Early points race prediction

As the first quarter of the 2007-2008 season comes to a close, its time to make an early, inaccurate, yet educated guess as to who will come out on top in this seasons point race. I will give names and point totals arbitrarily, but I sort of know what I'm saying...I think.

1. Sidney Crosby, 133 Pts
2. Evgeni Malkin, 129 Pts
3. Joe Thornton, 123 Pts
   
4. Dany Heatley, 120 Pts
5. Henrik Zetterberg, 120 Pts
6. Jarome Iginla, 118 Pts
7. Alex Ovechkin, 117 Pts
8. Vincent Lecavalier, 115 Pts
9. Daniel Briere, 113 Pts
10. Ilya Kovalchuk, 112 Pts
11. Jason Spezza, 111 Pts
12. Daniel Alfredsson, 110 Pts
13. Jaromir Jagr, 110 Pts
14. Marian Hossa, 108 Pts
15. Martin St. Louis, 107
16. Paul Kariya, 107 Pts
    
17. Paul Stasny, 107 Pts
18. Marc Savard, 105 Pts
19. Pavel Datsyuk, 104 Pts
20. Daniel Sedin, 104 Pts
21. Patrick Marleau, 100 Pts
22. Joe Sakic, 99 Pts
23. Thomas Vanek, 97 Pts
24. Scott Gomez, 96 Pts
25. Mats Sundin, 95 Pts
26. Eric Staal, 93 Pts
27. Ryan Smyth, 90 Pts
28. Ray Whitney, 89 Pts
    
29. Marian Gaborik, 88 Pts
30. Brad Richards, 84 Pts
31. Daymond Langkow, 83 Pts
    
32. Justin Williams, 83 Pts
33. Michael Nylander, 80 Pts
34. Milian Hejduk, 77 Pts
35. Mike Cammaleri, 74 Pts
36. Rod Brind'Amour, 74 Pts
37. Patrick Kane, 72 Pts
38. Chris Drury, 72 Pts
    
39. Kristian Huselius, 72 Pts
40. Ryan Getzlaf, 71 Pts
41. Rick Nash, 69 Pts
42. Alex Tanguay, 68 Pts
    
43. Jonathan Toews, 67 Pts
44. Jason Blake, 67 Pts
45. Corey Perry, 67 Pts
46. Vaclav Prospal, 67 Pts
47. Nathan Horton, 66 Pts
48. Milan Michalek, 66 Pts
49. Vyacheslav Kozlov, 65 Pts
50. Derek Roy, 65 Pts
    

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How about them sleepers?

Let's revisit my sleeper picks for this season. I'll have to mention that I've been a Leclaire supporter since last season - I had drafted him in the last round as a sleeper. He was up on my list because I believed that if he was healthy Columbus would be more than happy to make him their starter. The rest are iffy (save Khabi, who is Chi's only option anyways) but have definitely proven their potential.

1. Carey Price, MTL - Projected Round - 3/4 to completion
2. Manny Legace, STL - Projected Round - 3/4 to completion
3. Mike Smith, DAL - Projected Round - 2/3 to completion
4. Pascal Leclaire, CLB - Projected Round - Undrafted
5. David Aebischer, PHX - Projected Round - 3/4 to completion
6. Dan Sabourin, PIT - Projected Round - Undrafted
7. Nikolai Khabibulin, CHI - Projected Round - 2/3 to completion
8. Jose Theodore, COL - Projected Round - Undrafted
9. Martin Gerber, OTT - Projected Round - 3/4 to completion
10. Jean-Sebastian Aubin, LA - Projected Round - Undrafted

Pretty pretty good. Those guys are definitely of more value than they were on draft day.

1. Duncan Keith, CHI
2. Carlo Colaiacovo, TOR
3. Mark Streit, MON
4. Brent Seabrook, CHI
5. Ian White, TOR
6. Adrian Aucoin, CGY
7. Niklas Kronvall, DET
8. Fedor Tyutin, NYR
9. Thomas Pock, NYR
10. Cam Barker, CHI

Pretty pretty bad, but then again its really hard to see a defenseman 'break out'. The season is still young.

1. Niklas Backstrom, WSH
2. Lee Stempniak, StL
3. Jiri Hudler, DET
4. Alexander Steen, TOR
5. Drew Strafford, BUF
6. Andrew Ladd, CAR
7. Jonathan Toews, CHI
8. Gilbert Brule, CLB
9. Scottie Upshall, PHI
10. Phil Kessel, BOS

Toews is playing incredibly well. Backstrom is auditioning for biggest bust already. I'm sure he's played well, but where are the headturning plays we expected? Also, keep an eye on Kessel. With Bergeron out, Kessel's offensive presence should increase.

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Keener Kit - Sept 29 2007 Edition

Here are a few names you want to think about as you shuffle your rosters to find those sleepers:

Jonathan Bernier, G, LA
Bernier got a vote of confidence by starting in the Kings season opener vs the Ducks. He has taken and ran with it, and I can't see anyone else within the depth chart taking his starting job away. Get him quick.

Andrew Cogliano, F, EDM
Cogliano has gotten off to a good start and will look to log some good time in his rookie season with the Oilers. On a team with little to provide in the way of offense, he will be called upon to log some big minutes. If all goes to plan, he could put up a surprisingly strong numbers.

Niklas Kronvall, D, DET
The jury is out on Kronvall in terms of his overall potential but you do not want to overlook this guy as he starts to come into his own. The question is whether he is still a season away from playing the role the Wings see him in. Still worth the risk if you're lacking defensive depth.

Bobby Ryan, F, ANH
Is going to step in and play with some talented skaters, no matter where he goes. Once again this is a calculated risk which involves high potential.

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Hockey Equipment

No Time for Inferior Hockey Equipment

I think we've all found ourselves in this position: It's late in the third period. Your team is down a goal and you're on the bad end of a power play with five guys bearing down on your undermanned squad. This is NO TIME to find yourself and your team with inferior Hockey Equipment! What does having the right equipment have to do with having the WINNING outcome when the buzzer sounds? Everything! When you need a total hockey source, look to the ULTIMATE place for hockey, hockeyx.com. These guys are hockey fans, coaches and referees. The best part: they actually play the game! Only players know how properly sharpened Hockey Skates blades feel when they take the ice, or how the right-sized jersey can mean the difference between a rocket shot into the net and a snagged arm that puts the puck in the first row. Walk into a box store at your local strip mall and try to find a salesman with actual playing experience and a true passion for the game. It won't happen! Hockeyx.com knows that getting value for your dollar is important. Because of this, if you find a lower price in one of the "discount" sporting goods stores, they'll match it! As a bonus, when you get Hockey sticks from hockeyx.com, you'll know that the experts are there for any questions you'll have about stick specifications. Same thing for Ice hockey skates. Selection? No problem! In the rare event that they don't have what you're looking for, they will find it. If you place your order by 4:00 CST, they will process that order the same day! Not only will the guys at hockeyx.com help you find the perfect Ice hockey equipment, they also give you tips on how to take care of the stuff you already have, plus repair and service all your hockey equipment.

The future of the game is in the hands of the teachers of the next generation. Having the right tools to train young players can go miles towards developing the stars of tomorrow. Hockeyx.com knows this and takes pride in its wide selection of coaching aids. They have DVDs, books, even ways to reward your players for all their hard work. Referees and officials can find all the apparel and equipment they need to stay safe and make the right call!

If you want the best hockey equipment period from real hockey fanatics, with guaranteed service and a selection second-to-none, don't burn gas driving all over town when you can have it sent directly to your door, hockeyx.com!

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A Little More Fantasy

I've doing a few fantasy drafts and I've noticed a few things.

1. The wingers go fast. If you need to get your wingers, take them before your centers. Many leagues are designed where you need two times as many wingers as you do centers. The fact of the matter is that the majority of scoring forwards play at center (so theyre in the slot), and the wingers are left with much less depth. However, if the franchise wingers go first, you will need to prioritize a bit.

2. Take your goalie in the second round. Unless its Luongo, get your hands on a franchise forward first. The exception is if there is only one franchise goaltender left, whereas there are a few solid forward picks left. If that is the case, lock up the goalie, then have a few options left for a good forward.

3. Watch what other players are lacking, and will be looking for. The casual player doesn't scrutinize what other people are doing. In other words, if everyone after you has their goalies, don't take a goalie. If you need that goalie badly, wait for the next round when it's your turn again.

4. If you're at the end/beginning of rounds, take two different types of players. You want to diversify the picks you make so to get your hands on the players you need in every category. Stocking up on only forwards or defense at a given moment will cause you to have less depth the next round, and you will likely make a 'desperation pick' as I call it. A 'desperation pick' is when you take a player based 100% on his playing position and not on his merit. For example, if you grabbed Fredrik Norrena because you needed a goalie badly when Mats Sundin (or someone in the 70 pt range) was still available.

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Top 10 Fantasy Sleepers for 2007-2008: Goaltenders

1. Carey Price, MTL - Projected Round - 3/4 to completion
2. Manny Legace, STL - Projected Round - 3/4 to completion
3. Mike Smith, DAL - Projected Round - 2/3 to completion
4. Pascal Leclaire, CLB - Projected Round - Undrafted
5. David Aebischer, PHX - Projected Round - 3/4 to completion
6. Dan Sabourin, PIT - Projected Round - Undrafted
7. Nikolai Khabibulin, CHI - Projected Round - 2/3 to completion
8. Jose Theodore, COL - Projected Round - Undrafted
9. Martin Gerber, OTT - Projected Round - 3/4 to completion
10. Jean-Sebastian Aubin, LA - Projected Round - Undrafted

To me, what constitutes a sleeper goaltender is someone who either has never started but has that potential, or is someone on a weak team who could sieze the starter's role. Expect Legace, Leclaire and Khabibulin to grab the No. 1 job for the bulk of games. Price, Smith and Theodore all have potential to steal a number one position, but are in a bad situation to do so. Sabourin and Smith are both goalies who could steal you a few wins if the number one gets injured. Aebisccher is my choice for the man who plays the most games in Phx over LeNeveu, Auld and Telqvist. Theodore and Gerber have both proven their calibre, but need to be traded in order to have any impact. In the case of Aubin playing in LA, he only really has to beat out Cloutier.

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Top 10 Fantasy Sleepers for 2007-2008: Defensemen

1. Duncan Keith, CHI
2. Carlo Colaiacovo, TOR
3. Mark Streit, MON
4. Brent Seabrook, CHI
5. Ian White, TOR
6. Adrian Aucoin, CGY
7. Niklas Kronvall, DET
8. Fedor Tyutin, NYR
9. Thomas Pock, NYR
10. Cam Barker, CHI

The sleepers in this list come in packages: You have Colaiacovo and White rising in stock in Toronto, as well as youngsters Pock and Tyutin being depended on in a NYR setting which involves piles of PP time with an arsenal of offense to work with. Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook and Cam Barker will head a young defensive core with arguably the most potential in the West, if not the NHL. Their mentor of last season, Aucoin, will be moving in to replace Hamrlik's defensive ability in Calgary, where you will see an improvement in +/- and points.

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Just a great commercial

I thought I would share this commercial for those who can't see it on TV due to their region. Features some of the members of last year's Team Canada juniors, including Sam Gagner and Keaton Ellerby.

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Top 10 Fantasy Sleepers for 2007-2008: Forwards

1. Niklas Backstrom, WSH
2. Lee Stempniak, StL
3. Jiri Hudler, DET
4. Alexander Steen, TOR
5. Drew Strafford, BUF
6. Andrew Ladd, CAR
7. Jonathan Toews, CHI
8. Gilbert Brule, CLB
9. Scottie Upshall, PHI
10. Phil Kessel, BOS

I'm not sure if you'd call Steen or Kessel 'sleepers' so to speak, but they're sure to be drafted - and late. Backstrom or Toews will be the first of the rest to go. Backstrom especially will recieve attention from the keeners of the league. Analyze the hockey knowledge of the other players in your league - it will tell you how long you can wait before drafting one of these guys.

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Post-Free Agency Boom: East - Northeast

Northeast
This division has mainly stayed status quo, the biggest change obviously coming out of Buffalo with Drury and Briere packing their bags and heading to the Atlantic. Rumor has it that Briere's agent was never contacted by the Buffalo Sabres in order to negotiate a new deal. The bottom line is that the entire division has more parity, and with the exception of the Senators, each divisional game will be a fight. That's just the reality of the salary cap era.

Boston Bruins:
Looks like another year of development in Beantown. They seem to have adopted the ideology that improvement comes from consistency. At least you can say they'll have consistent goaltending now after signing Manny Fernandez. The matter of fact is that Fernandez will not be able to deliver the Bruins to the playoffs.

Buffalo Sabres:
The Buffalo Sabres certainly didn't make things easier for themselves in losing their two captains, but Kevin Lowe trying to swoop up Vanek for 10 million didn't help their cause either. If they didn't have Ryan Miller its safe to say they wouldn't be making the playoffs. The younger guys will have to step up, and a void of leadership is to be filled. Expect the youngsters to be able to do that. The Sabres will make the playoffs, but with their division still in good shape it will lead to more questions about the management of this offseason.

Montreal Canadiens:
It was the right time for Souray to go. There's no doubt that the Canadiens knew that. Hamrlik and Smolinski will be able to fill some of those gaps but there isn't a doubt in my mind that the team will be struggling to make the playoffs this year.

Ottawa Senators:
The key with the Senators this offseason will deal with the back end. Signing Emery is a priority and they had better hope the offer sheets don't present too high of a price - LA and Phoenix are rumored to have interest. The other deal is in shedding Martin Gerber's salary. They may be able to kill two birds with one stone by satisfying one of the teams looking for a goaltender as well as keeping Emery safe. As far as the overall team, you will expect much of the same. Heatley is in a contract year and will keep his scoring pace. The defensive core will continue to improve, and Redden should be back to his offensive ways. The coaching change isn't a surprise as Murry knows that the style of game the Sens went to this season will be preserved. It won't be a shock of the Sens take the division.

Toronto Maple Leafs:
Two of the nagging concerns this season were goaltending and supporting offence. GM John Fergusson knows very well that MLSE and the fans of Toronto demand the playoffs. And he also knows that he's out the door if he can't deliver. In admitting to his mistake, he signed Vesa Toskala to either take or split the number one job with Andrew Raycroft. Time will tell whether the draft picks surrendered (First 2007, Conditional First, 2nd 2008) were worth it. Jason Blake (40 G in 2006-2007) will wing with Mats and Mark Bell will help fill in the secondary scoring roll that was previously occupied by Jeff O'Neill. The Leafs may make the playoffs for the next few years, but they're pointed in the wrong direction of winning the Stanley Cup in terms of future prospects. Better hope that cap goes up again.

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Post-Free Agency Boom: East - Atlantic

Well, I didn't exactly keep you up to date on the first week of free agency, but that's okay, because I'm sure you wouldn't have stopped here first anyways. However, I will offer you my thoughts on the current progress - who succeeded, failed and stayed at status-quo this July.

Atlantic Division
The Atlantic Division will be the division to watch this year. With Crosby's Penguins coming off an astonishing regular season performance, alongside the Devil's and the retooled Rangers and Flyers, anyone's guess is as good as mine to who is going to win. What is clear is that with the current number of divisional games, the intense competition may leave a talent-filled team with fewer wins than they expected. You can expect four teams from this conference to make the playoffs.

New Jersey Devils:
You've got to think losing Gomez and Rafalski will sting. Rumor has it the Devils have been interested in Souray. You've got to wonder why they would release Rafalski (+4) to the market while going after an arguably less well-rounded, -28 acruing, big bucks seeking Souray. The signing of goaltender Kevin Weekes will give Brodeur a bit more of a rest, while Dainus Zubrus will be responsible for providing secondary scoring as Parise gets bumped to the first line.

New York Islanders:
The beginning of the Islander's free agency splash was a bit of a belly flop. It's now described more like a roller coaster. After cutting ties with their salary-eating captain Yashin; after being unable to ink Smyth only months after he arrived; as well as losing Blake, Poti, Kozlov, Zednik and Hill, it looked like Garth Snow being in charge was fulfilling its prophecy of disaster. But he once again redeemed himself by locking up Guerin, Comrie, Fedetenko and Sim. Although this will soften the blow, it is clear that the net talent of the team has declined. Guerin will be the focus of attention as the aging star will be called upon to fill the leadership void as he already dons the 'C'. Comrie will also be an important piece, arguably having the most upside of the newest signings. But the fact is that the fate of the Islanders may not be in their hands this season. With all four other teams in the division improving on paper and hypothetically from last season, it's clear that the Islanders will have a tough 32 divisional games. If anything, this will sink them to the depths of the Eastern Conference standings.

New York Rangers:
Oh boy. The Rangers may have lost Nylander, but they landed both Drury and Gomez. Their talents will be synergetic alonside the likes of Jaromir Jagr, Martin Straka, Brendan Shanahan and Petr Prucha. They might even have some cap room overall to make a few depth moves. The real question is, where are they all going to fit on the depth chart? Getting both was likely unneccessary, and in my opinion they should have gone for Hannan, Hamrlik, Rafalski or Schneider.

Philadelphia Flyers:
There had been a vibe to the team ever since the departure of Forsberg that the team was ready to turn the page, having learned from their post-lockout mistakes. Dispite losing Pitkanen, the team has vastly improved. Signings of Daniel Briere, Scott Hartnell and Joffrey Lupul add to an already impressive offense, while Timonen and Smith giving a huge upgrade in both offense and defense from the blue line.

Pittsburgh Penguins:
It's safe to say that the Penguins don't need to change much in their roster. Sykora, Sabourn and Sydor will all be key additions, but its safe to say that aside from small changes, their roster is basically set, and well under the salary cap.

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2007 Draft: Who might jump in this season?

We've all heard about how the 2007 NHL draft class was not the deepest in recent history. This may be true, but that's primarily in terms of how soon immediate help can come. I will give you a guy who could, and might step right in:

Angelo Esposito, 1/20, Pittsburgh. As Michel Therrien said 'Good players like playing with good players'. Esposito just had a reality check when he stumbled from ranking first 1st, to 8th, to eventually going 20th. It is notable that Esposito's success came while on a line with Alexander Radulov (Nashville) which earned him a #1 mid-term ranking. When Radulov's training wheels were taken off in Nashville, Esposito soon realized that he may not be the franchise player he and scouts envisioned. But that doesn't matter when you're surrounded by the talent found in Pittsburgh. If Jordan Staal can do it, Esposito can do it. If you're considering drafting Esposito, keep in mind that its better to take a risk on a youngster than to go for a proven veteran with little upside. In other words, if its the last round, don't take Doug Weight. Take Esposito.

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Pilot

Welcome to my blog. This being my first post, I suppose I better tell you a bit about myself.
I'm a Canadian hockey-rabid fan who is slowly becoming involved in the sports industry. I'm interested in Fantasy Sports and am willing to spread my wisdom, as long as there are people willing to listen. This will generally be my area of expertise, but I will cover the many issues of the NHL and everything that revolves around it. Without further ado, I will give you some of my off-season predictions. Stay tuned.

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