Post by McGahee on Sept 30, 2006 12:05:22 GMT -5
I'm so pumped for the NHL season already, so I'm making predictions on five guys I think will have breakout years. This isn't directly from some writer's list or even based off of one. Any duplicates are purely coincidental. I'm only saying this because I want all the credit when they succeed ;D Anyways...
1) Marian Gaborik (Wild)
This kid will be sick this year. With Demitra on the same line as him, a fellow Slavenian and one of the best passers in the NHL, this could be Gaborik's year to hit the 50 goal mark. This kid's only 24, but I feel after this year it'll be soon enough in his career to be considered one of the best scorers in the game.
Projected Line: 70 GP | 52 Gs | 29 As | 81 PTs| 30 PPP
2) Nikolai Zherkov (Blue Jackets)
This may be a little premature as Zherkov is onlyl 21, but if he is truly dedicated this year, his starting block of 54 points should be built upon and could go up another 10 easily in my eyes.
Projected Line: 75 GP | 34 Gs | 32 As | 66 PTs
3) Patrice Bergeron (Bruins)
I'm a little shaky on this pick. For one thing, Bergeron played amazing last year, definitely flying under the radar for the most unappreciated 30/40 season in the league. He's still 21, and has a lot of time to bulk up and reach 100 points. With the Savard signing, however, Bergeron moves back a line after moving up with Thornton out, meaning Bergeron won't have the same skill level with him. However, I do think he'll get moved to the wing, and will be a first liner, in which case, then he'll have a huge season. I'm going to go out on a limb and just assume he's on the first line or can breakout even on the 2nd...
Projected Line: 80 GP | 37 Gs | 44 As | 81 PTs
4) The Entire CCR Line (Flyers)
Screw Forsberg and Gagne. The Flyers offensive success will be determined on how this line does, and if the preseason is any indication of how they'll do, the offense won't be an issue. Jeff Carter, Kyle Calder, and Mike Richards are all legitimate goal scorers that love to set each other up. They're also very young and fairly fast, which gives them great matchup advantages against 2nd line defenses. I was thinking of just singling out one of these three, but if one of them succeeds, the other 3 will too.
Projected Lines...
Jeff Carter: 80 GP | 36 Gs | 30 As | 66 PTs
Kyle Calder: 80 GP | 32 Gs| 37 As | 69 PTs
Mike Richards: 80 GP | 20 Gs | 45 As | 65 PTs
5) Daniel Briere (Sabres)
I had to do it. I can feel how good this year is going to be for Briere. He had 58 points in just 48 injury plagued games last season before breaking out in the playoffs as one of the stars of the future. If he can stay healthy this year, it will be one of the best in the league overall. Maybe not MVP worthy, but still great.
Projected Line: 73 GP | 43 Gs | 58 As | 101 PTs | 100 PIM
1) Marian Gaborik (Wild)
This kid will be sick this year. With Demitra on the same line as him, a fellow Slavenian and one of the best passers in the NHL, this could be Gaborik's year to hit the 50 goal mark. This kid's only 24, but I feel after this year it'll be soon enough in his career to be considered one of the best scorers in the game.
Projected Line: 70 GP | 52 Gs | 29 As | 81 PTs| 30 PPP
2) Nikolai Zherkov (Blue Jackets)
This may be a little premature as Zherkov is onlyl 21, but if he is truly dedicated this year, his starting block of 54 points should be built upon and could go up another 10 easily in my eyes.
Projected Line: 75 GP | 34 Gs | 32 As | 66 PTs
3) Patrice Bergeron (Bruins)
I'm a little shaky on this pick. For one thing, Bergeron played amazing last year, definitely flying under the radar for the most unappreciated 30/40 season in the league. He's still 21, and has a lot of time to bulk up and reach 100 points. With the Savard signing, however, Bergeron moves back a line after moving up with Thornton out, meaning Bergeron won't have the same skill level with him. However, I do think he'll get moved to the wing, and will be a first liner, in which case, then he'll have a huge season. I'm going to go out on a limb and just assume he's on the first line or can breakout even on the 2nd...
Projected Line: 80 GP | 37 Gs | 44 As | 81 PTs
4) The Entire CCR Line (Flyers)
Screw Forsberg and Gagne. The Flyers offensive success will be determined on how this line does, and if the preseason is any indication of how they'll do, the offense won't be an issue. Jeff Carter, Kyle Calder, and Mike Richards are all legitimate goal scorers that love to set each other up. They're also very young and fairly fast, which gives them great matchup advantages against 2nd line defenses. I was thinking of just singling out one of these three, but if one of them succeeds, the other 3 will too.
Projected Lines...
Jeff Carter: 80 GP | 36 Gs | 30 As | 66 PTs
Kyle Calder: 80 GP | 32 Gs| 37 As | 69 PTs
Mike Richards: 80 GP | 20 Gs | 45 As | 65 PTs
5) Daniel Briere (Sabres)
I had to do it. I can feel how good this year is going to be for Briere. He had 58 points in just 48 injury plagued games last season before breaking out in the playoffs as one of the stars of the future. If he can stay healthy this year, it will be one of the best in the league overall. Maybe not MVP worthy, but still great.
Projected Line: 73 GP | 43 Gs | 58 As | 101 PTs | 100 PIM
