It's that time again. In the spring of 2007, we told you all about the marvels of the 2008 and 2009 Entry Drafts. Now it's the fall of '08, and it's time to talk a little about 2010. Is the amazing talent pool entering the league every day finally about run dry? Don't bet on it.
The season got off to a slow start last weekend in Europe. Despite the quality of the four teams involved, the games lacked in quality and entertainment value. But hey, it is early in the season and all the kinks aren’t ironed out yet for several teams. However, despite the limited action there was some important information coming out of last weekend’s games plus the late training camp cuts and here is an overview of the impacts on fantasy hockey.
Outside of Ilya Kovalchuk, is there any Atlanta Thrasher worth owning in a hockey pool? Some people are sold on Kari Lehtonen’s talent. Unfortunately, because the team is suspect both offensively and defensively, Lehtonen’s wins and goals-against-average numbers will suffer.
Where is the love? Jakub Voracek may be the safest prospect to snag this season and in many leagues he is waiver fodder. Steven Stamkos gets all the attention. He is supposedly the superstar top pick to which we've become accustomed. With the success of past first overalls in their first years, you can't blame poolies for going after this kid. We have been truly spoiled by instant-impact rookies from the number one slot. It should happen for Stamkos, but Voracek may be an even safer prospect for this season.
A new season is upon us and we already have a grasp of what to expect in the “Wild” Western Conference. At least to start the campaign, that is. Let’s take a look at what’s ahead for each team.
Is there a team more desperate for competent goaltending other than the Los Angeles Kings? Is there a worse situation for future star Ondrej Pavelec than what he’s going through in Atlanta? Has there ever been another Stanley Cup winning goalie that has been forced to deal with waivers besides Nikolai Khabibulin? Is there really a goalie controversy in Ottawa after just two measly games?
Vancouver has acquired some scoring help on the wing in Michel Ouellet, as well as some toughness on defense in Shane O'Brien. In exchange, defenseman Lukas Krajicek goes to Tampa Bay, along with prospect Juraj Simek.
Perdu dans le Repêchage Amateur de 2008, riche en défenseurs de premier plan rarement vu dans un repêchage de la LNH, un autre excellent attaquant que Steven Stamkos était disponible. Comment bon? Ceci reste à voir.
( cliquez ici pour la version française )
Lost in the fact that the 2008 Entry Draft was filled with a group of high-end defensemen rarely seen in an NHL draft, a very good non-Steven Stamkos forward was available. How good? That remains to be seen.
The NHL pre-season is now in full swing, and astute fantasy poolies are doing their best to pay attention to as many teams as they can. There have been many surprises so far, and equally as many disappointments. Now is the time that coaches are trying to find the right chemistry with their forward lines. There have been countless combinations thrown together that have shown a lot of promise to click once the regular season begins. Here are a few of them…
