There is no other way to put it - this is an absolute
juggernaut of a team. GMSW has assembled perhaps the best forward group in the
league, with a stunning FIVE players projected to hit 80+ points.
Last year’s season preview noted that “I have this team
keeping 7F+2D and its seven forwards are projected to average 71 points.” This
year the average is 78.
On defence, Drew Doughty will continue to put up top-10
points in that position. Will Butcher (projected to score 40 points) may pose a
question mark for the Stefans, who have 4 qualifying prospects on their team in
Tippett, Vilardi, Vatrano and Carlo.
It’s hard not to see the similarities between the Patrick
Stefans and last year’s Stanley Cup Champions. After years of near-misses and
with a group of cornerstone players that are in their 30s, this is a team that
absolutely must win now. The team has some question marks - which Pekka Rinne
will show up? Will Malkin play 60 or 75 games? How bad is Ovechkin’s Cup
hangover? Look for GMSW to be very active on the trade market at the first sign
of trouble.
The Stefans do not pick until late in the 3rd
round. A great keeper roster certainly makes winning a championship easier, but
GMSW absolutely cannot miss at the draft if they want to win it all. A safe
draft to round out the roster with consistent, healthy production is enough to
put the team over the top – whether GMSW can resist the temptation of swinging
for the fences remains to be seen.
Dobber’s predictions based on 7F+2D+1G: 752 points.
Season Prediction: This is a championship calibre team and
only one or two other teams are in the same echelon.
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