Review

August 6, 2006

Change Of Scenery

The past NHL off-season has been a busy one. Big names have been traded and signed that you probably wouldn’t think would be skating with a new team next season. I am going to provide a list with the biggest impact players with their new teams.

Martin Havlat, RW, Chicago Blackhawks

A nice addition for the Blackhawks. Disgruntled in Ottawa, Martin now finds himself a home in Chicago for the next three years. Havlat was traded to Chicago along with center Bryan Smolinski, for Tom Preissing, Josh Hennessey, Michal Barinka and a 2008 second round draft pick. Chicago just traded for Michal Handzus, so I expect him to center the top line with Martin, and they will form a nice duo in the Windy City. Havlat should be on Chicago’s top line next fall and should be good for 60-70 points.

Fredrik Modin, LW, Columbus Blue Jackets

Modin was acquired in exchange for goaltender Marc Denis. Modin will most likely play on the second line and get plenty of opportunities on the power play, and 5-on-5 situations. Modin should be able to approach the 60 point mark this fall.

Dominik Hasek, G, Detroit Red Wings

Hasek signed as a free agent on July 31^st. If Hasek can play 40 games, it will prove to be a very nice signing for Detroit; however, if Hasek’s groin injury flares up early, this could turn out to be a bad move. Hasek signed for $750,000 and could serve as a mentor for up and coming goaltender Jimmy Howard. Hasek should be a good gamble late in drafts.

Jason Arnott, C, Nashville Predators

Arnott signed a five year deal as a free agent this off-season. He should center the top line that consists of Paul Kariya and Steve Sullivan. Jason should be a valuable member to fantasy squads this year, as he will be sure to put up decent numbers centering those two previously mentioned, and he has always been known to rack up those PIM. Arnott should be good for 65 points this season.

Bill Guerin, RW, St. Louis Blues

Guerin also signed as a free agent. Dallas was ready to get rid of this guy for awhile, and now he is hoping to re-establish himself in St. Louis. He is currently slated to play on the second line, but could overtake Vladimir Orszagh for the top right wing spot and be on a line with Keith Tkachuk and Doug Weight. If Guerin can prove he can play on the top line, he is worth a mid to late round pick in fantasy pools. If he is stuck on the second line, he might not be worth owning. If he can make his way to the top line, I’d venture to guess he should get 45-50 points.

Alex Tanguay, LW, Calgary Flames

In one of the most surprising off-season moves, Colorado Avalanche traded youngster Alex Tanguay to the Flames for Jordan Leopold and two picks. This is quite the impact trade for the Flames, as it gives Jarome Iginla some much needed help on the team’s top line. If Tanguay can stay healthy, he could reach the 80 point mark.

Jordan Leopold, D, Colorado Avalanche

Leopold was acquired in a trade with Calgary Flames for left wing Alex Tanguay. The Avs were searching for a young defenseman, who has a lot of potential, and they found him in Leopold, but many feel as if Colorado paid too much to get that. Leopold recently had surgery to repair a hernia and he will miss three months, but will luckily only miss a couple regular season games. A change of scenery might be just what the doctor ordered for Jordan. I will expect 30-35 points, or possibly higher, this season.

Pavol Demitra, RW, Minnesota Wild

Wild paid a big price to acquire Demitra from the Kings. They had to part with youngster Patrick O’Sullivan. I like this move for the Wild, as it gives Marian Gaborik another scoring option. These two played together during the Olympics and worked well together. I would expect Demitra to get to at least the 70 point mark.

Roberto Luongo, G, Vancouver Canucks

In arguably the biggest off-season move, the Canucks acquired talented backstop Roberto Luongo. Luongo refused to sign a long term deal with Florida, so he was shipped out. This is a huge acquisition for the Canucks, as it gives them a bona fide number one net minder for years to come. Luongo is a top five goalie in the West and a top goalie in the NHL. He should be high on your draft lists.

Chris Pronger, D, Anaheim Ducks

Pronger is one of the top defensemen in the game, and helped lead the Edmonton Oilers to the Stanley Cup Finals last season. He will be teaming up with Scott Niedermayer to form one of the top defensive duos in hockey history. Expect Pronger to reach the 50 point mark.

Eric Lindros, RW, Dallas Stars

Dallas is taking a huge risk here. If Lindros can stay healthy, which is quite unlikely, the Stars may have found a nice pickup. Lindros is notorious for getting hurt, and I don’t expect next season to be any different. I will be a little generous and say Lindros gets 35 points on Dallas’ second line.

Rob Blake, D, Los Angeles Kings

Blake goes back to his original team. Blake expressed his desire to stay in Denver, and even went as far to fire his agent to negotiate a new contract himself. After that seemingly fell through, Blake went back to the Kings. The Kings had agreed with Zdeno Chara on a deal, but he backed out at the last minute, leaving King fans with a bitter taste in their mouths. Blake is still a top defenseman; you can expect 40-45 points from this big hitter.

Ed Jovanovski, D, Phoenix Coyotes

The Coyotes made a big splash early when they signed Jovo. Jovanovski is coming off an injury plagued season, but should still be the top defenseman in Phoenix, getting lots of ice time, plus plenty of power play time. I think it would be fair to expect at least 40 points from Jovanovski this season.

Brendan Shanahan, LW, New York Rangers

Shanny went from the Motor City to the Big Apple. Shanahan will be playing on the top line in New York along with Jagr. Shanahan should be able to match, and potentially eclipse, his 2005-2006 point total of 81 while in New York next season.

Mark Recchi, RW, Pittsburgh Penguins

Recchi returns to the Penguins after being traded by them, to Carolina last season. Recchi made it known he wanted to return to Pittsburgh, and he got just that. He should be on the top line with Sidney Crosby, and should be able to easily get 65 points playing along side Sid.

Zdeno Chara, D, Boston Bruins

Boston decided they needed to make some big signings if they wanted to keep their fans interested after they traded away Joe Thornton last season. They did just that by signing big Zdeno Chara and Marc Savard to long contracts. Chara should get 40 points this season, to go along with 130+ PIM. He should be fairly high on your draft list.

Sergei Samsonov, LW, Montreal Canadiens

Samsonov comes to Montreal after a brief stop in Edmonton. GM Bob Gainey was active the day he signed Sergei, dealing away underachieving Richard Zednik and also bringing in Mike Johnson. Samsonov should compete for top line, but might end up on the third line. I’d predict Samsonov will get to the 50 point plateau.

Martin Gerber, G, Ottawa Senators

Gerber won the Stanley Cup in Carolina, but was overtaken by Cam Ward as the team’s number one goalie. He will look to re-establish himself as a number one in Ottawa. He could potentially be in the same situation in Ottawa with youngster Ray Emery ready to take the reigns. Draft him accordingly.

Andrew Raycroft, G, Toronto Maple Leafs

Raycroft is coming off a disappointing sophomore season in Boston, where he was rarely used. Toronto is hoping he can turn it around after a change of scenery and hope he can perform like he did in his rookie campaign. I don’t see why Andrew wouldn’t be able to be a solid backstop for the Leafs for years to come. He will be a nice mid round selection in your fantasy pools.

Scott Walker, RW, Carolina Hurricanes

The Canes traded away Josef Vasicek to get Walker. Walker was plagued by injuries last season, but when healthy, he is a productive player. Scott will most likely be on the Canes third line with Trevor Letowski and Ray Whitney. If he can stay healthy, Walker should be able to get to 40-45 points.

Todd Bertuzzi, RW, Florida Panthers

Finally out of the Vancouver spotlight and the Steve Moore incident, Bertuzzi might be able to put it all behind him and become a go to type player once again. Bertuzzi will be on a line with Olli Jokinen, and I feel that tandem could be a top one in the East this season. Expect Bertuzzi to approach the 80 point mark.

Marc Denis, G, Tampa Bay Lightning

GM Jay Feaster acquired what he calls a ‘bona fide number one’ goalie. I wouldn’t necessarily call Denis that, but he is a solid number one minder. The Lightning are hoping Denis can do what John Grahame was unable to do last season; stay consistent. Denis should be a nice late round pick in your pools.

Richard Zednik, RW, Washington Capitals

Zednik goes back to the team he got his start with. After a miserable season in Montreal, Richard is looking to make himself known again in the nation’s capital. I wouldn’t expect more than 50 points from Zednik this season, unless he should find his way onto the top line with Ovechkin, in which he could get 65-70 points.

Change Of Scenery

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