Brent
09-22-2007, 07:54 PM
There are plenty of young guns into their second or third year that are going to be good, there are plenty of veterans with new teams, health or linemates that could make a surge and there are also a nice handful of rookies that could make for some surpirses this year.
Here are my first 10 to point out:*
*
Cheechoo - It has been said that he will be paired solely with Thorton again after a not so great start last year floating around various lines. The sharks 1st line is going to be one of the best in the league. 80+ points.
Nash - Young gun. He has to get more then 50pts one of these years! His top line is a possible Nash-Federov/Zherdev-Vyborny. 65+ points
Gomez - 1st line center for the NYR, Gomez is a very solid and crafty player with Straka, Jagr, Shananan and Drury floating around, it should equal an increase in scoring for this guy,,, I think he could return to his 04/05 point tally. 75+ points.
Gaborik - Point per game plus if he stays healthy. 80+ points
Roberts - Roberts, Crosby and Recchi are the probable front line for the penguins this year but with a lot of diverse talent on the penguins front lines this could change,,, however, Roberts is intense and if he stays healthy he could be the biggest sleeper of the year. 65+ points.
Backstrom - 2nd line center for the capitals behind Nylander?... could be paired with Semin on the wing. Look out. Possible ROY candidate. 50+ points. Update: It is rumoured that Kozlov may end up centering the first line pushing Nylander to second line so this could effect ice time for the rookie.
Stastny - If he keeps up the pace he had for half or more of the latter of last season he will end up with 85 points! I suspect he will get at least 75+** Update: He is lighting it up in preseason action!!
Toews - Not sure where he really fits in with all of Chicago's half @ss centers hanging around but I suspect he will end up as #2 or #3 center for the hawks this year. Possible rookie of the year candidate? 45+ points Update: Injured, out for 2-4 weeks with a broken finger.
Hemsky - We know he doesn't like to shoot the puck, but expect him to rack up a ton of assists with an expected ton of ice time this year in Edmonton. 45+assist 70+ points
Radulov - If Rad is actually given some ice time this year (which he will be), expect big numbers. Projecting modestly 65+ points
Here are my first 10 to point out:*
*
Cheechoo - It has been said that he will be paired solely with Thorton again after a not so great start last year floating around various lines. The sharks 1st line is going to be one of the best in the league. 80+ points.
Nash - Young gun. He has to get more then 50pts one of these years! His top line is a possible Nash-Federov/Zherdev-Vyborny. 65+ points
Gomez - 1st line center for the NYR, Gomez is a very solid and crafty player with Straka, Jagr, Shananan and Drury floating around, it should equal an increase in scoring for this guy,,, I think he could return to his 04/05 point tally. 75+ points.
Gaborik - Point per game plus if he stays healthy. 80+ points
Roberts - Roberts, Crosby and Recchi are the probable front line for the penguins this year but with a lot of diverse talent on the penguins front lines this could change,,, however, Roberts is intense and if he stays healthy he could be the biggest sleeper of the year. 65+ points.
Backstrom - 2nd line center for the capitals behind Nylander?... could be paired with Semin on the wing. Look out. Possible ROY candidate. 50+ points. Update: It is rumoured that Kozlov may end up centering the first line pushing Nylander to second line so this could effect ice time for the rookie.
Stastny - If he keeps up the pace he had for half or more of the latter of last season he will end up with 85 points! I suspect he will get at least 75+** Update: He is lighting it up in preseason action!!
Toews - Not sure where he really fits in with all of Chicago's half @ss centers hanging around but I suspect he will end up as #2 or #3 center for the hawks this year. Possible rookie of the year candidate? 45+ points Update: Injured, out for 2-4 weeks with a broken finger.
Hemsky - We know he doesn't like to shoot the puck, but expect him to rack up a ton of assists with an expected ton of ice time this year in Edmonton. 45+assist 70+ points
Radulov - If Rad is actually given some ice time this year (which he will be), expect big numbers. Projecting modestly 65+ points