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.
TEAM: PUNISHERS
GM: FRANCO MUCCI
FORWARDS
KEEPERS
1. Dany Heatley, Sharks – Heatley disappointed in 2011 with a poor 64 pt showing where several other Sharks took the spotlight and became household names. Since moving to the West Coast, the former 50 goal scorer with a career high of 105 pts has not delivered the same numbers, but remains a venerable threat year in, year out, especially with the players he’s surrounded with. Expect anywhere from 70-90 pts in 2011-2012.
2. Marian Hossa, Blackhawks – Hossa joined the Hawks to provide leadership and add depth scoring with a two-way punch. While his production on a per-game basis has been steadily productive (57 in 65 in 2011 and 51 in 57 in 2010), Hossa’s last 80 game season was in 2006-2007. This should temper all expectations that peg him higher, and as such, it’s logical to peg Hossa as a type of player who will score 60-70 pts in 65-75 games.
3. Logan Couture, Sharks – The Sharks knew they had a good thing in Couture when they drafted him 9th overall in the 2007 entry draft, as the young center continued to produce at every level he reached as he entered the NHL in 2010. Couture delivered a Calder-worthy performance in 2011, with 56 pts in 79 games, and mixing it up with the most talented forwards each and every game. The talented Couture has a good upside, and in his prime, will likely become a 70+ point producer.
4. Jordan Eberle, Oilers – The “baby-faced assassin” had lofty expectations going into the 2011 season, with many people thinking he was the second coming after a dominant performance at the 2010 WJC. Eberle, in an injury-shortened season, delivered 43 pts and developed good chemistry with linemate Taylor Hall. With good talent and some patience from the Edmonton brass, Eberle is capable of becoming a first line forward with 70-80 pt production 2-3 years down the line.
5. Derek Roy, Sabres – Before an injury cut his season in half (as it does for most of Franco’s players around the month of October or November, or what the SFHL calls early tanking season), Roy was on a tear, scoring 35 pts in 35 games. Roy would then go on to miss the rest of the season but despite this, will return in 2011-2012 and will certainly take up the first line center position for the Sabres. Pairing excellent offensive instincts, and good wingers to set up, the diminutive center can reach 70-80 pts in a full season, which was usually the case prior to 2011.
6. Travis Zajac, Devils – Zajac sorely missed his buddy Zach Parise in 2011, as his prior seasons of 62 and 67 pts dictate. 2011 spelled a year of transition for the devils, as they welcomed franchise forward Ilya Kovalchuk into the mix, but the chemistry with existing Devils forwards wasn’t quick to develop. Zajac went on to complete a full season and score only 44 pts. As such, 2011-2012 will likely feature a rebound with the return of Parise, but with so many pts to go around with less icetime being given to the frontline duo of past years in Jersey, expectations should be tempered to approximately 55-65 pts.
7. Derick Brassard, Blue Jackets – at the age of 23, Brassard has proven a few things: he can’t play at a very high level for an entire season, and he isn’t the most durable of players under 25. That being said, Brassard has excellent skill, and will continue to be heralded as a Blue Jackets’ top six forward. It was once thought that the line of Filatov-Brassard-Voracek would wreak havoc on the NHL, but that has not yet happened, and the imminent arrival of Ryan Johansen will only further hurt Brassard’s chances of developing into a first line center to pair with Rick Nash. Expect anywhere from 50-60 pts, depending on Brassard’s pre-season conditioning and preparation.
RESIGNS
8. Ray Whitney, Coyotes – Whitney has proven time and time again that he cannot be excluded from the discussion of excellent scoring forwards. Playing on a defense-first Coyotes team, he went on to score 57 pts in 75 games, on par with the prior year. As Whitney ages, he will surely take back seat to younger talent, but for the time being, can be relied upon for more of the same in a top six role.
9. Rene Bourque, Flames – Rene seems to miss some time due to injury each and every year, however 2011 proved otherwise. The 29 year old played his first 80 game season in his career (that’s right, his first!) on his way to achieving 50 pts, lower than his career high 58 set in 2010. Bourque can be relied upon for top six production for the time being, assuming the Flames are not blown up anytime soon.
10. Simon Gagne, Lightning – Gagne has achieved two consecutive 40 pt seasons with trustworthy dependability and solid durability above the shoulders. Having hit 70 pts twice in his career, he has displayed talent in his past and has gelled well with the Lightning in a depth scoring role, but remains no more than an injury-prone top six option.
11. Tyler Bozak, Maple Leafs – at the tender age of 25, Tyler is tearing it up with the Leafs. The Ukrainian-Canadian descent forward projects as a top six forward, but after a disappointing 2011, he will need to elevate his game to remain relevant on serious contender like the Leafs franchise Brian Burke is dreaming of creating.
12. David Jones, Avalanche – the young David Jones has progressed each year he has played in the NHL and has finally surpassed the 70 games played mark in his fourth season. David broke out for 45 pts and will likely see elevated ice time with the departure of Chris Stewart late in the 2011 season.
DEFENSE
KEEPERS
1. Cam Fowler, Ducks – For some stupid reason, Cam Fowler was left to be drafted at 12th overall after having been projected at third overall throughout the entire season leading up to the 2010 entry draft. Once again, the Ducks are making a mockery of the NHL as the young Fowler has quickly become a steady presence on the blueline for the Ducks. His first season saw him score 40 pts in 76 games, and the future is bright for Fowler given the effectiveness of the Ducks power play. He is a risk for s sophomore slump, but will likely post another 40+ pts season with long-term upside in the 50-60 pt range.
2. Niklas Kronwall, Red Wings – Nik Kronwall, at the raw age of 30, is probably the youngest blueliner with impact for the Red Wings. Having broken out in 2008-2009 with a 51 pt effort, Kronwall has taken a backseat ever since and has focused on becoming a better all-around option for the Red Wings. In all likelihood, the Swede will become the heir to the PP QB role that will be left void by the departure of the timeless Nicklas Lidstrom, but only time will tell if that is to happen this coming season or in a few more. For the time being, it is safe to expect anywhere from 35 to 45 pts from Kronwall until he takes over.
3. Jamie McBain, Hurricanes – the young defender is the key to Hurricanes blue line in the future, and quickly impressed in 2010 with his 10 pts in 14 gp. 2011 proved to be a year of adjustment, where McBain would go on to score 30 pts and gain valuable experience with a younger Hurricanes team. He projects as a top-pairing defenseman with 40-50 pt upside.
RESIGNS
4. Tom Gilbert, Oilers – After a dominant showing in the 2009 season, Gilbert has slipped production-wise as the Oilers have favoured a good tanking philosophy. With Ryan Whitney now manning the point, Gilbert will either see secondary PP time or will have to step up his game once more to contribute offensively as he has in the past. He remains a good top 4 option.
5. Joe Corvo, Hurricanes – Corvo is another strong powerplay performer, having delivered a good 40 pt season with the Hurricanes in 2011. He will likely continue to play a big part in the Hurricanes powerplay, and continue to play the role of a leader for their budding defensive prospects.
6. Zach Bogosian, Thrashers – Atlanta is still waiting for Bogosian the Armenian to deliver on his draft pedigree, after being selected third in the 2008 entry draft following Stamkos and Doughty, who have both established themselves as NHL stars. Time has not yet run out on the big defenseman, but with two solid options above him on the depth chart, Bogosian may require a little more patience until he hits his stride.
7. Jordan Leopold, Sabres – after having started his NHL career in Calgary, Jordan proceeded with stints in Colorado, Calgary again, Florida, Pittsburgh and finally Buffalo before becoming a factor again at the blue line. A good 35 pt campaign put him back on the radar for the time being as a good depth defenseman.
GOALTENDERS
KEEPERS
1. Pekka Rinne, Predators – Pekka, having missed some time during the 2011 season, put up incredible numbers once more and was voted a Vezina trophy candidate. As long as he remains behind a truly world-class defense, the talented Rinne is capable of reaching at least 40 wins and 5-7 shutouts per season.
RESIGNS
2. Semyon Varlamov, Capitals – Varlamov, while talented, is quite injury-prone and is still battling for playing time with the more consistent Michal Neuvirth. While his talent is undeniable, a healthy season is what the young Russian will need if he wishes to succeed at the NHL level.
3. Ondrej Pavelec, Thrashers – Despite a worrisome fainting spell early in the 2011 season, Pavelec has established himself as the number one option for a young Atlanta team. As time goes on, the young Czech will likely become a formidable talent in goal.