New Projections from TSN.ca

I do find it a little odd that last season's TSN.ca projections post is still a popular page on the blog, but what can ya do? I just thought I would let everyone know that the new projections are out from the TSN Fantasy guys. I thought I would point out a few of the same notes I have from the other publications.

Leading the charge for points shouldn't come as a surprise... Sidney Crosby.  Crosby is projected to hit 113 points this season, while Alexander Ovechkin follows behind again with 107.  Both Vincent Lecavalier and Joe Thornton are projected for 101, which does look about the same of what the current poll suggests.  Evgeni Malkin, also in the running for third pick overall according to the poll, is projected to post 99 points in fifth.  The lads at TSN didn't seem to confident in the goal scorers this year, having Ovechkin as the only one to crack 50, at 59.  To some degree, going down the list it seems that the projections are also very conservative.

TSN doesn't make the gamble of projecting for Mats Sundin, which is a wise move.  Being a web publication, they have the luxury of adding Sundin later, if they so feel the need.  Teemu Selanne and Joe Sakic, on the other hand, have projections of 78 & 72 points, respectively.  Selanne is ranked 21st among skaters, seeing as though he has a shot at a full 82-game season.  Pretty high praise for the Finnish Flash.  Selanne has only signed a tryout contract thus far in pre-season and will need the Ducks to make a move or two to actually be signed to a new deal.  On another interesting note, Brendan Shanahan, still without a job, was also neglected by the TSN rankings.

In the rookie race, seems a tad familiar to some of the other publications so far.  Leading the way, Kyle Okposo at 48 points.  Okposo does come with a few games of experience in his career.  Kyle Turris is in second with 46 points, Steven Stamkos is third at 45, Bobby Ryan projects at 38, Jakub Voracek settles with 36 and Shawn Matthias posts 35.  Fabian Brunnstrom was omitted from the TSN rankings, which is somewhat strange, as he's played well in the pre-season rookie tournaments and has the size for the NHL. 

In goal, Martin Brodeur is one of three goalies projected for 40 wins this season, Brodeur leading the way with 43.  Evgeni Nabokov and Miikka Kiprusoff are the other two keepers with 40 wins.  TSN does include shutouts in their projections, so I can give an idea of points for projections as well.  Brodeur will lead with 98 points, Nabokov will register 92 points, Kiprusoff has 88, while Marc-Andre Fleury, Henrik Lundqvist and Roberto Luongo will all have 86 points.

On defense, the top defender on the skater list is Nicklas Lidstrom (of course!) with 71 points.  Rounding out the top five are Sergei Gonchar with 63, Dion Phaneuf with 56, Scott Niedermayer with 56 and Dan Boyle with 55.  There isn't a great deal of surprise with that crew.  No notable rookies to speak of on the list.

This isn't a very gutsy list, by any means, but you can take it with you and stay relatively safe at your hockey pool draft.