2017 Pool Projections: Minnesota

What is it about the Minnesota Wild that keeps them floating in a state of advanced mediocrity?  They have done well enough to pick a couple of superstars to build their team around in Zach Parise and Ryan Suter, they have hit the jackpot with their number one goalie in Devan Dubnyk, Mikko Koivu patiently waits for that breakthrough and they have been doing a great job producing NHL-calibre defensemen, year over year.

Maybe those two superstars were gambles that have yet to pay off for the Wild, I think you can start it there.  They did put a lot of eggs in those two baskets and have they received full value from it?  Perhaps not.  When you put that much money into two players, you do lessen the available cap space and cash flow for your depth, so one issue could have created another, by all accounts.

Back in May, the Wild started the process of change with the appointment of Bruce Boudreau as head coach and he will certainly bring a fresh take for this team and his responsibility will be to get those star players to play like star players.  The Wild then took the off-season to rid themselves of some underachievers, they added a championship pedigree in Eric Staal and they have nurtured their core group of players, trying to promote a team of solidarity between seasons.

It's extremely hard to say how Boudreau is going to affect those stars, positively or negatively, it's a subjective process that varies from individual player to coach.  We're going to take a stab at it, knowing full well that some players are still going to score, but they can only hope that this new coaching philosophy will help lead them to wins at the same time.

Player	Pos	16/17 Proj	Rookie
Devan Dubnyk	G	70	N
Zach Parise	F	60	N
Mikko Koivu	F	55	N
Eric Staal	F	50	N
Ryan Suter	D	50	N
Mikael Granlund	F	45	N
Charlie Coyle	F	45	N
Nino Niederreiter	F	40	N
Jason Pominville	F	35	N
Matt Dumba	D	35	N
Erik Haula	F	30	N
Jason Zucker	F	30	N
Jared Spurgeon	D	30	N
Chris Stewart	F	25	N
Marco Scandella	D	20	N
Jonas Brodin	D	15	N
Darcy Kuemper	G	10	N
Mike Reilly	D	10	N
Alex Stalock	G	5	N
Jordan Schroeder	F	5	N
Christian Folin	D	5	N
Nate Prosser	D	5	N
Victor Bartley	D	5	N

Table last updated on August 5th

Most Intriguing or Breakout Player

One player that could very well break out, but remains more intriguing than anything, forward Charlie Coyle did due for another production increase, continuing his trend of slowly creeping up the ladder.  45 points looks about right for the 24-year old, but there is certainly some more upside to his game, which could mean more points.

The Wild are now without a guy like Thomas Vanek, who ate up some key minutes here and there, but didn't produce and a guy like Coyle can certainly step into those minutes and possibly provide a great outlet for the newcomer, Eric Staal.

He's the kind of player you might be able to sneak out of a late round, as he is situated in a mid-draft sort of spot with his projection.

First Round Picks

Another cusp player in the projection list, as Devan Dubnyk should eat a lot of minutes for the Minnesota Wild, but my projections don't have him in there, although the run on goalies early on in most drafts could see him move up.  Dubnyk will carry the load and if the chemistry on this team improves with their additions and subtractions, he could very well lift himself up there.

Other Pool Worthy Forwards

The Wild will certainly be present on draft day, throughout the day.  All of the forwards I have already spoken about will find some top half spots, while the Wild will also boast some reasonable depth this year, something that really hasn't been too much of a problem in recent years.  Mikael Granlund, Nino Niederreiter and Jason Pominville have been very respectable over the past few seasons, providing secondary scoring when the team has needed it most.  These are the good guys you want on your pool team.

Other Pool Worthy Defense

Beyond Suter, the Wild's defense is coming into its own and a kid like Matt Dumba is now on the cusp of a breakthrough season.  A new bridge deal in hand, a reason to play a little bit harder, he could be a kid that finds his way to the scoresheet more this year.  Jared Spurgon and Marco Scandella could use a little bit more consistency in their game, but hopefully with the emergence of Dumba, the pressure on them reduces a little and they can play their game.

Goaltending Situation

It didn't sound like the Minnesota Wild were all that confident with Darcy Kuemper for much of last season, so the acquisition of Alex Stalock was to help quell that goaltending concern and it could make for an interesting back-up battle, leading up to the regular season.  I'm not at all certain that Dubnyk's numbers are going to let this battle matter much, but it will be interesting to watch.

Team To Pick From?

There truly could be some hidden gems in this Wild team and if you can find one of them late on in the draft, your pool team is already steps ahead off the hop.  A forward like Erik Haula could be a very good choice and one that some may just skip over, opting for some riskier rookies.

Unsigned Players and Salary Cap

The list of unrestricted free agents coming out of the Wild system is staggering, which is a good indication of how much this team wants to change.  Their salary cap room, less than $200,000, gives you an indication about how much they have left to change and that isn't a great deal.

No, the Wild are not a budget team, they want to compete.  Now, have they spent their money in all the right places?

Injuries

Injury played a large part in the Wild's finish in the 2016 season and their early exit in the playoffs as well.  There doesn't appear to be any lingering problems that will creep into training camp or into the World Cup proceedings, where they have six players participating.

2017 Pool Projections: Montreal

The curious case of the Montreal Canadiens' off-season has come to the point where we sit down and look at what has happened and what it could mean for the team moving forward.  Shifting out the team's most vibrant and enthusiastic player, bringing in a top KHL scorer with a history of poor NHL performances, spending pretty good money on a Cup-winning 3rd-liner and really leaving their fan base with their arms up in the air, not knowing what to expect.  You're probably not going to write any textbooks about this Summer, that's for sure.

On the plus side, Montreal will get their league MVP back in their crease to start the season, they have a number of young forwards that are trending in the right direction and the player that they received in that blockbuster deal will be able to help shore up the team defensively, not to mention wear some holes in the opposing goalie.

It's not all bad in Montreal, but the combination of the good, the bad and the questionable, really doesn't leave anyone with the greatest amount of confidence, especially since this team was so horrible after the loss of Carey Price to his lower-body muscle injury and it's hard to see a great deal of improvement on paper otherwise.

Still, this is why they play the game... to solve all of those questions and concerns.  The team will have Price back and that's a good place to start, but have they really evolved into a better hockey pool team?

Player	Pos	16/17 Proj	Rookie
Carey Price	G	85	N
Max Pacioretty	F	65	N
Alex Galchenyuk	F	65	N
Brendan Gallagher	F	55	N
Tomas Plekanec	F	50	N
Shea Weber	D	50	N
David Desharnais	F	40	N
Andrei Markov	D	40	N
Andrew Shaw	F	35	N
Sven Andrighetto	F	30	N
Phillip Danault	F	25	N
Alexander Radulov	F	25	N
Nathan Beaulieu	D	25	N
Torrey Mitchell	F	20	N
Paul Byron	F	20	N
Jeff Petry	D	20	N
Chris Terry	F	15	N
Alexei Emelin	D	15	N
Al Montoya	G	10	N
Greg Pateryn	D	10	N
Zach Redmond	D	10	N
Mike Condon	G	5	N
Bobby Farnham	F	5	N
Brian Flynn	F	5	N
Mark Barberio	D	5	N

Table last updated on August 5th

Most Intriguing or Breakout Player

The enigmatic Russian has captured the wonderment of the NHL, yet again, by signing in the off-season with the Montreal Canadiens, joining a team that wasn't short on drama to begin with.  Alexander Radulov will bring his show to the Bell Centre and we'll all stack it up against the other good ideas that team management has had this Summer.

Radulov played a couple of full seasons with the Nashville Predators, way back in 2007 & 2008, then brought his side show back for nine games in 2012, before heading back home to Russia.  Now, it's a new team, an open skating system and possibly a bit more compatible with is European style.

The 30-year old has the numbers in the KHL, but will they translate into the North American game?  Last season in Moscow, he finished with 23 goals and 65 points in 53 games.

First Round Picks

You didn't forget about Carey Price, did you?  The MVP from the 2015 had a lower-body nightmare in 2016 and ruined all kinds of fantasy seasons across the face of the planet last year, but now he's back and will get to show off his wares again in the World Cup for Canada, a nice preview to do some final adjustments to his projections, but as you can see here, he's already a 1st round pick on this list.

We're still waiting for one of his teammates to join him in these ranks, giving us real hope that the Habs could do something this year.

Other Pool Worthy Forwards

The Canadiens are one of those teams that get picked from quite early and maybe fall a bit short of the mark some years.  Max Pacioretty, Alex Galchenyuk, Brendan Gallagher and Tomas Plekanec are all quality players, but they certainly leave something to be desired and that's not being a 40 or 50-goal scorer.  A pair of 30-goal scorers certainly help, but this team could use more and I don't think they're quite going to get it.  Don't get me wrong, these guys are pool worthy and should be taken this year, just choose them wisely.

Other Pool Worthy Defense

Whoa, boy!  The microscope will be heavily on the blueline and Shea Weber, more specifically.  Weber is an offensive force, because it hurts if you get in front of his slap shot.  Weber's game will be beneficial to the Habs, but may be more so in their own one than offensively.  I would still go after Weber is a reasonable round, but I don't see him blowing away the competition.

Don't forget about Andrei Markov and/or Nathan Beaulieu, all of the attention directed elsewhere may have these two flying under the radar and available at some bargain rounds.

Goaltending Situation

The Canadiens have competition on their hands for the number two job this season, as last year's stand-in, Mike Condon, will go up against newcomer, Al Montoya, for the job of back-up and this could prove to be an interesting fight.  Condon played well behind a disheartened team last year, while Montoya did well with a Panthers team, finding their confidence.  What kind of Habs team will they inherit, once they get the job?

Team To Pick From?

I think you're going to see a lot of Montreal players taken before the 10th round this year, as the poolies try and capture some of that returning confidence with Price returning to the net.  The Canadiens could find themselves with a couple of sleeper picks late, a guy like Torrey Mitchell or Paul Byron always have the potential to surprise or come out of nowhere.

Unsigned Players and Salary Cap

Nothing major pressing on the Montreal books, as we wind down the Summer and start looking towards the Fall's activities.  The restricted free agents are locked up and the team still has about $2.2 million left under the cap ceiling, according to their projected roster.  This adds up quite well for Montreal, who are desperate to return to the playoffs and maybe, make something of that return as well.

Injuries

It sounds like all systems are a go for the Canadiens.  Carey Price has been given the green light and the recovery time for Jeff Petry and his sports hernia surgery has long since passed, so let's expect a healthy roster to the World Cup, at the very least.

2017 Pool Projections: Nashville

The Nashville Predators are building themselves quite the franchise, when you sit down and put it on paper for all to see.  It's certainly an interesting blend of raw young talent and some good seasoned veterans and it all culminates into a quick, hard-working group.

The Preds are normally considered to be a mild-mannered club, especially when it comes to the off-season, but they were out there making some of the biggest splashes in the pool and everyone knows who they are and what kind of business they mean when the season starts.

Whoever informed the team's management about their lack of flair, both on the ice and in the boardroom, should have received a raise for that point being made, as that was something that helped pull the trigger on the biggest trade in the off-season and all of a sudden, this franchise looks much different to a lot of people.

Most importantly, this team looks much different to the people who are reading the posts on this blog site, as they are concerned about what kind of numbers that this team is potentially going to put up with all of their changes.  I have a feeling that you won't be disappointed about the goals and the assists, but the wins, I might be a bit more skeptical about.

Player	Pos	16/17 Proj	Rookie
Pekka Rinne	G	75	N
Filip Forsberg	F	70	N
Ryan Johansen	F	65	N
Roman Josi	D	65	N
P.K. Subban	D	65	N
James Neal	F	60	N
Mike Ribeiro	F	50	N
Calle Jarnkrok	F	50	N
Craig Smith	F	40	N
Mattias Ekholm	D	40	N
Colin Wilson	F	30	N
Ryan Ellis	D	30	N
Mike Fisher	F	20	N
Viktor Arvidsson	F	20	N
Kevin Fiala	F	20	Y
Anthony Bitetto	D	20	N
Austin Watson	F	15	N
Marek Mazanec	G	10	N
Miikka Salomaki	F	10	N
Colton Sissons	F	10	N
Yannick Weber	D	10	N
Matt Irwin	D	10	N
Cody Bass	F	5	N
Harry Zolnierczyk	F	5	N
Matthew Carle	D	5	N
Stefan Elliott	D	5	N
Petter Granberg	D	5	N

Table last updated on August 7th

Most Intriguing or Breakout Player

How was this spot not going to be taken up by P.K. Subban?  The most intriguing trade of the NHL off-season saw the dynamic defenseman get traded, one-for-one, with the previous captain of the team, Shea Weber.

There's no doubt that Subban has the talk and there's very little doubt that he can back it up with a lot of his play, but the question still remains, how is he going to adapt to the Predators' style?  I think he is going to score points, be a great player for your hockey pool team, but I am not 100% convinced that he is going to help the Preds win more games.  That might just be me though.

Right now, under those doubts cast, I don't think Subban will have a spectacular season, but he'll be among those who have pretty good years at 65 points.

First Round Picks

I have a feeling that Pekka Rinne is going to have to work extra hard this season, with so much offensive 'get up and go' on his blueline, but I think he will manage just fine.  The jury is still out here on just how defensive the Predators will be, but they have certainly taken some strides to try and score more goals to win games and wins are the biggest functioning stat for goalies in this pool, shutouts are merely bonuses.

Other Pool Worthy Forwards

At the forward ranks, the Predators will serve some youth with Filip Forsberg and Ryan Johansen offering up some fresh takes and some razzle-dazzle.  They should be supported well by the veteran presence in James Neal, Mike Ribeiro and Mike Fisher, while there will be some other names creeping around the pool worthy lists, which you may want to look a bit closer at.

Other Pool Worthy Defense

Subban will be the big draw, but Roman Josi has been getting the job done for a couple of seasons now and he is probably well-suited to not be the man in the spotlight, which means I expect more good things from him this season.  Mattias Ekholm and Ryan Ellis should continue to progress, as this defenseman factory continues to churn out (as well as acquire) good talent on the blueline.

Goaltending Situation

The job behind Rinne this season might be one of the more wide open jobs in the league, but one would have to think that Marek Mazanec has a leg up, already having some experience, although it was back in the 2015 season.  Nevertheless, the projections, as they stand right now, don't have the Predators back-up as a viable pool option, since Rinne is likely to take most of the minutes this season.

Team To Pick From?

Nashville is another one of those teams that are not necessarily popular with the pool players, so that could lead to a couple Predators dropping in the draft values and becoming bargains and a later round.  I think there is enough talent to really keep an eye on Nashville.

Unsigned Players and Salary Cap

The Preds really cleaned house and let a lot of UFA's head off to market, where they have yet to be snapped up.  Their restricted free agents remaining were not on the pool radar, so there isn't much concern there.

Still, the Predators are likely rolling on the better side of $5 million under the cap ceiling, making them a formidable force through the year, if they ever needed an upgrade or some more help, thanks to an unforeseen injury.

Injuries

Speaking of injuries, the Predators are in the clear... let the good times roll!

2017 Pool Projections: New Jersey

The swamp is a mysterious place and I think the New Jersey Devils are going to be one of those mysterious teams in the Eastern Conference, one that no one really knows what to expect and might get lost in their own expectations.

When you look at the roster or the projection table below, you would think to yourself that they have a number one goalie, they acquired a former 1st overall pick, they have some scoring depth at the forward position and then you'd work your way down to the defense and ponder, what am I going to get from them?

Frankly, I think this makes them the most intriguing team before the puck drops on the regular season and I am certainly leaning towards them being a decent team this year.  So much so, I think they have a legitimate shot at a wild card spot in the Eastern Conference and they have the goalie that could surprise many.

The Devils don't have a lot of players that 'have done it before,' but they are not short on players that have the potential to do big things and it will be a matter of finding where the chemistry is and who plays better with this guy and so forth.  For me, I don't think I would pass over a Devils player, if he came up on my list.

Player	Pos	16/17 Proj	Rookie
Cory Schneider	G	80	N
Taylor Hall	F	75	N
Michael Cammalleri	F	60	N
Kyle Palmieri	F	55	N
Adam Henrique	F	55	N
Travis Zajac	F	45	N
Beau Bennett	F	35	N
Pavel Zacha	F	35	Y
Devante Smith-Pelly	F	30	N
Joseph Blandisi	F	30	N
Damon Severson	D	25	N
Reid Boucher	F	25	N
John Moore	D	25	N
Jacob Josefson	F	25	N
Vernon Fiddler	F	20	N
Sergey Kalinin	F	20	N
Andy Greene	D	20	N
Ben Lovejoy	D	20	N
Keith Kinkaid	G	15	N
Jon Merrill	D	10	N
Blake Pietila	F	5	Y
Luke Gazdic	F	5	N
Brandon Gormley	D	5	N

Table last updated on August 6th

Most Intriguing or Breakout Player

How can Taylor Hall not be the most intriguing player on this New Jersey Devils roster?  I would think that the 2010 1st overall pick will almost get carte blanche over the style of play and he'll have some players who will compliment a free-wheeling attitude, possibly in a Kyle Palmieri and/or Adam Henrique and this could be a big year for him again.

Hall has had an 80-point year already in his NHL career, so being worthy of a 1st round pick is nothing new for him, but of course, his role with the Oilers was starting to wane and a move to a team in desperate need of a superstar scorer was certainly going to work in his favour.  I am expecting big things from this kid in the swamp.

First Round Picks

With a touch more offense, this could mean that Cory Schneider gets a little bit of run support through the year, as he has kept the Devils in the playoff race, much later into the season, despite falling out fairly late.  The combination of Schneider and Hall could mean some good things for the Devils and the Metropolitan Division will be a good one to test that theory out.  If you get either one of these two outside of the 1st round, you're likely in for a bargain.

Other Pool Worthy Forwards

The Devils are certainly forward heavy in these projections, but that is because most of these guys on this list are better established than the defenders they have.  Mike Cammalleri has been around, Kyle Palmieri is no slouch, Adam Henrique and Travis Zajac are not far away from their best numbers they've posted and it will be very interesting to see what Beau Bennett brings to the table and if Pavel Zacha can find that full-time job.

Other Pool Worthy Defense

The loss of Adam Larsson in the Taylor Hall deal is a pretty good blow to the Devils' blueline, but this will open up more opportunity for Damon Severson to emerge, John Moore to solidify his spot and maybe even Andy Greene can bounce back a little bit.  There are some capable players here, but they will have a period of adjustment, after a minute eater gets dealt away.

Goaltending Situation

The Devils will likely start the season with Keith Kinkaid as their number two guy and if the offense is good enough for Cory Schneider, there could be some improvement for the back-up, making him into somewhat of a serviceable replacement on back-to-back nights.  If it came down to it, Kinkaid could end up being a very reasonable pick.

Team To Pick From?

You're probably going to be hesitant about picking a Devils player late, especially since you may not see them all the time.  They are not a huge draw out west here.  If you're out there rolling the dice on someone, I think you'll get great odds here and they'll offer a decent return for the chance.

Unsigned Players and Salary Cap

Still some curiosity about what Patrik Elias is going to do for the upcoming season, as he remains an unrestricted free agent, but going through these posts, there are a number of elder statesmen that have yet to find a home.  Jiri Tlusty and Tuomo Ruutu are two more on the Devils' list that have yet to find work.

Even with taking on salary for a return, the Devils are running lean, leaving $11 million in cap space for a projected 25-man roster (including two retired/injured players).  If they were not such a budget team, they would be big players in the free agent market.

Injuries

Sounds like everyone is in the clear and ready to rock and roll for the new season.

2017 Pool Projections: Long Island

Last season's move to Brooklyn improved the barn that the New York Islanders played in, but it didn't seem to improve their attendance numbers, as they saw a drop in their average attendance night after night in a non-hockey friendly building.  Does that really matter to us though?  Probably not, but it has opened the door to more discussions about another move within the city and that has been one of the leading stories in this NHL off-season.

Well, how about this Islanders team?  It is going to have a different look and feel to it, thanks to some key players leaving and some new additions into the fold.  The off-season seemed to bring this team a few more character players, like Andrew Ladd, P-A Parenteau and Jason Chimera, we might finally get a look at some of their youth that they have been coveting in Michael Dal Colle and/or Josh Ho-Sang, so yeah... this will be a different team, indeed.

It does become increasingly difficult to project numbers for a team that has drastically changed, when Kyle Okposo isn't there anymore, nor is Frans Nielsen and maybe to a lesser extent, Matt Martin.  Still, I currently see an improvement on the horizon for the Islanders and I think they can move up from a wild card team to a divisional contender this season, assuming that all the pieces fit.

Player	Pos	16/17 Proj	Rookie
John Tavares	F	80	N
Jaroslav Halak	G	55	N
Andrew Ladd	F	50	N
Thomas Greiss	G	45	N
Nick Leddy	D	45	N
Brock Nelson	F	45	N
Ryan Strome	F	45	N
Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau	F	40	N
Josh Bailey	F	35	N
Jason Chimera	F	35	N
Anders Lee	F	35	N
Casey Cizikas	F	30	N
Michael Dal Colle	F	30	Y
Joshua Ho-Sang	F	30	Y
Johnny Boychuk	D	25	N
Travis Hamonic	D	25	N
Cal Clutterbuck	F	20	N
Mikhail Grabovski	F	20	N
Thomas Hickey	D	20	N
Nikolay Kulemin	F	20	N
Ryan Pulock	D	20	Y
Calvin de Haan	D	15	N
Shane Prince	F	15	N
Adam Pelech	D	10	Y
Scott Mayfield	D	5	Y

Table last updated on August 5th

Most Intriguing or Breakout Player

After Thomas Greiss carried the Islanders through their playoff run last Spring, there are some legitimate questions about how much faith is left in Jaroslav Halak, making him the most intriguing player on the team, heading into the 2017 season.

I think you can argue that Halak has the better skill set for being a number one goalie, he does have a bit more flair and a knack for some big saves, while Greiss will stand in there as a solid guy, but might not steal as many games, which leads me to believe that Halak is going to still get the better of the split.

If the Islanders were to go with Greiss over Halak in the 2017 season, I would have to expect that the Slovak would be dealt to accommodate getting more playing time, but with his groin problems at the end of the 2016 season, he may have to prove he's healthy before we get to some of these other questions.

First Round Picks

There is every expectation that someone will be pretty happy taking John Tavares in the 1st round of the hockey pool draft in October and he should be able to provide that team with ample offense in the coming year.  Now that Okposo is gone, the question of who his main linemate will be next season will be a big one and one we won't be able to answer until training camp and/or the first preseason games.

Other Pool Worthy Forwards

Whoever gets the job of being on Tavares' line will certainly get more of a boost to their numbers, but for now, the pool worthy forwards are in significant numbers for the Islanders, as seven more forwards should be able to get up to pool worthy status in the coming year, barring injury, of course.  Andrew Ladd will likely get a sizable role with his new team, while Anders Lee will be another guy to watch out for, as he needs to bounce back from an average 2016, a season after setting some high expectations for himself.

Other Pool Worthy Defense

Nick Leddy needs to really stand up and shine this season, if the Islanders are really going to make that push and he should be the top pairing guy that guides the way for this team.  The Islanders are not shy on blueline potential and a kid that could finally make the jump up this season would be Ryan Pulock, who I have down near the bottom of the worthy ranks, but can increase his standing with a good camp.

Goaltending Situation

Well, since I've already tackled the goalies up above, the keepers waiting in the wings are not too bad either, especially J-F Berube, who acted as the back-up, while the Islanders were in the playoffs last year.  If Halak is still ailing from his groin problem, gets dealt or Greiss can't seem to go, he would be the guy that's next in line.  A long shot, but one to keep in the back of your mind.

Team To Pick From?

The Islanders scored quite a few goals last season and with the changes in place, there is no reason why they couldn't do the same again this season.  If I think the changes for this team in the off-season were a positive, then it would make perfect sense to think that they would be a good team to choose from late in the draft, if you were struggling to find a player to fill one of those late round slots.

Unsigned Players and Salary Cap

The ownership of this team has changed and the philosophy will likely change with it, giving Garth Snow a little extra money to play with, year after year or until he doesn't have his job anymore.

As we come to the midpoint of August, the Islanders are still without Ryan Strome on their payroll and they only have about $4+ million in cap space to get the job done with the restricted free agent.  Strome's body of work suffered in the 2016 season, but I am expecting somewhat of a bounce back year, if he can get his deal done.

Injuries

Everything looks good for the Islanders, at this point in the Summer.  No hiccups are anticipated, but we still have to make it through the World Cup.

2017 Pool Projections: New York

The New York Rangers are slowly evolving into a team from that wallet-opener at free agency to that builder through their own system, drafting and the college ranks.  They haven't been shy on making deals through the trade market, but a lot of those deals have been far more calculated than in years past, rather than trying to woo top end superstars with the glitz and glamour of the Big Apple.

All of this has meant that the team is working a transition period and as much as they want to win now, it seems to be a little more acceptable that they are moving in the right direction, even if they're taking a loss.

The 2017 edition of the Rangers isn't short on talent, working from the back end outwards.  A number one goalie, their captain patrolling a blueline that has a good veteran presence and youthful exuberance and then their forward ranks are still trying to find that consistency, which doesn't feel too far away.

If some of the reports are true, the Rangers may not be done tinkering, but they may also have to wait until the season starts, if they are looking for desirable or desperate trade partners.  Still, there should be plenty to choose from from the Rangers, so be confident in them as a hockey pool kind of team.

Player	Pos	16/17 Proj	Rookie
Henrik Lundqvist	G	80	N
Derek Stepan	F	65	N
Rick Nash	F	60	N
Mats Zuccarello	F	55	N
Chris Kreider	F	50	N
Mika Zibanejad	F	45	N
J.T. Miller	F	45	N
Kevin Hayes	F	45	N
Ryan McDonagh	D	35	N
Jesper Fast	F	30	N
Oscar Lindberg	F	30	N
Kevin Klein	D	30	N
Michael Grabner	F	30	N
Nick Holden	D	25	N
Brady Skjei	D	25	Y
Dan Girardi	D	20	N
Marc Staal	D	20	N
Josh Jooris	F	15	N
Nathan Gerbe	F	15	N
Antti Raanta	G	10	N
Tanner Glass	F	10	N
Dylan McIlrath	D	10	N
Adam Clendening	D	5	N
Marek Hrivik	F	5	Y
Pavel Buchnevich	F	5	Y
Ryan Gropp	F	5	Y

Table last updated on August 6th

Most Intriguing or Breakout Player

Getting his first full season of pro hockey after his college career should act as a good springboard for defenseman Brady Skjei, who was a 1st round pick, way back in 2012.  The 22-year old had a steady college career, according to his numbers and his time in the AHL in 2016 could also be quantified the same way, as steady.

Skjei came up at the end of the regular season, managing seven games before the playoffs, registering upwards of 22 minutes a game, but failed to pick up any points.  In the playoffs, he had a couple of assists in five games, before the Rangers dropped out to the Penguins, but he is certainly the type of guy that could get you a decent amount of points, as a late round pick.

First Round Picks

Henrik Lundqvist will be tasked with carrying this Rangers group once again, but I'm not sure how successful he will be in the grand scheme of things.  Yes, he'll steal some games and for some of those games, he will be spectacular, earning shutouts here and there.  It will be that spectacular play that will keep him in the 1st round conversation.

Other Pool Worthy Forwards

Derek Stepan, Mats Zuccarello, Chris Kreider and the newcomer Mika Zibanejad are all more than worthy for the hockey pool draft, while Rick Nash will be, whether he stays with the Rangers or they are able to find a new home for his big cap hit.  There should also be plenty of excitement for the likes of J.T. Miller and Kevin Hayes, each thought to still be tapping more potential.

Other Pool Worthy Defense

Ryan McDonagh will lead this group again, but he has yet to find those big offensive numbers for the Rangers.  His responsible play in his own end surely makes up the difference for the franchise, but is somewhat of a let down for us poolies.  Kevin Klein and another newcomer in Nick Holden should be able to support their captain offensively and make for good picks.

Goaltending Situation

Long live the King!  Henrik Lundqvist is only 34 years old and still has lots to give in his career, so I wouldn't expect the minutes to change for him this season, as it was outlined as a 1st round pick conversation.  Antti Raanta remains as the back-up, but I don't think the Rangers improved much, hindering his projection a bit.

Team To Pick From?

The Rangers defense may have some quality late in the draft and that is something worth jumping all over, if they popped up on your list.  A guy like Dan Girardi hasn't popped off the scoresheet in recent years, but if he is available in the last couple of rounds, he's the kind of guy that you can certainly gamble on with a bit more confidence.

Unsigned Players and Salary Cap

Jesper Fast remains the only key restricted free agent left to be signed in this off-season, but without much leverage, it doesn't seem like the job should be too difficult for the Rangers.  Fast did make his way into an everyday job, so holding out any will hurt his numbers, undoubtedly.

The Rangers are not struggling for salary cap space and that just seems like something strange to say.  I still have $5.8 million left under the cap ceiling with a 23-man projected roster today, which doesn't sound right, when talking about the rich Rangers.

Injuries

In the off-season, forward Oscar Lindberg underwent hip surgery and was expected to miss six months, which will likely delay his season debut, somewhere into November.  Lindberg was impressive as a rookie and once healthy again, will look to build on that start to his career.

2017 Pool Projections: Ottawa

Well, better late than never, I guess!  I can't believe no one sent me a message to say that the Senators' post didn't have a bunch of yammering ahead of its projections table, but there it was.

So, the updated version comes only eight days late, but here we go.

The Senators were the last Canadian team with any hope of making the playoffs last season and it certainly wasn't for the lack of trying, as they still had a glimmer of hope around the trade deadline, where they swung a deal with their provincial rivals to acquire Dion Phaneuf, who is now going to be heading into the 2017 season in a Senators jersey, providing the much needed relief to their captain and best player, Erik Karlsson.  This bit of good fortune should also aid the rest of the team, as they look to find some more improvement in the coming season, adding a physical element and some more leadership to their dressing room.

Ottawa is building a good core of young players and they have also added a bit more consistent offensive ability in Derick Brassard in a key off-season deal, so they are hoping to be more of a threat, more often in the coming year.

All of these moves and additions, not to mention a full training camp to acclimate with each other, will go a long ways for their own results, not to mention their scoring numbers for us poolies.  They have a number of players who are jumping off of the page a little bit, it will be up to you to find the right spot for them at the draft.

Player	Pos	16/17 Proj	Rookie
Erik Karlsson	D	80	N
Mark Stone	F	65	N
Mike Hoffman	F	65	N
Craig Anderson	G	60	N
Derick Brassard	F	60	N
Bobby Ryan	F	55	N
Kyle Turris	F	45	N
Clarke MacArthur	F	40	N
Dion Phaneuf	D	40	N
Jean-Gabriel Pageau	F	35	N
Zack Smith	F	35	N
Cody Ceci	D	30	N
Curtis Lazar	F	25	N
Andrew Hammond	G	20	N
Chris Kelly	F	20	N
Phil Varone	F	15	N
Chris Wideman	D	15	N
Chris Neil	F	10	N
Marc Methot	D	10	N
Fredrik Claesson	D	10	Y
Ryan Dzingel	F	5	N
Mike Blunden	F	5	N
Nick Paul	F	5	Y
Max McCormick	F	5	Y
Matt Puempel	F	5	N
Tom Pyatt	F	5	N
Mark Borowiecki	D	5	N

Table last updated on August 6th

Most Intriguing or Breakout Player

One of the more intriguing players on the Ottawa roster last season was Jean-Gabriel Pageau, who turned out to be one hell of a shorthanded specialist, leading the NHL in shorthanded goals (7) and points (9), not to mention climbing up the scoring ranks to pool worthiness, 116th among all forwards with 43 points.

Coming into the 2017 season, his stock could be quite high, thanks to his shorthanded value, but those could be some tough numbers to repeat and I wouldn't want to bank on those numbers coming back, hence a bit of a drop in his projections, but if he was to repeat, it would act as the bonus that shorthanded goals and points are to a team.  They don't count on them, they just love them when they happen.

First Round Picks

This year's draft may feature one or two 1st round defensemen picks and that will include Erik Karlsson, who blazed to a monster season in 2016 and should carry this Senators team once again in 2017.  The Senators have a couple of forwards that are not too far away, but the offense begins with Karlsson at the back end and he'll get a lot of it going again this coming season, so he'll be a hot commodity at the draft, as one team will try and get a good jump on the blueline, likely starting a rush of picks from the back end again.

Other Pool Worthy Forwards

The combination of Mark Stone and Mike Hoffman are developing quite well and they are just about ready to be one of the league's premier 1-2 punches on the offensive fronts.  It will be very interesting to see how the Ottawa coaching staff implements these two and who they line up with them, given that they have a new face in Derick Brassard to compliment the likes of Kyle Turris and Bobby Ryan, all pool worthy players.  At some point, there is going to be some adjustments made, but they are not too far away.

Other Pool Worthy Defense

The acquisition of Dion Phaneuf at the trade deadline was a sneaky one, as the former Leafs captain plays in a smaller market with a lesser role and that should work out well for both parties.  Cody Ceci, when signed, will also play a big part with the future of the team, since he has shown some real potential in his first couple looks, as an NHL defender.

Goaltending Situation

The Senators haven't lost any faith in Craig Anderson, even if they didn't make the playoffs last year.  Andrew Hammond wasn't able to repeat the Cinderella story he had in 2015, but you could argue that he didn't really get the chance to and his numbers suffered the year after.  Expect Anderson as the number one guy and Hammond to back-up to start the season, but anything can happen and change.

Team To Pick From?

The Senators are not exactly brimming with quality depth, they'll be relying on their top end help and their solid goaltending to do the job this season.  They could have their own set of sleepers, with Clarke MacArthur coming back from a major concussion or Curtis Lazar breaking out, but that'll be up to you at the right point in time.

Unsigned Players and Salary Cap

Like it was mentioned before, defenseman Cody Ceci is still without a contract, but the restricted free agent might not be too far away from actually getting that deal done, as the reports have been saying that the Sens have deals on the table, both bridge and long-term, so it could be more about the greenbacks more than anything.

The Senators are not short on cap space at this point, just a shade under $8 million away from the cap ceiling.  I wouldn't expect Ceci's new deal to be anywhere near that sort of money, but he'll likely end up with a nice chunk.

Injuries

The concussion problems that Clarke MacArthur was dealing with in the 2016 season, which limited him to only four games played, seems to have passed him by and now he's geared up and ready to go for the 2017 season.  With a big concussion like that beside his name, I would tread carefully for your pool team here.

2017 Pool Projections: Philadelphia

Did you ever get the feeling over the past couple (maybe a few) seasons that the Philadelphia Flyers could (or should) be much better than the results they have put up in that time frame?  Yeah, me too.  When Claude Giroux and Jake Voracek became an actual dynamic duo, I'm sure we all thought, 'we better keep an eye on these guys, they mean business.'

Then that offense or that spark they had, disappeared?  Maybe it wasn't nurtured enough, maybe those injury problems they had took a bigger toll on their dynamic and that's why this team lost their way for a while.  It was sure strange, because it looked like they were going to support them well with more young talent coming up the system.

No, it wasn't until a college-trained defenseman finally made it into their ranks and ran buck wild with this squad and then everything seemed to be well on its way to being right again.

Now we're just about to enter the 2017 season and these pieces are all back together,  we've got some renewed optimism, there are still some youthful pieces that could be added and this Flyers team could (and should) be better than they were, barely making the playoffs last year.  How excited are you about these Flyers?

Player	Pos	16/17 Proj	Rookie
Claude Giroux	F	75	N
Jakub Voracek	F	75	N
Shayne Gostisbehere	D	70	N
Wayne Simmonds	F	65	N
Brayden Schenn	F	65	N
Steve Mason	G	60	N
Sean Couturier	F	40	N
Michal Neuvirth	G	35	N
Michael Raffl	F	35	N
Ivan Provorov	D	30	Y
Matt Read	F	25	N
Mark Streit	D	25	N
Michael Del Zotto	D	25	N
Nick Cousins	F	25	N
Dale Weise	F	20	N
Scott Laughton	F	20	N
Jordan Weal	F	20	Y
Pierre-Edouard Bellemare	F	15	N
Radko Gudas	D	15	N
Chris VandeVelde	F	15	N
Brandon Manning	D	10	N
Boyd Gordon	F	10	N
Nick Schultz	D	5	N
Andrew MacDonald	D	5	N
TJ Brennan	D	5	N
Colin McDonald	F	5	N

Table last updated on August 6th

Most Intriguing or Breakout Player

There was a reason why Shayne Gostisbehere finished 2nd in Calder Trophy voting at the end of the year and that was his anchoring of the Flyers blueline, helping to revitalize their offense and push them into the playoffs. I think one could have argued that if the Hart Trophy was voted on correctly, he would have had a vote here and there for that trophy too, but that's hardly ever the case and a big reason why the NHL Awards are a bit of a joke.

I find it very intriguing to contemplate how far the Flyers are going to get this year, but I wouldn't go so far as to say that they'll go as far as this young stud of a defenseman will take them.  He is certainly a big part of this team, right off the hop, but the big guns will be what carries this team, it will be Gostisbehere's job to keep them going.

First Round Picks

Those big guns, Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek, could have a bit of a resurgence in the 2017 season, thanks in large part to their sophomore superstar.  These two should get some 1st round consideration, if their games are going to finally pick back up, thanks to some good service from the back end.  You'll probably be getting closer to the end of the 1st round, but they should definitely be in your consideration.

Other Pool Worthy Forwards

Wayne Simmonds was a power play machine for the Flyers last year and the tools and the trade is there for him to do much of the same in the coming season.  Brayden Schenn and Sean Couturier have really yet to break out in their Philadelphia careers and neither seem to be ready to do so, so their numbers will remain at the average level.  Michael Raffl and Matt Read will bring more speed to the lineup, but it won't necessarily turn into numbers.

Other Pool Worthy Defense

The Flyers have struggled on defense, up until last season, of course, because Mark Streit wasn't all what they claimed him to be when they picked him up a few years ago.  He might be the only other pool worthy defender from last season, but that really isn't saying much here.  Maybe a kid like Ivan Provorov can spark some more offense from the back end this year, making good use of a top draft pick.

Goaltending Situation

The Philadelphia Flyers didn't seem to have a problem with a fairly even split in time between Steve Mason and Michal Neuvirth, but when the Czech was injured during the stretch, they had no problem relying on Mason for a good run and they made it into the playoffs.  I would think the idea would be to keep a good split in time and see what happens.  My guess is that Mason wins out more time though, gets hot and earns that spot.

Team To Pick From?

I like where the pool worthy players are on the list, but I don't think that would necessarily make any of the depth players that much better.  Dale Weise was a dynamo for the Canadiens over the last couple of seasons, but they really opened him up.  Will he get some of the same treatment in Philly?  I have my doubts.

Unsigned Players and Salary Cap

The Flyers are not in great shape against the cap ceiling.  They may not have any outstanding free agents to take care of, but their projected lineup can only go as high as 21 players, because they have no projected relief from long-term injuries and they are only about $240,000 away from the top.  What you see is probably what you're going to get on opening night.

Injuries

The Flyers were not short on injuries in the 2016 season and you could put some of the blame for their wild card record on that, since they couldn't push all the way into the division race.  The list was pretty long and occupied by some top players, but the expectation is that they'll all be fine for the start of the season, so there are no worries here... yet.

2017 Pool Projections: Pittsburgh

All hail the champs!  The Pittsburgh Penguins will start their title defense with a lineup that didn't stray too far away from how the season finished against the San Jose Sharks.  I will also say it again, because it generally rings true, the champs are going to be popular at the draft, so be prepared.

The Penguins are certainly an interesting bunch, which really stepped up come playoff time, leaving much to the imagination, when we all made it into the playoffs and wondered if they would even make it out of the opening round.

Playoff successes don't necessarily translate into regular season successes the next year and I think there are a number of star players that have shown that and there were a good number of those Cinderella stories, playoff dark horses, who have done much of the same.  Your job, if you choose to accept it, will be to separate the Cinderella players from the actual stars that do it night in and night out.  These guys are the champs, how can they not be worth the gamble, right?

There are still a number of big question marks on this team, which will get sorted as we watch through training camp.

Player	Pos	16/17 Proj	Rookie
Sidney Crosby	F	90	N
Evgeni Malkin	F	80	N
Kris Letang	D	75	N
Phil Kessel	F	65	N
Marc-Andre Fleury	G	55	N
Patric Hornqvist	F	55	N
Matt Murray	G	45	Y
Chris Kunitz	F	40	N
Carl Hagelin	F	40	N
Nick Bonino	F	40	N
Trevor Daley	D	30	N
Olli Maatta	D	30	N
Tom Kuhnhackl	F	25	N
Eric Fehr	F	25	N
Justin Schultz	D	25	N
Conor Sheary	F	20	N
Brian Dumoulin	D	20	N
Derrick Pouliot	D	20	N
Bryan Rust	F	15	N
Ian Cole	D	15	N
Scott Wilson	F	5	Y
Oskar Sundqvist	F	5	Y
Kevin Porter	F	5	N
Dustin Jeffrey	F	5	N
David Warsofsky	D	5	N
Stuart Percy	D	5	Y

Table last updated on August 6th

Most Intriguing or Breakout Player

How intriguing is the Pittsburgh Penguins' goaltending situation? I would say 'very.' The playoff darling that was Matt Murray is thought to be the team's number one after his run to a Stanley Cup win, but I may be a bit hesitant to hand it over to him right away... well, not before training camp anyway.

I don't think there is any doubt that the Penguins believe that he is their number one of the future, but a strong playoff run doesn't necessarily make for an awesome regular season, the next year.

Murray will be given every opportunity to take the job, but if there is any complacency to his thought processes, he could drop off quite quickly and this is the one reason why Marc-Andre Fleury has been kept around for now.  Someone is bound to buy high on Murray and it will be a reasonable gamble, but I think there are some things to consider with a young goalie like him.

First Round Picks

The Penguins won't be short on 1st round picks, the champs rarely are.  The immediate thoughts go to Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, they should be locks for an opening round selection, while the rush on defensemen could see Kris Letang jump into the mix as well.  But if you have been paying attention to the injury prone posts, all three of these characters come with significant risk, so I would tread carefully, whilst being excited.

Other Pool Worthy Forwards

Will the HBK line be remembered at your draft?  Will they go above where they should be drafted, because they were just that good during the playoffs?  Carl Hagelin, Nick Bonino and Phil Kessel all were tremendous as a group and they will draw a lot of attention.  Kessel's regular season numbers were not as great as we projected last time around, but they still were not too bad.  Hagelin and Bonino, on the other hand, really stepped up when needed.  Patric Hornqvist and Chris Kunitz are still around and each should have enough ice-time to make a difference, so take them into consideration.

Other Pool Worthy Defense

It's a bit of a drop-off after Letang on the Pens' blueline, where Trevor Daley and Olli Maatta reside, but either of them could be better than these projections, given the right circumstances.  A contract renewal for Justin Schultz was a sign of good faith, saying that he stepped up when needed in the playoffs, but we're sure glad you took that pay cut.

Goaltending Situation

There is a part of me, no matter how intriguing Matt Murray may be to the overall future of the Penguins, I still think there will be some familiarity realized with Marc-Andre Fleury, especially in the long grind of the regular season, which will keep him right in the mix.  As long as these two are on the same team, I can see a pretty good split of time and I would tip my hand towards Fleury, not buying too high on either of them at the draft.

Team To Pick From?

Of course!  How did those lovable 3rd and 4th line players not capture your heart during that run to the Cup?  Okay, maybe that's a little too far, as this is for a hockey pool, after all.  According to an early mock draft, the Penguins will appear early and often throughout the pool, so there will be names that filter down to the bottom and they could end up being some pretty good bargains.  How about defenseman Brian Dumoulin?

Unsigned Players and Salary Cap

The Penguins are clear of all their restricted free agent negotiations and they will be letting go of some unrestricted help, like forward Matt Cullen, who is still unsigned.

The Penguins would probably love to have him back, but it would have to be at a signifcantly discounted rate, as they are already over the cap ceiling, with LTIR help from Pascal Dupuis' contract, but that would be a hard sell.  Pittsburgh is another one of those teams that could really do well to dump a big salary and possibly get rid of a positional controversy at the same time.

Injuries

One of my one's to watch from the Pool Outlook in the Spring, forward Daniel Sprong, ended up having off-season shoulder surgery and it was considered to be quite major.  Sprong, from the middle of June, was expected to be out between 6-to-8 months, which would see him back around February, at the latest.  Quite disappointing, to say the least.