von Rantala Posted October 4, 2023 Posted October 4, 2023 (edited) Hey, in past i posted my NHL news/predictions every year before season started. I have that project going now too. I will try to post 1-3 team per day. Season will start before i get all posted and i will try to get everything posted before end of november. Before i watched over 200 NHL games per year. Last season was first season when i didnt watch full-games. Before i was hard core Minnesota Wild fan, but mainly because my favorite player Mikko Koivu played there. I watched NHL over 15 year and followed many teams. Mainly my favorite players like Niittymäki (Flyers, Tampa, San Jose) Mikko Koivu (Minnesota, Columbus). Granlund (Minnesota, Nashville and now San Jose) Kunin (Minnesota, NSH and San Jose) Edmonton, Toronto, Montreal and Columbus been teams too who i followed in past years. Last year i decided that because i am busy, instead of watching one or two team games. I try to watch 10 teams long Highlights from dont tell me to scores. I think that if i follow more than one or two team, i get better picture when i watch many teams. So i know little bit on hockey, but not a lot. These are just my opinions and predictions hopefully you enjoy! Anaheim Ratings (1-10) Offence: 6,5 Defence: 5,5 Goalies: 7 Special Teams: 5,5 GM/Coach 4 Total: 28,5 Most overrated player: Jacob Silfverberg (W) (too high caphit) Most Underrated player: Troy Terry (C/RW) MVP: Trevor Zegras (C) Biggest Talent(Rookie): Leo Carlsson (C/RW) Project Line Ups Killorn – Zegras – Terry Henrique – McTavish – Carlsson Vatrano – Strome – Silfverberg McGinn – Carrick – Jones Fowler – Drysdale (RFA) Thomson – Gudas Vaakanainen – Lyubushkin Gibson Dostal Key words: Anaheim, has one of most deepest young centers group in NHL. Zegras, McTavish and Carlsson all can be super start centers in couple year. But they lack of star wingers. I predict Carlsson will play first season as winger. Terry and Killorn are solid wingers. D-Group is also thinn, Thomson could give them boost. After Drysdale and Fowler, you cant wait rest to product a lot in offensive zone. Goalias are theys strongest point. Gibson is still start goalie, but playing behind very poor defensive team. Anaheim added Killorn what make they penalty kill and defence play better, but they payed bit too much to bring him to team. He is best two-way forward of team. Rebuild continue. No playoffs. Arizon Ratings (1-10) Offence: 5,5 Defence: 4 Goalies: 4 Special Teams: 5,5 GM/Coach: 5,5 Total: 25 Most Overrated: Karel Vejmelka (G) Most Underrated: Nick Schmaltz (C/RW) MVP: Clayton Keller (W) Biggest talent: Logan Cooley (C) Project Line Ups Keller – Cooley – Schmaltz Macceli – Hayton – Zucker Kerfoot – Boyd – Guenther McBain – Bjugstgad – Crouse Dumba – Durzi Välimäki – Moser Stecher -Brown Vejmelka Ingram Key words: Team has been at basement long, but missed many drafts. Many drafts they could choose bit better. Teams behind them has drafted a lot better and got in the playoffs faster because that. Arizona had huge amount first round draft pics in last year, but those havent pay them in standings yet. Arizona have good coach (rating 3,5/5), but GM is bit question mark (rating 2/5). Cooley is probably biggest talent in last 10 years what they drafted. Vejmelka is bit overrated, yes he face a lot shots, but his stats not so much better than his back up. Durze is underrated and great pick/trade from GM. Rebuild continue, coach earn them little bit extra points, so maybe not be last this time either, but not enough for playoffs. In ratings i not want too give much value to GM/Coach and special teams, so i rate them differently here is example:. Example someone could have great PP and get 5/5 rating, but might have poor PK and get raiting 1/5. So total rating would be 6. Same to coaches and GM's. Coach could get 3,5/5, but GM get 2/5 Then raiting will be 5,5. Edited February 10 by von Rantala 5 Quote
von Rantala Posted October 5, 2023 Author Posted October 5, 2023 Boston Bruins Ratings (1-10) Offence: 6 Defence: 8,5 Goalies: 9 Special Teams: 4,5 GM/Coach: 9 Total: 37 Most Overrated: Linus Ullmark (G) Most Underrated: Matt Grzelcyk (D) MVP: David Pastrnak (RW) Biggest talent: John Farinacci (C) Project Line Ups Marchand – Zacha – Pastrnak Boqvist – Coyle – DeBrusk van Riemsdyk – Federick – Lauko Lucic – Geegie – Farinacci/Beecher Grzelcyk – McAvoy Lindholm – Carlo Forbot – Shattenkirk Swayman Ullmark Key words Boston won Regular season last year, but i think this year they not get in the playoffs. Its maybe bold prediction. They lost Bergeron, whos value can be seen in defence and offence zones. They lost Krejci too. Bergeron in my mind is all time best two-way forward, and was of the best players in NHL. He did bring a lot points for Boston in standings every year, and now we can see how good Boston is without him and see how big impact he really had. They are very thin in center now. They only superstart forwards are wingers Pastrnak and Marchand. Lindholm had career year in last year, if he would bring same to table now, defence group would be one of best in NHL. I think Lindholm go back to old lvl, but even after that they D-group is they strongest point and can lead them to playoffs. Goalie Ullmark won Vezina last year, but i put more credit on team overall play than rate him to be top 5 goalie in NHL. I think this year Swayman will take starter role. Might miss the playoffs, but great D-group and good GM/Coach can lead them to playoffs. Buffalo Ratings (1-10) Offence: 7,5 Defence: 7,5 Goalies: 5,5 Special Teams: 6,5 GM/Coach: 6,5 Total: 33,5 Most Overrated: Jeff Skinner (LW) Most Underrated: Alex Tuch (RW) MVP: Tage Thompson (C) Biggest talent: Devon Levi (G) Project Line Ups Skinner – Thompson – Tuch Mittelstad – Cozens – Olofsson Peterka – Krebs – Greenway Girgensons – Jost – Okposo Samuelsson – Dahlin Power – Jokiharju Clifton – Johnson Levi Luukkonen Key words: If you look roster, team should be in they playoffs this year. They have superstars like Thomspon and Dalin. Stars like Tuch, Cozens and a lot players who still have a lot to improve. Olofsson could bounch back this year. Next year they forward group could be NHL top 3 and get rating 9 from me. They D group is very solid too. Dahlin is start lvl defender and Power has same potential. Jokiharju and Samuelsson are very good two-way/defensive defenders, and they third pair is solid. Levi should be future Vezina winner. He is very talented goalie. They should be in the playoffs this year, only question, is Levi ready to lead them there. Goalies, isnt weak point, but biggest question mark and ultimately that decide if they will be in the playoffs. In paper, Buffalo should have been playoff team for sometime already, but they havent had great coach or veteran coach in many years. Granato isnt worst coach in NHL, but if they miss playoffs this year too, or get poor start they should look some experience coach. Calgary Ratings (1-10) Offence: 6,5 Defence: 6,5 Goalies: 6 Special Teams: 7,5 GM/Coach 4,5 Total: 31 Most Overrated: MacKenzie Weegar (D) Most Underrated: Elias Lindholm (C) MVP: Jonathan Huberdeau (LW) Biggest talent: Dustin Wolf Project Line Ups Huberdeau – Lindholm – Mangiapane Dube – Kadri – Pelletier Sharangovich – Backlund – Coronato Duehr – Ruzicka – Coleman Hanifin – Andersson Weegar – Tanev Kylington – Zadorov Markström Wolf Key words Calgary had a lot elevator move in past years, after great year come bit poor year. They are bit thin in wingers group. They have good wingers, but only Huberdeau is star lvl winger atm. They need Pelletier and Coronato to be come 50-60 players, but it might be too early for that. Center group is very good. Old GM made couple questionable move before resign. I think team will miss the playoffs again. Wolf has all the keys to become solid and good starter in NHL and i think they should give him chance this year. Will miss the playoffs. 4 Quote
von Rantala Posted October 6, 2023 Author Posted October 6, 2023 Carolina Ratings (1-10) Offence: 8,5 Defence: 9,5 Goalies: 9 Special Teams: 8 GM/Coach: 9 Total: 44 Most Overrated: Dimitri Orlov (D) Most Underrated: Jaccob Slavin (D) MVP: Sebastian Aho (C) Biggest talent: Pyotr Koschetkov (G) (not rookie) Project Line Ups Teräväinen – Aho – Jarvis Svechnikov – Necas – Bunting Kotkaniemi – Staal – Fast Martinook – Drury – Noesen Slavin – Burns Orlov – Pesce Skeij - DeAngelo Andersen Raanta/Koschetkov Key words: One of my favorites to win Stanley Cup. I think GM made his first mistake for giving Orlov over 7 milj contract when D group was already one of NHL strongest and Pesce, Skej and Slavin contract ending soon and they all are better options than Orlov, but they would lose one or two of those because Orlov contract. Forward group is very balanced, there is great offensive forwards and great two way forwards and great defensive forwards. When rating forwards, its not always rating how much goals or offence they would make, but how balanced they are. I believe Teräväinen will bounchback this season and get 60-80 points. Jarvis might play breakthrough year and up to 50 points. I would like to see they using Necas in center more than winger. They d-group is very balanced too. Carolina is one of most balanced and widest team in NHL. Was bit surprising to see they singned both Andersen and Raanta, when Koschetkav have already potential to be solid starter. Healthy Andersen is very good starter and healthy Raanta is one of best back up and no one have better third goalie. Many teams Koschetkov would be starter already. One of favorites to win Cup Chicago Ratings (1-10) Offence: 3,5 Defence: 3 Goalies: 3 Special Teams: 4 GM/Coach 3 Total: 16.5 Most Overrated: Seth Jones (D) Most Underrated: Taylor Raddysh (RW) MVP: Connor Bedard (C) Biggest talent: Connor Bedard (C) Project Line Ups Hall – Bedard – Reichel Raddysh – Johnson – Athanasiou Donato – Dickinson - Kurashev Foligno – Blackwell – Perry Murphy – Jones Tinordi – Kaiser Vlasic – Zaitsev Söderblom Mrázek Key words Chicago officially started re-build last year. They added couple veteran with big contract to get over salary cap in last summer. They might have weakest team in paper. They won lottory and got Bedard. I wasnt surprised to see Bedard going in Chicago. He is face of new Chicago, but its probably take them 3-4 year to come back to playoff team. Forward group is thin and its hard to give good rating even that they have Bedard type of player. D-group is very thin too and many of guys wouldnt had regular role in other teams. They also dont have many big talents in roster who you could wait breakthrough season (except Bedard and Reichel) Probably will be one of bottom 3 teams and might get to pick first next draft too. Colorado Ratings (1-10) Offence: 9 Defence: 9,5 Goalies: 8 Special Teams: 8,5 GM/Coach: 8,5 Total: 43,5 Most Overrated: Alexandar Georgiyev (G) Most Underrated: Devon Toews (D) MVP: Cale Makar (D) Biggest talent: Justus Annunen (G) Project Line Ups Lehkonen – MacKinnon – Rantanen Tatar – Johansen – Nichushkin Drouin – Colton – Wood Olofsson – Cogliano – O'Connor Toews – Makar Byram – Girard Manson – Johnson Georgiev Francouz Key Injury: Landeskog will miss the regular season. Key words: When either Lehkonen or Landeskog playing with MacKinnon or Rantanen, they probably have NHL best line. I dont know if Nichuskin play this year? Team has very strong offensive and d-group and those are wide too. I think Colorado is again one of favorites to win Stanley Cup this year. They have several superstar players and they have widness in they roster. I value Makar bit higher than MacKinnon, because Makar have bigger impact on team overall play than MacKinnon. Also defenders are always bit underrated comparated to centers. Drouin probably get chance with MacKinnon when they played in Juniors together. Drouin could get new boost to his career and make his personal records this year. Goalies are they weak point. They had Grubauer, Kuemper and now Georgiev. All goalies look bit better behind one of NHL best d-groups. Georgiev is good goalie, but not top 15 starter in NHL and behind weaker team, he wouldnt look as good as he has look in Colorado. But you have to save money somewhere, using big moneys to star defenders and forwards, not leave you a lot money to goalies and for caphit what Georgiev have, he is one of best choise to goal. Will be one of favorites to win Cup. 3 Quote
von Rantala Posted October 6, 2023 Author Posted October 6, 2023 Anaheim Update: Anaheim finally made contract to Drysdale. Its very cheap cap hit, same as Zegras. I have to say in my mind GM Verbeek doing very bad job. Example look NJ who gave bigger and longer contracts to they super talents and now team look good and contracts not look bad. I think they should give Zegras same deal that NJ gave to Hughes (8 milj) or Minnesota gave to Boldy. Deley contract with Zegras and then give undervalued contract maybe look good in when he rank 70-80 points and get only 5,7 milj, but you dont need to save money now. Anaheim have money to give him 7-8 milj now. Problem is that after 3 year they are forced to give him 10-12 milj when teams actually is condentor again is very bad job from GM. If you have salary cap room and you are middle of rebuild, give them long 7-8 milj contract, pay them bit extra now, and then when you are condentor, you have them for 7 milj instead 10 milj. I think Drysdale could have given 6-7 milj too now for 8 year, now they might end to pay him up to 9 milj when they should be condentor. Instead for using money to they future, they choose to use more money to veterans. Also Zegras and Drysdale maybe not want to resign with team after they got underpayed this time. They might feel GM dont have enough respect to them. What you think about CHI getting first pick and Bedard? I wasnt surprised, its feel like when there is that huge game changing super talent, its go to bigger markers. Edmonton was third when they got McDavid? They jump over smaller market Arizona and Buffalo who also lost chance to Crosby. And CHI jump over Anaheim and Columbus which both are smaller markets. Columbus also lost chance to Crosby too. I think in drafts should be taken account last three season, not just last season. I think there should be given value too on fact when team had been in playoffs last time. I think its wrong that Columbus and Anaheim lost chance to Bedard, because they been worse team more years than Chicago. For NHL its bigger win to have Bedard in Chicago than example in Columbus tho. But Columbus got Fantilli and i think he can be great player. Little bit like MacKinnon and Barkov, they was drafted same year as 1st and 2.nd and you cant say now that it was huge lose to Florida. They both got great players and in my eyes, both are equally good and important to team. Barkov is better two-way player and McKinnon better offensive force. Barkov is now after Bergeron retirement best two-way forward and MacKinnon is best forward with McDavid. I was surprised that Anaheim choosed Carlsson. But he can be next Mats Sundin, so we will see. 1 Quote
mraw435 Posted October 7, 2023 Posted October 7, 2023 gonna jump in as a Bruins fan! not as in depth but ill add that I think swayman did wonderfully last year and pulled off some amazing saves -- ullmark held up during end of regular season but im becoming a swayman fan! I know the loss of bergeron will be tough and will be interesting to see Marchand brings the team together as he has a reputation for being quite the ....aggressive player... lol super stoked for this season and im hoping we have a better playoff experience...cause dang last season sucked after such a stellar regular season 2 Quote
von Rantala Posted October 7, 2023 Author Posted October 7, 2023 6 hours ago, mraw435 said: gonna jump in as a Bruins fan! not as in depth but ill add that I think swayman did wonderfully last year and pulled off some amazing saves -- ullmark held up during end of regular season but im becoming a swayman fan! I know the loss of bergeron will be tough and will be interesting to see Marchand brings the team together as he has a reputation for being quite the ....aggressive player... lol super stoked for this season and im hoping we have a better playoff experience...cause dang last season sucked after such a stellar regular season Yes, i think Swayman and Oettinger are best young goalies atm. Is this year when they both will be Vezina finalists? I always followed goalies extra closely. My biggest idol has been Niittymäki. I was dealing major depression and following him probably save my life. Still season 2009-2010 is my favorite season, because he was starter that season in TBL and played his best season. TBL suck that year, but he was great. Hah i still remember Zenon Konopka, that guy made huge impact to me and I start to fan him too, and was super glad when he was signed in Wild later. My biggest Hockey disappointment was when he signed to SJ and then SJ signed Niemi from Chicago. First look like Niittymäki will get good chance in SJ, but after they signed Niemi, McLellan never gave Niittymäki chance to be starter, even that Niittymäki start of season was a lot better than Niemi had. Niittymäk had to retire in age of 32. He played last season in Finland. I followed his career when he started in Finnish league, i didnt see him playing AHL, 2002-2005 where he dominated that league, because games wasnt seeable in here Finland, but follow his NHL career and when he was trying to recovery from injuries and playing AHL in 2011-2012. 2012-2013 season in Finland was his last year. I remember i didnt had a lot money then, and was surprised that 10 game finnish league pass cost same than full NHL season, but i was able to get money and watched his last games. That season Finnish league didnt show all games in TV, you had to pay games in internet. After Niittymäki, i followed Bäckström career in Wild, Koskinen in EDM, but i wasnt never big fan of Bäckström or Koskinen. Now i follow Oettinger and become huge fan of Oettinger and he is first goalie since Niittymäki who i can say i love to fan. I think that Swayman has huge pontial too. Boston choose bit different way with him. In Dallas Oettinger came starter rightway, in Boston they try to grow Swayman to starter role more carefully. Like what Nashville did with Saros. Once Finland was powerhouse of goalies, now Russia have more star starters than any other country. Many of those goalies had Finnish goalie coach. Also couple team in NHL hired finnish goalie coaches. I am happy to see finnish goalies coaches finally get recognasation in North America too. I think choosing Marchand to Captain was right choise. Many teams choose they biggest talent or star to be Captain. Its great that some teams still give C to veteran players too. @mraw435 How long you followed Bruins and who are you all time favorite Bruins players? Maybe you could do your own All-Start line using your favorite Bruins players 2 Quote
von Rantala Posted October 7, 2023 Author Posted October 7, 2023 (edited) Columbus Ratings (1-10) Offence: 7,5 Defence: 7,5 Goalies: 4 Special Teams: 6 GM/Coach: 4 Total: 29 Most Overrated: Ivan Provorov (D) Most Underrated: Boone Jenner (C) MVP: Patrick Laine (W/C) Biggest talent:: Adam Fantilli (C) Project Line Ups Texier – Fantilli – Laine Gaudreau – Johnson – Marchenko Chinakov – Jenner – Roslovic Danforth – Kuraly – Bemström Werenzki – Severson Provorov – Boqvist Jiricek - Gudbranson Merzlikins Tarasov Key words Columbus is one of widest group in NHL. If you look guys who not get in the roster, but probably would be at roster most of teams is impressive. Bean, Peeke are very solid defenders. Blankenburg very promising your d-man. Sillinger, Robinson and Olivier also would be regular player in most of the teams.Then you add super talents like Jiricek (is in my roster, but start season in AHL), Mateychuk, Svozil and Ceulemans. Its very impressive how deep and wide they young d-group is. Thats why it was bit surprise to see them making so big contract with Severson and trading Provorov when in couple years, they probably not have room in roster anyway. I believe they have NHL best talent poll. If you add forwards Del Bel Belluz, Voronkov and Dumais to list of talents, you get very impressive list of young players. Columbus can look a lot different in couple years. They might be next NHL power team who compite Stanley Cup every year. Goalies are they biggest question mark, can Merzlikins play bounchback season? Johnson, Marchenko, Texier, Chinakov all have potential to be 40-60 players this year. Johnson and Fantilli can be both super star centers in future who might get 80+ points both. Laine probably get chance to play center, but i see him more as winger, but now timing is perfect to give him chance as center. It would take pressures from Fantilli and Johnson and give them time to progress in peace. Laine weakness as center is faceoffs and d-zone play, thats why he is more suitable as winger. Can Tarasov be next Sorokin or Shestyorkin? Columbus believe he can be. In paper Columbus looks playoff team this year question mark is goalies and how new coach can get them play, but future is very bright. Case Kekäläinen: NHL summer biggest scandal was Babcock case. Its nothing wrong to give ppls second chance and believe ppls can change. For me and most of hockey fans, problem was that Babcock never apologize or tryed to change his behavior. He never admit mistakes or try to fix his attidute. Kekäläinen told to media that he did hear only good feedback on Babcock and thats why they decided to hire him, but he either he neglecated to listen Babcock old players or his marketing is poor. Marketing i mean when Kekäläinen talk to media. I think he gave strange message when he traded Provorov and then when signing Babcock and when phone case was leaked to media. I think he didnt think players welfare when hiring Babcock and if he lost lockerroom and fans by this signing and what messages he gave to media, he either have to resign or be fired. In my mind Kekäläinen is done very good job in trades and signings and drafting. He is GM first time in NHL. We dont know who eventually made decision to hire Babcock. GM's never do those decisions alone. I would like to see that Kekäläinen get to see this rebuild going through. I think he is best GM in NHL on drafting players. He also done very good job with trades. Like getting Panarin and Laine to team, and getting away from Jones and Anderson instead of making too big contract to them what Chicago and Motreal did. So he is able to trade players and getting something back instead of making bad contracts. He either be tie or win most of his trades. He havent made any big bad contracts either. Everyone say Gudbransson got too much money, but to get Gaudreau, you probably had to pay bit extra to Gudbranson. Also when you are bottom of standings, to get free agents, you have to pay them 1-3 milj more per year than stronger teams. Coach hiring and talking to media and relations to players are weak points what he have to improve. He have to win trust of lockerroom and fans back. I hope Columbus will give him time to do it. Dallas Ratings (1-10) Offence: 9,5 Defence: 9 Goalies: 9 Special Teams: 9 GM/Coach 8 Total: 44,5 Most Overrated: Tyler Seguin (C/RW) Most Underrated: Ty Dellandrea (C/RW) MVP: Miro Heiskanen (D) Biggest talent: Lian Bichsel (D) Project Line Ups Robertson – Hintz – Pavelski Benn – Johnston – Duchene Dadonov – Dellandrea – Seguin Marchment – Faksa – Smith Lindell – Heiskanen Suter – Harley Lundkvist – Hakanpää Oettinger Wedgewood Key words: I wanted to give rating 10 for offence for Stars. I think they had if not best second best forward group in NHL. Because they have great offensive, two-way and defensive forwards. Only worry is that many of guys is bit old and any time soon, they production could start dropp. Duchene, Benn, Pavelski, Seguin are all ex poin per game players and they still have potential to make 80 points. But in past years you have seen some irregularity in they games. I think they should have tryed to trade Benn or Seguin this summer when they still had some value. They might dropp to 40 or below in couple years. Pavelsi been most steady point producter, but when you get more age, dropp in production and speed can happen very fast. Dellandrea has huge potenial and might be they next captain. Is this year when he hit 60 points? His potential is even higher and he might be next Bergeron with more grid in game. Lindell-Hakanpää pair was playing allmost all PK time last year. They are best PK pair, but maybe team would benefit more to play Lindell with Heiskanen(in even strenght). Harley i wait to take next step and he might get 40+ points this year. They have very good d-group. Suter is question mark and could even dropp from roster when season progress. I am huge Oettinger fan. I love his attidute. Couple year ago, he was sent to AHL when they had Holtby and Khudobin, he lost his chance to Calder Trophy, but he didnt complain. Worked hard and then had most starts when season ended. He is team player. I been following Dallas closely because him. Oettinger did look bit tired in playoffs, so its key to give him more rest in regular season. Is this year when he win Vezina? I rated goalies as 9, because they could see bit upgrade on back up role. Biggest question mark is coach. DeBoer is great coach, he leaded two team in Stanley Cup finals in his first season as coach. In every team his best season has been his first season. For some reason, he lose his team/lockerroom after couple year and get fired faster than some other coaches. Prediction: My favorites to win Cup, can they win Colorado in playoffs? Edited October 7, 2023 by von Rantala 3 Quote
von Rantala Posted October 8, 2023 Author Posted October 8, 2023 (edited) Detroit Ratings (1-10) Offence: 6 Defence: 7 Goalies: 7 Special Teams: 5,5 GM/Coach: 7 Total: 32,5 Most Overrated: J.T. Compher (C/RW) Most Underrated: Robby Fabbri (C/LW) MVP: Dylan Larkin (C) Biggest talent: Marco Kaspar (C) Project Line Ups Raymond – Larkin – DeBrincat Fabbri – J.T. Compher – Perron Kostin – Copp – Sprong Kaspar – Rasmussen – Fischer Petry – Seider Chiarot – Määttä Gostisbehere - Holl Husso Reimer Key words In my mind Detroit has made some strange signigns in past couple summer. Giving a lot money to Compher, Holl, Chiarot and Gostisbehere is bit strange. They are good players, but why not to give younger players chance if you are in rebuild? After these signings team hasnt been good enought to playoffs, but not also worst team in NHL, that mean they havent got high draft picks. Yzerman hasnt been as good in drafting as he was in Tampa, but ofc, we still need couple year to see whole picture. D-Group is very wide, but there is only Seider as start lvl d-man. Gostisbehere has rank 50 points, but is irregular. They have to scratch one d-man who earn 3-4 milj and two if they want give time for younr d-man. In my prediction Walman (3,4milj) is scratched. Edvinsson should see time in D-group this year. Yzerman is great to get his start players to cheap long contracts. Same in TBL, now Larking signed very team friendly contract. Detroit missing clear plan, what might mean they will be middle non playoff team long. Husso had to play in lvl what he started season, that team have chances to playoffs. Veteran d-group could help too, but i think they miss playoffs this year too. Edmonton Ratings (1-10) Offence: 9 Defence: 7,5 Goalies: 7,5 Special Teams: 8 GM/Coach: 6 Total: 38 Most Overrated: Darnell Nurse (D) Most Underrated: Evan Bouchard (D) MVP: Connor McDavid (C) Biggest talent: Xavier Bourgault (C) Project Line Ups Kane – McDavid – Hyman Nugent-Hopking – Draisatl – Brown Holloway – McLeod – Foegele Janmark – Ryan – Gagner (try-out) Ekholm – Bouchard Nurse – Ceci Kulak – Broberg Skinner Campbell Key words: Its bit hard to rate they forward group, because its thin, but they stars are best in NHL. McDavid and Draisatl was first and second in points, RNH is underrated and great forward, but after that drop is huge. If you comprate to Carolina or Dallas, they forwards groups are stronger in my mind, because they are more wide. Hyman is very good player too, but after top 6 dropp is huge compratated to other Champion competitors. Lack of widness has cost team in past, when other team find way to shutdown they first and second line, its hard them to win games. Some blame go to McDavid and Draisatl too, they should be more unselfish, they not need play all the powerplays and most of PK and play over 25 min per games. How you can wait your third line and fourth line players to grow and get in the game shape if they get only 5-8 min gametime per night. Team has also one of worst contract in payroll with Nurse. If they could have that 9 milj to use in couple player they could get that wideness what they need. Ekholm and Bouchard is very good d-pair for them and D group is actually wider than they forward group, but lack superstar in there, what Bouchard can be. Skinner is good goalie, i dont think they have goalie problem. They choose to play offensive game, what cost them more goals against too. Skinner has potential to be star goalie in NHL and i think Campbell is good 1B. He never should have got so high moneys, but he is still good goalie. GM Holland, has failed as GM, he made couple big bad contracts. Prediction: If McDavid and Draistal stay healthy, will get in the playoffs, as Florida show everything is possible in playoffs if you get hotstreak, but Dallas and Colorado has widness what they can use to win Edmonton in playoffs. Also very good defensive team can dropp them out. Florida Ratings (1-10) Offence: 8,5 Defence: 8 Goalies: 7 Special Teams: 8 GM/Coach: 8,5 Total: 40 Most Overrated: Sergei Bobrovsky (G) Most Underrated: Anton Lundell (C) MVP: Matthew Tkachuk (W) Biggest talent: Mackie Samoskevich (RW/C) Project Line Ups Verhaeghe – Barkov – Tkachuk Bennett- Lundell – Reinhart Rodrigues – Luostarinen – Cousins Lomberg – Lorentz – Stenlund Forsling – Montour Ekman-Larson – Ekblad Mikkola – Kulikov Bobrovsky Knight Key words Team has strong top 8 in forward group. Lundell and Verheaghe is both very underrated players. Luostarinen played breakthrough season last year. Ekblad and Montour start season as injured, but will take roles when they come back. Montour made 70 points last year, what was his best season, but can he repead that is question mark. I think they should tryed to trade Bobrovsky this offseason. His been weak, but played strong month in playoffs, but without Lyon they wouldnt got in the playoffs, so it was surprising to see them letting Lyon walk. I think Lyon would have been stronger third goalies choise than Stolarz. Knight havent been able to live with exceptions. He was once rated most talented goalie outside of NHL. He will start season in AHL, but should see some NHL time too. In past two drafts Florida havent drafted in first two round, so they are win now mode. Tkachuk was big trade win for them. Zito has done awesome job to build winning team fast, but cost might be too high if they cant win cup in couple years, when giving away so much draft picks. Many players has already got in they max level, only Lundell and Luostarinen are players who you can wait most improvements. Goalies might cost them playoff spot and that team still have difficulties to win without Barkov is problem too. If Lundell become elite two-way center this year, it make them a lot stronger team. Prediction. Should be playoff team, but cant repead last season run. Edited October 8, 2023 by von Rantala 3 Quote
von Rantala Posted October 9, 2023 Author Posted October 9, 2023 Since Vasilievsky got injured, i been following who TBL would pick from waiwers or do they try to trade someone. Signing Jonas Johansson summer was surprise, because he been one of worst backs ups past years and mainly had third goalie role in his career. When Seattle put Driedger to waiwers, i thought let see if TBL take him, problem was Dreidger too high salary cap what contineu next season too. Today waiwer goalies are: Stalock (ANA) Delia (WPG) Jones (TOR) Subban (STL) Hellberg (PIT) Prosvetov (ARI) I think Stalock, Delie, Jones and Hellberg would be all better back up choises than Johansson, and TBL could sign any of them in last summer. I think Tampa will claim Jones, but i would choose Stalock. Stalock is best of those goalies who is available, only question mark is his health, he been injured a lot in past years, but as GM i would go and choose Stalock. I would also choose Hellberg before Jones. Jones tho is more experienced, so i wouldnt been surprised to see TBL claim him. It was very strange move from Toronto to take risk and send Jones to minors. I am not fully sure about waiwers rule, but i think its allowed to put claim on player and then unclaim him. So Toronto could try to send Jones through waivers and put claim to Stalock or Hellberg, if not there is no point to take risk of losing Jones in waivers. If Toronto lose Jones without claiming another goalie, its huge huge lose, because u need solid third goalie. Also Woll is still minor question mark, he had great last year, but he havent been top AHL goalie in past seasons. Toronto take huge risk, but i understand they hands was tied with salary cap, and it was either Jones, Giordano, McCabe who they would have to send AHL, when they have 12 forward now. Colorado might pick goalie too. 4 Quote
von Rantala Posted October 9, 2023 Author Posted October 9, 2023 Los Angeles Ratings (1-10) Offence: 7,5 Defence: 6,5 Goalies: 5 Special Teams: 7 GM/Coach: 6 Total: 32 Most Overrated: Pierre-Luc Dubois (C/LW) Most Underrated: Philip Danault (C/LW) MVP: Anze Kopitar (C) Biggest talent: Brandt Clarke (D) Project Line Ups Fiala – Kopitar – Kempe Dubois – Danault – Arvidsson Moore – Byfield – Kaliyev Grundström – Lizotte- Lewis Anderson – Doughty Gavrikov – Clarke Spence – Roy Copley Talbot Key words: For me it was surprise that LAK got in they playoffs last year. I think they GM Blake has done poor job and is one of weakests GM's in my mind. Givin away player like Durzi for second round pick was huge mistake. Bad contract list is Doughty way too much money, Kovalchuk, Petersen, Dubois are all bad contract. Only big good trade been Fiala. He havent been able to make team stronger. Danault signing was good tho. Byfield might bee big miss in drafts. Team is bit old and not big talents close to roster (except Clakre). Blake also havent success in drafts. Decision to choose Talbot instead of Korpisalo is risky and bit strange. Goalie markets was thin, but going with Copley and Talbot as goalies are surprise. I waited them maybe to trade Hellebuyck. Byfield been big dissapointment, but maybe playing him as winger could help. They have mediacore team who might surprise me again, but they are closing to rebuild more than being serious Stanley contendor in this or coming years. Prediction. Playing in weakest division so with lead of veterans might make one last push to playoffs, but could also miss they playoffs. Goalies are not good enough to go long playoff run. When rebuild start? Minnesota Ratings (1-10) Offence: 7,5 Defence: 6,5 Goalies: 7,5 Special Teams: 6 GM/Coach: 7,5 Total: 35 Most Overrated: Jared Spurgeon (D) Most Underrated: Ryan Hartman (RW/C) MVP: Kirill Kaprizov (LW) Biggest talent: Jesper Wallstedt (G) Project Line Ups Kaprizov – Hartman – Boldy Zuccarello – Eriksson Ek – Johansson Gaudreau – Rossi – Foligno Maroon – Dewar – Duhaime Brodin – Spurgeon Middleton – Faber Merrill – Addison Fleury Gustavsson Key words Many years team strongest point was they D-group, it was many years one of NHL best d-Groups. Sametime Wild always missed superstart from D-group. They gave Burns away, Suter was solid, but Wild never had 60+ defender, what you need current day NHL to success. Maybe thats biggest reason of earlie exits in playoffs. You need great offensive D-man to start offence and get exit from your own zone. I am huge Brodin fan, and i think he is one of best defensive defenders in NHL. They put a lot expectations to Faber and Addison. Now d-group is they weak point. Overall Guerin has done solid job as GM. I didnt like him when he didnt give Koivu chance to retire as Wild player and buying Parise and Suter contacts bit too early. Parise and Sutter contract would have ended after 2024-25 season. Buying out they contract they only saved 0,4 milj in time where they are competitive. Seasons 2021-2022 they saved 10 milj, then 2022-2023 2 milj and now this and next year only 0,4 milj and then after that they will lose 1,7 till 2020-2029. I could understand buy out if team would be real Stanley competitor in 2021-2022 season. He should either keep them with small role or retain 50% salary and give draft picks away. There wasnt any clear benefit of buy out, its make team a lot weaker in time when they best players are still in prime. He has done good job too when sign Hartman to best contact of NHL and Johnson, Eriksson Ek, Middleton and Addison contracts are good too. But giving Zuccarello 4 milj when he will be age of 37-39 is bit strange and giving Foligno 4 milj when he is age 33-37 is bit risky. He gave those contract this summer, when he could save money, if he would waited to next summer. I am also surprised that Guerin havent try to get solid big number one center to team. I see Boldy has huge potential and he could be they points leader this season. Overall they have good team, what could be playoff team, but getting past first round is difficult with current roster, its not wide enough and lack star defender and center. Gustavsson was great last year, but big question mark is can he repead that? I think Fleury will be stronger this year. Prediction: Sould be they playoffs, but could miss it too if they d-mans cant get them exit from own zone. Evason is great regular season coach who get more out from players, but has very poor playoff stats in NHL and AHL. Update: Hartman made new contact after i wrote this. Its good and solid 4x3. He love to play in Minnesota, because he take a lot salary away for staying in Wild, maybe he could wear "A" when Spurgeon is injured. Montreal Ratings (1-10) Offence: 5 Defence: 4,5 Goalies: 4 Special Teams: 4 GM/Coach: 4 Total: 21,5 Most Overrated: Christian Dvorak (LW/C) Most Underrated: Jake Evans (C/RW) MVP: Cole Caufield (LW/RW) Biggest talent: Lane Hutson (D) Project Line Ups Slafkovsky – Suzuki – Caufield Monahan – Dach – Gallagher Harvey-Pinard – Newhook – Anderson Pearson – Evans – Armia Matheson – Savard Barron – Guhle Xhekaj – Harris Montembeault Allen Key Injuries: Carey Price (G) Will probably miss whole season and might have to retire. Key words: Monteal have decent procpect poll and young players at roster who still can improve a alot, but this year will be difficult. Offensive group looks promosing and good, but d-group and goalies need upgrade before they can see playoff time. Hutson can be they future d-man, but this year will go at university in Boston. They also drafted d-man Reinbacher in first round this year. So they could solve they d-man problem in couple years without going to free-agent market or trades. Beck, Farrell and Ylönen are interesting prospects who can already make some impact in forward group. Dvorak has over 4 milj salary cap, but not have room in line ups if everyone is healthy. Suzuki, Caufeild, Newhook, Dach, Slafkovsky and Harvey-Pinard still havet reach they full potential, so they forwards group look good and future bright. Its too earlie to say if Slafkovsky was mistake to draft as first. We have seen in past that sometimes it take seasons or two to get production from 1st overal pick. Also players who drafted from Europe, its take more time to learn new NHL ice size and gamestyle. So lets give him time. Goalies are okey, but in future they have to try look better starter from drafts or free agent marker or via trades. If they choose to play offensive minded hockey as this team is builded now, we can see entertaining games, but they would end up give too much goals and lose a lot games. Will not see playoff time this year, playoff time willl probably is back in Montreal in 2025-2026. 3 Quote
von Rantala Posted October 10, 2023 Author Posted October 10, 2023 We got big contracts news yesterday. Dahlin made 8 year 11milj caphit contract with Buffalo. Scheifele and Hellebuyck both made 7 year 8,5milj cap hit contracts with Winnipeg. All the contracts will start next season, so they will play with old Caphit this season. I added poll in the topic so you can add your votes if those contracts was good or not in your mind. I added my own too. I will delete poll in end of week. Dahlin, i think he got too much money and caphit. He will have second highes caphit from defenders next season. He only have one strong season. So Buffalo basicly payed him because one great season and because he is first overall pick and still have potential to improve. Its normal in NHL, to give 1st. overall pics bigger contracts through they career. If you get choose first, its always mean you get bit more money. I think there is 8-10 better defenders than Dahlin, but Dahlin has potential to win Norris too, in long run this contract can look bad, because he could go back to 40-50 range. I would prefer 8,5-9 milj. Same as Makar and Heiskanen, who both are better defenders. https://www.capfriendly.com/players/rasmus-dahlin Scheifele. Cap his is not to problem, its good caphit for 70-80 point player who is your core leader group in NHL. Problem is that contract start when he is 31 year old and end when he is 38 year old. So i think that last season or two will probably bought out. But i understand that if you want keep your core players to your group and keep Caphit good, you have to give them couple extra year to bring that caphit down and maybe buy out those last couple year. Maybe if they would made 5 year contract cap hit would be in 9,5 milj? https://www.capfriendly.com/players/mark-scheifele Hellebuyck. I was bit surprised that he wanted to stay in team what is closing to rebuild. Hellebuyck is elite goalie, as long as he stay healthy, goalies can usually stay higher lvl of play than forwards. So even that his contract end when he is 38 too, i say this was good contract. Getting elite goalie for 8,5 is win. Ofc better solution would have been to pay him that 9,5-10,00 milj for five years, but i dont think that 8,5 milj cap hit should be problem in long run either. Also he is more important to team than Scheifele and he is top 5 at his own position, when Scheifele is not top centers in NHL. So overall this contract is a lot beter than Scheifele contract. https://www.capfriendly.com/players/connor-hellebuyck 1 Quote
von Rantala Posted October 10, 2023 Author Posted October 10, 2023 Nashville Ratings (1-10) Offence: 7 Defence: 8,5 Goalies: 9,5 Special Teams: 7 GM/Coach 4,5 Total: 36,5 Most Overrated: Ryan McDonagh (D) Most Underrated: Colton Sissons (C/RW) MVP: Juuse Saros (G) Biggest talent: Yaroslav Askarov (G) Project Line Ups Forsberg- Novak – Evangelista Pärssinen – O'Reilly – Tomasino Sherwood – Glass – Nyquist Trenin – Sissons – Smith Josi – McDonagh Carrier – Barrie Fabbro – Schenn Saros Lankinen Key words Thank you David Poile! This is first official season when Nashville dont have Poile as GM, but Trotz was already charge last year when he was learning to be GM. He couldnt had better mentor than Poile. Poile did good job, even that he didnt bring Cup to Nashville. He made wonderfull job in drafting. Most of biggest Nashville stars has been they own draft picks. Like Rinne, Suter, Weber, Ekholm, Josi, Ellis, Hartnell and Saros. Most of those draft pics come outside of first round. So Poile didnt nead first round to build powerfull team. Last year we saw bit strange trades and behavior from Trotz/Poile. Trading key players away when they was still full baddle on playoff spot was strange. Trotz chooce to fire Hynes, what was strange, because he got Nashville play very well, when they basicly used rookies in offense, after trades and injuries last year. Start for Trotz era been bad and strange. I personally think that good GM is not always good coach and good coach is not always good GM. But only time will tell how good Trotz is as GM. Poile drafted well, so they have very promissing team now. Many young players could play breakout season this year. Pärssinen, Novak, Tomasino and Evangelista all can be solid top 6 forward in NHL. Glass been bit disappointment, but is this his year? D-group is still strong. Josi is huge danger factor in own zone and Ekholm will be impossible to replace. Trading Jeannot was big mistake, but they still have best PK guy on Sissons, who might be one of most underrated player in NHL. Goalies are they strong point. Askarov is future staring goalie, Saros is one of best goalies atm, and Lankinen is solid back up. Team great goalies and defender group should lead them to playoffs, but can young forwards take next step ultimately decide if they will be playoff team or not. It might be difficult season coming if young forwards cant product. New Jersey Ratings (1-10) Offence: 8,5 Defence: 8 Goalies: 5,5 Special Teams: 8,5 GM/Coach: 7 Total: 37,5 Most Overrated: Vitek Vanecek (G) Most Underrated: Jesper Bratt (LW/RW) MVP: Nico Hischier (C) Biggest talent: Luke Hughes (D) Project Line Ups Bratt – Hughes – Mercer Meier – Hischier – Toffoli Palat – McLeod – Haula Nosek – Lazar – Bastian Siegenthaler – Hamilton Hughes – Marino Bahl – Miller Vanecek Schmid Key words: New Jersey has build good team, it take them while, but now they have team which can win. They GM is done wonderfull job in signing some players with very good long contacts. Getting Hischier, Hughes, Bratt to 7-8 milj for long time give them long time core with very cheap. Example Hughes, Hischier, Bratt made 252 points and 106 goal, and NJ pay them 23 milj dollar, when Toronto pay 33.5 milj to Matthews, Tavaras and Marner and they made just 12 point more and equal amount of goals. Also Toffoli, Palat and Haula deals look very good. Meier and Hamilton get little bit too much, but not huge overpayment. Team core is locked for long, and when salary cap increase they can sign/trade that star goalie and they have potential to be next Tampa Bay and be dynasty for for several years. Only questions is Ruff right coach to lead them to Cup? I dont think Ruff is right coach for team. Upgrade in coach and goalies and they can be next powerhouse. So GM done great job on giving very good contracts to own drafts and not too big overpayment for free agent players. I think this is not yet year for New Jersey, but 2024-2025 they might be favorite to win Cup after progress of Luke Hughes and better staring goalie. Some other Stanley compatator have bit more wide in they defence group. In forward group Palat, and Haula is great third liners, but not having 3rd clear 40 point player, is seperating them to some teams who got rating 9+ in offence. Luke Hughes has potential to come second star defender to team with Hamilton. Should go to playoffs, if Carolina and New Jersey see in second round, it might be epic baddle and winner of that serie have good chances to go in Stanley Cup finals. Islanders Ratings (1-10) Offence: 6,5 Defence: 7 Goalies: 9,5 Special Teams: 7,5 GM/Coach: 6 Total: 36.5 Most Overrated: Mathew Barzal (C/RW) Most Underrated: Noah Dobson (D) MVP: Ilya Sorokin (G) Biggest talent: Danny Nelson (C/W) Project Line Ups Lee – Barzal – Wahlström Engvall – Horvat – Palmieri Pageau – Nelson - Fasching Martin – Cizikas – Clutterbuck Pelech – Pulock Mayfield – Dobson Romanov – Aho Sorokin Varlamov Key words Rating NYI offense and defence is bit difficult, because Islanders is exceptional team. It has full of strong two-way forwards and strong two-way or defensive defenders, but lacking scoring power and offensive zone talents in both D and Forward groups. But they been succesfull team by using this defensive tactic, they been playoffs 4 time in last 5 years. NYI is playing GM Lamiorello hockey, but that is bid old style in NHL, but still they been Conference finals couple time in past 4 seasons. Its just show that you can win hockey games in many different way. You dont need to have best offensive players in your team, if you have great team play and have great two-way players and widness in roster. Martin – Cizikas – Clutterbuck will start tent season together and they are still NHL best fourth line who win a lot hockey games to team, not by making a lot goals, but shutdown other teams best lines and forwards. NYI have best goalie duo of NHL. Sorokin is great goalie, its just matter of time when he win Vezina, he play behind great defensive team, but he is also very good goalie and Varlamov is one of best back ups in NHL. Future of team looks dark, they havent drafted in first round since 2019 and prospect poll is probably NHL weakest. They will baddle again that last place of playoffs, but i predict that this time they will be out because some teams (like Buffalo and Ottawa) has improved more than Islanders. That might start long long rebuild for team. 2 Quote
von Rantala Posted October 11, 2023 Author Posted October 11, 2023 Season started and i have all news ready already. So i will post 3x2 today and tomorrow. So we get all teams in here bit faster. I will also post my prediction to awards and make list of best players per position. Rangers Ratings (1-10) Offence: 7,5 Defence: 8 Goalies: 9 Special Teams: 6,5 GM/Coach: 7,5 Total: 38,5 Most Overrated: Jacob Trouba (D) Most Underrated: Mika Zibanejad (C) MVP: Igor Shestryorkin (G) Biggest talent: Gabriel Perreualt (RW) Project Line Ups Panarin – Zibanejad – Kakko Kreider – Chytil – Trocheck Lafreniere – Goodrow – Wheeler Vesey – Bonino – Cuylle Lindgren – Fox Miller – Trouba Gustafsson – Schneider Shesterkin Quick Key words: There is huge empty place in righwing. Kakko, Lafreniere isnt same lvl rightwingers than other Playoff teams top 2 rightwingers. Wheeler can still product, but you cant wait him to be savior in there. Overall they wingers group is very thin. Either Kakko or Lafreniere have to product on lvl what is waited from first and second overal picks. Is this finally year when they will use they full potential? When they was drafted everyone waited them to be 80 points players. Laviolette is they third coach. Laviolette is great coach, and under him Kakko and Lafreniere can finally burst. Laviolette has record to get players play bit better and under him players usually find they confidence what is key to success. They can always use Trocheck or Chytil in right wing too. Because so great d-group and one of best goalie in NHL they should be in playoffs, but wouldnt been surprise either to see them dropp out of playoffs. I was surprised they did fire Gallant, but Laviolette is great coach too and one of my favorite coaches. He has lead several teams in Stanley Cup finals and also has won one Cup. He earn a lot extra victories to his team. Under Laviolette teams always look and play better. Specially in first season. Zibanejad not get recognasation what he should get because Shesterkin, Fox and Panarin get that spotlight. They have star center, NHL top 3 Defender and goalie. They missing some widness, but under Laviolette i wouldnt be surprised to see them in Stanley Cup finals. Ottawa Ratings (1-10) Offence: 7,5 Defence: 7 Goalies: 7 Special Teams: 7 GM/Coach: 6 Total: 34,5 Most Overrated: Thomas Chabot (D) Most Underrated: Dominik Kubalík (LW/RW) MVP: Brady Tkachuk (LW) Biggest talent: Leevi Meriläinen (G) Project Line Ups Tkachuk – Stützle – Giroux Tarasenko – Norris – Batherson Smeijkal – Greig – Kubalik Kastelic – Pinto – Jospeth Sanderson – Chychrun Chabot – Zub Brannström – Hamonic Korpisalo Forsberg Injury Update (after my i wrote team news): Norris is injured and injury reseve list. No timetable to return. Key words I wait Ottawa to take playoffspot this year. They was close last year and this year they have Norris and Tarasenko added, Greig is promising young center. Sanderson is very promising d-man and future Norris canditate. When i do ratings, i give more value to current situation, but team has a lot players who havent yet reach they full potential. Stützle, Tkachuk can make 100 points, Norris can be come point per game player with solid two-way game. Batherson has potential to upgrade points even more. Sanderson, Chychrun still havent reach full potential and Korpisalo in goal havent reach full potential. So when season progress in middle season ratings, all ratings could come up 1-2 points. In paper Ottawa should be playoff team, because some last year playoffs teams has impaired and Ottawa is improved and has still room to improve in ongoing season from progress of they own players. They not need to go trade market middle of season. Long playoff run is difficult tho, because they widness isnt wide enough when comparated to Stanley Cup favorites and key injuries could see them missing playoff. Ottawa has followed NJ example and signed they young starts to long 7-8 milj contracts early, so they should stay competitive long. Only minor shadow for future is that they traded they first round pics and drafted first round last time in 2021 and they tent overall pick Boucher could be failure. Korpisalo isnt top 15 goalie yet, but have potential to be that. Prediction: Should go to playoffs if all stay healthy and continue they progress. Philadelphia Ratings (1-10) Offence: 5,5 Defence: 4 Goalies: 5 Special Teams: 5 GM/Coach: 5 Total:24,5 Most Overrated: Rasmus Ristolainen (D) Most Underrated: Scott Laughton (C/LW) MVP: Sean Couturier (C) Biggest talent: Cutter Gauthier (LW/C) Project Line Ups Konecny – Couturier – Foerster Laughton – Frost – Tippett Farabee – Cates – Atkinson Deslauriers – Poehling – Hathaway York – Sanheim Walker – Ristolainen Zamula – Staal Hart Ersson Key Injuries: Ryan Ellis will miss entire season and might have to retire because injuries. Key words: Flyers have Briere now as new GM. Fletcher old GM made good job in Wild, but failed in Flyers, he made some bad trades and contracts. So Briere had to started rebuild. Tortorella is good coach, but he is not right guy to develop young players. Briere made couple good trades in summer and got extra draft picks. Couturier and Atkinson are back after missing last season. I hope they name Couturier as new Captain. Laughton is underrated and solid two-way forward. Foerster is promising and Cates and Frost havent reach they full potential yet and Farabee havent been able to meet his potential and been bit disappointment. D-group is one of NHL weakest and they havent been able to draft huge talents in there. Hart was once rated most promising young goalie, but he play behind one of weakest d-group, so its hard to see where his potential is. Couturier was in my mind NHL best two-way forward (after Bergeron) when he injured, can he become leading two-way forward again? Flyers have long rebuild ahead and will like to be bottom of NHL with Montreal, Anaheim and Chicago. Difference is that, Montreal, Anaheim and Chicago all have bit better prospect poll or bigger individual talents than Flyers. 2 Quote
von Rantala Posted October 11, 2023 Author Posted October 11, 2023 Pittsburgh Ratings (1-10) Offence: 8 Defence: 8,5 Goalies: 7 Special Teams: 6,5 GM/Coach: 7,5 Total: 37,5 Most Overrated: Tristan Jarry (G) Most Underrated: Ryan Graves (D) MVP: Sidney Crosby (D) Biggest talent: Joel Blomqvists (G) Project Line Ups Guentzel – Crosby – Rust Rakell – Malkin – Smith O´Connor – Eller – Zohorna Hinostroza – Acciari – Carter Petterson – Karlsson Graves – Letang Joseph – Ruhwedel Jarry Nedeljkovic Key words Hextall era was messy and now its ended. I was surprised that they even signed him as GM first place. New GM Dubas continued same strange route as Hextall. Pittsburgh is again oldest team in NHL. They added Smith 32 year, Karlsson 33 year, Acciari 31, Eller 34 to they roster. In my mind it was mistake to take Karlsson in long run. He had great season last year, but before that he wasnt worth off 10 milj salary cap. Dubas traded some older players, but signed same age players back, so he didnt make team any younger. Pittburgh losing clear plan, they are trying to stay at Stanley Cup race when Crosby, Malkin and Letang are still productives, but they not bring young players to play with them, they will bring more veterans. I dont say you cant win with older players, but balance is important. They have maybe best coach on Sullivan, and he keep teams competitive even when it shouldnt be competitive anymore. Defence group is fifth or sixt best , centers are top 5 of NHL, but Goalies are bottom 10 and wingers are very thin. They need Guentzel stay healthy and Rust bounchback. Great Centers, great d-mans and great coach can lead them to playoffs, but for long run in there, they need to add wingers and hope Rust and Guenzel can bounchback and that Nedeljkovic or Jarry finding they rookie season level. San Jose Ratings (1-10) Offence: 6,5 Defence: 4 Goalies: 4 Special Teams: 6,5 GM/Coach: 3 Total: 24 Most Overrated: Marc-Èduoard Vlasic (D) Most Underrated: Luke Kunin (C/W) MVP: Tomas Logan Couture (C) Biggest talent: Will Smith (C) Project Line Ups Barabanov – Hertl – Kunin Eklund – Couture – Granlund Zetterlund – Hoffman – Duclair Zadina – Sturm – Labanc Ferraro – Rutta Vlasic – Thrun Benning – Simek Blackwood Kähkönen Key words: I think San Jose has most underrated offensive group. I think that offence could product a lot more if they would have better d-mans to give them puck. Biggest problem of team is that they dont have offensive defender in roster now. From current defenders Benning had most points 24, then Vlasic had 18 points, Ferraro had 11 points, rest had less than 10 points. Who will start SJ offences? They have worst offensive d-group of NHL. They have solid and/or good defensive defenders tho. I was surprised that San Jose didnt try to bring any offensive defenders to they team like Dumba or Gostisbehere, who they could get for one year 4-5milj. Thrun will start in AHL, but should get chance in the NHL. I am huge Kunin and Granlund fan, and followed they career since first games in NHL. I am glad they are in same team again, third time in they career. Eklund has potential to be top 5 rookie this year. Goalie duo is probably one of NHL weakest, both goalie have a lot more potential and they have played good seasons before, can they bounchback this year? Hertl, Couturier have potential to be point per players. Kunin, Granlund, Eklund, Zetterlund, Duclair, Hoffman and Labanc has potential to be 60+ players which some of already reached (multiple time) in they career, but in San Jose it hard to see anyone doing more than 50 points, when they lack d-man who can start attacks and get them out off d-zone. Because strong offence group they shouldnt been in last three places (in NHL), but rebuild continue. I think Quinn is one of weakest coaches in NHL, they should look upgrate in coach fast. Seattle Ratings (1-10) Offence: 6,5 Defence: 6,5 Goalies: 5 Special Teams: 5,5 GM/Coach: 6 Total: 29,5 Most Overrated: Philipp Grubauer (G) Most Underrated: Jared McCann (C/LW) MVP: Matty Beniers (C) Biggest talent: Jani Nyman (RW) Project Line Ups McCann – Beniers – Eberle Burakovsky – Gourde – Bjorkstrand Tolvanen – Wennberg – Schwartz Tanev – Bellemare – Yamamoto Dunn – Larsson Oleksiak – Dumoulin Borgen – Schultz Grubauer Daccord Key words For me it was surprise that Seattle got in the playoffs last year, first season was difficult and i predict this season be more like first season was. Hakstol always been bit irregular coach in NHL. After playoff spot there always been dropp out of playoffs next year. Team dont have big super start players, McCann is underrated and Beniers has potential to improve (to 70 points). There is potential 60 points players, but not a lot 80+ players in forward group. They roster is wide tho and they have good forwards in everyone line. Problem is that most of they forwards would be third/fourth liners in Stanley competitor teams. Can Tolvanen continue last season progress or will he dropp to same level of game what he was playing in Nashville? I think Yamamoto can surprise everyone and get bounchback season and might be top 3 forwards of team. Losing Soucy from d-group hurt a lot. Team have solid d-group where is widness, but was Dunn last season just one great season or is that his regular playing level? Team goalies was very weak last season, Grubauer is now most overpayed goalie in NHL and they hope to see Daccord doing same what he been doing AHL last two season when he been one of best AHL goalies. Team got in the playoffs last year, when playing weakest division and is in mix of 6 on baddling those last wild card places. Future is question mark, because they dont have deep prospect poll, when they been able to draft just twice. 1 Quote
von Rantala Posted October 12, 2023 Author Posted October 12, 2023 St. Louis Ratings (1-10) Offence: 7,5 Defence: 7,5 Goalies: 5,5 Special Teams: 7,5 GM/Coach: 8 Total: 36 Most Overrated: Jordan Binnington (G) Most Underrated: Pavel Buchenivich (RW/LW) MVP: Robert Thomas (C/RW) Biggest talent: Jimmy Snuggerud (RW) Project Line Ups Buchnevich – Thomas – Kyrou Vrana – Schenn – Kapanen Saad – Hayes – Blais Toropchenko – Sundqvist – MacEachern Krug – Parayko Leddy – Faulk Scandella – Perunovich Hofer Binnington Key words: St. Louis should be playoff team. In paper they look strong and wide. They Center group is one of NHL best and widest. Vrana and Kapanen has potential to be second line wingers, and Saad and Blais are solid third liners. Sundqvist was good signing from them and help fourth line and he can play bigger role too. I know many not put St. Louis as playoff team, but in paper they should be playoff team. Only question is they goalies. Binnington is one of weakest starters, he is super irregular. He might get hotstreak, then he is one of best goalies of NHL and usually he get that hotstreak in playoffs. Rest of time he not concentrate to hockey. St. Louis havent take actions of his outpurst yet, but those cost them some points. Last two season back up(s) been better than Binnington, first Husso and Lindgren was stronger goalies and last year Hofer and Greiss was stronger goalies. If Binnington can get long hotstreak and if Hofer can be come solid starter they should take playoff spot. D-group is solid, but should product bit more and its bit old comperated to other Stanley competitors. Tampa Bay Ratings (1-10) Offence: 8,5 Defence: 7,5 Goalies: 9,5 Special Teams: 7,5 GM/Coach: 8,5 Total: 41,5 Most Overrated: Erik Cernak (D) Most Underrated: Brandon Hagel (LW) MVP: Andrei Vasilevsky (G) Biggest talent: Niko Huuhtanen (RW) Project Line Ups Hagel – Point – Kucherov Jeannot – Cirelli – Stamkos Sheary – Paul – Barre-Boulet Motte – Glendening – Eyssimont Hedman – Perbix Sergachev – Cernak De Haan – Raddys Vasilevsky Tomkins Key words Team is not same powerhouse as past five season. They lost big players every year. GM also made couple strange overpayment to own teams players like Cirelli 6 milj and Cernak 5,2 milj. They are good players, but contracts was given last summer (2022), year before contract expiring, if contracts would be done this summer, they could save 2-3 milj in both contracts. GM continued same line when signing Hagel to 6,5 milj contract this summer when contract will start next season (2024). Hagel has made only once 60 points in his career and it was last season, so it bit risky game with this contract too. Hagel has high potential tho and is bit underrated. Maybe it was right choise to let Killorn walk if he asked a lot years an money, but think if they could have 5 milj more money now, how much better this team could be if they, could added one or two player for that money? I wait Jeannot to bounchback, he is one of my favorite players and Tampa fans will love to follow him. He remind me on Hartnell alot. Jeannot have potential to be 40-60 points player. Boulet has waited his change in NHL long and dominated in AHL. Overall tho they wingers look thin, d-group is thin too. They have Hedman and Sergachev who both are star lvl defenders and Hedman can bounchback and be finalist to Norris, but after those two guys dropp is huge comperated to other Stanley competitors. Vasilievsky will be out till end of November, who will be at net till he come back is question mark? Can they keep head above water and survive till Vasilievsky come back? They might give too big head start to other teams when waiting Vasy back. Core is so strong tho that even that Vasy miss two first months, they should be playoff team, but I would be surprised if they go through 2nd round. UPDATED: Barre-Boulet was sent to AHL, what was surprise to me and Merelä did take roster spot in opening night. I was glad to see he taking that opening night spot. They added Austin Watson in roster too, who was at try-out earlier. As Finn, its ofcourse interesting to follow if Merelä can keep his role in there whole season. He is good two-way player who is undrafted. Toronto Ratings (1-10) Offence: 9,5 Defence: 8 Goalies: 7,5 Special Teams: 8 GM/Coach: 6 Total: 39 Most Overrated: John Tavares (C) Most Underrated: Calle Jänrnkrok (C/W) MVP: Mitchell Marner (RW) Biggest talent: Matthew Knies (LW) Project Line Ups Knies – Matthews – Marner Bertuzzi – Tavares - Nylander Robertson – Domi – Jarnkrok Holmberg – Kampf - Reaves Rielly – Liljegren Brodie- Klingberg Giordano – Timmins Samsonov Woll Key words: Team finally got in second round last season. I was surprised that they continued under same coach. I think team has a lot more potential. Keefe cant shape and change his team playstyle in playoffs. Just like Bruce Boudreau, both great regular season coaches, but when you play 6-7 game against same team in couple weeks, you have to find different ways to win games, in regular season you not need to do so many changes, because you gamestyle will results more win than loses and its only thing whats matter in regular season. Matthews, Marner and Tavares also has tied up GM's hands, if they all would have taken 1,5-2 milj less salary, that could have solve defence and goalies problems long time ago and they could been dynasty for several years. In modern NHL you build dynasty on wideness, sometimes you can win Cup with best defence, goalie or offence, but to build dynasty you need to make sacrifices to benefit team. Its nothing wrong to ask max salary when you are young, but you cant trust on fact that when you get older you get chance to win cup else where, if you take away from salary request. I often see Nylander get all the blame, but he actually has best contract of forward group (not rookies included). Adding Klingberg is risky, high reward, with high cost. He can product a alot in offensive zone and has potential 70+ points, wouldnt been even surprised if he get 100 points, but he is huge risk in own zone. Did Toronto loss last year because they didnt get production from defenders or mistakes and poor game in own zone? In my mind because latter. So maybe instead of adding more risk in defence zone they could done what EDM did with adding Ekholm and add great two way defender in they roster. Samsonov played his best season last year and Woll was great in playoffs, but can they repead, last season is big question mark? New GM Trevling made good signins in forward group, its now one of stronges and deepest forwards group in NHL. Knies can be savior or need one more year to develop, but Bertuzzi and Domi was good signings and benefit team a lot. Should go to playoffs and play in conference finals, but could see early exit too. 1 Quote
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