May 7,
2007
Non-Playoff Teams Summer Outlook
II
By Darryl Dobbs, TheFourthPeriod.com
Part Two in a seven-part
review takes a look at the teams that failed to reach the
post-season and what kind of impact each of them will have on
your keeper-league squad.
This week, we take a look at
Florida and Montreal.
FLORIDA
PANTHERS
Possibly on the way out:
The Panthers signed pending UFA Ville Peltonen, so he isn't
going anywhere. His play picked up as the season wore on and
looks like a fine candidate to breach the 50-point barrier
next season. The Panthers may try to sign Martin Gelinas back,
but Jozef Stumpel will likely be allowed to walk. Goaltender
Ed Belfour is another potential free agent who will likely not
return.
The team will be looking to add:
A point was driven home last season – they need elite
goaltending. In an attempt to blunt the loss of Roberto Luongo,
the Panthers will likely try to pick up a top netminder.
Florida also needs a stay-at-home defenseman and an upper-tier
sniper. The team was 2-8 in the shootout, a number that would
put them in the playoffs if it were reversed.
Undrafted defenseman Cory
Murphy was signed after putting up over a point-per-game in
the Finnish League. He is already showing what he can do with
NHL-caliber players while playing for Team Canada at the
Worlds. Look for him to step in as part of the top powerplay
pairing with Jay Bouwmeester.
General fantasy outlook:
Florida finished 13th in offense. The young team will be
better in that category with another year of experience under
their belts. Stephen Weiss, coming off a 48-point effort in
his first relatively injury-free season, will take on a much
larger role. Tallying 65 points is not a big stretch for the
24-year-old. Rostislav Olesz will continue his steady
progress, taking on more and more responsibility. Nathan
Horton is another youngster who will increase production. It
is possible the Panthers will be a top-10 team in offense next
season. With a top goaltender they will improve on the fact
that they were 22nd in team defense.
MONTREAL
CANADIENS
Possibly on the way out:
A slew of players are ready for unrestricted free agency,
including Radek Bonk, Mike Johnson, Sheldon Souray, Andrei
Markov and David Aebischer. Throw in the fact that the Habs
are considering buying out the contracts of Alexei Kovalev and
Sergei Samsonov and this team will have a completely different
look in the fall. Alexander Perezhogin is also considering a
move back to Russia, although his agent denies the rumors.
Having the No.1 powerplay in the NHL will ensure that the team
will do everything they can to bring back both Souray and
Markov, while Johnson is also very interested in staying.
Aebischer is gone. Montreal is quite happy with a Cristobal
Huet-Jaroslav Halak tandem.
The team will be looking to add:
If they are unable to sign both Souray and Markov, they will
definitely be on the hunt to replace those players. They are
also desperate for size both up front and on the blueline.
There are several decent power forwards that will be on the
market this year, including Ryan Smyth, Brendan Shanahan, Todd
Bertuzzi, Dainius Zubrus, Keith Tkachuk, Scott Walker, Scott
Hartnell and Owen Nolan.
General fantasy outlook:
If the team can't retain (or replace) the services of both
their fine rearguards, their offensive numbers will most
assuredly drop. One player's numbers who will not drop is
Andrei Kostitsyn. The youngster was on fire in his final
recall with the team, tallying eight points in his last 12
games and looking very good doing it. He is looking at a big
season on Montreal's second line. Don't be shocked if he
garners 60 points in his first full campaign.
For more
fantasy tips, visit www.dobberhockey.com
Apr. 30, 2007 -
Non-Playoff Teams Summer Outlook: I
Apr. 09, 2007 -
Eastern Playoff Preview
Apr. 02, 2007 -
A Case for the Defense
Mar. 19, 2007 -
Transplanted Oilers Look Good on the
Island
Mar. 12, 2007 -
A Case for the Defense
Mar. 05, 2007 -
Fantasy Hockey Potpourri
Feb. 26, 2007 -
Kovalchuk turnaround has finally
arrived
Feb. 19, 2007 -
Trade Buzz – Fantasy Impact, Part III
Feb. 12, 2007 -
Trade Buzz – Fantasy Impact, Part II
Feb. 05, 2007 -
Trade Buzz – Fantasy Impact, Part I
Jan. 29, 2007 -
Bulin Wall Crumbling?
Jan. 22, 2007 -
Dan Boyle: Underrated, but One of
the Best Fantasy Defensemen
Jan. 15, 2007 -
Back on Track
Jan. 08, 2007 -
Leafs Youngsters get Chance to Shine
Jan. 01, 2007 -
Is the Suffering Finally Over? |
Dec. 18, 2006 -
Malone Finds Timing
Dec. 11, 2006 -
Erat Breaking Out
Dec. 04, 2006 -
Pavelski Becoming This Year's
Bernier
Nov. 27, 2006 -
Radulov Gives Sneak Preview
Nov. 20, 2006 -
Need Penalty Minutes?
Nov. 13, 2006 -
Broken Ankles/Feet This Year's Groin Injury
Nov. 06, 2006 -
Fantasy Surprises After the First
Month
Oct. 30, 2006 -
Eight Games (and Counting)
Oct. 23, 2006 -
The Magical 10th Game
Oct. 16, 2006 -
Pitkanen Becoming an Elite Fantasy
Rearguard
Oct. 09, 2006 -
Out of the Shadows
Oct. 02, 2006 -
Was McDonald's season a fluke? |
Dobber's
Fantasy Tips exclusively appear Monday's at
TheFourthPeriod.com.
Comments/Concerns/Criticisms/Compliments: rotohockey@rogers.com
|