Lucas Main breaks down the latest fantasy information from the Western Conference – the streaks, the slumps, the line combinations and much more.
Was not being taken first overall a blessing in disguise for Seth Jones?
Oliver Ekman-Larsson Poised For Big Year
Another off-season is upon us, which means another summer of debating whether or not the Coyotes will still be in Phoenix next season. This time around things aren’t looking very optimistic in Glendale. The normally positive Bill Daly and Gary Bettman gave indications last week that the Coyotes stay in Phoenix could be coming to a close. Daly said it’s possible the team won’t play there for the 2013-14 season, and Bettman added that there were plenty of relocation markets who have expressed an interest in acquiring the team. Not a good sign coming from Bettman, a guy that almost always refuses to admit anything is wrong. It could be just pouring down rain and Bettman would still be trying to tell you he sees sunshine.
Anaheim's Crease Getting Crowded...
Every National Hockey League organization is looking for that goalie that can steal a game or carry the team on his back from time-to-time. It's difficult to have any sort of long-term postseason success without some steady play between the pipes. Although the Anaheim Ducks made an early exit from this year's Stanley Cup playoffs, they currently have the good fortune of having two netminders that they can rely on in Jonas Hiller and Viktor Fasth.
Colorado Is On The Clock
It’s been nearly four years since someone other than the Edmonton Oilers has held the first overall selection in the National Hockey League Draft. Later this month the Colorado Avalanche will make the first pick after winning the draft lottery, in what was probably their greatest accomplishment in a dismal season.
Can Pekka Rinne Bounce Back?
If you were looking for a blueprint on how to be a successful National Hockey League franchise, the Detroit Red Wings would have to be your first stop. You wouldn’t get much argument from hockey fans that Detroit has been a model of consistency over the last two decades, since they have made the playoffs for 22 straight seasons. Being that good for that long requires great players, coaching, and top of the line scouting, since you often draft late in the first round.
Between Doughty, Muzzin and Voynov; the Kings' young defenders hold promise for the organization, and for fantasy owners.
Coming off a year when you win a Stanley Cup, there can tend to be somewhat of a letdown from a team. The challenge of re-signing many key contributors and having the same ambition you had a year prior, are not easy things to accomplish. The Los Angeles Kings, however, have avoided falling into that trap. They finished in fifth spot this year in the Western Conference, as opposed to eighth spot in 2011-12, and survived a gruelling opening round series with the St. Louis Blues.
Minnesota defenseman Ryan Suter doing just fine without Shea Weber
When the Norris Trophy nominees were revealed last week, three first time finalists had made the cut. P.K. Subban of the Montreal Canadiens and Kris Letang were on the list after tying for the league lead in points among defenseman, and perhaps the biggest surprise of the group, Ryan Suter. Not necessarily because he didn't deserve to be there, but Suter certainly had his doubters after signing that huge $98M contract last off-season.
The Evolution of Andrew Cogliano
Not even the Anaheim Ducks would have told you that coming into this season they expected to win the Pacific Division and finish as the second seed in the Western Conference. After a disappointing 2011-12 campaign that saw them sit 13th, expectations for this year would have been mild to say the least. The Ducks, however, boast plenty of talent and 2013 saw Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, and Bobby Ryan bounce back from off years. Although these three and rookie goaltender Viktor Fasth, who burst onto the scene like Julie "The Cat" Gaffney, deserve much of the credit, the Ducks have also done a good job at improving their depth.
Amato tells us, in no uncertain terms, that Jonathan Toews is your Hart winner
The Chicago Blackhawks captured the President’s trophy last week and will now turn their attention to lifting the Stanley Cup. It took Chicago nearly two months to lose a game in regulation and this shortened season has been somewhat of a dream campaign for Blackhawks fans. That dream, however, could quickly become a nightmare if the team doesn’t replicate its success in the post-season. As those who follow the game know, dominating the regular season doesn’t guarantee anything come spring time.
Niemi Doing More With Less This Season
The San Jose Sharks got off to a strong start in 2013 by winning their first seven games. Of course that was overshadowed by the Chicago Blackhawks gargantuan winning streak and before long the Sharks were just an afterthought among early season headlines. They followed that up with seven straight defeats as fans inched their fingers ever closer to the proverbial panic button.
