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Ultimate Fantasy Pool Guide 2008-09
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.
Avs’ strong point is not goaltending
There is a changing of the guard in Denver, as Joe Sakic passes the torch to Paul Stastny. Colorado’s leading scorer last season, Stastny will become familiar with the position of leading the offense the next several seasons. Meanwhile, Sakic has yet to determine whether he wants to continue playing and is coming off an injury-filled campaign. Help for Stastny will come from wingers Milan Hejduk and Ryan Smyth, as well as emerging youngsters Wojtek Wolski and T.J. Hensick. Marek Svatos has sniper potential, but has yet to fulfill it. Tyler Arnason provides third-line offense, while Svatos might see time there as well. Darcy Tucker could be a real steal if he can regain his 20-goal form. Also, keep an eye on second-year winger David Jones. On defense, John-Michael Liles and Adam Foote were…
PLEASE MR. COMMISSIONER
As one of the original participants of hockey pools, I implore the National Hockey League to make things the way they were back in the early 1980s when we first started doing these things. Just turn your channel to NHL Classics and watch a game from the 1980s or earlier. No, I don’t mean for the moustaches. I’m talking about the size of goalie equipment. Those were the days when a small goalie like Pat Riggin remained a small goalie and not a stuffed jalapeno like Manny Legace. There’s no question in my mind the caliber of goaltending is better than ever. Most stoppers are supremely talented and conditioned and are capable of dominating games. So why did their equipment have to get bigger over the years? It’s putting a huge drag…
Is the Cup run a curse for the inexperienced?
A popular phrase in hockey is “act like you’ve been there before.” When it comes to avoiding the dreaded ‘Stanley Cup hangover,’ it seems the key is just that: experience. In analyzing the stats of some of the major offensive contributors on recent Cup finalist teams, veterans had much better statistical seasons the year after a Cup run than their younger teammates. The 2004 finalists, the Tampa Bay Lightning and Calgary Flames, were not considered, since the lockout gave everyone a long break. Generally, players older than 30, such as Carolina’s Rod Brind’Amour or Ottawa’s Daniel Alfredsson, put up better regular season numbers the year after playing for the championship, while youngsters such as Eric Staal or Dany Heatley saw their production drop. And just to prove it isn’t all about age, Scott…
SKY’S THE LIMIT
The pieces are really beginning to fall into place for Washington Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin. Th rough three NHL seasons, Ovie has tallied 310 points in 245 games. Last year, he had his best total to date – 65 goals and 112 points in 82 games. And as if that didn’t terrify opponents enough, all indicators point to the Russian wunderkind breaking his personal goal-scoring mark this season. “Remember, there were seven games in a row last year when he didn’t have any,” noted Caps coach Bruce Boudreau. “And he still ended up with 65. I can think of at least five (chances) he missed to get to 70.” Of course, the affable Boudreau is one of a number of reasons Ovechkin has a shot at putting up numbers the league hasn’t seen…
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