NHL Prospect Watch: Los Angeles Kings Goaltender Jeff Zatkoff

Jonathan Bernier has been tagged by every media outlet in Los Angeles as the Kings’ future franchise goaltender. How do you think that makes someone like Jeff Zatkoff feel?

“I just try to worry about myself,” said Zatkoff, goaltender for the Manchester Monarchs of the American League. “I know that if I take care of my business, work hard and play well, then I’m going to get my opportunities, whether it’s with the Kings organization or someone else down the road.”

Franchise goaltender or not, Zatkoff has been turning heads in the hockey world with his play ever since he was drafted in the third round (74th overall) by the Kings in the 2006.

Having played in the United States League as a youngster, Zatkoff had an urge to attend college, rather than take the often-touted major junior route. Playing for Miami University in Ohio, he put up incredible numbers, with save percentages of .928, .919 and .933 in his three years of college. He had goals-against averages of 2.02, 2.26 and 1.72, and in his junior year he was the star of the team, going 27-8-1 during the season.

After being drafted, though, Zatkoff spent some time with the Ontario Reign of the ECHL before being brought up to the AHL late in the 2008-09 season. He started the ’09-10 campaign with a bang, going 8-5 with a .932 SP and a 2.38 GAA for Manchester. Although his numbers leveled out down the stretch, he still finished with a respectable .915 SP and a 2.92 GAA.

“I think his strengths are his patience with the puck, reading releases and using his big body to stop the puck,” said Los Angeles goaltending coach Bill Ranford. “I think he’s a student of the game, he’s always trying to learn. That’s real important to his game and his development, to continue to learn and just wanting to be better.”

Many goaltenders would be discouraged knowing there is so much talent on the depth chart in front of them. With Jonathan Quick and Bernier in the organization, Zatkoff could easily get down on his situation, but that’s not how he interprets his position.

“It’s exciting that we have a lot of youth on our team,” Zatkoff said. “We’re one of the youngest teams in the league and when we’re healthy, we’re one of the best in the league. As far as the goaltending goes, there’s a lot of great goalies in the system, but…it’s been big for me to be able to play with (Bernier) and watch and learn from him.”

To get to the next level, Zatkoff knows improvement is needed.

“I pride myself on making it easy, staying square to the puck and not getting too scrambly,” he said. “As far as weaknesses go, I think I can always get stronger. I’m 6-foot-2, 170, so I think I can always get stronger and put on a little more muscle.”

Zatkoff, who was ranked eighth among Los Angeles prospects in THN’s Future Watch 2010, understands the trail to the NHL is long and winding, but he is ready for the challenge.

“I think if I have a good off-season, I can come in and prove in camp that I can play with Quick and Bernie – I want to go in there and turn some heads. Like I said, I’ll get my opportunity and make the most of it – and hopefully stick.”

Alan Bass is a writer for The Hockey News and THN.com. In addition to writing for Inside Hockey and Pro Hockey News, he has also worked for the Philadelphia Flyers. He is the General Manager of the Muhlenberg College hockey team as well. You can contact him at BergHockey24@gmail.com.

This article was originally featured on TheHockeyNews.com. For the original article, click here.

NHL Prospect Watch: Nashville Predators’ Taylor Beck

The Nashville Predators have a history of successfully developing their draft picks into bona fide NHL players. More than half of their current roster consists of players drafted by the organization, including Shea Weber, Ryan Suter and David Legwand.

So Taylor Beck shouldn’t be worried about making it to the big league, right?

“Yeah, I was really happy with Nashville,” Beck said of his draft team. “It’s a great city and a great hockey organization and I’m looking forward to playing with them in the next couple years. It should be a lot of fun.”

Beck was hardly an offensive juggernaut before he was drafted in the third round (70th overall) in 2009. After putting up just 21 points in his rookie season in the Ontario League, the Guelph Storm right winger improved to 58 points in 67 games in his second year. After being selected, he exploded with 93 points and won the Jim Mahom Memorial Trophy as the OHL’s top scoring right winger.

“He isn’t the prettiest looking player as far as taking the strides and all the details with the game,” said Nashville assistant GM Paul Fenton. “But (we liked) his offensive incentives, his puck-protection ability, just the way that he’s going to the hard areas. We saw kind of a raw talent here that has a chance to become probably a very good power forward if he works on his skating and the rest of his game.”

Beck started turning heads as a midget player, said Guelph coach-GM Jason Brooks. Brooks liked Beck’s abilities on the ice, in addition to his attitude off it. He saw a player who had much room for improvement, but one that was capable of putting points on the board. And though Brooks was an assistant coach when Beck was drafted in the second round of the OHL Priority Selection, his team is now benefitting from then-coach and GM Dave Barr’s pick.

“He is a focused individual who knows what he wants,” Brooks said. “He is driven to be a professional hockey player. He looks out for himself, he acts like a pro when it comes to taking care of himself. He wants to score goals and he’s darn good at it.”

Beck knows keeping his eye on the prize is a big part of any success he’ll have.

“After the two Nashville camps – the development camps and the training camps – being around all the NHL players really gave me an advantage because it showed me what I need in order to get to the next level,” Beck said. “I saw guys always on the bikes and always working out. I want to get to the NHL and I need to continue to work hard, so staying focused is something I take pride in for sure.”

Beck believed his play in the 2009-10 season merited an invite to Team Canada’s camp for the world juniors. After not getting the call, though, Guelph’s fans were nervous Beck’s play would drop because of the disappointment. Beck, however, looked at it a different way.

“I know I have another year of eligibility and that’s definitely one of my goals this year,” Beck said. “It’s every kid’s dream to play for their country, to play for Canada in the world juniors and it’s definitely one of mine. When I didn’t get invited, I took it as a sign that I have to just work harder to get on the team next year.”

Beck, understanding he must work on his foot speed, recognizes he has the opportunity to make a big impact in the NHL one day.

“I just have to keep doing what I’m doing, stay focused and I know I’m going to be there one day.”

Alan Bass is a writer for The Hockey News and THN.com. In addition to writing for Inside Hockey and Pro Hockey News, he has also worked for the Philadelphia Flyers. He is the General Manager of the Muhlenberg College hockey team as well. You can contact him at BergHockey24@gmail.com.

This article was originally featured on TheHockeyNews.com. For the original article, click here.

NHL Prospect Watch: Montreal Canadiens Goaltender Cedrick Desjardins

As a goaltender, you can easily get down on yourself, especially when you’re undrafted after backstopping a Sidney Crosby-led Rimouski Oceanic team to the brink of a Memorial Cup. And even though Cedrick Desjardins felt redemption the following year in leading the Quebec Remparts to a Memorial Cup title – where he was named goaltender of the tournament – he still wasn’t on an NHL depth chart. 

But why would Desjardins get down on himself? There’s always free agency, right?

“It was an honor for me,” Desjardins said of being signed by the Montreal Canadiens in the summer of 2006, weeks after his championship season. “My family is always cheering for me like diehards. I grew up not too far from Montreal, so it’s an honor. The first time I played in the Bell Centre, you get that little feeling. Even looking at what’s going on in the playoffs right now, it’s unbelievable to be a part of that organization.”

Desjardins had an incredible career record in the Quebec League, going 58-17-4 his final two seasons of junior, but still had holes in his game that made NHL scouts leery.

“He would win by battling,” said Hamilton assistant coach Daniel Lacroix. “Technically, he wasn’t a sound goaltender. The knock on him in junior was that you just didn’t know what to expect from him from game to game. He was not sound enough to back up his game at the competitive level.”

But after Desjardins’ Memorial Cup season, the Montreal Canadiens felt he was worth the risk and signed the 20-year-old in July of 2006. Desjardins spent most of his first two professional seasons with Montreal’s ECHL affiliate, the Cincinnati Cyclones, where he excelled by compiling a 40-23-3 record, a 2.33 goals-against average and a .923 save percentage. He was named MVP of the 2008 Kelly Cup playoffs after leading Cincinnati to the title. 

Desjardins graduated to the American League and continued his hot streak; he hasn’t had a losing season in the two years he’s spent in the AHL. He posted identical .919 save percentages in the 2008-09 and ’09-10 seasons and kept his GAA to a miniscule 2.00 mark this season.

“He’s been really good this year,” said Lacroix. “He was in a situation where he came in with a veteran goalie and sharing the net during the season. When (starting goalie Curtis) Sanford (had to leave), Cedrick was out there backstopping us and stopping everything for us.

“We were going through difficult times, not playing with many players. We gave up a few more shots later in the season and with the battles being so tight with teams trying to make the playoffs, he was there. He played hard, he competed hard and he liked the challenge. I thought the progression was really good this year, he got better as the year went along.”

With Carey Price and Jaroslav Halak in front of him on the Canadiens depth chart, Desjardins knows there is much work to be done if he wants to don the Bleu, Blanc et Rouge.

“There’s a fine line between guys that make it and guys that don’t,” Desjardins said. “I just have to be my best and every little detail is going to get better. And as soon as I get my chance, I have to be ready. When that time is going to happen, you just want to enjoy it and be ready for the next challenge. Every time I have a chance to go on the ice, I just have to practice and be ready for that moment.”

Postscript: Desjardins was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning on August 16, 2010. He will battle for an NHL job in training camp in September.

Alan Bass is a writer for The Hockey News and THN.com. In addition to writing for Inside Hockey and Pro Hockey News, he has also worked for the Philadelphia Flyers. He is the General Manager of the Muhlenberg College hockey team as well. You can contact him at BergHockey24@gmail.com.

This article was originally featured on TheHockeyNews.com. For the original article, click here.

NHL Prospect Watch: Detroit Red Wings’ Gustav Nyquist

When the Detroit Red Wings announce a late-round draft pick, everyone in the hockey world turns their head.

After all, Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg were drafted in the sixth and seventh rounds.

Gustav Nyquist, the Wings’ fourth round (121st overall) draft pick in 2008 is another one of those picks that has people wondering, “Just how do those darn Wings do it?” Nyquist began his career in Sweden, then decided to attend the University of Maine to play NCAA hockey instead of taking the more popular route of Canadian major junior.

“I’ve always thought that education is important,” Nyquist said. “If something happens to you, if you get hurt or if hockey doesn’t work out, you always have a great education to go back on. I think (Maine) did a great job of recruiting me. I spoke a lot with (the coaches). I saw a few games up here and the area is unbelievable. I think they have the best fans in college hockey.”

Nyquist’s strengths don’t go unnoticed by his peers or coaches. The finance major and Hobey Baker finalist won Maine’s MVP award after putting up 61 points in 39 games in his sophomore year.

“Gustav is a tremendous student-athlete here at Maine,” said coach Tim Whitehead. “He’s an honor student and an elite hockey player who I believe will play in the NHL some day.

“He’s so dynamic offensively. He’s a game-breaker. He can change the course of a game almost single-handedly. He’s got very deceptive speed and he can skate with the puck with his head up, really fast, in traffic. He’s got a wicked wrist shot and if you’re on the ice with him, he’ll find you, even if you’re not open. His other big strength is his competitiveness. He competes in traffic. He finds a way to win loose pucks and make plays under pressure.”

One of the problems coaches often deal with is players who solely want to be offensive stars. Whitehead says he doesn’t have that problem with Nyquist.

“He’s become a complete player in that I’ll use him in every situation – power play, penalty kill, protecting a one-goal lead – he’s really a complete player,” Whitehead said.

Whitehead explained Nyquist has become a leader on the team, despite being a younger student from another country. In fact, Nyquist will be named one of the team captains for next season, something he takes great pride in.

“That’s a huge honor to me,” Nyquist said. “If I were to be a captain next year I would obviously be very honored…it would be fun to join our current captains up there.”

Being drafted by the Red Wings was also a special moment for Nyquist, as he joined the ranks of nine other Swedes, including Nicklas Lidstrom, Henrik Zetterberg, Tomas Holmstrom and Johan Franzen, who have made the Red Wings franchise so successful.

“One of my dreams is to play for the Detroit Red Wings,” Nyquist said. “I’m committed to majoring right now, but I know there’s a great opportunity for me when the right time comes. I’m really excited for next year, but obviously I’m very excited about the Detroit Red Wings and the NHL.”

Alan Bass is a writer for The Hockey News and THN.com. In addition to writing for Inside Hockey and Pro Hockey News, he has also worked for the Philadelphia Flyers. He is the General Manager of the Muhlenberg College hockey team as well. You can contact him at BergHockey24@gmail.com.

This article was originally featured on TheHockeyNews.com. For the original article, click here.

Backchecking: Bill Baker continues gold medal work on patients

Bill Baker is often known for his game-tying goal against Sweden in the opening game of the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid, N.Y.; a game that helped propel Team USA to the medal round before their famous Miracle on Ice upset of the Soviet Union en route to the gold medal. His powerful one-timer from a Mark Pavelich pass tied the game 2-2.

However, the hands that were once used to handle a puck are now being put to use in the doctor’s office as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.

Baker, having played for Team USA coach Herb Brooks for the previous four years at the University of Minnesota, was not handed a roster spot on the Olympic team.

“Some of these (guys) were getting guarantees that they’d be on the team,” Baker said. “I had inquired about it because I had been accepted into dental school at the time and I just got that stare (from Brooks), like, ‘Why are you wasting my time?’ That look that I got a lot.”

Nonetheless, Baker made the team, eventually scoring the aforementioned goal that tied the opening game of the Olympics in the closing minute.

“The faceoff…came back to (Mike) Ramsey…he slides it back to me, and I’m like, ‘What am I supposed to do with it?’ ” Baker reminisced with a laugh. “So I just ring it around the boards; you know, take the easy way out.”

A few seconds later, though, Baker took a pass from Pavelich in the slot and slapped it between the legs of Swedish goaltender Pelle Lindbergh.

Baker explained that Brooks often attempted to motivate the team, although sometimes in unneeded situations.

After beating the Soviets, the U.S. still had to defeat Finland to secure the gold medal.

“I do remember everybody thinking, ‘we have to beat the Finns or this is all for naught,’ ” Baker recalled. “Then (Brooks) comes in and he says, ‘If you don’t win tonight, you’re going to take it to your f***in’ graves.’ Well, no kidding! We all thought of that, thanks for reminding us right before game time.”

But Brooks was much more than simply a coach.  He was an influence to Baker and the rest of the team.

“Obviously from the hockey side, he gave me every opportunity in the world,” Baker said. “You can’t thank him enough for that. He took me from a pretty raw high school player, gave me a good opportunity at Minnesota to become a better player…then kept on with the chance to play on the Olympic team…and all the way to the NHL. I owe him a tremendous amount from that standpoint.

“I think what he taught me afterwards is just that discipline; you knew that everyday you had to get up, go to school, get to the rink, do whatever it took to get through, study and to be responsible for your actions. In life, with everything I do, it’s really evident that he was a big influence. My dad is kind of the same way.”

After playing in the NHL for more than 100 games with the Canadiens, Blues, Rangers, and Rockies, Baker returned to dental school and oral and maxillofacial school, each for four years. Baker’s firm – which has 19 employees – treats diseases of the hard and soft tissue in the head and neck. In addition to implants, denture fittings and other surgeries, Baker performs major jaw surgery, treats trauma and jaw fractures and lacerations.

“The oral surgery was something I’d wanted to do when I started playing college hockey,” Baker said. “It was something that intrigued me…it seemed like something that would be real challenging.”

Baker even sees a connection between hockey and maxillofacial surgery.

“Brooks in particular taught me a lot in how to outwork the person next to you,” Baker concluded. “You make up for less skill in hockey by being more motivated. I’ve used those ideas today. I don’t think I have the best hands as a surgeon, but I know there are not too many that are going to outwork me.”

However, Baker does admit that sometimes he would like to go back into hockey management, perhaps as a GM.

“It may be more fun when you’re retired from oral surgery as opposed to now,” he said. “But I sometimes think about that, especially when I talk to some of my friends who are still in hockey.”

For now, Baker is more than satisfied aiding his patients.

Alan Bass is a writer for The Hockey News and THN.com. In addition to writing for Inside Hockey and Pro Hockey News, he has also worked for the Philadelphia Flyers. He is the General Manager of the Muhlenberg College hockey team as well. You can contact him at BergHockey24@gmail.com.

This article was originally featured on TheHockeyNews.com. For the original article, click here.

NFL: The 5 Things a Casual Fan is Looking Forward to in the 2010 Season

I’ll be honest right from the start – I’m a hockey fan and a hockey writer. I’ve written one non-hockey article in my life, about former University of Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoliå and the possibility of him winning the Heisman Trophy – and we all know how that turned out. (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/237488-a-heisman-darkhorse-from-a-college-football-nobody)

But football is my second sport, without question. I am a great fan and though I am from the Philadelphia area, the Eagles are simply the close team, not my favorite team. I have no favorite – I simply enjoy competition. I don’t paint my face and yell and scream during games. I only crave the big plays, whether it’s a timely interception, a 60-yard bomb down the field and, of course, a bone-crunching tackle (being a hockey man, that would be expected).

But for some reason, I am more excited for this coming NFL season than I ever have been. There are numerous storylines, in my opinion, none of which rhyme with Fett Bravre. (In fact, he-who-shall-not-be-named won’t even appear in this article – I promise!). With this being possibly the last NFL season, with a lockout looming, I think it’s about time I reached out to the football community and show that not all hockey fans are Canadian-dwelling, poutine-eating men.

Peyton Manning Contract Year

The NFL’s best player (yeah, I said it) is due for a big raise from his current contract that pays him rather nicely.  Colts owner Jim Irsay already said in an ESPN interview (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs/2009/news/story?id=4881625) that he wants to make the four-time league MVP the NFL’s highest-paid player. Whether he wants to or simply has to is another story – but regardless, all football fans can agree on Manning’s talent and success.

Having never missed a game since he was drafted first overall by the Indianapolis Colts in 1998, Manning has surpassed the 4,000-yard mark nine times in his career and has passed for over 30 touchdowns five times, including a 49-touchdown season in 2004 that was an NFL record, before being broken by New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. Manning has thrown for over 50,000 career yards and over 360 touchdowns – and has a career passer rating of 95.2. Oh yeah, he’s won a Super Bowl, too.

In any sport, athletes often have career years in the final year of their contract, due to the fact that a solid final season will cause a huge raise in their salary and financial security for the next three centuries. But to be honest, if Manning hasn’t yet had his career year, then football fans everywhere should simply get down on their knees and pray for mercy.

Rookie Sensations – Sam Bradford, Tim Tebow, Ndamukong Suh, Jimmy Clausen, Colt McCoy and more

In recent memory, there have not been so many potentially superstar players coming out of a single NFL Draft. This year, though, there could be 15 rookies who could turn out to be dominant and star players for the next decade. Included in that are Sam Bradford, Ndamukong Suh, Jimmy Clausen, Tim Tebow, Colt McCoy, Dez Bryant and more. Bradford will be under the microscope due to his shoulder problems, but most likely has the talent to succeed in the big leagues. Suh is one of the biggest, meanest, talented young defensive tackles I’ve ever seen. Clausen and McCoy have great talent, but many scouts and fans are wary on what they will be able to do in the NFL. Tim Tebow intrigues me because of his unique talent, his athleticism and his desire to succeed in whatever he does. Lastly, Dez Bryant may be the steal of the draft, late in the first round and could help Dallas get past that playoff barrier.

Donovan McNabb and Mike Shanahan in Washington

If there’s one thing I’ve seen being in close proximity to the Philadelphia Eagles and Lincoln Financial Field, it’s Donovan McNabb. And regardless of how much Eagles fans bitch and moan about the Pro Bowl QB, he is indeed something special. Though hampered by injuries for his entire career, he has great talent and has passed for almost 30,000 yards in his career. Many analysts call him a sure thing for the Hall of Fame, while in this writer’s opinion, he may be just on the fence. He has yet to win the big game, but he sure showed his leadership and playmaking abilities in Philadelphia. He made those around him better and was even made better (contrary to popular belief) by controversial wide receiver Terrell Owens.

Now being in Washington for the Redskins, he will have the honor of playing for Super Bowl-winning coach Mike Shanahan, whose career .616 winning percentage in Denver shows just how talented and successful the famous head coach is. Together, the two should be able to create magic as brilliant as, if not more than, McNabb and Eagles coach Andy Reid created in the City of Brotherly Love.

New York Jets

Last season, quarterback Mark Sanchez showed his abilities with an impressive rookie showing. This season, with star cornerback Darelle Revis (hopefully) suiting up again for the team and with numerous additional weapons in running back LaDanian Tomlinson and wide receiver Santonio Holmes, among others. Though the team is a bit short on the offensive and defensive lines, they seem to have the tools needed to make a run for the AFC playoffs. The Jets should be one of the most exciting teams to watch this season – specifically when head coach Rex Ryan gets mad. I mean, come on, who doesn’t love to watch Ryan make a fool of himself?

Ochocinco and Ochouno with Muchodrama

Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens are two of the best wide receivers of the era. Together, they have combined for almost 25,000 receiving yards, almost 1,700 receptions and over 200 touchdowns. They are two of the most controversial receivers in the league – but that is not why I’m excited. Muchodrama? Oh, no. Not the drama when one claims the other is getting thrown at too much. I’m talking about the drama when teams have no idea which one to cover, then watches as the other catches a long pass and runs it in for a TD. Though Owens has been called “over the hill” and “out of his prime,” I have a tough time believing he doesn’t have enough left in the tank for one more go, specifically with quarterback Carson Palmer and Chad Ochocinco on the same field. The duo should also create some incredible touchdown celebrations – which will be worth, in this author’s prediction – over $100,000 in NFL fines by the Super Bowl.

Hey, I’d pay for it.

NHL 2010: 5 Teams in the East That Will Challenge Philadelphia

Since the 2005 NHL lockout, there have only been two teams that appeared in the Stanley Cup Final two consecutive years: the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins in 2008 and 2009. With the Philadelphia Flyers having fallen just two games short of the 2010 Stanley Cup, their next goal is immediately apparent. The Broad Street Bullies must return to the final and once again challenge for a Stanley Cup championship.

Of course, this is much easier said than done. Considering the Flyers qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs on the last shooter of the shootout in the final game of the 2009-10 regular season, it is not enough just to assume they will return. The team has both lost and gained pieces on the ice. However, they remain mostly the same team that came oh, so close to their first NHL championship since 1975.

In addition to changes that occur during the offseason, there are 14 other teams in the Eastern Conference that are foaming at the mouth at the possibility of being the next Eastern Conference Champion and challenging for the Stanley Cup themselves. How about the Toronto Maple Leafs, who are one of just two teams who have not played a postseason game since the lockout? What about the Montreal Canadiens, who recently ended the first decade in team history in which they did not win the Stanley Cup?

Teams will be gunning for the Flyers all season and the organization should be prepared. Here are the top five teams that have the best chance of knocking Philadelphia off the highest pedestal in the East.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Just one season off a Stanley Cup championship and two seasons off another Eastern Conference Championship, the Penguins return to the 2010-11 NHL season with arguably the best team in the league. The only major loss for the team is defenseman Sergei Gonchar, who has been efficiently replaced by former New Jersey Devils blueliner Paul Martin. Defenseman Zbynek Michalek has also been added to the roster to create a top-six in which the worst defenseman on the roster is either Jay McKee or Alex Goligoski, depending on your opinion of each player. To be honest, that is a pretty damn good roster.

On offense, the team lost Bill Guerin and Ruslan Fedotenko, but their depth remains strong, specifically at center with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal manning the top three lines. If the team can find wingers to play with Crosby and/or Malkin, expect total dominance this season. But even if they can’t, there’s no reason to think that the team can’t return to the final.

Washington Capitals

The reigning NHL regular season champions return with a very similar team to the squad that was upset by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2010 playoffs. Though goaltender Jose Theodore was lost in free agency, the team is still fairly strong in net with Semyon Varlamov and American League star Michal Neuvirth. The team still has its typical weaknesses at defense, with Jeff Schultz and Mike Green being the only bona fide NHL regulars. They also have some problems with offensive depth, as the only lines that regularly score are lines that include the names Ovechkin, Semin or Backstrom (namely, the first line). However, if their regular season is any indication, it is that no one should ever discount the Caps, because their overwhelming amount of firepower and the dominance of one of the best first lines in hockey can explode at any minute, taking any team in the league down.

Buffalo Sabres

If goaltender Ryan Miller proved anything in the 2009-10 season, it is that he is most likely the best goaltender on the planet. A Vezina Trophy, Olympic silver medal and 2010 Olympic MVP award later, Miller is simply the backbone of the Buffalo Sabres. Though he led them to a Northeast Division title last season, the team fell short in their bid for a Stanley Cup, falling to the Boston Bruins in seven grueling games. The team has just 19 players under contract, but with over $9 million in cap room, there is plenty of leverage to make a move if GM Darcy Regier sees the opportunity. The team has good offensive talent up top with players like Thomas Vanek, Jason Pominville, Derek Roy and Drew Stafford, but their depth up front is weak and often was the cause of the team’s downfall last season.

2010 Calder Trophy winner Tyler Myers returns to the team as arguably their best defenseman, along with Jordan Leopold, Craig Rivet and Andrej Sekera in the top-four. The team has fairly good defensive depth and regularly gives up very few goals. If their defense holds up, the mantra “Defense wins championships” could prove true in Buffalo this year.

Boston Bruins

Let’s see the situation in Boston right now: the NBA’s Celtics fell in the playoffs in their bid for another NBA Championship. The New England Patriots seem to have fallen off the face of the NFL. The Boston Red Sox are just barely hanging on in their race for the AL East title and a playoff berth. The Boston Bruins gave up a 3-0 series lead in last year’s semifinal and a 3-0 lead in Game 7 to fall to the Philadelphia Flyers. Now, they are just under $1 million over the salary cap with 20 players signed for this year.

Okay true, second overall pick Tyler Seguin may dress for the start of the season and be a regular through the entire campaign. And the team still has Patrice Bergeron, Marc Savard, Blake Wheeler, Milan Lucic and the rest of their offensive depth that won them the regular season title in the East just a few years ago.

In goal, they have a former Vezina Trophy winner and a young, 23-year-old goaltender who led the league in goals against average and save percentage last season.

On defense, you have just two words: Zdeno Chara – that would scare the bejeezus out of anyone and incidentally still does.

Behind the bench? Former Jack Adams winner Claude Julien.

Any questions?

New Jersey Devils

Let’s just assume that regardless of the arbitrator’s decision, Ilya Kovalchuk will somehow be a Devil when the puck drops this season. Even if he is on the roster, the team is over the salary cap by at least $2 million (and much more if the arbitrator upholds the rejection of Kovalchuk’s contract). The team lost star defenseman Paul Martin and could only find shot blocking phenom Anton Volchenkov as a replacement. The team lacks a bona fide number one defenseman.

Their depth on forward is questionable and they fail to score many goals, which was evident in their quarterfinal series against the Philadelphia Flyers last season in which they were simply manhandled by a better-prepared and more talented team.

In goal, Martin Brodeur is the reigning William Jennings winner, yet again, for being on the team that allowed the fewest goals against in the league. But he is 38 years old and there ain’t no career year coming for him anytime soon.

Analysts, scouts and writers have their doubts, as they always do. But somehow, the team always manages to sneak their way into the playoffs.

I mean, if Lou Lamoriello was your GM, wouldn’t you be damn sure you make the playoffs, too?

NHL Prospect Watch: Arturs Kulda

Latvia is hardly a hockey factory. In fact, only eight players from Latvia have ever suited up for more than 50 NHL games and only Sandis Ozolinsh and Arturs Irbe come anywhere near the realm of household name.

But the Atlanta Thrashers are hoping that number grows to three when 21-year-old defenseman Arturs Kulda makes the NHL squad in the next year or two.

When the Thrashers drafted Kulda with their seventh round pick (200th overall) in the 2006 draft, they figured they could groom him into an NHL regular.

But just what did the Thrashers management see in Kulda?

“A big, strong kid that needed to improve in a number of areas,” said GM Rick Dudley. 

Despite not being part of the management team that drafted him, Dudley is well versed on Kulda after being with the team since June of 2009.

“He needed to improve his skating…he needed to improve his puckhandling,” Dudley said.

Kulda made the move to Canada after the draft, playing for the Peterborough Petes of the Ontario League. After two years of development and assimilating to the North American game, Kulda made the jump to the American League and his first taste of pro hockey.

“It was a great experience for me because I played in Europe,” said Kulda, “And they play different hockey there. Playing in the OHL helped me get bigger and stronger and helped me play better defense.”

The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder has been compared to Vancouver’s Willie Mitchell. Dudley believes this is indeed a compliment, seeing that Mitchell, when healthy, is a 20-minute per night defenseman who can shut down opposing players. Kulda, however, can bring his own style into the game.

“He is very strong,” Dudley said. “When he hits, (opposing players) stay down. His processing ability is above average and that’s very important, because he usually makes the right selection depending on what play is available. He’s gotten to the point now where he can get the puck out of the zone. He can hit the open man. He processes the game much better.”

Kulda amassed 45 points in 113 career OHL games and has 41 points in 128 AHL games with the Chicago Wolves. What impresses Dudley, though, is Kulda’s defensive play. Kulda was a plus-7 in his first full AHL season, but improved to an impressive plus-47 this year, showing just how far his game has come.

“I think he’s ready,” Dudley said of Kulda’s NHL chances. “What he’ll have to do is come in and show that he can be consistently safe and continue to process the play quickly. With many young players, they think they have to make an impact immediately. But what they have to do is show that they can be on the ice and not hurt the team. If he can do that, he can probably play.”

For his part, Kulda knows what he needs to do to make the jump.

“I just think you have to have a really good summer, work hard, keep in good shape, play well,” he said. “Hopefully you’ll impress the coaches and the managers. Then I’ll get my chance. I just have to work hard and good things will happen.”

Alan Bass is a writer for The Hockey News and THN.com. In addition to writing for Inside Hockey and Pro Hockey News, he has also worked for the Philadelphia Flyers. He is the General Manager of the Muhlenberg College hockey team as well. You can contact him at BergHockey24@gmail.com.

This article was originally featured on TheHockeyNews.com. For the original article, click here.