30 in 30: San Jose Sharks

San Jose hopes a different look in net brings different success in the postseason

When you look back at San Jose’s convincing second-round series win over Detroit, it seemed like that was the ‘hump’ they were trying to get over. In some ways, it was. The Red Wings are the litmus test for almost every team; especially for the Sharks, who had the Wings on the ropes in 2007 but couldn’t close the deal.

It was a big statement for the Sharks to beat Detroit in five games. But from an outsider’s point of view, the subsequent series against Chicago had almost as many negatives as there were positives the round before. Todd McLellan’s gang was swept by the eventual champion Blackhawks in the conference finals, seemingly out-played in every game.

One of those areas that GM Doug Wilson hoped to improve this summer was the defense – particularly when veteran Rob Blake retired. They were out-manned going up a deep Chicago club, and even attempted to pry RFA Niklas Hjalmarsson with an offer sheet. ‘Hawks GM Stan Bowman was having none of that.

San Jose was also rumored to be in the mix for the likes of Tomas Kaberle, Sheldon Souray, and Kevin Bieksa on the trade front, and was a co-favorite to sign Willie Mitchell… to no avail.

Instead, Wilson decided to grab two netminders to replace Evgeni Nabokov, longtime standout between the pipes for this organization. Wilson signed one of them on July 1 – Antero Niittymaki – who comes over from Tampa Bay.

And just when it appeared Niittymaki and Thomas Greiss would share the crease, they nabbed Antti Niemi in early September to boost the depth in goal (after striking out on numerous defensemen).

It seemed to have been a controversial decision to pickup Niemi when the team was satisified with what they had. At the same time, when there’s no other impact defensemen to be had, you might as well add a Stanley Cup-winning goaltender.

The only other notable signing that Wilson made in the off-season was Jamal Mayers, who is expected to be a regular fourth-liner at best. Defenseman Andreas Lilja is in training camp as a tryout.

Three key re-signings made the organization were Patrick Marleau (four years, $27.6 million), Joe Pavelski (four years, $16 million), and Devin Setoguchi (one year, $1.8 million).
- Ryan Porth

Depth Chart:


Additions: Antero Niittymaki, Antti Niemi, Jamal Mayers
Subtractions: Evgeni Nabokov, Rob Blake, Manny Malhotra, Jed Ortmeyer, Brad Staubitz

Fresh Faces From the Farm:
- Benn Ferriero, Tommy Wingels, and even Steven Zalewski provide nice depth up front from the AHL if/when injuries occur.
- Defensively, Derek Joslin and Nick Petrecki are probably on the outside looking in; but like above, could be the first called upon when need be.

X-Factor: Joe Pavelski
If the Sharks get the playoff version of Pavelski for stretches at a time, the offense could be scary.
Breakout: Logan Couture
Even though the stats don’t show it, Couture showed flashes of brilliance late last year.
On the Hot Seat: Devin Setoguchi
Despite his 31-goal output in 2008/09, you have to wonder if another down year could make Setoguchi expendable for a defenseman.

Bold Prediction: San Jose’s three-year stay atop the Pacific ends this season.

The Final Word: The Sharks still need to get over that proverbial ‘hump’ before people start believing they’ll advance farther than round two or three. With Joe Thornton, Dany Heatley, and Marleau doing their thing, along with the still-improving Pavelski, the offense is pretty potent. They’ll be solid again in the regular season, but I don’t see this team having much postseason success unless they improve the back end mid-season.

RLD Staff Predictions:
Anthony- 3rd Pacific Division; 7th Western Conference
Patrick- 1st Pacific Division; 3rd Western Conference
Ryan- 2nd Pacific Division; 5th Western Conference

Photo credit: Getty Images

Pre-Season Top 5 Hart Candidates

Today we complete a five-part series, looking at top candidates for the different awards this season. Here are my top five Hart Trophy contenders…

1. Sidney Crosby
I really thought if it weren’t for Henrik Sedin that Sidney Crosby should have been the Hart winner last year, even though he finished third in the final voting. Evgeni Malkin wasn’t the same player a year ago, battling through an injury. Marc-Andre Fleury was also shaky, going through rough stretches. That only made what Crosby did look better (51 goals, 109 points), especially without a go-to winger (yet again).

I have my doubts that Sid will repeat his 51-goal performance. I mean going into last year his previous high was 39; somewhere between 40 and 45 is more likely. That said, he should still record well over 100 points, and the Pens will be right there in the thick of things come April. As we sit right now, Crosby is my favorite to take the Hart.

2. Alex Ovechkin
The one who finished right in between Sedin and Crosby in the Hart voting last year was this guy. Ovechkin is possibly the most prolific player in the league with the puck on his stick, and has scored 171 goals in the last three seasons. Even though his goal totals have gone down each year, ‘Ovie’ has been sharing the puck a lot more (took 160 less shots in 2009/10).

If Ovechkin can score 55-plus goals again and stay away from injury or suspension from his rambonxious play at times, he has a solid shot at the Hart. The only reason why I think Crosby is a better for the most valuable player is that Ovechkin has an abundance of offensive weapons surrounding him.

3. Pavel Datsyuk
I know what you’re thinking. ‘Datsyuk is 32 and past his prime… Datsyuk only had 70 points last year… blah blah blah.’ Let’s not forget what Detroit’s Pavel Datsyuk can do when at top of his game as he is arguably the best two-way forward in the game today. It’s no fluke that he has won three consecutive Selke trophies.

Up until last season, Datsyuk recorded back-to-back 97-point campaigns. He also had put together four straight years of 59 assists or more. Last year, he had 43 assists and 70 points – both lows since the lockout. However, the Red Wings had an off-year altogether and Datsyuk is included in that mix. Look for Datsyuk to rebound in 2010/11 and be a candidate for the Hart in the end.

4. Henrik Sedin
Whenever I watch Vancouver play – whether live in person or on television – I marvel at the abilities of the Sedin twins. They cycle the puck like they have eyes in the back of their heads, and set up goals that not many others can. Henrik had his coming out party in 2009/10, tallying 112 points and a plus-35 rating for the Canucks.

However, it may be difficult for Henrik to mirror his point outburst from a year ago, especially since he and brother Daniel will have an even larger target on their backs from opposing defenses. Also, the biggest thing going for Henrik was that Daniel and goalie Roberto Luongo suffered injuries early in the year. He’s a great player, but winning the Hart in back-to-back seasons may be a stretch for Henrik.

5. Anze Kopitar
Let’s rewind back to the first half of last season. Remember how good Anze Kopitar was? I don’t know if there was a player hotter than Kopitar in October and November, as the Slovenian had 33 points in 27 games in those two months. Better yet, he had 30 points in the first 19 games. Despite a slight drop-off the rest of the year, Kopitar had a career-high in points (81).

The 23-year-old top pivot for Los Angeles is more than capable of stretching out the consistency and success that he displayed early last year. With the Kings getting ready for liftoff and Kopitar being the most important player offensively, don’t be surprised to see him sneak into this picture when it’s all said and done.

Honorable Mention: Evgeni Malkin, Steven Stamkos, Ryan Miller

Our previous pre-season trophy candidate posts:
Vezina Trophy
Jack Adams Trophy
Norris Trophy
Calder Trophy

Photo credit: Getty Images

30 in 30: Phoenix Coyotes

Was last season a mirage in Phoenix? 2010/11 could tell the truth

Last season came as a surprise to many due to the fantastic season displayed by the Phoenix Coyotes. From Vezina candidate Ilya Bryzgalov to Jack Adams-winning Dave Tippet, all the pieces of the puzzle were put into place and the 'Yotes were able to earn a spot in the postseason for the first time since 2002.

Although their run fell short, there was plenty of promise to take from last season and apply it to the upcoming season we are about to enter.

Adding fuel to the fire to light the fuse that will create positive fireworks in Phoenix again this year are the additions the club has brought in.

Veteran forward Ray Whitney, signed on July 1, will be called on to lead the team both on and off the ice. With plenty of playoff experience under his belt, he steps in to an already impressive group of forwards, led by team captain Shane Doan and deadline acquisitions Wojtek Wolski and Lee Stempniak. Also, GM Don Maloney recently signed Eric Belanger, who is an extremely valuable intangible player that can contribute from the bottom six.

With that being said, the difficult task of replacing Matthew Lombardi – who bolted this off-season for Nashville – remains the second biggest question mark on this team.

What remains to be seen rests on the blueline. Which player will step up to replace the off-season loss of Zybnek Michalek? In my opinion, Michalek is the biggest blow Phoenix suffered this off-season in terms of on-ice personnel.

With returning veterans Aucoin, Morris, Keith Yandle and Ed Jovanovski on board, Phoenix will be hopeful that Sami Lepisto and one of Maxim Goncharov, Oliver Ekman-Larsson or David Schlemko will be able to round out the defensive pairings and provide stability on the back end.

The main component to all of this will be the play of Bryzgalov. Again, after coming off a Vezina caliber season Bryzgalov will be called upon to have a repeat, if not better, performance from last season.

'Bryz' posted a record of 42-20-6 in 2009-10 and helped his Coyotes earn a playoff berth. Can he provide a similar season this year and replicate his 2.29 GAA and .920 save percentage? I'd go all in if I were a betting man on this situation.
- Anthony Curatolo

Depth Chart:


Additions: Ray Whitney, Eric Belanger, Andrew Ebbett
Subtractions: Matthew Lombardi, Zbynek Michalek, Robert Lang, Daniel Winnik, Jim Vandermeer, Petteri Nokelainen

Fresh Faces From the Farm:
- Ekman-Larsson, Goncharov, and Schlemko are bright defensive prospects that could make an impact this season.
- Same goes for forwards Kyle Turris, Mikkel Boedker, and Viktor Tikhonov, all former first-round draft picks.

X-Factor: Wojtek Wolski
If Wolski can adjust to the top-line center role, it will pay huge dividends for the ‘Yotes.
Breakout: Oliver Ekman-Larsson
The rookie Swedish defenseman seems to be turning heads and could make the team out of camp.
On the Hot Seat: Petr Prucha
It’s hard to pick someone from this team… but with so much depth on the wing, Prucha could eventually be pushed out by the youngsters.

Bold Prediction: Wolski will excel in his new role and lead the team in points.

The Final Word: The Coyotes were the talk of the 2009/10 season after unexpectedly racking up 107 points. This year could be a different story, however, as teams will be prepared for them from the on-set. This team had a lot of bounces go their way last year, and if they don’t get those same breaks, the ‘Yotes may have to fight for a playoff spot.

RLD Staff Predictions:
Anthony- 1st Pacific Division; 2nd Western Conference
Patrick- 3rd Pacific Division; 7th Western Conference
Ryan- 3rd Pacific Division; 8th Western Conference

Photo credit: Getty Images

Pre-Season Top 5 Calder Candidates

Today we continue a five-part series, looking at top candidates for the different awards this season. Here are my top five Calder Trophy contenders…


1. Tyler Ennis
When you look at other pre-season prognostications, Tyler Ennis is not considered to be one of those favorites. I mean, when you have as stellar a rookie class as this is expected to be, it’s very understandable. But something he has over some of the others is a cup of coffee of experience, and played in the postseason against Boston.


Ennis, the Sabres’ first-round pick in 2008, tallied 9 nine points in 10 games late last year. Not bad. Ennis will get an opportunity to play in the Sabres’ top-six (probably at wing). But given Tim Connolly’s inability to stay healthy on a year-to-year basis, though, Ennis could see some time as the team’s number two pivot at some point. I really like the chances of Ennis at least finishing as a finalist for the Calder – if not, winning it.


2. P.K. Subban
Andrei Markov’s injury could be a blessing in disguise for ‘Little Bird’, a.k.a. P.K. Subban. The defenseman was called up during the playoffs last year and performed admirably. He immediately became a fan favorite at that time, racking up 8 points in 14 pressure-packed games.


Entering his first season as an NHLer, Subban has a great opportunity at hand. With Markov out for an unknown amount of time to start the season, the 21-year-old rookie will have a chance to shine as the Canadiens’ top offensive defenseman… on a power play unit that is normally pretty darn good, nonetheless. Look for Subban to put his hat into this ring, as well.


3. Jordan Eberle, Taylor Hall, Magnus Paajarvi
Since all three of these high flyin’ Oilers are candidates for the Calder, we might as well include them in one segment! They have already stolen the spotlight here in the pre-season with great performances from Eberle and Paajarvi. Then there is Hall, this summer’s number one pick.


I would love to see all three on one line, but that seems very unlikely at this point. If they are split into two different lines, the Oilers should have three sets of lines that could strike at any moment. While Eberle, Hall, and Paajarvi all have unlimited potential and could very well be the best rookies in this class, there’s one question I have: would the three cancel each other in this race for the Calder if they have equal success?


4. Jonathan Bernier
This past March, I saw Bernier shutout a hot Nashville team and was amazed how good this kid was. It was just his sixth game in the NHL (and second since 2007/08). With Manchester of the AHL last season, he recorded a 2.03 GAA and 30 wins. With the Kings, Bernier will undoubtedly rack up the wins – just how many is the question. Even though he is still on the outside looking in, per se, with Jonathan Quick as starter, it’s only a matter of time before Bernier becomes a star between the pipes.


5. John Carlson
Some call him the next great defenseman for the Caps. Some call him the American hero for his overtime heroics against Canada in the World Juniors. Whatever he is, John Carlson is freakin’ good. He put up 39 points in 48 games for Hershey last year… as a defenseman! If you remember, Carlson also scored the game-tying goal in waning minutes of Game 2 aginst Montreal to send the game to overtime (and had a +6 playoff rating to boot). The future is bright for this kid, and should be one of the top Calder candidates.


Honorable Mention: Tyler Seguin, Alex Pietrangelo*, Oliver Ekman-Larsson


Our previous pre-season trophy candidate posts:
Vezina Trophy
Jack Adams Trophy
Norris Trophy
Hart will be coming up on Thursday

*Update (9/30): Been notified that Pietrangelo is not eligible for the Calder since he has played in more than six games in two separate seasons. Honest mistake. Add Vancouver's Cody Hodgson as an honorable mention...

Photo credit: Getty Images

30 in 30: Los Angeles Kings

No Kovy? No problem. L.A. seeks 'next step' as contenders out west
The Los Angeles Kings surprised many people throughout the hockey world last season. They made the playoffs, played a Stanley Cup contender (Vancouver) tough in a six game first round series before losing, and had a tremendous effort all season long from second year defenseman Drew Doughty.


The Kings finished sixth in the Western Conference with 101 points while making the postseason for the first time since 2002. A lot of this was due to the splendid play of youngsters like Anze Kopitar (34 goals), Doughty (Norris Trophy contender) and goaltender Jonathan Quick (39 wins).


It was quite the summer for the team as they spent a good portion of it going after superstar and the most prized free-agent on the market, Ilya Kovalchuk. Instead of landing Kovy, the team picked up Alexei Ponikarovsky and defenseman Willie Mitchell.


With that, the team hopes that Ponikarovsky can provide 20-25 goals while playing on a line next to Michal Handzus and Wayne Simmonds. When it comes to Mitchell, the team hopes he can provide a veteran presence on the backline while also staying healthy. Mitchell missed 34 games last year with a concussion.


During the off-season, the Kings decided not to resign Alexander Frolov, which allowed the enigmatic Russian to sign a one-year deal on Broadway with the Rangers. The Kings also said goodbye to guys like Jeff Halpern and Fredrik Modin, as the team hopes that it will give guys like Brayden Schenn or Oscar Moller an opportunity to succeed.


What should be really interesting is the potential goalie battle between Quick and Jonathan Bernier. Bernier has done everything he possibly could in the American League and is chomping at the bit to be a starter in the NHL. If you recall, Bernier won all three of his starts with the Kings in March.


Head coach Terry Murray has said time and time again that Quick will be the starter but word on the street is that Bernier has a bright future and is ready to show it. Can Bernier dethrone Quick? If that ends up happening, what becomes of Quick?


It should be another solid season in La-La Land; and if all goes well and the team stays healthy, they should find themselves in the middle of the Western Conference playoff race come April.
- Patrick Hoffman


Depth Chart:



Additions: Alexei Ponikarovsky, Willie Mitchell
Subtractions: Alexander Frolov, Sean O’Donnell, Jeff Halpern, Fredrik Modin, Randy Jones


Fresh Faces From the Farm:
- Brayden Schenn, Oscar Moller, Trevor Lewis, and Andrei Loktionov are on the cusp of the NHL, but may be held out for another year to develop.
- Defensemen Thomas Hickey, Vyacheslav Voynov, and Colten Teubert are gunning for one of the final spots on the blueline.


X-Factor: Wayne Simmonds
Simmer’s two-way play is only improving and showed offensive potential last year.
Breakout: Scott Parse
Parse has an opportunity to succeed with Jarret Stoll and Justin Williams; that line has been solid in training camp.
On the Hot Seat: Jack Johnson
Johnson is still learning and polishing his game, but is entering a contract year along with other youngsters.


Bold Prediction: Drew Doughty captures his first Norris Trophy of many to come.


The Final Word: The City of Los Angeles saw a renaissance of Kings Hockey last season as the team returned to the playoffs for the first time in eight years. Murray’s gang is primed to take the next step here in 2010/11; what does the ‘next step’ imply? Baby steps? Division winners? Stanley Cup contenders? Time will tell, but I think L.A. wins the division and becomes true Cup contenders in 2011/12.


RLD Staff Predictions:
Anthony- 2nd Pacific Division; 4th Western Conference
Patrick- 2nd Pacific Division; 5th Western Conference
Ryan- 1st Pacific Division; 3rd Western Conference

Are you interested in more previews? Find out how to receive our 2010/11 NHL PDF preview through email later this month.

Photo credit: Getty Images

RLD Hockey Talk - Episode 31 Outline

You can listen to today's show right HERE at 12 PM ET / 11 AM CT as we preview the Central and Southeast Divisions!

11:00 CT
- Show Introduction
- Welcome in co-host Anthony Curatolo
- RLD Plugs

11:05 CT (roughly)
- Welcome in guest Craig Custance, Sporting News
- Summer recap
- Central Division preview
- Blackhawks
- Red Wings
- Predators
- Blues
- Blue Jackets
- Division predictions

11:30 CT (roughly)
- Welcome in guest Corey Masisak, CSN Washington
- Summer recap
- Southeast Division preview
- Capitals
- Thrashers
- Lightning
- Hurricanes
- Panthers
- Division predictions
- Other chatter

11:50 CT (roughly)
- Roundtable Discussion
- Various topics

Preds still feeling effects of May floods

It was a weekend that Nashvillians will never forget. A two-day monsoon turned into overflowing rivers, which turned into devastation all across Middle Tennessee. Almost every community in the area was affected by the flooding – especially Davidson County. Heck, even the Opryland Hotel (one of Nashville’s well-known landmarks) will be out of commission well into the winter.

While the people in those areas still rebuild and restore their livelihoods (and will be for months/years), one of the biggest unknowns of this natural disaster was the affect on Bridgestone Arena, home of the Predators.

On the Monday immediately following the non-stop torrential downpours, the Cumberland River (which goes through the heart of downtown) started overflowing into the downtown district. Once that happened and the water had nowhere to go, some of it got into the event level of Bridgestone through underground pipes.

Approximately eight inches of standing water filled the floors of the arena, including the locker rooms and space where the ice had been sitting just days prior. If the Predators had beaten the Blackhawks in the first round of the playoffs, they wouldn’t have had a home arena for round two.

The event level was cleaned up just enough for Bridgestone Arena to host a James Taylor/Carole King concert on May 22nd, just three weeks following the floods.

Almost five months later, the staff is still cleaning up and fixing what was lost or damaged.

Three games into their home pre-season slate, the Predators still have not dressed in their own locker room (and may not by the time the regular season starts).

“The locker room’s got some work to do; it will be very nice when they get it done,” Coach Barry Trotz said last week. “We’re hoping it’s not done by October 8th and then they say ‘here, we got it done in time’, because that just disrupts everything. I’m hoping they can get it by the 5th.”

In the mean time, they’ve resided in an auxiliary locker room down the hall from the visiting teams. It is a much smaller room and a longer walk to the bench/ice. As a result to not being in their regular spot, the hallways outside of the visiting and auxiliary locker rooms are absolutely crammed (especially following games).

As Trotz said, the team may not get back into their locker room by opening night (October 9th).

The dry wall and foundation is there, but the little things still have to be done – painting, putting in stalls, final furnishings, etc. One advantage of this unfortunate ordeal is that they’ve been able to put in a theatre system to watch game film, where before it would be a make-shift setup.

The team hopes the room will be done by October 9th when they host the Anaheim Ducks, but it seems questionable at this point. It is expected to be fully functioning by the time the Preds return from a trip to Chicago on October 13th.

The area is still struggling from the events that took place in early May, as families have been displaced or still rebuilding. People in the area – if they were lucky enough to have power – were watching, on local television, tractor trailers drive through numerous feet of water on the interstate.

In the grand scheme of things, the Predators' locker room is low on totem pole of concerns when compared to people losing some or all of their possessions.

Some parts of Middle Tennessee will be recovering for a while in what had to have been one of the more under-publicized natural disasters in recent memory.

Photo credits: Nashville Post

30 in 30: Dallas Stars

New chapter of Stars Hockey off to a bumpy start

For the first time since moving to the Lonestar State, the Stars have fairly low expectations going into a new year. Maybe it will put a chip on their shoulder this season… but nevertheless, it explains the current state of this team. They have now missed the postseason in back-to-back years for the first time since 1987 and 1988 when they were known as the North Stars, and may be in danger of pushing that drought to three years.

Now, they have a coach that has failed to take a team to the playoffs since the lockout (Marc Crawford) and a goalie that may have trouble following the footsteps of past franchise standouts Marty Turco and Eddie Belfour (Kari Lehtonen).

The faces of the franchise in the last decade were all let go this summer. Turco and Mike Modano found new homes in Chicago and Detroit, respectively, while Jere Lehtinen is still pondering retirement.

GM Joe Nieuwendyk had to operate under a tight budget this summer, which handcuffed him to be silent in free agency. That triggered the rumors involving Mike Ribeiro, who still has three years remaining with a $5 million cap hit.

Perhaps the biggest move Nieuwendyk made in preparation for this season was the trade he made with Atlanta last February. The underachieving and injury-prone Kari Lehtonen came over from the Thrashers in exchange for Ivan Vishnevskiy and a late-round draft pick.

Lehtonen split time with Turco down the stretch, going 6-4 in ten starts with a 2.81 goals against average. He also signed a three-year, $10.65 million extension this summer. The jury is still out, though, as to whether he can stay healthy and perform consistently for the duration of a full season.

Nieuwendyk inked journeyman backup Andrew Raycroft this off-season to play behind Lehtonen. Raycroft had a solid 2009/10 campaign in Vancouver, all things considered.

One other signing Dallas made was grinder Adam Burish; he is expected to be a regular on the third or fourth line.

The biggest issue I see with this team is the defense. Stephane Robidas is the only one worthy of being a top-three blueliner in this league, and the unit as a whole lacks a true offensive presence. Sergei Zubov’s shoes have been proven to be hard to fill in recent years.

Dallas did give veteran Jonathan Cheechoo a chance in the pre-season to crack the lineup, but was released from his tryout contract over the weekend.
- Ryan Porth

Depth Chart:


Additions: Adam Burish, Andrew Raycroft
Subtractions: Marty Turco, Mike Modano, Jere Lehtinen

Fresh Faces From the Farm:
- If forward Aaron Gagnon makes it through waivers, he could see some time with the Stars this season.
- Other forwards such as Scott Glennie and Colton Sceviour may be a year away.
- Given his offensive capabilities, defensive prospect Philip Larsen has a shot to make the team.
- Brent Krahn is vying for the backup job to Lehtonen, but he’ll likely get beaten out by Raycroft.

X-Factor: Kari Lehtonen
If Lehtonen can live up to his contract and play like a number one, Dallas won’t be as bad as I think. But that’s a pretty big ‘if’.
Breakout: Jamie Benn
The young winger still has room to grow his game despite a 22-goal output in his rookie year.
On the Hot Seat: Matt Niskanen
Niskanen took a step back last year with 15 points and a minus-15 rating. Can he turn it around?

Bold Prediction: The goaltending duo goes sour, causing the Stars to have the worst team GAA in the league.

The Final Word: Were the Edmonton Oilers the least talented team last year? No. Are the Dallas Stars the least talented team this year? No. But this Stars club lacks an identity and their key veterans up front have an injury history in recent years… plus, they play in a tough division to boot. I’m not too high on the Stars this season, and see them finishing dead-last in the conference.

RLD Staff Predictions:
Anthony- 4th Pacific Division; 10th Western Conference
Patrick- 5th Pacific Division; 13th Western Conference
Ryan- 5th Pacific Division; 15th Western Conference

Photo credit: Getty Images

Pre-Season Top 5 Norris Candidates

Today we continue a five-part series, looking at top candidates for the different awards this season. Here are my top five Norris Trophy contenders…

1. Drew Doughty
Bold prediction: Doughty will win four Norris Trophies in the next decade… and that spree begins this season. In just his second season in the league, the Kings phenom defenseman racked up 59 points and a +20 plus/minus rating. Also, with 31 points on the man advantage, he’s a machine on the power play.

The biggest thing I’m impressed with Doughty is his composure for his age (still 20). He is so cool with the puck on his stick, reminding many of a young Scott Niedermayer… which is very high praise. Los Angeles is going to be a great team once again this year, and is my current favorite to win the Pacific Division. If they were to unseat San Jose out West, Doughty would be a key part of that.

2. Duncan Keith
What makes Keith so remarkable is his all-around play from the back end. In his own end, he is wizard-like and rarely makes a mistake; his breakout pass is up there with the best in the league; and offensively, Keith creates chances and is poised with the puck. These three qualities are the reason why he won the Norris over Doughty and Green last season.

Furthermore, Keith doesn’t rely on the man advantage to provide his production. Only 16 of his 69 points were recorded on the power play (23.3%)… proving his value to the ‘Hawks at even strength. It would be a mistake to overlook him as a candidate to repeat as the Norris winner. Chicago’s not going anywhere, and Keith is just entering his prime.

3. Zdeno Chara
‘Big Z’ was the most dominant defenseman in the NHL just two years ago – and is still considered that by many. In 2008/09, the year he won his first Norris, Chara had 50 points and a +23 plus/minus rating. Those numbers dipped a bit in 2009/10 as the Bruins struggled to maintain the success.

With that being said, Boston is considered the favorite to win the division and perform a lot better than last year. Since he still runs the power play, a return to 15-20 goals should be in the offing. Assuming Chara can stay healthy, I look for him to anchor the Bruins defense once again and put up big numbers in a contract year.

4. Mike Green
Green is the best offensive defenseman in the league… there is no arguing that. But just because he puts up over 70 points doesn’t mean he’s automatically the best defenseman in the league and should win the Norris. Despite the great numbers, Green’s play in his own zone is suspect to say the least.

Last year should be proof that you need to be more than just an offensive dynamo to win the Norris. Keith had great numbers, but backed them up with stellar play in the defensive zone. For Green to eventually win this trophy, he’ll have to fine-tune his defensive game. I don’t think that will happen overnight…

5. Shea Weber
Over the last couple years, Shea Weber has evolved into one of the more dominant defenders in the NHL. He’s a mean son of a gun in his own zone and has a wicked hard slap shot – one that can actually go through the net. Weber has scored 39 goals, combined, in the last two seasons for the Predators.

This summer, he was handed the captaincy after the trade of Jason Arnott. Weber is type of player that will flourish with the ‘C’ on his chest, and may even improve. This is his team now, and will play like it every night. Now that his name is officially on the map throughout the league after his stellar Olympics, Weber should get consideration for the Norris with another great season.

Honorable Mention: Chris Pronger, Dan Boyle, Erik Johnson

Photo credit: Getty Images

Islanders’ Streit out six months

Bad Terrible news from Islanders camp.

Yesterday afternoon, during a Blue vs. Orange scrimmage, Islanders defenseman Mark Streit injured his shoulder in an awkward collision along the boards, and left the arena in a sling.

Today it was revealed that he’ll miss most of the season with a torn labrum and torn rotator cuff in his left shoulder; the injuries will require surgery. The six month prognosis will leave him out of the Islanders lineup until March (at the earliest).

This is obviously a major blow to the Islanders lineup. Streit, 32, is one of the more steady and reliable defensemen in the league. He has averaged just shy of 56 points a season in the last three years… not too shabby for a defenseman! The Isles will dearly miss his puck-moving skills and ability to quarterback a power play.

If you’re a fantasy hockey player, this could boost the value of James Wisniewski, who would presumably take over the role as the top defenseman on the man advantage.

I don’t know how the Islanders would be able to replace Streit this late into training camp. Yes, Edmonton’s Sheldon Souray is available and the Isles have an abundance of cap space, but I don’t see GM Garth Snow going down that road. We'll see, though.

This will simply be a big loss to the blueline and everyone will have to step up collectively.  Tough break for Streit and the Isles.

Photo credit: Getty Images

30 in 30: Anaheim Ducks

Question marks surround Ducks as they pass the torch to young core

Another off-season. Another lost future Hall of Fame defenseman.


After dealing Chris Pronger last summer, the Anaheim Ducks missed the postseason in 2010 for the first time since the lockout. Ryan Getzlaf couldn’t stay healthy, and Teemu Selanne was in and out at times as well.


Looking ahead to the 2010/11 campaign, Randy Carlyle’s crew has a lot of the same faces from a year ago. However, the retirement of Scott Niedermayer is going to make things tough on the Ducks to make a return to the playoffs.


Numbers wise, there is no way GM Bob Murray was going to be able to replace Niedermayer this summer. I think Murray tried to stay ahead of the game when he acquired Lubomir Visnovsky at the trade deadline, knowing this was a possibility.


As for the intangibles and leadership Niedermayer brings? Those will never be replaced.


Murray had to re-tool the defense, and signed three veteran stay-at-home blueliners before camp – Toni Lydman, Andy Sutton, and Paul Mara. None of them bring an offensive upside, which will further put pressure on Visnovsky to stay healthy and produce.


Out of the three, the addition of Lydman will probably be the best one. He’s coming off a great season with the Sabres (20 points, +10), but can be injury-prone with his style of play. Lydman is already missing time in the pre-season due to an eye injury.


Another question mark is goaltending. Jonas Hiller has been rock-solid for Anaheim, but hasn’t quite the durability to play 65-70 games. Is that in the cards this season, with Curtis McElhinney as the likely backup? Time will tell. Hiller also took a step back after a standout playoff performance in 2009.


Offensively, though, the Ducks are one of the best in the Western Conference in my opinion… and that should keep them in the playoff picture most of the way. Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry is one of the best top-line duos in the conference, while Bobby Ryan just keeps getting better.


One uncertainty heading into the summer was the status of veterans of Saku Koivu and Teemu Selanne. Would they retire? Would they sign elsewhere? No and no. Both Finns are back and will be a big part of the Ducks’ offense this season.
- Ryan Porth


Depth Chart:



Additions: Toni Lydman, Andy Sutton, Paul Mara, Aaron Voros
Subtractions: Scott Niedermayer, James Wisniewski, Mike Brown, Steve Eminger, Aaron Ward


Fresh Faces From the Farm:
- Defenseman Luca Sbisa seems to finally be ready to play in the NHL after a couple cups of coffee.
- Other blueliners such as Cam Fowler and Mark Mitera will make their case in camp as well.
- Forward Nick Bonino is trying to grab a depth role after playing nine games last year.


X-Factor: Lubomir Visnovsky
He is the veteran stopgap before Cam Fowler, but is the only one on the defense that can come close to matching Niedermayer’s numbers.
Breakout: Matt Beleskey
Beleskey may get a chance to play in the top-six after showing flashes of his potential last season
On the Hot Seat: Jason Blake
For as much money Blake makes, the production isn’t always there. Will a full season in Anaheim help?


Bold Prediction: Getzlaf, Perry, and Ryan will each surpass the 80-point plateau.


The Final Word: Anaheim has a fair share of firepower up front, but lacks in other areas. Without Niedermayer, the team also doesn’t have a captain. For the Ducks to bounce back, the offense still may have to score four goals a game (unless the youngsters that makes up the depth on defense step up). It’s a tall task, and Carlyle could be in the line of fire with another bumpy start.


RLD Staff Predictions:
Anthony- 5th Pacific Division; 11th Western Conference
Patrick- 4th Pacific Division; 11th Western Conference
Ryan- 4th Pacific Division; 9th Western Conference

Photo credit: Getty Images

30 in 30: Washington Capitals

Caps out to prove that they aren't built only for the regular season

It was not supposed to end this way for the Presidents’ Trophy winners.

The Washington Capitals entered the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs as the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference and the entire National Hockey League. However, that wasn’t enough as the No. 8 seed and Jaroslav Halak-led Montreal Canadiens came back from 3-1 series deficit to defeat the Caps in seven games.

The team had all the tools in place to make last season a special one. In fact, the Caps set a franchise record with 14 straight victories before the Olympic break and established team records in wins (54) and points (121).

Much like in previous playoffs, however, the team could not close the opponent out when it mattered most. Team captain and star Alex Ovechkin struggled mightily in Game 7 and it showed. However, the fault can’t solely be placed on his shoulders as the cast around him did not do much to help him as Halak stonewalled them in three consecutive games.

Fortunately, for general manager George McPhee, the team is set to move onward and upward this upcoming season.

McPhee and the team parted ways with goaltender Jose Theodore, defensemen Shaone Morrisonn, Joe Corvo, Milan Jurcina and wingers Chris Bourque, Alexandre Giroux, and Stefan Della Rovere. Luckily, he did not have to make many moves as this team has the pieces in place to succeed once again in 2010-11.

The Caps boast one heck of an offense with the likes of Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, Alexander Semin, with Mike Green on the back end. These three, along with guys like Brooks Laich, Tomas Fleischmann, and Mike Knuble will all be expected to chip in and help out offensively.

Defensively, this team has the potential to have a strong offensive presence with players such as Green, John Carlson, Karl Alzner and Tom Poti. Hopefully, they’ll also provide enough protection for young netminders Semyon Varlamov and Michal Neuvirth.

Varlamov went 15-4-6 in the regular season last year with a 2.55 goals against average and a .909 save percentage. Meanwhile, Neuvirth shined with the Hershey Bears in winning a Calder Cup in the American Hockey League.

I’ll say it again – this team has the talent and pieces in place to have a lot of success this season. However, they need to learn how to take the next step and close teams out when it matters most.
- Patrick Hoffman

Depth Chart:


Additions: D.J. King, Dany Sabourin, Kyle Greentree, Brian Willsie
Subtractions: Jose Theodore, Joe Corvo, Brendan Morrison, Eric Belanger, Shaone Morrisonn, Milan Jurcina, Scott Walker, Quintin Laing

Fresh Faces From the Farm:
- Top forward prospects Mathieu Perreault and Marcus Johansson are currently in a battle for one of the last spots at centers; others like Keith Aucoin and Andrew Gordon are also vying for depth roles.
- Defenseman Patrick McNeill is trying to grab a depth spot on the blueline.

X-Factor: Tomas Fleischmann
‘Flash’ had a career-high in points last year (51) in just 69 games. Can he repeat or exceed those numbers?
Breakout: John Carlson
Carlson is going to be a stud on the blueline for years to come… 2010/11 could just be an appetizer.
On the Hot Seat: Alexander Semin
I don’t think anyone has an issue with his regular season play; but when Caps return to the playoffs, Semin better step up then.

Bold Prediction: Washington will win the Presidents’ Trophy in back-to-back seasons.

The Final Word: Everyone and their mother know how much talent Washington boasts. Ovechkin, Backstrom, Semin… the list can go on and on. After last season, though, the Caps will not be judged on the hardware they earn in the first 82 games. Bruce Boudreau and company are determined to go deeper this time around, but they must understand that it takes more than just offense to win in the playoffs.

RLD Staff Predictions:
Anthony- 1st Southeast Division; 3rd Eastern Conference
Patrick- 1st Southeast Division; 1st Eastern Conference
Ryan- 1st Southeast Division; 1st Eastern Conference

Photo credit: Getty Images

Pre-Season Top 5 Jack Adams Candidates

Today we continue a five-part series, looking at top candidates for the different awards this season. Here are my top five Jack Adams contenders…

1. Guy Boucher
As I stated earlier today in Tampa Bay’s 30 in 30 preview, I do believe the Lightning are primed for a return to the playoffs. If that is indeed the case, rookie bench boss Guy Boucher should be considered a favorite for the Jack Adams. The Bolts have picked first, second, and sixth overall, respectively, in the previous three NHL drafts as they’ve battled issues all over the place within the franchise.

There is finally stability in the organization (we think), and Boucher is a part of that makeover. At 39, after successful stints in the QMJHL and AHL, he is considered one of the better young coaching ‘prospects’ in the game. If there isn’t another Phoenix-type breakout, a solid season from Boucher’s Bolts should be enough for him to get serious consideration.

2. John MacLean
The long-time player for the Devils is finally getting his chance to coach the team he played with for 14 years. John MacLean couldn’t be stepping into a better situation, taking over a team that has won two straight division titles and has Stanley Cup aspirations. Future Hall of Famer Martin Brodeur in goal, Ilya Kovalchuk and Zach Parise up front… what more could MacLean ask for?!

MacLean is expected to bring more of an offensive approach to the Devils, something entirely different from the last couple decades (most notably when Jacques Lemaire was coach). But most anticipate the transition to go smoothly as the Devils possess two go-to scoring lines. I think if the Devils win the division again, there’s a strong chance MacLean will at least be in Las Vegas as a candidate to win this award.

3. Terry Murray
I honestly do not believe Terry Murray has gotten enough credit for what he’s done with this Los Angeles Kings club. Even though he has a great group of young talent, Murray has been pushing the right buttons since being hired two years ago. Last season, Murray got the team back to the playoffs for the first time since 2002.

A lot of people think the Kings will take another step here in 2010/11. If so, that probably means they will have won the division and became one of the favorites in the Western Conference. Would that be enough for Murray to receive the credit he deserves?

4. Barry Trotz
Another coach that doesn’t get close to the credit that he deserves, Barry Trotz finally got his first nomination for the Jack Adams last year. In the last six years, only three teams have made the postseason more times than Nashville (Detroit, New Jersey, and San Jose).

A lot of the media has made a big deal out of the Predators losing Jason Arnott and Dan Hamhuis this season. Even though they won’t be missed as much as people think, it will qualify as another off-season of ‘losing talent’. Trotz may be the most underrated coach in the NHL as he gets the most out of his team year in and year out.

5. Davis Payne
After Andy Murray was fired in St. Louis, Davis Payne was thrown into the fire right away. He struggled early, but didn’t get burned too bad. In fact, he closed out the season on a strong note with the Blues, finishing 23-15-4. Payne was stripped of the interim tag and given the full-time gig after the season.

Payne’s Blues are wildly sexy pick to be a surprise team this year; why not? They boast a lot of youth that could be ready to breakout all at the same time. I like the direction this team is going, and Payne could be a candidate for this award with a successful first full season.

Honorable Mention: A. Vigneault, C. Ramsay, J. Quenneville

Photo credit: Getty Images

30 in 30: Tampa Bay Lightning

Front office makeover puts bolt of energy into Tampa Bay

Between various ownership spats and different on-ice issues, the Lightning were relieved this summer to be able to virtually wipe the slate clean. As the off-season began, the team got a new owner, a new general manager, and a new coach, which will assuredly result in new energy and optimism throughout the organization.

New owner Jeff Vinik didn’t waste much time ‘cleaning house’ per se. Vinik, a very wealthy and successful businessman with the Boston Red Sox, ousted GM Brian Lawton and coach Rick Tocchet right off the bat. The search for a new general manager took time, but Vinik finally persuaded Steve Yzerman with enough dough to travel south from the Motor City to take on the position.

Vinik and Yzerman picked up-and-coming coach Guy Boucher to be the new bench boss of the Lightning. Boucher, 39, coached Hamilton of the AHL most recently and is known to be a very good X’s and O’s teacher.

‘Stevie Y’ made an impact on the organization once he got the wheels moving. He stayed quiet up until July 1, when he started to put his stamp on the Lightning.

With numerous established veterans/stars under contract, the Lightning didn’t need full-frontal makeover within the personnel; Steven Stamkos and Victor Hedman are young and improving, while Vinny Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis are the elder statesmen of the group. All Yzerman needed to do was make tweaks within the depth and in net… and he did just that.

Right as the flood gates opened during the free agent frenzy, Yzerman traded away Andrej Meszaros, who has a hefty price tag compared to his production. With that extra spending money just from the Meszaros deal, Yzerman signed Pavel Kubina and goalie Dan Ellis to shore up the back end. They weren’t done.

Yzerman also inked defenseman Brett Clark to a two-year deal to add some experienced depth on the blueline. Days later, the rookie GM bit the bullet and acquired Simon Gagne from Philadelphia for Matt Walker and a draft pick.

Even though Gagne has just one year remaining on his contract, his presence should make the Bolts’ offensive attack that much stronger. When healthy, Gagne can score 30-plus goals – but that can sometimes be a big question mark.

Later on in the summer, Dominic Moore and Sean Bergenheim were brought in to add more bodies to the bottom two lines; both were savvy under-the-radar signings.

A big improvement from last season is the back end – defensively and in goal.

Kubina and Clark add veteran poise and puck-moving ability to the defensive corps. In my opinion, they are an upgrade to Meszaros and Kurtis Foster, both of whom departed this summer. With the veteran Mattias Ohlund and the ever-improving Hedman, this defense should be dangerous this year.

Between the pipes, Ellis replaced Antero Niittymaki. It seems like a wash, but Ellis will be playing with a chip on his shoulder after being outplayed in Nashville by Pekka Rinne. He is also motivated by the opportunity to join his good friend Mike Smith in the crease. If those two can bring consistency, this Lightning team will win a lot of games in 2010/11.
- Ryan Porth

Depth Chart:


Additions: Simon Gagne, Pavel Kubina, Brett Clark, Dan Ellis, Dominic Moore, Sean Bergenheim, Randy Jones, Marc Pouliot, Chris Durno
Subtractions: Antero Niittymaki, Andrej Meszaros, Kurtis Foster, Alex Tanguay, Zenon Konopka, Matt Walker, Todd Fedoruk, Brandon Bochenski, Stephane Veilleux

Fresh Faces From the Farm:
- 2009 first-rounder Carter Ashton will be playing for a job up front; so will KHL-deports Johan Harju and Niklas Persson.
- There’s depth on defense, but Ty Wishart could make things interesting.

X-Factor: Steve Downie
Downie certainly plays on the edge, but gained some chemistry last year with Stamkos and St. Louis.
Breakout: Victor Hedman
In his second season in the league, look for the 6’6” stalwart take a big step towards stardom.
On the Hot Seat: Mike Smith
Ellis has been added to the mix in net, and that should put some heat on Smith. Can he turn it around after a lackluster 2009/10 campaign?

Bold Prediction: Tampa Bay will have three forwards surpass the 30-goal mark.

The Final Word: The franchise has a much better vibe surrounding it with co-owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie now gone. There may be some question marks on the blueline and in the crease… but one thing is for sure: the Bolts sure have a lot of firepower up front. Look for the power play to carry the team at times, perhaps into their first playoff spot since 2006/07.

RLD Staff Predictions:
Anthony- 3rd Southeast Division; 8th Eastern Conference
Patrick- 3rd Southeast Division; 11th Eastern Conference
Ryan- 2nd Southeast Division; 6th Eastern Conference

Are you interested in more previews? Find out how to receive our 2010/11 NHL PDF preview through email later this month.

Photo credit: Getty Images

Who could be this year’s version of the Phoenix Coyotes?

I still have to remind myself how good the Phoenix Coyotes were last year. Outside of that locker room, no one expected them to make the playoffs. Not a single soul. And they didn’t just squeak into the playoffs and go away quietly. Shane Doan and company were in serious contention for the Western Conference title in the final days of the regular season.

With operations mostly run by the NHL, the Coyotes ended up finishing fourth in the West with 107 points and gave Detroit a run for its money in the first round. It was a hard-fought seven-game series in which the Red Wings emerged from to eventually play San Jose.

Despite the loss, it was the most memorable Coyotes season to date – primarily because of the off-ice happenings surrounding the franchise.

Moving forward, every year there are surprise teams that come out of nowhere… and the 2009/10 Coyotes (and Avalanche, let’s not forget) are the perfect example(s) of why we shouldn’t scratch off teams here on September 23rd.

Not only are there surprise teams on a yearly basis, but there is also a lot of changeover. For example; since the 2001 postseason, there has been an average of over five new playoff teams a season. If that average holds to form, it will open up the door to these aforementioned ‘surprise’ teams to make some hay once again this year.

The first thing I look at with teams that could be this year’s version of the 2009/10 Phoenix Coyotes is expectations. As I alluded to earlier, no one believed Dave Tippett’s crew was playoff caliber. Not under their unique circumstance.

Another element I look at is potential. Is there potential for a bounce back season? Is there potential for youngsters to finally breakthrough? Is there potential to succeed against other teams if the pieces fall in place?

When you put these two together (among other things), there’s only one team that comes to mind: the Minnesota Wild.

It’s fair to say Todd Richards had a rough go of it in his first season as Minnesota’s bench boss. The philosophy brought on by Richards and his staff was a 180-degree turn from the Jacques Lemaire days. Anyone who expected a quick-fix was expecting too much.

Richards had growing pains early on in the 2009/10 season, going 7-12-2 through mid-November. However, an impressive 24-15-2 stretch in the middle of the year showed that the players were starting adapt to the new system. So, there are positives that the team can carry over into this season.

Something that really helped the Coyotes last year was the veterans that stepped at key times. From the Adrian Aucoins to Radim Vrbatas to Matthew Lombardis, Tippett’s gang had a lot of players elevate their game at different times.

Minnesota has a few players like that. Andrew Brunette, 37, is still going strong and is still a steady producer; Marek Zidlicky is one the most consistent defensemen they’ve had in the last couple years; also, GM Chuck Fletcher signed veterans Matt Cullen and John Madden this summer to add experience and depth down the middle.

The Wild also possess youngsters who are ready to breakthrough – a la Keith Yandle, Martin Hanzal, and Sami Lepisto of last year’s ‘Yotes.

Defensemen Brent Burns and Cam Barker were high draft picks and have a lot of potential; but for whatever rhyme or reason, they have yet to put it all together. The same goes for Pierre-Marc Bouchard, who missed 81 games last year due to concussion issues.

Another player that couldn’t find any rhythm last season was goaltender Niklas Backstrom. Whether or not he was a product of Lemaire’s trap-style system, Backstrom went through a down year while battling a nagging back injury.

If these ‘Killer Bs’ – Burns, Barker, Bouchard, and Backstrom – can stay healthy and productive all year, it will be a big boost for a team that was rather inconsistent a year ago.

Minnesota has a respectable group of forwards throughout the top two lines, featuring Mikko Koivu, Guillaume Latendresse, and Martin Havlat. Captain Koivu’s game keeps growing, while Latendresse surprised many by scoring 25 goals in 55 games after coming over from Montreal.

Havlat really struggled in his first couple months in St. Paul. However, once the calendar flipped to December, he came on strong and lit up the opposition with 45 points in his last 52 games.

The team also has some grit and experience filling depth roles – namely Greg Zanon, Cal Clutterbuck, and Chuck Kobasew.

Besides talking up their personnel and how much ‘potential’ they have, you also have to look at the division Minnesota plays in. As of right now, I only see one team making the playoffs out of the Northwest Division (Vancouver). Colorado could be primed for a setback, Edmonton is in rebuilding mode, and Calgary… well, they can’t quite say goodbye to Olli Jokinen, so don’t expect a huge bounce-back year in Cowtown.

The opportunity is there for Minnesota to rack up points in one of the weaker – if not, the weakest – divisions in the NHL.

As we look at it here in September, there’s probably a better chance that I get into Harvard than the Wild racking up 107 points this season – and that’s saying something. However, weren’t we saying the same things about Phoenix at this time last fall? How they were going to be pushovers and cellar dwellers?

The element of surprise is there for Minnesota. No, they don’t have the ownership issues hanging over their heads like Phoenix did. Similarly to the Coyotes, though, no one around the league believes they will make the playoffs (including yours truly).

If Richards proves he can complete turn-around behind the bench; if the up-and-coming youngsters stay away from the injury bug; if Backstrom can bounce-back; and if they get a few breaks along the way, I think the Wild have the capability of being this year’s surprise team (from left field, no less) in the NHL.

The Hockey News is picking them to finish 13th in the Western Conference. Other pundits have them finishing last in the division, if not the conference. Las Vegas has them at 80-1 odds of winning the Cup.

If there is one team that could piece it all together despite the doubters, Minnesota is it.  Call me crazy.

Photo credit: Getty Images

30 in 30: Florida Panthers

Do Vokoun's Panthers have enough to snap their lengthy playoff drought?

It’s no secret that the Panthers have the longest playoff drought currently going in the NHL. Sunrise, Fla., has not experienced playoff hockey in nine years (ten if you include the lockout) as the Panthers tied the longest ever streak in league history after falling short last season. The franchise began a semi-makeover this summer that will likely see a lot of new faces come and go in the coming years.

The first one was new GM Dale Tallon, the architect of Chicago’s Cup-winning team. Tallon immediately put his stamp on the team with a couple trades and a slew of draft picks. First, he traded Nathan Horton and Gregory Campbell to the Bruins in exchange for puck-moving defenseman Dennis Wideman and two draft picks, one being a first-rounder (15th overall).

Then, on draft night, Tallon swung a deal with Vancouver that saw Keith Ballard and Victor Oreskovich go west for Michael Grabner, Steve Bernier, and another first-rounder (25th overall). When it was all said and done, the Panthers made six selections in the top 50 in what should be a great and impactful draft class for the organization.

One of the draft picks, Erik Gudbranson, is expected to be a stalwart on Florida’s back end for years to come. It is unknown if he’ll be making waves this season in Sunrise, though.

In free agency, Tallon was able to pick up Christopher Higgins… which may not seem like a big acquisition, but a move to Florida may be just what the doctor ordered for Higgins. They also signed depth defensemen Mike Weaver and Nathan Paetsch later on in the summer.

With all of this being said, Florida still has a long way to go to be able to put themselves in the playoff picture.

The depth down the middle is below average at best. Stephen Weiss is a good top pivot, but would make a great second-line center on a lot of teams. Behind him is veteran Steven Reinprecht and project Shawn Matthias. The wings are deep with the new acquisitions, but they lack a proven goal-scoring threat besides David Booth – when he’s healthy.

If injuries occur on the back end, they’ll be toast. It’s a thin blueline without a lot of size and grit, while the goaltending may suffer from that relatively weak defense.
- Ryan Porth

Depth Chart:


Additions: Christopher Higgins, Dennis Wideman, Steve Bernier, Michael Grabner, Marty Reasoner, Mike Weaver, Nathan Paetsch, Andrew Peters
Subtractions: Kamil Kreps, Ville Koistinen, Steve MacIntyre, Nick Tarnasky

Fresh Faces From the Farm:
- Defensemen Colby Robak, Erik Gudbranson, and Keaton Ellerby have a shot to make the team out of camp, but are likely a year away.
- Jacob Markstrom, one of the best goaltending prospects out there, will start the year in the AHL (most likely).
- Forwards Scott Timmins and Michal Repik could also push for playing time.

X-Factor: Stephen Weiss
Without much depth at center, Weiss will have to be on his A-game and stay healthy.
Breakout: Michael Frolik
I think this is the year Frolik busts out and shows his true potential.
On the Hot Seat: Rostislav Olesz
Olesz is one of the highest paid Panthers, but is slated play on the third or fourth line.

Bold Prediction: Tomas Vokoun will be dealt at this year’s trade deadline.

The Final Word: The Panthers have bright days ahead as Tallon re-tools this team. Putting that into consideration, this is a team that is a work in progress. I don’t expect Florida to put an end to their playoff drought, let alone even challenge for a spot. Look for them to be sellers by the trade deadline, and could be picking first overall in St. Paul next summer.

RLD Staff Predictions:
Anthony- 5th Southeast Division; 14th Eastern Conference
Patrick- 5th Southeast Division; 15th Eastern Conference
Ryan- 5th Southeast Division; 15th Eastern Conference

Photo credit: Getty Images

Pre-Season Top 5 Vezina Candidates

Today we begin a five-part series, looking at top candidates for the different awards this season. Here are my top five Vezina Trophy contenders…

1. Martin Brodeur
The man already has four Vezina Trophies on his shelf… another one couldn’t hurt, right? Martin Brodeur – arguably the best goalie to ever put on pads – is still a top-notch netminder in the NHL. At 38 years old, he has shown no signs of slowing down; and this isn’t ‘the year’ he starts breaking down, either.

Brodeur has a very talented team in front of him, which now includes one of the premier shutdown defensemen and shot-blockers in the league (Anton Volchenkov). Even though he may start a handful less games this year because of Johan Hedberg, Brodeur’s will still play at a high level and post his usual great stats. I foresee a fifth Vezina coming his way.

2. Ryan Miller
For the next five-to-ten years, I do believe Ryan Miller will be the best goaltender in the NHL. He won his first Vezina this summer, going 41-18-8 with a 2.22 goals against average in 2009/10. Miller is only going to get better with more experience as the years go on.

The reason why I don’t see him repeating as the Vezina winner is because of team success… not anything related to his play. In regards to the Sabres, I don’t see them having as good a season as they had last year. What would that mean for Miller? A decrease in wins and probably a slight uptick on the goals against average. I’m not counting him out, but I simply don’t see him winning it in 2010/11.

3. Roberto Luongo
Like his Canucks and the Stanley Cup, Roberto Luongo has yet to claim the Vezina. He’s been a widely-debated topic over the last couple years, mostly because of his average postseason play. There is no denying the success he’s experienced in the regular season.

When healthy, Luongo has been a workhorse, and that usually pays dividends when it comes to this award. The Montreal native recently stepped down as captain of the Canucks, which can only help his game on the ice; he can now focus on stopping the puck instead of all the added nuances from wearing the ‘C’. Look for him to put up great numbers and easily surpass the 40-win mark.

4. Ilya Bryzgalov
Similar to Miller in Buffalo, Ilya Bryzgalov’s Coyotes may have overachieved in 2009/10. ‘Bryz’ was dominant, leading the Western Conference in shutouts (8) and finishing third overall in wins (42). The 30-year-old Russian finished second in the Vezina voting last year, a trophy that many thought he should have won over Miller.

But getting back to the team, this is going to be the same argument as I just made with Miller and Buffalo. Do I see the Coyotes making the playoffs? Yes. Do I see them recording 107 points again? No. I think he is a great goaltender and has the contract-year going for him… but he may have overachieved a tad last year – just like his team.

5. Pekka Rinne
Nashville’s Finnish sensation between the pipes finally gets his chance to be a full-time starter – which isn’t a good thing for the rest of the league. When Rinne got a chance to start on a consistent basis over the last two years, he was lights out. Following the Olympic break this past March, ‘Peks’ went 12-4-1 with a 1.97 goals against average and four shutouts. Moreover, he went 19-8-4 following the 2008/09 All-Star Game.

The thing that will help Rinne’s chances at contending for the Vezina is the fact that his backup is going to be inexperienced and new to the NHL. That should result in Rinne flirting with 70 starts this season. Judging by his success as the number one the last two years, he shouldn’t be forgotten in this conversation.

Honorable Mention: Tuukka Rask, Jimmy Howard, Miikka Kiprusoff

Photo credit: Getty Images