May 14,
2007
Non-Playoff Teams Summer Outlook
II
By Darryl Dobbs, TheFourthPeriod.com
Part Three 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
Philadelphia and Toronto.
PHILADELPHIA
FLYERS
Possibly on the way out:
Mike York can't be gone soon enough for this team. After a
miserable campaign in which he tallied just eight points in 34
contests (and he was minus-18 on the year), York will look for
work elsewhere. Todd Fedoruk (he of the metal skull) will also
likely move on if he is not forced to retire. Robert Esche
will also look for work elsewhere, as well as a lot of bit
players all unrestricted free agents. This will be a new
team next season.
The team will be looking to add:
The Flyers have plenty of money freed up under the cap
perhaps more than any team in the league. Besides Steve Downie
and defenseman Ryan Parent likely making the squad in the
fall, the team will be looking to add an elite forward. The
rumor that just won't die is that they will make a pitch for
Buffalo star Daniel Briere, who is close friends with Philly
netminder Martin Biron. If not Briere, then Scott Gomez is a
second target. They will bring in an elite centerman to pass
the puck to Simon Gagne and allow Jeff Carter to continue to
apprentice on the second line.
General fantasy outlook:
This team will get better in a hurry and could battle for a
playoff spot next March. With Biron between the pipes, the
team finally has that elite goaltender that they have been
looking for. They will be a much better team offensively with
the piece that they will be adding. The only thing slowing
them down is the fact that the kids (Carter, Mike Richards,
R.J. Umberger, Downie, Parent and Claude Giroux) will all need
some time to develop and gain experience. Otherwise, the
Flyers are well on their way. Their long-term outlook is
unbelievably good and their short-term outlook is much
improved both from a fantasy, as well as a realistic
perspective.
TORONTO
MAPLE LEAFS
Possibly on the way out:
Michael Peca, Jeff O'Neil, Yanic Perreault and possibly J-S
Aubin are on their way out as unrestricted free agents. Nik
Antropov and Bates Battaglia are also UFA's, but the Leafs are
trying to re-sign the former and I just can't see them not
signing the latter as well, given Battaglia's history with
coach Paul Maurice.
The team will be looking to add:
As usual, Toronto will be looking to add another veteran piece
that will help them finish eighth or ninth (their two favorite
positions to finish in the Conference). This time, the names
flying around include Ryan Smyth and Todd Bertuzzi who, if
he keeps playing like he is in the post-season, should be easy
to sign cheap. While it would be nice to give Mats Sundin that
winger that he has been sorely lacking, Toronto won't be
winning any divisions (or Cups) unless they can undo that
hideous Pavel Kubina signing of a year ago, plus admit to
themselves that Andrew Raycroft is better suited as a backup
goaltender. One player that will not be joining the team this
year is prospect Nikolai Kulemin, the Russian kid who played
oh-so-well with Evgeni Malkin just over a year ago and
continued his strong play when the latter left for the NHL.
Kulemin still has a year left in his RSL contract, although he
may come to camp to give the Leafs a look. The other top
prospect, Jiri Tlusty, is likely still two years away. All
indications are that Jeremy Williams is NHL-ready and should
crack the lineup. The team will also be looking to sign a
backup goalie perhaps re-signing Aubin.
General fantasy outlook:
In a word: Bleak. Sundin will get his usual 75 points and the
winger that they sign for him will help. As well, Kyle
Wellwood is now healthy and should garner 65 or even 70
points. However, if you were to build your keeper-league team
around Toronto, you will have a rough go of things for the
next several years. Things should improve as Tlusty, Kulemin,
goaltender Justin Pogge and next month's 13th overall draft
pick all work their way into the lineup, and the albatross
contracts of Kubina and Bryan McCabe slowly expire... but for
the immediate future? Bleak.
For more
fantasy tips, visit www.dobberhockey.com
May 07, 2007 -
Non-Playoff Teams Summer Outlook: II
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
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