Coach: Jared Stewart
Trophy Case: Nothing
POH5 Regular Season Finish: 6th
POH5 Regular Season Finish: 6th
Postseason Finish: First Round Loss
Pre-Season Rank
Forwards: 1st
Forwards: 1st
Defensemen: 4th
Goaltenders: 8th
Goaltenders: 8th
Coaching Pedigree: 6th
Overall: 2nd
Projected Win Total: 95
Keepers:
C Brad Richards (2nd Year in NWT)
LW Alexander Ovechkin (3rd Year)
Keepers:
C Brad Richards (2nd Year in NWT)
LW Alexander Ovechkin (3rd Year)
LW Daniel Sedin (3rd Year)
D Nicklas Lidstrom (2nd Year)
G Jonas Hiller (2nd Year)
Outlook
Of the five managers in Princes of Hockey who have yet to win a Prince's Pot Championship, it is GM Jared Stewart who most suspect will be next in line to hoist the trophy. Entering his third season, Stewart has built an intimidating nucleus in the Northwest Territories, including Daniel Sedin, Alexander Ovechkin, Brad Richards and Nicklas Lidstrom. The Moose, who have had issues in net for each the past two seasons, addressed the problem by spending their first round pick this season on young Pekka Rinne, who figures to be the goaltender of the future in NWT. Offensively, the Moose built around Sedin, Ovechkin and Richards by adding talented forwards Mikko Koivu, David Krejci, Alex Tanguay and Tomas Plekanec. On defense, Tobias Enstrom could be a future keeper with Lidstrom knocking on the door of retirement. With the return of Jonas Hiller after his vertigo issues last year, the team will have a formidable 1-2 punch of Rinne-Hiller. Jonathan Bernier is the teams No. 3 goaltender, and it will be interesting to see whether Stewart elects to find a less talented starter, or stick with Bernier, who likely won't start more than 30 times this year. The talent is certainly in place for Stewart and NWT to contend not only for a Rathje Division crown, but perhaps a Prince's Pot when all is said and done.
D Nicklas Lidstrom (2nd Year)
G Jonas Hiller (2nd Year)
Outlook
Of the five managers in Princes of Hockey who have yet to win a Prince's Pot Championship, it is GM Jared Stewart who most suspect will be next in line to hoist the trophy. Entering his third season, Stewart has built an intimidating nucleus in the Northwest Territories, including Daniel Sedin, Alexander Ovechkin, Brad Richards and Nicklas Lidstrom. The Moose, who have had issues in net for each the past two seasons, addressed the problem by spending their first round pick this season on young Pekka Rinne, who figures to be the goaltender of the future in NWT. Offensively, the Moose built around Sedin, Ovechkin and Richards by adding talented forwards Mikko Koivu, David Krejci, Alex Tanguay and Tomas Plekanec. On defense, Tobias Enstrom could be a future keeper with Lidstrom knocking on the door of retirement. With the return of Jonas Hiller after his vertigo issues last year, the team will have a formidable 1-2 punch of Rinne-Hiller. Jonathan Bernier is the teams No. 3 goaltender, and it will be interesting to see whether Stewart elects to find a less talented starter, or stick with Bernier, who likely won't start more than 30 times this year. The talent is certainly in place for Stewart and NWT to contend not only for a Rathje Division crown, but perhaps a Prince's Pot when all is said and done.
Players to Watch:
G-Pekka RinneStewart was thrilled to see Rinne fall to No. 5 at this year's draft. Rinne is a Vezina favorite, and gives the Moose immediate respectability in the goaltending department after struggling in POH5. In the final year of his contract in Nashville, Rinne will be fighting hard to prove he deserves a monster contract. If Rinne has a big year, it will finally make NWT a well-rounded organization.
D-Nicklas LidstromLidstrom has been a cornerstone of the NWT franchise since the league switched to its keeper format in POH4. But with the seven-time Norris Trophy winner turning 42 in the spring, many wonder how much longer we'll be seeing No. 5 patrolling Hockeytown. He can tie Bobby Orr for the all-time Norris Trophies won this season, so there is little doubt Lidstrom will be motivated enough to produce at an all-star level. The question is, what does Stewart plan to do about replacing this legend should he walk away at season's end? Look for the Moose to pursue potential keepers as the season progresses.
C-Brad RichardsRichards was the most coveted free agent of the offseason, and after being pursued heavily by several clubs he chose the bright lights of Madison Square Garden. Now Richards will play alongside all-star Marian Gaborik, who has the finishing touch Richards is looking for. Once these two start clicking, it's going to be a thing of beauty. Don't be surprised if Richards surpasses the 70-assist plateau in his first season with the Rangers.
