wboy Division Preview

[angryjay93]

Wboy Division Breakdown:

1. Detroit

2. Islanders

3. Quebec

4. Los Angeles

5. Anaheim

6. New Jersey

Overall Breakdown: Having the top two regular season teams from last season will ensure that the top end of this division will be one of the best in the league. Throw in teams like Quebec is employing the services of Dino Ciccarelli this season, LA who has a very flashy Theo Fleury and Anaheim who has the super powers of Steve Yzerman. New Jersey will surely occupy the bottom of the most competitive division in the league which will allow them to have a top pick in GDL 4.

Team. Detroit

User: EricAnthony76

Prediction: 1st place

MVP: Mark Recchi

Unsung hero: Vladimir Konstantinov

When comparing the rosters of the last two seasons for EA, there is a noticeable drop off in talent going from Roenick to Recchi. But that’s not to say that Recchi can’t provide top notch scoring for a Detroit team that will focus solely on creating turnovers and taking advantage of them. Don’t expect the same gargantuan goal totals that he amassed last season, but you can still expect a fairly high octane offense that will light up the scoreboard.

Good: Kovalenko and Drake provide hard hitting and solid skating along the wings, as well as Bautin and Konstantinov providing more solid hitting on the backline.

Bad: While the wingers adept defensively, there is a noticeable drop off in pure scoring ability, could prove troublesome against some tough matchups.

Ugly: Play in the toughest division in the league, bound to be a bit more adversity this season.

Team: Islanders

User: Angryjay93

Prediction: 2nd place

MVP: Tomas Sandstrom

Unsung hero: Dale Hawerchuk

Tomas Sandstrom wont be riding alone this season on offense, he will have the dangerous Luc Robatille riding shotgun which should open up even more opportunities for the lethal Sandstrom who is back looking for another monster season. Where the Islanders will feel their pain is on the defensive side of the puck, Lidstrom, Russell, and Driver provide some good hitting and defensive ability, but the lack of speed, offensive flare, and consistency could cause some really ugly scenes in the Islanders defensive zone. Richter will be tending the nets this season, and with the way the Islanders play, he will surely be digging a lot of pucks out of the back of his own net.

Good: Sandstrom 232 goals last season, what can he do for an encore with Robattille and Hawerchuk on his wings?

Bad: Hawerchuk’s shot is just plain ugly, he will have to rack up a lot of assists to keep his ice time.

Ugly: Mike Richter and the Isles defense, lazy defense will equal a very high scoring game.

Team: Quebec

User: Tesslog

Prediction: 3rd place

MVP: Dino Ciccarelli

Unsung hero: Nelson Emerson

People tend to forget just how dominant Mats Sundin was last season, go check his stats, you will be impressed. Now, just imagine what a guy like tesslog could do with Ciccarelli…it’s a scary thought. There surely will be some big numbers posted by the line of Emerson-Ciccarelli-Sanderson. The defense isn’t half bad either with Daigneault and Cote patrolling the back line, they have enough offensive skill to help aid a dangerous attack. Beezer brings up the rear, and he may very well struggle against some of the strongest teams in the league. But its tough to not imagine the Quebec offense not supporting him.

Good: Dino Ciccarelli, he will surely be MVP candidate.

Bad: If Dino doesn’t score, the options on offense become a little bare.

Ugly: Beezer has a cup, but can he strike gold twice?

Team: Los Angeles

User: Kingscuprun93

Prediction: 4th place

MVP: Theo Fleury

Unsung Hero: Pierre Turgeon

Theo Fleury will have to put this team up on his shoulders and drive this team into the playoffs, and he has the supporting cast to help aid him just enough to do so. With shooters like Brett Hull and Pierre Turgeon, if they get their chances, they will pot them home. If Fleury falters, the whole team will falter though and that’s where the real danger lies. The backline for LA is rather suspect with the likes of Blake and Chiasson. Can those two take the barrage of speed and body checks they will surely see in this division, that question will have to be addressed because John Blue will not be stealing many games this season. Kings made the playoffs with a fairly similar team last year, and he will need more strong play to attain a repeat performance.

Good: Theo Fleury running around feeding Turgeon and Hull, that can be a very high scoring line.

Bad: The defense, Blake and Chiasson raise big question marks, lets just hope they stay on their feet long enough to answer them,

Ugly: John Blue, his ugly play will surely put the Kings in some ugly situations.

Team: Anaheim

User: Dadonch44

Place: 5th

MVP: Steve Yzerman

Unsung Hero: Adam Burt

This team is all about Steve Yzerman, plain and simple. If Yzerman is stopped Anaheim struggles, if not, then Anaheim can run wild. The blue line will be a great deal stronger in Anaheim this season with the likes of Al Macinnis’s booming shot, Adam Burt’s solid play, and Chris Joseph’s ability to steal a few games. If Davydov, Janney, and Borshevsky are able to contribute something to the offense, it makes this team all the more dangerous. There is a lot of potential on this team to make a statement, but being in the toughest division in the league might just hold them out of the playoffs and prevent them from providing an upset.

Good: Steve Yzerman, Anaheim was the only team in the league with 2 top 10 scorers, so the goals will be there.

Bad: The conference is a juggernaut, the division games might hurt the record enough to prevent an invitation to the playoffs.

Ugly: If the wingers don’t produce, the focus solely goes on Yzerman, 1 on 5 is never a good matchup.

Team: New Jersey

User: Magus978

Place: 6th

MVP: Sergei Fedorov

Unsung Hero: Chris Kontos

Pair the last pick of the draft with the toughest draw in the league, and there will be struggles for a D league manager. With Sergei Fedorov skating around and Felix Potvin tending the net, the Devils will surely be in a few games this season and steal a win here and there from some very good teams, but it will not be enough to escape the division cellar. By mid season Cam Neely will be subbed out due to a bruised ass from being knocked on his duff so many times, ensuring his value in future draft leagues will deteriorate even further.

Good: Fedorov and Potvin are a nice combo, could provide a few suprises to stay out of the conference cellar.

Bad: Zalapski and Patrick on defense, these players might not be in the hands of the right owner to be used to their full potential.

Ugly: Division games have to be played, and in this division, it might get ugly.

[Logan]

Placing me in 3rd is a bit of a strech. I'm insanely rusty and can't get even near that place called "the groove".

[SSiG]

Team: New Jersey

User: Magus978

Place: 6th

MVP: Sergei Fedorov

Unsung Hero: Chris Kontos

Pair the last pick of the draft with the toughest draw in the league, and there will be struggles for a D league manager. With Sergei Fedorov skating around and Felix Potvin tending the net, the Devils will surely be in a few games this season and steal a win here and there from some very good teams, but it will not be enough to escape the division cellar. By mid season Cam Neely will be subbed out due to a bruised ass from being knocked on his duff so many times, ensuring his value in future draft leagues will deteriorate even further.

Good: Fedorov and Potvin are a nice combo, could provide a few suprises to stay out of the conference cellar.

Bad: Zalapski and Patrick on defense, these players might not be in the hands of the right owner to be used to their full potential.

Ugly: Division games have to be played, and in this division, it might get ugly.

Spot on so far...but you forgot the part where I lose my first 30 + games