jammer2

 An excellent write up, thanks. Yes, the Vegas squad has some tough decisions to make. They are in good cap shape, but just cause you have it, does not mean you have to spend it. I suspect how Neal and Perron do in the playoffs will play a big part on where they ply their trade next year. If they do go....and that is the smart play, letting older players leave....then their success may come down to how much 1st rounders Suzuki and Glass can contribute on offense....we shall see, they have to make the team first, which I think they will. 

 Perry has always been a dirty player, was even worse in jr for the London Knights. We have a player, who has a great center, nice top pp, but his stats are average for a guy who is considered a "star" player. Just a guy who you would love to have on your team, hate him if he's not....a lot like Simmonds, but Wayne can back it up.

It's almost Feb and Tyler Johnson has 13 pts....even when you count the few weeks he was out with injuries, that total is a shocker. Maybe the injury he suffered in the finals last year is still lingering?  I dunno....but I expected a lot more....so did most fans.

  I had Backlund last year late in the season, picked him up as soon as I saw he was back. Already a shorty, and a game winner tonight in a 1-0 victory....guy is fantasy gold.

 Very nice summary, love reading your stuff....keep it coming!!

  So, taking into account Varly's well timed shut out of the the Blues, do they win with Varly going forward, or does Pickard eventually steal this job away from him?  My gut says Pickard will steal this job.

  What an excellent summary/re-cap of the state of the Ave's goaltending. Being a Varly owner in fantasy hockey, I found the update very helpful. Amazing that through all the rough patches, Varly still has a .918 save percentage. They have to strengthen the defense in front oh him without touching the core (somehow). I wonder if trading somebody like Holden for a more defensive stay at home type might help a bit. Holden has some promise, but with Johnson and Barrie on the team, he's more of a luxury than anything else. How do you feel about that?

 I kept Bob and Varly and added Martin Jones after dropping Khudobin (I realized just how bad the defense was in front of the poor lad)....I think Varly will bounce back from the bad start, he's a solid goalie. Bob is fantasy gold....and Jones might only start once a week, but it will be against a weaker team and there is always the chance he can pull a shutout, with that Kings defense in front of him....AND if Quick ever gets hurt (which has happened in the recent past)....Jones can win it all for you.

 I really liked McNabb, thought he was gonna turn into a quality d-man. Giving up him and 2nd's is substantial. This Deslauries kid must be pretty special.

 Nice write up Pegula!  I'm just wondering out loud if the Sabres don't go with Hodgsen and Rienhart at center as a 1/2 punch and move Ennis to the wing. I guess how proficient all 3 are at face offs may decide their fate, ie where they play.

 I expect things to tighten up in the East. The Leafs finished ahead of the Canes and the Isles last year, and both teams made moves to improve. The Islanders in particular, will be a better squad, almost guaranteed. Two top 6 forwards added in Grabovski and Kulemin. Two new goalies in Halak and Johnson, this team is ready to climb in the standings.

Would love to see that goalie graphic applied to a few goalies, see how Mason a few others would fare.

 Just food for thought, Owen Nolan was a mere facade of himself in his TO tenure, so maybe, just maybe fans loyalty goes beyond the business side of things....

"Considering the uncertainty surrounding Letang, it may not take much more than the Oilers first round pick(third overall), Nail Yakupov and the rights to Justin Schultz to complete the deal. This would fill the Oilers need for a star defenceman to balance their roster and would allow the Pens to stay cap compliant while having more leverage to resign Niskanen, and fill roster space with inexpensive NHL ready players."

 Good Lord, that sounds like WAY to much for Letang. *Perhaps* Letang with no health problems...but not in his current state (ie hole in the heart, stroke etc). There is just way to many variables to give that kinda package up. If I'm the Oilers, I'd rather give that package (maybe substitute Schultz for Gagner?) and get Florida's #1 pick. Exblad is *exactly* what Edmonton needs right now, a legit #1 defender who can run a pp and be on the ice late in crucial situations. Loved the right up though, very entertaining read!

 The key for the Devils will be the goaltending and supporting them by going into a defensive shell. I believe the Devs will set their strategy in accordance with their roster, we will see more of the trap then ever before. Most Devils game will be chess matches of who makes the first mistake. I'll bet they don't even forecheck very deep, just move back and clog up the middle as per usual. 

  The Devils signing of Ryder kinda slipped under the radar, but he is going to make their top pp a lot more dangerous. I would not be shocked to see him pop in 30 next year. I don't think Jagr will be as decent as the past few years. I think his age will really start to show next season. Clowe should add some much needed grit to the line-up (especially since Clarkson is gone), another signing that was not highly publicized, but could pay some large dividends.

Riley Barber was drafted by the Spitfires but he refused to come and went the NCAA route. Guess we didn't offer him enough money

Having seen both Neuvirth and Grubauer play for Windsor, I think Grubauer has the most potential between the two youngsters. He could really, really push Neuvirth in training camp for the NHL back up position. If Holtby was ever seriously injuredl, this tandem would be a better than average 2nd option pairing. Having 3 young gifted tenders is a nice problem to have. They may eventually trade Neuv's or Grubauer, but that would be far off in the distance, no reason to get rid of depth like this to early.

I wonder if letting go of Grabovski means Bozek will get the outrageous 8 year deal he has been clammoring for, or maybe they both walk and Ribero signs to play the top line....leaving RIbero, Kadri, Bolland and Colbourne up the middle. I'm also wondering out loud if the Leafs have left themselves vulnerable for someone to come in and make a big play for RFA Kadri. We will find out soon, huh.

I was SO wrong about the Habs. When I looked at their roster before the season started, I figured there was NO WAY they made the playoffs. Dead wrong. I think the unsung hero on this team is Lar Eller. Basically the main return for Halak from the Blues, he has played a smart all round game, I expect big things from him going forward.

Price has been outstanding all year, but the past week may have cost him his chance at the Vezina, which is unfortunate, cause he really has been rock solid, but his last few losses have been just dreadful. Gotta be a bit uncomfortable going into the playoffs, esp since one of his brutal outings have been against the hated Leafs, a team they just might play in the first round. What a match up that would be Orginal Six at it's best! Enjoy the playoffs Habsguy, you deserve it!

HA ha....I'd love to see the Leafs seclect Rychel....he'll be no better than a 3rd liner in the NHL, but if he plays the lazy way he does in WIndsor, he will not even be an NHL'er. Worst work ethic I've ever laid by eyes on. A bust just waiting to happen. I'm really high on Bo Horvat, think he's a star in the making, although you do have him ranked where I've seen him on most mocks, I just think he has a TON of upside.

Barkov may be ranked a bit low here, but ya never know!

Nice work, but I really belive Zadarov is a reach for Philly at #5, they should trade down and get assets if that's the way they wanna go. They should be able to snag Nikata at #10-12, so you should get a nice return if they wanna go that way.

I've been waiting quite a while for Coyle's debut, I plan on catching a Wild game in the near future so I can get an accurate read on him....and I have only seen Granlund for a peiod, but he did not look out of place, should fit in nicely.

If there is no hockey in 2013, the Oilers will once again have first pick...even though most have McKinnon being the top rated prospect, you can bet the Oilers will either trade down or select Jones. They need a d-man who is a franchise type player. They also need a long term goalie, so I expect a them to take a few shots in the 3rd-6th trying to secure the goalie of the future.

Another nice job Habsguy! The one obvious miss to me is Kyle Palmieri of the Ducks. I would have put him in the top 3 actually. He scored 33 goals in 50+ games in his first year in the AHL and added 4 goals in 18 games playing sparingly for the Ducks during a call up. He as star written all over him.

Agree with all the other choices, although Scott Glennie is a guy to keep an eye on for Dallas. He had a slow start to his pro career only scoring 12 times in a full year of AHL for the Texas Stars, but I still think Braydon Schenn's former junior linemate will make a name for himself next year. Would not have included him in the top 10 though, just because of his AHL strugggles. Great job once again!

Yeah, I'd have to agree pods, the Wellwood brothers are polar opposites of each other. One (Kyle) is known for having great hands and a poor work ethic and Eric is known for having blazing speed and one of the best work ethics in all of hockey. Kyle's hands are better than Erics, but he closed the gap with his last year of junior...proving he can score from in tight...I expect the trend to contiue next year in Philly, now that he has the awkward first year out of the way...but again, great write up by Habs guy, he would have no way to know this Wellwood stuff not having seen them first hand.

I don't know what's going on with the VIshnovksy (sp...lol) trade, but if that trade is not declared null and void, he will be on the top pp with Strieit. If that trade is nullified, I don't see Calvin beating out Hamonic for pp time. I project him as more of a defensive d-man at the NHL level, he will kick in some points, but not like he did in junior. Even in the OHL, he never topped 50 pts for a season, even though the Generals were a weaker team the past few years, so not a lot of top end talent for him to work with there.