Post by Norwich Nemesis on Sept 29, 2015 11:44:17 GMT -5
Hope Andrew doesn't mind me doing this. Got bored so figured it would be something interesting to do. Feel free to agree/disagree and share opinions if you so wish. TBC...
Buffalo Wings
Biggest Asset: Henrik Lundqvist, Dustin Byfuglien (golden in this league)
Best Value: Jiri Hudler ($2) Nick Foligno ($3)
Worst Value: Patrick Kane ($50) (lack of hits, PIM, 'situation')
Position of Strength: G, RW
Position of Weakness: LW
Breakout Potential: Aleksandar Barkov, Jack Eichel
2015 Outlook: The Wings have put together a very nice team for 2015 after being a bottom feeder during the 2014 season. This team should make the playoffs and could cause a few teams some problems. Solid across the board (although LW could maybe use an upgrade). Kane's murky situation could be an issue, although the Wings should have enough if he were to be lost for any amount of time.
Clayhounds Dawgs
Biggest Asset: Jamie Benn, Erik Karlsson
Best Value: Sean Monahan ($4) Roman Josi ($4)
Worst Value: None
Position of Strength: D, G
Position of weakness: RW
Breakout Potential: None
2015 Outlook: The Dawgs should be in and around the playoffs again this season. They have Dmen to envy all teams in the league and their goaltending is very good too. Outside of the likes of Benn, this team will struggle for goals and depth is a bit of an issue here too. An injury or two to top players could leave the Dawgs in a bit of a hole.
Connecticut Huskies
Biggest Asset: Taylor Hall
Best Value: None
Worst Value: Christian Ehrhoff ($8)
Position of Strength: None
Position of Weakness: All
Breakout Potential: Nail Yakupov
2015 Outlook: Things look bleak for the Huskies. An incomplete roster with no star players and holes all over the roster. Lots of moves will need to be made in-season for the Huskies to sniff the playoffs this year. They would do well to try and gather young talent for a run in future seasons.
Dallas Desperados
Best Asset: Sidney Crosby
Best Value: Tyler Johnson ($1), Jaden Schwartz ($5)
Worst Value: None
Position of Strength: C, LW
Position of Weakness: None really, although G and RW could be an issue if injury were to occur.
Breakout Potential: Jakob Silfverberg
2015 Outlook: Led by Sidney Crosby, the Desperados should have another good season. No real holes on this roster but a lack of depth in a couple of positions. If an injury were to strike Jonas Hiller, the goaltending situation would not look great, with Dallas' other 2 goalies playing for the same team. No reason this team shouldn't make the playoffs though.
Maine Marauders
Best Asset: Ryan Getzlaf
Best Value: None
Worst Value: Chris Kunitz ($24) (other than hits, doesn't offer enough to justify price tag)
Position of Strength: None really stand out over the rest
Position of Weakness: Again, none really stand out
Breakout Potential: Cody Ceci, Ryan Spooner
2015 Outlook: Probably near, but not at the bottom of the league, to be honest. The Marauders have a few nice, young players, however there just isn't enough here to make a run this year as things stand. That could change, however, with astute management and a bit of luck, but the Marauders would probably be better served building a team to make a run starting from 2016 onwards. Should win hits most weeks.
Montana Grizzlies
Best Asset: Corey Perry, Evgeni Malkin, Corey Crawford
Best Value: Johnny Gaudreau ($1), Mark Stone ($1)
Worst Value: None
Position of Strength: C
Position of Weakness: D
Breakout Potential: Teuvo Teravainen, Kevin Hayes
2015 Outlook: Like the Wings, the Grizzlies have done a great job to turn a bottom feeder into a playoff contender for 2015. They will be led by their Centers, but they are pretty strong elsewhere as well. A mixture of proven stars, youth and breakout potential means this will be an exciting team to watch this season. I'd be surprised if they didn't make the playoffs
New Jersey Haze
Best Asset: Alex Ovechkin, Steven Stamkos, Ryan Johansen
Best Value: Ryan Johansen ($14), Aaron Ekblad ($11), John Carlson ($3)
Worst Value: None
Position of Strength: Strong in most areas
Position of Weakness: LW
Breakout Potential: Aaron Ekblad (more so), Alex Galchenyuk
2015 Outlook: Championship contender without doubt. This is a very strong team that should win the majority of their matchups this season, providing they stay injury free. If they can improve their LW, they will be absolutely deadly. C depth is an issue though, as behind Stamkos and Johansen, their isn't much to speak of. Injury to one or both of these would be disastrous.
New York Nexus
Best Asset: Rick Nash
Best Value: Rick Nash ($9), Devan Dubnyk ($1)
Worst Value: Mats Zuccarello ($25)
Position of Strength: C
Position of Weakness: RW
Breakout Potential: Max Domi
2015 Outlook: Could make the back end of the playoffs, but won't pull up any roots. What you see is what you get here; steady production, but little in the way of breakout potential from anyone not named Max Domi.
Norwich Nemesis
Best Asset: Tyler Seguin, Claude Giroux, Vladimir Tarasenko
Best Value: Nikita Kucherov ($1), Vladimir Tarasenko ($8), Pekka Rinne ($9), Tyson Barrie ($4)
Worst Value: None
Position of Strength: Strong across the board
Position of Weakness: None, unless an injury befalls a goaltender
Breakout Potential: Marko Dano, Valeri Nichushkin, Mark Scheifele, Jacob Trouba, Derrick Poulliot
2015 Outlook: Definite Championship contender. Stacked roster with proven studs and plenty of breakout potential to compliment them. Plenty of depth in all forward positions. Only bad luck with injuries will prevent the Nemesis making a deep run into the playoffs.
Pensacola Pelicans
Best Asset: Daniel Sedin, Mark Giordano
Best Value: John Klingberg ($1)
Worst Value: TJ Oshie ($29) (good player, but worth $15/20)
Position of Strength: D
Position of Weakness: G
Breakout Potential: Evgeny Kuznetsov, Jonathon Drouin, Matt Dumba, Andrei Vasilevskiy (second half)
2015 Outlook: Probably outside the playoffs, largely due to the fact they don't have a clear cut starting goaltender on their team. This will need addressing in order to make the playoffs. Plenty of breakout potential here though, and some proven players mixed in as well.
St Louis Sting
Best Asset: John Tavares, PK Subban, Carey Price, David Backes (ideal in this league)
Best Value: Filip Forsberg ($2), Connor McDavid ($6), Jakub Voracek ($12)
Worst Value: James Neal ($16) (if he has another year like last year)
Position of Strength: C, G
Position of Weakness: None, although depth on the wings could become an issue.
Breakout Potential: Connor McDavid
2015 Outlook: Championship contender. Strong across the board, and adding McDavid into the mix is only going to help. Depth on the wings will be an issue if injury were to strike, but four starting goaltenders give St Louis great trade bait to address this should they wish to.
Syracuse Warriors
Best Asset: Jonathon Quick, Joe Pavelski, Zach Parise
Best Value: None
Worst Value: Tanner Pearson ($10)
Position of Strength: C
Position of Weakness: RW
Breakout Potential: David Pastrnak, Petr Mrazek
2015 Outlook: Pretty bleak after sacrificing Hockey to make a run at Baseball. This team is full of average players, mixed in with a few nice pieces. The goaltending is nice, but also lacking in depth, which will limit its effectiveness.
Buffalo Wings
Biggest Asset: Henrik Lundqvist, Dustin Byfuglien (golden in this league)
Best Value: Jiri Hudler ($2) Nick Foligno ($3)
Worst Value: Patrick Kane ($50) (lack of hits, PIM, 'situation')
Position of Strength: G, RW
Position of Weakness: LW
Breakout Potential: Aleksandar Barkov, Jack Eichel
2015 Outlook: The Wings have put together a very nice team for 2015 after being a bottom feeder during the 2014 season. This team should make the playoffs and could cause a few teams some problems. Solid across the board (although LW could maybe use an upgrade). Kane's murky situation could be an issue, although the Wings should have enough if he were to be lost for any amount of time.
Clayhounds Dawgs
Biggest Asset: Jamie Benn, Erik Karlsson
Best Value: Sean Monahan ($4) Roman Josi ($4)
Worst Value: None
Position of Strength: D, G
Position of weakness: RW
Breakout Potential: None
2015 Outlook: The Dawgs should be in and around the playoffs again this season. They have Dmen to envy all teams in the league and their goaltending is very good too. Outside of the likes of Benn, this team will struggle for goals and depth is a bit of an issue here too. An injury or two to top players could leave the Dawgs in a bit of a hole.
Connecticut Huskies
Biggest Asset: Taylor Hall
Best Value: None
Worst Value: Christian Ehrhoff ($8)
Position of Strength: None
Position of Weakness: All
Breakout Potential: Nail Yakupov
2015 Outlook: Things look bleak for the Huskies. An incomplete roster with no star players and holes all over the roster. Lots of moves will need to be made in-season for the Huskies to sniff the playoffs this year. They would do well to try and gather young talent for a run in future seasons.
Dallas Desperados
Best Asset: Sidney Crosby
Best Value: Tyler Johnson ($1), Jaden Schwartz ($5)
Worst Value: None
Position of Strength: C, LW
Position of Weakness: None really, although G and RW could be an issue if injury were to occur.
Breakout Potential: Jakob Silfverberg
2015 Outlook: Led by Sidney Crosby, the Desperados should have another good season. No real holes on this roster but a lack of depth in a couple of positions. If an injury were to strike Jonas Hiller, the goaltending situation would not look great, with Dallas' other 2 goalies playing for the same team. No reason this team shouldn't make the playoffs though.
Maine Marauders
Best Asset: Ryan Getzlaf
Best Value: None
Worst Value: Chris Kunitz ($24) (other than hits, doesn't offer enough to justify price tag)
Position of Strength: None really stand out over the rest
Position of Weakness: Again, none really stand out
Breakout Potential: Cody Ceci, Ryan Spooner
2015 Outlook: Probably near, but not at the bottom of the league, to be honest. The Marauders have a few nice, young players, however there just isn't enough here to make a run this year as things stand. That could change, however, with astute management and a bit of luck, but the Marauders would probably be better served building a team to make a run starting from 2016 onwards. Should win hits most weeks.
Montana Grizzlies
Best Asset: Corey Perry, Evgeni Malkin, Corey Crawford
Best Value: Johnny Gaudreau ($1), Mark Stone ($1)
Worst Value: None
Position of Strength: C
Position of Weakness: D
Breakout Potential: Teuvo Teravainen, Kevin Hayes
2015 Outlook: Like the Wings, the Grizzlies have done a great job to turn a bottom feeder into a playoff contender for 2015. They will be led by their Centers, but they are pretty strong elsewhere as well. A mixture of proven stars, youth and breakout potential means this will be an exciting team to watch this season. I'd be surprised if they didn't make the playoffs
New Jersey Haze
Best Asset: Alex Ovechkin, Steven Stamkos, Ryan Johansen
Best Value: Ryan Johansen ($14), Aaron Ekblad ($11), John Carlson ($3)
Worst Value: None
Position of Strength: Strong in most areas
Position of Weakness: LW
Breakout Potential: Aaron Ekblad (more so), Alex Galchenyuk
2015 Outlook: Championship contender without doubt. This is a very strong team that should win the majority of their matchups this season, providing they stay injury free. If they can improve their LW, they will be absolutely deadly. C depth is an issue though, as behind Stamkos and Johansen, their isn't much to speak of. Injury to one or both of these would be disastrous.
New York Nexus
Best Asset: Rick Nash
Best Value: Rick Nash ($9), Devan Dubnyk ($1)
Worst Value: Mats Zuccarello ($25)
Position of Strength: C
Position of Weakness: RW
Breakout Potential: Max Domi
2015 Outlook: Could make the back end of the playoffs, but won't pull up any roots. What you see is what you get here; steady production, but little in the way of breakout potential from anyone not named Max Domi.
Norwich Nemesis
Best Asset: Tyler Seguin, Claude Giroux, Vladimir Tarasenko
Best Value: Nikita Kucherov ($1), Vladimir Tarasenko ($8), Pekka Rinne ($9), Tyson Barrie ($4)
Worst Value: None
Position of Strength: Strong across the board
Position of Weakness: None, unless an injury befalls a goaltender
Breakout Potential: Marko Dano, Valeri Nichushkin, Mark Scheifele, Jacob Trouba, Derrick Poulliot
2015 Outlook: Definite Championship contender. Stacked roster with proven studs and plenty of breakout potential to compliment them. Plenty of depth in all forward positions. Only bad luck with injuries will prevent the Nemesis making a deep run into the playoffs.
Pensacola Pelicans
Best Asset: Daniel Sedin, Mark Giordano
Best Value: John Klingberg ($1)
Worst Value: TJ Oshie ($29) (good player, but worth $15/20)
Position of Strength: D
Position of Weakness: G
Breakout Potential: Evgeny Kuznetsov, Jonathon Drouin, Matt Dumba, Andrei Vasilevskiy (second half)
2015 Outlook: Probably outside the playoffs, largely due to the fact they don't have a clear cut starting goaltender on their team. This will need addressing in order to make the playoffs. Plenty of breakout potential here though, and some proven players mixed in as well.
St Louis Sting
Best Asset: John Tavares, PK Subban, Carey Price, David Backes (ideal in this league)
Best Value: Filip Forsberg ($2), Connor McDavid ($6), Jakub Voracek ($12)
Worst Value: James Neal ($16) (if he has another year like last year)
Position of Strength: C, G
Position of Weakness: None, although depth on the wings could become an issue.
Breakout Potential: Connor McDavid
2015 Outlook: Championship contender. Strong across the board, and adding McDavid into the mix is only going to help. Depth on the wings will be an issue if injury were to strike, but four starting goaltenders give St Louis great trade bait to address this should they wish to.
Syracuse Warriors
Best Asset: Jonathon Quick, Joe Pavelski, Zach Parise
Best Value: None
Worst Value: Tanner Pearson ($10)
Position of Strength: C
Position of Weakness: RW
Breakout Potential: David Pastrnak, Petr Mrazek
2015 Outlook: Pretty bleak after sacrificing Hockey to make a run at Baseball. This team is full of average players, mixed in with a few nice pieces. The goaltending is nice, but also lacking in depth, which will limit its effectiveness.
