Jean-Sebastian Giguere is one of the best big game goalies in hockey today.

Anaheim Ducks

Jean-Sebastian Giguere's legacy has been defined by his clutch playoff goaltending. He led the Ducks to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2003 and raised Lord Stanley's Cup just two seasons ago. After finishing second in the league with a 2.12 goals-against-average last season, Giguere has proven himself to be a top fantasy netminder. It certainly helps to play behind a defense that gave up the second fewest goals-per-game a year ago. Six-time all-star Chris Pronger (12-31-43 in 72 games played) finished as a minus-1 last season. But with Scott Niedermayer committed to a full season, look for Pronger's plus/minus rating to more closely resemble his plus-27 from two seasons ago. Niedermayer has had only two minus seasons in his 16-year career. Coach Randy Carlyle is inclined to give his number one goaltender a decent amount of rest. Last season, rookie backup Jonas Hiller played in 23 games for the Ducks while posting a 2.06 goals-against-average. Hiller signed a two-year contract with Anaheim this offseason. Giguere should total around 35 wins again this season. Last season, Anaheim's offense centered on Ryan Getzlaf (24-58-82) who played between Corey Perry (29-25-54 in 70 games played) and Chris Kunitz (21-29-50).This season, right-winger Bobby Ryan, second pick overall in the 2005 NHL entry draft, should play his way into the fold. As a rookie last season, Ryan scored five goals in 23 games, including three on the power play. Ryan is ready to make an impact on either the first or second line. At 6-foot-1, expect the versatile forward to be a presence on the power play and should score close to 15 goals this season. In 2006-2007, Ryan totaled 102 points (43 goals and 59 assists) in 63 games for the Owen Sound Attack of the Ontario Hockey League.

Dallas Stars


The Stars started slow last season but found themselves in a spot to make a run after the all-star break. Co-GMs Brett Hull and Les Jackson knew the team needed a veteran presence up front and they landed the perfect playmaker in Brad Richards. The center tallied 45 or more assists in the four seasons prior to the '07-'08 season. It took until the playoffs for Richards to find chemistry with his new teammates when he contributed 12 assists in 18 playoff games. Richards is a lock for a 45 assists, 70-point season. Dallas's defense gave up the third fewest goals in the NHL last season while contributing a lot of offense. Sergei Zubov(4-31-35 in 46 games played) is one of the most consistent offensive-defenseman in the league. He is especially potent on the power play, registering 21 goals on the man-advantage over the past three seasons. Stephane Robidas scored 7 of his 9 goals on the power play. Matt Niskanen (26 points) and Trevor Daley (24 points) totaled 9 power play goals between them.

Los Angeles Kings

The Kings may still be a couple years away from being a legitimate contender but they could already have one of the league’s most dangerous first lines. Center Anze Kopitar(32-45-77) is a pure goal scorer. Twelve of those goals were on the man-advantage. Kopitar will center a line flanked by 23-year-old Patrick O'Sullivan (22-31-53) and Dustin Brown (33-27-60). Brown and Kopitar could each score close to 40 goals while O’Sullivan could add 40 assists. Last season, the King’s defense gave up the most goals in the Western Conference and this season’s group looks much the same. Jack Johnson, Drew Doughty and Thomas Hickey comprise a solid, young defensive core for the future. But all three are a couple of years away from coming into their own.

Phoenix Coyotes

Head Coach Wayne Gretzky got the most out of his forwards last season and now the Coyotes have the proven first line center they lacked a season ago. GM Don Maloney traded two young, talented defensemen to the Florida Panthers for Olli Jokinen in the offseason. Shane Doan (28-50-78) will put up big numbers playing alongside Jokinen (39-52-91). Center Kyle Turris, the third overall pick in the 2007 NHL entry draft, appears ready to point up some numbers for Phoenix. Turris helped Team Canada capture the gold at the World Under-18 Hockey Championship with three goals and two assists in six games. With the offensive-minded Coyotes, Turris could be in the running for the Calder Trophy.

San Jose Sharks

San Jose seemed destined for a birth in the Stanley Cup finals a year ago. The only thing holding them back was their lack of scoring depth. This year, expect the Sharks' second and third lines to break out. Center Joe Pavelski scored 19 goals in his first full NHL season. Devin Setoguchi (11-6-17 in 44 games played) averaged less than 15 minutes as a rookie. He should see much more playing time. The addition of defensemen Dan Boyle and Rob Blake in the offseason should help the Sharks finish near the top of the league on the power play. Boyle (4-21-25 in 37 games) missed much of last season due to a severe wrist laceration. Two of his four goals came on the power play. Blake (9-22-31 in 71 games) possesses a powerful shot from the point and scored five goals on the man-advantage.