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Draft Preview 2015
The Hockey News has been providing the most comprehensive coverage of the world of hockey since 1947. In each issue, you'll find news, features and opinions about the NHL and leagues across North America and the world.
KEEPERS OF THE PUCK NEED GOALS
LOS ANGELES KINGS THE ANALYTICS CROWD ARE quick to point out the possession-dominating Kings missing the playoffs was a stats anomaly. The purists say possession stats mean nothing if you don’t possess a playoff spot after 82 regular season games. What can’t be argued is Los Angeles played a league-high 64 games the past three playoffs. The time off this spring will do their bodies good. SHORT-TERM NEEDS: The Kings couldn’t score goals down the stretch if their playoff lives literally depended upon it. They won two Stanley Cups with an offense that was bottom-tier in the NHL. It was middle of the pack this year, but with a thinned out defense corps, all those extra shot attempts didn’t make a difference on the scoreboard. More secondary scoring is needed. LONG-TERM NEEDS: The…
YOUNG HUNGER FUELS REBUILD
COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS THE BLUE JACKETS WILL draft players from any and all circuits, but those kids tend to wind up in either major junior or the AHL. Sonny Milano chose Plymouth over Boston College, Peter Quenneville left Quinnipiac for Brandon, Markus Soberg went from Sweden to Windsor and Marko Dano dumped the KHL for the AHL. Will the trend continue? SHORT-TERM NEEDS: Healthy bodies. Seriously, 2014-15 was a nightmare of woes for Columbus, which led the NHL in man games lost to injury. At least it opened up spot duty for youngsters such as Dano, Josh Anderson and Anton Forsberg. While it’s nice to give the kids a taste, it’s also important to keep them on their original development track. LONG-TERM NEEDS: More blueliners are the order of the day, especially since…
ALWAYS LOOKING BACKWARD
PHILADELPHIA FLYERS THE FLYERS AREN’T PICKY about where their talent comes from or where those players are going as long as they have potential. Prep schoolers and kids destined for mid-table NCAA schools such as Bowling Green and Connecticut have all been selected lately, as was NAHL goalie Anthony Stolarz. Curiously, no players from the OHL – a traditional hotbed – have donned the Orange and Black the past two drafts. SHORT-TERM NEEDS: Philly’s defense has been abominable for several years. Shayne Gostisbehere and Robert Hagg are almost ready, while Samuel Morin and Travis Sanheim will follow, but there’s a gap requiring immediate help. LONG-TERM NEEDS: Goaltending has kinda been a thing in Philadelphia since Ron Hextall left – and now he’s the GM. Steve Mason has done some yeoman’s work to little…
POUNDING SAND IN THE DESERT
ARIZONA COYOTES IT LOOKS FISHY THAT Arizona traded Devan Dubnyk just 19 games into the season and he went on to become a Hart Trophy candidate for the Minnesota Wild. Almost as though the Coyotes were making a run for Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel. But few could have predicted Dubnyk would maintain his spectacular play. After all, he was a bargain-basement signing by Arizona last off-season. SHORT-TERM NEEDS: Only the pop-gun offense of Buffalo was worse than that of the Coyotes. Defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (23 goals) was the lone player with more than 17 goals. Arizona needs better goaltending as well, but that will have to come in-house from Mike Smith, who’s signed long term. LONG-TERM NEEDS: Smith is 33 and coming off a subpar season. He’s rebounded before, but there’s no…
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