Post by Joe Hockey on Sept 14, 2018 19:35:14 GMT -7
The Stallions finished in first place in a tight race in the division, second highest scoring team in the league, then lost in the final to a hot Flames team. They have been a consistent division first or second place team for the last five years, but no championships, despite two trips to the final. They should get another shot at it this year. With twelve players in their 30's could this be their last chance?
Malkin, Kessel and Kopitar are the stars on this team and will continue to lead. At least nine of their forwards are capable of a point a game. Offence is not a problem, however, he is running up against the salary cap. Due to cap issues one of his Franchise players is going to have to go. My guess would be Lundqvist. Not a lot in the system, Filip Chytil is ready, but that might be it. Offence rating: 2nd
The defence, as usual, will be lead by Brent Burns, for sure a point per game, followed by Hamilton and Barrie, with point per game potential. The rest of the crew is as good as any other teams second lines. On the near horizon Christian Djoos is ready and Samuel Girard is waiting in the wings. Defence rating: 3rd
A third trip in a row to the final should be in order. On paper the only real challenge out of the division are the Sharks. No team has lost three finals in a row since the Trouble in 2002, when they lost their fifth in a row. All four teams that make the playoffs in the Premier Division will likely be as good, or better, than the Sharks. It might not get interesting for the Stallions until that final series.
Breakout Player: Nicholas Ritchie
Top Rookie: Aleksi Saarela
Season Prediction: 35 - 15 - 4 - 74 pts, 1st place Platinum Division, 2nd overall.
Malkin, Kessel and Kopitar are the stars on this team and will continue to lead. At least nine of their forwards are capable of a point a game. Offence is not a problem, however, he is running up against the salary cap. Due to cap issues one of his Franchise players is going to have to go. My guess would be Lundqvist. Not a lot in the system, Filip Chytil is ready, but that might be it. Offence rating: 2nd
The defence, as usual, will be lead by Brent Burns, for sure a point per game, followed by Hamilton and Barrie, with point per game potential. The rest of the crew is as good as any other teams second lines. On the near horizon Christian Djoos is ready and Samuel Girard is waiting in the wings. Defence rating: 3rd
A third trip in a row to the final should be in order. On paper the only real challenge out of the division are the Sharks. No team has lost three finals in a row since the Trouble in 2002, when they lost their fifth in a row. All four teams that make the playoffs in the Premier Division will likely be as good, or better, than the Sharks. It might not get interesting for the Stallions until that final series.
Breakout Player: Nicholas Ritchie
Top Rookie: Aleksi Saarela
Season Prediction: 35 - 15 - 4 - 74 pts, 1st place Platinum Division, 2nd overall.