Take the following with a grain of salt--they do predict Jose Theodore to win 36 games with the Washington Capitals--but they predict 47 goals and 49 assists for Heatley. I'm hoping he hits the 50-goal plateau, even if it's a difference in three otherwise-meaningless empty-net goals. Here's what ESPN gives as Heater's 2009 outlook:
2009 Outlook: Heatley is what Heatley is: 50 goals, 50 assists and a boon to shots on goal and power-play goals. Injury kept him from reaching that 50-50 threshold last season, but it’s not like he is a threat to miss time more than any other NHL player. The one possible knock on Heatley this season is the fact that his days of being a plus-30 player with Ottawa might be numbered, considering the Senators goaltending and defensive situation. A return to the negative rating he had in Atlanta would certainly pull down on his fantasy value.
Posts
2 comments:
If you look closer, they ranked hundreds. The page you linked to shows the top 15 ranked players overall. If you select "Team: OTT", you will see our team's potential according to ESPN. The written (as opposed to solely numbers based) outlooks don't appear for all players though.
Interesting to note that they see Gerber making 50 starts with only 20 wins and Auld with 32 starts and 12 wins - both hovering at .900 save percentage. Hmmm with 32 wins they are essentially saying the Sens will finish with high 70s in points given 12 OT/SO losses. Both goalies rank with Auld at 50 and Gerber at 52.
I think with Smith in the lineup for leadership and defense qualities there's no reason Gerber won't get 30+ Wins. And Auld could get 15. The Sens may not finish in the top 4 in the East but 5th is realistic. New coach, leadership and problems gone, the team has a fresh start ahead and it looks positive. With Montreal, Pittsburgh, Washington and Philly as very strong teams I won't be bold enough to say the Sens will regain top spot - be nice but the recovery won't be that quick.
If they do start the season like they finished last year then there's trouble, but I think they can only go up, not back like these guys make it seem. It's almost like they think the Sens won't have any D. Get real.
Those rankings alone should indicate ESPN forcasters should stick to baseball or whatever the hell else it is they might be good at.
Post a Comment