TSN.ca Updates Their Pool Projections

TSN has offered up their projected numbers for the coming season today, as they have posted their lists here. It's not the biggest list, by any means, as they only have 250 players on there, so it won't be like any of the other magazines you may have already picked up or the ones that I have reviewed so far this Summer. Nevertheless, I'm going to comb over the list and look at some of the key names and point totals as per my scoring system, just to give you an idea of what we have going on.

First up, we'll explore the scoring championship. It was a close comparison, but Alex Ovechkin took the prize with a projected total of 109 points this coming year, including a 55-goal season. Much like last season, Ovechkin is the only player to be projected with a 50-goal or better season. Evgeni Malkin came in that close second spot with 108 points and Sidney Crosby finished third with 101 points. Those would also be the only players to have a projected total of better than 100 points.

The remainder of the top ten seems to be the usual suspects, with very little to surprise you with. Nicklas Backstrom of the Capitals is projected to have a great year with Ovechkin, as he's scheduled to pick up 94 points. It'll be a pair of dynamic duos leading the way, by the looks of things. Joe Thornton and Dany Heatley also figure into the dynamic duo conversation, as they both fit in the top ten with 90 & 88 points, respectively.

In the nets, it looks like parity really took it's toll on the NHL, as per my scoring, four keepers will finish with 90 points. Miikka Kiprusoff leads the wins column with 41, while Martin Brodeur and Evgeni Nabokov are both scheduled to win 39 games and Roberto Luongo is to only pick up 38 wins. All four even out in points thanks to the shutout category. TSN is not going out on a limb and suggesting that we'll see any records being broken for single-season accomplishments here.

Semyon Varlamov is being considered the number one goalie in Washington and he's a man you're going to want to think about taking this year, according to this list. He's projected to finish with 80 points. That's good enough to lift him into the top ten. Steve Mason also has a beat on 80 points this season, likely lifting the Blue Jackets back into the playoffs with those sort of numbers.

On defense, Nicklas Lidstrom returns to the top of the pile with another big season. He's on pace to lead all blueliners in scoring with 63 points, while Mike Green doesn't excel quite as well as his teammates with a second place finish with only 60 points. Scott Niedermayer chimes in at third with 59 points, while Mark Streit, Andrei Markov and Sergei Gonchar all finish with 58 points. Sounds like it could be a tight race for the defenseman scoring title.

In the rookie race, TSN is saying that there may be a tie in scoring between both Cody Hodgson of the Canucks and Ville Leino of the Red Wings. Both players are on the list with 49 points. John Tavares, the rookie on everyone's radar is listed with only 43 points on the island. Another rookie to look at this year might be Colin Wilson of the Predators, who comes in at 40 points on this list.

Finally, I wanted to make a note of Jonas Gustavsson of the Leafs, who carries that question mark as to how many games he'll play, let alone win. The TSN list of goalies is showing 16 wins and 2 shutouts for 36 points, meaning that he'll probably get the shorter end of the stick when it comes to platooning.

It might be a little easier to be conservative with this list online, but remember, it's only a guide.