Alright, in these hot, humid, brutal non-hockey days of August I thought it would be a good idea to post my predictions on our players stats for the upcoming season. I'd like to know what you guys think our players will get in stats. I guess this counts as my first blog, kind of.
*NOTE*: I'm just going to predict everyone plays 82 games just to make it easier....obviously that won't happen with guys like Antropov on our team. The following is in no particular order.
Forwards:
Mats Sundin: 28 G 84 PTS
Jason Blake: 32 G 66 PTS
Alexander Steen: 21 G 57 PTS
Alexei Ponikarovsky: 25 G 54 PTS
Kyle Wellwood: 20 G 71 PTS
Darcy Tucker: 23 G 59 PTS
Nik Antropov: 18 G 46 PTS
Matt Stajan: 16 G 39 PTS
Chad Kilger: 9 G 19 PTS
Mark Bell: 22 G 42 PTS
Bates Battaglia: 13 G 32 PTS
Boyd Devereaux: 16 G 37 PTS
Defense:
Tomas Kaberle: 10 G 64 PTS
Bryan McCabe: 16 G 66 PTS
Pavel Kubina: 13 G 38 PTS
Carlo Colaiacovo: 7 G 27 PTS
Hal Gill: 3 G 11 PTS
Ian White: 8 G 24 PTS
Goaltenders: (approximately; GP's not in affect)
Starter: Vesa Toskala: 2.75 GAA .907 SV% 3 SO
Back-Up: Andrew Raycroft: 2.95 GAA .901 SV% 1 SO
Nice blog RG!I think you gave a pretty accurate unbiased assessment of your team. I think however that Poni and Tucker may have better seasons then your current projections. Also, if Wellwood can stay healthy I am expecting big things especially with the Leafs PP being as good as it is!
not bad, mild to fair in terms of assessment.i agree with mccabe/kaberle duo puttin up points again, especially with the new help on offense and the better stability in nets...but if blake doesnt get over 35 goals with sundin i would be disappointed if i was a leafs fan. as a habs fan i surely hope these numbers are way off lol...but to be honest your team is stronger and if they find chemistry the point totals could be higher!scary thought...either way cheers, heres to another 8 more games we can add to the rivalry this year!
Max, I definitely agree with Poni and Tucker, it could go either way but Tucker's point production is all over the map and with Blake in the mix I think it will suffer a bit, but he'll contribute in other aspects of the game. Do you actually think Welly can get over 70 points? I think he can eventually but next season would be nice!................... I'm gonna do this for the Sabres soon, it's fun stuff and I wanna see what the Sabres compadre's have to say.
Sven, I disagree with Blake. If Blake puts up 30 goals or more I'll be very satisfied. Adding another 30 goal guy the club would be very beneficial and don't forget Blake will see PK time as well serve a pest role. And yes, cheers! I'm estatic for the Habs vs. Leafs games. I'm going to the Bell Center Dec.15th to see one..... wish me luck :D.
RG...Can't wait for the Sabres one!!!I honestly think Poni will step up this year for the entire season. I really like the why he, Sundin and Antropov played in the second half of season last year. They were tough on the boards and Poni can just park himself in front and dmen struggle to move him out of there. I think he will see more PP time this year as well.That is a good call on Tucker though, I mean Blake will probably take away a lot of his production. Tucker is still valuable but more so as a gritty forward who draws penalties and gets under the skin of the opposition. I personally love Wellwood and think he is severely underrated as a player. He is a dynamic player who is improving every year and I expect him (if healthy) to notch 80 points. I think he will have a much better year than Blake to be honest!
Although I could see Poni playing with Mats..... I can't see Antropov. Hopefully, and I think he will, be on the the 3rd line.... where he belongs. Antropov was leaching off Sundin while Poni was, albeit marginally, complimenting him. I would like the top 6 forwards line as such: Steen-Sundin-Blake and Poni-Wellwood- Tucker (plays LW but I'm sure he hold the RW if needed). The best possible option would be siging Peca and make a Tucker-Peca-Stajan 3rd line. But I'm just dreaming..... Also, I would look to Mark Bell to be a sleeper next season and might emerge as a 2nd line forward... kind of a feeling I have.
very good predictions for Sundin And Blake. I see Mark Bell have a bounceback season, and Kyle Wellwood slowly rising to being the Leaf's best player.
What...no Wade Belak prediction??? :)