Post by Beans (BOS) on Mar 15, 2016 10:23:52 GMT -5
TSN Staff - March 15, 2016
With the 2nd iNHL pre-season right around the corner, we at TSN have been debating this season's standings, breakout players, Cup contenders, Cup pretenders, and a host of other iNHL topics. Here are 23 random questions and the TSN Staff's consensus view.
Feel free to copy all or some of the questions and provide your answers in the comments below!
1) Will Hampus Lindholm take Tampa to the next level? Yes. It was horrible luck for Justin and the Lightning when Lindholm suffered a serious season-ending injury shortly after his arrival from Anaheim. Lindholm has all the tools to be a top iNHL D-man for years to come. Even better for Tampa is the ability to have Hedman and/or Lindholm on the ice for the majority of a game.
2) Will Andy Greene get traded? Yes but it will be a cap dump closer to the end of the season or just before the 2017 Draft. Greene is a solid defender and is too valuable for the Devils to give away. But the term and salary remaining on his contract will scare away potential bidders.
3) Will McJesus win the scoring race? No, but he'll come close. Top 5 for sure.
4) Who will suffer the first season ending injury? No way to predict this and don't hope it on anyone. Probably a Shark though.
5) Which Strome will score more: Ryan or Dylan? Ryan. Dylan has higher upside in our view but Ryan plays on a better team and is more developed.
6) Can San Jose make another deep run? Somehow they will but we don't understand how. (Isaac is a wizard)
7) Will Malcolm Subban take the reigns in Calgary? Not at first but he'll be a candidate for starter by the end of the season and will be the prohibitive favorite to be #1 next season.
8) Which duo will score more Getzlaf and RyJo (Detroit) or Benn and Seguin (OTT)? Getzlaf and RyJo should keep the Red Wings' playoff streak safe for years to come but Benn and Seguin are going to rip up the League.
9) Will this be the season the Penguins trade a superstar (Crosby, Malkin, Kessel, Letang, Fleury)? No - but we could see Malkin, Fleury or Kessel moving at the 2017 Draft.
10) Who will win the President's Trophy? Pittsburgh (we like Ottawa and St. Louis as well but the Atlantic and Central are too deep).
11) Who makes more in season trades: iBruins or iBlackhawks? iHawks. Both teams have stated a desire to limit their moves going forward but both have also flirted with a move or two before the season.
12) Will Loik Leveille make an immediate impact? Yes and No. He'll play 50+ games and develop into a nice piece but we expect he'll be getting bottom line minutes and experience typical rookie struggles. Don't expect a ROY winner (see below).
13) Who will win Rookie of the Year? Too close to call. There way too many candidates here, but to name a few of our favorites: Pavel Zacha, Dylan Strome, Auston Matthews, Ivan Provorov, Kyle Connor.
14) How many Central teams make the playoffs this season? 4 - Chicago, St. Louis, Nashville, Minnesota.
15) How many Metropolitan teams make the playoffs this season? 3 - Pittsburgh, Washington, New Jersey.
16) Will Jakub Chychrun stick in St. Louis this season? The #2 pick in the draft has an uphill climb making the defending champs' roster as an 18-year-old. But we think he'll be able to do it given his immense talent. Expect a season similar to Leveille in Edmonton (see above).
17) Who will be the most surprising player to be traded this season? Jonathan Toews.
18) Who will lead the league in goals this season? Jakub Voracek. This guy is hitting his prime alongside running mate Claude Giroux. With defenses distracted by 40-goal-man Wayne Simmonds, Voracek is primed to get a boatload of minutes and produce a monster season. Hopefully the trade rumors don't hurt his confidence.
19) Which team will be the most active in the trade market? Columbus Blue Jackets - GM is on record as wanting to make a number of moves before the season begins. We expect a season of tinkering in CBJ as they try to make it back to the dance.
20) Will Shawn Matthias or Eric Staal reach 30 goals again in Boston? No. Matthias will come close because he's going to get really favourable matchups but may not get enough icetime to reach 30. Similarly, Staal will be productive and get a lot of minutes 5-on-5 but young guys like Zacha, Granlund, and Etem are going to take away his PP time.
21) Who will be the top goaltender this season? Robin Lehner. He's heading into his prime, has a lot of natural talent, and is playing for one of the top defensive teams in the iNHL. This guy is a favorite to bring home some hardware at the end of the season.
22) How will the return to Hartford go? Amazingly well. The Whalers are loaded with young, elite talent that is ready to make an impact at the iNHL level. The addition of Corey Perry will make life much easier for Barkov and Bjugstad. They'll be in the hunt for a playoff spot all season and could surprise some folks.
23) Who will win the iCup? Tampa Bay.
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