Evander Kane has signed an ELC with Atlanta. Do I think he will make the team? No, I think he is a year away. But I do believe he will get a nine-game tryout. The Kings also signed Justin Azevedo to his first two-way deal. Prior to this, he was on an AHL deal. [...]
At the end of 2005-06, the Pittsburgh Penguins finished with a dismal 58 points. However, with Sidney Crosby about to be joined by Evgeni Malkin it was easy to see that great things were about to happen. Astute poolies had already stocked their teams with Pens and have seen nothing but dividends ever since. In 2006-07, the team that made the biggest strides was Pittsburgh. While they jumped from 58 to 105 points, the Washington Capitals floundered to just 70.
Once again, astute poolies knew that Alex Ovechkin could only be held back for so long and stocked up on his teammates. In 2007-08 they jumped to 94. That same year, the Chicago Blackhawks showed signs of life with 88 points. In 2008-09 they made it 104. Three years, three talented teams, three giant steps. In every case, poolies who saw it coming stocked up on the players for that particular team had it made in the shade – especially if they are in keeper leagues with a postseason component. So who is the team to watch in 2009-10? Here are the nominees…
Angus here - fire away with your fantasy hockey-related questions to me all afternoon! Check it out in my section on the DobberHockey boards! The Flyers signed Jason Ward as a UFA. His presense will not impact the odds of Nodl or JVR making the squad. Maybe Powe, Asham or Kalinski - depth guys [...]
Russians are being taken lower and lower in the draft since they peaked at seven first rounders in 2000. Have they fallen too far?
Janis Sprukts has signed to play in the KHL next year. Anaheim has signed Nick Deschamps to an entry-level contract. He is still several years away with second-line upside. The Devils signed Patrice Cormier to an ELC, as well as Nathan Perkowich. Cormier is a power forward who several years away from making [...]
The 2010 Draft is one hockey season away; while everyone knows about the star forward at the top of the class, how do the other wingers compare?
The Kings have signed Jack Johnson. He'll be a stud, but I don't think it will happen this year or next. I am also worried about his fragility, but it's still too soon to judge for sure. The Wild have signed Wade Dubie. That's a signal that Harding could be on the move [...]
Following the lead of my western counterpart, I’ll give you the Eastern Conference slant on each team’s top six forwards and four defensemen and guys that might challenge them for a spot in the coming season.
The Coyotes placed Nigel Dawes on waivers and the Calgary Flames picked him up. This is a great opportunity for him to turn his career back around with a second-line job. I still think that Boyd will be in the top six, and I would probably hurt Glencross as a dark horse consideration... unless [...]
Adrian Dater is reporting in his Avs blog that the team will not sign Parshin this year, as I hinted at below. He will remain in the KHL for at least one more year. The Coyotes have signed Korpikoski to a two-year contract. The big news of the day - Kari Lehtonen [...]
