Team 30: Calgary Flames
Opinion: Despite possessing some of the best prospects in the leauge,
this Calgary team is very thin at the moment. Their lone bright spot is in goal with Roberto Luongo in net. The Flames
will not have to worry about goaltending for a decade. The forwards are thin up front. Led by Mike Comrie and Alexei Smirnov.
They do not have many established snipers. The defence is equally as poor. With Vitali Vishnevski as their lone top 3 rearguard.
Future: The Flames have some tough years up ahead. But if their gm
can keep this nucleus together they will become a legitament Cup contender.
Team 29: Vancouver Canucks
Opinion: This Canucks team is not to solid up the middle. If Josef
Vasicek is your number 1 center you're in for a struggle. Ryan Smyth is a very good power forward but he can't do it all himself.
He will need considerable contributions from fellow forwards Sergei Brylin and Vladimir Orszagh if the Canucks wish to stay
out of the Western Conference basement. Tom Poti seems to be the only Top defenseman on this team. Jose Theodore is a stud
in goal. But he will not be able to put up all-star numbers with the amount of rubber coming his way.
Future: The Canucks will struggle. Their hopes are pinned on some mid
level prospects that have 50/50 shot of making the NHL.
Team 28: Pittsburgh Penguins
Opinion: The Penguins have an elite forward in Ilya Kovalchuk and not
to much else. Niko Kapanen is a good center but not number one material. Scott Mellanby had a good year but he will be 38
next season. It tails off after that with only the break out year of Jason Blake saving this group of forwards. With Darly
Sydor and Dick Tarnstrom this Pens team does have O from the back end. And with future star Carlo Colaiacovo almost NHL ready
his defence is not in trouble. Kevin Weekes is a question mark in goal. Can duplicate the season he just had?
Future: The Penguins will look to rebuild through the draft. With their
number one priority being at the forward position.
Team 27: Boston Bruins
Opinion: This Boston Bruin team does have some scoring forwards. Hull,
Turgeon, Amonte and Whitney can all put points on the board. But their lack of forward depth is only 1 of their weaknesses.
Their 5th and 6th forwards are an aging vet Steve thomas and checkin winger Nick Sundstrom. Mike Rathje had a breakout
year with 29 points as did Alexander Khavanov with 33. The only other bright spot the Bruins host on D is Jeff Jillson. And
he is still finding his game. Chris Osgood is a solid starting netminder. But can he hold his team in games with the defence in front of him?
Future: Boston does not have any real prospects down on the farm. They
should look to acquire some if they have any shot at a future playoff spot.
Team 26: LA Kings
Opinion: The LA Kings have atleast one star player at every position.
The problem is lack of depth at every position. Jaromir Jagr will not be able to produce his normal point totals with Eric
Belanger as his center. Can the 2nd line of Denis Arkhipov, Matt Cullen and Mark Bell register enough goals to keep this
team afloat? Probably not. Al MacInnis and Brian Leetch are studs on the blueline but time is running out for them. They will
continue to put up points but only for another year or 2. Scott Lachance and Dmitri Bykov are the 3rd and 4th defenseman on
this team and that could cause problems if either MacInnis or Leetch go down. Sean Burke is steady in goal. Sebastien Charpentier
is undersized and should be a career backup.
Future: The Kings have some interesting forward prospects. If
they pan out expect this team to move up the fantasy leauge ranks.
Team 25: Dallas Stars
Opinion: The Stars have a very good 1,2 punch in Joe Nieuwendyk and
Mike Modano. Forwards Brendan Morrow and Martin Havlat add to this teams offensive attack. The back end is what hurts this
team. Lyle Odelein, Robert Svehla and Mathieu Schneider are all older players. While Mathieu Schneider can still gain points
with the best of em he will be 35 next year. Kenny Jonsson could go back to Sweden. That would be a devastating blow
to this team. Dwayne Roloson had a very good year and is solid. But veteran back up Ron Tugnutt's skill is fading and fading
fast. Roloson might not get the rest in between games to stay sharp.
Future: If something is not done about this aging defence the Stars
will be on the outside looking in. More depth in goal should be a top priority too.
Team 24: Buffalo Sabres
Opinion: The Sabres lack a top defenseman and a number 1 goalie. Brad
Richards is a star at forward. Shane Doan is a good complementary winger for him. Eric Cole, David Legwand and Alex Kotalik
is a tolerable 2nd line. Alexei Zhitnik's point totals are dropping so there is some concern there. Alexei Semenov and Jordan
Leopold are great up and commers but it will take time for them to mature. Brent Johnson is not a starting goalie. This team
is weak between the pipes.
Future: Until Kari Lehtonen is ready to take over for Johnson expect
this team to struggle. Once that happens Sabres fans will have a smile on their face when entering HSBC Arena.
Team 23: Detroit Red Wings
Opinion: The defence on this Red Wings team is poor. It is mostly filled
with 4th to 6th blue liners. With Lubomir Visnovsky being the most talented out of the bunch. Detroit should however have
no problems scoring goals. John Leclair, Jerome Iginla, Vincent Damphousse, Victor Kozlov and Freddy Modin will provide the
offence. The Motowners sport 2 back up goalies. Jani Hurme and Manny Fernandez will share the work load in goal. But the combined
efforts of these two might not be enough to get the Wings in the playoffs.
Future: If Detroit can find a top 3 blue liner they may squeak into
the playoffs. As the roster stands now though they're a lottery team.
Team 22: Philadelphia Flyers
Opinion: Scoring goals is not this teams problem. Preventing them is.
Tomas Volkoun is an average starter and will get shelled on a gamely basis. It is not because he is a bad goalie. It is the
defence in front of him. Oleg Tverdosky will run the powerplay but it runs very thin after that. Robyn Regher is a 4th Dman
on most teams. On the Flyers he is their 2nd. Volkoun is goin to get very tired of starring at Kirill Safronov and Mathieu
Dandenault as the teams 2nd pair. Jeff O'Neil, Vinny Prospal, Brian Rolston are all threats up front. With some very solid
2nd and 3rd liners behind them.
Future: Expect Philadelphia to lose more 6-5 games than they with.
If the forwards can light the lamp throughout the season this team could make the playoffs, but don't bet on it.
Team 21: New York Rangers:
Opinion: This Ranger team stinks of averageness. It is not poor at
any position. But it's goaltending, forwards and defenseman will not scare anyone. Martin St. Louis, Michael Nylander, Andrew
Brunnette and Richard Zednik are decent forwards to have on your top 2 lines but nothing to scary. Andy Delmore will pick
up some powerplay points. Marcus Ragnerson, Keith Carney and Steve Poapst are all steady stay at home guys. Jeff Hackett is
an average starter. He should be counted on to play 50-55 games so the team can develop back up Mathieu Garon.
Future: If this team can play solid Hockey it has a chance of making
the playoffs. If injuries creep up expect a lottery pick from for NHL's Bronx New York team.
Team 20: Ottawa Senators
Opinion: With Mario Lemieux the Senators possess
an eilte center. Their number 2 guy, Zhamnov is not bad either. The problem is wingers, or lack there of. Martin Straka is
the only top 6 winger they have. The D doesn't look bad. Lead by point producer Scott Neidermayer. And hip checker Darius
Kasparaitis. Alexander Karpovtsev is a great shoot blocker when healthy. Ottawa has the best back up in the leauge in Manny
Legace and a solid number one in Johan Hedberg. They should split time in between the pipes.
Future: The Sens have some good youngsters coming into the system.
With their solid goaltending this team could make it's way to the post season.
Team 19: Phoenix Coyotes
Opinion: The Coyotes are deep down the middle. Brendan Morrison, Olli
Jokinen and Ron Francis will make sure their winger score. Dany Heatley is a future superstar if he isn't already. Phoenix has
a good backstopper. Jocelyn Thibault is coming into his own at this stage of his career. The problem with the desert dogs
is the blueline. Niclas Havelid is the teams leader on defence and that won't cut it. Craig Rivet and Sean Hill
are good 3rd and 4th men but this defence is not scaring any team.
Future: Phoenix is on the outside looking in until Heatly learns how
to play an all around game. When that occurs they could earn an 8th spot.
Team 18: Carolina Hurricanes
Opinion: The Cannes will be no strangers to scoring goals. Alex Mogilny,
Steve Yzerman are pure goal scorers while Bill Guerin and Dave Andrechuk will clean up the garbage. They better score a ton
because the D is old and slow. Ken Daneyko might retire and Chris Chelios will be 42 next year. Glen Wesley and Bryan Marchment
are both 34+ but they can still contribute in a physical manner. Olaf Kolzig is money in the nets. He might be the X factor
to this teams playoff hopes.
Future: With very little in terms of Dman in the system this team might
fall down in the ranks. If that happens it will be a struggle to see the post season again.
Team 17: Atlanta Thrashers
Opinion: The only question mark for the Thrashers is Tommy Salo. He
has been an averager starter for his whole career. Luckily he plays for this defence. Brian Rafalski and Dan Boyle will gather
the points. Brad and Andrew Ference will dish out the checks. Teppo Numminen is a good 3rd option for the power play. Vinny
Lecavalier came into his own last year. Playin with Jason Allison will only help them both. Dave Scatchard and Robert Reichel
are solid wingers. Yannick Perrault and Tyler Arnason are suitable centers for this team.
Future: Atlanta should be a playoff team. But don't expect anything
else until the goaltending is upgraded.
Team 16: Minnesota Wild
Opinion: There is a huge question mark in goal. Who is the back up? And
is David Aebischer ready to take over for Patrick Roy? If he didn't play with this defence i would say no. The Wild have
arguably the the best top 4 defenders in the fantasy leauge. Sergei Gonchar, Rob Blake, Kim Johnsson and Pavel Kubina are
all capable of 30 points or more. And will all see power play time. Marcus Naslund leads this average forward group. With
Mike Johnson as his sidekick. Tomas Holmstrom and Grant Marshall are good grinders. Young Stephen Weiss will join the top
2 lines in the future.
Future: Minnesota will be in tough to make the playoffs in the Western
Conference. If anything does it will be the rock solid defence but this team might not score enough.
Team 15: Florida Panthers
Opinion: Patrick Lalime proved last season he is one of the NHL's elite
netminders. The Panthers also have a very solid back up in Byron Dafoe. Florida will be solid in goal for years. The
Defence is led by Janne Niinimaa and Barret Jackman. Karl Dykhuis and Rhett Warrener add a physical presence. The forwards
are solid led by veteran center Rod Brind'Amour. Speedy Anson Carter and Todd White will help in the teams search for offence.
Future: Florida has some good prospects that should be in the mix soon.
If they can get some more offensive players they will be set.
Team 14: Washington Capitals
Opinion: The Caps have some dangerous forwards. Daniel Alfredsson,
Brendan Shanahan, Josef Stumpel and Simon Gagne will all give their opponents fits. Add in tough guy George Laraque and the
forwards should be free wheeling. Dan Cloutier is sort of a question mark in goal. If he can't get the job done the experienced
Felix Potvin will get the call. Adrian Aucoin and Jaroslav Spacek will share the power play time. Eric Weinrich and Patrice
Brisebois will add to the bluelines experience. With Denis Gauthier hitting anything in site.
Future: The Caps have a bright future with their current crop of prospects.
If they can add 1 or 2 every year the playoffs will come too.
Team 13: Toronto Maple Leafs
Opinion: The only question the the Leafs is in goal. Marc Denis had
a good year but he got over worked. And with Steve Passmore's future in doubt the Leafs will need another goaltender. Roman
Hamrlik is the power play quaterback Toronto has. He will be backed up by Frantisek Kaberle. The Leafs own two very physical
defenseman in Richard Matvichuk and Brendan Witt. Crossing their blueline will not be fun. Pavol Demitra and Glen Murray are
the go to guys with Andrew Cassels making plays. Mark Messier will lead with experience.
Future: If the goaltending can do it's part the Leafs should make the
playoffs. Look for Roman Hamrlik to rack up the points.
Team 12: San Jose Sharks
Opinion: San Jose will be scoring goals by the boat load. They have
2 very solid centers in Jeremy Roenick and Keith Primeau. Wingers Zigmund Palffy and Eric Daze are also legitimate scoring
threats. Marty Turco proved he is a number 1 goalie. But can he put together a string of solid seasons? The question with
the Sharks is their D. They do not have anyone to run their powerplay and that might cause problems. Philippe Boucher is the
best they have and that won't due. Vladimir Malakhov is not a good second option.
Future: The Sharks will make the playoffs. Their defence might not
be able to take them to the niddle rounds however.
Team 11: Mighty Ducks Of Anaheim
Opinion: There is no question in goal with the Ducks. Dominic Hasek and Nikolai Khabibulin are two studs. If one goes down there isn't a problem. If there was
a question it is with the forwards. Doug Weight, Owen Nolan and Steve Sullivan are the big three for Anaheim but it gets thin
after that. Martin Rucinsky and Ruslan Fedetenko are the 4th and 5th options on this team. Adam Foote is the leader of
the defence with Jiri Fischer throwing checks behind him. Sami Salo will provide some regular strength points.
Future: Expect the playoffs for Walt Disneys based team on their
goaltending alone. Some scoring depth is much needed though.
Team 10: Edmonton Oilers
Opinion: The Oilers have a very solid team throughout. The forwards are
semi thin though. Joe Sakic and Saku Koivu lead the way. Todd Marchant and Mike Grier will back them up as scoring threats.
The Defence looks good. Sandis Ozolinsh is always deadly so is Scott Stevens with his hits. Eric Desjardins is a good offensive 2nd
option. Look for Mattias Norstrom and Chris Therien to throw their weight around. Edmonton doesn't have troubles in net. Curtis
Joseph can log a ton of minutes and will be counted on to do so.
Future: If the forwards can pop a few the playoffs are in sight. The
Oilers need to add some kids to the lineup or risk going down in the ranks.
Team 9: New Jersey Devils
Opinion: With Martin Brodeur in net the sky is the limit. Trevor Kidd should
be asked to play 10-15 games a year to give Marty a break. Derek Morris and Eric Brewer lead this teams defence. Brad Stuart
is a good 3rd option. Jon Klemm and Steve Staois are reliable veterans. The one problem the Devils have is scoring forwards.
Paul Kariya and Alexei Yashin will have to carry the load. Steve Reinprecht and Craig Conroy will have to step it up to keep
teams honest.
Future: New Jersey will be a playoff team for years. Drafting preferences
should be forwards that can score.
Team 8: Montreal Canadiens
Opinion: The Canadiens are very solid at
center. Adam Oates, Bobby Holik and Trevor Linden are all respectable players. Havin Eric Lindros, Todd Bertuzzi, Adam Deadmarsh
and Jeri Lehtinen on the wing will only produce more goals. Mattias Ohlund and Kimmo Timonen are the top pairing. Boris Mironov
and Aaron Ward love to mix things up. The one soft spot the Habs have is in goal. Mike Dunham is a good goalie but not at
the elite level. Look for Mika Noronen to push for playing time.
Future: The Canadiens are a playoff team.
But they will only go as far as their goalies will take them.
Team 7: Colorado Avalanche
Opinion: With up and comming Marion Gaborik
and Henrik Zetterberg the Avs look to be in good shape. Add Milan Hejduk and gringers Jason Weimer and Darcy Tucker, Colorado
looks to be set at forward. The Avalanche have two of the best offensive defenders in the leauge in Ed Jovanovski and
Nick Lidstrom. They're complemented by Jason Wooley and Filip Kuba. Evgeni Nabokov will provide strong goaltending. Look for
Colorado to keep the gaa down.
Future: With a strong defence and good goaltending
the Avs will be a playoff team. It is up to their forwards to get them to the middle rounds.
Team 6: Nashville Predators
Opinion: No superstar and scoring depth are the best way to describe
the Predators forwards. Sergei Samsonov, Chris Drury, Nik Antropov, Marc Savard and Scott Gomez will be in the 45-70 point
range. Jason Spezza should join them in a year. Wade Redden is a truck on defence. Tomas Kaberle and Bryan Berard will
pick up points while playing solid D. Jean Luc Grand-Pierre will provide some muscle. Jean Sebastien Giguere looks
to the the goalie of the present and the future for the Preds team. Jussi Markkanen is a capable back up.
Future: Nashville has a team to make it past the first round. It will
take a team effort to make it past the second.
Team 5: New York Islanders
Opinion: The Islanders have some of the most dangerous forwards in
the East. Mats Sundin, Alexei Kovalev and Petr Sykora can scorch teams. The 4th line of Peter Worrell, Scott Parker
and Matt Johnson will make sure the forwards have room to do their thing. Sergei Subov and Bryan McCabe will log the powerplay
minutes. Big Zdeno Chara will clear the front of the net. Nick Boynton is a good third scoring option from the back end.
Brian Boucher and young Rick DiPietro will share the time in net. With DiPietro being the future starter.
Future: The Islanders have the depth up front and on defence to make
the playoffs. But until Rick DiPietro becomes a solid number 1 the Islanders will have to settle for just the playoffs.
Team 4: St. Louis Blues
Opinion: The Blues have a top 3 forward in Peter Forsberg. Radek Bonk,
Mark Parrish, Cory Stillman and Marian Hossa will be counted on to score the majority of the points. The Defence could
be better. Brent Sopel and Andrei Markov are the teams point leaders. Bob Boughner and Colin White will make the boards shake.
Roman Cechmanek will man the nets for St. Louis. It will be interesting to see how he plays with this defence. Robert Esche
could get some considerable playing time.
Future: The Blues have a solid chance of making it to the Western
Conference finals. It mostly depends on how the defence holds up.
Team 3: Tampa Bay Lightning.
Opinion: If the Lightning had a better starting goalie they would be
a lock to come out of the Eastern Conference. Martin Biron is average at best. However he might not face that many shots with
the defence in front of him. Ken Klee, Hal Gill, Jason York and Jason Smith can all cause injuries. They're lead by field
general Derian Hatcher. Keith Tkachuk, Sergei Fedorov, Mark Recchi and Peter Bondra will be the ones that mostly put the puck
in the net. Mike York and Scott Young round out the scorers for this deadly offence.
Future: Expect to see this team playing in late may. The teams Cup
hopes rest on the shoulders of Martin Biron.
Team 2: Columbus Blue Jackets
Opinion: With forwards Pavel Bure, Temmu Selanne, Jeff Friesen and
Sergei Berezin the goal total will be high. Mike Peca will make some players sorry they crossed his blue line. Kyle McLaren,
Paul Mara, Chris Phillips and Dan McGillis will patrol their side of the ice. Expect Phillips and McGillis to play their
usual fiesty game. Roman Turek is in the nets. If he can play half as good as he is capable of doing the Blue Jackets
can challege for a Western Conference spot.
Future: The Blue Jackets should try to mix in some of their younger
talent. For now they're a serious playoff team.
Team 1: Chicago Blackhawks
Opinion: The Hawks have the best player in the NHL. Joe Thornton will
put up a mass amount of points with Miroslav Satan and Alex Tanguay as his linemates. Watch out their second line of Kyle
Calder, Daniel Briere and Slava Kozlov. Chris Pronger will hit and score for the Hawks. Danny Markov will follow his lead.
Dmitri Yushkevich and Todd Simpson will not put up many but will make their physical presence known. Anton Volchenkov is the
future of this defence. Ed Belfour will continue to win games. Expect Zac Birek to play 20 games in relief.
Future: With Belfour getting up there in age the Hawks might want to
try and play some of their younger goalies. As for now Chicago is the odds in favourite to win the Cup.
