Previewing the 2012-2013 NHL Season
We are less than two months away from the NHL opener. On Sunday September 23rd, the Ottawa Senators will take on the Montreal Canadiens. This season promises to be exciting as the upstart Los Angeles Kings try to defend their first Stanley Cup title. During the off season the Kings signed Jonathan Quick to a 10 year contract extension through the 2022-23 season as well as Dwight King to a two year contract. It's clear the defending champs want to make a run at a dynasty but with a lot of big name faces in new places it will be difficult. Here's a quick look at some of the major off season moves in the NHL.
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The two super powers in the Eastern Conference, the Rangers and Penguins, got better this off season. The New York Rangers acquired stud forward Rick Nash from the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Rangers sent the Blue Jackets centers Brandon Dubinsky (potential fantasy breakout), Artem Anisimov, defenseman Tim Erixon and a first-round pick next year. The Rangers also received minors player Steven Delisle and a conditional pick in the 2013 draft. The Rangers gained an elite forward who has scored 289 goals in 674 career games. The Pittsburgh Penguins traded center Jordan Staal to the Carolina Hurricanes for center Brandon Sutter, the number 8 pick in 2012 draft and D Brian Dumoulin. Then traded defenseman Zbynek Michalek to Phoenix Coyotes for blue line defender Harrison Ruopp, goalie Marc Cheverie and a third-round 2012 draft pick. All of that on top of signing Sidney Crosby to a 12 year extension and James Neal to a 6 year extension.
The Philedelphia Flyers missed out on Shea Weber but they do return two of the more dominating fantasy players in Scott Hartnell and Claude Giroux. The Flyers finished with the 3rd most points in the Eastern Conference last year. They also led the NHL in Power Play goals (66). The Defending Eastern Conference champs lost their Captain, Zack Parise, to the Wild but did resign the immortal Martin Brodeur. Backup goalie Johan Hedburg was also resigned along with Steve Bernier, Ryan Carter, Stephen Gionta, Cam Janssen, Peter Harrold and Bryce Salvador. The Devils look to make another run at the Cup in 2013. |  The Devils were no match for the LA Kings this past year as Jeff Carter and company beat Broduer's Devils in 6 games |
The Washington Capitols signed a lot of new players this off season but none more intriguing than the trade for Mike Ribeiro. He was brought in from the Dallas Stars for Cody Eakin and a second round 2012 draft pick. The Capitols will be another team to keep an eye on this year. Alex Ovechkin enters his 8th season with the team. Last year was his worst season to date, his 65 points was a career low. Prior to last year he scored at least 85 points in his first 6 seasons as a pro. Don't rule out the defensive minded Caps when postseason play begins.
The Ottawa Senators resigned their best player Erik Karlsson, the best fantasy Defenseman, to a 7 year contract. The young Senators squeaked into the playoffs last year but with a solid young base of Karlsson, Spezza, Alfredsson, Foligno, Michalek and 31 year old veteran goalie Craig Anderson, the future is bright and the window to win is only getting wider.
The Tampa Bay Lightning made a number of small signings to give Steven Stamkos a decent surrounding cast. Last year Stamkos put up a league high 60 goals, but the second highest on the team was Martin St. Louis with 25. The Lightning missed the playoffs 8 points behind the Senators and Capitols. The Lightning need more production from their blue line, Marc-Andre Bergeron lead the Tampa defenders with 24 points. That ranked him tied for 62nd in points in the league among defensemen.
The last place Montreal Canadiens signed Carey Price to a 6 year contract. The Canadiens were on the losing end of 12 shootouts last season making them a possible bounce back/sleeper team. I mentioned Carey Price in my #29 Blind Resume (Part 3 of 3).
The Ottawa Senators resigned their best player Erik Karlsson, the best fantasy Defenseman, to a 7 year contract. The young Senators squeaked into the playoffs last year but with a solid young base of Karlsson, Spezza, Alfredsson, Foligno, Michalek and 31 year old veteran goalie Craig Anderson, the future is bright and the window to win is only getting wider.
The Tampa Bay Lightning made a number of small signings to give Steven Stamkos a decent surrounding cast. Last year Stamkos put up a league high 60 goals, but the second highest on the team was Martin St. Louis with 25. The Lightning missed the playoffs 8 points behind the Senators and Capitols. The Lightning need more production from their blue line, Marc-Andre Bergeron lead the Tampa defenders with 24 points. That ranked him tied for 62nd in points in the league among defensemen.
The last place Montreal Canadiens signed Carey Price to a 6 year contract. The Canadiens were on the losing end of 12 shootouts last season making them a possible bounce back/sleeper team. I mentioned Carey Price in my #29 Blind Resume (Part 3 of 3).
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The defending Western Conference top seed Vancouver Canucks, who lost in the first round to the Kings, made some adjustments in early July signing three defensemen; Derek Joslin, Patrick Mullen and Jason Garrison. The Canucks who sport one of the better front lines with the Sedin brothers, look to build on last year's success.
The St. Louis Blues, who finished 2nd in the Western Conference last year, made some settle moves this off season including resigning future star T.J. Oshie to a 5 year deal. The Blues were 14-2-2 against the Eastern Conference last year. They were also the only team to win 30 games at home in 2012.
The Nashville Predators matched the Flyers 14 year offer sheet on Shea Weber. Weber, who is a top 10 fantasy Defenseman, will remain in Nashville.
The Dallas Stars made a handful of small moves this off season including signing the ageless Jaromir Jagr to a one year contract. They will look to improve on the Power Play as they scored the fewest PP Goals last year (33).
The St. Louis Blues, who finished 2nd in the Western Conference last year, made some settle moves this off season including resigning future star T.J. Oshie to a 5 year deal. The Blues were 14-2-2 against the Eastern Conference last year. They were also the only team to win 30 games at home in 2012.
The Nashville Predators matched the Flyers 14 year offer sheet on Shea Weber. Weber, who is a top 10 fantasy Defenseman, will remain in Nashville.
The Dallas Stars made a handful of small moves this off season including signing the ageless Jaromir Jagr to a one year contract. They will look to improve on the Power Play as they scored the fewest PP Goals last year (33).
My Colorado Avalanche were fairly quiet this off season basically bringing back a few key players like Erik Johnson and Milan Hejduk. The Avalanche won 9 of 11 shootouts last year. The Avs could be a dangerous team this year. Young gun Ryan O'Reilly will look to build on last season's success (18 goals, 37 assists), he is 21 years old entering his 4th season in the league. Paul Stastny is arguably the team's best player, last year he scored 21 goals, had 32 assists and accounted for 19 power play points. The Colorado power play scoring percentage was actually better than 10 of the 16 playoff teams. |  Lookout for my Avalanche this year |
The Minnesota Wild became automatic players with their two major free agent pickups. They agreed to terms with F Zach Parise and D Ryan Suter on 13 year contracts back on July 4th.
If you want to discuss some of the NHL off season news and notes find me on Twitter @Awies28
Alex Wiesner
August 2nd, 2012
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If you want to discuss some of the NHL off season news and notes find me on Twitter @Awies28
Alex Wiesner
August 2nd, 2012
Archives
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