PR - Pontiacs: Eastern Conference Preview

Eastern Conference Preseason Analysis:

As another season begins, let us take a look at how the Eastern Conference teams have prepared themselves for TFHL season 19.


Bobcats:

Offense: The Bobcats have performed consistently well over the past several seasons, including capturing the conference title two years in a row. Naslund and Artemenkov should be key players in the Bobcat offense but don't could out other players like Samsonov, Kolanos and Ellison. They have a lot of depth and they have proven that they know how to use that depth effectively.
Grade: A-

Defense: This team has a very solid defense led by Sergei Gonchar. This team may very well have the best defense in the conference and expect them to make it difficult for other teams to get the puck past Nabokov.
Grade: A-

Goaltending: Nabokov should give them the confidence this team requires in the net and the free agency signing of Hnilicka has given them a compentent backup for the season.
Grade: B+

Overall Grade: A-


Saints:

Offense: The Saints have built themselves up to be an offensive powerhouse. Having several of the top goal scorers from last season, it is pretty safe to assume that they will once again cause sunburns to appear on the backs of the necks of rival goaltenders. Higgins will once again lead the team's offense but he will have the assistance of Kovalchuk, Paille, Arnott and many others.
Grade: A

Defense: The Saints' powerful offense has caused a weak spot in their defense. While Baranka, Ballard and Rozakov will be strong on the blueline, they will have difficulty when they are not on the ice.
Grade: B-

Goaltending: Rask has developed into a solid goaltender and should give the Saint's the security they need in the net to be be successful.
Grade: B+

Overall Grade: B+


Ignite:

Offense: Do I have to say it? Jerome Iginla. Look to him to be the star and leader of this team once again. While this team has other talent, the Ignite will have to rely heavily on Iginla's performance. Tambellini, Allison and Desautels will also have to play well, but all in all, this team's offense is in pretty good shape.
Grade: B+

Defense: The Ignite defense is fairly well rounded and balanced, but it lacks a clear leader. Will Gauthier, Orpik or Goc be able to step up to fill that role?
Grade: B-

Goaltending: Fleury is a good goalie that should be able to save the defense when necessary. If Fleury can play at the top of his game, this team should have no problem winning their fair share of games. Hopefully, Enroth will be able to save him if he falters.
Grade: A-

Overall Grade: B+


Marauders:

Offense: The Marauder offense lacks the depth of many other teams in the league. They will have to rely Gordon, Fehr, Peca and Alfredsson to pick up the slack and provide much needed leadership for the team in the scoring department.
Grade: B-

Defense: The Marauder defense is, perhaps, there strongest area. With Kosmachev, Regehr and Chara at the point supported by other solid defenders, their defense should be the determining factor on the amount of success that they have this season.
Grade: A-

Goaltending: Martin Brodeur is an experienced goalie who should provide the team with solid backing. However, the team better hope that he doesn't get injured or tired too quickly, because Esche and Pogge would have a very difficult time filling his shoes.
Grade: B

Overall Grade: B


Spirit:

Offense: It is no secret that the Spirit are a defensive team, Steen, Dvorak, Little and Fisher make it hard for other teams to get much offense going. However, they will have to rely on Hossa, O'Neill and Kovalev to pick up the slack in the scoring department. The Spirit have a balanced offense that should perform well in most situations.
Grade: A-

Defense: The Spirit's blueline looks a little weak going into this season. Phaneuf will have to be the leader in that department, and hopefully for the Spirit, he is up to the challenge. Fortunately for the Spirit, their defensive forwards should help pick up the slack.
Grade: B-

Goaltending: The Spirit have a strong combination with Salo and Turco between the pipes. Salo should provide them with quality goaltending, while Turco will give them the assurance they need when Salo is on the bench.
Grade: B+

Overall Grade: B


Pontiacs:

Offense: The Pontiac offense will find its leadership in Fritsche, Johansson and Roenick. They are a young team that should find the experience of Roenick and Palffy invaluable. However, the team still lacks the offensive punch of many of its rivals.
Grade: B

Defense: The Pontiac defense does not look phenomenal but neither does it look weak. While the Stuarts and Coburn are the definite leaders on defense, there appears to be no gaping holes for other teams to exploit.
Grade: B+

Goaltending: The Pontiacs will be relying heavily upon Teemu Hovinen again this year, but, much like other teams in this conference, they lack a quality backup. Hovinen and Dupont also lack the experience of other goaltending combos, having both been drafted only at the beginning of last season.
Grade: B

Overall Grade: B


Owls:

Offense: Thornton and Sullivan will probably be the team leaders in points, but they have a lot of depth on offense that shouldn't limit them. Their acquisition of Sackrison should be a powerful asset to the team's performance this season.
Grade: B+

Defense: The Owls' defense has been led my Bouwmeester for the past few seasons and expect his leadership to play a major role again this season. Their defense is not as stunning as others we have seen but it is well balanced and should provide the team with relative security in their own zone.
Grade: B-

Goaltending: Auld and Luongo are an impressive 1-2 combination. Luongo could play as a starter on other teams in the league but here he will probably be on the bench as Auld's backup. They should give the Owls' forwards peace of mind that their backs are covered.
Grade: B+

Overall Grade: B


Aces:

Offense: The Aces' possess solid depth up front with Bertuzzi, Walter, Madano, Gaborik and Demitra. If the team is able to gel together then I think this team could put a lot of points on the board.
Grade: B+

Defense: Keith and Picard will be heading up the Aces' defense. They will receive some support, but they will need to pick up the slack for some of their comrades on defense.
Grade: B

Goaltending: The Aces' have the best 1-2-3 combination in the league, however, it is logical to assume that one of them will be moving, if the trade rumours are accurate. In truth, they have no need for three goalies of Pitton, Vokoun and Denis's character but whatever combination they retain should still provide them with a solid presence between the pipes.
Grade: B

Overall Grade: B


Hurricanes:

Offense: The Hurricane offense should put some pucks in the net, but these goals should come from a wide spectrum of players. While Svitov and King will be key leaders for the team on the ice, look to see the whole team getting their share of goals.
Grade: B

Defense: Their defense is by no means spectacular, but it should get the job done. Hamrlik and Redden will be expected to lead the Hurricane defense but each pair should be able to stand up for themselves.
Grade: B-

Goaltending: Once again Boucher will be the uncontested #1 goalie for the Hurricanes, but will GM Derek Major pull up Jeremy Smith to replace Schneider as backup? For this we will have to wait and see. Boucher will do the job, but the absence of a solid backup could be a problem.
Grade: B

Overall Grade: B


Mustangs:

Offense: What can I say? The defending TFHL Champions have a great offense with great depth. The can put together three lines that compare to many teams first line. But, we shall see if Nash, Crosby and Baranov can be the catalysts towards another TFHL Championship.
Grade: A

Defense: Here is another fairly well rounded defense, This should provide the team with good coverage in their own end. Expect Chistov, Jovanovski and Waugh to be their defensive leaders.
Grade: B+

Goaltending: Here is the Young Guns achilles heal. With the loss of Jose Theodore to Free Agency, the Young Guns have a gaping hole between the pipes. It is unlikely that Montoya and Dubielewicz can hope to fill the hole left by Theodore. Expect the Young Guns to be in the market for a starting goalie early in the seaon.
Grade: C

Overall Grade: B


Rednex:

Offense: Look to see Lindstrom, Brent and Nilsson heading up the offense for the Rednex. It looks as if they will have to carry the brunt of the offensive load. The rest of their offensive squad will have a difficult time making much of a contribution considering the defensive talent in the league.
Grade: B-

Defense: The Rednex defense seems to be in much the same shape as the offense. Ohlund and Bodnarchuk will be expected to pull more than their fair share of the wait on the blueline.
Grade: C+

Goaltending: The Rednex' Johnson/Vincent combo should provide adequate protection between the pipes. They will be expected to pick up the slack from the defense.
Grade: B

Overall Grade: B-


Misconduct:

Offense: The Misconduct has their work cut out for them this year. Lindros will have to provide some much needed leadership for the team to be successful this year on the offensive front. Look to Havlat, Cole and Eaves to pick up their game to provide some necessary points for the team.
Grade: C+

Defense: The Misconduct's biggest weakness is their defense. Tselios will be expected to provide the leadership on defense that the team is lacking, but is he up to the challenge and is he able to fill those shoes? Look for the Misconduct testing out their farm prospects to try to fill the gaps in their roster.
Grade: C-

Goaltending: The team's strength this year will definitely be in their goaltending. Bryzgalov and Cloutier should provide solid coverage between the pipes. With Ridderwall as a good third goalie, they should be able to give Bryzgalov and Cloutier the rest they need to remain consistently on top of their game.
Grade: B+

Overall Grade: C+


Season Prediction:
Once again it looks like the Saints, Bobcats and Ignite will be competing for the Conference Title. The Mauraders, Pontiacs, Spirit, Hurricanes, Owls, Aces, and Mustangs will be competing for the final five playoff spots, while the Rednex struggle to stay ahead of the Misconduct from being at the bottom. However, only time will tell if my predictions and analysis is correct but it looks as if the Eastern Conference is getting increasingly more competitive each year.