Post by Joe Hockey on Sept 15, 2018 9:40:21 GMT -7
Perennial division leader with one slip up two years ago. That slip, coupled with some shrewd trades, netted him Nolan Patrick, Jake Guentzel and Kailer Yamamoto. Not bad. Getting P.K. Subban and Sydney Crosby, at the cost of two of those picks, was pretty slick too. The Knights will have to make some adjustments due to cap issues, but nothing too major.
How many superstars would you say they have? Crosby, yep. Stamkos, yep. Giroux, yep. Pastrnak, maybe. Those guys alone could beat the Roadrunners on a good night. But the guys behind must be bums, right? Nope. After that top four, I would say he might have eight more forwards capable of a point a game. So the cupboard must be bare, right? Well, not quite. Eeeli Tolvanen looks pretty good, and Valeri Nichushkin isn't far behind. Not fair, right? This time you're right. Offence rating: 1st
Defence is right up there as well. He picked up Subban in a trade, and he probably isn't on the top line. Gotisbehere will probably pick up a point a game, Doughty, Subban and maybe Theodore not far behind. Down the line, he's been hanging on to Ethan Bear for a while, but Victor Mete may have jumped him on the depth chart. Defence rating: 2nd
For the Knights, making the playoffs isn't an issue, how far they go is the only question. Realistically, they should make it to the final, but we all know how that sometimes turns out, and the Flames aren't that far behind.
Breakout Player: Valeri Nichushkin
Top Rookie: Kristian Vesalainen The only player on his roster, before this year's draft, that is eligible.
Season Prediction: 37 - 12 - 5 - 79 pts, 1st place Premier Division, 1st overall.
How many superstars would you say they have? Crosby, yep. Stamkos, yep. Giroux, yep. Pastrnak, maybe. Those guys alone could beat the Roadrunners on a good night. But the guys behind must be bums, right? Nope. After that top four, I would say he might have eight more forwards capable of a point a game. So the cupboard must be bare, right? Well, not quite. Eeeli Tolvanen looks pretty good, and Valeri Nichushkin isn't far behind. Not fair, right? This time you're right. Offence rating: 1st
Defence is right up there as well. He picked up Subban in a trade, and he probably isn't on the top line. Gotisbehere will probably pick up a point a game, Doughty, Subban and maybe Theodore not far behind. Down the line, he's been hanging on to Ethan Bear for a while, but Victor Mete may have jumped him on the depth chart. Defence rating: 2nd
For the Knights, making the playoffs isn't an issue, how far they go is the only question. Realistically, they should make it to the final, but we all know how that sometimes turns out, and the Flames aren't that far behind.
Breakout Player: Valeri Nichushkin
Top Rookie: Kristian Vesalainen The only player on his roster, before this year's draft, that is eligible.
Season Prediction: 37 - 12 - 5 - 79 pts, 1st place Premier Division, 1st overall.