Category: NHL Predictions

15 NHL Rookies To Watch This Year

9/26/2014

NHL Handicapping Tips - New Rookies to Watch in 2014-2015

NHL Handicapping requires that you be aware of the new players entering the league. This year is no exception, so I have created this article to help my fellow NHL Handicappers.

Every year, the NHL rewards the best rookie in the league with the Calder Trophy – A prized award suggestive of future success. An early career gift from the all-powerful hockey gods.

The young man who wins award will join an elite club featuring some of the greatest to every play the game, including: Bobby Orr, Ray Bourque, Mario Lemieux and Martin Brodeur.

So who will win the Calder Trophy this year?—Probably someone from this list…

15. Sam Bennett – C – Calgary Flames

a. Smooth stick -work and a high-octane shot made Bennett the fourth-overall pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. It’s something of a miracle the forward was still on the board when Calgary’s number was called – The NHL’s Draft Bureau ranked him as the top North American prospect, ahead of first-overall pick Aaron Ekblad. So this year be sure to keep an eye on these teams and their new young talent. This time of year is absolutely fundamental to your overall season success in NHL Handicapping. Get your early season NHL predictions right and you will be off to the races.

14. Kevin Hayes – RW – New York Rangers

a. During his first three years at Boston College, Kevin Hayes pretty much dinked around on the ice. It wasn’t until his senior season when he realized he was actually pretty good at hockey, netting 28 goals and earning 39 assists in just 39 games. The Rangers are hoping some of that college magic carries over into his first NHL season.

13. Anthony Mantha – RW — Detroit Red Wings

a. Tony Mantha has two distinct skills that make him a likely addition to the Red Wings’ roster: goal scoring and more goal scoring. During his last two seasons in Juniors he slapped in 107 goals in just 124 games. Sounds like an NHL-ready talent to me.

12. William Nylander – C —Toronto Maple Leafs

a. He may look like he’s about 12 – he’s 18 in case you were wondering – but Nylander has the natural skill-set one would expect in a first-round pick. Oh yeah, he has NHL pedigree too – his father is former-player Michael Nylander.

11. Anders Lee – C – New York Islanders

a. Lee spent time bouncing around last season between the AHL and the NHL, but didn’t spend enough time at the pro-level to chew up his rookie status. Heading into 2014-15, it looks like he could center either the second or third line for the Islanders, assuming he performs in the preseason.

10. Filip Forsberg – C – Nashville Predators

a. Before you ask, no, this young Swede is not related to former NHL-great Peter Forsberg. But he is a former first round pick from the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. If Filip can tap into the power of the Forsberg legacy, he should do just fine in the pros.

9. Michael Hutchinson – G – Winnipeg Jets

a. Winnipeg is bad…Really bad. Sorry, Winnipeg. Taking that into account, coach Paul Maurice will likely be forced to make frequent roster and lineup changes which means Hutchinson, for better or for worse, could see a lot of ice time.

8. Antti Raanta – G – Chicago Blackhawks

a. Given the uncertainty of Hawks goalkeeper Corey Crawford, Raanta has a chance to take over the starting role for the Blackhawks, particularly if Crawford gets injured…which he will.

7. Mirco Mueller – D – San Jose Sharks

a. The 19 year-old Swiss blueliner is flying very much under the radar but has a real chance to make San Jose’s roster this season given their defensive unit is sorely in need of some younger legs. He plays an intelligent brand of hockey that could help him become a breakout player.

6. Evgeny Kuznetsov – C – Washington Capitals

a. One of the most exciting prospects of the 2014-15 season, fans are swooning over the potential of the 22 year-old Russian center. If he makes the Capitals roster, there’s a strong possibility he could end up a line with fellow countryman and future NHL Hall of Famer, Alexander Ovechkin.

5. Teuvo Teravainen – C – Chicago Blackhawks

a. The flighty Fin is one of the fastest skaters on the Blackhawks but he may not make the opening night roster due to the Hawks off-season acquisition of Brad Richards. Still, Teravainen’s offensive upside should make him a must-add come the midseason.

4. John Gibson – G – Anaheim Ducks

a. Gibson will likely start the season as a backup to Ducks goalies Frederik Andersen, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be the starter come the new year. With all-star net-minder Johnathan Quick between the pipes across town, Anaheim is anxious to turn the reigns over to their goalie of the future.

3. Aaron Ekblad – D – Florida Panthers

a. The first overall selection in the 2014 NHL entry draft, Aaron Ekbald is, quite simply, a freak of nature. Born in 1996—wow, that makes me feel old—the Panther rookie is just 18 years of age but absolutely poised to play with the big boys this season given his 6’3” 215 pound frame.

2. Johnny Gaudreau – LW – Calgary Flames

a. Though slight in stature – he’s only 5’7” – Johnny Gaudreau plays with elite skill and a ton of heart not unlike former Calgary Flames great, Theo Fleury. “Johnny Hockey”, as he’s commonly referred to, only played in one game in 2013-14 but that will increase significantly this season.

1. Jonathan Drouin – LW – Tampa Bay Lightning

a. The 19 year-old winger for the Tampa Bay Lightning spent all of last season crushing it in the CHL – He was named MVP of the league after carrying his team, the Halifax Mooseheads, to the Memorial Cup. Drouin will likely miss the start of the regular season with a fractured thumb, but should make an impact for the Lightning once he returns.

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Preseason NHL Predictions: 2014-2015 NHL Division Winners

9/26/2014

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Pacific Division NHL Predictions

The Favorites -LA Kings, Anaheim Ducks, San Jose Sharks

The Dark Horse - Vancouver Canucks

The Winner - LA Kings

California boasts the three best teams in the Pacific Division. Not bad for a state with no pond hockey.

Despite their off-season turmoil, the Sharks are a very good team on paper and play in front of the best crowd in the NHL.

Building on last seasons’ success, the Ducks signed high-slot sniper Danny Heatley this off-season adding to an already deep roster.

Still, the Kings are…well…the kings of the Pacific Division. Not only are they coming off an impressive Stanley Cup championship, but they maintained a roster as talented as it is experienced in the off-season. Expect the Sharks to contend down the stretch but fade into the playoffs.

Central Division NHL Predictions

The Favorites - Chicago Blackhawks, Colorado Avalanche, St. Louis Blues

The Dark Horse - Dallas Stars

The Winner - Chicago Blackhawks

The Avs, Stars and Blues are all young, feisty clubs that use energy and physicality extremely well to compensate for any deficiencies in talent.

Keeping that in mind, the Blackhawks are still the most talented, experienced and resilient in this division. If Chicago can get consistent play out of goalie Cory Crawford, they could take the number one seed in the Western Conference.

Atlantic Division NHL Predictions

The Favorites - Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens, Tampa Bay Lightning

The Dark Horse - Toronto Maple Leafs

The Winner - Boston Bruins

The Bruins and Canadiens were both playoff teams last year while the Lightning still played admirably despite the early loss of their best player in Steven Stamkos.

All three teams enter 2014-15 healthy and reloaded.

Then there are the Toronto Maple Leafs, an enigma of a team rich in history but mired in mediocrity.

But you know what?—This team is going to surprise people this season. Phil Kessel, Jamie Van Riemsdyk, Dion Phaneuf…the Leafs have the anchors to contend in big games and enough of a chip in their shoulder to win them. But who am I kidding… they don’t have enough to overtake the dominance of the Bruins. Look for a lot of puck line plays on the Bruins in my VIP client pick this year. Bruins take it this year.

Metropolitan Division NHL Predictions

The Favorites - Washington Capitals, New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins

The Dark Horse - Philadelphia Flyers

The Winner - Washington Capitals

This is the year Alexander Ovechkin puts it all together and leads the Washington Capitals to the Stanley Cup!

Well, maybe not.

But he should lead the Caps to the Metropolitan Division crown.

Yes, the Pens and the Rangers will challenge but Sydney Crosby will eventually get hurt — like he always does — and it’s hard to see the Rangers finding the same well of luck they were able to tap into last season. I think this year could be the Caps year to finally pull things together.

For more info on Sports Investing Strategy and NHL Handicapping be sure to download my ebook
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15 NHL Rookies To Watch This Year

NHL Handicapping Tips - New Rookies to Watch in 2014-2015

15. Sam Bennett – C – Calgary Flames

14. Kevin Hayes – RW – New York Rangers

13. Anthony Mantha – RW — Detroit Red Wings

12. William Nylander – C —Toronto Maple Leafs

11. Anders Lee – C – New York Islanders

10. Filip Forsberg – C – Nashville Predators

9. Michael Hutchinson – G – Winnipeg Jets

8. Antti Raanta – G – Chicago Blackhawks

7. Mirco Mueller – D – San Jose Sharks

6. Evgeny Kuznetsov – C – Washington Capitals

5. Teuvo Teravainen – C – Chicago Blackhawks

4. John Gibson – G – Anaheim Ducks

3. Aaron Ekblad – D – Florida Panthers

2. Johnny Gaudreau – LW – Calgary Flames

1. Jonathan Drouin – LW – Tampa Bay Lightning

Preseason NHL Predictions: 2014-2015 NHL Division Winners

Pacific Division NHL Predictions

Central Division NHL Predictions

Atlantic Division NHL Predictions

Metropolitan Division NHL Predictions

Author: Rob Holiday

Categories

Check out the Ultimate Sports Betting Software

15 NHL Rookies To Watch This Year

NHL Handicapping Tips - New Rookies to Watch in 2014-2015

15. Sam Bennett – C – Calgary Flames

14. Kevin Hayes – RW – New York Rangers

13. Anthony Mantha – RW — Detroit Red Wings

12. William Nylander – C —Toronto Maple Leafs

11. Anders Lee – C – New York Islanders

10. Filip Forsberg – C – Nashville Predators

9. Michael Hutchinson – G – Winnipeg Jets

8. Antti Raanta – G – Chicago Blackhawks

7. Mirco Mueller – D – San Jose Sharks

6. Evgeny Kuznetsov – C – Washington Capitals

5. Teuvo Teravainen – C – Chicago Blackhawks

4. John Gibson – G – Anaheim Ducks

3. Aaron Ekblad – D – Florida Panthers

2. Johnny Gaudreau – LW – Calgary Flames

1. Jonathan Drouin – LW – Tampa Bay Lightning

Preseason NHL Predictions: 2014-2015 NHL Division Winners

Pacific Division NHL Predictions

Central Division NHL Predictions

Atlantic Division NHL Predictions

Metropolitan Division NHL Predictions

Author: Rob Holiday

Categories

﻿Check out the Ultimate Sports Betting Software﻿

Check out the Ultimate Sports Betting Software