| Subject: GWHL Eastern Conference Preview |
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GWHL Press
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Date Posted: 12:39:58 06/10/05 Fri
In 2005, the GWHL's Eastern Conference was the most competitive that it has been in recent times. The defending Hoser Cup champs, the Halifax Harpoons, have lorded it over their conference opponents since the inception of the
GWHL, but last season the gap closed between the Harpoons and clubs like Montreal and Quebec.
This season, that gap should close even more, with Montreal and Quebec once again presenting the biggest challenges to the Harpoons reign of terror. And, with a couple of moves, London, Charlottetown and Ottawa could also
present a challenge to the top dog.
Here, then, is this writer's best guess as to how the GWHL's Eastern Conference will play out in the 2006 season.
1. Halifax Harpoons
As always, the Harpoons offense will be its greatest strength. The top three centers are perhaps the best 1-2-3 punch in the GWHL, with Joe Thornton being the top young gun and Mats Sundin representing the savvy old guard. The defense will still be strong once again, as it features a mix of old (Keith Carney, Igor Ulanov, Brian Leetch) and the young (Wade Radden, Mattias Ohlund). Still, while strong, the Harpoons defense may no longer be the best in the conference. And in goal, GM Stephen Holodinsky has elected
to go with a youngster with a bright future, Roberto Luongo. Luongo has the tools to one day be great, but he might be a small step backwards in the near term.
Player on the Hot Seat- Luongo, simply because he has big shoes to fill now that steady veteran Sean Burke has moved on.
Prediction- the Harpoons should once again claim the conference title on the strength of their offense, plus a solid defense and potentially solid goaltending
2. Quebec Remparts
While the Harpoons feature perhaps the top offense in the GWHL, the Quebec Remparts may very well have the best defense in the league. The blueline corps features a good mix of puck-moving defensemen (Sergei Zubov, Rob Blake, Tom Poti) and stay-at-home types (Murray Baron, Sean O'Donnell,
Brendan Witt), with all of thembeing strong defensively. On offense, the Remparts feature two top offensive players at center in Mario Lemieux and Pavol Demitra, while Brendan Shanahan, Mike Knuble, Geogg Sanderson and Jeff
O'Neill offer plenty of offensive potential on the wings. In goal, the Remparts appear to be in good hands with Patrick Lalime and former Harpoon Sean Burke providing an excellent 1-2 tandem. In truth, Quebec's main
weakness may simply be getting over the hump, but there may be enough veteran savvy to accomplish that this season.
Player on the Hot Seat: Mario Lemieux will have to stay healthy to keep the offense productive.
Prediction- Remparts GM Dean Belanger has worked hard to assemble a club that can contend, and he may just have the ingredients to push for the top spot.
3. Montreal Marauders
Marauders GM Sean Gallagher has done a fantastic job of building his club from also-ran to cup contender in a short amount of time. The 2006 edition of the Marauders should sport a solid defense and good goaltending, to go
along with a bit of offensive firepower. Most of the offense will come from young centers Patrick Marleau and Brad Richards, with power forwards Keith Tkachuk and Todd Bertuzzi producing the goals setup by those two centers.
In addition to having a solid pro roster, the Marauders feature some good depth in their farm system, an attribute that could come in handy should injuries mount. The main weaknesses would appear to be some defensive weakness on the part of some forwards, and the fact that the Marauders'
center corps is maybe not quite as strong as that of their conference rivals.
Player on the Hot Seat- Patrick Marleau has steadily improved his game, but he'll need to produce at the level of an elite player to ensure that the Marauders are competitive offensively.
Prediction- the Marauders made a nice run in the 2005 playoffs, but may be hard-pressed to repeat that feat without some tinkering to the lineup.
4. Ottawa Oaks
Ottawa has a lineup that features five players with good offensive skills, plus a defense that is three deep in solid defensemen. Centers Jason Allison and Olli Jokinen lead a strong unit of centers for the Oaks, with Jokinen,
Dany Heatley, Alexander Mogilny and Richard Zednik leading the way on offense. On defense, the Oaks are led by graybeard Al MacInnis, Adrian Aucoin and Denis Gauthier providing further stability on the blueline. Until recently the Oaks main weakness is in goal, where there is currently a gaping hole that must befilled. Rick Dipietro may be the club's future at that position, but he is
clearly not the present. Enter Nikolai Khabibulan, acquired with Jan Bulis for Adam Foote and John Madden. He'll be counted on to anchor the Oaks team throughout their run for the playoffs and beyond.
Player on the Hot Seat-They didn't bring in the Khabibulan because he plays a mean game of gin rummy in the dressing room and they gave up a very good defenseman to get him in Foote. Proving day starts today.
Prediction- With the addition of Nikolai Khabibulan the Oaks have vaulted ahead of London and Charlottetown for the fourth playoff spot, but staying there could mean giving up some of their future.
5. Charlottetown Islanders
Islanders GM Dino Petrut is another GWHL GM who has built from the goaltender on out. His club sports a solid goaltending tandem in Mike Dunham and Chris Osgood, plus a defensive corps that is good in its own end
while sporting a couple defensemen with some puck-moving skill. While the Islanders do not sport the top-flight snipers that can be found on the rosters of the three clubs ahead of them, there are several players on the
roster, such as Teemu Selanne and Scott Mellanby, capable of putting the puck in the net. The main weaknesses are in the forward ranks, as the Islanders do not sport an impressive center contingent like those of their main conference rivals, while several of their main forwards are somewhat
weak defensively.
Player on the Hot Seat- Jaroslav Spacek will QB the power play unit, a unit that will have to be productive to help ensure that the Islanders stay in playoff contention.
Prediction- the Islanders have fewer glaring weaknesses than the club behind them (London), but the addition of a top center would further enhance their chances of making the playoffs.
6. London Lasers
The London Lasers sport perhaps one of the best 1-2 center combinations, with Peter Forsberg and Doug Weight heading that contingent. In addition, the Lasers roster sports some of the better goal-scorers in the GWHL, with Forsberg, Eric Daze, Peter Bondra and Petr Sykora providing the firepower up front. Overall, GM Ryan Archer's squad has a strong contingent of forwards to go along with a top goaltender in Olaf Kolzig. But the defensive unit, which features four good defensemen including Niklas Lidstrom, is lacking in
quality depth beyond those four players. Also, the club lacks depth beyond the pro forwards, with some of the regulars lacking defensive skill.
Player on the Hot Seat- Niklas Lidstrom is one of the most durable performers in the GWHL, and he'll have to be given the Lasers' distinct lack of depth at defense.
Prediction- if the Islanders stand pat, then the Lasers might be able to leapfrog their Eastern Conference rivals, but the Lasers may also be hurt by not making any deals to improve themselves.
7. Toronto Trojans
Trojans GM James Weise has slowly re-built the Trojans to the point where they could make some noise this season. The offense is lead by center Sergei Federov, but, other than winger Gary Roberts, Federov may not have a lot of help in this area. The Trojans do have a few players of average
scoring ability, though, and, more importantly, most of the club's forwards are solid defensively. On defense, the Trojans sport five quality defensemen, but not much beyond those five. In goal, the Trojans have a good 1-2 tandem in Dwayne Roloson and Jocelyn Thibault, so there are few
worries there. Overall, a lack of reliable offense and depth are the main weaknesses that must be addressed for the Trojans to move into the role of true playoff contender.
Player on the Hot Seat- Sergei Fedorov will need every one of his considerable skills to move his club beyond the seventh spot this season.
Prediction- the Trojans are headed in the right direction, but the journey is not yet done.
8. Steeltown Hammers
The Hammers have had more GMs than Spinal Tap had drummers, or so it seems. New GM Chris Stacey has some good, younger talent in the organization, so there does appear to be a solid future for his club. But the present will
be a struggle, as the Hammers have limited scoring ability, and they are not terribly strong in their own end, either. Players like Andrew Cassels, Alexei Yashin, Anson Carter and Marty Turco will have to carry the club this
season, but it will be difficult for them to lift the Hammers out of the basement.
Player on the Hot Seat- goaltender Marty Turco will be seeing rubber in his sleep, but he'll need to stay healthy in order for the Hammers to have any chance of winning some games.
Prediction- the prudent approach for the Hammers would be to focus on rebuilding by moving more veteran assets for younger talent, since it will be very difficult for the team to build a playoff contender without completely gutting the team's future.
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