Preseason Planner: Atlantic Division
Philadelphia Flyers
Must-haves: Daniel Briere, Kimmo Timonen, Mike Richards, Simon Gagne
Contributors: Mike Knuble, Braydon Coburn, Jeff Carter, Joffrey Lupul, Martin Biron
Sleepers: Claude Giroux
Wannabes: Scottie Upshall, Jim Dowd
Offseason analysis: The Flyers didn't make too many major offseason changes as they performed very well in 2007, eventually losing in five games to the Penguins in the Eastern Conference Finals. They did bring in C Glen Metropolit, but the 34-year-old has never scored more than 33 points in a season and has barely any Fantasy value. The re-signing of Lupul was big news and plenty will be expected of the 24-year-old who scored 46 points in 56 games last season.
Pittsburgh Penguins
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| If you get your hands on Sidney Crosby this season, consider yourself fortunate. (US Presswire) |
Contributors: Petr Sykora, Miroslav Satan, Ruslan Fedotenko
Sleepers: Janne Pesonen, Jordan Staal
Wannabes: Jarkko Ruutu, Pascal Dupuis, Rob Scuderi, Darryl Sydor
Offseason analysis: The big moves by the Pens in the offseason were things they didn't do -- re-sign Marian Hossa, Ryan Malone, Jarkko Ruutu, Gary Roberts, Adam Hall or Georges Laraque. Hossa was a big loss, but the team still has plenty of firepower with Crosby and Malkin. Staal is playing for a contract, so his numbers could rise in 2008/09, and Pesonen is an intriguing newcomer.
New Jersey Devils
Must-haves: Zach Parise, Patrick Elias, Brian Rolston, Martin Brodeur
Contributors: Brian Gionta, John Madden, Jamie Langenbrunner, Dainius Zubrus, Bobby Holik
Sleepers: Johnny Oduya
Wannabes: Mike Mottau
Offseason analysis: Rolston's return was the biggest activity of the summer for the Devils, who aren't getting much younger. Sergei Brylin took off to Europe, along with Vitali Vishnevsky, but their 23 combined points from last season won't be missed too much. Brodeur is still an elite No. 1 Fantasy goaltender, but surely his stats have to start dropping soon, right?
New York Islanders
Must-haves: Mark Streit, Rick DiPietro
Contributors: Bill Guerin, Mike Comrie, Doug Weight
Sleepers: Kyle Okposo
Wannabes: Richard Park, Andy Hilbert
Offseason analysis: The Islanders were the worst team for Fantasy production last season, and things don't figure to get much better in 2008/09 as not much was done in the summer to improve the situation. Weight is old, Streit is overrated and DiPietro has to be considered an injury worry every year now. Okposo is the only real bright spot, but can he succeed with basically garbage surrounding him?
New York Rangers
Must-haves: Wade Redden, Michal Rozsival, Scott Gomez, Henrik Lundqvist, Nikolai Zherdev
Contributors: Markus Naslund, Chris Drury, Brendan Shanahan (if he comes back),
Sleepers: Brandon Dubinsky, Dan Fritsche
Wannabes: Blair Betts, Colton Orr
Offseason analysis: The Rangers cleaned house over the summer, with Jaromir Jagr going back home to Europe, Sean Avery signing with Dallas, and Christian Backman and Fedor Tyutin dealt to Columbus. They brought in Markus Naslund, Wade Redden and Nikolai Zherdev, but question marks surround all three of those guys.
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