2009-2010 Season Point Expectations
9/27/09 - Washington Post
Here are the point predictions and projections for the upcomming season.
First line:
Dustin Brown (500) - Mike Richards (625) - Patrick Kane (525) = 1650
*Each player should improve atleast a little from last season. Brown strugged to break 450 points so I see him amassing a lot more this season. Kane has a lot to prove and in an Olympic year, he needs a strong season to carry with him. Richards also wants to play in the Olympics so he needs a strong year so Yzerman notices him over the other strong center's around the league.
Second line:
Brenden Morrow (550) - Michael Frolik (400) - Scott Hartnell (550) = 1500
*Morrow should play the entire season with an edge to his game, proving he's leader of the Star's and can still hang with the boys. Frolik might have a sophmore slump but this kid has so many skills you cant deny it. Hartnell is always good for 50-60 points, 125+ pims. This line could end up stronger then ther first line.
Third Line:
Loui Eriksson (475) - Valterri Filppula (400) - Mikhail Grabovski (450) = 1325
*Loui Eriksson has had a strong pre-season and looks like he's still got his touch. Getting Morrow back shouldnt hurt his playing time and could make him better actually. Filppula will see more playing time and hopefully fail to go into his usual slump in the middle of the season. Grabovski looks faster then last season and looks fired up, ready to go. Added in a better defense in Toronto he might actually do better since the puck should be on the other side of things more often.
Forth Line:
T.J. Hensick (275) - Niklas Hagman (350) - Patrick Kaleta(200) = 825
*This line needs a lot of work. With Moller being sent down, he could be recalled and be placed into Kaleta's spot. I would be overly happy if this line got me 825+ points this season but its highly unlikely. Hensick could be anywhere from 13th forward to second line winger. Who knows. Hagman is a strong player who could be a hit or miss at 350 points. Who knows at this point.
First Pairing:
Niklas Kronwall (575) - Brent Seabrook (525) = 1100
*Kronwall should see more playing time. Im giving him a 30-40 point increase but he could see 600 points this season. He has looked very sharp in the preseason and should play 2-3 more minutes per game this season. Seabrook is the stud in Chicago and doesnt get the credit he deserves. He's made Keith what he is, not the other way around. He should improve on his numbers big time. He was their best defensemen in the Wing Series last spring.
Second Pairing:
Matt Niskanen (500) - John-Michael Liles (450) = 975
*Niskanen is the man in Dallas now. He could see even more then 500 points this season. Tremendous player, amazing athlete and should flourish if Crawford doesnt screw it up (and we think he will). JM Liles is still one of those players who can dominate a PP IF HE HAS SOMEONE TO PASS TO! Colorado is going to be horrible and that will also reflect on Liles usual numbers. He had 49 points once but I dont see that happening this year unless he plays unreal hockey.
Third Pairing:
Jonathan Ericsson (325) - Dan Hamhuis (400) = 725
*Ericsson has had a hit or miss preseason. Stuggling one night and flourishing the other. He should see some PP time this year but this is his first full NHL season so he might need some time before making the full adjustment to 350 points. His PIMS from pushing people around should give him a large boost. Hamhuis always starts quick and ends a little slow. He could be trade bait at some point this season as his contract is up. Hopefully Trotz will finally play him a little on the power play.
Rookie/Enforcer:
Erik Karlsson (250) - Mike Weber (225) = 550
*No idea how many games either will play but we hope its enough to do some damage. Karlsson is a stud and should be on our defense (within time he will) and Weber is an enforcing defenseman who should rack up some PIMS.
Goaltenders:
Marc-Andre Fleury (650) - Jimmy Howard (275) = 925
*MAF has to prove he can play with the best if he wants to go to the Olympics. I expect a strong season but a slow start from all the partying (still hate it). He usually always gets hurt so we feel that a strong, healthy season will boost his points. Howard is expected from Babcock to get 25 wins. We got faith, always have. Lets see what happens.
Total point projection: 9300 - 9600
Here are the point predictions and projections for the upcomming season.
First line:
Dustin Brown (500) - Mike Richards (625) - Patrick Kane (525) = 1650
*Each player should improve atleast a little from last season. Brown strugged to break 450 points so I see him amassing a lot more this season. Kane has a lot to prove and in an Olympic year, he needs a strong season to carry with him. Richards also wants to play in the Olympics so he needs a strong year so Yzerman notices him over the other strong center's around the league.
Second line:
Brenden Morrow (550) - Michael Frolik (400) - Scott Hartnell (550) = 1500
*Morrow should play the entire season with an edge to his game, proving he's leader of the Star's and can still hang with the boys. Frolik might have a sophmore slump but this kid has so many skills you cant deny it. Hartnell is always good for 50-60 points, 125+ pims. This line could end up stronger then ther first line.
Third Line:
Loui Eriksson (475) - Valterri Filppula (400) - Mikhail Grabovski (450) = 1325
*Loui Eriksson has had a strong pre-season and looks like he's still got his touch. Getting Morrow back shouldnt hurt his playing time and could make him better actually. Filppula will see more playing time and hopefully fail to go into his usual slump in the middle of the season. Grabovski looks faster then last season and looks fired up, ready to go. Added in a better defense in Toronto he might actually do better since the puck should be on the other side of things more often.
Forth Line:
T.J. Hensick (275) - Niklas Hagman (350) - Patrick Kaleta(200) = 825
*This line needs a lot of work. With Moller being sent down, he could be recalled and be placed into Kaleta's spot. I would be overly happy if this line got me 825+ points this season but its highly unlikely. Hensick could be anywhere from 13th forward to second line winger. Who knows. Hagman is a strong player who could be a hit or miss at 350 points. Who knows at this point.
First Pairing:
Niklas Kronwall (575) - Brent Seabrook (525) = 1100
*Kronwall should see more playing time. Im giving him a 30-40 point increase but he could see 600 points this season. He has looked very sharp in the preseason and should play 2-3 more minutes per game this season. Seabrook is the stud in Chicago and doesnt get the credit he deserves. He's made Keith what he is, not the other way around. He should improve on his numbers big time. He was their best defensemen in the Wing Series last spring.
Second Pairing:
Matt Niskanen (500) - John-Michael Liles (450) = 975
*Niskanen is the man in Dallas now. He could see even more then 500 points this season. Tremendous player, amazing athlete and should flourish if Crawford doesnt screw it up (and we think he will). JM Liles is still one of those players who can dominate a PP IF HE HAS SOMEONE TO PASS TO! Colorado is going to be horrible and that will also reflect on Liles usual numbers. He had 49 points once but I dont see that happening this year unless he plays unreal hockey.
Third Pairing:
Jonathan Ericsson (325) - Dan Hamhuis (400) = 725
*Ericsson has had a hit or miss preseason. Stuggling one night and flourishing the other. He should see some PP time this year but this is his first full NHL season so he might need some time before making the full adjustment to 350 points. His PIMS from pushing people around should give him a large boost. Hamhuis always starts quick and ends a little slow. He could be trade bait at some point this season as his contract is up. Hopefully Trotz will finally play him a little on the power play.
Rookie/Enforcer:
Erik Karlsson (250) - Mike Weber (225) = 550
*No idea how many games either will play but we hope its enough to do some damage. Karlsson is a stud and should be on our defense (within time he will) and Weber is an enforcing defenseman who should rack up some PIMS.
Goaltenders:
Marc-Andre Fleury (650) - Jimmy Howard (275) = 925
*MAF has to prove he can play with the best if he wants to go to the Olympics. I expect a strong season but a slow start from all the partying (still hate it). He usually always gets hurt so we feel that a strong, healthy season will boost his points. Howard is expected from Babcock to get 25 wins. We got faith, always have. Lets see what happens.
Total point projection: 9300 - 9600
posted by Washington Post at 9:30 AM
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