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Winnipeg, MB • Canada • 33 Years Old • Male

Rookie predictions
Posted 4:27 PM ET | Comments 28
1.) Nicklas Backstrom- Will be playing with Ovechkin this coming season so I see him setting Ovi up for alot of goals. Should get alot of time on the PP so I see him putting up some serious points.

2.) Carey Price- I'm going on a limb here saying that he will make the Canadians this year and will steal the starting role from Huet. After seeing what this kid is capable of in the AHL I see him playing himself into the starting role and running with it.

3.) Jonathan Toews- The Black Hawks are really eager to get this kid playing he has Sakic like vision and also posses his wrist shot. I see him playing in the middle of Havlat and maybe Kane. This line has the ability to score alot of points and again he will be on the 1rst line and PP so more ice time = more production.

4.) Patrick Kane- This is another player I see getting alot of ice time and he will be surrounded by talent so I see his rookie campaign being a good one.

5.) Erik Johnson- This is a guy that is in my opinion the next Pronger. I see him getting alot of Ice time and contributing big time to the blues. I see hime playing along-side Eric Brewer.

6.) Jack Johnson- This guy could be the next Chelios but with better offencive ability. I see Jack being mentoured by Blake and having a great season with L.A

7.) Bobby Ryan- He didn't go second overall for nothing I see him taking Penners spot on a line with Getzlaff and Perry. Look for the Big man to put up some decent points simliar to Penner of a year ago.

8.) Andrew Cogliano- If he makes the oilers he has the chance to climb the latter pretty high. Edmonton needs a scoring center and if Cogs puts up Points I could see him centering Penner and Hemsky on the 1rst line.

9.) Dustin Boyd- With Calgary lossing Amonte, Richie, McCarty, I see Boyd getting a good opertunity to make a name for himself.

10.) Kyle Okposo- He has alot of talent and size something needed on a depleted islanders team I see his work in the corners and driving to the net to land him a big role on the team.
Filed Under:   rookie   top 10   2007-2008   calder  
August 23, 2007 4:34 PM ET | Delete
I hope Cogs makes the oilers squad this year. Too much talent to just pass upand way to much upside!Toews, Kane, Havlat will be a disgusting line, that will reak havoc!
August 23, 2007 4:56 PM ET | Delete
I am not so sure that Kane will be a regular with the big club yet. Good analysis though!
August 23, 2007 5:08 PM ET | Delete
Nice analysis! I think Backstrom will be the #2 center to Nylander though..
August 23, 2007 5:14 PM ET | Delete
Backstrom is more likely to play with Semin than Ovechkin!
August 23, 2007 5:15 PM ET | Delete
Nice Analysis! Can't wait to see how things shake out. I wish they'd drop the puck already!!!!!!
August 23, 2007 5:26 PM ET | Delete
great predictions but might wanna save that okposo prediction for next year i think hes spendin another year in colly.
August 23, 2007 5:28 PM ET | Delete
Yea, Kane will not be in the regular line up when the season begins. He has a lot or work to do on his strength and it will take at least a year. If this was AHL rookie predictions then I would put him number one.
August 23, 2007 5:44 PM ET | Delete
Yes, Okposo went back to Minnesota for one more year at the least... Can't wait to see him with the big club!
August 23, 2007 6:41 PM ET | Delete
Kane will make the team they dont have alot of offence right now if Gionta can play in the NHL he can to. He was in the best shape in the prospect analasys done before the draft. Tallon said that he has every chance to make the club so im guessing they will give him a fair chance.
August 23, 2007 6:41 PM ET | Delete
There always seems to be one rookie you never heard of before who tears it up but I think I'd have to agree with this, good job.
August 23, 2007 6:48 PM ET | Delete
I agree with most, but I'm not so sure about price. I think he'll be great but I doubt he'll steal the starting job from Huet, yet.
August 23, 2007 7:01 PM ET | Delete
Whether Kane starts the seanson with the big club is to be determined but he sould not. He would benefit greatly from playing part of the year in the A. He has the skill to play up at the start but there is a lot of pressure from being #1. A couple months down gets him used to the atmosphere and he comes up and shows why he was 1
August 23, 2007 10:53 PM ET | Delete
Patrick Kane, could be a bust for how high he was taken. How do you people think at 5-9 160 lbs he can play in the NHL this year. Stop and think for a moment, close your eyes and think about how the Ducks won the cup. Cant you picture in your mind your itty bitty Kane being splattered in blood similar to that of Comrie ?? You dont know for sure that the ever flaky NHL wont promote a similar kind of game as the Ducks played in the Stanley Cup during the regular season. If that happens then Kane should have been a middle round 3rd round pick
August 23, 2007 11:04 PM ET | Delete
I'm hoping that Okposo won't be too overwhelmed by the expectations on Long Island. there are amny who see him as the Savior of the Franchise (as if he's the next Gretzky.) I love the kid, but fans shouldn't get their hopes up just yet as there's always a transition period (especially from College hockey to the Pros).
August 23, 2007 11:30 PM ET | Delete
I look at players like Gionta, St.louis and Mcdonald who played on Anaheim and was a huge part of their success and I think if given the right opportunity he will do well.
August 24, 2007 6:24 AM ET | Delete
No Marc Staal?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????c'mon, Okposo isn't playing at all in the NHL this year, staying in college
August 24, 2007 6:37 AM ET | Delete
Message Posted
August 24, 2007 6:57 AM ET | Delete
Before i got a little trigger happy with the 'post message' button......nice analysis but, - don't let the past few years distort Chelios's offensive ability - the guy put up 60 points 7 times in his career including 3 seasons of 70 pts. He had another 38 pts in 48 games during the lock out season too. Having said that, JJ does have the potential to be a star.- Backstrom could have a huge season but like some have pointed out, I think he will be playing behind Nylander meaning, only limited time with Ovechkin.- I'm also looking forward to seeing what happens with Bobby Ryan. I remember on draft day Burke raving about this kid but 2 years later he has not made the US World Jr team and put up very good but not incredible numbers in the OHL. I expect he will get every opportunity now that Penner is gone to fill that void.- I can't see Boyd getting more than 4th line minutes but either Iron Mike will love him and play him 20 mins per game or next to nothing.- Hopefully one/several of the Habs talented kids step up....expecting big things from Kostitsyn this year.
August 24, 2007 9:40 AM ET | Delete
Marc Staal Marc Staal Marc Staal Marc Staal Marc Staal Marc Staal Marc Staal Marc Staal Marc Staal Marc Staal Marc Staal Marc Staal Marc Staal Marc Staal Marc Staal Marc Staal Marc Staal Marc Staal Marc Staal Marc Staal Marc Staal Marc Staal Marc Staal Marc Staal Marc Staal Marc Staal Marc Staal Marc Staal Marc Staal Marc Staal Marc Staal Marc Staal Marc Staal Marc Staal Marc Staal Marc Staal Marc Staal Marc Staal Marc Staal Marc Staal Marc Staal Marc Staal
August 24, 2007 10:41 AM ET | Delete
let us not forget about another someone who was "too small" to play in the nhl and happened to retire as the all time leading LW scorer... Lucky Luc Robitaille
August 24, 2007 12:40 PM ET | Delete
Marc Staal Marc Staal Marc Staal Marc Staal Marc Staal Marc Staal Marc StaMarc Staal al
August 24, 2007 1:02 PM ET | Delete
Staal could have a break-out year as well this was just off the top of my head. He should get a serious opportunity considering Malik is one of the rangers best defencmen. Since OKO isn't playing in the NHL this season I would Put Staal in the top 10 maybe ahead of Boyd.
August 24, 2007 4:50 PM ET | Delete
jimbo83,We get the picture and yes he should be pretty good this year with a huge upside in years to come.
August 25, 2007 1:53 PM ET | Delete
Don't forget Devin Setoguchi of the Sharks. He's gonna have Thornton, Michalek, Cheechoo, Marleau, etc. Gonna be a heck of a year for him.
August 25, 2007 3:48 PM ET | Delete
The thing is with Devin Setoguchi being with San Jose. is that there are two spots available for the two starting roles. If he gets one of the spots then it will be a awesome season for him. But if will be hard. I mean other players playing on the 3rd line last year and others are just hungry to jump into those spots, and there not about to let a rookie just come in and take it from them.As for Carey Price I can see him getting into the NHL with the Habs, but I don't see him stealing the starting position. Also what makes you think huet will have the starting role? I mean Halak played just as good as Huet. It will be a 3 way battle for the starting role. With Price having to be awesome to get that role. Because chances are Halak or Huet will play good this season.
August 25, 2007 3:50 PM ET | Delete
Also if Marc Staal is good. Well then lets just say if there is a 4th brother, whether he's good or not he'll be drafted.
August 25, 2007 4:39 PM ET | Delete
Sheam316, there is a fourth brother. Jared
August 25, 2007 4:40 PM ET | Delete
Sheam316, there is a fourth brother, Jared. He's on the same team that Marc's being playing on in the OHL.
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