Lucas Main breaks down the latest fantasy information from the Western Conference – the streaks, the slumps, the line combinations and much more.
The third week of the 2008-09 NHL season has come and gone. Let’s take a look at what has occurred during the third week in the Western Conference and perhaps a little foresight into what could happen down the road.
The second full week of the 2008-09 NHL season has come and gone. Let’s take a look at what has occurred in the Western Conference, plus a little foresight into what could happen down the road.
The first week of the 2008-09 NHL season has come and gone. Let’s take a look at what has occurred during the opening week in the Western Conference and perhaps a little foresight into what could happen down the road.
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.
Many people believe that there are three correct ways of building a great NHL team, the first is through trading to acquire players that will fit a team’s need. The second is through free agency and signing the missing link during the off season, and the third is through the NHL entry draft. Last week we looked at draft position and how it affected a player’s career NHL production, and with the 2008 NHL entry draft just around the corner we’ll look back at the past to see which teams have been particularly strong in the past at drafting in the first round of the NHL entry drafts and juxtapose them to teams that have been extremely weak. You’ll certainly be surprised to see which team is traditionally the first-round draft loser.
With the 2008 NHL entry draft just a few weeks away we can look back to the past to see which areas of past NHL entry drafts were typically strong and you’ll be certainly be surprised to see which areas have been shockingly weak.
Kevin Lowe, GM of the Oilers, made splashes around the league last season when he made two stunning offers to two restricted free agents during the off-season. Prior to Lowe’s two incidences last off-season, there wasn’t too much drama with restricted free agents except for the Ryan Kesler incident in 2006, but generally GM’s tend to believe that it is an unwritten rule that restricted free agents are hands off to other GMs, until Lowe came along last season that is… Below is a list of the notable eligible restricted free agents taken from the website, www.nhlscap.com along with their current salaries at the end of this season.
Hoisting Lord Stanley’s Cup this year remains a dream for 16 of the 30 NHL teams that are going to duke it out in the NHL playoffs in the following two months. For the 14 other squads, there are only three major dates that they need to be circled on their off-season calendars, besides all their various tee-time bookings of course. The first date is June 20th for the 2008 NHL entry draft, which will most likely see Stamkos go No. 1. The second is July 1, which is the first day of free agency signings, and the third has still not been determined yet - the first day of the 2008-2009 NHL season. Let's put a spin on what could potentially happen in the offseason with free agency. I’ll doze off now and start dreaming of ideal scenarios that could possibly play out this summer. Below is a list of the eligible unrestricted free agents taken from the website, www.nhlscap.com
Last week we looked at a few players who have entered or will enter their “magical” fourth year next season. This may be a little bit early to prepare for next season’s draft, but this will still be useful in helping you prepare your keeper/dynasty team.
Many fantasy hockey expert’s have differing theories of how a player develops. Those that were highly touted could end up being just as they were projected and become superstars in the league. While others seem to be completely the opposite and become big-time NHL busts. Generally speaking, we’ll usually know by their “magical” fourth year whether they have true fantasy potential or not. This week we’ll evaluate five players who are in or going into their fourth season with their clubs to see whether or not they truly have developed to their true potential or are they going to become a bust.
