HFNHL Red Wings
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Before progressing to the most elite of leagues, the HFNHL, all rookies must prove themselves in that ‘B’ league known as the NHL.
This year the HFNHL Red Wings have an unprecedented number of up and comers with a reasonable probability of making the NHL. In all the team has 20 players in 14 different NHL organizations that will likely spend all or part of the season at the NHL level.
Here is a quick look at those challengers and the role they may play.
Anaheim
LW/C Chris Kunitz (95% probability) – Kunitz is more fortunate than most in that he has been penciled in on the 3rd line LW slot by most prognosticators. It’s his job to lose.
Kunitz had received a callup in the 2003/04 season and made a strong showing on the 4th line and followed it up with a strong campaign on the farm team in 2004/05.
Kunitz’s likely teammates are Ryan Getzlaf and one of Samuel Phlsson or Andy MacDonald.
Atlanta
LW/RW Ramzi Abid (90% probability) – While too old to be considered a rookie, Abid has a strong shot at landing a full time job. While a natural LW’er, the Thrashers have been trying him out as the 2nd line RW with mixed results. At the very least Abid should be playing 3rd line LW this year.
Many speculate that Red Wing management considers this Abid’s last chance. Should he not establish himself the team will likely move him.
At this time there is no clear picture as to who Abid’s linemates may be.
Boston
C Brad Boyes (75% probability) – Brad Boyes appears to be the victim of the numbers game yet again this year. While Boyes has nothing left to prove at the AHL level after putting up a point per game for 3 consecutive seasons and demonstrating great vision and 2way play there are no obvious openings at center.
Signed to a one way deal Boyes will open the season with the team who may, while not ideal for his style of play, try him at wing.
RW Colton Orr (30% probability) – While far from being a lock to open the season, should the rule changes not be enforced effectively the team may choose to insert Orr on the 4th line RW for his physical play.
Buffalo
LW Milan Bartovic (85% probability) – Bartovic’s projection and status is very similar to that of Kunitz and Abid. Bartovic has already enjoyed some time at the NHL level and he too is entering his ‘last chance’ year to make his mark.
With Bartovic projecting out as a 3rd line LW for the coming season (again like Kunitz and Abid) the team has been shopping his rights around to fill needs at other positions.
Bartovic’s likely linemates are Derek Roy, with whom Bartovic developed a good chemistry in part of the 2003/04 season, and Maxim Afinogenov.
Chicago
LW Matt Ellison (30% probability) – Despite having played a handful of games at the NHL level in 2003/04 the Blackhawks brought in a number of free agents this offseason and there is some question as to whether there will be an opening for the feisty winger.
Dallas
With Detroit holding the rights to 5 good prospects in the Dallas organization it is simply a question of which players make it.
LW/RW Antti Miettinen (99% probability) – While Miettinen’s first taste of North American hockey was a tough one he has adapted well and has made a strong showing at camp.
While he has often been projected as the next Jere Lehtinen his defensive game is not on the same level. On the upside, however, he has shown a lot greater offensive creativity that Dallas will be counting on his season.
It is expected that Miettinen will play on the 2nd line.
LW/RW Mathias Tjarnqvist (60% probability) – His probability of making the team is based more on seniority and experience than skill level. He has shown flashes of his potential at camp and has been tried at both wings. Expectation is that he will play on one of the 4th line wings but has an outside shot at the 3rd line RW position.
RW Junior Lessard (40% probability) – His fate is tied to that of Mathias Tjarnqvists, one of the two will make it but it is unlikely both will.
LW Vojtech Polak (40% probability) – Entering camp it was assumed Polak would at least spend the first half of the year down on the farm but Polak came to camp ready to play and has dazzled the fans with his offensive prowess. Most recently Polak had a 3 point game (1G, 2A) against the Oilers in an exhibition match and in the shootout scored the winning goal.
If the new rule changes are effective than it is likely Polak will get a chance to play on a team still built around defence.
LW/C Jussie Jokinen (25% probability) – While some prognosticators have him penciled in at the 4th line C position the team hopes he is demoted to the AHL to learn the NA game and get lots of ice time.
Detroit
RW Daryl Bootland (50% probablity) - With the trade of Darren McCarty, Bootland is the obvious candidate to fill his role. Bootland had a brief callup in 2003/04 due to injuries and played well.
Bootland however is no lock to make the team. Detroit has brought in a number of free agents and has some skill players fighting for spots as well. Like Colton Orr, Daryl Bootland's fate will be determined by the effectiveness of the rule changes.
Edmonton
LW/C Brad Winchester (40% probability and declining) – Last year in the AHL Winchester finally demonstrated the level of 2way play that had been expected of him and many penciled him in on the Oiler’s 3rd line. Unfortunately Winchester has had a mediocre camp so far while a few others have exceeded expectations. Winchester may have to start on the farm and earn a mid season callup.
New York Rangers
G Henrik Lundqvist (65% probability) – While many believe that Lundqvist’s experience in the SEL makes him the most logical candidate to fill the vacant backup roll, he has shown in camp that he needs some time to adjust to NA hockey. The only question is whether he will be adapting to it at the AHL or NHL level.
D Maxim Kondratiev (75% probability) – Kondratiev is the only Detroit defenceman expected to make the jump this season. Barring a trade it is possible he will be playing on the Rangers 2nd pairing with Tomas Pock.
Philadelphia
G Antero Niitymaki (95% probability) – Niitymaki has nothing left to prove at the AHL level. The backup goaltender position is his to loose.
St. Louis
C Jay McClement (50% probability) – The Wings 2001 first round selection is ready to make the jump to the NHL level but a flurry of late summer signings by the Blues has limited the number of positions available to one or two. While the defensively oriented McClement could fill the 3rd line center position it is more likely he will start on the 4th line where he will look to prove himself in the hopes of getting increased ice time as the season progresses.
San Jose
RW Ryan Clowe (50% probability) – The feisty hard working Clowe is enjoying a good camp this year while coming off two consecutive strong seasons at the AHL level. Clowe brings a lot of energy and some offence which has not gone unnoticed. Unfortunately for Ryan, Marcel Goc is making a strong bid to make the team as well and there may be only one position available. If Clowe does make the team look for him to start out on the 4th line and get some PK duty.
Vancouver
Fedor Fedorov (30% probability) - Federov has been included here not b/c the team expects him to make the Canucks but more based on the probability that the Canucks will trade his rights. Wings management is confident that Fedorov would benefit from a change of organization and could prove himself as a legitimate HFNHL talent.
This year the HFNHL Red Wings have an unprecedented number of up and comers with a reasonable probability of making the NHL. In all the team has 20 players in 14 different NHL organizations that will likely spend all or part of the season at the NHL level.
Here is a quick look at those challengers and the role they may play.
Anaheim
LW/C Chris Kunitz (95% probability) – Kunitz is more fortunate than most in that he has been penciled in on the 3rd line LW slot by most prognosticators. It’s his job to lose.
Kunitz had received a callup in the 2003/04 season and made a strong showing on the 4th line and followed it up with a strong campaign on the farm team in 2004/05.
Kunitz’s likely teammates are Ryan Getzlaf and one of Samuel Phlsson or Andy MacDonald.
Atlanta
LW/RW Ramzi Abid (90% probability) – While too old to be considered a rookie, Abid has a strong shot at landing a full time job. While a natural LW’er, the Thrashers have been trying him out as the 2nd line RW with mixed results. At the very least Abid should be playing 3rd line LW this year.
Many speculate that Red Wing management considers this Abid’s last chance. Should he not establish himself the team will likely move him.
At this time there is no clear picture as to who Abid’s linemates may be.
Boston
C Brad Boyes (75% probability) – Brad Boyes appears to be the victim of the numbers game yet again this year. While Boyes has nothing left to prove at the AHL level after putting up a point per game for 3 consecutive seasons and demonstrating great vision and 2way play there are no obvious openings at center.
Signed to a one way deal Boyes will open the season with the team who may, while not ideal for his style of play, try him at wing.
RW Colton Orr (30% probability) – While far from being a lock to open the season, should the rule changes not be enforced effectively the team may choose to insert Orr on the 4th line RW for his physical play.
Buffalo
LW Milan Bartovic (85% probability) – Bartovic’s projection and status is very similar to that of Kunitz and Abid. Bartovic has already enjoyed some time at the NHL level and he too is entering his ‘last chance’ year to make his mark.
With Bartovic projecting out as a 3rd line LW for the coming season (again like Kunitz and Abid) the team has been shopping his rights around to fill needs at other positions.
Bartovic’s likely linemates are Derek Roy, with whom Bartovic developed a good chemistry in part of the 2003/04 season, and Maxim Afinogenov.
Chicago
LW Matt Ellison (30% probability) – Despite having played a handful of games at the NHL level in 2003/04 the Blackhawks brought in a number of free agents this offseason and there is some question as to whether there will be an opening for the feisty winger.
Dallas
With Detroit holding the rights to 5 good prospects in the Dallas organization it is simply a question of which players make it.
LW/RW Antti Miettinen (99% probability) – While Miettinen’s first taste of North American hockey was a tough one he has adapted well and has made a strong showing at camp.
While he has often been projected as the next Jere Lehtinen his defensive game is not on the same level. On the upside, however, he has shown a lot greater offensive creativity that Dallas will be counting on his season.
It is expected that Miettinen will play on the 2nd line.
LW/RW Mathias Tjarnqvist (60% probability) – His probability of making the team is based more on seniority and experience than skill level. He has shown flashes of his potential at camp and has been tried at both wings. Expectation is that he will play on one of the 4th line wings but has an outside shot at the 3rd line RW position.
RW Junior Lessard (40% probability) – His fate is tied to that of Mathias Tjarnqvists, one of the two will make it but it is unlikely both will.
LW Vojtech Polak (40% probability) – Entering camp it was assumed Polak would at least spend the first half of the year down on the farm but Polak came to camp ready to play and has dazzled the fans with his offensive prowess. Most recently Polak had a 3 point game (1G, 2A) against the Oilers in an exhibition match and in the shootout scored the winning goal.
If the new rule changes are effective than it is likely Polak will get a chance to play on a team still built around defence.
LW/C Jussie Jokinen (25% probability) – While some prognosticators have him penciled in at the 4th line C position the team hopes he is demoted to the AHL to learn the NA game and get lots of ice time.
Detroit
RW Daryl Bootland (50% probablity) - With the trade of Darren McCarty, Bootland is the obvious candidate to fill his role. Bootland had a brief callup in 2003/04 due to injuries and played well.
Bootland however is no lock to make the team. Detroit has brought in a number of free agents and has some skill players fighting for spots as well. Like Colton Orr, Daryl Bootland's fate will be determined by the effectiveness of the rule changes.
Edmonton
LW/C Brad Winchester (40% probability and declining) – Last year in the AHL Winchester finally demonstrated the level of 2way play that had been expected of him and many penciled him in on the Oiler’s 3rd line. Unfortunately Winchester has had a mediocre camp so far while a few others have exceeded expectations. Winchester may have to start on the farm and earn a mid season callup.
New York Rangers
G Henrik Lundqvist (65% probability) – While many believe that Lundqvist’s experience in the SEL makes him the most logical candidate to fill the vacant backup roll, he has shown in camp that he needs some time to adjust to NA hockey. The only question is whether he will be adapting to it at the AHL or NHL level.
D Maxim Kondratiev (75% probability) – Kondratiev is the only Detroit defenceman expected to make the jump this season. Barring a trade it is possible he will be playing on the Rangers 2nd pairing with Tomas Pock.
Philadelphia
G Antero Niitymaki (95% probability) – Niitymaki has nothing left to prove at the AHL level. The backup goaltender position is his to loose.
St. Louis
C Jay McClement (50% probability) – The Wings 2001 first round selection is ready to make the jump to the NHL level but a flurry of late summer signings by the Blues has limited the number of positions available to one or two. While the defensively oriented McClement could fill the 3rd line center position it is more likely he will start on the 4th line where he will look to prove himself in the hopes of getting increased ice time as the season progresses.
San Jose
RW Ryan Clowe (50% probability) – The feisty hard working Clowe is enjoying a good camp this year while coming off two consecutive strong seasons at the AHL level. Clowe brings a lot of energy and some offence which has not gone unnoticed. Unfortunately for Ryan, Marcel Goc is making a strong bid to make the team as well and there may be only one position available. If Clowe does make the team look for him to start out on the 4th line and get some PK duty.
Vancouver
Fedor Fedorov (30% probability) - Federov has been included here not b/c the team expects him to make the Canucks but more based on the probability that the Canucks will trade his rights. Wings management is confident that Fedorov would benefit from a change of organization and could prove himself as a legitimate HFNHL talent.
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). Penner impressed throughout camp with his willingness and ability to impose his big frame in traffic on the forecheck, and he displayed better-than-expected touch with the puck in the process, leading to speculation he may start the season riding shotgun on what is arguably the team's top line with Sergei Fedorov and Joffrey Lupul, in place of hired thug Todd Fedoruk.
