Roto Exclusive : Guest Contributions and Featured Articles

Stars – Last season, the Stars saw their powerplay rank last overall from fourteenth in the league in the
year prior. The additions of Whitney, Jagr and Roy should get them back to the NHL average. Jagr and
Whitney reached twenty powerplay points last season and Roy contributed 12, which would have tied
for the team lead in Dallas.
Red Wings – If Tomas Holmstrom decides to hang up the skates, Johan Franzen should see an infinite
rise in point totals from the extra man. Playing a somewhat similar game to Holmstrom, the Mule will
reach career highs while using his thick frame to upset the opposition shift after shift.
Oilers – The entire hockey world was pressing F5 on their computers on TSN and Twitter as Justin
Schultz knocked teams off his list. He’s had all the hype and some players with similar numbers in
college were Matt Carle, Alex Goligoski and Jordan Leopold. Goligoski hit 20 points in 45 games, Carle
managed 42 points in 77 games and Leopold reached a lowly 14 points in 58 games in their respective
rookie years in the NHL. What player’s numbers will he echo in this upcoming year?
Panthers – Florida saw a significant drop in goal totals in the second half of
last season. They averaged 2.24 goals per game in their last 41 matches while
starting the year with 2.85 goals per game in their first 27. It’s difficult to say
which totals they will revert to this upcoming season as Versteeg had just
broken out and Fleischmann first line minutes for a full season for the first
time in his career.
Kings – In the past four years, the year following a team’s Stanley Cup championship saw these teams
allow on average 23 more goals than the past season. This does not bode well for Jonathan Quick and
Jonathan Bernier owners. This would drop Jon Quick’s totals from last year to a .916 save percentage
and a 2.28 goals against average.
Wild – Last season, the Minnesota Wild led the NHL in wins and points in the month of December. The
wheels soon fell off. The Wild held a 14-23-5 record from January on and concluded the year in 12 th in
the Western Conference. This next season they’ll have Zach Parise, Ryan Suter, Mikael Granlund and
Zenon Konopka in addition to the old squad. If the first half Wild shows up, could we be in for a season
to remember in Minnesota?
Canadiens – The last year that Montreal had the honour of Andrei Markov running their powerplay,
they had a success rate of 19.3%. This past season, they ranked third last in the league at 14.3%. His
healthy return should have the Montreal faithful buzzing every time they are given the extra man and
perhaps we’ll see Pacioretty reach a new level after only recording four goals on the powerplay last
season.
Predators – As one of the smallest leaders Canada has ever seen dawn the ‘C’, Ryan Ellis will have to
make the most of his opportunity this year with the recently departed Ryan Suter. The gaping hole on
the top powerplay and many even strength minutes to have, Ellis should see at least thirty points in this
next campaign. Roman Josi will be playing minutes alongside Shea Weber which will help him also reach
career highs.
36