Phil Kessel is day to day with a LBI and the Toronto Sun wonders if we'll see him play again this season. He can't skate at even close to full stride and had to leave practice yesterday. I forgot to add - you can enter three times per email address. For my FREE [...]
The current state of Minnesota Wild goaltending displays a promising and bright future, thanks in large part to their 2009 NHL Entry Draft picks making big waves this year in their respective junior leagues. Combined with solid experience and good youth at the AHL and ECHL levels, the Wild have bright stars illuminating the team’s path and a classy depth chart worthy of that recognition.
The third annual Prime Cuts roster is set to be unveiled starting Friday, April 9th. Check out the Prime Cuts rosters from 2007-08 and 2008-09. The thinking process that goes in to selecting the team is similar to Pierre McGuire’s “Monsters” for TSN (I promise that is the first and only time I will compare my thinking process to Pierre’s). Since this is a fantasy hockey site, the selection process favours players that have had strong seasons on the score sheet, obviously. However, not just goals and assists are weighted – perhaps a player has started to shoot the puck more, or play better defensively. Intangibles like heart, grit, and determination factor in to the selection process as well. It is far and away my favourite article to write each year, and I hope you will all enjoy reading it as much as I have enjoyed writing it!
The Sharks have reportedly signed Cameron MacIntyre to a contract. MacIntyre had 10 points in 10 games this year for Princeton. He's 24. I'll put him on my radar, but I'll keep his upside modest for now. TSN confirms the Omark signing, plus more details here. Peter Mueller, after his three-points, suffered a [...]
Happy Easter everyone! The Avs have signed Kevin Shattenkirk to an ELC. Shattenkirk is the No.3 ranked d-man prospect on my list, as he has tremendous upside and is a surefire NHLer. I believe he will make the team next year and have an immediate impact, with Calder consideration. If the Avs hang onto [...]
(Tyler Seguin and Taylor Hall in OHL playoff action. Photo Credit: Windsor Star)
The CHL playoffs are getting good with the top two prospects facing off head-to-head in the OHL semi-finals. How is the rest of the top thirty fairing?
Some companies just make quality merchandise. You can trust that you’re getting good value and something that will last. Maybe you own a toaster or a coffee maker that’s never let you down. So when you’re looking for blender to make some shakes or smoothies, you go with the brand that you know. You can apply the same logic to hockey teams. Some scouting departments do a good job identifying hockey players. Even better, some teams do this and do a good job developing players.
One team that does this is the Detroit Red Wings. By necessity, the Red Wings have had to do a good job spotting talent that others haven’t noticed and they’ve burnished that talent with a development strategy that preaches patience. Quick! Name me the last Red Wings prospect that was got rushed to the NHL. Now, you could argue that because they haven’t had a high first-round pick – or any first-round picks in some years – that they haven’t been tempted to rush any prospects to the NHL. That is true of junior-aged prospects, but not so of minor pros.
Michael Grabner recorded his first career hat trick in less than 14 minutes of ice time last night. Now that is production! He also fired six shots on goal. Grabner probably could have potted another two or three – he was terrorizing the Ducks defense with his speed all night. He now has 56 [...]
While I have been picking the winners at a close-to 70 percent clip all season, it is very important for my summer well-being to close out the final two Saturdays of the season just as strong. Intensity each team will put forth due to their playoff picture is a key factor in late season games. Teams already secure in the playoffs and their seed will not be as hungry as a team fighting for their playoff lives. Teams that have been eliminated on the other side of the coin, have players fighting for jobs next season. Intensity is a motivating factor in my late season picks and should be in yours as well. Good luck with your picks, but in all honesty, just mirror my Saturday selections below if you want a happy and winning Easter of hockey prognostication.
A tough decision can be made easier with these charts showing you the best five and worst five schedules for upcoming seven-day periods. Some of you used them last year but for the benefit of new readers here is a refresher. The number next to the team indicates the 'multiplier' to use on a player's point-per-game pace to give you an idea how many points to expect for that week.
