Week 1 Review

Lake Erie 1-8 Winnipeg

Led by a terrific goaltending trio of Ilya Bryzgalov, Jonathan Quick and Semyon Varlamov, the Wasps started their POH6 campaign on an impressive note. Varlamov, who the Wasps selected to be the team's No. 3 goaltender, posted an impressive 2-win, 1.30 GAA, .960 SV% in Week 1. Winnipeg won 4-of-5 offensive categories, and nearly won the DEF category despite fielding just two eligible defensemen for most of the week.  Standouts: Patrick Kane (WINN) 2 G, 4 A, 17 SOG---Jack Johnson (LE) 2 G, 2 A, 4 DEF, 11 SOG

Vancouver 5-3 Latvia

The defending champion Villains began their title defense with a slim 5-3 victory over the Lipsuckers. Vancouver was firing on all cylinders offensively, piling up a league-best 49 points in Week 1. The goaltending effort was a poor one, however, leading to a less than stellar 5-3 result. Dwayne Roloson finished the week with a 4.35 GAA, while third year Villain Roberto Luongo struggled to the tune of a 3.60 GAA. Henrik Sedin had 7 points to lead the way for Svitak.   Standouts: Kris Letang (VAN) 1 G, 5 A, 6 DEF, 15 SOG---John Tavares (LAT) 5 G, 3 A, 12 SOG

Alberta 5-3 Newfoundland

Another match up featuring an offensive sweep for one team (Alberta) and a near sweep in the goaltending statistics (Newfoundland). The Bears peppered the net with shots, racking up 144 in the 10-day opening week. Claude Giroux impressed in his first week with Alberta, scoring 5 points (3 on the PP). Many sources close to the Alberta franchise say Sean Slevin is expecting Giroux to be in a Bears uniform for quite some time. The NorthStars, who came out this week with a "three-year plan" to rebuild the organization, held their own against the high powered Bears offense. Phil Kessel had an impressive 5 G, 3 A week, though his final effort of the week was executed on the bench. Kari Lehtonen provided the spark in net, with only 6 GA in 4 games (all wins). Standouts: Ray Whitney (ALB) 2 G, 2 A, 10 SOG---Kari Lehtonen (NEWF) 4 W, 1.48 GAA, .955 SV%

Branson 2-6 Sandusky

The Slanderers may have had the strongest all-around performance in Week 1, tallying 35 points on offense while posting a sub-2.00 GAA and a pair of shutouts. The defending Fleury Division champs had a league-best 154 SOG, including three players with more than 20(!) in the week (Neal, Vanek, Carter). Thomas Vanek was just silly, with 3 G, 4 A, and 20 SOG. Neal took an early lead in the Richard Trophy race with his 5 goals. The Bull Frogs had a league-best 24 A, including 4 from Shane Doan. Sandusky swept all 4 goaltending stats despite playing the entire week without Antti Niemi. Standouts: Jeff Skinner (SAN) 2 G, 4 A, 14 SOG---Mike Smith (BRAN) 1 W, 0.96 GAA, .955 SV%

NWT 3-3 Istan

With the return of POH4's 9-category system comes the infamous 3-3-3 tie. In a game that could have future implications for the Rathje Division crown, nothing was settled as the Buls received 2 assists on Sunday from Ryan Getzlaf to secure the tie. Perhaps the biggest news in this one is the wavering health of third year keeper Evgeni Malkin, and GM Nick Lake's public attempts to trade the former Art Ross Trophy winner. Istan controlled the offense for the most part, with a 3-1-1 mark in those categories. Rick Nash led the way with his 2 G, 3 A week. The Buls also received steady production from Gabriel Landeskog (2 G-1A), who was officially shipped to Newfoundland as of Saturday evening.  Jared Stewart benched Alexander Ovechkin twice, missing both games the Russian sensation collected any points. Only giving more ammunition to those who contest that the third-year manager lacks the dedication to win a Prince's Pot. Standouts: Daniel Sedin (NWT) 2 G, 5 A, 4 PPP, 17 SOG---Rick Nash (IST) 2 G, 3 A, 14 SOG

Question of the Week:

How much longer does Evgeni Malkin have in an Istan Buls uniform? It seems only a matter of time that a willing general manager in the Princes of Hockey will roll the dice on the oft-injured Russian. And if, like we expect, Malkin is dealt...what will Lake get in return? Certainly this seems to be the most glaring storyline heading into Week 2 action.

League Leaders

Goals-Vancouver (16)

Assists-Branson (24)

PPP-Winnipeg/Alberta (17)

SOG-Sandusky (154)

DEF-Vancouver/Lake Erie (12)

Wins-Winnipeg (7)

Shutouts-Winnipeg/Sandusky (2)

GAA-Winnipeg (1.656)

SV%-Winnipeg (.9446)

Week 2 Match Ups

Alberta @ Vancouver

Winnipeg @ Branson

Lake Erie @ NWT

Latvia @ Sandusky

Newfoundland @ Istan

Relations crumble between Semin, Newfoundland

by Richard Patterson

Management of the Newfoundland NorthStars met on Thursday morning to discuss the future of left winger Alexander Semin, days after the Russian superstar left midway through a team meeting. According to head coach Nick Ewing, the consensus throughout the organization was to move in a different direction.

"We can't have guys picking up cell phone calls in the middle of meetings and walking out," said Ewing, entering his third full season in POH. "Every day he drove away from team headquarters with a middle finger held out his window. That kind of behavior simply can't be tolerated."

It was not difficult to find suitors for Semin, who has scored better than a point-per-game twice in his NHL career. Ewing didn't wait long, fearing that a further disconnect between Semin and the organization could be a distraction moving forward. Nick Lake, general manager and head coach of the Istan Buls, was the first to pick up the phone regarding Semin's services....and was happy to welcome the talented left wing.

As seen above, Semin was known to have a cigarette or ten before and after every intermission. Part of the behavior that got him traded to Istan on Thursday.

"Anytime you can add a guy with the immense talent of an Alex Semin, I think you owe it to your fans to do so," Lake said. "We understand that he and Mr. Ewing haven't always gotten along, but we have a veteran group of guys over here in Istan and are confident that he'll fit right in."

Newfoundland received blue chip prospect Gabriel Landeskog in the deal, along with Canucks forward Alexandre Burrows. The move makes sense for both sides, as Newfoundland continues to build for the future with young talent, while Istan gears up for another run at a Rathje Division crown.

Semin has played in 70+ games just one time in the past four seasons, having been riddled with injury for the better part of his NHL career. His best season came in '09-'10 when he tallied 40 goals and 44 assists in 73 games.

After conducting a 45-minute long interview with Ewing on Thursday evening, he closed the conversation with a rather shocking, borderline criminal statement.

"Make sure to put this in print," Ewing sneered. "Fuck Alexander Semin. If he ever shows his face in Newfoundland again, and that includes when Istan comes up here to play on Dec. 12, I'll personally cut his fucking throat with a dull butter knife."

Bold words from a bold coach.

Pre-Season Preview: #1 Vancouver Villains

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

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.

Players to Watch:

G-Corey Crawford
Crawford 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 Gaborik
Gaborik 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.

Pre-Season Preview: #2 NWT Moose

 

Coach: Jared Stewart

Trophy Case: Nothing
POH5 Regular Season Finish: 6th

Postseason Finish: First Round Loss

Pre-Season Rank
Forwards: 1st

Defensemen: 4th
Goaltenders: 8th

Coaching Pedigree: 6th

Overall: 2nd

Projected Win Total: 95

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.

Players to Watch:

G-Pekka Rinne

Stewart 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 Lidstrom
Lidstrom 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 Richards
Richards 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.