Players/Teams to buy/watch 2021

[mrb842]

-Leafs-this is the story that I will be watching. Value already high on matthews, but this is an original 6 team knocking on the door for awhile and if they get hot lookout. Joe Thornton could have a ray bourque type moment.
-canadians-again look at the market+cup drought.
-Dach/Panarin/mcavoy-original 6 players ready to step forward. Dach is in a soso division where he'll get lots of chances+not much travel.
-vegas. Super team in the weakest division and won't have as much travel as rivals st louis and colorado. Everyone goes to vegas, it's almost a national team. Lot of popular players-lehner etc.
-

[jpvintage]

Matthews- I think he is going to have a monster year and is one player on the Leafs trying to improve his game every year

Ottawa Senators- Consensus is they will finish in last place in the division. Probably, but they will catch a couple teams sleeping, especially at the start.

Cody Glass and Barrett Hayton- Second year players with high expectations, both will get big time opportunity to sink or swim on top lines.

Boston and Pittsburgh - Both will probably be in a fight for the last playoff spot and both could miss the playoffs

Nathan MacKinnon- I could easily see him winning the scoring title playing in that division

[PejaD]

Brayden Point - becomes the top forward on still a very good team despite the injuries
Tyson Barrie - will be the point on one of the league's top PP's
Joonas Korpisalo - if not for the injury last year, would have been in the Vezina conversation

Teams that may disappoint: Boston, Vancouver, Washington
Teams that may outperform: Columbus, NY Rangers, Winnipeg

[Jb55]

I’m hoping to see Cole Caufield in the NHL sooner rather than later. He is a generational talent in terms of his shooting ability. He’s probably a boom or bust type of player with his limited size. If he gets the right opportunity, he could be a perennial 50 goal scorer. I’ve been following him since his USNDT days and I’m generally not a fan of undersized players.

[mrb842]

I’m hoping to see Cole Caufield in the NHL sooner rather than later. He is a generational talent in terms of his shooting ability. He’s probably a boom or bust type of player with his limited size. If he gets the right opportunity, he could be a perennial 50 goal scorer. I’ve been following him since his USNDT days and I’m generally not a fan of undersized players.

canadians could be title contenders before the leafs because of kids like him. I bet he's up this year. Leafs have too much $ sunk into the kiddos. there's a lot of value in overlooked young guns. brandon carlo for $2 right now. so many others.

[jpvintage]

I’m hoping to see Cole Caufield in the NHL sooner rather than later. He is a generational talent in terms of his shooting ability. He’s probably a boom or bust type of player with his limited size. If he gets the right opportunity, he could be a perennial 50 goal scorer. I’ve been following him since his USNDT days and I’m generally not a fan of undersized players.

Exhibition game but he was great last night vs Finland

[k13]

Why would Boston or Pittsburgh miss the playoffs?

Anyone could in this format but they are still top teams.

[PejaD]

Why would Boston or Pittsburgh miss the playoffs?

Anyone could in this format but they are still top teams.

Boston's blue line looks significantly worse than last year especially on the left side.

Pittsburgh's personnel did not change as much, but the core will be another year older. If they stay healthy, I still see the Pens as a playoff team though not necessarily the best in their division.

[odjickfan]

I’m hoping to see Cole Caufield in the NHL sooner rather than later. He is a generational talent in terms of his shooting ability. He’s probably a boom or bust type of player with his limited size. If he gets the right opportunity, he could be a perennial 50 goal scorer. I’ve been following him since his USNDT days and I’m generally not a fan of undersized players.


I'm not getting much in the Caufield hype. He was good in NCAA last year, but not a dominating player. It will be fun to watch him at the junior tournament.

[mrb842]

Why would Boston or Pittsburgh miss the playoffs?

Anyone could in this format but they are still top teams.

boston's window has closed. krug is gone, pastrnak and marchand are hurt, the d is unproven, tuuka and krejci are in walk years, bjork, kase, and debrusk did not meet the moment and they're in a divsion where there are no easy outs w/crawford in new jersey capable of standing on its head. Pitt/wa are the same thing, aging stars and young players who need to push.

[NHRonin]

boston's window has closed. krug is gone, pastrnak and marchand are hurt, the d is unproven, tuuka and krejci are in walk years, bjork, kase, and debrusk did not meet the moment and they're in a divsion where there are no easy outs w/crawford in new jersey capable of standing on its head. Pitt/wa are the same thing, aging stars and young players who need to push.

Marchand should be ready to start the season and Pasta will be back by mid-Feb. Krug is a loss on the power play but was sub-par in his own end.

Not sure why you think players in the last year of their contract are an issue. That’s when they usually turn it on to get that next contract. You and a lot of people also seem to have forgotten they signed Craig Smith to play with Krejci and Debrusk can be streaky but he’s still young and very talented.

Bruins will be fine and will make the playoffs.

[k13]

Boston/Pittsburgh will be favorite to make playoffs and you can bet on it.

Aging as in the most productive in the NHL like malkin..

[discostu]

The Senators will be fun to watch.

They won't put it all together this year, but there's a lot of interesting, young talent.

[CB Nostalgia]

I think this is the season where Mackinnon can close the gap between himself and McDavid in terms of rookie value. Especially if McDavid has another season where he is a minus player with no playoff success.

[mrb842]

dach out. there goes that. Hawks might be big sellers now. good for carolina folks.

[valleynuckfan]

dach out. there goes that. Hawks might be big sellers now. good for carolina folks.
WTF? Nooooo! Kirby's my man!

[creasecollector]

dach out. there goes that. Hawks might be big sellers now. good for carolina folks.

Tough to see. Further ammo for NHL GM's not sending their players to the WJC, sadly.

[isles4life]

-Leafs-this is the story that I will be watching. Value already high on matthews, but this is an original 6 team knocking on the door for awhile and if they get hot lookout. Joe Thornton could have a ray bourque type moment.
-canadians-again look at the market+cup drought.
-Dach/Panarin/mcavoy-original 6 players ready to step forward. Dach is in a soso division where he'll get lots of chances+not much travel.
-vegas. Super team in the weakest division and won't have as much travel as rivals st louis and colorado. Everyone goes to vegas, it's almost a national team. Lot of popular players-lehner etc.
-

a door to a playoff spot? I think they need a reconstruction before they are legit contenders. They have a lot of stars but Dubas seems to be putting a fantasy hockey team together without giving much thought on ice.

I think we see the NHL start to move towards a defensive game again with the surge of defensive juggernauts like the Islanders and Stars taking deep runs.

Everyone is talking about Makar and Quinn but I think Miro is the youngster that will become the next elite d-man.

[mrb842]

Tough to see. Further ammo for NHL GM's not sending their players to the WJC, sadly.

I love sportsnet canada for hockey coverage and podcasts-no paywall, canadian accents and they cover the heck of wjc.

[mooneyes]

Elias P cards are already on fire...so if he can continues to improve his cards should stay hot.
Matthews...if the Leafs have playoff success, Mackinnon also.
I like Andrei Svechnikov and also Marner if he rebounds. I think has more career points than Matthews.
As a Jets fan I'm hoping Laine can win a Rocket Richard trophy...which reminds me of Ovy, if he can at least maintain his goal pace, his cards will be gold.

As a sleeper, if the Caps win another Cup, maybe Backstrom will get some hobby love.

I forgot Rantanen, if he can stay healthy. His skating/foot speed for a guy his size is incredible.

[mrb842]

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/two-sentences-15-potential-nhl-breakout-candidates-2021/

Obviously there are some teams-rangers, flyers, vegas, buffalo that if they get hot have very loyal fan bases/national interest as well.

[kellmuff]

I think the Matthews YG is one of the best cards on the hobby to get. He very well might win the Richard and Hart trophies this year. Plus, they should finally win a series and might make a run at the Cup given the easy division, etc.

Can be had for like 800 CDN right now. I think that's a $1500 card this time next year 100%

[valleynuckfan]

..... Plus, they should finally win a series and might make a run at the Cup given the easy division, etc.

good one!:doh:
Maybe win a series but I don't think they are the best team in the Division.
Don't discount any team save for Ottawa.

[JMarchand1981]

I think the Matthews YG is one of the best cards on the hobby to get. He very well might win the Richard and Hart trophies this year. Plus, they should finally win a series and might make a run at the Cup given the easy division, etc.

Can be had for like 800 CDN right now. I think that's a $1500 card this time next year 100%

I hope you are right. I have like six of them right now. Not sure why I need six.

[kellmuff]

good one!:doh:
Maybe win a series but I don't think they are the best team in the Division.
Don't discount any team save for Ottawa.

Who is better? The only team in the discussion is Edmonton. And I'm a Leafs hater.

This is Toronto's best shot in forever. They avoid Boston and Tampa until the final 4. I just think Matthews has major individual accolade potential this year that could drive value up.

[kellmuff]

I hope you are right. I have like six of them right now. Not sure why I need six.

Graded? Interested in a sale?

[valleynuckfan]

Who is better? The only team in the discussion is Edmonton. And I'm a Leafs hater.

This is Toronto's best shot in forever. They avoid Boston and Tampa until the final 4. I just think Matthews has major individual accolade potential this year that could drive value up.
Edmonton too?:doh: Offence yes for sure. Defense and goaltending not so much. When the returning Jesse Puljujarvi likely only has to beat out Zack Kassian to get into the top-six that's all you need to know about the depth. They'll win some games for sure but playing the same 6 teams 9-10 times each will get them figured out. If the 2 superstars don't completely shoulder the load these guys are in tough.
IMO the Habs improved the most in the off-season and just made a solid team with exciting skilled youth that much better. Toffoli will get 30. Top 2 goalie in the Division and easily the most goalie depth should there be an incident. And I'll take Corey Perry over Joe Thornton in the playoffs.
The Flames also improved hugely and acquired arguably the best goalie in the Division and still have a better D than T.O. They would also physically pound the snot out them in the playoffs.
Vancouver also has a way better D than TDOT and I would say the goaltending easily stacks up. Offence could be their downfall though.
Winnipeg with Hellebyuck can't be counted out. Laine will most likely bounce back and the rest of the offence is solid. D is average at best.
Toronto just does not impress me that much at all as a team- despite a great looking roster with some highly skilled offensive talent.

[DynastyCentral]

Kirill Kaprizov will be the first big time market player for Minnesota since Gaborik.
also will be my next PC.

[kellmuff]

Vancouver are a much worse team. Holtby is washed and their defense/forward group got worse with the players they lost.

Toronto is easily the best team in the division and they're going to win it by 8-10 points.

[mrb842]

toews out to start the year. yikes.

[GKG51]

dach out. there goes that. Hawks might be big sellers now. good for carolina folks.

I'm not sure why any pro teams would send their 1st round picks to the WJ. Imagine if Lafreniere got hurt for the year. Dach was progressing nicely, this is s a significant set-back.

[creasecollector]

I'm not sure why any pro teams would send their 1st round picks to the WJ. Imagine if Lafreniere got hurt for the year. Dach was progressing nicely, this is s a significant set-back.

I agree. I'm sure the Rangers are breathing a sigh of relief if they had ever considered sending Lafreniere to the Tournament, even for a second.

If/When NHL GM's use Dach's case as an example, this could spell the end for NHL'rs at the WJC, unless the player really needs the development time.

[valleynuckfan]

Vancouver are a much worse team. Holtby is washed and their defense/forward group got worse with the players they lost.

Toronto is easily the best team in the division and they're going to win it by 8-10 points.
Vancouver losing Toffoli was a blow for sure- hence the comment about the offence maybe struggling.
But losing the injury prone Tanev and gaining Nate Schmidt from Vegas on the D (for a 3rd rounder!) is a huge improvement. I'll take the Canucks D over the Leafs D any day of the week.
Holtby isn't a given but I see improvement from his performance last year. And Demko looking ready and capable to step in gives them a stronger 1-2 punch in G than TO. I project Holtby as the back up.
Toronto has more experienced depth in G but without Andersen on top of his game the Buds will sink. Hutchinson? Laughable. Dell and Campbell? They got dumped for a reason, but in back up roles will be maybe about average to adequate at best I suppose.
Winning by 8-10 points in a 56 game season is a huge stretch when you play the same 6 teams 9-10 times each. Very difficult to create separation.

[mrb842]

I listened to sportsnet canada and they basically said dach isn't changing anything. Juniors is important for the young players to learn to develop. Robert Edwards a Patriot rb blew out his knee 22 years ago playing flag football at the pro bowl, bulls jay williams ruined his career on a bike. That stuff they might get upset w/ but this is life.

[PejaD]

I listened to sportsnet canada and they basically said dach isn't changing anything. Juniors is important for the young players to learn to develop. Robert Edwards a Patriot rb blew out his knee 22 years ago playing flag football at the pro bowl, bulls jay williams ruined his career on a bike. That stuff they might get upset w/ but this is life.

I'm also one of the rare people in the US that listens to Sportsnet! They are very pro World Juniors. I wonder if that is the "company message" since WJC is #1 sports topic in Canada during the holidays. Of the major hockey nations, Americans probably value the World Juniors the least.

[valleynuckfan]

I'm also one of the rare people in the US that listens to Sportsnet! They are very pro World Juniors. I wonder if that is the "company message" since WJC is #1 sports topic in Canada during the holidays. Of the major hockey nations, Americans probably value the World Juniors the least.
I'd agree that the general sporting populace of the US doesn't care too much, but the US junior players certainly do. Like any serious athletes they want to measure themselves against the absolute best available opponents.

[mrb842]

I'd agree that the general sporting populace of the US doesn't care too much, but the US junior players certainly do. Like any serious athletes they want to measure themselves against the absolute best available opponents.

The best weekly hockey roundup is elliote friedmans 31 thoughts on their website. really good weekly update because I don't have time to follow things closely.

I wish the hurricanes were still in hartford, I love those jerseys and seeing them do well would be fun.

[rohara99]

Calgary will finish ahead of Toronto. Leaf fans are delusional lol