Month: July 2011

The salamehockey.com site administrators, over the course the next few weeks, will be taking a look at each team’s roster and analyzing the likely scenarios for keepers and re-signs for the upcoming 2011-2012 season. The much anticipated final one!  TEAM: MAGNUM GM: Giulio Iaconi  FORWARDS – KEEPERS  1. Anze Kopitar, Kings – Usually gets off to a very quick start to the season, this year should be no exception given the offensive additions the kings have made in the off season. Anze should benefit from the additions of Mike Richards and Simon Gange (if healthy obviously) and one could reasonable expect him to once again reach the 80 point plateau and beyond. The Kings are really looking to have success this season, and that may rest on the very capable shoulders of Mr. Kopitar. On a side note, be prepared if you enter a bet with Giulio that involves the naming rights to your first born child as it will undoubtedly be Anze should you lose.  2. Martin St Louis, Lightning – Undrafted and unwanted early in his career, Marty is now 36 and still producing better than almost anyone in the league. He has back to back 90+ point seasons and over 450 points in the past 5 years and even more amazing for a tiny guy in the NHL is in that same period he HASN’T missed a game! Coach Guy Boucher will continue to use him in every situation so the points will come from everywhere.  Oh and he plays with a guy you may have heard of, Steven Stamkos so look for another 85+ season from the mini-Lavaler.  3. Paul Stastny, Avalanche – With the crazies that run the Avalanche who knows if he will stay in Colorado or be traded for two 4 rounders and a lunch coupon from the Olive Garden, but let’s assume he stays… He didn’t have his best season last year, but then again no one on the Avs played well. Paul and Matt Duchene will be relied on heavily to produce (because they gave everyone else away!), but even then the team is the front runner for a lottery pick next year. Expect Paul to have a better season next year, but without a better supporting cast around him he will not reach his career high of 79 points… unless of course he gets traded out of the crazy house!  4. Ryan Kesler, Canucks – Kesler and the rest of the Canucks will have to shake off the heartbreaking loss at home in the Stanley Cup finals. It was revealed that he was playing injured in the finals but the off season surgery should not be of much concern as he will be ready for the start of the season. His point total should remain around to 70-80 point range given the fact that he plays on a the same team as the Sedins. The most important question around Kesler during the off season is why does he look more like Leo Luongo than Roberto does?? 5. David Backes, Blues – The Blues leading scorer last season put up decent numbers despite playing on a team that was destroyed by injuries. He can expect a boost to his totals thanks to a full season playing with a very dangerous top 6, with Perron and Oshie returning from injury shortened seasons and Chris Stewart playing a full year with the Blues (thank you very much to the crazies in Colorado). St Louis has made some nice additions to their line up in the off season and should make a decent push for a playoff spot. Look for Backes to better his point total this year. 6. Patrice Bergeron, Bruins – The Stanely Cup center from La Belle Province (but don’t tell Bruin fans he is French), seems to have finally put the injuries that plagued him early in his career behind him. His role on the Bruins will grow given the uncertain status of Marc Savard, and I fully expect his point totals to increase to career highs. The only thing that can hurt him is if the Bruins experience a post-Stanley Cup downfall (God I hope so!), otherwise expect another strong season from him.  7. Jussi Jokinen, Hurricanes – The former shootout specialist seems to have found a groove playing in Carolina. The departure of Erik Cole should see him have a better offensive season as he could once again reach the 60 point mark. BTW, he is not related to Olli, which is probably a good thing!  FORWARDS – RESIGNS 8. Teemu Selanne, Ducks – I can say nothing more about Teemu than he is a God among boys. Should he decide to return then he can be counted on for a good amount of points. Although I don’t think he will reach the level he was at last season he will still contribute on a very potent Ducks offense. 9. Kris Versteeg, Panthers – One of many new Florida Panthers, it is hard to evaluate where he will fit in and what direction the team will take. Hopefully another change of scenery will do him some good as he had trouble hitting his groove in Toronto and Philly. The Panther are his fourth team in the past 2 seasons, but the only team that he has been on that will rely on him to be their leading scorer. 50 points seems reasonable for his first season in the Sunshine state, provided he finds a way to mesh with his teammates.   DEFENSE – KEEPERS 1. Keith Yandle, Coyotes – Considered by many to be one of the most underrated players in the league, Keith had a breakout season last year scoring career highs. Fresh off that year he signed a 5 year deal to keep him in Phoenix (or at least with the franchise wherever it goes). The Coyotes will struggle this year after losing their number 1 goalie, and while Yandle will still provide plenty of offense from the […]