Pre-Season Preview: #7 Latvia Lipsuckers

Coach: Travis Todd
Trophy Case: Nothing

POH5 Regular Season Finish: 8th
Postseason Finish: DNQ

Pre-Season Rank
Forwards: 2nd
Defensemen: 9th
Goaltenders: 7th
Coaching Pedigree: 9th
Overall: 7th
Projected Win Total: 66

Keepers:
C Jonathan Toews (2nd Year in Latvia)
C Anze Kopitar (2nd Year)
LW Henrik Zetterberg (2nd Year)
D Zdeno Chara (2nd Year)
G Tomas Vokoun (2nd Year)

Outlook
From a talent perspective, this Latvia Lipsuckers hockey club could be considered not only playoff worthy, but division champion material. But can GM Travis Todd follow through on this team's promise by consistently making good decisions all winter long? Or will his lack of hockey knowledge cripple the Lipsuckers? Enough cannot be said about the job done by Todd in the draft. He added to an already solid group of forwards by selecting Patrick Marleau, Teemu Selanne, John Tavares and Daniel Alfredsson. The back-line of Edler, Gonchar, Chara and Zidlicky won't strike a lot of fear in opponents. Chara, for how much he disrupts opposing offenses in real life, doesn't play an elite level in the fantasy realm (44 TP last season). The goaltending is decent, with Tomas Vokoun back from last year (though with a different uniform on, after joining the Capitals this offseason). Miikka Kiprusoff is a serviceable No. 2, but I question Todd's decision to roll with a 2-man netminding unit...I expect him to pick up a third goaltender (perhaps a Dubnyk or Mason). As the only POH franchise representing an entire country, there will be a good deal of pressure on Todd and the Lipsuckers to perform this season. Todd is one of Twelvo Sports finest managers, with 3 World Titles to his name...some of the finest names in the Twelvo sports realm have transitioned to the ice gracefully, with the likes of Lake, Ries and Hafnor all claiming Prince's Pots. Todd's second year in the league will likely give us a better idea of how much desire he has to be respected in the Princes of Hockey.

Players to Watch:

RW-Teemu Selanne

The 41-year-old Selanne returns for one last NHL campaign after signing a one-year, 4 million dollar deal in Anaheim. Last season, Selanne ranked among the top-10 scorers in the league with his 80 point season. If Selanne can deliver another 75-80 point performance this year, the Lipsuckers will be even more dangerous on offense than they might appear.

C-John Tavares 

The former No. 1 overall selection now enters his third season with the Isles and is poised for a breakout. He could very well be the face of the the Lipsuckers for years to come. 

G-Tomas Vokoun

Much will be expected from Vokoun this season in Latvia. Not only is he the team's best netminder, he is one of only two on the entire roster...making a strong season even more important. Vokoun moves from the equivalent of a hockey black hole in Florida, to a Stanley Cup contender in Washington. The move should result in more Wins...though it is yet to be seen how his other stats will rise or fall.