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 2010-2011 season.
Red Menace
Forwards
Keepers
- Derek Roy, Buffalo – Derek is a versatile and speedy forward with very good playmaking skills and is capable of hitting a 80+ pts ceiling if he plays consistently with a very good goalscorer. His career year came in parallel to Pominville’s after Buffalo’s last major exodus, and Roy and has stepped into the role of top line center ever since, without danger of losing it. He is likely to be paired with Vanek and/or Pominville for years to come.
- Thomas Vanek, Buffalo – Thomas Vanek, the world’s best known Austrian hockey player, has managed to make fantasy hockey managers scream with praise and frustration, all within a rather short five year time period. While many peg the big winger as a goal-scoring force akin to a Marian Hossa with 90+ point potential, it seems that Thomas’ 84-point, +47 career sophomore season might have come too soon. While he is clearly a perennial potential 40-goal scorer, Thomas does little much else in the way of points production and is notorious for being streaky. Nonetheless, he is due to bounce back after two rather disappointing and injury-laden seasons. Expect a range of 65-85 pts for many years to come.
- Dustin Brown, Los Angeles – The LA captain and former first round pick is a strong presence on the ice as well as off the ice (he is a great human being and he “gets it”). He remains a fixture on the LA top six and often sees ice time on the powerplay alongside Los Angeles frontman Anze Kopitar, and has potential to deliver more than 60 pts with a ceiling in the mid-70’s.
- Wojtek Wolski, Phoenix – Often plagued by a fellow GM’s comments as being “lazy”, Wojtek is a key cog in the Phoenix youth movement and has broken out nicely this season, giving GMs indication he has the work ethic to meet his originally tabbed 70-80 point potential. Expect 60+ pts and more if Phoenix continues to play as it has this season.
- Jakub Voracek, Columbus – Jake has effectively grown into an excellent forward in the past year, busting out of the gate with Jagr-esque hair and poise to make Columbus see that he has point-per-game potential. While he still may be a year or two away from fully reaching his first rounder potential, Jake can offer 50-60 pts as a current production with a ceiling in the 75-85 range once he finds his stride.
- Shane Doan, Phoenix – Shane is a tried, tested and true forward on a burgeoning Phoenix team with extensive offensive firepower coming to maturity in the coming years. His leadership qualities and physical contributions to the team make him a valuable asset to own, despite his age. Look for 60+ pts until Shane’s icetime begins to decline in favor of younger forwards on the way up in Phoenix (see below).
- Alexander Frolov, Los Angeles – Playing on a very talented LA top six, Alex Frolov, a former first round pick, provides fantastic offensive upside and secondary scoring to the Kings and has shown he is capable of 70+ pts. While his continued success may be dependent on a new environment as ownership seems to be at odds with the Russia, Alex has the ceiling of an 80 pt forward.
Resigns
- Kyle Turris, Phoenix – Brought along quickly after his first round drafting, Kyle was far too young and undeveloped for the big team and was eventually sent back to San Antonio for development, which has taken longer than originally expected. The youngster has begun to come into his own in the minors, and offers excellent first liner potential once he comes into his own.
- Olli Jokinen, New York – Big Olli Jokinen has become somewhat of a journeyman in recent years, but continues to offer the potential to be a first line center with tremendous upside if he can improve on his work ethic.
- Chris Kunitz, Pittsburgh – Chris became a hot commodity after being traded from Anaheim to become one of the few wingers with chemistry on Crosby’s line. He has the potential to contribute at a top six level if he remains healthy.
- Ville Leino, Philadelphia – Once heralded as so good he was worth 5 draft picks, Leino offers top six potential in an extremely deep team, despite being dealt from the Red Wings early on his development.
Defense
Keepers
- Alex Edler, Vancouver – Alex is heavily regarded as a strong defenseman with great offensive upside with consistent production in the 40-50 point range.
- Christian Ehrhoff, Vancouver – Ehrhoff, like Edler, carries a lot of potential on the Vancouver blueline and offers production ranging from 40-50 pts per season.
- Kyle Quincey, Colorado – With John-Michael Liles often regarded as being at odds with Colorado management, Quincey, who broke out with the Kings in 2009, is regarded as an excellent powerplay quarterback capable of 35-45 pts.
Resigns
- Matt Carle, Philadelphia – Carle, despite his excellent rookie campaign with San Jose, has yet to duplicate his 42-point season but offers good potential for offensive upside considering Philadelphia’s aging blueline.
- Braydon Coburn, Philadelphia – Coburn, similar to Carle, has excellent upside and has already completed 5 NHL seasons at the age of 24. With excellent size and maturity, he can provide offensive potential for a top 4 defenseman.
- Paul Martin, New Jersey – Martin, prior to getting injured, occupied the top depth chart spot on the NJ offense and offers good point production, considering the lack of offensive depth on the NJ blueline.
Goalies
Keepers
- Carey Price, Montreal – Price, a former 1st round pick, Carey Price has long been heralded as the future Canadiens franchise goaltender, but has yet to deliver on his draft position. Only 22 years old, Price holds the potential to become an all-star goaltender if he can play with confidence and abandon the perennial Montreal goaltending controversy, either through trade or improvement in play.
Resigns
- Tomas Vokoun, Florida – Heavily rumored to be moving at the trade deadline, Vokoun has made a case to be a leading goaltender in the NHL, offering the potential for excellent pts production if he were to join a contending team in the coming summer.
- Cam Ward, Carolina – Cam Ward is an established starting goaltender with a Stanley Cup on his resume, and will likely see extensive game play in the coming seasons, and will likely benefit the most from a Carolina rebound.
– Giulio Iaconi