Before the big debate once again fills... we introduce our BRHL2 preview/prediction show. Last season I was successful in predicting 13 of the 16 teams that entered the playoffs and hopefully with my method still in tact look to be correct again with the same percentage. A certain GM has an idea of how I was able to get soo many guesses and just wasn't pure luck. Without further adieu tonight we start with our EASTERN CONFERENCE:
Boston Bruins: Salary Cap: $53,342,982 Avg age: 29.55yrs old Key player to watch: Nicklas Backstrom Sleeper: Taylor Hall Outlook: Boston will be looking to rebound in a big way this season, with their star rookie in the lineup everyday. All eyes will be on Taylor Hall as he tangles with other rookies for the Calder Trophy. He is part of a supporting cast which bolsters numerous big names. Center is where you can find all of the big names. Stephen Weiss, Backstrom and Handzus will be centering and considering they are top tier faceoff guys look for Boston to maintain alot of puck possession.
Leadership will also not be lacking. Alfreddson, Moreau, Morrow, Elias will all provide secondary scoring and the much needed experience that a long season will bring. The defence is young but very strong indeed. There are some big mean dman back there that can take the body and shoot. Look for Weber, Phaneuf and Burns to eat lots of ice time.
Where this team is really going to lack and struggle with is their goaltending. Kiprosoff seems to be a shadow of himself and will depend heavily on his defence to block shots and his offence to score the much needed goals.
This team will however also be stuck in a division where the big boys play. Ottawa, Buffalo and Toronto all have strong teams and every division win will be crucial for their survival.
Prediction : Boston will see some postseason this season in 7th place.
Montreal Canadians: Salary Cap: $52,055,000 Avg age: 30.2 yrs old Key player to watch: Nick Foligno Sleeper: Jonathon Quick Outlook: Montreal had spending money this offseason. They decided to splurge and purchase the best defencemen on the market. Lidstrom will be wearing the red and white uniform and will be tested each and every night by a strong heavy Northeast division. The team will be looking to salvage points where ever they can as the team has several players on the 30's side of age.
One aspect of this team will be the experience level and leadership it will bring. Saku Koivu will be the assistant captain to Lidstrom with a 2nd alternate not yet named. Teams will also take notice of the gritt and determination they will shell out each and every game. Tootoo, Chimera, Ryder and Crombeen will not be taken lightly by other teams defence. They will be dump and chasing and throwing their body around in hopes to get to loose pucks to feed the likes of Foligno, Arnott, Conner, and Fedotenko for goals.
The Canadians defence will see some miserable days but there could be some surprises as well. Look for Rozival and Daley play plenty of minutes vs the top teams opposition. Jonathon Quick will have to be solid every game and he has proven he can steal wins and wins he must steal.
Prediction: Montreal has lots of 1 yr contract guys could be lots of trade baits for draft picks for a superstar in the making. 14th place in the Eastern Conference
Washington Capitals Salary Cap: $51,221,916 Avg age: 27.3 yrs old Key player to watch: Corey Perry Sleeper: Martin Hanzel Outlook: Boston and Washington completed a trade just before the season starts and this trade completes a trio of Ducks (NHL) to come to Washington and play with the Caps(BRHL2). Perry, Getzlaf, Ryan. Need I say more. They will be playing top line minutes, PP minutes, Heck I am certain they will be PK minutes in store for them as well. This team will succeed as far as the 3 can lead them. Pray for no injuries but other teams should be praying that the 3 of them won't make them look silly.
This team is young and fast and hungry for success. Cogs, Bergfors, Hanzel, Frolik will be lurking in the wings and shadows and provide secondary scoring something this team needs if the top line gets shut down. On the backend, look for Dan Boyle to join lots of rushes and provide that puck moving defensemen that will open up the ice for the forwards. Komisarek, Mezjaros, and Klein will all be the cleanup crew that the team needs to not allow the goals to amount.
Jonas Hiller (hmm another duck) will be the back stopping goalie looking to translate his NHL stats to that in the BRHL2. Look for Hiller to play about 65-70 games as there really isnt much of backup help as both Poulin and Koskinen will be in the minors for Hershey.
Prediction: Caps are on the go .. the go go train in 6th in the Eastern Conference.
New Jersey Devils Salary Cap: $53,701,184 Avg age: 28.1 yrs old Key player to watch: Shane Doan Sleeper: Patrick Berglund Outlook: What the Devils bring to the table this season will be the success story of their defence. Lubomir Vishnovsky is perhaps the best gifted passer for defence in the league today and he will be passing the torch and his secret ways to young stud John Carlson. With not yet set in stone look for those 2 to be paired together to start the season. But the best part is... thats their number 2 unit. Number 1 belongs to Seabrook and Gilbert so you can see why this team will have success on the defence. Kari Lehtonen will be the goalie that can very easily get 5 shutouts or more purely on the defence the team has.
The Team will need to up the offensive category if they want to be a real contender in the East. Led by the captain Shane Doan, their 8 million dollar man, This team will quickly learn that they will need a number 1 centermen to pass the puck. Enter Sleeper Berglund who could very easily see 1st line duties after a few games. The team does have though in their corner a farm system that can be helpful. Jhonus Enroth can be plucked into net if Lehtonen struggles. Still prospects but they have Niederreieter, Petroivic, and in the minor Esposito.
Prediction: Welcome to the swamp where other teams will sink when they face them on home ice. Devils 7th in the Eastern Conference.
Philadelphia Flyers: Salary Cap: $53,410,934 Avg age: 27.8 yrs old Key player to watch: Pekka Rinne Sleeper: Jakub Voracek Outlook: Flyers were on the radar of many teams last season for making the playoffs. They failed and thus changes needed to be made. Enter in new blood starting on the backend getting argueably the hottest goalie in the league last season. Rinne single handedly was able to lead his Rangers to the playoffs and the division title. This season he hopes to win it again with their divisional rival. But Philly was not done there. Enter the services of a long time journeyman Teemu Selanne for one last kick in the can.
Their offence will be deep and coming from all angles. When Martin Havlat plays your 3rd line RW and Malkin is on your 2nd line RW its safe to say this team has talent. Both Staal brothers are back once again leading the chain of command for centers. Miiko Koivu could be a number 1 center on any team but will have to settle playing 3rd line. The key ingredient though will this team cohesive enough to share their ice time with each other cause all of them will want their 18-20 minutes a game.
What else can be said about their defence. They are big, they are fast, and they are determined. Chris Pronger their captain is back once again and could be paired up with the other bad boy duo P.K. Subban. There could be a white tandem as well with Ian and Colin back there so other teams better make sure they get the right person if they want to start a fight cause this is Philly and the Street Bullies are ready for them.
Prediction: Mission Statment. WIN AT ALL COSTS. Flyers. 3rd place in East.
Carolina Hurricanes: Salary Cap: $53,537,456 Avg age: 29.5 yrs old Key player to watch: Dany Heatley Sleeper: Michael Neuvirth Outlook: As the lyrics go of the song from Glenn Frey "The pressure's high, just to stay alive 'Cause the heat is on." Dany Heatley will have to provide alot of offence for this team to survive or stay alive. The durability of some of the other players will be questioned so hopefully the preseason was spent on conditioning. The likes of Johnson, Prospal, Paille, Poti, Salo, Stralman will be hoping for a season without injury. If Dany is not scoring look to his linemates Kostisyn and Derick Brassard.
There could be some questions on defence as mentioned with the durability level of 3 of them. But age is also catching up as well and Poti Salo and Clark are well into their 30's and could be past their prime. Enter Fedor Tyutin who is making a massive 5 million dollars, lets hope the money translates into a beautiful season for him and not a bust. Between the Pipes we have Mr. Neuvirth who for all expense purposes may see the most rubber in the league. That should not phase him as he is young and eager to take on the challenge. But the hill might seem to be an upward climb and this might not be the season to remember for the fans of Carolina.
Prediction: A washed away season curtoesy of Hurricane Carolina. 12th place in the East.
New York Islanders: Salary Cap: $40,418,000 Avg age: 27.9 yrs old Key player to watch: Jamie Benn Sleeper: Erik Karlsson Outlook: First question of the day. Media will ask who the starting goaltender of the nights game will be. Answer... Who the heck knows. The islanders have the best and worst problem in the entire league. Who to start, who to play backup and who to send to minor, if they do. Most likely to lead the way will be Cam Ward but this team could be playing the goalie who is hot at the time. Look for Dan Ellis to share the load and Pavelec might make a start here or there. Look for a trade perhaps to be made for some experience cause this team is young to go places in the playoffs.
On that note most teams might start one or two 20, 21 yr old guys. New York will be starting 5 guys under the age of 23. So curious to see if they make a line out of it. Benn, O'Reilly and Ennis will provide off the seat action for the fans and those 3 could end up leading the team in scoring come seasons end. Holstrom and Sullivan will have to mold these young lads by showing them that to be the best you have to work to be the best and Holstrom demonstrates that well getting in front of the net and providing screens for the defence.
Travis Hamonic will be suiting up for his rookie season but he looks ready to start the bull by its horns. Erik Karlsson a sophomore this season will be the puck moving dman in charge of the breakouts. Martin and Martinek will be stay at your home dman matching up against the other teams top lines.
Prediction: This team looks playoff bound but come next season as the team will need to learn how to lose in order to win. Islanders 10th in East.
Winnipeg Jets: Salary Cap: $53,447,724 Avg age: 25.4 yrs old Key player to watch: Rick Nash Sleeper: Eric Johnson Outlook: Last seasons champs will be looking for a repeat and considering they did a little bit of tinkering but still maintained the same lineup, it may be a reality. This team should be easily on pace for 300 team goals for. There is no reason not to think that when you have AO8 and Nash on the same line. When you have Bergeron, Tavares, and Little up the middle. When you have the best faceoff guy in Maholtra. The list goes on and on with top quality in every department.
The Jets will continue to be able to replenish itself when time comes. Considering this team has alot of players left on 1 yr contracts the team can afford to flip them for draft picks and grab the players in the minors and put them in the lineup and not lose a step. On defence Bogosian who is just 20 now is the future of their franchise but same can be said for... Erik Johnson...Justin Falk.. John Moore..lol.
In Goal, all american Ryan Miller will be back to defend his Vezina Trophy win and try to send the team back to the promise land. Which teams will be lucky not to see him as he won't be able to appear in every single game of the season with the goalie rules in our league. Consider that to be a bonus.
Prediction: Flying Jet airways all the way to 2nd in the Eastern Conference.
Tampa Bay Lightning: Salary Cap: $23,839,025 Avg age: 25.4 yrs old Key player to watch: Brandon Dubinksy Sleeper: Colin Greening Outlook: Tampa Bay might be a sunshine spot destination for vacationers but could also be a spot for some golfing to do which might be in store for this team. Don't get me wrong this team is young and willing to compete but they are just not ready to do so. The positive side of the news is this team is young, they have lots of money to spend and is just waiting for the right time to explode on the map. This season look for Dubinksy to lead the way on offence. His supporting cast could mirror one of a minor league team but at least they all have their chance to prove why they should be there longterm. Greening will be in the lineup as a rookie and could be on cue for lots of minutes to prove himself and see where he fits on the team.
In Goal Carey Price and Chris Osgood will share the duties with more of the starts to go to Price of course. But both should look over their shoulder and another young tender is waiting in the wings. The defence will be giving up lots of goals as they don't have enough depth with guys with good DF ratings. They do have promise though. Cam Fowler is a rookie at 19 yrs old and Kulikov is 20 and both have big upsides and the season will let them learn the trial of the league.
Prediction: Struck by Lightning means a top pick in next years draft. 15th in the Eastern Conference.
Toronto Maple Leafs: Salary Cap: $55,862,250 Avg age: 27.6 yrs old Key player to watch: Phil Kessel Sleeper: Nikolai Kulemin Outlook: Keeping Kessel on the wing and not at center is the right way to go and Toronto firmly believes that is how its going to be. Kessel will have 2 centers to play with and both are primetime players. Jumbo Joe and Mike Richards will each have time to spend centering the start rwer and all 3 should be top contenders for the Art Ross trophy. When you take into effect that they also have Danny Briere and Nikolai Kulemin on their 2nd line one must wonder who will be the player to be watched out for most.
Their defence might not hold together after this season so its time to win now with what they have. Markov, McCabe, Zanon, Erksine are all UFA after this season but never fear cause the future will slowly ease their way into their positions. Shattenkirk and Alzner may play minimal roles this season but they will be called upon incase of injury to the elite.
In net Pascal Leclaire is a scary number 1 going into the season but considered he is cheap and signed longterm there is no where else to go. Niitimaki and Reimer are available incase things crumble in the Tdot.
Prediction: Leafs nation looking for one last hurrah. Toronto falls short 9th in Eastern Conference.
Florida Panthers: Salary Cap: $58,221,875 Avg age: 27.5 yrs old Key player to watch: Martin St. Louis Sleeper: Darren Helm Outlook: Panthers spent an arm, a leg, a foot, a head, all on St. Louis. The new 10 million dollar man in the league will be here for one season only and they look to get a spark of offence that will lead them to the playoffs. His linemates will be Marian Hossa and Paul Stastny and all 3 need to be at their best every game. This team could have about 9 or 10 guys with at least 15 plus goals which is great to see as any given night anyone can be a hero. There is Jokinen, Oshie, Krejci, Helm, Cleary all providing the secondary scoring.
Drew Doughty and Ryan Suter are RFA eligible both on 1 yr left and I am sure they will want to be signed longterm in the franchise but the team close to the cap and both of them asking for big money it might be a difficult task but they should be able to handle it. Matt Greene and Filip Kuba round out the 3 and 4 spots on defence and will see 20 plus minutes each night.
Both goalies Vokoun and Bernier are signed into next season, Bernier signed to a great 5 yr nice contract deal, Vokoun will probably be the number 1 goalie but paving the way for Bernier in the following season as he slowly shifts out of the scene. This team has absolutely no farm help what so ever so injuries play a role in any position it could be a downfall.
Prediction: Panthers hungry for more hockey. Florida 5th in the East.
Pittsburgh Penguins: Salary Cap: $34,116,125 Avg age: 27.2 yrs old Key player to watch: Simeon Varlamov Sleeper: Nick Spaling Outlook: Penguins will be on the rise. They have the goaltending situation under control and looks like they are building from goalie out. Varlamov will be between the pipes for the majority of the season but it will be aches and headaches for him and the team. Gustuffson will be the backup and may be entering during the game as there could be alot of pull goalies in their season. Their defence is avg to above avg at best. They do have Fistric, Vandemeer, Seidenberg and Ference and those 4 will get the minutes played but none of them are really considered puck moving dman or a puck handling type guys either.
On forward I am sure the team will be happy to rid of the contract Jokinen at the end of the season. A trade will be hard to make so consider him a stay on the team and he will have to lead an offence that also carries the likes of Carcillo and Adam Hall. Both Matthew Lombardi and Tomas Kopecky were offensive threats a couple of years ago will look to get their scoring touches back and lead this team to a couple of W's.
Prediction: Penguins swimming at the bottom of a frozen pond. 13th in the East.
New York Rangers: Salary Cap: $56,509,375 Avg age: 29.4 yrs old Key player to watch: Mark Staal Sleeper: Logan Couture Outlook: On paper many teams did not believe the Rangers as a playoff team last season and thus they went on their way to a division title. This season the task might be a little more difficult. Trading Rinne away they still got a great return in Bryzgalov. His contract is massive but his talent speaks for itself. Look for him to be the mainstay and to keep the team in the race as long as he can. The offense has its share of both youth and veterns, which is a good mix for a contending team. On the vets side you have Gomez, Bertuzzi, Dvorak and Gionta looking to repeat their performances from last season. Where as on the youth you have Couture who will get more icetime and a bigger role with the team, Downie and Yip should help get goals here and there. The depth may not be there and that might hurt them in the end.
As long as they can keep Aucoin and Gil away from each other they should be okay. Both on the long side of 30 they are now slower and not as mobile as they once were. However once again on the youth side they have Marc Staal, Grossman, and Gunnerson and those guys will be looked for the energy to keep the old guys going. Once again a very short farm system of players that if an injury does occur well lets not think about it too much, its already a long season.
Prediction: An Apple a day kept the Rangers away....... from the playoffs. New York finishes 11th in East.
Buffalo Sabres: Salary Cap: $58,386,917 Avg age: 26.2 yrs old Key player to watch: Sidney Crosby Sleeper: Jordan Eberle Outlook: This franchise is a mold most of the other GM's are trying to follow. They built with youth and are a strong force every year and they will be for decades to come. With centers Crosby, Toews, Kopitar and Zetterberg every one of them will want the ice time and the say as the number 1 guy. Good news to have if you are a Sabres fan. Eberle and Paarjvi are both rookies and both will step on the ice with chances to score goals and be in the top 6 unit. Do not forget about 2 other forwards, Semin and Setoguchi, yikes thats one scary forward force of lines.
Tyler Myers and Sergei Gonchar will be the prime suspects when it comes to defence and pts. Both will jump into the play, be on the PP and have booming shots that are capable tip ins for the offence. Jay Boumeester and his big presense will be met if you dare enter the Buffalo's zone and new fellow Alex Pieterangelo will be the 3rd rookie in the lineup this season. So who is the goalie that will get the opening night start. Howard did not see ice time during the preseason so looks like they are leaning to Halak as the starter but Jimmy will wait for his chance to enter and push for the number 1 job.
Prediction: If you are thinking top spot in the east.... well... no? Buffalo 4th in the east.
Ottawa Senators: Salary Cap: $59,083,000 Avg age: 27.2 yrs old Key player to watch: Steven Stamkos Sleeper: Jeff Skinner Outlook: Ottawa is in the contender mix now. Stamkos, Duchene, Neal and Skinner. All 4 have amazing scoring ability you can have an Art Ross in Stamkos, a Rocket Richard in Neal and a Calder man in Skinner. But 4 guys can't do it all, they will have to rely on Penner, Lewis and Legwand to lift some load off their shoulders.
On Defence they have 7 dman and they can only play 6, so someone will be sitting on the sidelines. Yandle and Keith will definately not be the one and should get most of the ice time playing approx 25 minutes a night. Morris and Phillips will be at their best stopping the best that come into the zone. In Goal comes primetime of the BRHL2 this season. Roberto Luongo will be in there game and game out getting wins after wins. I'm sure Steve Mason won't mind the backup role and play maybe 10 games and get a possible 10 wins if he wanted to himself.
Prediction: Ottawa is the nations capital and number 1 East.
Once again predictions. 1. Ottawa 2. Winnipeg 3. Philly 4. Buffalo 5. Florida 6. Washington 7. New Jersey 8. Boston 9. Toronto 10. New York Islander 11. New York Rangers 12. Carolina 13. Pittsburgh 14. Montreal 15. Tampa Bay
Stay Tuned to the Western Conference preview show.
Good read Dave but think you had me out of playoffs last year as well...hmmmm....leading scorer in pre-season and 5-2-1 record in argueably the toughest division in BRHL2...combined GAA of 2.11 and only 1 power play goal allowed....thinking the defense may be a tad better then what your write-up has them but it will be a fun season to look back on! Excellent job nonetheless.
ya Richard... you were the only team i missed out on last season in the Eastern Conference and im doing it again to ya.. sorry. Just i had no idea Rex and his Flyers would be in such a chaotic team to predict. I will say this... from 6th to 12th.. i firmly believe anything can happen. Trades i can't account for during the season I can only speculate pre season with the rosters teams have so who knows in 6 months what the standings will truly be.
