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Ultimate Fantasy Pool Guide 2012-13

The Hockey News - Pool Guide 2012 - English

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0133-0244/9866609-1-eng-US/f0133-022.jpg" title="f0133-02" width="251" height="271"></div><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0133-0327/9866602-1-eng-US/f0133-032.jpg" title="f0133-03" width="1172" height="926"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>GOING TWO ROUNDS</b> The Rangers&rsquo; Brandon Prust, right, fought the Devils&rsquo; Eric Boulton, left, twice last season. <span class="photo-credit">(BRUCE BENNETT/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><h2><b>MAJOR PENALTIES</b></h2><p><b>1. BRANDON PRUST, NYR</b>&nbsp;<b>20</b></p><p> - SHAWNTHORNTON, BOS <b>20</b></p><p>3. DEREK DORSETT, CLB <b>19</b></p><p> - ZENONKONOPKA, OTT <b>19</b></p><p>5. JARED BOLL, CLB <b>18</b></p><p> - CODYMCLEOD, COL <b>18</b></p><p>7. *ZAC RINALDO, PHI &nbsp;<b>16</b></p><p> 8. BRAD STAUBITZ, MIN/MTL <b>15</b></p><p>- MATTMARTIN, NYI <b>15</b></p><p>10. TIM JACKMAN, CGY <b>14</b></p><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0133-0162/9866595-1-eng-US/f0133-012.jpg" title="f0133-01" width="2344" height="1448"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

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IN THIS ISSUE

KNUCKLE SANDWICH BOARD

<div class="byline">BY MATT LARKIN</div><p class="dropcap"><span>T</span>here&rsquo;s more than one way to skin a cat and there&rsquo;s more than one way to draft a team for your hockey pool. The snake draft, in which GMs take turns selecting players in a preset order, is the most common. Lately, auction drafts, in which GMs nominate and bid on players against each other, have become all the rage. It&rsquo;s important to know the difference between the two, as the strategy to winning in each varies considerably. Here are five key tips to help you dominate either format.</p><h2><b>THE SNAKE DRAFT</b></h2><h3><b>TIP 1</b>&nbsp;<b>TALENT MATTERS MORE THAN POSITION SCARCITY</b></h3><p>Too many poolies freak out over Shea Weber&rsquo;s relative value because he scores more goals than other defensemen or the dearth of elite players qualifying at left wing. Don&rsquo;t stress. If you chase scarce positions, you&rsquo;ll grab someone several rounds too early. In Yahoo! leagues last season, Chris Kunitz finished as the ninth-ranked left winger. Phil Kessel was the 10th-ranked right winger. Don&rsquo;t be the doofus who overthinks the draft and takes Kunitz over Kessel because &ldquo;left wing is so talent-thin.&rdquo;</p><p>Pay more attention to position scarcity in later rounds. Use it as a tiebreaker if you&rsquo;re torn. If right winger X is slightly better than left winger X, but there are no good left wingers remaining and plenty of good right wingers out there, take left winger X.</p><h3><b>TIP 2</b>&nbsp;<b>STUDY THE DEEP SLEEPERS AND OWN THE LATE ROUNDS</b></h3><p>It doesn&rsquo;t take a rabid fan to know the top 100 players. That&rsquo;s why drafts aren&rsquo;t won in the early rounds. The difference is how deep you study. If you know the top 200 or 300 players like the back of your hand, you&rsquo;ll annihilate your friends &ndash; the same guys who didn&rsquo;t know how much Tyler Seguin&rsquo;s role was set to increase a year ago &ndash; in the late rounds.</p><h3><b>TIP 3</b>&nbsp;<b>BEWARE THE DOUBLE PICK</b></h3><p>If you pick first or last, you&rsquo;ll be stuck grabbing two consecutive players each time the draft snakes back to you. It&rsquo;s oh-so-common (and funny) to see a GM panic because the player he wanted went the pick before and he still has to take two guys back-to-back. Stay several moves ahead and keep multiple names in your queue to avoid that disaster.</p><h3><b>TIP 4</b>&nbsp;<b>TALK TRASH</b></h3><p>Make your opponents second-guess themselves. Gasp, shake your head, and tease them for their choices. A well-timed &ldquo;Oooh, way too early for him&rdquo; will send an insecure drafter into meltdown mode. The tactic even works in online drafts if you have an instant message board.</p><h3><b>TIP 5</b>&nbsp;<b>IF YOUR LEAGUE LETS YOU TRADE PICKS, EXPLORE YOUR OPTIONS</b></h3><p>Your buddy has the third overall selection, but doesn&rsquo;t like her draft slot because she has to wait so long for her next pick. You realize there&rsquo;s a sizeable talent drop-off between the first three picks, Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Steven Stamkos, and the No. 4 guy. Trade places!</p><h2><b>THE AUCTION DRAFT</b></h2><h3><b>TIP 1</b>&nbsp;<b>SET PRICE LIMITS FOR EACH POSITION</b></h3><p>Naturally, drafting in an auction means managing a salary cap. To avoid overbidding on someone early and wrecking the rest of your budget, set limits for your forwards, defensemen and goalies and try not to go more than a dollar or two over. Even if sticking to your limit means missing out on a guy you really wanted, it also means your opponent is overspending and taking himself out of the bidding for good players later.</p><h3><b>TIP 2</b>&nbsp;<b>DON&rsquo;T SKIMP ON ELITE PLAYERS</b></h3><p>This tip seems contradictory to the previous one, but it isn&rsquo;t. The point is to set a reasonably high limit for the best of the best &ndash; as much as a third of your team&rsquo;s budget. Most of the time, you get the elite production you pay for and there&rsquo;s nothing worse than being too afraid to spend and being stuck at the end of the auction with extra money.</p><h3><b>TIP 3</b>&nbsp;<b>NOMINATE PLAYERS YOU DON&rsquo;T WANT</b></h3><p>When it&rsquo;s your turn to nominate, especially early in the auction, toss out a name you don&rsquo;t want on your team (bidding starts at $1) and let the feeding frenzy begin. If you were worried about Sidney Crosby&rsquo;s concussions and threw his name out last year, the poor sap who emptied his wallet likely ruined his season. Getting rivals to blow their budgets on guys you don&rsquo;t want means they&rsquo;ll lack the capital to outbid you later on guys you do want.</p><h3><b>TIP 4</b>&nbsp;<b>STEAL SLEEPERS EARLY IN THE AUCTION</b></h3><p>If you prefer nominating someone you want to bid on, choose a moderate sleeper early in the draft while other GMs are saving their money for big stars. You could&rsquo;ve gotten Scott Hartnell for a song at the beginning of a 2011-12 auction while everyone waited to bid on Corey Perry or Daniel Sedin.</p><h3><b>TIP 5</b>&nbsp;<b>BREAK YOUR OPPONENTS&rsquo; WILL</b></h3><p>Outbidding someone a second after they bid sends the message that no one will outbid you. Making a large bid off the bat instead of bidding back and forth is like betting big before the flop in poker &ndash; it will scare away the cheapskates. Another soul-crusher: repeatedly topping someone one second before the bidding clock closes. Each time you do so, 10 seconds reappear on the clock. If anyone outbids you, wait another nine seconds and do it again. It will drive people crazy.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

FEATURES

DRAFT TACTICS

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0043-01846/9865136-1-eng-US/f0043-012.jpg" title="f0043-01" width="249" height="282"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>O</span>TTAWA</b>&nbsp;<b>WON&rsquo;T</b> sneak up on anyone in 2012-13. Its deep forward corps features centers Jason Spezza and Kyle Turris, wingers Daniel Alfredsson and Milan Michalek and rookies Jakob Silfverberg and Mika Zibanejad. Erik Karlsson is a superstar on &lsquo;D&rsquo; and Craig Anderson is a great goalie when he&rsquo;s hot.</p><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0043-02592/9865129-1-eng-US/f0043-022.jpg" title="f0043-02" width="1070" height="1311"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>ERIK KARLSSON</b> <span class="photo-credit">(RICHARD WOLOWICZ/Getty IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><h2><b>TOP 10 PROSPECTS</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0043-03492/9865122-1-eng-US/f0043-032.jpg" title="f0043-03" width="711" height="1479"></div><h2><b>POWER</b>&nbsp;<b>ZONE</b></h2><p>Looking to dominate your pool in various categories? Here&rsquo;s your quick reference guide to 2011-12 leaders</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0043-04376/9865115-1-eng-US/f0043-042.jpg" title="f0043-04" width="858" height="385"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0043-05328/9865108-1-eng-US/f0043-052.jpg" title="f0043-05" width="858" height="382"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0043-06272/9865101-1-eng-US/f0043-062.jpg" title="f0043-06" width="894" height="640"></div><h2><b>POINT PROJECTION</b></h2><p><b>JASON SPEZZA 75</b></p><p>&nbsp;<b>ERIK KARLSSON 64</b></p><p><b>DANIEL ALFREDSSON 56</b></p><p><b>KYLE TURRIS 53</b></p><p><b>MILAN MICHALEK 48</b></p><p><b>JAKOB SILFVERBERG 45</b></p><p><b>COLIN GREENING 43</b></p><p><b>SERGEI GONCHAR 36</b></p><p><b>MIKA ZIBANEJAD 34</b></p><p>&nbsp;<b>ZACK SMITH 27</b></p><p><b>MARK STONE 25</b></p><p><b>GUILLAUME LATENDRESSE 24</b></p><p><b>CHRIS NEIL 23</b></p><p><b>ERIK CONDRA 23</b></p><p><b>PETER REGIN</b>&nbsp;<b>22</b></p><p><b>JARED COWEN 20</b></p><p><b>JIM O&rsquo;BRIEN 17</b></p><p><b>CHRIS PHILLIPS 16</b></p><p><b>KASPARS DAUGAVINS 14</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

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SECRET’S OUT ON THE SENATORS

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0033-10195/9864476-1-eng-US/f0033-102.jpg" title="f0033-10" width="290" height="225"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>D</span>ETROIT&rsquo;S</b>&nbsp;<b>FORWARDS</b> must score more to make up for the loss of future Hall of Fame &lsquo;D&rsquo; Nicklas Lidstrom. Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk, Valtteri Filppula and Johan Franzen will do the scoring. There&rsquo;s also pressure on goaltender Jimmy Howard, though he&rsquo;ll get help from ex-Leaf Jonas &lsquo;The Monster&rsquo; Gustavsson.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0033-011300/9864469-1-eng-US/f0033-012.jpg" title="f0033-01" width="998" height="1362"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>PAVEL DATSYUK</b> <span class="photo-credit">(DAVE SANDFORD/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><h2><b>TOP 10 PROSPECTS</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0033-03699/9864462-1-eng-US/f0033-032.jpg" title="f0033-03" width="711" height="1479"></div><h2><b>POWER ZONE</b></h2><p>Looking to dominate your pool in various categories? Here&rsquo;s your quick reference guide for 2011-12 leaders</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0033-04570/9864455-1-eng-US/f0033-042.jpg" title="f0033-04" width="858" height="384"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0033-05483/9864448-1-eng-US/f0033-052.jpg" title="f0033-05" width="858" height="381"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0033-12155/9864441-1-eng-US/f0033-122.jpg" title="f0033-12" width="894" height="633"></div><h2><b>POINT PROJECTION</b></h2><p><b>HENRIK ZETTERBERG 70</b></p><p><b>PAVEL DATSYUK 64</b></p><p><b>VALTTERI FILPPULA 56</b></p><p>&nbsp;<b>JOHAN FRANZEN 53</b></p><p><b>NIKLAS KRONWALL 39</b></p><p>&nbsp;<b>TODD BERTUZZI 35</b></p><p><b>DAN CLEARY 34</b></p><p><b>MIKAEL SAMUELSSON 33</b></p><p>&nbsp;<b>DAMIEN BRUNNER 32</b></p><p><b>DARREN HELM 29</b></p><p><b>KYLE QUINCEY 29</b></p><p>&nbsp;<b>BRENDAN SMITH 28</b></p><p>&nbsp;<b>IAN WHITE 26</b></p><p><b>JUSTIN ABDELKADER 25</b></p><p><b>DREW MILLER 20</b></p><p><b>JORDIN TOOTOO 20</b></p><p><b>TOMAS TATAR 20</b></p><p><b>PATRICK EAVES 20</b></p><p><b>GUSTAV NYQUIST 18</b></p><p><b>CORY EMMERTON 16</b></p><p><b>JONATHAN ERICSSON 15</b></p><p><b>JAKUB KINDL 13</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

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LIFE AFTER LIDSTROM NO PICNIC

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0004-012255/9863085-1-eng-US/f0004-012.jpg" title="f0004-01" width="341" height="393"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Early pool pick</b> Philadelphia&rsquo;s Claude Giroux will follow a 93-point season with a projected 86 in 2012-13. <span class="photo-credit">(LEN REDKOLES/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

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OPENING FACEOFF

<div class="byline">BY BRIAN COSTELLO</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0006-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0006-012485/9863130-1-eng-US/f0006-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(DENIS BRODEUR/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p><b>It&rsquo;s</b>&nbsp;<b>time</b> to make a confession.</p><p>Now that one of the greatest careers in the history of the game &ndash; the greatest for a European and one of the top few for a defensemen ever &ndash; has come to an end, it&rsquo;s time to ask forgiveness from the fantasy lords. I was the one guy who ever dropped Nicklas Lidstrom in a keeper pool. Released him outright. I don&rsquo;t even know which player I picked up to replace him.</p><p>This wasn&rsquo;t a late-2011-12, drop-the-soon-to-be-42-year-oldinjured-Swede-because-he-might-retire move. I dropped him when he was a 21-year-old rookie with high expectations in 1991-92.</p><p>Looking back, I see he finished his freshman term with 60 points and was runner-up to Pavel Bure for the Calder. So why would I, and my co-manager, Matt Nicholls, drop him in our fantasy league? I wasn&rsquo;t sure myself, so I researched. Turns out we had a strong defense with proven veterans and we needed to drop a player to boost our offense.</p><p>That Lidstrom had just two assists in his first five NHL games (I dug this up from back issues of The Hockey News) meant there wasn&rsquo;t a lot of trade interest among our fantasy league managers. So because of his slow start and a growing need elsewhere in our lineup, we dropped a future Hall of Famer for a waiver pickup.</p><p>Profound idiots we were for sure. He had three points in his next game and finished ninth in scoring among D-men.</p><p>We did win the fantasy league title that season, but not having Lidstrom on our team in following campaigns surely cost us in the long run.</p><p>If there&rsquo;s a lesson learned, it&rsquo;s don&rsquo;t be impatient with young players, even those with lofty expectations. When you select them you have to be prepared to live with varying degrees of learning curves. If you&rsquo;re as impatient as I was, focus on veterans.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0006-021693/9863123-1-eng-US/f0006-022.jpg" title="f0006-02" width="649" height="156"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0006-031011/9863116-1-eng-US/f0006-032.jpg" title="f0006-03" width="472" height="808"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

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DEPARTMENTS

LIDSTROM GIVEN OUTRIGHT RELEASE?

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0007-012193/9863199-1-eng-US/f0007-012.jpg" title="f0007-01" width="748" height="945"></div><p><b>Beermakersfan - has won over $273,050 on <a href="http://www.FanDuel.com">www.fanduel.com</a></b></p><p><b>This is Beermakersfan on <a href="http://FanDuel.com">FanDuel.com</a> - doesn&rsquo;t he look psyched?</b> This 34-year-old from Detroit has won over $273,050 playing fantasy hockey, football, baseball and basketball contests on <a href="http://FanDuel.com">FanDuel.com</a></p><h2><b>A Brand New Way to Play Fantasy Hockey</b></h2><p><a href="http://FanDuel.com">FanDuel.com</a> is the hottest thing in Fantasy Hockey. You pick a new team and win cash every day. Go up against other FanDuellers or even your buddies - for bragging rights and immediate cash payouts.</p><h2><b>Over $10m in Cash Payouts</b></h2><p>In 2011, <a href="http://FanDuel.com">FanDuel.com</a> paid out over $10 million in instant cash payouts. You&rsquo;re skeptical of course - that&rsquo;s a big figure. FanDuel paid out so much because there are tens of thousands of people already playing onFanDuel - and thousands more are joining every month. So, in 2012 we&rsquo;re sure to pay out well over $10m.</p><h2><b>How is this Different from Season-long Fantasy Hockey?</b></h2><p>Leagues that last one day</p><p>Huge variety of contest types</p><p>Cash payouts every day</p><p>Don&rsquo;t rely only on your buddies - play against other FanDuellers</p><p>Play for free or for real money-use PayPal or your Credit Card</p><p>No subscription fees, no commitments</p><h2><b>Start Playing Today for Free</b></h2><p>Use the $5 coupon to get into your first game. With contests starting at $1 you can start to win big too!</p><p><b>Visit <a href="http://www.FanDuel.com">www.fanduel.com</a> on your cellphone and enter the promocode now</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0007-021500/9863192-1-eng-US/f0007-022.jpg" title="f0007-02" width="715" height="608"></div><p><b>Special Offer For Ultimate Fantasy Pool Guide Readers</b></p><p><b>GET</b>&nbsp;<b>$5 FREE</b></p><p><b>When you join at <a href="http://www.FanDuel.com">www.FanDuel.com</a> And use Promocode:</b></p><p><b>ULTIMATE</b></p><p>No strings attached. No credit card required. Valid for first 5000 readers Valid until 11/01/12</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0007-03937/9863185-1-eng-US/f0007-032.jpg" title="f0007-03" width="391" height="356"></div><p><a href="http://FanDuel.com">FanDuel.com</a><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

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“He’s Won $273,050 Playing Fantasy Sports. How Much Could You Win?”

<div class="byline">BY MURRAY TOWNSEND</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0008-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-012373/9863237-1-eng-US/f0008-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>UNREPEATABLE</b> Ray Whitney&rsquo;s 77 points were the second-highest total of his career. Don&rsquo;t expect an encore. <span class="photo-credit">(ANDREW D. BERNSTEIN/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p><b>So it&rsquo;s about</b> Ray Whitney again.</p><p>Drives me nuts, that guy. Last year in this space I noted how I wrote him off during the season and how he returned with a vengeance, defying conventional fantasy hockey logic.</p><p>I took it personally.</p><p>You want to play that game, I can play as well.</p><p>I happened to get tickets during the season to a Phoenix game in Buffalo, four rows up from the ice surface on the blueline. There was Whitney, as small as life. My nemesis a few feet in front of me.</p><p>&ldquo;Hey Grandpa,&rdquo; I yelled during the pre-game warmup. &ldquo;Shouldn&rsquo;t you have a cane instead of a hockey stick? Hey oldtimer, time for a nap yet?&rdquo;</p><p>OK, I didn&rsquo;t actually say those things and he didn&rsquo;t actually skate by me and wink while I shook my fist at him, but it could have happened.</p><p>Because we have some history, I watched him closely during the game. He didn&rsquo;t play like a 39-year-old. He darted here and there, wasting little motion, getting himself open and finding his teammates with passes. Smart, economical and effective.</p><p>Still, I&rsquo;ve pencilled Whitney in for one of the largest point reductions in the league this season. At 39, he was an anomaly to be revered. At 40, he&rsquo;s just too damned old.</p><p>Yet, it&rsquo;s not so much his age that has me marking him down this season; it&rsquo;s that those 77 points in 2011-12 represented the second-highest total of his career&hellip;and career seasons rarely repeat.</p><p>Of the top 10 scorers in 2010-11, only two cracked the top 10 of 2011-12: Steven Stamkos and Henrik Sedin. Not Daniel Sedin, Martin St-Louis and Corey Perry &ndash; and they were the top three in 2010-11.</p><p>We look at the top 10 from last season and we think, &ldquo;yeah, he should be there again,&rdquo; but most of them won&rsquo;t. Everything went right for Jason Spezza, finally &ndash; but it won&rsquo;t happen again so soon. Phil Kessel had a season of consistency after a career of inconsistency. James Neal, great season, but too hard to repeat &ndash; he&rsquo;s out of the top 10.</p><p>Players go up and down all the time, from year to year, month to month and night to night. We too often assume if player does something once, he&rsquo;ll do it again right away. Players more commonly revert to their established level.</p><p>During the fantasy season, we&rsquo;re always looking for some kind of edge. I spend the early part of the year trying to pry underachievers away from impatient owners while shopping my overachievers. Getting the underachievers is difficult because the owner spent a high draft pick on them and can&rsquo;t bear to give up on them. Shopping the overachievers is easier &ndash; people often think a player will maintain his pace, which he rarely does.</p><p>Hockey is about skill, but it&rsquo;s a lot more than what you see on the ice. Whitney finished tied for 12th in scoring. Is he more skilled than Ovechkin, Zach Parise or Anze Kopitar? Nope. He wasn&rsquo;t even on a high-scoring team. The difference might have been what was going on between the ears. Hockey&rsquo;s a mental grind. It wears players down and sometimes it&rsquo;s like a blur to them. That&rsquo;s why we should look for certain points during the season that will give them that mental lift.</p><p>Traded players are almost always better with their new teams. They have something to prove to both teams and themselves, so their motivation is sky-high.</p><p>Good players who have to sit in the press box often come back firing. They sit up there and see the game differently. He should have done that, I can do that. Go to the net, look for the open man, skate back harder.. all those types of things.</p><p>We see this all the time &ndash; a No. 1 goalie gets injured and the backup is great, at least for a while. Or when the No. 1 has a bad game &ndash; watch out the next game, because it&rsquo;s one of his best of the season.</p><p>We think injured players will take time to get back into game shape after a long layoff. Instead they come out scoring right away. That&rsquo;s because they&rsquo;re fresh mentally and see the game differently.</p><p>And I&rsquo;m always looking at struggling players coming off a rest &ndash; Christmas or all-star break.</p><p>The player goes home for the holidays with his head a little down. A lot of people offer advice, especially his family. &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t worry about it,&rdquo; they say with a pat on the back, &ldquo;it&rsquo;ll get better.&rdquo; He can&rsquo;t stop thinking about it. At Christmas dinner he&rsquo;s not enjoying it like he should. How come I&rsquo;m not scoring? Pass the mashed potatoes. What if I don&rsquo;t get it back? Pass the yams. What&rsquo;s Albany like this time of year? Pass the cranberry sauce. What would I do if I didn&rsquo;t play hockey? Pass me some more turkey.</p><p>By the time it gets to dessert, he wants somebody to pass him his skates.</p><p>In summation, always look for quality players having a rough time or not playing to their level. I have Corey Perry raising his game back up this year, as well as Derek Roy, Nikolai Kulemin and even Alex Ovechkin. It works both ways, though. Don&rsquo;t be surprised if many Los Angeles Kings struggle this year, at least early on. Winning the Stanley Cup is mentally draining. Last season, reigning Cup-winner Boston started 3-7-0.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0009-012111/9863230-1-eng-US/f0009-012.jpg" title="f0009-01" width="724" height="775"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>BOUND TO REBOUND</b> At 27 and with three 70-point years before an &rsquo;11-12 flop, Corey Perry will bounce back. <span class="photo-credit">(HARRY HOW/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>So, what about you, 40-year-old Ray Whitney? Can I count on you to do the right thing and finally regress and stop making me look bad?<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0008-01

KNOW YOUR UPS AND DOWNS

<div class="byline">BY RORY BOYLEN</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0010-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0010-012349/9863268-1-eng-US/f0010-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>NAIL YAKUPOV EDMONTON OILERS</b> <span class="photo-credit">(CHL IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>T</span>he past five first overall picks</b> have graduated straight to the NHL and after the Edmonton Oilers nabbed Nail Yakupov at that slot in June, the Nizhnekamsk, Russia native will surely push the streak to six.</p><p>Even though there was plenty of speculation the Oilers would take a much-needed blueliner with the top pick, they decided the Russian sniper&rsquo;s talent was too tantalizing to pass up. He&rsquo;s proven to be a lethal scorer in his two years in North America, recording 49 goals as an Ontario League rookie with Sarnia a year ago and increasing his point-per-game pace in his injury-shortened sophomore season. If you let negative Russian stereotypes cloud your view of the consensus No. 1 prospect, you might be passing on the 2013 Calder Trophy winner. Here are 10 frosh worth considering:</p><p><b>1 NAIL YAKUPOV, RW, EDM, 55 points</b> Any fears &lsquo;Yak&rsquo; would defect to the Kontinental League were dashed when he told reporters at the draft combine, &ldquo;I&rsquo;m Muslim, I&rsquo;m not Russian&rdquo; and seemed eager to distance himself from the likes of Nikolai Zherdev and Nikita Filatov. Nobody was ever really close to dethroning Yakupov as the top-rated prospect in the draft, so it&rsquo;s reasonable to anticipate him leading rookies in scoring.</p><p><b>2 ALEX GALCHENYUK, C, MTL, 52 points</b> As gifted as the Milwaukee-born nomad is, he&rsquo;s also the most enigmatic player on this list. He scored 31 goals and 83 points in 68 games as an OHL rookie in 2010-11, but a knee injury shelved him for all but two regular season games in his draft year. Still, the newest Hab is an impressive talent with Calder Trophy potential.</p><p><b>3 CHRIS KREIDER, LW, NYR, 50 points</b> The Boston College  alum set a record for most playoff goals without seeing a regular season game when he tallied five in 18 games with the Rangers. That playoff performance will surely remove him from trade talk and place him at the heart of the Rangers&rsquo; plans. With such a stellar post-season, we can expect a strong rookie season as well. He skates well for a big man.</p><p><b>4 MIKAEL GRANLUND, C, MIN, 48 points</b>&nbsp;A proven winner and scorer playing against men for the past three years in Finland&rsquo;s top pro league, the No. 9 overall pick in 2010 was the first foreign-born scorer taken by the Wild since Marian Gaborik and Mikko Koivu. Some call him the best player outside the NHL and the Wild anticipate immediate production.</p><p><b>5 JONATHAN HUBERDEAU, C, FLA, 47 points</b> He played just 37 games last season due to injury, but scored at nearly a two-points-per-game pace and led his Saint John to its straight second Memorial Cup appearance. He can return to the Quebec League, but has nothing left to prove there. He has the skill and clutch scoring ability to help the Panthers immediately.</p><p><b>6 EMERSON ETEM, RW, ANA, 47 points</b> The Long Beach, Calif., native has speed that will serve him well in the top hockey league in the world. Many thought Etem was NHLready last season and would have made a case to stay had Teemu Selanne retired. Instead, he went back to the Western League, where he scored the most goals and finished seventh in points. He has great finishing ability.</p><p><b>7 BRANDON SAAD, LW, CHI, 47 points</b> The Blackhawks took the Saginaw Spirit left winger in the second round of 2011, but he impressed so much in the pre-season they kept him around in October. He only played two regular season games before returning to Saginaw for a productive year, but rejoined the Hawks for two playoff games and registered an assist.</p><p><b>8 JAKOB SILFVERBERG, RW, OTT, 45 points</b> The captain  and leading scorer by a mile on the Swedish League champion Brynas, Silfverberg even got a taste of NHL playoff action, averaging a little more than nine minutes in two games against the Rangers. Of Ottawa&rsquo;s trio of top forward prospects (including Mika Zibanejad and Mark Stone), Silfverberg is considered the most likely to make the big club this season.</p><p><b>9 RYAN ELLIS, D, NSH, 44 points</b> Canadian hockey fans know all about Ellis, who won two silver medals and one gold medal at the world juniors. He was also part of two Memorial Cup champion teams in Windsor. The offensive blueliner had 18 points in 29 games in his first full pro year with the Milwaukee Admirals and recorded 11 points in 32 games with the Preds.</p><p><b>10 SVEN BAERTSCHI, LW, CGY, 43 points</b> When Flames GM Jay Feaster discussed the signing of Roman Cervenka in June, he talked about how the team needed an influx of skill and mentioned Baertschi as the leader in that regard. He scored 94 points in 47 games with Portland and thrilled Flames fans with three goals in a five-game call-up.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0010-01

THE BIG YAK ATTACK

<div class="byline">BY MATT LARKIN</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0013-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0013-011996/9863323-1-eng-US/f0013-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><p><b>DANIEL SEDIN VANCOUVER CANUCKS</b></p><p><b>HENRIK SEDIN VANCOUVER CANUCKS</b></p></figcaption></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>I</span> got Scott Hartnell!</b> Safe bet for 30 goals and 100 penalty minutes!&rdquo; Too bad your league doesn&rsquo;t count PIMs. &ldquo;I passed on Marc-Andre Fleury. Carey Price&rsquo;s save percentage is sick.&rdquo; Too bad your league only awards goalie points for wins.</p><p>The biggest mistake poolies make, whether they&rsquo;re playing the game or still doing their pre-draft homework, is not knowing their leagues&rsquo; scoring systems. Changing stat criteria cause wild fluctuations in player values. If you underestimate that fact, you&rsquo;ll wind up heartbroken when your team of supposedly great players sinks to your league basement.</p><p>Luckily, the problem is easy to fix. Understand which types of scoring systems favor which types of players and you&rsquo;ll lap your buddies in your next pool.</p><h2><b>1. POINTS-ONLY</b></h2><p>This is the simplest, most common pool. It&rsquo;s not about snipers or special teams wizards &ndash; just points. The Henrik Sedins of the world are worth more than Marian Gaboriks or Bobby Ryans. If your league doesn&rsquo;t require players at every position, don&rsquo;t be the dumbo who reaches on a defenseman other than Erik Karlsson. Shea Weber is a force on &lsquo;D,&rsquo; but Jiri Hudler had more points than him last year.</p><p>Many points leagues grade goaltenders by wins and nothing else. In that case, go for the guy who: (a) plays often; and (b) plays on the best team.</p><h2><b>2. GOALS-ONLY</b></h2><p>Self-explanatory. Find the best snipers available. Don&rsquo;t forget diamonds in the rough whose value in other leagues is down because of low assist and point totals &ndash; such as Wayne Simmonds.</p><h2><b>3. TOUGH GUY LEAGUES</b></h2><p>Physical players get a nice boost in leagues rewarding tough-guy categories &ndash; and that doesn&rsquo;t just mean fights and penalty minutes. Hits and blocked shots have become popular. All-around players such as Ryan Callahan &ndash; who had 29 goals, 61 PIM, 271 hits and 88 blocks &ndash; become extremely valuable. Even real-life role players or defensive defensemen like Brooks Orpik (259 hits, 139 blocks) become fantasy-relevant in this format.</p><h2><b>4. NEGATIVE LEAGUES</b></h2><p>Whereas a hit or a block is a positive event in a hockey game, a penalty obviously isn&rsquo;t. Many leagues today eliminate the PIM category or make it a negative (meaning the fewest PIM wins). A big PIM guy who still contributes elsewhere such as 30-goal man David Clarkson is worth the negative, but the Zac Rinaldos of the world become useless. Most pools also punish you for bad plus-minus, creating a sudden separation between seemingly equal goal-scorers like Phil Kessel (37 goals, minus-10) and Patrick Sharp (33 goals, plus-28).</p><h2><b>5. SPECIAL TEAMS-HEAVY</b></h2><p>It&rsquo;s important to do your homework in leagues counting power play and shorthanded points. Keeping track of teams&rsquo; top PP units and players&rsquo; average PP ice time can help you predict scoring trends. This is especially important in transaction leagues when you&rsquo;re scouring the waiver wire for defensemen. Obscure names like Jason Garrison break out because they&rsquo;re unexpectedly thrust into power play duty. As for shorthanded tallies &ndash; don&rsquo;t chase them. Last year&rsquo;s co-leader, Cal Clutterbuck of the Minnesota Wild, had zero shorties the year before. It&rsquo;s a crapshoot category.</p><h2><b>6. RATE STAT-HEAVY</b></h2><p>Introducing rate stats gives poolies more than one way to win. A league that counts goals-against average and save percentage, for example, grants new value to skilled backups. If your league didn&rsquo;t have a games-played minimum, you could&rsquo;ve punted wins and saves and dominated the GAA and SP categories with Cory Schneider and Brian Elliott as your tandem last season.</p><p>Some leagues get hardcore and award points for shooting and faceoff percentage, increasing the worth of elite shooters and centers.</p><h2><b>7. GOALIE-HEAVY</b></h2><p>Beware of leagues with an equal number of skater and goalie stat categories. A top netminder such as the New York Rangers&rsquo; Henrik Lundqvist immediately becomes as valuable as Steven Stamkos in this format. Because top scorers are far sexier, most GMs will still take them first in goalie-heavy leagues, leaving the door open for you to grab elite stoppers with your first two picks. You&rsquo;ll be ridiculed, but you&rsquo;ll get the last laugh.</p><h2><b>8. THN&rsquo;S RECOMMENDED FORMAT</b></h2><p>The right blend of stat categories can create a fun simulation of the real sport. Include standard offensive numbers like goals, assists, shots and power play points to ensure the NHL&rsquo;s superstars have the proper impact. Ignore dice-roll categories like game-winning goals and shorthanded points. Instead of using PIM, go with hits and blocks to give steady defensive players added value. Reward good all-around goalies who play a lot, but also play well by combining volume stats like saves and shutouts with GAA and SP. A breakdown like this will force you to build a realistic team with a mixture of player types.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0013-01

POOLIES’ PICKLES

<div class="byline">BY ADAM PROTEAU</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-012268/9863578-1-eng-US/f0014-012.jpg" title="f0014-01" width="760" height="1356"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>NATHAN HORTON BOSTON BRUINS</b> <span class="photo-credit">(STEVE BABINEAU/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-021708/9863571-1-eng-US/f0014-022.jpg" title="f0014-02" width="760" height="1356"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>JAY BOUWMEESTER CALGARY FLAMES</b> <span class="photo-credit">(BRAD WATSON/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-04790/9863564-1-eng-US/f0014-042.jpg" title="f0014-04" width="760" height="1356"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>MICHAEL GRABNER NEW YORK ISLANDERS</b> <span class="photo-credit">(MIKE STOBE/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>E</span>ach season,</b> some NHLers who appear to be good fantasy pool selections don&rsquo;t deliver. Sometimes injuries play a role in underwhelming production. Other times a player goes from the top line to the coach&rsquo;s doghouse. Sometimes he enters an extended drought.</p><p>Which guys should pool players beware of? We&rsquo;ve identified one candidate per team whom you should select at your own risk:</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-05544/9863557-1-eng-US/f0014-052.jpg" title="f0014-05" width="179" height="121"></div><p><b>SAKU KOIVU, C</b> The name recognition remains, but at 37, he&rsquo;s a depreciating asset whose point total has fallen by seven each of the past two seasons.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-06419/9863550-1-eng-US/f0014-062.jpg" title="f0014-06" width="180" height="122"></div><p><b>NATHAN HORTON, RW</b> Sniper missed the final 36 games of 2011-12 and playoffs with a concussion. His recovery isn&rsquo;t assured.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-07326/9863543-1-eng-US/f0014-072.jpg" title="f0014-07" width="179" height="121"></div><p><b>MARCUS FOLIGNO, LW</b> Promising player, but his 13 points in 14 games created unrealistic expectations. Can help your team &ndash; but don&rsquo;t reach on him.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-08267/9863536-1-eng-US/f0014-082.jpg" title="f0014-08" width="179" height="122"></div><p><b>JAY BOUWMEESTER, D</b> Throw his Florida stats out the window. He&rsquo;s mainly in a shutdown role now and not a top two rearguard on the power play.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-09232/9863529-1-eng-US/f0014-092.jpg" title="f0014-09" width="179" height="121"></div><p><b>TUOMO RUUTU, C</b> Solid scoring threat has been sidelined by injuries for 124 games since 2005-06. He&rsquo;s effective when healthy.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-10207/9863522-1-eng-US/f0014-102.jpg" title="f0014-10" width="179" height="121"></div><p><b>MARIAN HOSSA, RW</b> Severe concussion the slick scorer suffered in 2012 playoffs makes him a risky pick. Monitor his health.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-11182/9863515-1-eng-US/f0014-112.jpg" title="f0014-11" width="178" height="122"></div><p><b>PAUL STASTNY, C</b> Had a minimum of 70 points three of first four seasons, but Avs have other scoring options now.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-12166/9863508-1-eng-US/f0014-122.jpg" title="f0014-12" width="179" height="121"></div><p><b>VINNY PROSPAL, LW</b> Experienced vet turns 38 in February and front-line duty is evaporating quickly. He&rsquo;s trending in the wrong direction.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-011962/9863501-1-eng-US/f0015-012.jpg" title="f0015-01" width="179" height="122"></div><p><b>MICHAEL</b>&nbsp;<b>RYDER, RW</b>He either scores in buckets or has off seasons. Don&rsquo;t take him too early based on last year&rsquo;s numbers.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-021392/9863494-1-eng-US/f0015-022.jpg" title="f0015-02" width="179" height="121"></div><p><b>NIKLAS KRONWALL, D</b> With his partner Nick Lidstrom retired, Kronwall&rsquo;s opportunities will increase, but he&rsquo;s topped 40 points once in six full seasons.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-03967/9863487-1-eng-US/f0015-032.jpg" title="f0015-03" width="179" height="122"></div><p><b>ALES HEMSKY, RW</b> Former 70-point man averaged 33 points and 46 games the past three seasons. Don&rsquo;t punish yourself.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-04724/9863480-1-eng-US/f0015-042.jpg" title="f0015-04" width="179" height="121"></div><p><b>SEAN</b>&nbsp;<b>BERGENHEIM, LW</b>He&rsquo;s made himself known with great playoff efforts the past two years, but still seeks his first 30-point regular season.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-06407/9863473-1-eng-US/f0015-062.jpg" title="f0015-06" width="181" height="121"></div><p><b>JUSTIN WILLIAMS, RW</b> Has been healthy lately, but lengthy injuries always a concern with him. Playoffs was his coming-out party.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-07345/9863466-1-eng-US/f0015-072.jpg" title="f0015-07" width="179" height="122"></div><p><b>DANY HEATLEY, LW</b> Former superstar&rsquo;s scoring totals have plummeted from 50 in 2006-07 to just 24 last season.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-08298/9863459-1-eng-US/f0015-082.jpg" title="f0015-08" width="179" height="121"></div><p><b>RENE BOURQUE, LW</b> Had 27 goals in 2009-10 and 2010-11, but now plays mostly on the perimeter and lacks passion.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-09260/9863452-1-eng-US/f0015-092.jpg" title="f0015-09" width="179" height="121"></div><p><b>DAVID LEGWAND, C</b> His 53 points were his best since 2006-07, but in the four years in between, he averaged 41 points.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-10230/9863445-1-eng-US/f0015-102.jpg" title="f0015-10" width="179" height="122"></div><p><b>DAVID CLARKSON, RW</b> Was his 30-goal campaign a fluke? He averaged 12 goals the previous four seasons.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-11205/9863438-1-eng-US/f0015-112.jpg" title="f0015-11" width="179" height="121"></div><p><b>MICHAEL GRABNER, RW</b> Sophomore jinx cut his 2010-11 total of 34 goals to just 20 last season. Don&rsquo;t expect 34 again.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-12170/9863431-1-eng-US/f0015-122.jpg" title="f0015-12" width="173" height="121"></div><p><b>MARIAN GABORIK, RW</b> Every other season since 2007-08, Gaborik followed up a big year with a middling one. Last year, he had 41 goals. Do the math.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-012101/9863424-1-eng-US/f0015-0122.jpg" title="f0015-012" width="178" height="122"></div><p><b>SERGEI</b>&nbsp;<b>GONCHAR, D</b>Veteran&rsquo;s name sounds enticing, but he&rsquo;s in the twilight of a successful career and is wearing down.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-013101/9863417-1-eng-US/f0015-0132.jpg" title="f0015-013" width="180" height="121"></div><p><b>WAYNE SIMMONDS, RW</b> His 28 goals in 2011-12 were a career best. He&rsquo;s an up-and-comer, but that was too much too soon.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-14134/9863410-1-eng-US/f0015-142.jpg" title="f0015-14" width="180" height="122"></div><p><b>ANTOINE VERMETTE, C</b> Posted a career-high 27 goals in 2009-10, but best suited to secondary scoring role with Coyotes.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-15113/9863403-1-eng-US/f0015-152.jpg" title="f0015-15" width="179" height="121"></div><p><b>PASCAL DUPUIS, RW</b> Had a career year on offense (25 goals, 59 points) at 33 and surely won&rsquo;t repeat it.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-16105/9863396-1-eng-US/f0015-162.jpg" title="f0015-16" width="179" height="121"></div><p><b>ALEX STEEN, LW</b> Skills are stellar, yet there&rsquo;s almost always an issue &ndash; last season it was a concussion that limited him to 43 games.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-1796/9863389-1-eng-US/f0015-172.jpg" title="f0015-17" width="179" height="122"></div><p><b>PATRICK MARLEAU, LW</b> Still an upper-tier player, but his goal totals dropped by seven each season since 2009-10.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-1884/9863382-1-eng-US/f0015-182.jpg" title="f0015-18" width="179" height="121"></div><p><b>RYAN MALONE, LW</b> Usually good for 20 goals a year, but he hasn&rsquo;t played more than 70 games since 2007-08.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-1973/9863375-1-eng-US/f0015-192.jpg" title="f0015-19" width="179" height="121"></div><p><b>TIM CONNOLLY, C</b> Abject disaster in his first year in Toronto had just 13 goals and 36 points in 70 games and is impossible to trade.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-2061/9863368-1-eng-US/f0015-202.jpg" title="f0015-20" width="179" height="122"></div><p><b>DAVID BOOTH, LW</b> Is he a 30 goal-scorer or a guy who once scored 30? Concussion history is also a huge concern.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-2148/9863361-1-eng-US/f0015-212.jpg" title="f0015-21" width="179" height="121"></div><p><b>MIKE GREEN, D</b> Health is a significant concern for the skilled blueliner, who has missed 83 games the past two seasons.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-2237/9863354-1-eng-US/f0015-222.jpg" title="f0015-22" width="179" height="121"></div><p><b>BLAKE WHEELER, RW</b> His 47 assists were nearly double his previous career best of 24 in 2008-09. Hard to see him repeating that feat.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0014-01

HAZARDOUS MATERIAL

<div class="byline">BY RONNIE SHUKER</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-012033/9863609-1-eng-US/f0016-012.jpg" title="f0016-01" width="276" height="302"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>CAREY PRICE MONTREAL CANADIENS</b> <span class="photo-credit">(RICHARD WOLOWICZ/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>F</span>antasy GMs are entering</b> a big-time risk/reward era when it comes to drafting goalies. With Martin Brodeur, Nikolai Khabibulin, Miikka Kiprusoff, Tomas Vokoun, Evgeni Nabokov, Dwayne Roloson, Tim Thomas and Jose Theodore all 35 or older, poolies must start looking to swap greybeards for peachfuzzers in net &ndash; especially in keeper leagues.</p><p>But buyer beware, because there is a significant fear factor when it comes to projecting goaltenders over eight to 10 years. Goalies are far from sure things, as evidenced by the trend of teams not risking high draft picks on all but the slam-dunks. Goalie development is much more difficult to predict than that of position players. And even if puck-stoppers pan out, they can just as easily flame out one or two years later (Steve Mason, anyone?).</p><p>Keeper-league poolies must consider a variety of factors if they are to mollify their fears: age, mileage, experience, team&rsquo;s style of play, internal competition, etc. Then there&rsquo;s the problem of weighing whether to choose a proven veteran who&rsquo;s in his prime now, but could falter as he ages, or an unproven commodity who could be the next big thing or a bust. The best advice: split the difference and go with a young star who has already put to rest concerns regarding his potential. That&rsquo;s why, in this listing of goalies to select in your keeper league with a 10-year game plan, Carey Price, Jonathan Quick and Tuukka Rask assume the first three spots.</p><p><b>1 CAREYPRICE, 25</b> Not yet the best goalie in the game, but his youth and upside project him to be&hellip;and soon.</p><p><b>2 JONATHAN QUICK, 26</b> Can&rsquo;t imagine him improving on a Vezina Trophy-caliber season, but steady improvement over four campaigns shows he&rsquo;s not likely to decline.</p><p><b>3 TUUKKA RASK, 25</b> Young, low mileage, tested, a ton of tutelage under Tim Thomas.</p><p><b>4 MARC-ANDRE FLEURY, 27</b> Look at his age and accomplishments. And remember he&rsquo;s on a stacked Pens team.</p><p><b>5 CORY SCHNEIDER, 26</b> Situation mirrors Rask&rsquo;s, but Schneider is older and less experienced, though no less talented.</p><p><b>6 HENRIK LUNDQVIST, 30</b> Steadiest goalie since lockout; Rangers&rsquo; style will support &lsquo;King Henrik&rsquo; for years to come.</p><p><b>7 PEKKA RINNE, 29</b> Preds are banking on at least seven solid seasons from Rinne and you should, too.</p><p><b>8 JAROSLAV HALAK, 27</b> Injuries the only risk with Halak, who enters prime on a young team with a defense-first mindset.</p><p><b>9 JIMMY HOWARD, 28</b> Bona fide No. 1 netminder on the best-run organization in the league.</p><p><b>10</b>&nbsp;<b>CAM WARD, 28</b> Decent numbers on bad teams. Stats will improve on rising Canes team committed to developing &lsquo;D.&rsquo;</p><p><b>11</b>&nbsp;<b>JONATHAN BERNIER, 24</b> High ceiling and needs chance to show it; should be dealt to a team needing future No. 1.</p><p><b>12 JACOB MARKSTROM, 22</b> Highest-ranked goalie in Future Watch (No. 8 overall); big, young, mobile and just about ready to assume the reins in Sunrise.</p><p><b>13 BRADEN HOLTBY, 23</b> Has shone in two stints with the Caps, though still untested over the long haul.</p><p><b>14 RYAN MILLER, 32</b> Oldest goalie on the list, but good bet to maintain form into his late 30s.</p><p><b>15 KARI LEHTONEN, 28</b> Jack Campbell could eventually supplant him, but Lehtonen won&rsquo;t be out of work now that he&rsquo;s solidified himself as a No. 1 netminder.</p><p><b>16 ONDREJ PAVELEC, 25</b> Overcame rough start to career and became a legit No. 1 before 25th birthday.</p><p><b>17 SEMYON VARLAMOV, 24</b> Already has two post-seasons under his belt and will grow in step with a young Avs team.</p><p><b>18 MATT HACKETT, 22</b> Ranked 35th in Future Watch, third behind Markstrom and Robin Lehner among goalies; won&rsquo;t get his real shot until Niklas Backstrom&rsquo;s contract expires.</p><p><b>19 JACK CAMPBELL, 20</b> Ranked just behind Hackett (41); upside is as high as Markstrom&rsquo;s, but he&rsquo;s prone to pitfalls.</p><p><b>20 MICHAL NEUVIRTH, 24</b> Theodore, Varlamov, Vokoun and now Holtby have kept him from top-dog duty, but he&rsquo;ll get it somewhere, if not on Capitol Hill.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0016-01

BRICK WALLS BUILT TO LAST

<div class="byline">BY MATT LARKIN</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0018-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-011912/9863647-1-eng-US/f0018-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>SIDNEY CROSBY 1ST PICK</b> <span class="photo-credit">(GREGORY SHAMUS/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>T</span>oss out the top 100 names</b> in hockey and fans know who most of them are. Sidney Crosby. Drew Doughty. Brad Richards. All are go-to guys on their respective teams and all will be drafted in virtually every fantasy pool.</p><p>The tough part is grading the differences between the studs in the make-believe universe. Doughty, for example, is as valuable to his team as any player in real life, but will be chosen dozens of picks after Crosby in most drafts.</p><p>That&rsquo;s why THN is here to help. We drafted 100 players to 10 teams in a points-only, serpentine draft in June to give you a sense of where the real-life stars fall in fantasy land. Injuries, anomaly seasons, bounce-backs, changes of venue and many other factors impact players&rsquo; value. Since we report on these things every day, we like to think we understand which guys&rsquo; situations boost or diminish their value the most.</p><p>The THN staffers drafting teams: Editor-in-chief Jason Kay; senior editor Brian Costello; associate senior writer Ryan Kennedy; columnist/writer Adam Proteau; web editor Rory Boylen; video producer Ted Cooper; copy editor Ronnie Shuker; and me, copy editor Matt Larkin.</p><p>This year had a twist. Two readers won the right to draft with us: Harris Lechtzier of Toronto and Jeff Irvine of Ottawa. While they aren&rsquo;t the experts, they&rsquo;re avid fantasy players, picking for the people, so their picks tell you what to expect from opponents. A look at the first five rounds reveals lessons applicable to any draft.</p><p><b>ROUND 1:</b> Start safe. This lesson appears contradictory after concussion-case Crosby went first (Costello), but he was the only real risk of round one. Unless you count Lechtzier&rsquo;s pick of Ovechkin at No. 8 &ndash; who knew &lsquo;Sid&rsquo; and &lsquo;Ovie&rsquo; would ever be the risks of Round 1? &ndash; most of the top 10 are slam-dunks for at least 70 points. It&rsquo;s smart drafting, as a failed first pick is irreplaceable. Just ask anyone who chose Crosby first last season. I&rsquo;ll take a wild guess they didn&rsquo;t win their pools.</p><p><b>ROUND 2:</b> Established players prevail, but they&rsquo;re not all money-in the bank guys. The GMs picking Patrick Kane, Nicklas Backstrom and Corey Perry are banking on bounce-backs. Those grabbing Jordan Eberle and Jason Spezza hope for repeats after they surpassed expectations.</p><p><b>ROUND 3:</b> Safe picks and breakout stars. Personal preference starts dividing the GMs. Many took high-floor, modest-ceiling scorers like Phil Kessel, Henrik Zetterberg and Patrick Sharp. Others tabbed breakout stars with potential to play like second-rounders (James Neal, Tyler Seguin, Evander Kane). And our editor-in-chief was the first to take a defenseman.</p><p><b>ROUND 4:</b> High-end specialists. Rick Nash, Bobby Ryan, Jeff Carter &ndash; there was a run on 30-goal men here. All are reliable players, especially in goals leagues, but don&rsquo;t have the points ceilings of the guys taken before them.</p><p><b>ROUND 5:</b> The underrated. Most GMs grabbed players who don&rsquo;t post sizzling numbers, but consistently get their points. Matt Moulson, for example, has transitioned from supposed one-year-wonder to safe after three straight 30-goal campaigns.</p><p>Some parting words of wisdom for highly knowledgeable poolies out there: don&rsquo;t let your expertise turn against you. I drew a chorus of gasps with my snobby pick of Nail Yakupov at 42nd overall &ndash; and left Jason Pominville on the board. If Yakupov notches 60 points, his rookie season will be a big success, whereas Pominville gets 60 in his sleep.</p><p>When stuck between two players, drafters should choose talent over circumstance, as the former wins out as the season progresses. Who cares if John Tavares never has elite linemates? He&rsquo;s so offensively gifted he makes everyone around him better and was a great choice for Kennedy at No. 6 overall.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-021415/9863640-1-eng-US/f0018-022.jpg" title="f0018-02" width="724" height="574"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>DREAM FANTASY</b> Fifteen year-old Harris Lechtzier won a chance to take part in THN&rsquo;s annual staff fantasy draft.</figcaption></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0018-01

FANTASY FAVORITES

<h2><b>FANTASY POOL PICKS</b></h2><p><i>Where the big boys will go in any fantasy draft is anyone&rsquo;s guess. Here&rsquo;s how they landed in ours.</i></p><p><b>1. Crosby (BC)</b></p><p><b>2. Stamkos (ML)</b></p><p><b>3. Malkin (RS)</b></p><p><b>4. Giroux (TC)</b></p><p><b>5. H. Sedin (RB)</b></p><p><b>6. Tavares (RK)</b></p><p><b>7. D. Sedin (JI)</b></p><p><b>8. Ovechkin (HL)</b></p><p><b>9. Kovalchuk (JK)</b></p><p><b>10. Toews (AP)</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-011674/9863685-1-eng-US/f0019-012.jpg" title="f0019-01" width="813" height="714"></div><p><i>Use our projection checklist, starting on pg. 138, and poolie worksheet on pg. 144 to help make your draft day a success.</i></p><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-021250/9863678-1-eng-US/f0019-022.jpg" title="f0019-02" width="1483" height="1155"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>JONATHAN TOEWS 10TH PICK</b> <span class="photo-credit">(BILL SMITH/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><h2><b>THE REST OF THE TOP 100</b></h2><h3><b>Round 2</b></h3><p>11. P. Kane (AP)</p><p>12. St-Louis (JK)</p><p>13. Parise (HL)</p><p>14. Kopitar (JI)</p><p>15. Eberle (RK)</p><p>16. E. Staal (RB)</p><p>17. Backstrom (TC)</p><p>18. Perry (RS)</p><p>19. Datsyuk (ML)</p><p>20. Spezza (BC)</p><h3><b>Round 3</b></h3><p>21. Thornton (BC)</p><p>22. Seguin (ML)</p><p>23. Kessel (RS)</p><p>24. Getzlaf (TC)</p><p>25. E. Kane (RB)</p><p>26. Neal (RK)</p><p>27. Hossa (JI)</p><p>28. Sharp (HL)</p><p>29. Karlsson (JK)</p><p>30. Zetterberg (AP)</p><h3><b>Round 4</b></h3><p>31. Nash (AP)</p><p>32. Hall (JK)</p><p>33. Carter (HL)</p><p>34. Elias (JI)</p><p>35. Eriksson (RK)</p><p>36. Ryan (RB)</p><p>37. Pacioretty (TC)</p><p>38. Nugent-Hopkins (RS)</p><p>39. Benn (ML)</p><p>40. Iginla (BC)</p><h3><b>Round 5</b></h3><p>41. Tanguay (BC)</p><p>42. Yakupov (ML)</p><p>43. B. Richards (RS)</p><p>44. Backes (TC)</p><p>45. Doughty (RB)</p><p>46. Moulson (RK)</p><p>47. Pominville (JI)</p><p>48. Vanek (HL)</p><p>49. Lupul (JK)</p><p>50. Duchene (AP)</p><h3><b>Round 6</b></h3><p>51. Landeskog (AP)</p><p>52. Lecavalier (JK)</p><p>53. Couture (HL)</p><p>54. Semin (JI)</p><p>55. Krejci (RK)</p><p>56. M. Koivu (RB)</p><p>57. Skinner (TC)</p><p>58. J. Staal (RS)</p><p>59. Hartnell (ML)</p><p>60. Cammalleri (BC)</p><h3><b>Round 7</b></h3><p>61. Heatley (BC)</p><p>62. Bergeron (ML)</p><p>63. Versteeg (RS)</p><p>64. Letang (TC)</p><p>65. van Riemsdyk (RB)</p><p>66. Pietrangelo (RK)</p><p>67. Fleischmann (JI)</p><p>68. Little (HL)</p><p>69. Filpulla (JK)</p><p>70. Marleau (AP)</p><h3><b>Round 8</b></h3><p>71. Pavelski (AP)</p><p>72. Ennis (JK)</p><p>73. Oshie (HL)</p><p>74. Lucic (JI)</p><p>75. Wheeler (RK)</p><p>76. McDonald (RB)</p><p>77. Huberdeau (TC)</p><p>78. Stastny (RS)</p><p>79. M. Richards (ML)</p><p>80. Ribiero (BC)</p><h3><b>Round 9</b></h3><p>81. Weiss (BC)</p><p>82. Perron (ML)</p><p>83. Briere (RS)</p><p>84. Yandle (TC)</p><p>85. Jagr (RB)</p><p>86. Grabovski (RK)</p><p>87. Parenteau (JI)</p><p>88. Brown (HL)</p><p>89. Henrique (JK)</p><p>90. Ladd (AP)</p><h3><b>Round 10</b></h3><p>91. Kesler (AP)</p><p>92. Erat (JK)</p><p>93. Callahan (HL)</p><p>94. Purcell (JI)</p><p>95. Granlund (RK)</p><p>96. Zajac (RB)</p><p>97. Desharnais (TC)</p><p>98. Radulov (RS)</p><p>99. Michalek (ML)</p><p>100. Cervenka (BC)<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0019-01

TOP 10

<div class="byline">BY RYAN KENNEDY</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0020-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-011665/9863716-1-eng-US/f0020-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>MIKHAIL BUFFALO SABRES</b> <span class="photo-credit">(RICHARD WOLOWICZ/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>T</span>he race to get the Next</b>&nbsp;<b>Big Thing</b> in a keeper pool is a gruelling one. How soon should you take a player whose NHL debut is years away? The answer lies in how sturdy a stomach you have, but we can give you a road map to some of the recently drafted and undrafted offense-minded teens poised to dominate the scoresheets in the years to come. Players are listed by their anticipated NHL arrival season and their age that season.</p><h2><b>PROJECTED 2012-13 NHL ARRIVAL</b></h2><p><b>Nail Yakupov, RW, 18</b> It didn&rsquo;t matter if Edmonton, Columbus or an aggressive trade partner got Yakupov. The gifted scorer is ready to produce right away.</p><p><b>Mikhail Grigorenko, C, 18</b> His pro-ready size and sharp hockey mind give Grigorenko a leg up on most teens, so his junior days likely ended at the draft podium.</p><p><b>Radek Faksa, C, 18</b> Another big kid with skill, Faksa&rsquo;s two-way game means his Nhl team will trust him with ice time early and often, as Colorado did fellow Kitchener star Gabriel Landeskog.</p><h2><b>PROJECTED 2013-14 NHL ARRIVAL</b></h2><p><b>Nathan MacKinnon, C, 18</b> If the team with the first pick in 2013 wants a forward, MacKinnon is the easy choice. He was a points machine on a Halifax team that shone in the QMJhl.</p><p><b>Seth Jones, D, 18</b> If MacKinnon doesn&rsquo;t go first, Jones will. The gifted defenseman has an incredible skill set and will be Nhl-ready thanks to a year in the Western League with Portland.</p><p><b>Sean Monahan, C, 18</b> With great size, Monahan can score goals both dirty and pretty. Expect him to go straight to the pros.</p><p><b>Alex Galchenyuk, C, 19</b> Because he missed all but eight games in his 2012 draft season, it wouldn&rsquo;t be shocking if the puck wizard needed another year of junior.</p><p><b>Morgan Rielly, D, 19</b> Like Galchenyuk, Rielly missed most of his draft year to injury, so a return to Moose Jaw makes sense.</p><p><b>Matt Dumba, D, 19</b> A little more weight and an almost guaranteed spot on Canada&rsquo;s national junior team make 2012-13 a great year for Dumba to develop before making the Nhl.</p><p><b>Hunter Shinkaruk, C, 18</b> The late birthday will have three campaigns in Medicine Hat under his belt before he can get to the Nhl. He has sublime sense and vision.</p><h2><b>PROJECTED 2014-15 NHL ARRIVAL</b></h2><p><b>Sam Reinhart, C, 18</b> Reinhart will dominate the &lsquo;Dub&rsquo; in 2012-13 with his IQ and vision. Imagine what he&rsquo;ll be like two seasons later when the Nhl calls.</p><p><b>Filip Forsberg, RW, 20</b> With two years playing men in Sweden, Forsberg will get the ice time and responsibility necessary to become an impact player thanks to his creativity and size.</p><p><b>Teuvo Teravainen, LW, 20</b> Like Forsberg, Teravainen will hang back home in Finland for a couple years, meaning he can add pounds to his frame while honing the top-end skill.</p><p><b>Adam Erne, RW, 19</b> The kid&rsquo;s been thick and strong since he was 15, but getting a chance to be a veteran on Patrick Roy&rsquo;s Remparts will help his power forward game develop.</p><p><b>Sebastian</b>&nbsp;<b>Collberg, RW, 20</b> Staying in Sweden a few more years will allow Collberg to add bulk to his small frame.</p><h2><b>PROJECTED 2015-16 NHL ARRIVAL</b></h2><p><b>Connor McDavid, C, 18</b> The latest recipient of the John Tavares Exception in the OHL, McDavid boasts huge skill and upside and will be a straight-from-the-draft No. 1 pick in 2015.</p><p><b>Josh Ho-Sang, RW, 19</b> McDavid&rsquo;s teammate in midget, Ho-Sang was selected by the Windsor Spitfires, who will hone his lethal hands into a more potent weapon in the next few years.</p><p><b>Aleksander &lsquo;Sasha&rsquo; Barkov, C, 20</b> Barkov has a big frame and lots of skill. Still, it wouldn&rsquo;t be surprising to see him stay home and develop a couple years.</p><p><b>Valery Nichushkin, C, 20</b> A move to the CHL is planned, which may speed up this big Russian&rsquo;s pro debut a year.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0020-01

PIPELINE PROJECTIONS

<p><b>Our long-time</b> fantasy league hockey pool guru Murray Townsend doesn't use an alarm clock. Doesn't even own one. Mornings are for the birds.</p><p>That because Townsend spends most evenings from October through April scoping hockey games, especially the West Coast ones that extend into Eastern time zone mornings. He watches these games from a fantasy league perspective and that helps him come May and June when he crunches his numbers and comes up with projections on the coming season. He also keeps an eye on the future by attending a number of Ontario League games throughout the year.</p><p>Townsend&rsquo;s call on Sidney Crosby winning the scoring race last season didn't come to fruition, but he&rsquo;s sticking with that prognostication this season. Though he missed that one, the pool guru made a number of other impressive projections. Among them, calling for Ilya Kovalchuk to rebound from 60 points to 84 (he finished with 83) and John Tavares to improve from 67 points to 82 (he had 81).</p><p>Townsend did predict a Corey Perry decline, from 98 to 90, but didn't go low enough. And the swami erred on his call for Brad Richards to post 84 points. "I should have seen the Rangers style of play and not gotten caught up in the big free agent signing," said Townsend, who works on all TSN-produced games providing information.</p><p>As for his commentary on 2012-13, Townsend is saying more and more teams are icing a top six/bottom six cast of forwards. Very few players in the bottom six can produce consistently, though Philadelphia is an exception. He&rsquo;s also quick to point out that when analyzing player traits that aid his fantasy league value, he disregards speed as a major scoring factor: "A lot of speedy guys can't score.&rdquo;</p><h2><b>ABBREVIATIONS</b></h2><p><b>Welcome to the 14th annual</b> Ultimate Guide, dedicated to hockey pool and fantasy league players. Our pages are full of statistics and player projections to help you challenge for first place in your league. The following legend lists abbreviations for statistics and leagues that are found in player profiles, rosters and stats pages. Because our deadline was in mid-July, we were unable to link the final wave of free agents with their new teams. So players with NHL shields have projections based more on past production than any expected output with their new team. A list of unrestricted free agents at the time of our deadline is on page 109.</p><p><b>MINOR PRO</b> AHL-American League (Abbotsford, Adirondack, Albany, Binghamton, Bridgeport, Charlotte, Chicago, Connecticut, Grand Rapids, Hamilton, Hershey, Houston, Lake Erie, Manchester, Milwaukee, Norfolk, Oklahoma City, Peoria, Portland, Providence, Rochester, Rockford, San Antonio, Springfield, St. John&rsquo;s, Syracuse, Texas, Toronto, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Worcester), ECHL-formerly East Coast League.</p><p><b>OTHERS</b> CHL: OHL-Ontario League, QMJHL-Quebec Major Junior League, WHL-Western League. USHL-United States League. NCAA: CCHA-Central Collegiate Hockey Association, ECAC-Eastern College Athletic Conference, HE-Hockey East, WCHA-Western Collegiate Hockey Association. International: Aus-Austria, Bel-Belarus, Cze or Czech-Czech Republic, Fin-Finland, Ger-Germany, Kaz-Kazakhstan, Pol-Poland, Rus-Russia, Svk-Slovakia, Swe-Sweden, Sui-Switzerland. WJC-World Junior Championship, USA (under-18) or U.S. NTDP is U.S. national team development program.</p><p><b>STATISTICS</b> A-assists, C-center, D-defenseman, G-goals, GAA-goals-against average, GP-games played, GPG-goals per game, GK-goalkeeper, GT-game-tying, GW-game-winning, Ht-height, H/R-home/road, L-losses, LEA-league, LW-left winger, Min-minutes, Min/Pt-minutes per point, Pct-percentage, PPGA-power play goals against, PIM-penalties in minutes, Pos-position, PP-power play, PPG-power play goals or points per game, Pts-points, RW-right winger, S-shots, SA-shots against, SF-shots for, SH-shorthanded, Sh-shots on goal, SL-shootout losses, SO-shutouts, SP-shooting percentage or save percentage, T-ties, Tot-total, W-wins, Wt-weight, Yrs-years, +/-&ndash; plus-minus.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

CRYSTAL PUCK

<div class="image-hero"><img title="f0022-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-011550/9863771-1-eng-US/f0022-012.jpg"></div><p><b><a href="http://THN.COM/DIGITAL">THN.COM/DIGITAL</a></b></p><p><b>GET IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS,</b> CUTTING OPINIONS AND <b>END-TO-END COVERAGE</b> OF ALL 30 NHL TEAMS <b>AND BEYOND!</b></p><p><b>ACTIVATE YOUR DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION TODAY!</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0022-01

STAY CONNECTED ANYTIME, ANYWHERE

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0023-02958/9863816-1-eng-US/f0023-022.jpg" title="f0023-02" width="250" height="270"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0023-10153/9863809-1-eng-US/f0023-102.jpg" title="f0023-10" width="83" height="82"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>U</span>REEI</b><b>N</b> gives you all the information you need to be competitive in your hockey pool. The key component is point projections. The team breakdown is here, with the league-wide breakdown on pages 138 through 143.</p></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0023-011332/9863802-1-eng-US/f0023-012.jpg" title="f0023-01" width="2254" height="1932"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0023-02

ULTIMATE GUIDE TEAMS

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-011489/9863882-1-eng-US/f0024-012.jpg" title="f0024-01" width="312" height="203"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>T</span>HERE&rsquo;S A</b> feeling of change in Orange County. Under coach Bruce Boudreau for a full season, Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf will rebound and WHL grad Emerson Etem will be an impact rookie. The defense is led by Cam Fowler while Jonas Hiller mans the crease. Keep an eye on Swedish first-year stopper Viktor Fasth.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-021073/9863875-1-eng-US/f0024-022.jpg" title="f0024-02" width="921" height="1291"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>COREY PERRY</b> <span class="photo-credit">(DEREK LEUNG/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><h2><b>TOP 10 PROSPECTS</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-03747/9863868-1-eng-US/f0024-032.jpg" title="f0024-03" width="711" height="1479"></div><h2><b>POWER ZONE</b></h2><p>Looking to dominate your pool in various categories? Here&rsquo;s your quick reference guide to 2011-12 leaders.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-04536/9863861-1-eng-US/f0024-042.jpg" title="f0024-04" width="855" height="384"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-05393/9863854-1-eng-US/f0024-052.jpg" title="f0024-05" width="858" height="381"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-06320/9863847-1-eng-US/f0024-062.jpg" title="f0024-06" width="894" height="640"></div><h2><b>POINT PROJECTION</b></h2><p><b>COREY PERRY 84</b></p><p><b>RYAN GETZLAF 71</b></p><p><b>BOBBY RYAN 62</b></p><p><b>TEEMU SELANNE 60</b></p><p><b>EMERSON ETEM 47</b></p><p><b>CAM FOWLER 34</b></p><p><b>KYLE PALMIERI 33</b></p><p><b>SHELDON SOURAY 32</b></p><p><b>SAKU KOIVU 32</b></p><p><b>ANDREW COGLIANO 30</b></p><p><b>DEVANTE SMITH-PELLY 27</b></p><p><b>NICK BONINO 24</b></p><p><b>LUCA SBISA 24</b></p><p><b>PETER HOLLAND 23</b></p><p><b>MATT BELESKEY 21</b></p><p><b>FRANCOIS BEAUCHEMIN 17</b></p><p><b>TONI LYDMAN 17</b></p><p><b>BRYAN ALLEN 13</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0024-01

DUCKS OFFENSE MIGHTIER

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0025-011306/9863948-1-eng-US/f0025-012.jpg" title="f0025-01" width="249" height="246"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>T</span>HREE</b>&nbsp;<b>YOUNG</b> Bruins will play big roles in 2012-13: Tuukka Rask, who replaces Tim Thomas as the starting netminder; Tyler Seguin, now the undisputed offensive leader up front; and rookie D-man Dougie Hamilton, who will help the PP. Otherwise, this is the same deep, veteran-laden squad that won it all in 2010-11.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0025-02920/9863941-1-eng-US/f0025-022.jpg" title="f0025-02" width="980" height="1277"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>TYLER SEGUIN</b> <span class="photo-credit">(BRIAN BABINEAU NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><h2><b>TOP 10 PROSPECTS</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0025-03639/9863934-1-eng-US/f0025-032.jpg" title="f0025-03" width="711" height="1427"></div><h2><b>POWER ZONE</b></h2><p>Looking to dominate your pool in various categories? Here&rsquo;s your quick reference guide to 2011-12 leaders</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0025-04441/9863927-1-eng-US/f0025-042.jpg" title="f0025-04" width="858" height="384"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0025-05328/9863920-1-eng-US/f0025-052.jpg" title="f0025-05" width="858" height="381"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0025-06267/9863913-1-eng-US/f0025-062.jpg" title="f0025-06" width="894" height="640"></div><h2><b>POINT PROJECTION</b></h2><p><b>TYLER SEGUIN 80</b></p><p><b>MILAN LUCIC 60</b></p><p><b>PATRICE BERGERON 59</b></p><p><b>DAVID KREJCI 58</b></p><p><b>RICH PEVERLEY 54</b></p><p><b>NATHAN HORTON 53</b></p><p><b>ZDENO CHARA 50</b></p><p><b>BRAD MARCHAND 46</b></p><p><b>DOUGIE AMILTON 40</b></p><p><b>CHRIS KELLY 33</b></p><p><b>JORDAN CARON 28</b></p><p><b>DENNIS SEIDENBERG 23</b></p><p><b>GREGORY CAMPBELL 22</b></p><p><b>ANDREW FERENCE 17</b></p><p><b>DANIEL PAILLE 16</b></p><p><b>JOHNNY BOYCHUK 15</b></p><p><b>SHAWN THORNTON 14</b></p><p><b>ANDREW MCQUAID 13</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0025-01

CUBS TAKE OVER THE BRUINS

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-011500/9864014-1-eng-US/f0026-012.jpg" title="f0026-01" width="262" height="262"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>S</span>EEKING</b>&nbsp;<b>BALANCE</b>, the Sabres sent Derek Roy to Dallas for agitator Steve Ott. Buffalo boasts a spread-out attack, led by Thomas Vanek, Jason Pominville and Tyler Ennis. Cody Hodgson will break out in his first full year with the team, Christian Ehrhoff will rebound on &lsquo;D&rsquo; and Ryan Miller is still a workhorse in goal.</p><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-021081/9864007-1-eng-US/f0026-022.jpg" title="f0026-02" width="1015" height="1296"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>THOMAS VANEK</b> <span class="photo-credit">(BILL WIPPERT/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><h2><b>TOP 10 PROSPECTS</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-03842/9864000-1-eng-US/f0026-032.jpg" title="f0026-03" width="711" height="1479"></div><h2><b>POWER ZONE</b></h2><p>Looking to dominate your pool in various categories? Here&rsquo;s your quick reference guide to 2011-12 leaders</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-04629/9863993-1-eng-US/f0026-042.jpg" title="f0026-04" width="858" height="382"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-05482/9863986-1-eng-US/f0026-052.jpg" title="f0026-05" width="858" height="381"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-06404/9863979-1-eng-US/f0026-062.jpg" title="f0026-06" width="894" height="640"></div><h2><b>POINT PROJECTION</b></h2><p><b>THOMAS VANEK 67</b></p><p><b>JASON POMINVILLE 66</b></p><p><b>TYLER ENNIS 63</b></p><p><b>CODY HODGSON 50</b></p><p><b>DREW STAFFORD 45</b></p><p><b>CHRISTIAN EHRHOFF 44</b></p><p><b>MIKHAIL GRIGORENKO 43</b></p><p><b>STEVE OTT 39</b></p><p><b>MARCUS FOLIGNO 37</b></p><p><b>VILLE LEINO 36</b></p><p><b>NATHAN GERBE 33</b></p><p><b>TYLER MYERS 32</b></p><p><b>JORDAN LEOPOLD 24</b></p><p><b>BRAYDEN MCNABB 22</b></p><p><b>ANDREJ SEKERA 18</b></p><p><b>COREY TROPP 16</b></p><p><b>PATRICK KALETA 12</b></p><p><b>ROBYN REGEHR 12</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0026-01

MULTI-PRONGED ATTACK

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0027-011382/9864080-1-eng-US/f0027-012.jpg" title="f0027-01" width="254" height="228"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>W</span>ILL</b>&nbsp;<b>CALGARY&rsquo;S</b>&nbsp;offense be more dynamic? New coach Bob Hartley has a successful history, but had elite talent in Colorado and Atlanta. Jarome Iginla, Mike Cammalleri and Alex Tanguay will fuel the offense with help from Jiri Hudler, Roman Cervenka and rookie Sven Baertschi and new PP quarterback Dennis Wideman.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0027-02969/9864073-1-eng-US/f0027-022.jpg" title="f0027-02" width="975" height="1312"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>JAROME IGINLA</b> <span class="photo-credit">(JEFF VINNICK/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><h2><b>TOP 10 PROSPECTS</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0027-03698/9864066-1-eng-US/f0027-032.jpg" title="f0027-03" width="685" height="1463"></div><h2><b>POWER ZONE</b></h2><p>Looking to dominate your pool in various categories? Here&rsquo;s your quick reference guide to 2011-12 leaders</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0027-04515/9864059-1-eng-US/f0027-042.jpg" title="f0027-04" width="858" height="384"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0027-05360/9864052-1-eng-US/f0027-052.jpg" title="f0027-05" width="858" height="381"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0027-06271/9864045-1-eng-US/f0027-062.jpg" title="f0027-06" width="894" height="640"></div><h2><b>POINT PROJECTION</b></h2><p><b>JAROME IGINLA 69</b></p><p><b>MIKE CAMMALLERI 57</b></p><p><b>ALEX TANGUAY 56</b></p><p><b>ROMAN CERVENKA 50</b></p><p><b>JIRI HUDLER 48</b></p><p><b>CURTIS GLENCROSS 45</b></p><p><b>SVEN BAERTSCHI 43</b></p><p><b>DENNIS WIDEMAN 42</b></p><p><b>MARK GIORDANO 38</b></p><p><b>LEE STEMPNIAK 35</b></p><p><b>MIKAEL BACKLUND 34</b></p><p><b>JAY BOUWMEESTER 27</b></p><p><b>T.J. BRODIE 23</b></p><p><b>MATT STAJAN 22</b></p><p><b>BLAKE COMEAU 21</b></p><p><b>DEREK SMITH 19</b></p><p><b>CHRIS BUTLER 18</b></p><p><b>BLAIR JONES 15</b></p><p><b>ANTON BABCHUK 14</b></p><p><b>TIM JACKMAN 13</b></p><p><b>CORY SARICH 12</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0027-01

FLAMES’ SCORING HEATS UP

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-011478/9864146-1-eng-US/f0028-012.jpg" title="f0028-01" width="309" height="197"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>E</span>YEING</b>&nbsp;<b>A</b> return to prominence, the Carolina acquired Jordan Staal. He&rsquo;ll team with brother Eric on the front-line attack. Jeff Skinner, Jussi Jokinen and Tuomo Ruutu form the support firepower. The Canes will score, but need improvement from young &lsquo;D&rsquo; Jamie McBain, Justin Faulk and Ryan Murphy to aid Joni Pitkanen.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-021036/9864139-1-eng-US/f0028-022.jpg" title="f0028-02" width="856" height="1351"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>ERIC STAAL</b> <span class="photo-credit">(JAMIE SABAU/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGESS)</span></figcaption></div><h2><b>TOP 10 PROSPECTS</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-03769/9864132-1-eng-US/f0028-032.jpg" title="f0028-03" width="711" height="1479"></div><h2><b>POWER ZONE</b></h2><p>Looking to dominate your pool in various categories? Here&rsquo;s your quick reference guide to 2011-12 leaders</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-04561/9864125-1-eng-US/f0028-042.jpg" title="f0028-04" width="858" height="384"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-05443/9864118-1-eng-US/f0028-052.jpg" title="f0028-05" width="858" height="381"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-06386/9864111-1-eng-US/f0028-062.jpg" title="f0028-06" width="894" height="639"></div><h2><b>POINT PROJECTION</b></h2><p><b>ERIC STAAL 79</b></p><p><b>JORDAN STAAL 75</b></p><p><b>JEFF SKINNER 67</b></p><p><b>JUSSI JOKINEN 57</b></p><p><b>TUOMO RUUTU 48</b></p><p><b>JIRI TLUSTY 40</b></p><p><b>JONI PITKANEN 38</b></p><p><b>CHAD LAROSE 31</b></p><p><b>JUSTIN FAULK 29</b></p><p><b>JAMIE MCBAIN 27</b></p><p><b>JOE CORVO 25</b></p><p><b>JEREMY WELSH 25</b></p><p><b>TIM BRENT 21</b></p><p><b>JAY HARRISON 20</b></p><p><b>ZACH BOYCHUK 18</b></p><p><b>PATRICK DWYER 17</b></p><p><b>TIM GLEASON 16</b></p><p><b>ANDREAS NODL 15</b></p><p><b>ANTHONY STEWART 15</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0028-01

STAALS TO TAKE EAST BY STORM

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-011300/9864212-1-eng-US/f0029-012.jpg" title="f0029-01" width="290" height="260"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>T</span>HE</b>&nbsp;<b>HAWKS</b> rely on Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Patrick Sharp and Marian Hossa for goals. Sniper Brandon Saad could leap from junior to join the quartet. On &lsquo;D,&rsquo; it&rsquo;s the Duncan Keith-Brent Seabrook show, though Nick Leddy will climb the ladder. Corey Crawford and Ray Emery are a shaky goalie tandem.</p><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-02892/9864205-1-eng-US/f0029-022.jpg" title="f0029-02" width="1008" height="1305"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>DUNCAN KEITH</b> <span class="photo-credit">(BILL SMITH/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><h2><b>TOP 10 PROSPECTS</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-03639/9864198-1-eng-US/f0029-032.jpg" title="f0029-03" width="711" height="1479"></div><h2><b>POWER ZONE</b></h2><p>Looking to dominate your pool in various categories? Here&rsquo;s your quick reference guide to 2011-12 leaders</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-04483/9864191-1-eng-US/f0029-042.jpg" title="f0029-04" width="858" height="384"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-05402/9864184-1-eng-US/f0029-052.jpg" title="f0029-05" width="858" height="381"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-06335/9864177-1-eng-US/f0029-062.jpg" title="f0029-06" width="894" height="640"></div><h2><b>POINT PROJECTION</b></h2><p><b>JONATHAN TOEWS 72</b></p><p><b>PATRICK KANE 70</b></p><p><b>PATRICK SHARP 68</b></p><p><b>MARIAN HOSSA 68</b></p><p><b>BRANDON SAAD 47</b></p><p>&nbsp;<b>DUNCAN KEITH 45</b></p><p><b>VIKTOR STALBERG 38</b></p><p><b>BRENT SEABROOK 37</b></p><p><b>DAVE BOLLAND 34</b></p><p>&nbsp;<b>NICK LEDDY 28</b></p><p><b>BRYAN BICKELL 27</b></p><p><b>ANDREW SHAW 27</b></p><p><b>MARCUS KRUGER 25</b></p><p><b>DANIEL CARCILLO 22</b></p><p><b>MICHAEL FROLIK 19</b></p><p><b>BRANDON PIRRI 19</b></p><p><b>JIMMY HAYES 18</b></p><p><b>JOHNNY ODUYA 18</b></p><p><b>STEVE MONTADOR 16</b></p><p><b>NIKLAS HJALMARSSON 14</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0029-01

GOALIES MUST IMPROVE

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-011485/9864278-1-eng-US/f0030-012.jpg" title="f0030-01" width="291" height="243"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>T</span>HIS</b>&nbsp;<b>AVS</b> squad is going to score more. Matt Duchene will bounce back and Gabriel Landeskog&rsquo;s role will grow. Paul Stastny and Ryan O&rsquo;Reilly provide center support and this team is deep at wing with P-A Parenteau, David Jones et al. Erik Johnson anchors the blueline with Semyon Varlamov the No. 1 in net.</p><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-021023/9864271-1-eng-US/f0030-022.jpg" title="f0030-02" width="1024" height="1277"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>MATT DUCHENE</b> <span class="photo-credit">(MICHAEL MARTIN/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><h2><b>TOP 10 PROSPECTS</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-03746/9864264-1-eng-US/f0030-032.jpg" title="f0030-03" width="711" height="1479"></div><h2><b>POWER ZONE</b></h2><p>Looking to dominate your pool in various categories? Here&rsquo;s your quick reference guide to 2011-12 leaders</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-04557/9864257-1-eng-US/f0030-042.jpg" title="f0030-04" width="858" height="383"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-05428/9864250-1-eng-US/f0030-052.jpg" title="f0030-05" width="858" height="381"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-06357/9864243-1-eng-US/f0030-062.jpg" title="f0030-06" width="894" height="640"></div><h2><b>POINT PROJECTION</b></h2><p><b>MATT DUCHENE 72</b></p><p><b>GABRIEL LANDESKOG 62</b></p><p><b>PAUL STASTNY 57</b></p><p><b>P-A PARENTEAU 55</b></p><p><b>RYAN O&rsquo;REILLY 45</b></p><p><b>STEVE DOWNIE 41</b></p><p><b>DAVID JONES 40</b></p><p><b>MILAN HEJDUK 35</b></p><p><b>ERIK JOHNSON 32</b></p><p><b>STEFAN ELLIOTT 31</b></p><p><b>JAMIE MCGINN 30</b></p><p><b>JOHN MITCHELL 20</b></p><p><b>JAN HEJDA 19</b></p><p><b>RYAN WILSON 19</b></p><p><b>CHUCK KOBASEW 15</b></p><p><b>SHANE O&rsquo;BRIEN 14</b></p><p><b>CODY MCLEOD 13</b></p><p><b>GREG ZANON 12</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0030-01

AVALANCHE OF GOALS ON THE WAY

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0031-011351/9864344-1-eng-US/f0031-012.jpg" title="f0031-01" width="284" height="243"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>L</span>AST</b>&nbsp;<b>SUMMER</b>, Columbus had the centers to help Rick Nash. Now, Jeff Carter and Antoine Vermette are gone and Nash asked for his walking papers. This team is rebuilding again, but has bright lights in blueliners Jack Johnson and James Wisniewski, as well as crafty Cam Atkinson and Ryan Johansen up front.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0031-02918/9864337-1-eng-US/f0031-022.jpg" title="f0031-02" width="948" height="1331"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>RYAN JOHANSEN</b> <span class="photo-credit">(JAMIE SABAU/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><h2><b>TOP 10 PROSPECTS</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0031-03696/9864330-1-eng-US/f0031-032.jpg" title="f0031-03" width="719" height="1478"></div><h2><b>POWER ZONE</b></h2><p>Looking to dominate your pool in various categories? Here&rsquo;s your quick reference guide to 2011-12 leaders</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0031-04542/9864323-1-eng-US/f0031-042.jpg" title="f0031-04" width="858" height="384"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0031-05433/9864316-1-eng-US/f0031-052.jpg" title="f0031-05" width="858" height="381"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0031-06368/9864309-1-eng-US/f0031-062.jpg" title="f0031-06" width="894" height="640"></div><h2><b>POINT PROJECTION</b></h2><p><b>RICK NASH 66</b></p><p><b>VACLAV PROSPAL 51</b></p><p><b>R.J. UMBERGER 46</b></p><p>&nbsp;<b>RYAN JOHANSEN 45</b></p><p><b>DERICK BRASSARD 45</b></p><p><b>JAMES WISNIEWSKI 44</b></p><p><b>JACK JOHNSON 43</b></p><p><b>NICK FOLIGNO 37</b></p><p><b>CAM ATKINSON 33</b></p><p><b>MARK LETESTU 28</b></p><p><b>FEDOR TYUTIN 28</b></p><p><b>RYAN MURRAY 25</b></p><p><b>NIKITA NIKITIN 24</b></p><p><b>DAVID SAVARD 20</b></p><p>&nbsp;<b>DEREK MACKENZIE 16</b></p><p><b>DEREK DORSETT 16</b></p><p><b>COLTON GILLIES 14</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0031-01

JACKETS BACK TO SQUARE ONE

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-011463/9864410-1-eng-US/f0032-012.jpg" title="f0032-01" width="307" height="208"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>D</span>ALLAS</b>&nbsp;<b>DEALT</b> Mike Ribeiro and Steve Ott, but arrivals Derek Roy, Jaromir Jagr and Ray Whitney will help their offense, which revolves around Jamie Benn and Loui Eriksson. The blueline, led by Alex Goligoski, lacks high-end skill. Dallas is strong in net with Kari Lehtonen and promising stoppers behind him.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-02991/9864403-1-eng-US/f0032-022.jpg" title="f0032-02" width="872" height="1310"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>LOUI ERIKSSON</b> <span class="photo-credit">(GLENN JAMES/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><h2><b>TOP 10 PROSPECTS</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-03723/9864396-1-eng-US/f0032-032.jpg" title="f0032-03" width="711" height="1479"></div><h2><b>POWER ZONE</b></h2><p>Looking to dominate your pool in various categories? Here&rsquo;s your quick reference guide to 2011-12 leaders</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-04547/9864389-1-eng-US/f0032-042.jpg" title="f0032-04" width="858" height="384"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-05426/9864382-1-eng-US/f0032-052.jpg" title="f0032-05" width="858" height="381"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-06364/9864375-1-eng-US/f0032-062.jpg" title="f0032-06" width="894" height="640"></div><h2><b>POINT PROJECTION</b></h2><p><b>LOUI ERIKSSON 70</b></p><p><b>DEREK ROY 65</b></p><p><b>JAMIE BENN 60</b></p><p><b>RAY WHITNEY 57</b></p><p><b>JAROMIR JAGR 57</b></p><p>&nbsp;<b>MICHAEL RYDER 50</b></p><p>&nbsp;<b>BRENDEN MORROW 43</b></p><p><b>ALEX GOLIGOSKI 37</b></p><p><b>CODY EAKIN 31</b></p><p><b>STEPHANE ROBIDAS 25</b></p><p><b>VERNON FIDDLER 22</b></p><p><b>TREVOR DALEY 22</b></p><p><b>TOMAS VINCOUR 19</b></p><p><b>PHILIP LARSEN 19</b></p><p><b>ERIC NYSTROM 17</b></p><p><b>RYAN GARBUTT 15</b></p><p><b>TOM WANDELL 14</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0032-01

OLD DOGS, NEW TRICKS IN BIG ‘D’

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-13194/9864542-1-eng-US/f0034-132.jpg" title="f0034-13" width="262" height="258"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>I</span>T</b>&nbsp;<b>WON&rsquo;T</b> be long before Edmonton is the NHL&rsquo;s top-scoring team. Jordan Eberle, Taylor Hall and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will keep improving. Ales Hemsky, Sam Gagner and Ryan Smyth provide support. Nail Yakupov and Justin Schultz have huge upside. The Oil&rsquo;s short-term hopes rest on Devan Dubnyk in goal.</p><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-011484/9864535-1-eng-US/f0034-012.jpg" title="f0034-01" width="1007" height="1351"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>JORDAN EBERLE</b> <span class="photo-credit">(ANDY DEVLIN/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><h2><b>TOP 10 PROSPECTS</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-03820/9864528-1-eng-US/f0034-032.jpg" title="f0034-03" width="711" height="1479"></div><h2><b>POWER ZONE</b></h2><p>Looking to dominate your pool in various categories? Here&rsquo;s your quick reference guide to 2011-12 leaders</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-04668/9864521-1-eng-US/f0034-042.jpg" title="f0034-04" width="858" height="384"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-05541/9864514-1-eng-US/f0034-052.jpg" title="f0034-05" width="858" height="381"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-12221/9864507-1-eng-US/f0034-122.jpg" title="f0034-12" width="894" height="633"></div><h2><b>POINT PROJECTION</b></h2><p><b>JORDAN EBERLE 80</b></p><p><b>TAYLOR HALL 77</b></p><p><b>RYAN NUGENT-HOPKINS 74</b></p><p><b>NAIL YAKUPOV 55</b></p><p><b>ALES HEMSKY 53</b></p><p>&nbsp;<b>SAM GAGNER 43</b></p><p><b>RYAN SMYTH 40</b></p><p>&nbsp;<b>JUSTIN SCHULTZ 34</b></p><p><b>SHAWN HORCOFF 34</b></p><p><b>RYAN JONES 32</b></p><p><b>JEFF PETRY 27</b></p><p><b>MAGNUS PAAJARVI 23</b></p><p><b>RYAN WHITNEY 23</b></p><p><b>ERIC BELANGER 19</b></p><p><b>COREY POTTER 18</b></p><p><b>BEN EAGER 14</b></p><p><b>LENNART PETRELL 14</b></p><p><b>LADISLAV SMID 14</b></p><p><b>NICK SCHULTZ 14</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0034-13

OILERS GUSHING POTENTIAL

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-10285/9864608-1-eng-US/f0035-102.jpg" title="f0035-10" width="267" height="262"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>F</span>LORIDA</b>&nbsp;<b>SCORES</b> and defends by committee. The best bets up front are Tomas Fleischmann, Stephen Weiss, Kris Versteeg and Jonathan Huberdeau. Brian Campbell is a top PP quarter-back, Dmitry Kulikov his understudy. Jose Theodore and Scott Clemmensen keep the crease warm for Jacob Markstrom.</p><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-011373/9864601-1-eng-US/f0035-012.jpg" title="f0035-01" width="1023" height="1351"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>BRIAN CAMPBELL</b> <span class="photo-credit">(ELIOT J. SCHECHTER/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><h2><b>TOP 10 PROSPECTS</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-03812/9864594-1-eng-US/f0035-032.jpg" title="f0035-03" width="711" height="1479"></div><h2><b>POWER ZONE</b></h2><p>Looking to dominate your pool in various categories? Here&rsquo;s your quick reference guide to 2011-12 leaders</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-04671/9864587-1-eng-US/f0035-042.jpg" title="f0035-04" width="858" height="384"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-05573/9864580-1-eng-US/f0035-052.jpg" title="f0035-05" width="858" height="381"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-12213/9864573-1-eng-US/f0035-122.jpg" title="f0035-12" width="894" height="633"></div><h2><b>POINT PROJECTION</b></h2><p><b>TOMAS FLEISCHMANN 60</b></p><p><b>STEPHEN WEISS 60</b></p><p><b>KRIS VERSTEEG 53</b></p><p><b>JONATHAN HUBERDEAU 47</b></p><p><b>BRIAN CAMPBELL 45</b></p><p>&nbsp;<b>TOMAS KOPECKY 35</b></p><p><b>DMITRY KULIKOV 31</b></p><p><b>MARCEL GOC 28</b></p><p><b>SHAWN MATTHIAS 28</b></p><p><b>SEAN BERGENHEIM 27</b></p><p><b>SCOTTIE UPSHALL 26</b></p><p><b>FILIP KUBA 25</b></p><p><b>JACK SKILLE 23</b></p><p><b>MIKE SANTORELLI 19</b></p><p><b>MIKE WEAVER 16</b></p><p><b>ERIK GUDBRANSON 15</b></p><p><b>ED JOVANOVSKI 14</b></p><p><b>KEATON ELLERBY 14</b></p><p><b>JERRED SMITHSON 13</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0035-10

CATS HUNT FOR GOALS AS A PACK

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-02948/9864667-1-eng-US/f0036-022.jpg" title="f0036-02" width="990" height="1254"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>JONATHAN QUICK</b> <span class="photo-credit">(ANDREW D. BERNSTEIN/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-011385/9864674-1-eng-US/f0036-012.jpg" title="f0036-01" width="227" height="259"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>C</span>AN</b>&nbsp;<b>THE</b>&nbsp;champs find consistency? Their surest bets are netminder Jonathan Quick and center Anze Kopitar. Mike Richards and Jeff Carter will improve with a full season back together. Dustin Brown and Justin Williams complement Kopitar nicely. Drew Doughty is a pillar on &lsquo;D,&rsquo; while Slava Voynov is a sleeper.</p><h2><b>TOP 10 PROSPECTS</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-03784/9864660-1-eng-US/f0036-032.jpg" title="f0036-03" width="711" height="1474"></div><h2><b>POWER ZONE</b></h2><p>Looking to dominate your pool in various categories? Here&rsquo;s your quick reference guide to 2011-12 leaders</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-04627/9864653-1-eng-US/f0036-042.jpg" title="f0036-04" width="858" height="384"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-10254/9864646-1-eng-US/f0036-102.jpg" title="f0036-10" width="858" height="381"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-07398/9864639-1-eng-US/f0036-072.jpg" title="f0036-07" width="894" height="640"></div><h2><b>POINT PROJECTION</b></h2><p><b>ANZE KOPITAR 73</b></p><p><b>MIKE RICHARDS 59</b></p><p><b>JEFF CARTER 57</b></p><p><b>DUSTIN BROWN 55</b></p><p><b>JUSTIN WILLIAMS 55</b></p><p><b>DREW DOUGHTY 41</b></p><p>&nbsp;<b>DUSTIN PENNER 36</b></p><p><b>SIMON GAGNE 34</b></p><p><b>JARRET STOLL 32</b></p><p><b>SLAVA VOYNOV 27</b></p><p><b>TYLER TOFFOLI 26</b></p><p><b>DWIGHT KING 24</b></p><p><b>WILLIE MITCHELL 19</b></p><p><b>BRAD RICHARDSON 17</b></p><p><b>ALEC MARTINEZ 17</b></p><p><b>ANDREI LOKTIONOV 16</b></p><p><b>KYLE CLIFFORD 14</b></p><p><b>JORDAN NOLAN 14</b></p><p><b>MATT GREENE 13</b></p><p><b>TREVOR LEWIS 12</b></p><p><b>ROB SCUDERI 12</b></p><p><b>COLIN FRASER 12</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0036-02

L.A. WANTS TO START STRONGER

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-10228/9864740-1-eng-US/f0037-102.jpg" title="f0037-10" width="306" height="214"></div><p><b>&lsquo;WILD&rsquo;</b>&nbsp;<b>SUMS</b> up Minnesota&rsquo;s summer, as Zach Parise and Ryan Suter instantly make this team legit. The big two have help from Mikko Koivu and Dany Heatley and the Wild have tons of promising youngsters on the way, most notably Mikael Granlund. They&rsquo;re set in goal with Niklas Backstrom, Josh Harding and Matt Hackett.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-011237/9864733-1-eng-US/f0037-012.jpg" title="f0037-01" width="987" height="1352"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>MIKKO KOIVU</b> <span class="photo-credit">(EVAN GOLE/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><h2><b>TOP 10 PROSPECTS</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-02876/9864726-1-eng-US/f0037-022.jpg" title="f0037-02" width="671" height="1481"></div><h2><b>POWER ZONE</b></h2><p>Looking to dominate your pool in various categories? Here&rsquo;s your quick reference guide to 2011-12 leaders</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-03706/9864719-1-eng-US/f0037-032.jpg" title="f0037-03" width="858" height="375"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-04607/9864712-1-eng-US/f0037-042.jpg" title="f0037-04" width="858" height="377"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-05548/9864705-1-eng-US/f0037-052.jpg" title="f0037-05" width="894" height="638"></div><h2><b>POINT PROJECTION</b></h2><p><b>ZACH PARISE 75</b></p><p><b>MIKKO KOIVU 67</b></p><p><b>DANY HEATLEY 64</b></p><p><b>DEVIN SETOGUCHI 49</b></p><p><b>MIKAEL GRANLUND 48</b></p><p><b>PIERRE-MARC BOUCHARD 43</b></p><p><b>RYAN SUTER 40</b></p><p><b>CHARLIE COYLE 34</b></p><p><b>MATT CULLEN 34</b></p><p><b>KYLE BRODZIAK 33</b></p><p>&nbsp;<b>TOM GILBERT 29</b></p><p><b>CAL CLUTTERBUCK 27</b></p><p><b>JARED SPURGEON 27</b></p><p><b>TORREY MITCHELL 18</b></p><p><b>MARCO SCANDELLA 15</b></p><p><b>JUSTIN FALK 15</b></p><p><b>DARROLL POWE 14</b></p><p><b>CLAYTON STONER 14</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0037-10

MINNY GUNS FOR PLAYOFFS

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-13155/9864806-1-eng-US/f0038-132.jpg" title="f0038-13" width="296" height="218"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>T</span>HE</b>&nbsp;<b>CANADIENS</b> are in major transition, though they&rsquo;ll remain a defense-first team under Michel Therrien. Up front, Max Pacioretty will lead them in most offensive categories and Tomas Plekanec will rebound. Andrei Markov and P.K. Subban are talented D-men with questions to answer. Carey Price is a wall in goal.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-02939/9864799-1-eng-US/f0038-022.jpg" title="f0038-02" width="947" height="1291"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>MAX PACIORETTY</b> <span class="photo-credit">(SCOTT LEVY/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><h2><b>TOP 10 PROSPECTS</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-03759/9864792-1-eng-US/f0038-032.jpg" title="f0038-03" width="711" height="1479"></div><h2><b>POWER ZONE</b></h2><p>Looking to dominate your pool in various categories? Here&rsquo;s your quick reference guide to 2011-12 leaders</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-04617/9864785-1-eng-US/f0038-042.jpg" title="f0038-04" width="858" height="384"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-05496/9864778-1-eng-US/f0038-052.jpg" title="f0038-05" width="858" height="381"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-06426/9864771-1-eng-US/f0038-062.jpg" title="f0038-06" width="894" height="640"></div><h2><b>POINT PROJECTION</b></h2><p><b>MAX PACIORETTY 71</b></p><p><b>TOMAS PLEKANEC 53</b></p><p><b>ERIK COLE 52</b></p><p><b>ALEX GALCHENYUK 52</b></p><p><b>DAVID DESHARNAIS 48</b></p><p><b>ANDREI MARKOV 44</b></p><p><b>P.K. SUBBAN 43</b></p><p><b>BRIAN GIONTA 42</b></p><p><b>RENE BOURQUE 42</b></p><p><b>LARS ELLER 32</b></p><p><b>LOUIS LEBLANC 23</b></p><p><b>TOMAS KABERLE 22</b></p><p><b>COLBY ARMSTRONG 22</b></p><p><b>SCOTT GOMEZ 20</b></p><p><b>RAPHAEL DIAZ 19</b></p><p><b>BRANDON PRUST 18</b></p><p><b>TRAVIS MOEN 17</b></p><p><b>YANNICK WEBER 17</b></p><p><b>ALEXEI EMELIN 16</b></p><p><b>JOSH GORGES 14</b></p><p><b>FRANCIS BOUILLON 11</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0038-13

HABS IN NO HURRY TO CONTEND

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-011230/9864872-1-eng-US/f0039-012.jpg" title="f0039-01" width="351" height="223"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>T</span>HE</b>&nbsp;<b>PREDATORS</b>&nbsp;are now goaltender Pekka Rinne&rsquo;s team. He&rsquo;s signed for seven years, so Nashville will surround him with a gritty, defense-minded group. It has Shea Weber&rsquo;s all-around brilliance on the back end for one more season, but needs additional offense up front. A youngster like Colin Wilson must step up.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-02831/9864865-1-eng-US/f0039-022.jpg" title="f0039-02" width="952" height="1383"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>SHEA WEBER</b> <span class="photo-credit">(FREDERICK BREEDON/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><h2><b>TOP 10 PROSPECTS</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-03657/9864858-1-eng-US/f0039-032.jpg" title="f0039-03" width="709" height="1479"></div><h2><b>Power zone</b></h2><p>Looking to dominate your pool in various categories? Here&rsquo;s your quick reference guide to 2011-12 leaders</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-04554/9864851-1-eng-US/f0039-042.jpg" title="f0039-04" width="858" height="384"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-05471/9864844-1-eng-US/f0039-052.jpg" title="f0039-05" width="858" height="381"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-06394/9864837-1-eng-US/f0039-062.jpg" title="f0039-06" width="894" height="640"></div><h2><b>POINT PROJECTION</b></h2><p><b>MARTIN ERAT 52</b></p><p><b>SHEA WEBER 50</b></p><p><b>DAVID LEGWAND 49</b></p><p><b>PATRIC HORNQVIST 45</b></p><p><b>RYAN ELLIS 44</b></p><p><b>SERGEI KOSTITSYN 43</b></p><p><b>COLIN WILSON 42</b></p><p><b>MIKE FISHER 40</b></p><p><b>GABRIEL BOURQUE 31</b></p><p><b>MATT HALISCHUK 30</b></p><p><b>CRAIG SMITH 26</b></p><p><b>PAUL GAUSTAD 26</b></p><p><b>ROMAN JOSI 22</b></p><p><b>NICK SPALING 20</b></p><p><b>KEVIN KLEIN 19</b></p><p><b>MATTIAS EKHOLM 15</b></p><p><b>BRANDON YIP 14</b></p><p><b>HAL GILL 12</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0039-01

DIFFERENT TUNE IN MUSIC CITY

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0040-01940/9864938-1-eng-US/f0040-012.jpg" title="f0040-01" width="260" height="256"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>A</span>FTER</b>&nbsp;<b>A</b> Cup final run, the Devils face harsh realities. Financial woes loom and they lost captain Zach Parise to free agency. Scoring will be an issue unless Ilya Kovalchuk recaptures his Atlanta form. He gets some support from Travis Zajac, Patrik Elias and Adam Henrique. At least Jersey&rsquo;s &lsquo;D&rsquo; and goaltending are intact.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0040-02612/9864931-1-eng-US/f0040-022.jpg" title="f0040-02" width="922" height="1217"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>ILYA KOVALCHUK</b> <span class="photo-credit">(ANDY MARLIN/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><h2><b>TOP 10 PROSPECTS</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0040-03476/9864924-1-eng-US/f0040-032.jpg" title="f0040-03" width="681" height="1479"></div><h2><b>POWER ZONE</b></h2><p>Looking to dominate your pool in various categories? Here&rsquo;s your quick reference guide to 2011-12 leaders</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0040-04379/9864917-1-eng-US/f0040-042.jpg" title="f0040-04" width="858" height="376"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0040-05323/9864910-1-eng-US/f0040-052.jpg" title="f0040-05" width="858" height="376"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0040-06286/9864903-1-eng-US/f0040-062.jpg" title="f0040-06" width="894" height="634"></div><h2><b>POINT PROJECTION</b></h2><p><b>ILYA KOVALCHUK 80</b></p><p><b>PATRIK ELIAS 72</b></p><p><b>TRAVIS ZAJAC 45</b></p><p><b>ADAM HENRIQUE 45</b></p><p><b>DAINIUS ZUBRUS 37</b></p><p><b>DAVID CLARKSON 35</b></p><p><b>MAREK ZIDLICKY 32</b></p><p>&nbsp;<b>ADAM LARSSON 27</b></p><p><b>MARK FAYNE 19</b></p><p><b>STEVE BERNIER 18</b></p><p><b>PETER HARROLD 18</b></p><p><b>ANDY GREENE 18</b></p><p><b>JACOB JOSEFSON 16</b></p><p><b>BRYCE SALVADOR 13</b></p><p><b>ANTON VOLCHENKOV 12</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0040-01

DEVILS STUCK IN PURGATORY

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0041-01818/9865004-1-eng-US/f0041-012.jpg" title="f0041-01" width="262" height="253"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>F</span>OR</b>&nbsp;<b>SUPERSTAR</b> John Tavares, life on Long Island is improving. He has a handy left winger in Matt Moulson and solid PP point men in Mark Streit and Lubomir Visnovsky. On the right side, the Isles have decent candidates to replace P-A Parenteau, like Kyle Okposo. Goalie duty is in Evgeni Nabokov&rsquo;s capable hands.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0041-02540/9864997-1-eng-US/f0041-022.jpg" title="f0041-02" width="960" height="1397"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>JOHN TAVARES</b> <span class="photo-credit">(MIKE STOBE/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><h2><b>TOP 10 PROSPECTS</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0041-03440/9864990-1-eng-US/f0041-032.jpg" title="f0041-03" width="711" height="1478"></div><h2><b>POWER ZONE</b></h2><p>Looking to dominate your pool in various categories? Here&rsquo;s your quick reference guide to 2011-12 leaders</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0041-04382/9864983-1-eng-US/f0041-042.jpg" title="f0041-04" width="858" height="384"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0041-05345/9864976-1-eng-US/f0041-052.jpg" title="f0041-05" width="858" height="381"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0041-06300/9864969-1-eng-US/f0041-062.jpg" title="f0041-06" width="894" height="640"></div><h2><b>POINT PROJECTION</b></h2><p><b>JOHN TAVARES 82</b></p><p><b>MATT MOULSON 62</b></p><p><b>KYLE OKPOSO 61</b></p><p><b>MARK STREIT 50</b></p><p><b>FRANS NIELSEN 45</b></p><p><b>MICHAEL GRABNER 40</b></p><p><b>LUBOMIR VISNOVSKY 38</b></p><p><b>JOSH BAILEY 35</b></p><p><b>RYAN STROME 34</b></p><p>&nbsp;<b>BRAD BOYES 30</b></p><p><b>TRAVIS HAMONIC 25</b></p><p><b>ANDREW MACDONALD 22</b></p><p><b>MATT MARTIN 17</b></p><p><b>CASEY CIZIKAS 17</b></p><p><b>DAVID ULLSTROM 16</b></p><p><b>MARTY REASONER 16</b></p><p><b>MATT DONOVAN 16</b></p><p><b>NINO NIEDERREITER 13</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0041-01

ISLAND NOT SO LONELY ANYMORE

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0042-02568/9865070-1-eng-US/f0042-022.jpg" title="f0042-02" width="253" height="251"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>T</span>HE</b>&nbsp;<b>RANGERS</b> defend excellently, but don&rsquo;t score enough, even with Brad Richards, Ryan Callahan and Derek Stepan. Chris Kreider and Carl Hagelin will soften the blow of Marian Gaborik&rsquo;s surgery and Michael Del Zotto is the best offensive threat on defense. Henrik Lund qvist is the league&rsquo;s best in net.</p><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0042-01868/9865063-1-eng-US/f0042-012.jpg" title="f0042-01" width="1099" height="1153"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>HENRIK LUNDQVIST</b> <span class="photo-credit">(SCOTT LEVY/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><h2><b>TOP 10 PROSPECTS</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0042-05304/9865056-1-eng-US/f0042-052.jpg" title="f0042-05" width="711" height="1479"></div><h2><b>POWER ZONE</b></h2><p>Looking to dominate your pool in various categories? Here&rsquo;s your quick reference guide to 2011-12 leaders</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0042-04359/9865049-1-eng-US/f0042-042.jpg" title="f0042-04" width="858" height="385"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0042-03448/9865042-1-eng-US/f0042-032.jpg" title="f0042-03" width="864" height="384"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0042-06269/9865035-1-eng-US/f0042-062.jpg" title="f0042-06" width="904" height="640"></div><h2><b>POINT PROJECTION</b></h2><p><b>BRAD RICHARDS 76</b></p><p><b>CHRIS KREIDER 50</b></p><p><b>CARL HAGELIN 50</b></p><p><b>RYAN CALLAHAN 49</b></p><p><b>MARIAN GABORIK 45</b></p><p><b>DEREK STEPAN 45</b></p><p><b>BRANDON DUBINSKY 43</b></p><p><b>ARTEM ANISIMOV 38</b></p><p><b>MICHAEL DEL ZOTTO 37</b></p><p><b>DAN GIRARDI 32</b></p><p><b>BRIAN BOYLE 28</b></p><p><b>TAYLOR PYATT 26</b></p><p><b>RYAN MCDONAGH 25</b></p><p><b>MARC STAAL 22</b></p><p><b>MARRON ASHA 18</b></p><p><b>TIM ERIXON 17</b></p><p><b>ANTON STRALMAN 17</b></p><p><b>MIKE RUPP 16</b></p><p><b>MICHAEL SAUER 14</b></p><p><b>STU BICKEL 12</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0042-02

BIG APPLE, LITTLE OFFENSE

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0044-01747/9865202-1-eng-US/f0044-012.jpg" title="f0044-01" width="266" height="203"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>L</span>AST</b>&nbsp;<b>SEASON</b>, the Flyers had the NHL&rsquo;s deepest offense led by Claude Giroux. Even without Jaromir Jagr and James van Riemsdyk, they&rsquo;ll be fine if Jakub Voracek, Brayden Schenn and Sean Couturier step up. Defense is a concern if Chris Pronger&rsquo;s concussion keeps him out. Ilya Bryzgalov is up and down in goal.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0044-02485/9865195-1-eng-US/f0044-022.jpg" title="f0044-02" width="888" height="1327"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>CLAUDE GIROUX</b> <span class="photo-credit">(LEN REDKOLES/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><h2><b>TOP 10 PROSPECTS</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0044-03368/9865188-1-eng-US/f0044-032.jpg" title="f0044-03" width="711" height="1479"></div><h2><b>POWER ZONE</b></h2><p>Looking to dominate your pool in various categories? Here&rsquo;s your quick reference guide to 2011-12 leaders</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0044-05242/9865181-1-eng-US/f0044-052.jpg" title="f0044-05" width="858" height="384"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0044-06214/9865174-1-eng-US/f0044-062.jpg" title="f0044-06" width="858" height="381"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0044-04291/9865167-1-eng-US/f0044-042.jpg" title="f0044-04" width="894" height="631"></div><h2><b>POINT PROJECTION</b></h2><p><b>CLAUDE GIROUX 86</b></p><p><b>SCOTT HARTNELL 62</b></p><p><b>JAKUB VORACEK 52</b></p><p><b>DANIEL BRIERE 52</b></p><p><b>MATT READ 50</b></p><p><b>WAYNE SIMMONDS 46</b></p><p><b>BRAYDEN SCHENN 46</b></p><p><b>SEAN COUTURIER 41</b></p><p><b>CHRIS PRONGER 39</b></p><p><b>KIMMO TIMONEN 34</b></p><p><b>MAXIME TALBOT 29</b></p><p><b>ANDREJ MESZAROS 27</b></p><p><b>RUSLAN FEDOTENKO 24</b></p><p><b>BRAYDON COBURN 21</b></p><p><b>LUKE SCHENN 19</b></p><p><b>ERIC WELLWOOD 18</b></p><p><b>ERIK GUSTAFSSON 14</b></p><p><b>ZAC RINALDO 12</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0044-01

PHILLY ‘O’ WILL KEEP FLYING

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0045-01659/9865268-1-eng-US/f0045-012.jpg" title="f0045-01" width="278" height="284"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>W</span>AS</b>&nbsp;<b>THE</b>Coyotes&rsquo; great spring a last hurrah? Ray Whitney&rsquo;s departure leaves blueliner Keith Yandle as their best offensive threat, so defense and goaltending rule the desert. Oliver Ekman-Larsson isn&rsquo;t as dynamic as Yandle, but he&rsquo;s better defensively and has huge upside. Goalie Mike Smith has become a stud.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0045-02444/9865261-1-eng-US/f0045-022.jpg" title="f0045-02" width="972" height="1212"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>RADIM VRBATA</b> <span class="photo-credit">(JOHN RUSSELL/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><h2><b>TOP 10 PROSPECTS</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0045-03377/9865254-1-eng-US/f0045-032.jpg" title="f0045-03" width="683" height="1449"></div><h2><b>POWER ZONE</b></h2><p>Looking to dominate your pool in various categories? Here&rsquo;s your quick reference guide to 2011-12 leaders</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0045-04320/9865247-1-eng-US/f0045-042.jpg" title="f0045-04" width="858" height="376"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0045-05277/9865240-1-eng-US/f0045-052.jpg" title="f0045-05" width="858" height="376"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0045-06242/9865233-1-eng-US/f0045-062.jpg" title="f0045-06" width="894" height="640"></div><h2><b>POINT PROJECTION</b></h2><p><b>RADIM VRBATA 49</b></p><p><b>KEITH YANDLE 46</b></p><p><b>MIKKEL BOEDKER 45</b></p><p><b>STEVE SULLIVAN 45</b></p><p><b>ANTOINE VERMETTE 44</b></p><p><b>MARTIN HANZAL 42</b></p><p><b>LAURI KORPIKOSKI 38</b></p><p><b>OLIVER EKMAN-LARSSON 36</b></p><p>&nbsp;<b>RAFFI TORRES 27</b></p><p><b>BOYD GORDON 24</b></p><p><b>DAVID MOSS 19</b></p><p><b>DAVID RUNDBLAD 19</b></p><p><b>ZBYNEK MICHALEK 17</b></p><p><b>KYLE CHIPCHURA 17</b></p><p><b>ROSTISLAV KLESLA 16</b></p><p><b>DEREK MORRIS 15</b></p><p><b>BRANDON GORMLEY 15</b></p><p><b>DAVID SCHLEMKO 14</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0045-01

PLAYOFF MAGIC WAS A MIRAGE

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0046-01662/9865334-1-eng-US/f0046-012.jpg" title="f0046-01" width="259" height="249"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>T</span>HE</b>&nbsp;<b>PENS</b> needed change after another early playoff exit, so they shipped Jordan Staal to Carolina. Brandon Sutter is the new No. 3 pivot behind Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Last season&rsquo;s top-scoring club still has major firepower, including D-man Kris Letang, but team defense has become a question mark.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0046-02438/9865327-1-eng-US/f0046-022.jpg" title="f0046-02" width="963" height="1312"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>SIDNEY CROSBY</b> <span class="photo-credit">(GREGORY SHAMUS/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><h2><b>TOP 10 PROSPECTS</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0046-03300/9865320-1-eng-US/f0046-032.jpg" title="f0046-03" width="711" height="1478"></div><h2><b>POWER</b>&nbsp;<b>ZONE</b></h2><p>Looking to dominate your pool in various categories? Here&rsquo; your quick reference guide to 2011-12 leader</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0046-04248/9865313-1-eng-US/f0046-042.jpg" title="f0046-04" width="858" height="384"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0046-05196/9865306-1-eng-US/f0046-052.jpg" title="f0046-05" width="858" height="381"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0046-06171/9865299-1-eng-US/f0046-062.jpg" title="f0046-06" width="894" height="640"></div><h2><b>POINT PROJECTION</b></h2><p><b>SIDNEY CROSBY 104</b></p><p><b>EVGENI MALKIN 101</b></p><p><b>JAMES NEAL 70</b></p><p>&nbsp;<b>KRIS LETANG 56</b></p><p><b>CHRIS KUNITZ 53</b></p><p>&nbsp;<b>PASCAL DUPUIS 40</b></p><p>&nbsp;<b>TYLER KENNEDY 34</b></p><p><b>BRANDON SUTTER 33</b></p><p><b>MATT COOKE 33</b></p><p><b>SIMON DESPRES 20</b></p><p><b>PAUL MARTIN 20</b></p><p><b>MATT NISKANEN 19</b></p><p><b>JOE MORROW 18</b></p><p><b>BROOKS ORPIK 17</b></p><p><b>JOE VITALE 17</b></p><p><b>DUSTIN JEFFREY 17</b></p><p><b>BEAU BENNETT 16</b></p><p><b>CRAIG ADAMS 16</b></p><p><b>TANNER GLASS 15</b></p><p><b>ERIC TANGRADI 15</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0046-01

PENGUINS FAR FROM PERFECT

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0047-01596/9865400-1-eng-US/f0047-012.jpg" title="f0047-01" width="253" height="220"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>S</span>T.</b>&nbsp;<b>LOUIS&rsquo;</b>&nbsp;Jaroslav Halak and Brian Elliott are as good as a goalie duo can be and their D-men and two-way forwards protect leads well. But can they score enough? They hope rookies Jaden Schwartz and Vladimir Tarasenko will take pressure off David Backes, T.J. Oshie, Andy McDonald and Alex Pietrangelo.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0047-02392/9865393-1-eng-US/f0047-022.jpg" title="f0047-02" width="884" height="1328"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>ALEX PIETRANGELO</b> <span class="photo-credit">(JAMIE SABAU/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><h2><b>TOP 10 PROSPECTS</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0047-03312/9865386-1-eng-US/f0047-032.jpg" title="f0047-03" width="711" height="1479"></div><h2><b>POWER ZONE</b></h2><p>Looking to dominate your pool in various categories? Here&rsquo;s your quick reference guide to 2011-12 leaders</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0047-04238/9865379-1-eng-US/f0047-042.jpg" title="f0047-04" width="858" height="384"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0047-05184/9865372-1-eng-US/f0047-052.jpg" title="f0047-05" width="858" height="381"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0047-06152/9865365-1-eng-US/f0047-062.jpg" title="f0047-06" width="895" height="686"></div><h2><b>POINT PROJECTION</b></h2><p><b>DAVID BACKES 61</b></p><p><b>T.J. OSHIE 60</b></p><p><b>ANDY MCDONALD 53</b></p><p><b>ALEX PIETRANGELO 52</b></p><p><b>DAVID PERRON 50</b></p><p><b>KEVIN SHATTENKIRK 46</b></p><p><b>CHRIS STEWART 46</b></p><p><b>JADEN SCHWARTZ 42</b></p><p><b>PATRIK BERGLUND 40</b></p><p><b>ALEX STEEN 39</b></p><p><b>VLADIMIR TARASENKO 36</b></p><p><b>MATT D&rsquo;AGOSTINI 32</b></p><p><b>KRIS RUSSELL 23</b></p><p><b>VLADIMIR SOBOTKA 21</b></p><p><b>BARRET JACKMAN 14</b></p><p><b>SCOTT NICHOL 13</b></p><p><b>ROMAN POLAK 12</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0047-01

BLUES MUST LIGHT LAMP MORE OFTEN

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0048-01466/9865466-1-eng-US/f0048-012.jpg" title="f0048-01" width="273" height="238"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>T</span>HE</b>&nbsp;<b>SHARKS&rsquo;</b>&nbsp;window of opportunity is closing, but they still have a strong nucleus. They&rsquo;re deep up front with Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, Logan Couture, Joe Pavelski, Ryane Clowe and Martin Havlat and on defense with Dan Boyle, Brent Burns and Marc-Edouard Vlasic. Antti Niemi is a stabilizing force in net.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0048-02299/9865459-1-eng-US/f0048-022.jpg" title="f0048-02" width="889" height="1301"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>JOE THORNTON</b> <span class="photo-credit">(DON SMITH/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><h2><b>TOP 10 PROSPECTS</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0048-03209/9865452-1-eng-US/f0048-032.jpg" title="f0048-03" width="711" height="1479"></div><h2><b>POWER ZONE</b></h2><p>Looking to dominate your pool in various categories? Here&rsquo;s your quick reference guide to 2011-12 leaders.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0048-04170/9865445-1-eng-US/f0048-042.jpg" title="f0048-04" width="858" height="383"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0048-05123/9865438-1-eng-US/f0048-052.jpg" title="f0048-05" width="858" height="381"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0048-06103/9865431-1-eng-US/f0048-062.jpg" title="f0048-06" width="894" height="640"></div><h2><b>POINT PROJECTION</b></h2><p><b>JOE THORNTON 81</b></p><p><b>PATRICK MARLEAU 68</b></p><p><b>LOGAN COUTURE 64</b></p><p><b>JOE PAVELSKI 62</b></p><p><b>RYANE CLOWE 56</b></p><p><b>MARTIN HAVLAT 54</b></p><p>&nbsp;<b>DAN BOYLE 47</b></p><p><b>BRENT BURNS 40</b></p><p><b>MICHAL HANDZUS 30</b></p><p><b>ANDREW DESJARDINS 21</b></p><p><b>JASON DEMERS 20</b></p><p><b>MARC-EDOUARD VLASIC 19</b></p><p><b>BRAD STUART 18</b></p><p><b>T.J. GALIARDI 17</b></p><p><b>JUSTIN BRAUN 16</b></p><p><b>TOMMY WINGELS 16</b></p><p><b>ADAM BURISH 16</b></p><p><b>DOUGLAS MURRAY 14</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0048-01

TIME IS SHARKS’ TOP RIVAL

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0049-01451/9865532-1-eng-US/f0049-012.jpg" title="f0049-01" width="257" height="246"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>T</span>HE</b>&nbsp;<b>BOLTS</b> don&rsquo;t have big scoring concerns, but depth is an issue after Steven Stamkos, Martin St-Louis, Vincent Lecavalier and Teddy Purcell. They need youngsters Cory Conacher and Brett Connolly for secondary offense. Victor Hedman and Matt Carle lead the &lsquo;D.&rsquo; Anders Lindback gets the No. 1 goalie gig.</p><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0049-02348/9865525-1-eng-US/f0049-022.jpg" title="f0049-02" width="1087" height="1486"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>STEVEN STAMKOS</b> <span class="photo-credit">(SCOTT AUDETTE/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><h2><b>TOP 10 PROSPECTS</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0049-03274/9865518-1-eng-US/f0049-032.jpg" title="f0049-03" width="711" height="1479"></div><h2><b>POWER ZONE</b></h2><p>Looking to dominate your pool in various categories? Here&rsquo;s your quick reference guide to 2011-12 leaders</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0049-04254/9865511-1-eng-US/f0049-042.jpg" title="f0049-04" width="858" height="384"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0049-05201/9865504-1-eng-US/f0049-052.jpg" title="f0049-05" width="858" height="381"></div><h2><b>POINT PROJECTION</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0049-06123/9865497-1-eng-US/f0049-062.jpg" title="f0049-06" width="894" height="640"></div><p><b>STEVEN STAMKOS 95</b></p><p><b>MARTIN ST-LOUIS 77</b></p><p><b>VINCENT LECAVALIER 60</b></p><p><b>TEDDY PURCELL 60</b></p><p>&nbsp;<b>RYAN MALONE 45</b></p><p><b>VICTOR HEDMAN 38</b></p><p><b>CORY CONACHER 37</b></p><p><b>BRETT CONNOLLY 35</b></p><p><b>MATT CARLE 33</b></p><p><b>MARC-ANDRE BERGERON 33</b></p><p><b>BENOIT POULIOT 30</b></p><p><b>SAMI SALO 23</b></p><p><b>TOM PYATT 20</b></p><p><b>J.T. BROWN 19</b></p><p><b>NATE THOMPSON 16</b></p><p><b>BRIAN LEE 16</b></p><p><b>J.T. WYMAN 16</b></p><p><b>DANA TYRELL 15</b></p><p><b>ADAM HALL 15</b></p><p><b>ERIC BREWER 15</b></p><p><b>BRUNO GERVAIS 12</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0049-01

TAMPA’S ATTACK IS TOP-HEAVY

<div class="image-hero"><img title="f0050-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0050-01438/9865591-1-eng-US/f0050-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>PHIL KESSEL</b> <span class="photo-credit">(GRAIG ABEL/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0050-02330/9865598-1-eng-US/f0050-022.jpg" title="f0050-02" width="239" height="252"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>T</span>HE</b>&nbsp;<b>LEAFS</b>&nbsp;score, but can&rsquo;t stop anyone. They&rsquo;re deep up front with Phil Kessel, Mikhail Grabovski, Joffrey Lupul and the potential of James van Riemsdyk and Nazem Kadri. Emerging Jake Gardiner and vets Dion Phaneuf and John-Michael Liles log big blueline minutes, but T.O.&rsquo;s defense and goaltending are shaky.</p><h2><b>TOP 10 PROSPECTS</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0050-03175/9865584-1-eng-US/f0050-032.jpg" title="f0050-03" width="711" height="1479"></div><h2><b>POWER ZONE</b></h2><p>Looking to dominate your pool in various categories? Here&rsquo;s your quick reference guide to 2011-12 leaders</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0050-04140/9865577-1-eng-US/f0050-042.jpg" title="f0050-04" width="858" height="384"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0050-0595/9865570-1-eng-US/f0050-052.jpg" title="f0050-05" width="858" height="381"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0050-0680/9865563-1-eng-US/f0050-062.jpg" title="f0050-06" width="894" height="640"></div><h2><b>POINT PROJECTION</b></h2><p><b>PHIL KESSEL 77</b></p><p><b>MIKHAIL GRABOVSKI 55</b></p><p><b>JOFFREY LUPUL 55</b></p><p><b>NIKOLAI KULEMIN 47</b></p><p><b>JAMES VAN RIEMSDYK 46</b></p><p><b>CLARKE MACARTHUR 46</b></p><p><b>JAKE GARDINER 42</b></p><p><b>DION PHANEUF 40</b></p><p><b>NAZEM KADRI 40</b></p><p><b>MATT FRATTIN 37</b></p><p><b>TIM CONNOLLY 35</b></p><p><b>TYLER BOZAK 34</b></p><p><b>JOHN-MICHAEL LILES 26</b></p><p><b>MATTHEW LOMBARDI 22</b></p><p><b>JAY MCCLEMENT 21</b></p><p><b>CODY FRANSON 21</b></p><p><b>CARL GUNNARSSON 19</b></p><p><b>CARTER ASHTON 16</b></p><p><b>LEO KOMAROV 15</b></p><p><b>DAVID STECKEL 13</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0050-01

OFFENSE IS LEAFS’ ONLY DEFENSE

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0051-01347/9865664-1-eng-US/f0051-012.jpg" title="f0051-01" width="258" height="253"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>T</span>HE</b>&nbsp;<b>CANUCKS</b> are motivated to return to the Cup final. Not having Ryan Kesler early on hurts, but the offense will produce as long as the Sedins, Alex Burrows, David Booth and Alexander Edler play to their strengths. Adding defenseman Jason Garrison helps the PP. Cory Schneider is more than ready to be the man in goal.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0051-02250/9865657-1-eng-US/f0051-022.jpg" title="f0051-02" width="984" height="1313"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>DANIEL SEDIN</b> <span class="photo-credit">(JEFF VINNICK/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><h2><b>TOP 10 PROSPECTS</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0051-03180/9865650-1-eng-US/f0051-032.jpg" title="f0051-03" width="682" height="1479"></div><h2><b>POWER ZONE</b></h2><p>Looking to dominate your pool in various categories? Here&rsquo;s your quick reference guide to 2011-12 leaders</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0051-04144/9865643-1-eng-US/f0051-042.jpg" title="f0051-04" width="858" height="384"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0051-05104/9865636-1-eng-US/f0051-052.jpg" title="f0051-05" width="858" height="381"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0051-0687/9865629-1-eng-US/f0051-062.jpg" title="f0051-06" width="894" height="640"></div><h2><b>POINT PROJECTION</b></h2><p><b>HENRIK SEDIN 85</b></p><p><b>DANIEL SEDIN 82</b></p><p><b>ALEX BURROWS 58</b></p><p><b>RYAN KESLER 51</b></p><p><b>ALEX EDLER 48</b></p><p><b>DAVID BOOTH 42</b></p><p><b>KEVIN BIEKSA 37</b></p><p><b>CHRIS HIGGINS 37</b></p><p><b>JASON GARRISON 36</b></p><p><b>JANNIK HANSEN 34</b></p><p><b>MASON RAYMOND 30</b></p><p><b>DAN HAMHUIS 29</b></p><p><b>ZACK KASSIAN 25</b></p><p><b>MANNY MALHOTRA 22</b></p><p><b>MAXIM LAPIERRE 20</b></p><p><b>KEITH BALLARD 20</b></p><p><b>CHRIS TANEV 13</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0051-01

ONLY A CUP WILL DO IN VANCOUVER

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0052-01345/9865730-1-eng-US/f0052-012.jpg" title="f0052-01" width="289" height="226"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>T</span>HE</b>&nbsp;<b>CAPITALS</b> went from offense-minded to defense-minded and back. Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom will rebound and Mike Ribeiro boosts the PP. Marcus Johansson and defenseman Mike Green also play big roles in the attack. Goalie Braden Holtby gives new coach Adam Oates a young, talented rock.</p><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0052-02220/9865723-1-eng-US/f0052-022.jpg" title="f0052-02" width="1002" height="1313"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>ALEX OVECHKIN</b> <span class="photo-credit">(LEN REDKOLES/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><h2><b>TOP 10 PROSPECTS</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0052-03153/9865716-1-eng-US/f0052-032.jpg" title="f0052-03" width="681" height="1479"></div><h2><b>POWER ZONE</b></h2><p>Looking to dominate your pool in various categories? Here&rsquo;s your quick reference guide to 2011-12 leaders</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0052-04120/9865709-1-eng-US/f0052-042.jpg" title="f0052-04" width="858" height="385"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0052-0583/9865702-1-eng-US/f0052-052.jpg" title="f0052-05" width="858" height="382"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0052-0671/9865695-1-eng-US/f0052-062.jpg" title="f0052-06" width="894" height="640"></div><h2><b>POINT PROJECTION</b></h2><p><b>ALEX OVECHKIN 82</b></p><p><b>NICKLAS BACKSTROM 78</b></p><p><b>MARCUS JOHANSSON 59</b></p><p><b>MIKE GREEN 56</b></p><p><b>MIKE RIBEIRO 56</b></p><p><b>BROOKS LAICH 49</b></p><p><b>JOHN CARLSON 35</b></p><p><b>TROY BROUWER 34</b></p><p><b>MATHIEU PERREAULT 34</b></p><p><b>JASON CHIMERA 31</b></p><p><b>DMITRI ORLOV 28</b></p><p><b>JOEL WARD 26</b></p><p><b>JOEY CRABB 24</b></p><p><b>MATT HENDRICKS 19</b></p><p><b>JACK HILLEN 17</b></p><p><b>ROMAN HAMRLIK 16</b></p><p><b>KARL ALZNER 16</b></p><p><b>JAY BEAGLE 14</b></p><p><b>TOM POTI 13</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0052-01

OFFENSIVE BONANZA BACK IN D.C.

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0053-01323/9865796-1-eng-US/f0053-012.jpg" title="f0053-01" width="262" height="262"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>T</span>HE</b>&nbsp;<b>RISING</b> Jets are fuelled by big wingers Evander Kane, Blake Wheeler and Andrew Ladd. Center is a concern, though Olli Jokinen helps. Dustin Byfuglien and Tobias Enstrom excel as offensive D-men, but Zach Bogosian is becoming Winnipeg&rsquo;s best shutdown blueliner. Ondrej Pavelec is a workhorse netminder.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0053-02224/9865789-1-eng-US/f0053-022.jpg" title="f0053-02" width="976" height="1309"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>EVANDER KANE</b> <span class="photo-credit">(JONATHAN KOZUB/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><h2><b>TOP 10 PROSPECTS</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0053-03160/9865782-1-eng-US/f0053-032.jpg" title="f0053-03" width="689" height="1479"></div><h2><b>POWER ZONE</b></h2><p>Looking to dominate your pool in various categories? Here&rsquo;s your quick reference guide to 2011-12 leaders</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0053-04135/9865775-1-eng-US/f0053-042.jpg" title="f0053-04" width="858" height="385"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0053-0599/9865768-1-eng-US/f0053-052.jpg" title="f0053-05" width="858" height="382"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0053-0684/9865761-1-eng-US/f0053-062.jpg" title="f0053-06" width="894" height="640"></div><h2><b>POINT PROJECTION</b></h2><p><b>EVANDER KANE 67</b></p><p><b>BLAKE WHEELER 67</b></p><p><b>OLLI JOKINEN 57</b></p><p><b>DUSTIN BYFUGLIEN 56</b></p><p><b>ANDREW LADD 55</b></p><p><b>TOBIAS ENSTROM 51</b></p><p><b>BRYAN LITTLE 47</b></p><p><b>ALEXANDER BURMISTROV 47</b></p><p><b>NIK ANTROPOV 39</b></p><p><b>ALEXEI PONIKAROVSKY 30</b></p><p><b>ZACH BOGOSIAN 30</b></p><p><b>SPENCER MACHACEK 21</b></p><p><b>PATRICE CORMIER 20</b></p><p><b>JIM SLATER 20</b></p><p><b>ANTTI MIETTINEN 19</b></p><p><b>GRANT CLITSOME 19</b></p><p><b>RON HAINSEY 17</b></p><p><b>PAUL POSTMA 17</b></p><p><b>MARK STUART 14</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0053-01

JETS’ CLIMB IS SLOW AND STEADY

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0054-02201/9866268-1-eng-US/f0054-022.jpg" title="f0054-02" width="250" height="270"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>T</span>HE HOCKEY NEWS</b>&nbsp;profiles the projections and characteristics of the top-scoring 270 NHL skaters in 2012-13. That dips down into the 33-point range. If you&rsquo;re in a deep fantasy league and have to reach below 33 points, check out the projection chart on team pages (which go as low as 10 points) or the master list on pages 138 to 142.</p><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0054-01334/9866261-1-eng-US/f0054-012.jpg" title="f0054-01" width="2244" height="1173"></div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0054-03133/9866254-1-eng-US/f0054-032.jpg" title="f0054-03" width="189" height="182"></div><p><b>RISING STAR:</b> Identifies player whose production is on a marked upward trajectory</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0054-04106/9866247-1-eng-US/f0054-042.jpg" title="f0054-04" width="189" height="189"></div><p><b>UFA IN 2013:</b> These players are pending unrestricted free agents in 2013 and may perform better</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0054-0576/9866240-1-eng-US/f0054-052.jpg" title="f0054-05" width="190" height="184"></div><p><b>ICE TIME WORK HORSE:</b> Skaters who are expected to log a lot of ice time in comparison to the norm</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0054-0656/9866233-1-eng-US/f0054-062.jpg" title="f0054-06" width="180" height="186"></div><p><b>POWER PLAY ACE:</b> A projected regular on the team&rsquo;s first power play unit</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0054-0735/9866226-1-eng-US/f0054-072.jpg" title="f0054-07" width="186" height="178"></div><p><b>BANG</b>&nbsp;<b>FOR THE BUCK:</b>These players provide better statistics than reflected by their 2012-13 salary cap hit</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0054-0826/9866219-1-eng-US/f0054-082.jpg" title="f0054-08" width="176" height="182"></div><p><b>SIN-BIN GUY:</b> Skaters who have had or are projected to accumulate 70 or more penalty minutes this season</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0054-0920/9866212-1-eng-US/f0054-092.jpg" title="f0054-09" width="188" height="181"></div><p><b>RED FLAG:</b> A player prone to injury, suspension, healthy scratch, demotion or return to junior or Russia</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0054-1017/9866205-1-eng-US/f0054-102.jpg" title="f0054-10" width="185" height="181"></div><p><b>TRENDING DOWN:</b> A skater whose production is expected to continue or start dropping in 2012-13</p><h2><b>ALFREDSSON-BACKES</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0055-01292/9866198-1-eng-US/f0055-012.jpg" title="f0055-01" width="2595" height="3543"></div><h2><b>BACKLUND-BENN</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0056-01263/9866191-1-eng-US/f0056-012.jpg" title="f0056-01" width="2595" height="3543"></div><h2><b>BERGERON-BIEKSA</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0057-01247/9866184-1-eng-US/f0057-012.jpg" title="f0057-01" width="2595" height="3543"></div><h2><b>BOEDKER-BOURQUE</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0058-01267/9866177-1-eng-US/f0058-012.jpg" title="f0058-01" width="2595" height="3543"></div><h2><b>BOYLE-BRODZIAK</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0059-01216/9866170-1-eng-US/f0059-012.jpg" title="f0059-01" width="2595" height="3543"></div><h2><b>BROUWER-BURROWS</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0060-01216/9866163-1-eng-US/f0060-012.jpg" title="f0060-01" width="2595" height="3543"></div><h2><b>BYFUGLIEN-CARLE</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0061-01199/9866156-1-eng-US/f0061-012.jpg" title="f0061-01" width="2595" height="3543"></div><h2><b>CARLSON-CLARKSON</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0062-01215/9866149-1-eng-US/f0062-012.jpg" title="f0062-01" width="668" height="912"></div><h2><b>CLEARY-CONOLLY</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0063-01162/9866142-1-eng-US/f0063-012.jpg" title="f0063-01" width="2595" height="3543"></div><h2><b>CONNOLLY-CROSBY</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0064-01174/9866135-1-eng-US/f0064-012.jpg" title="f0064-01" width="2595" height="3543"></div><h2><b>CULLEN-DOAN</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0065-01175/9866128-1-eng-US/f0065-012.jpg" title="f0065-01" width="2595" height="3543"></div><h2><b>DOUGHTY-DUPUIS</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0066-01170/9866121-1-eng-US/f0066-012.jpg" title="f0066-01" width="2595" height="3543"></div><h2><b>EBERLE-ELIAS</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0067-01127/9866114-1-eng-US/f0067-012.jpg" title="f0067-01" width="2595" height="3543"></div><h2><b>ELLIS-ERIKSSON</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0068-01133/9866107-1-eng-US/f0068-012.jpg" title="f0068-01" width="2595" height="3543"></div><h2><b>ETEM-FOLIGNO</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0069-01115/9866100-1-eng-US/f0069-012.jpg" title="f0069-01" width="2595" height="3543"></div><h2><b>FOLIGNO-GABORIK</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0070-01114/9866093-1-eng-US/f0070-012.jpg" title="f0070-01" width="2595" height="3543"></div><h2><b>GAGNE-GARRISON</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0071-01113/9866086-1-eng-US/f0071-012.jpg" title="f0071-01" width="2595" height="3543"></div><h2><b>GETZLAF-GLENCROSS</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0072-01111/9866079-1-eng-US/f0072-012.jpg" title="f0072-01" width="2595" height="3543"></div><h2><b>GOLIGOSKI-GRANLUND</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0073-01111/9866072-1-eng-US/f0073-012.jpg" title="f0073-01" width="2595" height="3543"></div><h2><b>GREEN-HALL</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0074-01106/9866065-1-eng-US/f0074-012.jpg" title="f0074-01" width="2595" height="3543"></div><h2><b>HAMILTON-HAVLAT</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0075-0189/9866058-1-eng-US/f0075-012.jpg" title="f0075-01" width="2595" height="3543"></div><h2><b>HEATLEY-HENRIQUE</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0076-0197/9866051-1-eng-US/f0076-012.jpg" title="f0076-01" width="577" height="787"></div><h2><b>HIGGINS-HORTON</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0077-0199/9866044-1-eng-US/f0077-012.jpg" title="f0077-01" width="2597" height="3546"></div><h2><b>HOSSA-IGINLA</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0078-0190/9866037-1-eng-US/f0078-012.jpg" title="f0078-01" width="2595" height="3543"></div><h2><b>JAGR-JOKINEN</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0079-0186/9866030-1-eng-US/f0079-012.jpg" title="f0079-01" width="2595" height="3543"></div><h2><b>JOKINEN-KANE</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0080-0181/9866023-1-eng-US/f0080-012.jpg" title="f0080-01" width="2595" height="3543"></div><h2><b>KARLSSON-KESLER</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0081-0194/9866016-1-eng-US/f0081-012.jpg" title="f0081-01" width="2595" height="3543"></div><h2><b>KESSEL-KORPIKOSKI</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0082-0177/9866009-1-eng-US/f0082-012.jpg" title="f0082-01" width="2595" height="3543"></div><h2><b>KOSTITSYN-KREJCI</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0083-0174/9866002-1-eng-US/f0083-012.jpg" title="f0083-01" width="2595" height="3543"></div><h2><b>KRONWALL-LAICH</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0084-0174/9865995-1-eng-US/f0084-012.jpg" title="f0084-01" width="2595" height="3543"></div><h2><b>LANDESKOG-LEINO</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0085-0172/9865988-1-eng-US/f0085-012.jpg" title="f0085-01" width="2595" height="3543"></div><h2><b>LETANG-MACARTHUR</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0086-0174/9865981-1-eng-US/f0086-012.jpg" title="f0086-01" width="2595" height="3543"></div><h2><b>MALKIN-MARLEAU</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0087-0170/9865974-1-eng-US/f0087-012.jpg" title="f0087-01" width="2595" height="3543"></div><h2><b>MCDONALD-MUELLER</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0088-0181/9865967-1-eng-US/f0088-012.jpg" title="f0088-01" width="2595" height="3543"></div><h2><b>NASH-OKPOSO</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0089-0175/9865960-1-eng-US/f0089-012.jpg" title="f0089-01" width="2595" height="3543"></div><h2><b>O&rsquo;REILLY-PACIORETTY</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0090-0173/9865953-1-eng-US/f0090-012.jpg" title="f0090-01" width="2595" height="3543"></div><h2><b>PARENTEAU-PERREAULT</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0091-0162/9865946-1-eng-US/f0091-012.jpg" title="f0091-01" width="2595" height="3543"></div><h2><b>PERRON-PIETRANGELO</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0092-0176/9865939-1-eng-US/f0092-012.jpg" title="f0092-01" width="2595" height="3543"></div><h2><b>PITKANEN-PROSPAL</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0093-0168/9865932-1-eng-US/f0093-012.jpg" title="f0093-01" width="2595" height="3543"></div><h2><b>PURCELL-RICHARDS</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0094-0168/9865925-1-eng-US/f0094-012.jpg" title="f0094-01" width="2595" height="3543"></div><h2><b>ROY-SAAD</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0095-0166/9865918-1-eng-US/f0095-012.jpg" title="f0095-01" width="2595" height="3543"></div><h2><b>SCHENN-SEDIN</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0096-0180/9865911-1-eng-US/f0096-012.jpg" title="f0096-01" width="2595" height="3543"></div><h2><b>SEDIN-SETOGUCHI</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0098-0188/9865904-1-eng-US/f0098-012.jpg" title="f0098-01" width="2595" height="3543"></div><h2><b>SHARP-SKINNER</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0099-0163/9865897-1-eng-US/f0099-012.jpg" title="f0099-01" width="2595" height="3543"></div><h2><b>SMYTH-STAAL</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0100-0168/9865890-1-eng-US/f0100-012.jpg" title="f0100-01" width="2595" height="3543"></div><h2><b>STAFFORD-STEEN</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0101-0164/9865883-1-eng-US/f0101-012.jpg" title="f0101-01" width="2595" height="3543"></div><h2><b>STEMPNIAK-STROME</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0102-0165/9865876-1-eng-US/f0102-012.jpg" title="f0102-01" width="2595" height="3543"></div><h2><b>SUBBAN-TANGUAY</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0102-0230/9865869-1-eng-US/f0102-022.jpg" title="f0102-02" width="2595" height="3543"></div><h2><b>TARASENKO-TLUSTY</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0103-0160/9865862-1-eng-US/f0103-012.jpg" title="f0103-01" width="2595" height="3543"></div><h2><b>TOEWS-VANEK</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0104-0169/9865855-1-eng-US/f0104-012.jpg" title="f0104-01" width="2595" height="3543"></div><h2><b>VERMETTE-VRBATA</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0105-0160/9865848-1-eng-US/f0105-012.jpg" title="f0105-01" width="2595" height="3543"></div><h2><b>WEBER-WHITNEY</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0106-0164/9865841-1-eng-US/f0106-012.jpg" title="f0106-01" width="2595" height="3543"></div><h2><b>WIDEMAN-YAKUPOV</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0107-0160/9865834-1-eng-US/f0107-012.jpg" title="f0107-01" width="2595" height="3543"></div><h2><b>YANDLE-ZUBRUS</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0108-0170/9865827-1-eng-US/f0108-012.jpg" title="f0108-01" width="2595" height="3543"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0054-02

SKATERS

<div class="byline">BY TAYLOR ROCCA</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0109-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0109-0166/9866306-1-eng-US/f0109-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>SHANE DOAN</b> <span class="photo-credit">(DYLAN LYNCH/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>V</span>eteran moxie</b> is key to a Stanley Cup-winning team. Grizzled blueliner  Willie Mitchell helped the Los Angeles Kings to their first championship in 2012. The Boston Bruins had the age-defying Mark Recchi when they triumphed in 2011.</p><p>While the big names such as Zach Parise and Ryan Suter are off the market, there remains a plethora of veterans itching to sign with a Cup contender in hopes of closing out their careers with the taste of champagne from Lord Stanley&rsquo;s grail.</p><p>At the time of publication, greybeards Jason Arnott, Tomas Holmstrom, Mike Knuble, Jamie Langenbrunner, Daymond Langkow and John Madden were all unemployed (Langkow has yet to experience the exhilaration of raising the Cup). They may no longer be in their primes, but these seasoned NHLers would still provide affordable depth for teams looking to bolster their bottom-six ranks.</p><p>While the aforementioned are looking to prove they can still play, there are also youngsters who want to show they belong in the league full time. Wojtek Wolski, Gilbert Brule and Peter Mueller were regarded as future stars coming out of major junior. Each failed to meet high expectations but, given the right opportunity, all three would provide secondary scoring and an upper hand in your pool. Wolski is the best bet to rebound, scoring 40 or more points four times in his career, including 2009-10, when he hit the 65-point plateau with Colorado and Phoenix.</p><p>While most poolies tend to fall asleep in August, keep your eyes on a few of these straggler signings and you&rsquo;ll be collecting a paycheck while your buddies shake their heads in disbelief.</p><h2><b>2012-13 UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0109-0239/9866299-1-eng-US/f0109-022.jpg" title="f0109-02" width="1000" height="3016"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0109-01

EXPERIENCE AND YOUTH ABOUND

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0110-0165/9866442-1-eng-US/f0110-012.jpg" title="f0110-01" width="250" height="275"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>T</span>HE HOCKEY NEWS</b>&nbsp;profiles the most active 45 stoppers in the NHL this season and projects win totals for 60. That&rsquo;s more goalies than creases, so choose wisely and make sure you have a busy backup on your fantasy team. Be sure you check the master projections on page 143.</p><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0110-0238/9866435-1-eng-US/f0110-022.jpg" title="f0110-02" width="2330" height="1219"></div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0110-0322/9866428-1-eng-US/f0110-032.jpg" title="f0110-03" width="190" height="181"></div><p><b>RISING STAR:</b> Identifies goaltender whose production is on a marked upward trajectory</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0110-0414/9866421-1-eng-US/f0110-042.jpg" title="f0110-04" width="197" height="184"></div><p><b>UFA IN 2013:</b> These goalies are pending unrestricted free agents in 2013 and may perform better</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0110-0512/9866414-1-eng-US/f0110-052.jpg" title="f0110-05" width="202" height="190"></div><p><b>BANG</b>&nbsp;<b>FOR THE BUCK:</b>These netminders provide better statistics than reflected by their 2012-13 salary cap hit</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0110-068/9866407-1-eng-US/f0110-062.jpg" title="f0110-06" width="197" height="196"></div><p><b>RED FLAG:</b> A goalie with a risk of injury, suspension, healthy scratch, demotion or return to junior or Russia</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0110-074/9866400-1-eng-US/f0110-072.jpg" title="f0110-07" width="198" height="193"></div><p><b>TRENDING DOWN:</b> A goaltender whose production is expected to continue or start dropping in 2012-13</p><h2><b>ANDERSON-BISHOP</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0111-0164/9866393-1-eng-US/f0111-012.jpg" title="f0111-01" width="2595" height="3543"></div><h2><b>BOBROVSKY-CRAWFORD</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0112-0172/9866386-1-eng-US/f0112-012.jpg" title="f0112-01" width="2595" height="3543"></div><h2><b>DUBNYK-GIGUERE</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0113-0163/9866379-1-eng-US/f0113-012.jpg" title="f0113-01" width="2595" height="3543"></div><h2><b>GUSTAVSSON-HOLTBY</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0114-0168/9866372-1-eng-US/f0114-012.jpg" title="f0114-01" width="2595" height="3543"></div><h2><b>HOWARD-LINDBACK</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0115-0160/9866365-1-eng-US/f0115-012.jpg" title="f0115-01" width="2366" height="3211"></div><h2><b>LUNDQVIST-NABOKOV</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0116-0167/9866358-1-eng-US/f0116-012.jpg" title="f0116-01" width="2363" height="3219"></div><h2><b>NEUVIRTH-QUICK</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0117-0162/9866351-1-eng-US/f0117-012.jpg" title="f0117-01" width="2362" height="3206"></div><h2><b>RASK-SCRIVENS</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0118-0163/9866344-1-eng-US/f0118-012.jpg" title="f0118-01" width="2363" height="3205"></div><h2><b>SMITH-WARD</b></h2><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0119-0158/9866337-1-eng-US/f0119-012.jpg" title="f0119-01" width="2363" height="3207"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0110-01

ULTIMATE GUIDE GOALIES

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0120-0236/9866564-1-eng-US/f0120-022.jpg" title="f0120-02" width="249" height="275"></div><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0120-0012/9866557-1-eng-US/f0120-0012.jpg" title="f0120-001" width="2329" height="1512"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>LOS ANGELES KINGS 2011-12 STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONSHIP</b> <span class="photo-credit">(BRUCE BENNETT/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0120-0326/9866550-1-eng-US/f0120-032.jpg" title="f0120-03" width="2344" height="1416"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0121-0163/9866543-1-eng-US/f0121-012.jpg" title="f0121-01" width="1283" height="1112"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>NASHVILLE PREDATORS POWER PLAY SPECIALISTS</b></figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0121-0240/9866536-1-eng-US/f0121-022.jpg" title="f0121-02" width="1288" height="1816"></div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0121-0329/9866529-1-eng-US/f0121-032.jpg" title="f0121-03" width="984" height="1728"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0121-0420/9866522-1-eng-US/f0121-042.jpg" title="f0121-04" width="985" height="1170"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>GABRIEL LANDESKOG 2011-12 ROOKIE LEADER</b><span class="photo-credit">(PREDATORS: BILL SMITH/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES; LANDESKOG: MICHAEL MARTIN/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0122-0165/9866515-1-eng-US/f0122-012.jpg" title="f0122-01" width="5155" height="3543"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0123-0155/9866508-1-eng-US/f0123-012.jpg" title="f0123-01" width="5195" height="3543"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0124-0167/9866501-1-eng-US/f0124-012.jpg" title="f0124-01" width="5179" height="3543"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0128-0165/9866494-1-eng-US/f0128-012.jpg" title="f0128-01" width="5179" height="3543"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(LUNDQVIST: CHRISTOPHER PASATIERI/GETTY IMAGES; LEHOTNEN: GLENN JAMES/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES; PAVELEC: SCOTT AUDETTE/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0129-0159/9866487-1-eng-US/f0129-012.jpg" title="f0129-01" width="2595" height="3543"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(RINNE: JOHN RUSSELL/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES; SMITH: NORM HALL/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES; BRODEUR: JIM MCISAAC/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0130-12/9866480-1-eng-US/f0130-12.jpg" title="f0130-1" width="2595" height="3543"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(MALKIN: JOE SARGENT/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES; SPEZZA: ANDRE RINGUETTE/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES; PIETRANGELO: MARK BUCKNER/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><h2><b>NHL ENTRY DRAFT</b></h2><p class="dropcap"><span>T</span>he 2012 draft was held June 22-23 in Pittsburgh. Listed below are each team&rsquo;s picks. Information includes round/overall, name, position, 2011-12 team and league.</p><h3><b>ANAHEIM DUCKS</b></h3><p>1/6. Hampus Lindholm, D, Rogle (Swe Jr.); 2/36. Nicolas Kerdiles, LW, USA U-18 (USHL); 3/87. Frederik Andersen, G, Frolunda (Swe); 4/97. Kevin Roy, C, Lincoln (USHL); 4/108. Andrew O&rsquo;Brien, D, Chicoutimi (QMJHL); 5/127. Brian Cooper, D, Fargo (USHL); 7/187. Kenton Helgesen, D, Calgary (WHL); 7/210. Jaycob Megna, D, Nebraska-Omaha (WCHA).</p><h3><b>BOSTON BRUINS</b></h3><p>1/24. Malcolm Subban, G, Belleville (OHL); 3/85. Matthew Grzelcyk, D, USA U-18 (USHL); 5/131. Seth Griffith, RW, London (OHL); 5/145. Cody Payne, RW, Plymouth (OHL); 6/175. Matthew Benning, D, Spruce Grove (AJHL); 7/205. Colton Hargrove, LW, Fargo (USHL).</p><h3><b>BUFFALO SABRES</b></h3><p>1/12. Mikhail Grigorenko, C, Quebec (QMJHL); 1/14. Zemgus Girgensons, C, Dubuque (USHL); 2/44. Jake McCabe, D, Wisconsin (WCHA); 3/73. Justin Kea, C, Saginaw (OHL); 5/133. Logan Nelson, C, Victoria (WHL); 6/163. Linus Ullmark, G, MoDo (Swe Jr.); 7/193. Brady Austin, D, Belleville (OHL); 7/204. Judd Peterson, C, Duluth Marshall (High-MN).</p><h3><b>CALGARY FLAMES</b></h3><p>1/21. Mark Jankowski, C, Stanstead College (High-QC); 2/42. Patrick Sieloff, D, USA U-18 (USHL); 3/75. Jon Gillies, G, Indiana (USHL); 4/105. Brett Kulak, D, Vancouver (WHL); 5/124. Ryan Culkin, D, Quebec (QMJHL); 6/165. Coda Gordon, LW, Swift Current (WHL); 7/186. Matthew Deblouw, C, Muskegon (USHL).</p><h3><b>CAROLINA HURRICANES</b></h3><p>2/38. Phillip Di Giuseppe, LW, Michigan (CCHA); 2/47. Brock McGinn, LW, Guelph (OHL); 3/69. Daniel Altshuller, G, Oshawa (OHL); 4/99. Erik Karlsson, C, Frolunda (Swe Jr.); 4/115. Trevor Carrick, D, Mississauga (OHL); 4/120. Jaccob Slavin, D, Chicago (USHL); 5/129. Brendan Woods, LW, Wisconsin (WCHA); 6/159. Collin Olson, G, USA U-18 (USHL); 7/189. Brendan Collier, LW, Malden Catholic (High-MA).</p><h3><b>CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS</b></h3><p>1/18. Teuvo Teravainen, LW, Jokerit (Fin); 2/48. Dillon Fournier, D, Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL); 3/79. Chris Calnan, RW, Nobles (High-MA); 5/139. Garret Ross, LW, Saginaw (OHL); 5/149. Travis Brown, D, Moose Jaw (WHL); 6/169. Vincent Hinostroza, C, Waterloo (USHL); 7/191. Brandon Whitney, G, Victoriaville (QMJHL); 7/199. Matt Tomkins, G, Sherwood Park (AJHL).</p><h3><b>COLORADO AVALANCHE</b></h3><p>2/41. Mitchell Heard, C, Plymouth (OHL); 3/72. Troy Bourke, LW, Prince George (WHL); 5/132. Michael Clarke, C, Windsor (OHL); 6/162. Joseph Blandisi, RW, Owen Sound (OHL); 7/192. Colin Smith, C, Kamloops (WHL).</p><h3><b>COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS</b></h3><p>1/2. Ryan Murray, D, Everett (WHL); 2/31. Oscar Dansk, G, Brynas (Swe Jr.); 3/62. Joonas Korpisalo, G, Jokerit (Fin Jr.); 4/95. Josh Anderson, RW, London (OHL); 6/152. Daniel Zaar, RW, Rogle (Swe Jr.); 7/182. Gianluca Curcuruto, D, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL).</p><h3><b>DALLAS STARS</b></h3><p>1/13. Radek Faksa, C, Kitchener (OHL); 2/43. Ludwig Bystrom, D, MoDo (Swe Jr.); 2/54. Mike Winther, C, Prince Albert (WHL); 2/61. Devin Shore, C, Whitby (OJHL); 3/74. Esa Lindell, D, Jokerit (Fin Jr.); 4/104. Gemel Smith, C, Owen Sound (OHL); 5/134. Branden Troock, RW, Seattle (WHL); 5/144. Henri Kiviaho, G, Kalpa (Fin Jr.); 7/183. Dmitry Sinitsyn, D, Mass-Lowell (HE)</p><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0132-0237/9866473-1-eng-US/f0132-022.jpg" title="f0132-02" width="1183" height="1181"></div><h3><b>DETROIT RED WINGS</b></h3><p>2/49. Martin Frk, RW, Halifax (QMJHL); 3/80. Jake Paterson, G, Saginaw (OHL); 4/110. Andreas Athanasiou, C, London (OHL); 5/140. Michael McKee, D, Lincoln (USHL).; 6/170. James De Haas, D, Toronto Lakeshore (OJHL); 7/200. Rasmus Bodin, LW, Ostersund (Swe3).</p><h3><b>EDMONTON OILERS</b></h3><p>1/1. Nail Yakupov, RW, Sarnia (OHL); 2/32. Mitchell Moroz, LW, Edmonton (WHL); 3/63. Jujhar Khaira, LW, Prince George (BCHL); 3/91. Daniil Zharkov, LW, Belleville (OHL); 4/93. Erik Gustafsson, D, Djurgarden (Swe); 5/123. Joey LaLeggia, D, Denver (WCHA); 6/153. John McCarron, RW, Cornell (EAC).</p><h3><b>FLORIDA PANTHERS</b></h3><p>1/23. Michael Matheson, D, Dubuque (USHL); 3/84. Steven Hodges, C, Victoria (WHL); 4/114. Alexander Delnov, LW, Mytschi (Rus Jr.); 6/174. Francis Beauvillier, LW, Rimouski (QMJHL); 7/194. Jonatan Nielsen, D, Linkoping (Swe Jr.).</p><h3><b>LOS ANGELES KINGS</b></h3><p>1/30. Tanner Pearson, LW, Barrie (OHL); 4/121. Nikolay Prokhorkin, LW, CSKA (Rus Jr.); 5/151. Colin Miller, D, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL); 6/171. Tomas Hyka, RW, Gatineau (QMJHL); 6/181. Paul Ladue, D, Lincoln (USHL); 7/211. Nick Ebert, D, Windsor (OHL).</p><h3><b>MINNESOTA WILD</b></h3><p>1/7. Matt Dumba, D, Red Deer (WHL); 2/46. Raphael Bussieres, LW, Baie-Comeau (QMJHL); 3/68. John Draeger, D, Shattuck-St. Mary&rsquo;s (High-MN); 4/98. Adam Gilmour, RW, Nobles (High-MA); 5/128. Daniel Gunnarsson, D, Lulea (Swe); 6/158. Christoph Bertschy, C, Bern (Swi); 7/188. Louis Nanne, LW, Edina (High-MN).</p><h3><b>MONTREAL CANADIENS</b></h3><p>1/3. Alex Galchenyuk, C, Sarnia (OHL); 2/33. Sebastian Collberg, RW, Frolunda (Swe); 2/51. Dalton Thrower, D, Saskatoon (WHL); 3/64. Tim Bozon, LW, Kamloops (WHL); 4/94. Brady Vail, LW, Windsor (OHL); 5/122. Charles Hudon, LW, Chicoutimi (QMJHL); 6/154. Erik Nystrom, LW, MoDo (Swe Jr)</p><h3><b>NASHVILLE PREDATORS</b></h3><p>2/37. Pontus Aberg, LW, Djurgarden (Swe); 2/50. Colton Sissons, RW, Kelowna (WHL); 3/66. Jimmy Vesey, LW, South Shore (EJHL); 3/89. Brendan Leipsic, C, Portland (WHL); 4/112. Zachary Stepan, C, Shattuck-St.Mary&rsquo;s (High-MN); 4/118. Mikko Vainonen, D, HIFK (Fin Jr.); 6/164. Simon Fernholm, D, Huddinge (Swe Jr.); 6/172. Max Gortz, RW, Farjestad (Swe Jr.); 6/179. Marek Mazanec, G, Plzen (Cze).</p><h3><b>NEW JERSEY DEVILS</b></h3><p>1/29. Stefan Matteau, LW, USA U-18 (USHL); 2/60. Damon Severson, D, Kelowna (WHL); 3/90. Ben Johnson, C, Windsor (OHL); 4/96. Ben Thomson, LW, Kitchener (OHL); 5/135. Graham Black, C, Swift Current (WHL); 5/150. Alexander Kerfoot, C, Coquitlam (BCHL); 6/180. Artur Gavrus, C, Owen Sound (OHL).</p><h3><b>NEW YORK ISLANDERS</b></h3><p>1/4. Griffin Reinhart, D, Edmonton (WHL); 2/34. Ville Pokka, D, Karpat (Fin); 3/65. Adam Pelech, D, Erie (OHL); 4/103. Loic Leduc, D, Cape Breton (QMJHL); 5/125. Doyle Somerby, D, Kimball Union (High-NH); 6/155. Jesse Graham, D, Niagara (OHL); 7/185. Jake Bischoff, D, Grand Rapids (High-MN).</p><h3><b>NEW YORK RANGERS</b></h3><p>1/28. Brady Skjei, D, USA U-18 (USHL); 2/59. Cristoval Nieves, C, Kent (High-CT); 4/119. Calle Andersson, D, Farjestad (Swe Jr.); 5/142. Thomas Spelling, RW, Herning (Den).</p><h3><b>OTTAWA SENATORS</b></h3><p>1/15. Cody Ceci, D, Ottawa (OHL); 3/76. Chris Driedger, G, Calgary (WHL); 3/82. Jarrod Maidens, C, Owen Sound (OHL); 4/106. Timothy Boyle, D, Nobles (High-MA); 5/136. Robert Baillargeon, C, Indiana (USHL); 6/166. Francois Brassard, G, Quebec (QMJHL); 7/196. Mikael Wikstrand, D, Mora (Swe2).</p><h3><b>PHILADELPHIA FLYERS</b></h3><p>1/20. Scott Laughton, C, Oshawa (OHL); 2/45. Anthony Stolarz, G, Corpus Christi (NAHL); 3/78. Shayne Gostisbehere, D, Union (ECAC); 4/111. Fredric Larsson, D, Brynas (Swe Jr.); 4/117. Taylor Leier, LW, Portland (WHL); 5/141. Reece Willcox, D, Merritt (BCHL); 7/201. Valeri Vasiliev, D, Spartak (Rus Jr)</p><h3><b>PHOENIX COYOTES</b></h3><p>1/27. Henrik Samuelsson, C, Edmonton (WHL); 2/58. Jordan Martinook, C, Vancouver (WHL); 3/88. James Melindy, D, Moncton (QMJHL); 4/102. Rhett Holland, D, Okotoks (AJHL); 5/148. Niklas Tikkinen, D, Blues (Fin Jr.); 6/178. Samuel Fejes, LW, Shattuck-St.Mary&rsquo;s (High-MN); 7/184. Marek Langhamer, G, Pardubice (Cze Jr.); 7/208. Justin Hache, D, Shawinigan (QMJHL).</p><h3><b>PITTSBURGH PENGUINS</b></h3><p>1/8. Derrick Pouliot, D, Portland (WHL); 1/22. Olli Maatta, D, London (OHL); 2/52. Theodor Blueger, C, Shattuck-St.Mary&rsquo;s (High-MN); 3/81. Oskar Sundqvist, C, Skelleftea (Swe Jr.); 3/83. Matthew Murray, G, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL); 4/92. Matia Marcantuoni, C, Kitchener (OHL); 4/113. Sean Maguire, G, Powell River (BCHL); 5/143. Clark Seymour, D, Peterborough (OHL); 6/173. Anton Zlobin, RW, Shawinigan (QMJHL).</p><h3><b>ST. LOUIS BLUES</b></h3><p>1/25. Jordan Schmaltz, D, Green Bay (USHL); 2/56. Samuel Kurker, RW, St. John&rsquo;s Prep (High-MA); 3/67. Mackenzie MacEachern, LW, Brother Rice (High-MI); 3/86. Colton Parayko, D, Fort McMurray (AJHL); 4/116. Nicholas Walters, D, Everett (WHL); 5/146. Francois Tremblay, G, Val-d&rsquo;Or (QMJHL); 6/176. Petteri Lindbohm, D, Jokerit (Fin Jr.); 7/206. Tyrel Seaman, C, Brandon (WHL).</p><h3><b>SAN JOSE SHARKS</b></h3><p>1/17. Tomas Hertl, C, Slavia (Cze); 2/55. Chris Tierney, C, London (OHL); 4/109. Christophe Lalancette, RW, Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL); 5/138. Daniel O&rsquo;Regan, C, St. Sebastian (High-MA); 6/168. Clifford Watson, D, Sioux City (USHL); 7/198. Joakim Ryan, D, Cornell (ECAC).</p><h3><b>TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING</b></h3><p>1/10. Slater Koekkoek, D, Peterborough (OHL); 1/19. Andrei Vasilevski, G, Ufa (Rus Jr.); 2/40. Dylan Blujus, D, Brampton (OHL); 2/53. Brian Hart, RW, Exeter (High-NH); 3/71. Tanner Richard, C, Guelph (OHL); 4/101. Cedric Paquette, C, Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL); 6/161. Jake Dotchin, D, Owen Sound (OHL); 7/202. Nikita Gusev, LW, CSKA (Rus Jr.).</p><h3><b>TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS</b></h3><p>1/5. Morgan Rielly, D, Moose Jaw (WHL); 2/35. Matthew Finn, D, Guelph (OHL); 5/126. Dominic Toninato, C, Duluth East (High-MN); 6/156. Connor Brown, RW, Erie (OHL); 6/157. Ryan Rupert, C, London (OHL); 7/209. Viktor Loov, D, Sodertalje (Swe2).</p><h3><b>VANCOUVER CANUCKS</b></h3><p>1/26. Brendan Gaunce, C, Belleville (OHL); 2/57. Alexandre Mallet, LW, Rimouski (QMJHL); 5/147. Ben Hutton, D, Nepean (CCHL); 6/177. Wesley Myron, LW, Victoria (BCHL); 7/207. Matthew Beattie, RW, Exeter (High-NH).</p><h3><b>WASHINGTON CAPITALS</b></h3><p>1/11. Filip Forsberg, RW, Leksand (Swe2); 1/16. Thomas Wilson, RW, Plymouth (OHL); 3/77. Chandler Stephenson, C, Regina (WHL); 4/100. Thomas Di Pauli, C, USA U-18 (USHL); 4/107. Austin Wuthrich, RW, Notre Dame (CCHA); 5/137. Connor Carrick, D, USA U-18 (USHL); 6/167. Riley Barber, RW, USA U-18 (USHL); 7/195. Christian Djoos, D, Brynas (Swe Jr.); 7/197. Jaynen Rissling, D, Calgary (WHL); 7/203. Sergei Kostenko, G, Novokuznetsk (Rus Jr.).</p><h3><b>WINNIPEG JETS</b></h3><p>1/9. Jacob Trouba, D, USA U-18 (USHL); 2/39. Lukas Sutter, C, Saskatoon (WHL); 3/70. Scott Kosmachuk, RW, Guelph (OHL); 5/130. Connor Hellebuyck, G, Odessa (NAHL); 6/160. Ryan Olsen, C, Saskatoon (WHL); 7/190. Jamie Phillips, G, Toronto JC (OJHL)<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

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NHL STATISTICS 2011-12

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0134-0325/9866654-1-eng-US/f0134-032.jpg" title="f0134-03" width="251" height="269"></div><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0134-0237/9866647-1-eng-US/f0134-022.jpg" title="f0134-02" width="1605" height="1260"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>LION&rsquo;S SHARE</b> No NHLer took more of his team&rsquo;s faceoffs than Tomas Plekanec did in 2011-12. <span class="photo-credit">(FRANCOIS LACASSE/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><h2><b>PCT. OF TEAM FACEOFFS</b></h2><p><b>1. TOMAS PLEKANEC, MTL</b>&nbsp;<b>35.7</b></p><p>2. JASON SPEZZA, OTT <b>35.5</b></p><p>3. MIKKO KOIVU, MIN <b>34.9</b></p><p>4. JOHN TAVARES, NYI <b>34.7</b></p><p>5. ERIC STAAL, CAR <b>34.6</b></p><p>6. P. BERGERON, BOS <b>34.4</b></p><p>7. BRYAN LITTLE, WPG <b>34.2</b></p><p>8. CLAUDE GIROUX, PHI <b>34.0</b></p><p>9. JONATHAN TOEWS, CHI <b>33.4</b></p><p>10. SIDNEY CROSBY, PIT <b>33.3</b></p><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0134-0162/9866640-1-eng-US/f0134-012.jpg" title="f0134-01" width="2336" height="1448"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

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QUICK STICKS

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0135-0161/9866699-1-eng-US/f0135-012.jpg" title="f0135-01" width="251" height="275"></div><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0135-0237/9866692-1-eng-US/f0135-022.jpg" title="f0135-02" width="1598" height="1262"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>SELKE SMOOTH</b> Patrice Bergeron&rsquo;s plus-36 was one reason why he won best defensive forward. <span class="photo-credit">(STEVE BABINEAU/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><h2><b>BEST PLUS-MINUS</b></h2><p><b>1. PATRICE BERGERON, BOS</b>&nbsp;<b>+36</b></p><p>2. TYLER SEGUIN, BOS <b>+34</b></p><p>3. CHRIS KELLY, BOS <b>+33</b></p><p>- ZDENOCHARA, BOS <b>+33</b></p><p>5. BRAD MARCHAND, BOS <b>+31</b></p><p> 6. DAN HAMHUIS, VAN <b>+29</b></p><p> 7. PATRICK SHARP, CHI <b>+28</b></p><p>8. JOHNNY BOYCHUK, BOS <b>+27</b></p><p>9. RAY WHITNEY, PHX <b>+26</b></p><p>- FILIPKUBA, OTT <b>+26</b></p><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0135-0331/9866685-1-eng-US/f0135-032.jpg" title="f0135-03" width="2344" height="1448"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

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POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0136-0164/9866744-1-eng-US/f0136-012.jpg" title="f0136-01" width="249" height="275"></div><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0136-0240/9866737-1-eng-US/f0136-022.jpg" title="f0136-02" width="1601" height="1263"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>VICTORIOUS VARLAMOV</b> The Avalanche netminder&rsquo;s shootout dominance was way of the pack in 2011-12. <span class="photo-credit">(MICHAEL MARTIN/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><h2><b>SHOOTOUT SAVE PCT.</b></h2><p><b>1</b><b>. S. VARLAMOV, COL</b>&nbsp;<b>.917</b>2. JIMMY HOWARD, DET <b>.815</b></p><p>3. COREY CRAWFORD, CHI <b>.813</b></p><p>4. JOSH HARDING, MIN <b>.783</b></p><p>5. EVGENI NABOKOV, NYI <b>.778</b></p><p>6. ANTTI NIEMI, SJ <b>.775</b></p><p>7. M-A FLEURY, PIT <b>.769</b></p><p> - KARI LEHTONEN, DAL <b>.769</b></p><p> - TIMTHOMAS, BOS <b>.769</b></p><p> 10. DEVAN DUBNYK, EDM <b>.741</b></p><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0136-0325/9866730-1-eng-US/f0136-032.jpg" title="f0136-03" width="2336" height="1448"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

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STONEMASONS

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0137-0239/9866789-1-eng-US/f0137-022.jpg" title="f0137-02" width="251" height="269"></div><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0137-0160/9866782-1-eng-US/f0137-012.jpg" title="f0137-01" width="1599" height="1264"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>THIS DOG CAN HUNT</b> Radim Vrbata scored 12 winners and also set a career high with 35 goals on the season. <span class="photo-credit">(GREGORY SHAMUS/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><h2><b>GAME-WINNING GOALS</b></h2><p><b>1. RADIM VRBATA, PHX</b>&nbsp;<b>12</b></p><p> - STEVENSTAMKOS, TB <b>12</b></p><p>3. JOHAN FRANZEN, DET <b>10</b></p><p>4. EVGENI MALKIN, PIT <b>9</b></p><p> - RYANCALLAHAN, NYR <b>9</b></p><p>- BRADRICHARDS, NYR <b>9</b></p><p>7. PATRICK SHARP, CHI <b>8</b></p><p> - JOHN TAVARES, NYI <b>8</b></p><p> - PASCALDUPUIS, PIT <b>8</b></p><p>- PATRICKMARLEAU, SJ <b>8</b></p><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0137-0327/9866775-1-eng-US/f0137-032.jpg" title="f0137-03" width="2344" height="1448"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

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FANTASTIC FINISHERS

<div class="image-hero"><img title="f0138-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0138-0157/9866834-1-eng-US/f0138-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(STAMKOS: SCOTT AUDETTE/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES; GRABOVSKI: GRAIG ABEL/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0140-0154/9866827-1-eng-US/f0140-012.jpg" title="f0140-01" width="5173" height="3546"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(O&rsquo;REILLY: DOUG PENSINGER/GETTY IMAGES; KRONWALL: JAMIE SABAU/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES; ANDY MARLIN/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0142-0148/9866820-1-eng-US/f0142-012.jpg" title="f0142-01" width="2595" height="3543"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

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2012-13 PROJECTED TOTALS CHECKLIST

<div class="image-hero"><img title="f0143-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0143-0150/9866865-1-eng-US/f0143-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(WARD: GREGG FORWERCK/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES; NIEMI: CHRISTIAN PETERSEN/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

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PROJECTIONS FOR GOALTENDERS

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POOLIE WORKSHEET

<div class="image-hero"><img title="f0146-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0146-0150/9866934-1-eng-US/f0146-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(FRANCOIS LACASSE/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0148-0149/9866927-1-eng-US/f0148-012.jpg" title="f0148-01" width="5189" height="3546"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(BRUCE BENNETT/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

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NHL SCHEDULE 2012-13

<div class="byline">BY DARRYL DOBBS</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0150-02" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0150-0222/9866979-1-eng-US/f0150-022.jpg"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>S</span>maller</b>&nbsp;<b>skilled players</b> often take several extra years to make their mark in the NHL. After all, they need to prove themselves a lot more than their larger brethren. Coaches would much sooner play a 21-year-old rookie who&rsquo;s 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds than a 23-year-old rookie at 5-foot-9, 175 &ndash; all things being equal. Look no further than Martin St-Louis, who finally secured full-time NHL employment and hit the 40-point mark for the first time at 27.</p><p>Bigger players such as Chris Pronger and Todd Bertuzzi often make the NHL sooner because their huge frames, even at 19 or 20, can handle the rigors of the NHL. They apprentice there &ndash; often with high expectations. Since they&rsquo;re learning on the job, however, their point production often remains modest early in their careers. And when a much-hyped Pronger-type enters his mid-20s with six seasons under his belt and nothing special to show for it, fantasy owners start to bail.</p><p>To their regret.</p><p>But can we be blamed? If a player never tops X points in a season after six years, logic dictates he won&rsquo;t do it the ensuing campaign. Here are the track records of notable active &ldquo;big men&rdquo; 6-foot-4 or taller.</p><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0150-0146/9866972-1-eng-US/f0150-012.jpg" title="f0150-01" width="1189" height="1827"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>MARTIN HANZAL PHOENIX COYOTES</b> <span class="photo-credit">(NORM HALL/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>Jason Arnott, Ryan Getzlaf, Joe Thornton, Milan Lucic and Eric Staal indicate some sizeable players explode early. And Taylor Pyatt suggests some big players with offensive potential never get there. But by and large, the big fellas bust out at 25, 26 or even older.</p><p>If you wrote off a 25-year-old Pronger as a 46-point player, you would have passed on one of the best defensemen to own in keeper leagues for his era. How many fantasy owners angrily traded Blake Wheeler last November when he had just five points through 14 games and his career high was 45? Wheeler had 59 points the rest of the way and finally broke out seven years after he was drafted.</p><p>Here are 10 big men who&rsquo;ve fallen short of fantasy land expectations for several seasons. They represent excellent buy-low opportunities in keeper leagues. They may not break out this year, but should some time before 27.</p><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0150-0315/9866965-1-eng-US/f0150-032.jpg" title="f0150-03" width="1404" height="823"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

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Ultimate Fantasy Pool Guide 2012-13

KNUCKLE SANDWICH BOARD

DRAFT TACTICS

SECRET’S OUT ON THE SENATORS

LIFE AFTER LIDSTROM NO PICNIC