My NHL Fantasy Team

Okay... actually... it's my picks for the probable Flames lineup for this season. This is by request of a certain Kenric Hum who finds it hilarious that I posted my thoughts about the Flames lineup last year and says that I need to post one up this year cause it is now "tradition"!! lol. At which point at the family dinner... Karen suddenly perked up from across the table and said... "huh?" =)

Anyways, here it is!

Forwards
Tanguay - Langkow - Iginla = Had moments last season of being a VERY good top line and should only be better this year. Tanguay did not start off last season very well but still ended the season with a point-per-game and should improve upon that since he is now more comfortable in Calgary. Langkow has been a very steady 2-way center for most of his career and has continued to improve in his offensive output as well. Iginla... no brainer to be on the top line.

Huselius - Lombardi - Moss = Huselius really could almost make a run for the number one left-wing spot with Tanguay and probably will switch with Tanguay every so often, but is probably better suited on the second line where he should have more room to dipsy-doodle against the 2nd checking line. Lombardi proved that he has the offensive talent to succeed offensively through the World Championships last spring and has continued to improve his game and so long as he plays with some sort of consistency will be a good 2nd line centerman. I'm placing Moss on the 2nd line cause I feel that his presence in front of the net and his crashing ways will open up space for both the crafty Huselius and the speedy Lombardi. It will also make more sense when you look at the rest of my forward lines, lol.

Nilson - Yelle - Stevenson/Boyd = The checking line. Nilson and Yelle are both top defensive forwards in the league and will shut down the opposing teams top lines on a consistent basis. Stevenson/Boyd will be the rookies that step in and putting them on a line with Yelle will be the most beneficial for them and the team as Yelle is the steadiest of all the forwards. Stevenson/Boyd will also add some speed and youth and offensive talent to a checking line that may find some chances up front as well.

Primeau - Conroy - Nolan = The veteran/energy/checking line. All 3 players are veteran players with a ton of experience that will help stabilize the game when required. All 3 players are also great defensive forwards that are capable of shutting down the opposing teams top lines as well as the Nilson/Yelle line. All 3 forwards are also capable of adding some offensive touch to their games as well and should add some much needed relief for the top 2 scoring lines as well.

Those are my forward lines. I believe that this will allow the Flames to roll all 4 lines consistently and be a threat with each line. The 2nd line may not be as strong with Moss on the right wing, but it allows the 4th line to be an asset and no longer a liability when on the ice.

Also, I believe that Godard will be the 13th forward and will replace Stevenson/Boyd during games when they play a team with an enforcer such as Minnesota with Boogard.

Defence
Phaneuf - Sarich = Sarich is (from all I can tell) a very steady defensive-defenceman that will be able to stabilize the back end while allowing Phaneuf to join the rush or pinch in more as it appears that Phaneuf seems to be adding that extra offensive dimension to his game as of late. A steady defensive-defenceman will be more beneficial for Phaneuf as Hamrlik seemed to not be able to get back in time to cover for the times that Phaneuf went pinching in the ofensive zone.

Regehr - Aucoin = Both are extremely hard hitting defenceman. But now Aucoin brings a more offensive minded approach to the game as well and should help Regehr get out of his own zone better compared to last season.

Warrener - Erickson = Both are very steady defenceman. Warrerner is your defensive-defenceman and Erickson is apparently the smooth-skating defenceman that can join the rush as well.

Hale will be the 7th defenceman with Pardy being a close 8th.

Goaltending
Kiprusoff = any question that it will be Kipper manning the nets for the Flames? The only question is... will he get the $35mil for 5 year deal ($7mill per year - same as Iginla) that he is asking for? Or will he sign for less like around $5.5mil per year (which is more then Brodeur, but less then Luongo)?

McHinney = for the simple reason as Krahn is injured in the preseason and probably lost his best chance of getting the position. Both were great in the minor leagues... but to see how they do in the NHL is another question.

Power Play
PP1
Tanguay - Langkow - Iginla
Phaneuf - Aucoin

PP2
Huselius - Lombardi - Nolan
Regehr - Erickson

Penalty Kill
5on4
PK1
Nilson - Yelle
Regehr - Warrener

PK2
Primeau - Conroy
Phaneuf - Sarich

Possible Forward Pairings:
Huselius - Lombardi
Langkow - Iginla
Tanguay - Nolan

5on3
PK1
Yelle
Regehr - Warrener

PK2
Conroy
Phaneuf - Sarich

Possible Forwards:
Nilson
Primeau
Langkow
Lombardi