I will be rating each team on three different areas which of course are goalies, defensemen and forward. The ratings are from 1 to 10. The rating consists of his personal ability and his importance to the team. This means that a player who scores way more points might get the same rating as someone who does not. There are two categories that i will rate: Every position as whole and then every single player. I will also put in the lines that i think/hope they will play next season. Then last i will give a grade to the whole team.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Goalies
Steve Mason: Everything looked so good, in 08-09 season, but after that Steve has not been so outstanding in the past two seasons. He is a very good player and hopefully will find his game again. Rating: 8
Mark Dekanich: Played really well in the AHL posting a 0.931 SV% and 2.09 GAA. Got 50 minutes of time in the NHL posting a 0.880 SV% and 3.60 GAA. In my opinion deserves more time and is rightly on the NHL squad. Rating: 7
I like both of the goalies they have, but they both have to improve in order to actually be among the top goalies/top backup in the league. I know they have potential for it. Rating: 8
Defensemen
James Wisniewski: He should prove to be a really good player for the Blue Jackets. They only had to give up a fifth round pick and in that he is a true bargain. Should quarterback the Columbus power play. Ratinng: 9
Fedor Tyutin: Top-two defenseman in Blue Jackets squad. Will hopefully for the first pair with Wisniewski. Not as good offensively as Wisniewski, but a well balanced player. Rating: 8
Kris Russell: Bottom line defender, who might get more time after the departures of Lepisto and Commodore. Although neither one played too much last season... Anyway decent player who can contribute offensively as well. Rating: 8
Marc Methot: Good defensive player who is able to add some assists, but scoring is not his strong point. He has only 6 goals in 229 games. Though perhaps the most important thing fora defender is not scoring... Rating: 8
Radek Martinek: Veteran presence from Islanders. Martinek has been playing in a rebulding franchise for years and that may have cut of some points, but i firmly believe he could well have career high season next year. Good player in my opinion. Rating: 8
Gran Clintsome: Starting his second season in the NHL, but has only 42 games on his belt. Decent player who still has potential to be better. Played high average minutes last season, but migh be forced to drop some off with the acquisition of Wisniewksi. Rating: 8
Good defensive set whit some offensive ability, but sadly mainly in Wisniewki. Columbus is better than last year, but i fear that their question marks and potential stumbling blocks are in the defensive core. Rating: 8
Forwards
Antoine Vermette: Swift center who still has a lot to offer. Might be dropped lower due to Jeff Carter widely expected to take number one center role. He has been relatively productive and hopefully will keep on the same track. Rating: 9
RJ Umberger: My personal favorite to form the first line with Carter and Nash. I find him very sympathetic and hope only the best for him. Perhaps a career high season with a all star center and winger on his side? Rating: 9
Vinny Prospal: Brings veteran presence and experience to the second line which he will hopefully form with Vermette and Brassard. Will fill the void left my Huselius´ injury. Rating: 8
Samuel Pahlsson: Good bottom line center. Hopefully will get Moreau on his left and Dorsett on his right side. Olympic gold medal winner will also bring leadership qualities to the team. Rating: 8
Rick Nash: The franchise player in Columbus. He has been the face of the franchise he has been and still remains as the most important player to them. He has magical individual skills and is one of the five players in the NHL who shot more than 300 times last season. One of the other over 300 shot taken players is new Blue Jackets center Jeff Carter. Rating: 10
Derek Mackenzie: The fairly inexperienced center put up a team best +/- rating of 14. He never had played more than 18 games in a single season before the 63 he played last year. Guess you could consider it to be some kind of a breakthrough season for the 30 year old. Rating: 7
Kristian Huselius: Gifted left winger had a torn chest muscle which will keep him out at least till November and till January at worst. He will probably challenge Prospal for the second line left wing spot once he gets back to match fittnes. Rating: 8
Derek Dorsett: A good player for a checking/shift disturbing line, but what it comes to offensive abilities he is not the sharpest tool in the shed. Relatively good at what he does and a important part, but not too gifted. Rating: 7
Jeff Carter: The all-star center has a career high of 46 goals and he will be clearly the best center in Columbus, which he was not in Philadelphia. Since the players on his line will be as good as they were in Philly he should be able to even increase his already good output. Rating: 10
Matt Calvert: The left winger played a relatively good rookie season and if he is able to keep on getting better he might even challenge Prospal for the second line left wing. 47 goals and 52 assists in the WHL couple of years ago get my expectations quite high. Rating: 7
Derick Brassard: To be a 6th overall pick he has been slightly disappointing, but he has the potential and all he has to do is get some things right and he will be a top 6 forward easily. Even though he is listed as a center i hope he will br the right wing of the second line. Rating: 8
Jared Boll: Quite similar to Dorsett perhaps even slightly more physical. Will start his fifth season with the Blue Jackets and hopefully keep on giving the body to the oppsing players. Rating: 7
Better players upfront than last year and with a first line like that there will be no opposing line that will slack when they are on ice, otherwise they will be sure to concede. Columbuus will also be one of the most shooting teams with Carter and Nash upfront. Rating: 9
Lines:
Umberger-Carter-Nash
Prospal-Vermette-Brassard
Calvert-MacKenzie-Dorsett
? -Pahlsson-Boll
Wisniewski-Tyutin
Clintsome-Methot
Russel-Martinek
Mason
Good squad, but they do have some question marks and perhaps the biggest one is Steve Mason. If he can play like the man who won the calder trophy they should do well, but if not they will fall with him. Overall some flashes of brilliance with some unproven player. Rating: 8
Key factors:
+Improved the squad during the offseason
+Now two really good line
-Question mark in goal
I only rate the players that are listed on the clubs website in teams roster/players/squad so prospects are not included in them. At least not by every team.
maanantai 8. elokuuta 2011
lauantai 6. elokuuta 2011
Colorado squad analysis
I will be rating each team on three different areas which of course are goalies, defensemen and forward. The ratings are from 1 to 10. The rating consists of his personal ability and his importance to the team. This means that a player who scores way more points might get the same rating as someone who does not. There are two categories that i will rate: Every position as whole and then every single player. I will also put in the lines that i think/hope they will play next season. Then last i will give a grade to the whole team.
Colorado Avalanche
Goalies
Semyon Varlamov: Youngster with lots of potential, but relatively injury prone. If he stays healthy he is one of the youngest starters in the entire league so if things workout Colorado has signed a goalie who can serve them for nearly two decades, if not they have helped Washington significantly. Rating: 8
Jean-Sebastian Giguere: Veteran netminder did not have the best season of his career with Toronto, but is looking to get back on action. With a injury prone youngster in the goal he might get a lot of starts on his belt. Rating: 8
I like this goalie tandem more than the previous one, but Colorado risked a lot when choosing Varlamov. If worst injuries are behind Varlamov he is worth those picks, but otherwise Colorado easily lost a top ten pick to a risky deal. Giguere has seen his best years, but would not be the only good goalie in the leage who is on the worse side of 30. Or perhaps it is better side for the goalies... Anyway Rating: 8
Defensemen
Ryan Wilson: Good defenseman, my personal favorite to fill the void in first defensive pair left by Liles departure. Still a young man who has room for improvement, but otherewise a god solid player. Rating: 8
Kyle Quincey: One of the best d-men in avalanche squad. Good on both directions on ice, led avalanche d-men in average ice time and tackles couple of season ago, but only played in 21 games last season only adding one assist in them. Rating: 8
Ryan O´Byrne: Was traded from Montreal and found a new home in Colorado. Averaged over 20 minutes per game which is third best in Colorado blue line. Good in defensive aspects of the game, but the fact that he has scored two goals in nearly 200 games tells a cruel story about his offensive abilities. Rating: 8
Shane O´Brien: Played all but two games with the Predators last season. Perhaps acquired to fill the void left by Foote retirement... Probably will go to either bottom defensive pairs, but in my opinion a good capture. Rating: 8
Erik Johnson: The bright star in Colorado Blue line. Acquired as number one pick overall in 06 adds enormous expectations on him. Hopefully he can answer to those expectations. Rating: 9
Matt Hunwick: Came from Boston due to some salary cap adjustments made there. Logged ~18 minutes per game in 51 games after moving from Boston. Decent player, but not outstanding in any aspect. Rating: 7
Jan Hejda: Brings some considerable size to the Avalanche blue line and the most likely player to step up in Foote´s place. A good acquisition to answer immediate need. Rating: 8
Kyle Cumiskey: Did not get too much games last season and i sincerely hoped that either the loss of Liles or Foote would not have been patched so he could have gotten his chance, but sadly looks like an AHL year for him. Rating: 7
Camreon Gaunce: Avalanche has a huge amount of NHL capable defenseman, but sadly he is not one of them. He is still young though so maybe he will be one day. Rating: 6
Colorado has a lot of depth, but true superstars are nowhere to be found. Johnson has potential to be one, but otherwise Colorado just has a bunch of good defenders, and there is nothing wrong with that, but in order to succeed i think they need more. Rating: 8
Forwards
Brandon Yip: Decent right winger, but nothing more. Finished his second NHL age at the age of 26. Scored 12 goals to go with 10 assists in 71 games, which is not bad for a bottom line winger, but will not get him higher either. Rating: 7
Daniel Winnik: Little better than Yip in terms of points. Winnik is a top-9 forward in Avalanche squad, but it might change with the drafting of Gabriel Landeskog who is touted to be ready to step in to the NHL next year. Rating: 7
Paul Stastny: One of the two all-star game players in the Avalanche squad. Considering the amount of points and games he played he had the worse season of his career and hopefully will bounce back to his similar level. Pivotal to any success they wish to have. Rating: 9
Kevin Porter: Good as a bottom line center. Added a surprisingly good amount of points considering the average minutes he got. Rating: 7
Ryan O´Reilly: Good in defensive aspects of the game and important in penalty kill. Perhaps the best defensive forward forward in Colorado... Rating: 8
Peter Mueller: Easily a top-6 forward if fit, but last that i heard is still suffering from a post concussion syndrome. I really hope he will regain match fitness since the Avs are not too strong on the right wing department. Rating: 8
Cody McLeod: Decent bottom line winger, and in that aspect a useful player, but sits more on the penalty box than on ice. has been loyal to Avs and that is admirable. Rating: 7
Jay McClement: Was part of the move that brought Johnson to Avs. Played relatively well the remaining games. Is looking to start his first full season in Colorado. Rating: 8
Joakim Lindstrom: Relatively unknown since he has been playing mainly in the AHL and now in KHL and Elitserien. Played quite well in both previously mentioned leagues and there is no reason why he could not make it in the NHL. Rating: 7
Chuck Kobasew: Was a bottom line winger in Minnesota and will probably continue as one with the Avs. He is good considering the minutes he got in Minnesota and i hope that he might get more in Colorado. Rating: 8
David Jones: Had a career high season in games, goals, assists and points. He scored 27 goals and is the best scorer with Matt Duchene who also scored 27 goals. Really important to his team especially when Mueller is suffering from his concussion. Rating: 9
Milan Hejduk: Veteran forward still has lots to offer. Was one of the four players who scored over 20 goals in Colorado last season. Hopefully will see the reminder of his career with Avs. Rating: 9
TJ Galiardi: Was limited to 35 games last season, but made a visit to Avs first line the season before. Good player, but might be the one who suffers from the Colorado drafted a left winger with the second pick of the entire entry draft. Rating: 8
Matt Duchene: The other all-star forward led Avs in points and tied with Jones for most goals. The soul and spirit in Colorado. Is looking to become the franchise player of Avs. Rating: 9
Colorado does not have the worst squad in the league, but by no standard is near the best. This is a squad that, in my opinion, will be left out of the playoffs. Couple of prospects up and running and they will be back on track. Fro forwards Rating: 8
Lines
Landeskog-Duchene-Hejduk
Galiardi-Stastny-Jones
Winnik-O´Reilly-Kobasew
McLeod-Porter-Lindstrom
Johnson-O´Byrne
Hejda-O´Brien
Quincey-Wilson
Varlamov
Lot is placed on Landeskogs first year. If he rockets straight to a superstar the situation is completely different. Colorado is not yet good enough for winning, but in the other hand they will lose their first pick so nothing should give them any reason to hold back if things do not go as planned. As a whole: Rating: 8
Key factors
+Really good young core
+They did improve their squad from last year
-High risk goalie deal
-Not good enough to win
Colorado Avalanche
Goalies
Semyon Varlamov: Youngster with lots of potential, but relatively injury prone. If he stays healthy he is one of the youngest starters in the entire league so if things workout Colorado has signed a goalie who can serve them for nearly two decades, if not they have helped Washington significantly. Rating: 8
Jean-Sebastian Giguere: Veteran netminder did not have the best season of his career with Toronto, but is looking to get back on action. With a injury prone youngster in the goal he might get a lot of starts on his belt. Rating: 8
I like this goalie tandem more than the previous one, but Colorado risked a lot when choosing Varlamov. If worst injuries are behind Varlamov he is worth those picks, but otherwise Colorado easily lost a top ten pick to a risky deal. Giguere has seen his best years, but would not be the only good goalie in the leage who is on the worse side of 30. Or perhaps it is better side for the goalies... Anyway Rating: 8
Defensemen
Ryan Wilson: Good defenseman, my personal favorite to fill the void in first defensive pair left by Liles departure. Still a young man who has room for improvement, but otherewise a god solid player. Rating: 8
Kyle Quincey: One of the best d-men in avalanche squad. Good on both directions on ice, led avalanche d-men in average ice time and tackles couple of season ago, but only played in 21 games last season only adding one assist in them. Rating: 8
Ryan O´Byrne: Was traded from Montreal and found a new home in Colorado. Averaged over 20 minutes per game which is third best in Colorado blue line. Good in defensive aspects of the game, but the fact that he has scored two goals in nearly 200 games tells a cruel story about his offensive abilities. Rating: 8
Shane O´Brien: Played all but two games with the Predators last season. Perhaps acquired to fill the void left by Foote retirement... Probably will go to either bottom defensive pairs, but in my opinion a good capture. Rating: 8
Erik Johnson: The bright star in Colorado Blue line. Acquired as number one pick overall in 06 adds enormous expectations on him. Hopefully he can answer to those expectations. Rating: 9
Matt Hunwick: Came from Boston due to some salary cap adjustments made there. Logged ~18 minutes per game in 51 games after moving from Boston. Decent player, but not outstanding in any aspect. Rating: 7
Jan Hejda: Brings some considerable size to the Avalanche blue line and the most likely player to step up in Foote´s place. A good acquisition to answer immediate need. Rating: 8
Kyle Cumiskey: Did not get too much games last season and i sincerely hoped that either the loss of Liles or Foote would not have been patched so he could have gotten his chance, but sadly looks like an AHL year for him. Rating: 7
Camreon Gaunce: Avalanche has a huge amount of NHL capable defenseman, but sadly he is not one of them. He is still young though so maybe he will be one day. Rating: 6
Colorado has a lot of depth, but true superstars are nowhere to be found. Johnson has potential to be one, but otherwise Colorado just has a bunch of good defenders, and there is nothing wrong with that, but in order to succeed i think they need more. Rating: 8
Forwards
Brandon Yip: Decent right winger, but nothing more. Finished his second NHL age at the age of 26. Scored 12 goals to go with 10 assists in 71 games, which is not bad for a bottom line winger, but will not get him higher either. Rating: 7
Daniel Winnik: Little better than Yip in terms of points. Winnik is a top-9 forward in Avalanche squad, but it might change with the drafting of Gabriel Landeskog who is touted to be ready to step in to the NHL next year. Rating: 7
Paul Stastny: One of the two all-star game players in the Avalanche squad. Considering the amount of points and games he played he had the worse season of his career and hopefully will bounce back to his similar level. Pivotal to any success they wish to have. Rating: 9
Kevin Porter: Good as a bottom line center. Added a surprisingly good amount of points considering the average minutes he got. Rating: 7
Ryan O´Reilly: Good in defensive aspects of the game and important in penalty kill. Perhaps the best defensive forward forward in Colorado... Rating: 8
Peter Mueller: Easily a top-6 forward if fit, but last that i heard is still suffering from a post concussion syndrome. I really hope he will regain match fitness since the Avs are not too strong on the right wing department. Rating: 8
Cody McLeod: Decent bottom line winger, and in that aspect a useful player, but sits more on the penalty box than on ice. has been loyal to Avs and that is admirable. Rating: 7
Jay McClement: Was part of the move that brought Johnson to Avs. Played relatively well the remaining games. Is looking to start his first full season in Colorado. Rating: 8
Joakim Lindstrom: Relatively unknown since he has been playing mainly in the AHL and now in KHL and Elitserien. Played quite well in both previously mentioned leagues and there is no reason why he could not make it in the NHL. Rating: 7
Chuck Kobasew: Was a bottom line winger in Minnesota and will probably continue as one with the Avs. He is good considering the minutes he got in Minnesota and i hope that he might get more in Colorado. Rating: 8
David Jones: Had a career high season in games, goals, assists and points. He scored 27 goals and is the best scorer with Matt Duchene who also scored 27 goals. Really important to his team especially when Mueller is suffering from his concussion. Rating: 9
Milan Hejduk: Veteran forward still has lots to offer. Was one of the four players who scored over 20 goals in Colorado last season. Hopefully will see the reminder of his career with Avs. Rating: 9
TJ Galiardi: Was limited to 35 games last season, but made a visit to Avs first line the season before. Good player, but might be the one who suffers from the Colorado drafted a left winger with the second pick of the entire entry draft. Rating: 8
Matt Duchene: The other all-star forward led Avs in points and tied with Jones for most goals. The soul and spirit in Colorado. Is looking to become the franchise player of Avs. Rating: 9
Colorado does not have the worst squad in the league, but by no standard is near the best. This is a squad that, in my opinion, will be left out of the playoffs. Couple of prospects up and running and they will be back on track. Fro forwards Rating: 8
Lines
Landeskog-Duchene-Hejduk
Galiardi-Stastny-Jones
Winnik-O´Reilly-Kobasew
McLeod-Porter-Lindstrom
Johnson-O´Byrne
Hejda-O´Brien
Quincey-Wilson
Varlamov
Lot is placed on Landeskogs first year. If he rockets straight to a superstar the situation is completely different. Colorado is not yet good enough for winning, but in the other hand they will lose their first pick so nothing should give them any reason to hold back if things do not go as planned. As a whole: Rating: 8
Key factors
+Really good young core
+They did improve their squad from last year
-High risk goalie deal
-Not good enough to win
tiistai 2. elokuuta 2011
Chicago squad analysis
I will be rating each team on three different areas which of course are goalies, defensemen and forward. The ratings are from 1 to 10. The rating consists of his personal ability and his importance to the team. This means that a player who scores way more points might get the same rating as someone who does not. There are two categories that i will rate: Every position as whole and then every single player. I will also put in the lines that i think/hope they will play next season. Then last i will give a grade to the whole team.
Chicago Blackhawks
Goalies
Corey Crawford: Stole the starting role from Turco last year and is probably going to keep his role next season. Put up good statistics, but last year was his first in the NHL. Unproven, but looks to become a solid netminder. Rating: 8
Alexander Salak: Young and still learning on his level. Hopefully for the Blackhawks Emery will impress the Chicago management during the camp and sign a contract for the next year. Salak is not good enough for NHL, at least yet. Rating: 6
Ray Emery: Now this is just speculation since i have no idea what is going on in the camp, but i sincerely hope he will get a full-time contract and be a backup for Crawford. Emery isnot old for a goalie and if the worst is behind him he will be a really good backup. Rating: 8
Crawford is entering just his second full season in the NHL, but if he will play like this year he should have no problem being a regular starter. If Emery plays well and signs a contract Blackhawks have a solid duo, if he does not sign Crawford will go to the same amount of starts as Cam Ward and Carey Price. In a whole i will give rating: 8
Defensemen
Brent Seabrook: Forms, perhaps the pair of defenders in the entire league with Duncan Keith. Seabrook had a career best 48 points last season and with Keith they are a terrifying weapon if i may say in bot directions of the ice. Rating: 9
John Scott: Played 40 games in the national hockey league last season, but with the acquisitions of Montador, O´Donnell and Lepisto he looks destined for the AHL. Rating: 6
Sean O´Donnell: Veteran defender is coming off a good season with the flyers, but is on the evening side of his career. Brings depth, but will be a challenger for the top-6 spots. Rating: 7
Steve Montador: Coming off a career high season with Sabres. Easily top-6 defensman with the Blackhawks squad, perhaps second pair material. Rating: 8
Sami Lepisto: Was part of the gold medal winning team Finland in world championships, but Blackhawks are the third team for him after the start of 2010 season. He has been a victim of some salary cap politics, but hopefully will find a home in Chicago. Rating: 7
Nick Leddy: Young defenseman had a sort of a breakthrough season with the Blackhawks. Though he only played 46 games and scored seven points his maturity and ability convinced many. Third pair player next season, but is still a prospect. Rating: 7
Duncan Keith: Arguably one of the best offensive d-men in the entire league. Elite puck-moving ability and with Seabrook one of the most intimidating pairs on the power play. Is also one of the two alternate captains in the Blackhawks squad. Rating: 10
Niklas Hjalmarsson: Has been a top-6 d-man in the Blackhawks squad for the past season and with the departures of Campoli and Campbell he is looking to jump in the second defense pair. Good overall player. Rating: 8
Blackhawks have a really impressive blue line with good depth and couple of the best players on that position in the game. Some young talent with veteran presence brings a nice mix that in my opinion as a whole is one of the best in the league. Rating: 9
Forwards
Jonathan Toews: The captain and spirit of Chicago. Had a career high season in assists and points. He is the main reason why Chicago went to the playoffs as he showed true leadership late last season. Rating: 10
Viktor Stalberg: Finished 10th best forward in points, but only 16th best in average ice time. Will be looking for a bigger role this season and hopefully get one. Rating: 8
Ben Smith: Played in only 6 games last season and looks like he is destined to be a 4th line winger or AHL player. I would rather put Rostislav Olesz on his place on ice. Rating: 6
Patrick Sharp: Played almost a point per game last season and had a career high season in points. Scored 34 goals which is most in the entire Blackhawks squad. Easily top-6 forward in Chicago. Rating: 9
Rostislav Olesz: He was 7th overall pick in the entry draft in 2004, but never really blossomed in Florida. If he can play like a 7th pick Chicago has potentially made one of the best trades i can remember, otherwise they just offloaded way too expensive defender and acquired a decent player to add depth to the squad. Rating: 8
Jamal Mayers: He was brought in to the squad to add some physical presence to bottom lines. Good player in his role, acquisition that the Blackhawks will not have to feel sorry for. Rating: 8
Marcus Kruger: Young Swede will be a depth player during the next season unless he really breaks through during the preseason camp. Young and still learning on his level, might work as a bottom-line center. Rating: 6
Patrick Kane: Really good player, underwent a wrist surgery during the offseason, but everything went okay and he should be ready before the season. Really important to the Blackhawks and in my opinion the best US born forward in the league at the moment. Rating: 10
Marian Hossa: Has had two injury plagued seasons with the Blackhawks, but when fit he still brings elite goal scoring ability to the game. Second line right wing will almost certainly pass 400 goals mark next season. Rating: 9
Michael Frolik: Has scored over 20 goals twice on his three years in the NHL. In my opinion should center the second line with Sharp and Hossa on the wings. That would be really scary line in terms of scoring. Rating: 8
Daniel Carcillo: Another physical presence to the bottom lines. Would form a really good grinding line with Mayers and perhaps Kruger or Bolland in the center. Rating: 8
Andrew Brunette: Brings a veteran presence to the squad. Would fit well to the first line with Toews and Kane and might be able to teach something to even two so talented players. Rating: 8
Dave Bolland: Good two way forward who will probably center the third line in Chicago. Good overall player who is capable both scoring and handling some defensive duties. Rating: 8
Bryan Bickell: Most likely Bryan will be a winger next to Dave Bolland in third line. Adds offensive threat to the line and might be a real late bloomer if he can keep up what he started last year. Rating: 8
Chicago has two elite goal scoring lines to go with a solid two way third line adding a really good checking and shift disturbing line. In my opinion the most balanced offense with some so talented players that you rarely find them Rating: 10
Lines
Brunette-Toews-Kane
Sharp-Frolik-Hossa
Bickell-Bolland-Stalberg
Carcillo-Olesz-Mayers
Keith-Seabrook
Hjalmarsson-Montador
O´Donnel-Leddy
Crawford
Really good team that starts to look like the team that won Stanley Cup two years ago. I really like what they did in Chicago and i will give them Rating: 9
Key factors:
+Two lines filled with goal scoring ability
+Good depth from line one to line four
+Really good defense
-Unproven goalie
-Lots of changes, might take a minute to blend in well
Chicago Blackhawks
Goalies
Corey Crawford: Stole the starting role from Turco last year and is probably going to keep his role next season. Put up good statistics, but last year was his first in the NHL. Unproven, but looks to become a solid netminder. Rating: 8
Alexander Salak: Young and still learning on his level. Hopefully for the Blackhawks Emery will impress the Chicago management during the camp and sign a contract for the next year. Salak is not good enough for NHL, at least yet. Rating: 6
Ray Emery: Now this is just speculation since i have no idea what is going on in the camp, but i sincerely hope he will get a full-time contract and be a backup for Crawford. Emery isnot old for a goalie and if the worst is behind him he will be a really good backup. Rating: 8
Crawford is entering just his second full season in the NHL, but if he will play like this year he should have no problem being a regular starter. If Emery plays well and signs a contract Blackhawks have a solid duo, if he does not sign Crawford will go to the same amount of starts as Cam Ward and Carey Price. In a whole i will give rating: 8
Defensemen
Brent Seabrook: Forms, perhaps the pair of defenders in the entire league with Duncan Keith. Seabrook had a career best 48 points last season and with Keith they are a terrifying weapon if i may say in bot directions of the ice. Rating: 9
John Scott: Played 40 games in the national hockey league last season, but with the acquisitions of Montador, O´Donnell and Lepisto he looks destined for the AHL. Rating: 6
Sean O´Donnell: Veteran defender is coming off a good season with the flyers, but is on the evening side of his career. Brings depth, but will be a challenger for the top-6 spots. Rating: 7
Steve Montador: Coming off a career high season with Sabres. Easily top-6 defensman with the Blackhawks squad, perhaps second pair material. Rating: 8
Sami Lepisto: Was part of the gold medal winning team Finland in world championships, but Blackhawks are the third team for him after the start of 2010 season. He has been a victim of some salary cap politics, but hopefully will find a home in Chicago. Rating: 7
Nick Leddy: Young defenseman had a sort of a breakthrough season with the Blackhawks. Though he only played 46 games and scored seven points his maturity and ability convinced many. Third pair player next season, but is still a prospect. Rating: 7
Duncan Keith: Arguably one of the best offensive d-men in the entire league. Elite puck-moving ability and with Seabrook one of the most intimidating pairs on the power play. Is also one of the two alternate captains in the Blackhawks squad. Rating: 10
Niklas Hjalmarsson: Has been a top-6 d-man in the Blackhawks squad for the past season and with the departures of Campoli and Campbell he is looking to jump in the second defense pair. Good overall player. Rating: 8
Blackhawks have a really impressive blue line with good depth and couple of the best players on that position in the game. Some young talent with veteran presence brings a nice mix that in my opinion as a whole is one of the best in the league. Rating: 9
Forwards
Jonathan Toews: The captain and spirit of Chicago. Had a career high season in assists and points. He is the main reason why Chicago went to the playoffs as he showed true leadership late last season. Rating: 10
Viktor Stalberg: Finished 10th best forward in points, but only 16th best in average ice time. Will be looking for a bigger role this season and hopefully get one. Rating: 8
Ben Smith: Played in only 6 games last season and looks like he is destined to be a 4th line winger or AHL player. I would rather put Rostislav Olesz on his place on ice. Rating: 6
Patrick Sharp: Played almost a point per game last season and had a career high season in points. Scored 34 goals which is most in the entire Blackhawks squad. Easily top-6 forward in Chicago. Rating: 9
Rostislav Olesz: He was 7th overall pick in the entry draft in 2004, but never really blossomed in Florida. If he can play like a 7th pick Chicago has potentially made one of the best trades i can remember, otherwise they just offloaded way too expensive defender and acquired a decent player to add depth to the squad. Rating: 8
Jamal Mayers: He was brought in to the squad to add some physical presence to bottom lines. Good player in his role, acquisition that the Blackhawks will not have to feel sorry for. Rating: 8
Marcus Kruger: Young Swede will be a depth player during the next season unless he really breaks through during the preseason camp. Young and still learning on his level, might work as a bottom-line center. Rating: 6
Patrick Kane: Really good player, underwent a wrist surgery during the offseason, but everything went okay and he should be ready before the season. Really important to the Blackhawks and in my opinion the best US born forward in the league at the moment. Rating: 10
Marian Hossa: Has had two injury plagued seasons with the Blackhawks, but when fit he still brings elite goal scoring ability to the game. Second line right wing will almost certainly pass 400 goals mark next season. Rating: 9
Michael Frolik: Has scored over 20 goals twice on his three years in the NHL. In my opinion should center the second line with Sharp and Hossa on the wings. That would be really scary line in terms of scoring. Rating: 8
Daniel Carcillo: Another physical presence to the bottom lines. Would form a really good grinding line with Mayers and perhaps Kruger or Bolland in the center. Rating: 8
Andrew Brunette: Brings a veteran presence to the squad. Would fit well to the first line with Toews and Kane and might be able to teach something to even two so talented players. Rating: 8
Dave Bolland: Good two way forward who will probably center the third line in Chicago. Good overall player who is capable both scoring and handling some defensive duties. Rating: 8
Bryan Bickell: Most likely Bryan will be a winger next to Dave Bolland in third line. Adds offensive threat to the line and might be a real late bloomer if he can keep up what he started last year. Rating: 8
Chicago has two elite goal scoring lines to go with a solid two way third line adding a really good checking and shift disturbing line. In my opinion the most balanced offense with some so talented players that you rarely find them Rating: 10
Lines
Brunette-Toews-Kane
Sharp-Frolik-Hossa
Bickell-Bolland-Stalberg
Carcillo-Olesz-Mayers
Keith-Seabrook
Hjalmarsson-Montador
O´Donnel-Leddy
Crawford
Really good team that starts to look like the team that won Stanley Cup two years ago. I really like what they did in Chicago and i will give them Rating: 9
Key factors:
+Two lines filled with goal scoring ability
+Good depth from line one to line four
+Really good defense
-Unproven goalie
-Lots of changes, might take a minute to blend in well
lauantai 30. heinäkuuta 2011
Carolina squad analysis
I will be rating each team on three different areas which of course are goalies, defensemen and forward. The ratings are from 1 to 10. The rating consists of his personal ability and his importance to the team. This means that a player who scores way more points might get the same rating as someone who does not. There are two categories that i will rate: Every position as whole and then every single player. I will also put in the lines that i think/hope they will play next season. Then last i will give a grade to the whole team.
Carolina Hurricanes
Goalies:
Cam Ward: A living legend in the Hurricanes squad. In my opinion one of the best goalies in the NHL. Was the Conn Smythe winner when Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup. Is still relatively young as a goalie. Rating: 10
Brian Boucher: Good backup, but Ward has been among the top in starts in the NHL. Maybe Hurricanes can offload him a little bit now. Rating: 8
Justin Peters: If Boucher aqcuisition backfires he will return to backup, but otherwise it is AHL for him. Rating: 6
If Boucher playes well Hurricanes have a really solid duo. If not Peters will have to backup and then things will be harder for them. Ward is a top goalie and can be relied to complete his task at all times. Rating: 9
Defensemen:
Joni Pitkänen: A really good offensive d-man. Plays nearly 25 minuter per game with Joe Corvo. He will have to form a new pair, but hopefully things will go well. Rating: 9
Jamie McBain: Played a good season first season in the National Hockey League. Looking to establish himself as a top 4 defenseman. Good in both directions of the ice. Rating: 8
Tomas Kaberle: Elite puck moving player who got to taste the Stanley Cup last season. Will replace ad perhaps be even better than Joe Corvo who left to Boston. Rating: 9
Derek Joslin: Moved to Carolina from San Jose and got a new two year deal. Relatively unproven, but has many years to do that. Rating: 7
Jay Harrison: Got his first full season in the NHL. Has been a regular AHL player, but is looking to establish himself as a top-6 defenseman. He is 28 years old. Rating: 7
Tim Gleason: Top-4 defenseman in Hurricanes squad. Good in defensive denseman, but like so many other good defenders he lacks offensive skills. Still very important for the hurricanes. Rating: 8
Bryan Allen: Easily top-6 defenseman in any team. Like Gleason, brings good defensive play and adds some offensive talents. Moved from Florida late last season and hopefully will find a new home in Carolina. Rating: 8
Carolina has a really good blue line and with Ward in the goal it will be hard to score for them. Overall really impressive and even though it is not the average i give them Rating: 9
Forwards
Jiri Tlusty: Signed, again, a one year extension with the Hurricanes. Has good stick skills, but lacks defensive ability. Does not get much minutes. Rating: 7
Brandon Sutter: 22 year old played all 82 games last season. He scored 14 goals and added 15 assists. If Skinner plays as a wing he will probably center the second line. Rating: 8
Anthony Stewart: Came from Atlanta/Winnipeg to add some size to the team due to the loss of Erik Cole for free agency. He is not as good as Cole but not a bad player either. Rating: 7
Eric Staal: He is the franchise player in Carolina. In my opinion one of the best centers in the NHL. He is big and has really good stick handling skills, that is quite rare. Rating: 10
Jeff Skinner: The expectations on him after a Calder trophy winning season are huge. Carolina lines will go through some modifications and he will fight for a place next to Eric Staal. Rating: 9
Jerome Samson: Played in 23 games averaging less than 7 minutes per game. He got two assists in those games. Suitable for the fourth line, is quite young, but is not likely to improve much. Rating: 6
Tuomo Ruutu: The second line right winger scored 19 goals to go with 38 assists. Got a "consolation price" by being part of gold-medal winning Finnish national team in the world championships. Good two way forward who is important for the Canes. Rating: 9
Alexei Ponikarovsky: Decent winger who might moved from Kings to Canes during the free agency. Probably third line left wing in the coming season. Former 61 points scorer might still have something to give. Rating: 8
Chad LaRose: Good third line right winger. Scored 16 goals and added 15 assists. Would from a good third line with Ponikarovsky and Tlusty. Rating: 8
Jussi Jokinen: Good sniper who was dropped from 30 goals to 19. Hopefully will have a bounce back season. Plays as first line left-winger, but in my opinion that spot should go to sensation Jeff Skinner. Rating: 8
Patrick Dwyer: Played 80 games with the Hurricanes last season. Decent right winger for the fourth line, but in my opinion Carolina should use some younger players like Zach Boychuk, Zac Dalpe. Rating: 7
Tim Brent: Perhaps a fourth line center, but by any standard not integral to Hurricanes. i would like to see Zach Boychuk in his position. Rating: 7
Overall Carolina has a bunch of good players, but it fails in comparison to the best squads in the league. Some unproven young talent coming and perhaps they will prove my evaluation too weak, but... Rating: 8
Lines
Skinner-Staal-Ruutu
Jokinen-Sutter-Stewart
Ponikarovsky-Boychuk-LaRose
Tlusty-Brent-Dwyer
Pitkanen-Kaberle
Harrison-Gleason
Allen-McBain
Ward
Overall a good squad and knowing that the top two lines will play a lot i will give the Carolina team Rating: 9
Key Factors
+Top goalie
+Some top prospects
+Defensive talent
-Some unproven players
-Not a usual playoff team
Carolina Hurricanes
Goalies:
Cam Ward: A living legend in the Hurricanes squad. In my opinion one of the best goalies in the NHL. Was the Conn Smythe winner when Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup. Is still relatively young as a goalie. Rating: 10
Brian Boucher: Good backup, but Ward has been among the top in starts in the NHL. Maybe Hurricanes can offload him a little bit now. Rating: 8
Justin Peters: If Boucher aqcuisition backfires he will return to backup, but otherwise it is AHL for him. Rating: 6
If Boucher playes well Hurricanes have a really solid duo. If not Peters will have to backup and then things will be harder for them. Ward is a top goalie and can be relied to complete his task at all times. Rating: 9
Defensemen:
Joni Pitkänen: A really good offensive d-man. Plays nearly 25 minuter per game with Joe Corvo. He will have to form a new pair, but hopefully things will go well. Rating: 9
Jamie McBain: Played a good season first season in the National Hockey League. Looking to establish himself as a top 4 defenseman. Good in both directions of the ice. Rating: 8
Tomas Kaberle: Elite puck moving player who got to taste the Stanley Cup last season. Will replace ad perhaps be even better than Joe Corvo who left to Boston. Rating: 9
Derek Joslin: Moved to Carolina from San Jose and got a new two year deal. Relatively unproven, but has many years to do that. Rating: 7
Jay Harrison: Got his first full season in the NHL. Has been a regular AHL player, but is looking to establish himself as a top-6 defenseman. He is 28 years old. Rating: 7
Tim Gleason: Top-4 defenseman in Hurricanes squad. Good in defensive denseman, but like so many other good defenders he lacks offensive skills. Still very important for the hurricanes. Rating: 8
Bryan Allen: Easily top-6 defenseman in any team. Like Gleason, brings good defensive play and adds some offensive talents. Moved from Florida late last season and hopefully will find a new home in Carolina. Rating: 8
Carolina has a really good blue line and with Ward in the goal it will be hard to score for them. Overall really impressive and even though it is not the average i give them Rating: 9
Forwards
Jiri Tlusty: Signed, again, a one year extension with the Hurricanes. Has good stick skills, but lacks defensive ability. Does not get much minutes. Rating: 7
Brandon Sutter: 22 year old played all 82 games last season. He scored 14 goals and added 15 assists. If Skinner plays as a wing he will probably center the second line. Rating: 8
Anthony Stewart: Came from Atlanta/Winnipeg to add some size to the team due to the loss of Erik Cole for free agency. He is not as good as Cole but not a bad player either. Rating: 7
Eric Staal: He is the franchise player in Carolina. In my opinion one of the best centers in the NHL. He is big and has really good stick handling skills, that is quite rare. Rating: 10
Jeff Skinner: The expectations on him after a Calder trophy winning season are huge. Carolina lines will go through some modifications and he will fight for a place next to Eric Staal. Rating: 9
Jerome Samson: Played in 23 games averaging less than 7 minutes per game. He got two assists in those games. Suitable for the fourth line, is quite young, but is not likely to improve much. Rating: 6
Tuomo Ruutu: The second line right winger scored 19 goals to go with 38 assists. Got a "consolation price" by being part of gold-medal winning Finnish national team in the world championships. Good two way forward who is important for the Canes. Rating: 9
Alexei Ponikarovsky: Decent winger who might moved from Kings to Canes during the free agency. Probably third line left wing in the coming season. Former 61 points scorer might still have something to give. Rating: 8
Chad LaRose: Good third line right winger. Scored 16 goals and added 15 assists. Would from a good third line with Ponikarovsky and Tlusty. Rating: 8
Jussi Jokinen: Good sniper who was dropped from 30 goals to 19. Hopefully will have a bounce back season. Plays as first line left-winger, but in my opinion that spot should go to sensation Jeff Skinner. Rating: 8
Patrick Dwyer: Played 80 games with the Hurricanes last season. Decent right winger for the fourth line, but in my opinion Carolina should use some younger players like Zach Boychuk, Zac Dalpe. Rating: 7
Tim Brent: Perhaps a fourth line center, but by any standard not integral to Hurricanes. i would like to see Zach Boychuk in his position. Rating: 7
Overall Carolina has a bunch of good players, but it fails in comparison to the best squads in the league. Some unproven young talent coming and perhaps they will prove my evaluation too weak, but... Rating: 8
Lines
Skinner-Staal-Ruutu
Jokinen-Sutter-Stewart
Ponikarovsky-Boychuk-LaRose
Tlusty-Brent-Dwyer
Pitkanen-Kaberle
Harrison-Gleason
Allen-McBain
Ward
Overall a good squad and knowing that the top two lines will play a lot i will give the Carolina team Rating: 9
Key Factors
+Top goalie
+Some top prospects
+Defensive talent
-Some unproven players
-Not a usual playoff team
keskiviikko 27. heinäkuuta 2011
Calgary squad analysis
I will be rating each team on three different areas which of course are goalies, defensemen and forward. The ratings are from 1 to 10. The rating consists of his personal ability and his importance to the team. This means that a player who scores way more points might get the same rating as someone who does not. There are two categories that i will rate: Every position as whole and then every single player. I will also put in the lines that i think/hope they will play next season. Then last i will give a grade to the whole team.
Calgary Flames
Goalies
Miikka Kiprusoff: The backbone of Flames. Has won the Vezina and William M. Jennings and was considered as one of the possible Hart trophy frontrunners in 04-05 season. Still a really good goalie and important for the Flames. Rating: 10
Henrik Karlsson: Decent backup, but if things continue as they have been will play less than 20 games. Played 16 games and lost 11 of those, but 6 in OT. Rating: 7
Kiprusoff is getting to the age where he might have to start giving away some starts. It makes Karlsson more important and with Calgarys defense getting slightly worse it might be more important than ever. Goalie rating: 9
Defensemen
Cory Sarich: The veteran of Flames defense. Only defender who is over 30 years old and with that he might have to take a big role. Is he ready for it or has he ever been good enough for it? For the sake of every Flames fan, i hope he is. Rating: 8
Mark Giordano: The only real offensive threat in Flames blueline. Important player and will probably keep on forming the first defensive pair with Jay Bouwmeester. Rating: 9
Brett Carson: Is 25 years old and has 78 NHL games. With that he should be a top 6 defender in Clagary. Would not be the first time in NHL history that someone has been a late bloomer and that is exactly what Calgary would need. Rating: 7
Chris Butler: The most games he has played in a single season is 59. Without decent backup that might backfire big time. There are really no big flaws in his game so if he gets a full season he should do ok. Rating: 7
Jay Bouwmeester: The alternate captain of Flames. Has not missed a single game after the lockout. The backbone and image of Calgary blueline. Rating: 9
Anton Babchuk: Good player, but has had some problems with contracts and behavior in the past. Hopefully that is behind and the Flames have a good two way defender in him. Rating: 8
Flames have 6 good defenders, but really no backup. Only way to success is avoid injuries and that is not something that you should build on. So that limits my Rating: 8
Forwards
Alex Tanguay: One of the better players in Calgary. Forms the first line with either Morrison or Jokinen and Jarome Iginla on the right. Important member and a good player. Rating: 9
Matt Stajan: Decent center, but surprisingly with 27 years in the meter he is the second youngest forward in the Flames squad. Only Mikael Backlund is younger than him. Rating 7
David Moss: Scored 17 goals which is 6th best in the Flames squad. Considering that he only played 58 games he could have done a lot more for the Flames. Has been injury plagued throughout his career. Rating: 8
Brendan Morrison: Top 6 forward centered the Calgary first line before a season ending knee injury. Led Calgary in +/- with 13 and recorded 43 points in 66 games. Important, but gettin too old like the whole Flames squad. Rating: 8
Daymond Langkow: Had a nearly career ending injury and slowly returned to action really late during the regular season. Still a good player if fit but like i have said so many times the Flames squad is just too old and he is no exception: Rating: 8
Tom Kostopulos: Moved to Calgary from Carolina, but not really sure he is what they need. Do not get me wrong, he is a good player but on the wrong side of 30 and a right winger where Moss and Iginla already play high minutes. Rating: 7
Olli Jokinen: Top 6 forward and if you ask me a clear choice as number one center. A really good center who is a threat at all times. Rating: 9
Tim Jackman: Decent right winger who with 29 years is one of the "younger" players in the squad. Good, but not marvelous in any aspect. Rating: 7
Raitis Ivanas: Latvian hockey player. He is a miracle in that way, but otherwise not. Played one game last season after fighting with Steve MacIntyre he suffered a concussion that kept him out the whole season. Also old so... Rating: 6
Jarome Iginla: The god in Calgary. Has scored over 1000 points 1106 games. He is one of the 10 players in the National Hockey League who has scored 30 or more goals in 10 consecutive season putting him in a group with Jari Kurri, Wayne Gretzky, Bobby Hull and Mike Bossy to mention a few. Tipped to be a certain hall of fame player he leads the Flames as one of the best players ever. Rating: 10
Niklas Hagman: Has to do better than last year, but is a 20+ goal scorer at best and if plays well is a valuable asset to Flames. Rating: 8
Curtis Glencross: Good and important player for the Flames, but with players like Bourque and Tanguay on his position it is hard to get too much minutes. Rating: 8
Rene Bourque: Second line left wing. Ia able to score impressive amounts of points and is really important for the Flames. Competition like Glencross and Hagman will keep him trying his best every day. Rating: 9
Mikael Backlund: The only really young player in Calgary. Showed some promise last year and hopefully will keep on improving. Rating: 7
Overall some flashes of brilliance, but a really old squad with some inconsistent performers so i have to give Rating: 8
Lines:
Tanguay-Jokinen-Iginla
Bourque-Morrison-Glencross
Hagman-Backlund-Moss
Kostopoulos-Stajan-Jackman
Bouwmeester-Giordano
Sarich-Babchuk
Butler-Carson
Kiprusoff
Calgary has a good squad but really no backup. Old and injury prone team is not promising either, but with some quality players i give them Rating: 8
Key factors
+Some really good players
+In paper tough team
+Decent players from first to fourth line
-No depth
-Really old core
Calgary Flames
Goalies
Miikka Kiprusoff: The backbone of Flames. Has won the Vezina and William M. Jennings and was considered as one of the possible Hart trophy frontrunners in 04-05 season. Still a really good goalie and important for the Flames. Rating: 10
Henrik Karlsson: Decent backup, but if things continue as they have been will play less than 20 games. Played 16 games and lost 11 of those, but 6 in OT. Rating: 7
Kiprusoff is getting to the age where he might have to start giving away some starts. It makes Karlsson more important and with Calgarys defense getting slightly worse it might be more important than ever. Goalie rating: 9
Defensemen
Cory Sarich: The veteran of Flames defense. Only defender who is over 30 years old and with that he might have to take a big role. Is he ready for it or has he ever been good enough for it? For the sake of every Flames fan, i hope he is. Rating: 8
Mark Giordano: The only real offensive threat in Flames blueline. Important player and will probably keep on forming the first defensive pair with Jay Bouwmeester. Rating: 9
Brett Carson: Is 25 years old and has 78 NHL games. With that he should be a top 6 defender in Clagary. Would not be the first time in NHL history that someone has been a late bloomer and that is exactly what Calgary would need. Rating: 7
Chris Butler: The most games he has played in a single season is 59. Without decent backup that might backfire big time. There are really no big flaws in his game so if he gets a full season he should do ok. Rating: 7
Jay Bouwmeester: The alternate captain of Flames. Has not missed a single game after the lockout. The backbone and image of Calgary blueline. Rating: 9
Anton Babchuk: Good player, but has had some problems with contracts and behavior in the past. Hopefully that is behind and the Flames have a good two way defender in him. Rating: 8
Flames have 6 good defenders, but really no backup. Only way to success is avoid injuries and that is not something that you should build on. So that limits my Rating: 8
Forwards
Alex Tanguay: One of the better players in Calgary. Forms the first line with either Morrison or Jokinen and Jarome Iginla on the right. Important member and a good player. Rating: 9
Matt Stajan: Decent center, but surprisingly with 27 years in the meter he is the second youngest forward in the Flames squad. Only Mikael Backlund is younger than him. Rating 7
David Moss: Scored 17 goals which is 6th best in the Flames squad. Considering that he only played 58 games he could have done a lot more for the Flames. Has been injury plagued throughout his career. Rating: 8
Brendan Morrison: Top 6 forward centered the Calgary first line before a season ending knee injury. Led Calgary in +/- with 13 and recorded 43 points in 66 games. Important, but gettin too old like the whole Flames squad. Rating: 8
Daymond Langkow: Had a nearly career ending injury and slowly returned to action really late during the regular season. Still a good player if fit but like i have said so many times the Flames squad is just too old and he is no exception: Rating: 8
Tom Kostopulos: Moved to Calgary from Carolina, but not really sure he is what they need. Do not get me wrong, he is a good player but on the wrong side of 30 and a right winger where Moss and Iginla already play high minutes. Rating: 7
Olli Jokinen: Top 6 forward and if you ask me a clear choice as number one center. A really good center who is a threat at all times. Rating: 9
Tim Jackman: Decent right winger who with 29 years is one of the "younger" players in the squad. Good, but not marvelous in any aspect. Rating: 7
Raitis Ivanas: Latvian hockey player. He is a miracle in that way, but otherwise not. Played one game last season after fighting with Steve MacIntyre he suffered a concussion that kept him out the whole season. Also old so... Rating: 6
Jarome Iginla: The god in Calgary. Has scored over 1000 points 1106 games. He is one of the 10 players in the National Hockey League who has scored 30 or more goals in 10 consecutive season putting him in a group with Jari Kurri, Wayne Gretzky, Bobby Hull and Mike Bossy to mention a few. Tipped to be a certain hall of fame player he leads the Flames as one of the best players ever. Rating: 10
Niklas Hagman: Has to do better than last year, but is a 20+ goal scorer at best and if plays well is a valuable asset to Flames. Rating: 8
Curtis Glencross: Good and important player for the Flames, but with players like Bourque and Tanguay on his position it is hard to get too much minutes. Rating: 8
Rene Bourque: Second line left wing. Ia able to score impressive amounts of points and is really important for the Flames. Competition like Glencross and Hagman will keep him trying his best every day. Rating: 9
Mikael Backlund: The only really young player in Calgary. Showed some promise last year and hopefully will keep on improving. Rating: 7
Overall some flashes of brilliance, but a really old squad with some inconsistent performers so i have to give Rating: 8
Lines:
Tanguay-Jokinen-Iginla
Bourque-Morrison-Glencross
Hagman-Backlund-Moss
Kostopoulos-Stajan-Jackman
Bouwmeester-Giordano
Sarich-Babchuk
Butler-Carson
Kiprusoff
Calgary has a good squad but really no backup. Old and injury prone team is not promising either, but with some quality players i give them Rating: 8
Key factors
+Some really good players
+In paper tough team
+Decent players from first to fourth line
-No depth
-Really old core
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