Fantasy Hockey Year:Three

[Shifty]

Okay the season is just halfway over, what are your predictions on who will make the playoffs?

EAST

BUF*
ATL*
NJ*
OTT
CAR
MTL
NYR
BOS




WEST

ANH*
NSH*
VAN*
SJ
DET
DAL
CGY
PHX

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/standings/

Spoiler

1. Buffalo * 40 63
2. Atlanta * 37 56
3. New Jersey * 40 54
4. Montreal 39 53
5. Ottawa 37 50
6. Carolina 37 50
7. NY Rangers 38 48
8. Washington 39 45
9. Tampa Bay 38 44
10. Toronto 38 44
11. Boston 42 43
12. Pittsburgh 41 43
13. NY Islanders 40 43
14. Florida 38 39
15. Philadelphia 39 26

Western Team GR PTS
1. Anaheim * 37 65
2. Nashville * 39 61
3. Vancouver * 39 49
4. Detroit 39 57
5. San Jose 40 56
6. Dallas 38 53
7. Calgary 41 48
8. Colorado 40 45
9. Minnesota 39 45
10. Edmonton 40 44
11. Phoenix 40 42
12. Chicago 40 39
13. Los Angeles 38 38
14. Columbus 39 37
15. St. Louis 40 35

 

[Eric Draven]

2007 Eastern Conference All-Star Team Starting Lineup

Position Player NHL Club Votes A-S Game A-S Start
Goal Ryan Miller Buffalo 539,635 1st 1st
Defense Brian Campbell Buffalo 602,982 1st 1st
Defense Sheldon Souray Montreal 534,647 2nd 1st
Forward Sidney Crosby Pittsburgh 825,783 1st 1st
Forward Daniel Briere Buffalo 475,857 1st 1st
Forward Alexander Ovechkin Washington 475,297 1st 1st

2007 Western Conference All-Star Team Starting Lineup

Position Player NHL Club Votes A-S Game A-S Start
Goal Roberto Luongo Vancouver 484,861 2nd 1st
Defense Scott Niedermayer Anaheim 591,657 4th 2nd
Defense Nicklas Lidstrom Detroit 573,069 9th 7th
Forward Joe Thornton San Jose 663,931 4th 2nd
Forward Joe Sakic Colorado 473,847 12th 4th *
Forward Jonathan Cheechoo San Jose 444,885 1st 1st


* includes 1997 All-Star Game (did not play)

COLD-fX/NHL All-Star Fan Balloting,
Presented by 2K Sports
FINAL RESULTS
EASTERN CONFERENCE

Goaltenders

Ryan Miller, BUF 539,635
Martin Brodeur, NJD 484,993
Marc-Andre Fleury, PIT 346,530
Cam Ward, CAR 200,173
Andrew Raycroft, TOR 186,903
Kari Lehtonen, ATL 161,687
Olaf Kolzig, WSH 134,634
Henrik Lundqvist, NYR 125,896
Cristobal Huet *, MTL 123,590

* write-in candidate

Forwards

Sidney Crosby, PIT 825,783
Daniel Briere, BUF 475,857
Alexander Ovechkin, WSH 475,297
Maxim Afinogenov, BUF 469,431
Evgeni Malkin, PIT 399,081
Chris Drury, BUF 330,000
Jaromir Jagr, NYR 321,578
Erik Cole, CAR 255,063
Rod Brind'Amour, CAR 249,632
Ilya Kovalchuk, ATL 226,602
Marian Hossa, ATL 207,393
Saku Koivu, MTL 199,857
Brendan Shanahan, NYR 174,450
Eric Staal, CAR 168,290
Dany Heatley, OTT 167,021
Vincent Lecavalier, TBL 164,522
Mats Sundin, TOR 157,551
Thomas Vanek *, BUF 154,660
Peter Forsberg, PHI 148,690
Marco Sturm *, BOS 135,038
Patrice Bergeron, BOS 134,895
Daniel Alfredsson, OTT 122,523
Olli Jokinen, FLA 111,203
Jason Spezza, OTT 110,083
Martin St. Louis, TBL 103,573
Simon Gagne, PHI 86,843
Patrik Elias, NJD 80,538
Brian Gionta, NJD 74,599
Brad Richards, TBL 71,944
Miroslav Satan, NYI 63,067
Scott Gomez, NJD 61,901
Michael Nylander, NYR 61,623

Defensemen

Brian Campbell, BUF 602,982
Sheldon Souray, MTL 534,647
Zdeno Chara, BOS 511,457
Bryan McCabe, TOR 479,124
Tomas Kaberle, TOR 451,963
Henrik Tallinder, BUF 426,839
Jay Bouwmeester, FLA 410,007
Wade Redden, OTT 305,497
Dan Boyle, TBL 254,835
Brian Rafalski, NJD 228,827
Alexei Zhitnik, PHI 200,735
Chris Phillips, OTT 130,109

* write-in candidate

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Goaltenders

Roberto Luongo, VAN 484,861
Miikka Kiprusoff, CGY 403,313
Marty Turco, DAL 358,045
J.S. Giguere, ANA 286,914
Dwayne Roloson, EDM 223,035
Nikolai Khabibulin, CHI 148,080
Vesa Toskala *, SJS 129,351
Tomas Vokoun, NSH 128,394
Manny Fernandez, MIN 119,067

Forwards

Joe Thornton, SJS 663,931
Joe Sakic, COL 473,847
Jonathan Cheechoo, SJS 444,885
Patrick Marleau, SJS 415,123
Jarome Iginla, CGY 393,213
Markus Naslund, VAN 342,583
Teemu Selanne, ANA 335,149
Martin Havlat, CHI 303,207
Daniel Sedin, VAN 292,743
Henrik Sedin, VAN 291,853
Brenden Morrow, DAL 268,447
Mike Modano, DAL 254,178
Paul Kariya, NSH 198,855
Ryan Smyth, EDM 177,615
Pavel Datsyuk, DET 154,164
Petr Sykora, EDM 146,993
Brian Rolston, MIN 146,456
Henrik Zetterberg, DET 139,735
Rick Nash, CBJ 135,068
Ales Hemsky, EDM 130,481
Marian Gaborik, MIN 127,770
Andy McDonald, ANA 115,863
Milan Hejduk, COL 110,698
Milan Michalek *, SJS 96,446
Steve Sullivan, NSH 94,877
Pavol Demitra, MIN 94,739
Doug Weight, STL 89,348
Ladislav Nagy, PHX 87,130
Shane Doan, PHX 84,925
Keith Tkachuk, STL 81,726
Nikolai Zherdev, CBJ 72,723

* write-in candidate

I love it how Jonathon Cheechoo with his whole 27 points is a starter for the all-star team. This, along with the whole Rory Fitzpatrick thing just showed how much of a joke the all-star voting is....

 

[Shifty]

forgot the West Defensemen

Defensemen

Scott Niedermayer, ANA 591,657
Nicklas Lidstrom, DET 573,069
Rory Fitzpatrick *, VAN 550,177
Chris Pronger, ANA 433,972
Dion Phaneuf, CGY 395,168
Scott Hannan, SJS 378,206
Mattias Ohlund, VAN 326,717
John-Michael Liles, COL 234,598
Sergei Zubov, DAL 225,094
Robyn Regehr, CGY 223,063
Rob Blake, LAK 187,952
Mathieu Schneider, DET 186,431
Lubomir Visnovsky, LAK 177,650

​

I love it how Jonathon Cheechoo with his whole 27 points is a starter for the all-star team. This, along with the whole Rory Fitzpatrick thing just showed how much of a joke the all-star voting is....

Looks like the San Jose fans made an effort to see their players in the game with two write ins.The fans want to see their favourite players and the fans wanted new players as the starters.


Joe Thornton, SJS 663,931
Jonathan Cheechoo, SJS 444,885
Patrick Marleau, SJS 415,123
Scott Hannan, SJS 378,206
Vesa Toskala *, SJS 129,351
Milan Michalek *, SJS 96,446

The only thing I like about the all-star game is seeing players you probably will never see on the same teams, only on a NHL video game. Who doesn't want to see Crosby, Briere and Ovechkin on the same line? Ovechkin hit Briere bad and Briere speared him for revenge on top of the skills these players have and the media hype with Crosby vs. Ovechkin.

 

[Shifty]

Pretty big day, for the NHL, in terms of games on national TV tomorrow.

HDNET
SHARKS VS COYOTES

CBC
SENATORS VS CANADIENS
LEAFS VS CANUCKS
FLAMES VS OILERS

NBC
KINGS VS BLUES
BRUINS VS RANGERS
PENGUINS VS FLYERS

The NHL on NBC season kicks off Saturday at 2 p.m. EST and hockey fans across the United States will be treated to one of three games in Week One.

Most of the country will get Penguins-Flyers, featuring the Pittsburgh kids club and its trio of young phenoms -- Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal. The New York and Boston markets get the "Original Six" clash between the Rangers and Bruins, two teams looking to turn the corner and make a playoff run in the second half, while out West, another young stud in Anze Kopitar will be on display when his L.A. Kings face off against St. Louis.

Beginning this season, Brett Hull will be in the NBC studio at the Rink at 30 Rock in midtown Manhattan. The former sharpshooter will lend his opinions each week and colorful commentary to each broadcast.

Funny, isn't it, that there's a Boxing Day in Canada, yet there is no holiday called Hockey Day on the calendar?

While Boxing Day is no sporting tribute, rather it's a holiday loosely based on giving employees gifts or leftovers following Christmas festivities, Hockey Day in Canada is the closest "the coolest game on Earth" comes to getting a holiday named after it. In its seventh year, Hockey Day in Canada is the country's unofficial hockey holiday.

And it gets bigger each year.

"You realize how big the game is in Canada," Ted Nolan, who grew up in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, says. "I see how big the football game is down here in the United States. Hockey is probably a little more so in Canada. Kids grow up playing the game, watching Hockey Night in Canada, and now they have a special day, Hockey Day in Canada, in all the smaller communities. A lot of NHL players come from those smaller communities, where it all started, so it's a great tribute to the support in Canada, that's for sure."

An extension of CBC's fabled Hockey Night in Canada, Hockey Day is a marathon hockey celebration that features a triple-header of the six Canadian teams in head-to-head action, as well as a full day and night of broadcasting devoted to the country's beloved frozen game.

"I think it's neat," New Jersey goalie and Montreal native Martin Brodeur said. "I never know when it happens because I'm not around and not involved in it. But I think when I see it on TV it's pretty cool. They have all these games all day and I think for the fans, it's something nice. There's less and less teams, it feels like, in Canada, where we feel hockey should be played."

This winter, Hockey Day will be held on Saturday Jan. 13. With live coverage from across Canada beginning at noon, the theme of this year's telecast will be honoring volunteers around the game who devote their time and energy to making youth hockey the institution that it is. During over 13 hours of broadcast time, CBC and sponsor Tim Horton's (the only thing more Canadian than hockey itself), will explore the importance of the national game to smaller communities across the country.

"In Canada it's like live and breathe hockey," Saskatchewan native Brendan Witt said. "I guess it can be compared to baseball. In Canada as soon as you have a pair of skates, your parents want you to play hockey. It's in our blood up there."

The coverage will revolve around the triple-header of Canada's NHL clubs with Montreal-Ottawa at 2 p.m. ET, followed by Vancouver-Toronto and then Edmonton-Calgary at 10 p.m.

While the NHL games will take center stage, the theme of this year's Hockey Day will be to honor the volunteers who are so critical to the game at the grass roots level.

"As parents, it's tough to go around and drag your kids everywhere and do everything, so if you don't have the coaches and the assistant coaches, the people that work in the arenas, it makes it hard for people for people to really enjoy themselves," Brodeur said. "I still have friends that don't have kids and they're coaching a Pee Wee AA team. I'm like, 'What are you doing?' and he says, 'Somebody did it when I was in Pee Wee, so now it's my turn to do it.' And that's the way it is in Canada. It's not about the money. It's about the passion of the game."

The Battle of Alberta concludes CBC's round the clock coverage.
In Nelson, British Columbia, Hockey Night hosts Ron MacLean and Don Cherry will broadcast live throughout the day. Satellite broadcasts will also come from Camrose, Alberta where they will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Alberta hockey; Whitehorse, Yukon, site of the Canada Games; Regina, Saskatchewan, where the Saskatchewan Hockey Association will host its first-ever female under-18, high-performance event; Toronto, Ontario, which is the home of St. Michael's College where they are celebrating their 100th year; and Tignish, Prince Edward Island, home of the new Tignish Arena.

"The only guy that works full-time is the guy that drives the Zamboni," Witt says of the many volunteers he encountered playing youth hockey. "Parents I know, from growing up, my parents, guys I know, would all take turns helping out in the concession. It's a big part of minor hockey."

Over the course of the day, CBC will also present several hockey related stories such as pieces about an autistic goalie in Moncton and the St. Michael's tradition of excellence that has produced a total of 470 NHL players in the last century.

"Sometimes we look at our junior coaches and college coaches and guys in AAA hockey that helped along the way, but this would never have happened if the volunteers didn't flood the outdoor rinks or weren't volunteering in recreational hockey," Nolan said. "Volunteers are very, very important to this sport and not only to the development of NHL players, but also the development for young citizens and young kids. Sometimes you have a misconception that playing sports is only to develop professional athletes, but it's much more than that. It's helping the developing of kids and teaching how to be a team and teammates that care about one another and making friendships along the way. There's a lot more people in the regular world than there are NHL players."

The remaining players for the All-Star Game will also be announced tomorrow.

 

[Shifty]

YOUNG STARS

Kari Lehtonen, G, Atlanta
The Atlanta Thrashers goaltender is regarded as one of the top goaltending prospects to come to the NHL in decades. The second-overall pick in the 2002 Entry Draft, Lehtonen has posted a 19-11-7 record so far with the Thrashers and has a 2.81 goals-against average.

Mike Green, D, Wahington
The unheralded Green finally gets to take a turn in the spotlight after playing so well for the Washington Capitals this season. The 29th pick in the 2004 Entry Draft, Green has been a very steady performer for the improved Caps and has scored two goals and six assists in 42 games.

Andrej Meszaros, D, Ottawa
The 23rd pick in the 2004 Entry Draft, Meszaros is in his second full season with the Ottawa Senators, scoring four goals and 19 assists in 46 games. In 2005-06, Meszaros scored 10 goals and 29 assists in 82 games.

Ryan Whitney, D, Pittsburgh
An important member of the Penguins' kiddie corps, Whitney is emerging as a top-notch defenseman. The fifth pick in the 2002 Entry Draft, he already is closing in on improving his stats from last season, when he scored six goals and 32 assists. In 42 games this season, Whitney has seven goals and 19 assists.

Patrick Eaves, F, Ottawa
Picked 29th in the 2003 draft, Eaves is the son of former NHL player Mike Eaves. And like his dad, he is showing he can play in the NHL. Eaves scored 20 goals for the stacked Senators last season and in 46 games this season, he has scored nine goals and 13 assists.

Phil Kessel, F, Boston
No one knew what to expect when word came that Kessel would need surgery for testicular cancer. But the fifth pick in the 2006 Entry Draft has made a remarkable recovery and already is back on the ice. In 29 games, he has five goals and four assists.

Evgeni Malkin, F, Pittsburgh
Malkin has more that lived up to the hype that greeted his entry to the NHL. The second pick in the 2004 draft is averaging more than a point per game with 20 goals and 21 assists in 28 games. He is a big, strong forward who has an on-ice presence that reminds many of Penguins owner Mario Lemieux.

Zach Parise, F, New Jersey
A super sophomore for the New Jersey Devils, the son of former NHLer J.P. Parise is making quite a name for himself with the Atlantic Division leaders. With 17 goals and 17 assists already this season, he has surpassed his rookie totals in goals and points and needs just one assist to equal his rookie total in that department.

Jordan Staal, F, Pittsburgh
Get ready hockey fans, the Staal family is getting ready for a long run in the NHL. Carolina's Eric already is a prime-time player and Jordan make the Pens as an 18-year-old and has been a marvel and has scored 12 goals and three assists in 41 games, with five os his goals being shorthanded.

Alex Steen, F, Toronto
More NHL bloodlines here as Alex is the son of longtime Winnipeg Jet Thomas Steen. He has nine goals and 10 assists in 45 games for the Maple Leafs this season.

Thomas Vanek, F, Buffalo
A revelation in his sophomore season, the Sabres' Vanek has shown an appreciation for the number 23. In 44 games this season, Vanek has 23 goals, 23 assists and is a plus 23. He had 25 goals, 23 assists and 48 points all of last season, so he is poised to obliterate those stats this season.



Western Conference

Peter Budaj, G, Colorado
This young Slovakian has played very well for the Colorado Avalanche this season, posting a 12-9-2 record and 2.59 goals-against average in 24 appearances.

Matt Carle, D, San Jose
The former Hobey Baker Trophy winner has three goals and 18 assists in his first 39 games for the Sharks. He is a former second-round pick (47th overall) in the 2003 Entry Draft.

Brent Seabrook, D, Chicago
Drafted 14th overall in 2003, Seabrook is emerging as one of the NHL's top, young defensemen. He has the size – 6-foot-3, 220 pounds -- and skill to be a fixture on the Chicago backline for years to come. In 42 games this season, he has two goals and nine assists.

Ladislav Smid, D, Edmonton
Acquired from Anaheim in the Chris Pronger trade, the Oilers are delighted with the contributions of Smid, who has nine assists in 40 games of his rookie season. He was selected ninth overall by the Ducks in the 2004 Entry Draft.

Shea Weber, D, Nashville
A second-round pick in 2003, Weber has made a home for himself on the Predators' blue line. In 44 games, he has seven goals and 16 assists, surpassing the two goals and eight assists he has in 28 games last season.

Ryan Getzlaf, F, Anaheim
A terrific sophomore season for the 19th pick of the 2003 Entry Draft. Getzlaf has scored 18 goals and 11 assists in 46 games this season after picking up 14 goals and 25 assists in 57 games last season.

Jussi Jokinen, F, Dallas
A shootout marvel, scoring 10 goals on 13 attempts last season, Jokinen is a dangerous presence for Dallas. He has scored four goals in five chances already this season and has netted nine goals and 13 assists in 45 games.

Anze Kopitar, F, Los Angeles
Get used to this name, you'll be seeing it a lot. The first Slovenian player in the NHL has shown terrific skills. In 45 games, he has scored 12 goals and 27 assists.

Alexander Radulov, F, Nashville
The king of the goal celebration, the young Predator has shown tons of talent in his short NHL career. He has 11 goals and nine assists in 31 games and looks to have a long career ahead of him.

Lee Stempniak, F, St. Louis
A fifth-round pick by the Blues in 2003, this Dartmouth product is quickly making a name for himself. This season, he has 13 goals and 13 assists in 43 games after netting 14 goals and 13 assists in 57 games last season.

Wojtek Wolski, F, Colorado
Selected 21st in the 2004 Entry Draft, Wolski made an positive impression during a brief tenure with the Avalanche. This season, he is furthering that positive impression with 15 goals and 16 assists in 42 games.

2007 EASTERN CONFERENCE ALL-STAR ROSTER

Spoiler

(statistics through games of Jan. 12, 2007)
2006-07 Statistics
GOALTENDERS GP W L T GAA All-Star
Appearance
* Ryan Miller, Buffalo Sabres 32 22 7 2 2.62 1st
Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils 42 26 13 3 2.07 9th
Cristobal Huet, Montreal Canadiens 31 17 8 3 2.46 1st

2006-07 Statistics
DEFENSEMEN GP G A Pts All-Star
Appearance
* Brian Campbell, Buffalo Sabres 44 5 21 26 1st
* Sheldon Souray, Montreal Canadiens 43 14 23 37 2nd
Jay Bouwmeester, Florida Panthers 46 6 16 22 1st
Zdeno Chara, Boston Bruins 39 8 18 26 2nd
Tomas Kaberle, Toronto Maple Leafs 45 8 29 37 2nd
Brian Rafalski, New Jersey Devils 44 2 27 29 2nd

2006-07 Statistics
FORWARDS GP G A Pts All-Star
Appearance
* Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins 39 21 44 65 1st
* Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals 44 28 33 61 1st
* Daniel Briere, Buffalo Sabres 44 16 35 51 1st
Jason Blake, New York Islanders 43 23 18 41 1st
Simon Gagne, Philadelphia Flyers 44 20 13 33 2nd
Dany Heatley, Ottawa Senators 46 27 31 58 2nd
Marian Hossa, Atlanta Thrashers 46 26 32 58 3rd
Vincent Lecavalier, Tampa Bay Lightning 45 26 33 59 2nd
Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning 45 28 31 59 3rd
Brendan Shanahan, New York Rangers 45 24 22 46 8th
Eric Staal, Carolina Hurricanes 46 19 18 37 1st
Justin Williams, Carolina Hurricanes 46 21 20 41 1st

* voted by fans to the starting lineup
Head Coach: Lindy Ruff, Buffalo Sabres
(making second All-Star Game coaching appearance, both as head coach)
Assistant Coach: Bob Hartley, Atlanta Thrashers
(making second All-Star Game coaching appearance, both as assistant)

2007 WESTERN CONFERENCE ALL-STAR ROSTER

Spoiler

(statistics through games of Jan. 12, 2007)
2006-07 Statistics
GOALTENDERS GP W L T GAA All-Star
Appearance
* Roberto Luongo, Vancouver Canucks 42 24 6 1 2.5 2nd
Miikka Kiprusoff, Calgary Flames 38 21 14 3 2.32 1st
Marty Turco, Dallas Stars 39 21 15 1 2.34 3rd

2006-07 Statistics
DEFENSEMEN GP G A Pts All-Star
Appearance
* Scott Niedermayer, Anaheim Ducks 46 8 34 42 4th
* Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit Red Wings 44 9 26 35 9th
Philippe Boucher, Dallas Stars 44 13 20 33 1st
Dion Phaneuf, Calgary Flames 41 9 16 25 1st
Kimmo Timonen, Nashville Predators 44 8 23 31 2nd
Lubomir Visnovsky, Los Angeles Kings 43 13 23 36 1st

2006-07 Statistics
FORWARDS GP G A Pts All-Star
Appearance
* Joe Thornton, San Jose Sharks 44 11 42 53 4th
* Joe Sakic, Colorado Avalanche 43 18 29 47 12th
* Jonathan Cheechoo, San Jose Sharks 38 14 15 29 1st
Bill Guerin, St. Louis Blues 42 18 13 31 4th
Martin Havlat, Chicago Blackhawks 21 13 13 26 1st
Patrick Marleau, San Jose Sharks 44 20 26 46 2nd
Rick Nash, Columbus Blue Jackets 39 13 17 30 2nd
Yanic Perreault, Phoenix Coyotes 31 14 11 25 1st
Brian Rolston, Minnesota Wild 45 23 18 41 1st
Teemu Selanne, Anaheim Ducks 46 28 29 57 10th
Ryan Smyth, Edmonton Oilers 34 21 12 33 1st
Henrik Zetterberg, Detroit Red Wings 44 17 16 33 1st

* voted by fans to the starting lineup
Head Coach: Randy Carlyle, Anaheim Ducks
(making first All-Star Game coaching appearance)
Assistant Coach: Barry Trotz, Nashville Predators
(making first All-Star Game coaching appearance)

 

[Venom Drool]

huet !