecca. He has stated that he will return to Toronto, either as a member of the Leafs, or to retire. Not only does this handcuff Florida GM Mike Keenan, it also suggests that it is not simply his daughter that might be the reason. Roberts has many business interests in the greater Toronto area. He could also look out for those interests if he returned to the Leafs.

Brendan Shanahan is still looking to sign a deal with the Maple Leafs, Bruins and St Louis Blues mentioned as front-runners for his services.

Peter Bondra has not retired, but was suggested by Atlanta GM Don Waddell that he may be going that route.

Team Movement

Toronto Maple Leafs

Additions: Bryan McCabe Five yrs/$5.75-million; Pavel Kubina Four yrs/$20-million; Hall Gill Three yrs/$6.3-million

Impact: As I write this in a Toronto establishment, out on the street is a mess of people and cars in a sea of Italian flags and Azzuri blue, celebrating the win over Germany in the World Cup semi-finals. Fans, friends, countrymen are having a phenomenal time. The party is confined to a specific section of Toronto known as Little Italy. My wandering mind could only imagine what the city would be like, should the Maple Leafs bring home the Stanley Cup. The bedlam outside my window will seem like a tea party compared to a Leafs Stanley Cup celebration. Over the weekend, the Leafs took the first step towards ending the 40th anniversary of drought.

The Leafs made an early splash and an astronomical upgrade from last season's defense. They added a second layer to the Kaberle/McCabe pairing in Czech native, Pavel Kubina and Boston castoff, Hal Gill. Kubina proved his versatility in the Lightning Stanley Cup run of '03-04 and continued the playoff performance in a good showing against the Senators in the first round. Partnered with six-foot-seven Hal Gill, recipient of the heralded kick in the gonads last season by Ottawa's Martin Havlat, they round out a solid group of four, allowing younger Leafs, Ian White, Jay Harrison, Carlo Colaiacovo, Staffan Kronwall and Andy Wozniewski, to win remaining spots. The Leafs were clearly hurting defensively last season. The Bergs and the Khavanovs have been jettisoned, and their replacements show more promise. One has to wonder whether bringing in Kubina is a move to appease disgruntled Kaberle after signing for less then market value earlier in the season, to ensure staying in Toronto, only to see the club attempt to trade him prior to the deal kicking in July first.

Boston Bruins

Additions: Zdeno Chara Five yrs/$37.5-million; Marc Savard Four yrs/$20-million

Impact: The Bruins put together a piecemeal team of players and expected to be a force last season. They added Alexei Zhamnov and Brian Leetch, among others to fill out their roster. Then the wall crumbled. Andrew Raycroft did not perform to expectations, eventually replaced by the combination of Hannu Toivonen and Tim Thomas. Then they traded away Joe Thornton and Sergei Samsonov. The approach the organization took, saw a team in shambles after trading Thornton along with a coaching change. This season, new Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli signed Zdeno Chara from his old stomping grounds, Ottawa. He then added Marc Savard, similar to the strategy used by his predecessor.

Last season's 97 points earned Savard a four year deal from the Bruins, who hope to awaken the scoring machine in Glen Murray after the loss of Joe Thornton. Boston's young trio of Bergeron, Sturm and Boyes now has a solid second line in support of the offense. Savard may not get the same amount of powerplay time, and will miss Marian Hossa and Ilya Kovalchuk. This begs the question, is he really worth $5-million per season? The Bruins will find that they signed a 70-point center to a monster contract. They may find it difficult to move him, should the situation arise. The Bruins are still on the books for Alexei Zhamnov's $4.1-million salary, but he might be the one that benefits most from this signing.

Zdeno Chara brings his six-foot-nine frame to police the Boston zone. There is a mixed feeling in regards to this signing. No doubt Chara has become a prime defender in the NHL. Ottawa certainly did a good job developing him, but he did not have the same impact in the playoffs as he did in the regular season. He had a perfect compliment in Ottawa with Chris Phillips. Against the Sabres, evidence supported he had trouble with smallish, speedy forwards. Complimenting his presence, Chara brings along a good pair of hands, which will benefit the Bruins powerplay. While former Senator partner Wade Redden won himself an annual salary of $6.5-million, the jury is still out on whether Chara will be the $7.5-million dollar defenceman from last season, or the bust from the playoffs.

Ottawa Senators

Additions: Martin Gerber Three yrs/$11.1-million; Joe Corvo Four yrs/$10.5-million; Jason Spezza (RFA) Two yrs/$9-million

Impact: Losing Zdeno Chara and Brian Pothier (Washington) to free agency, Senators GM John Muckler brought in Joe Corvo from the Los Angeles Kings. Corvo is known for the offensive side of his game, was considered soft in the defensive zone. Problem child Martin Havlat could be used to bring in defensive help, but his refusal to accept a long-term deal is hurting the Senators as an organization. He is difficult to move because of his bargaining position. He can take the Senators to arbitration, and if he wins the case, he may ride this season into unrestricted free agency in the summer. The Senators took a step back at the onset of free agency, but there is still time to turn the ship around.

New Jersey Devils

Additions: Patrik Elias Seven yrs/$42-million; Jamie Langenbrunner Five yrs/$14-million

Impact: Devils retained the services of Patrik Elias and playoff perennial Jamie Langenbrunner. But seven years for Elias? With a no-movement clause? Talk about handcuffing yourself. Elias is a premiere player, but one would have thought the Devils would have learned from Tampa Bay's Jay Feaster about contractual mistakes. Sweet Lou is still struggling with the newly implemented cap, which is already being eaten up with the salaries of Alexander Mogilny ($3.5-million) and Vladimir Malakhov ($3.6-million). The Devils GM still has to offer restricted free agents Brian Gionta and Scott Gomez new contracts, with less than six million in cap space.

The Devils may invoke a loophole in the current CBA with regards to buying out players. As a rule, clubs are allowed to buy out players prior to the opening of free agency. However, clubs have the option after 48-hours of a salary arbitration settlement to buy out, not only the player in the case, but any player on the roster. Even though the salary may count against the cap, the Devils could shed the necessity to pay the contracts to Mogilny and Malakhov, should they have an arbitration case.

New York Rangers

Additions: Karel Rachunek One yr/$1.8-million; Matt Cullen Four yrs/$11.2-million Martin Straka One yr/$3.1-million; Aaron Ward Two yr/$5-million

Impact: Rachunek, one year removed from the NHL – spent last season with Yaroslavl Lokomotiv – bought himself a one-year window to prove that he can contribute to an NHL club. His role will lean towards the offensive side, while the balance comes in the form of Aaron Ward. Ward showcased his efforts in Carolina's magical cup run and was arguably Carolina's best defenseman in the post-season. He was signed to a multi-year deal with the Blueshirts. Along from the Champion Hurricanes comes center Matt Cullen. He proved that he could put up decent numbers while being defensively reliable. The Rangers, similar to the Leafs needed an upgrade to the defence. Brian Leetch, still looking for a contract is another possibility, but that comes after securing the services of Martin Rucinsky and possibly, Petr Sykora.

Minnesota Wild

Additions: Pavol Demitra (trade from Kings) Mark Parrish (Multi-yr deal); Keith Carney (Multi-yr deal); Kim Johnsson (multi-yr deal)

Impact: Added a much-needed injection to the offense, appeasing calls from Wild fans to open up the offense. The new injection of offense, there is a two-edged sword. Minnesota star Marian Gaborik may end up taking the Wild to arbitration and potentially earn a one-year deal the following season then be eligible to become an unrestricted free agent at season's end. Sources indicate that they are less than $4-million apart from a new deal, after the star forward rejected the last offer from the Wild. Did they open the wallet – and offense – to make it attractive for Gaborik to stay in Minnesota? When Demitra was asked whether friend, Gaborik would sign a new contract, he responded jokingly with, "he better." Another frame of mind may say that it is possible for Gaborik to win his arbitration case and walk away from the Wild at the end of next season. Could the Wild perhaps be trying to maintain an offensive presence in case they lose Gaborik? The deadline for informing the club of a salary arbitration case is on Wednesday and more answers will follow that decision.

Los Angeles Kings

Additions: Rob Blake Two yrs/$12-million; Alyn McCauley Three yrs/$6-million

Impact: Blake returns to the team that drafted him for another two seasons, making him 38 yrs-old at the end of the contract. This is another one of those questionable deals. Is Rob Blake, over the peak of his career worth six million? Over two years, no less? Blake is still an impact player but what purpose does a $6-million salary serve on a team that is still on the cusp of making the playoffs. Perhaps if they were contenders for the Cup, but not in the dynamic of the LA Kings situation. New coach Marc Crawford is familiar with Blake from his days as coach of the Avalanche, but this is not the same Blake, and not the Avalanche of the nineties. There is a place for the addition of what Blake offers, but is the Kings that place? They still have a mystery in goal, as well as a shaky set of forwards. Alyn McCauley, brought in by former Sharks and new Kings GM Dean Lombardi is a set checking center with an offensive imagination, but is that enough? LA will have to look at augmentation of their scoring they lost by trading away Pavol Demitra. As with the St Louis Blues, there is still more work to do in Los Angeles to be considered competitive.

St. Louis Blues

Additions: Jay McKee 4 yrs/$16-million; Doug Weight Two yrs/$7-million; Dan Hinote (multi yr deal); Bill Guerin (contract details);

Impact: It's a wonder how Pavel Kubina won an annual salary of $5-million, while Jay McKee would have provided a similar impact with a $4-million salary. The hero of the surging Sabres, he showed his warrior side, blocking an amazing amount of shots in the playoffs, prior to getting injured and missing Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Finals. McKee joins Eric Brewer to patrol the rebuilding Blues defence.

The Blues have taken over from the Leafs in being the retirement franchise of choice. In addition to locking Doug Weight for two years, they added veteran Bill Guerin who was cut loose by the Dallas Stars. Guerin was hurt for the majority of last season and couldn't find his step in the state of Texas, but should be a decent addition to the Blues. Dan Hinote adds some sandpaper to the lineup. They will not be the doormat of the NHL that they were last season after an ownership change and roster shake-up. Look for the Blues to struggle to make the playoffs and make it a string of missing consecutive post-seasons after going three decades without missing the post-season party.

Edmonton Oilers

Additions: Dwayne Roloson Three yrs/$11-million; Fernando Pisani Four yrs/$10-million: Joffrey Lupul (trade); Marty Reasoner

Impact: The soap opera from Alberta received a better plotline when playoff star Roloson was signed on Day One of eligibility for free agency. Following the momentum of locking up playoff scoring hero Fernando Pisani for four years, the Oilers solidified their goaltending and were better prepared to accept offers for Pronger. Roloson will have to continue the form he showed in the playoff run, in order for the Oilers to make a serious run at a playoff spot next season. Unrestricted free agent Jaroslav Spacek has indicated he will not be returning to Edmonton and Sergei Samsonov is still a question mark, while it is almost a certainty that Michael Peca will sign elsewhere. Kevin Lowe did an admirable job going into last season, with a plan worked to perfection, tweaking the lineup throughout the season. He should have another plan to work for next season now that the circus has left town. Lowe still needs to sign head coach Craig MacTavish to a new contract.

Bye Steve Yzerman

Goodbye Stevie Y. Thank you for all the memories.