Coach: Brandon Svitak
Trophy Case: POH5 Champions---POH4 Fleury Division Winner---POH4 Associate's Cup Winner---POH4 Manager of the Year
POH5 Regular Season Finish: 3rd
Postseason Finish: POH Champions
Pre-Season Rank
Forwards: 3rd
Forwards: 3rd
Defensemen: 1st
Goaltenders: 2nd
Coaching Pedigree: 2nd
Overall: 1st
Projected Win Total: 102
Keepers:
C Sidney Crosby (3rd Year in Vancouver)
C Henrik Sedin (3rd Year)
RW Marian Gaborik (3rd Year)
D Mike Green (3rd Year)
G Roberto Luongo (3rd Year)
Outlook
What can you say about Brandon Svitak? Since joining the league prior to the POH4 season, the guy has dominated the entire landscape of the league. He obliterated through the POH4 season at 119-40 before losing in the semi-finals to the eventual champion Winnipeg Wasps. He came back in POH5, weathered a season ending concussion to his best player Sidney Crosby, and still won the league. Svitak lives up to his team's name, as nobody in the league would ever really consider grabbing a beer with the guy, but few could dismiss his accomplished two-year run as mere luck. The defending champions come back with another strong club. The first thing about this group that catches your eye is the defensive corps, which figures to be the best in the league. Mike Green, Shea Weber and Kris Letang are all No. 1-type blue liners, and Vancouver possesses all three. You will be quite lucky to steal that category from the Villains all season. The goaltending isn't what it was in POH5, and that has to be cause for concern in Vancouver. Yes, Luongo returns and should be as steady as always, but Corey Crawford and Dwayne Roloson are nowhere near the Fleury-Quick duo of a year ago. Questions still circle Sidney Crosby, who has begun the year on the injured reserved, but can be activated at any time because he ended last year on the IR. Svitak figures to be in the playoffs with or without Crosby, and the addition of Sid the Kid will only make the Villains more dangerous. Svitak could be in for another big year, as his decorated trophy case continues to grow.
D Mike Green (3rd Year)
G Roberto Luongo (3rd Year)
Outlook
What can you say about Brandon Svitak? Since joining the league prior to the POH4 season, the guy has dominated the entire landscape of the league. He obliterated through the POH4 season at 119-40 before losing in the semi-finals to the eventual champion Winnipeg Wasps. He came back in POH5, weathered a season ending concussion to his best player Sidney Crosby, and still won the league. Svitak lives up to his team's name, as nobody in the league would ever really consider grabbing a beer with the guy, but few could dismiss his accomplished two-year run as mere luck. The defending champions come back with another strong club. The first thing about this group that catches your eye is the defensive corps, which figures to be the best in the league. Mike Green, Shea Weber and Kris Letang are all No. 1-type blue liners, and Vancouver possesses all three. You will be quite lucky to steal that category from the Villains all season. The goaltending isn't what it was in POH5, and that has to be cause for concern in Vancouver. Yes, Luongo returns and should be as steady as always, but Corey Crawford and Dwayne Roloson are nowhere near the Fleury-Quick duo of a year ago. Questions still circle Sidney Crosby, who has begun the year on the injured reserved, but can be activated at any time because he ended last year on the IR. Svitak figures to be in the playoffs with or without Crosby, and the addition of Sid the Kid will only make the Villains more dangerous. Svitak could be in for another big year, as his decorated trophy case continues to grow.
Players to Watch:
G-Corey CrawfordCrawford excelled last season after wrestling the No. 1 job away from Marty Turco in Chicago. He is now expected to anchor the net for what should be a very, very good Blackhawks team this season. Will the sudden expectations be too much for this kid to handle, or will he continue where he left off in 2010-11? The Villains will certainly be hoping for the latter, as a second reliable goaltending option will be necessary for a repeat.
RW-Marian GaborikGaborik was limited by injury last season, as he posted just 48 points in 62 games. Svitak chose to bring the Czech sniper back for another go thanks in large part to the addition of professional set up man Brad Richards in New York. Gaborik figures to return to his familiar 40-goal form. Gaborik will provide the finishing touch in Vancouver, while teammate Henrik Sedin should rack up the assists. Whichever way you look at it, the Villain offense figures to be quite potent.
C-Sidney Crosby
The Kid was exceptional last season, scoring 34 goals and 66 points before his season ended after just 41 games played. The Penguins are opting to be especially careful with their most prized possession. For many fantasy clubs around the country, this is probably cause for concern. But for GM Brandon Svitak, the absence of Crosby won't be keeping the Villains out of contention. Remember, this team won the championship without Crosby, so to count them out for a No. 1 seed or a Fleury division title would be foolish. But watch for the return or Crosby, because when that day comes all bets are off...the Villains will be a wrecking ball.
