Welcome back to another year of The Week Ahead. We are pleased that Marty York, Marc Lapierre and Gus Katsaros have joined our writing team.
We also welcome the new fans of the Winnipeg Jets and are sorry that the fans of the Atlanta Thrashers have lost their team.
The worst story of the off-season were the tragic deaths of Rick Rypien, Derek Boogaard and Wade Belak, while the Russian air disaster that took the lives of all 37 members of the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl hockey team was a huge tragedy that should never be forgotten.
Let’s hope that superstar Sidney Crosby is able to return quickly from a concussion that has kept him out of action since January 5.
Here is The Week Ahead.
WEEK OF OCTOBER 6-9
3 Games- Pittsburgh
2 Games - Anaheim, Boston, Buffalo, Carolina, Chicago, Columbus, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Montreal, Nashville, New York Rangers, Ottawa, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay, Toronto
1 Game – Calgary, Colorado, Edmonton, Florida, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York Islanders, Phoenix, St. Louis, San Jose, Vancouver, Washington, Winnipeg
Since a lot of leagues play the first week as the first two weeks, we will also look at next week’s schedule.
WEEK OF OCTOBER 10-16
4 Games – Colorado, Minnesota, St. Louis, Vancouver
3 Games – Boston, Calgary, Carolina, Columbus, Dallas, New Jersey, New York Islanders, Ottawa, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, Washington
2 Games – Anaheim, Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, Edmonton, Florida, Los Angeles, Montreal, Nashville, Philadelphia, San Jose, Winnipeg
1 Game – New York Rangers, Toronto
INJURIES
Sidney Crosby (concussion) continues to be the story of the NHL.
Check out the latest injury report.
ANAHEIM
Games this week
@ Buffalo, vs. New York Rangers
Games next week
vs. San Jose, vs. St. Louis
Notes
It appears that Jonas Hiller has recovered fully from his bout last season with vertigo and is ready to go as the Ducks starting netminder. The Ducks open the season in Europe, playing the Sabres and the Rangers but not their cross-town rival Kings, who are the fourth team overseas. Andrew Cogliano is likely to start the year as the Ducks third line center. After their game against the Rangers, the Ducks will have six days off before playing at home against the Sharks.
BOSTON
Games this week
vs. Philadelphia, vs. Tampa Bay
Games next week
vs. Colorado, @ Carolina, @ Chicago
Notes
The Bruins open the season with three home games. They are rested when they face Tampa Bay on Saturday, while the Lightning are in Carolina Friday. Tyler Seguin will once again start the season on the wing, but will eventually move back to center early in his career. Joe Corvo is likely to start the season as Zdeno Chara’s partner on the blueline.
BUFFALO
Games this week
vs. Anaheim, @ Los Angeles
Games next week
vs. Carolina, @ Pittsburgh
Notes
The Sabres start the season across the pond where they play the Ducks and the Kings. Buffalo, with their new owner, spent a lot of money in the off-season bringing Ville Leino and Christian Ehrhoff aboard and that should help the team. Derek Roy is suffering from a shoulder injury but should be fine for the opener. Jhonas Enroth will back up Ryan Miller in goal this season.
CALGARY
Games this week
vs. Pittsburgh
Games next week
@ St. Louis, @ Montreal, @ Toronto
Notes
The Flames only play once this week and with Jarome Iginla just beginning to skate due to back spasms, I recommend benching all your Flames. If your first week is 11 days, then keep them in your lineup as Calgary has a three game road trip. It looks like Mikael Backlund could start on the top unit between Iginla and Alex Tanguay. Rene Bourque is currently out with aches and pains. Miikka Kiprusoff will start again in goal but the Flames need Henrik Karlsson to play at least 20 games in net to provide Kiprusoff with some needed time off.
CAROLINA
Games this week
vs. Tampa Bay, @ Washington
Games next week
@ New Jersey, vs. Boston, @ Buffalo
Notes
Zac Dalpe got an increase in fantasy value when he was placed on Eric Staal’s wing. There were a few surprise cuts on Thursday as the Hurricanes sent down Zach Boychuk, Drayson Bowman and Jerome Samson. The Hurricanes play a rested Washington team on Saturday after opening at home against the Lightning the night before. Rookie Ryan Murphy, an offensive juggernaut in junior hockey and Carolina’s first pick in the 2011 Draft is still in camp.
CHICAGO
Games this week
@ Dallas, vs. Dallas
Games next week
vs. Winnipeg, vs. Boston
Notes
The Blackhawks play a home-and-home series with the Dallas Stars so expect tempers to flair early on. The Blackhawks added enforcers Daniel Carcillo and Jamal Mayers plus defenseman Steve Montador to the mix this season and it could be a wild couple of games this week. Viktor Stalberg is expected to miss three weeks with a leg injury, but Patrick Kane is expected to start the season at full strength after off-season wrist surgery.
COLORADO
Games this week
vs. Detroit
Games next week
@ Boston, @ Columbus, @ Ottawa, @ Montreal
Notes
The Avalanche play only once this week but they get a break as they open at home against a possibly tired Detroit team who play their home opener the night before at home against Ottawa. The second overall pick, Gabriel Landeskog, looks like he will make the team and could play on a line with Paul Stastny and David Jones and that will only add to his fantasy value. Brandon Yip is out four-six weeks with a broken forearm.
COLUMBUS
Games this week
vs. Nashville, @ Minnesota
Games next week
vs. Vancouver, vs. Colorado, @ Dallas
Notes
Columbus play the rested Wild after taking on Nashville the previous night. The Blue Jackets did very well in the off-season to finally get a number one center, but Jeff Carter did cost them a lot. Columbus also went out and picked up the quarterback for their power play that had always been missing as they signed UFA James Wisniewski to a multi-year deal. Unfortunately, Wisniewski will miss the first eight games of the season with a suspension as he illegally hit Cal Clutterbuck in the head. Derick Brassard should move from center to the wing this season. Tomas Kubalik will get the first shot to play alongside Carter and Rick Nash but we think the job will eventually go to Vaclav Prospal.
DALLAS
Games this week
vs. Chicago, @ Chicago
Games next week
vs. Phoenix, vs. St. Louis, vs. Columbus
Notes
The Stars play a home-and-home series against the Chicago Blackhawks, so expect fisticuffs in both games. Steve Ott and Krys Barch should handle most of the rough stuff. The Stars made a good off-season acquisition in picking up defenseman Sheldon Souray who should be able to help Alex Goligoski on the point during the power play. Brenden Morrow has been suffering a knee injury but hopefully will be all right for the start of the season.
DETROIT
Games this week
vs. Ottawa, @ Colorado
Games next week
vs. Vancouver, @ Minnesota
Notes
The Red Wings play a rested Colorado squad on Saturday in Denver after playing their home opener against Ottawa the previous night. Pavel Datsyuk has a sore back after injuring it lifting weights. He should be fine for the start of the regular season. Fabian Brunnstrom has had a great preseason and is in line for a new contract. Brad Stuart and Mike Commodore are hurting so Jakub Kindl could get a break and start the season as the Red Wings fifth defenseman.
Welcome back to another year of The Week Ahead. We are pleased that Marty York, Marc Lapierre and Gus Katsaros have joined our writing team.
We also welcome the new fans of the Winnipeg Jets and are sorry that the fans of the Atlanta Thrashers have lost their team.
The worst story of the off-season were the tragic deaths of Rick Rypien, Derek Boogaard and Wade Belak, while the Russian air disaster that took the lives of all 37 members of the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl hockey team was a huge tragedy that should never be forgotten.
Let’s hope that superstar Sidney Crosby is able to return quickly from a concussion that has kept him out of action since January 5.
Here is The Week Ahead.
WEEK OF OCTOBER 6-9
3 Games- Pittsburgh
2 Games - Anaheim, Boston, Buffalo, Carolina, Chicago, Columbus, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Montreal, Nashville, New York Rangers, Ottawa, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay, Toronto
1 Game – Calgary, Colorado, Edmonton, Florida, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York Islanders, Phoenix, St. Louis, San Jose, Vancouver, Washington, Winnipeg
Since a lot of leagues play the first week as the first two weeks, we will also look at next week’s schedule.
WEEK OF OCTOBER 10-16
4 Games – Colorado, Minnesota, St. Louis, Vancouver
3 Games – Boston, Calgary, Carolina, Columbus, Dallas, New Jersey, New York Islanders, Ottawa, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, Washington
2 Games – Anaheim, Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, Edmonton, Florida, Los Angeles, Montreal, Nashville, Philadelphia, San Jose, Winnipeg
1 Game – New York Rangers, Toronto
INJURIES
Sidney Crosby (concussion) continues to be the story of the NHL.
Check out the latest injury report.
ANAHEIM
Games this week
@ Buffalo, vs. New York Rangers
Games next week
vs. San Jose, vs. St. Louis
Notes
It appears that Jonas Hiller has recovered fully from his bout last season with vertigo and is ready to go as the Ducks starting netminder. The Ducks open the season in Europe, playing the Sabres and the Rangers but not their cross-town rival Kings, who are the fourth team overseas. Andrew Cogliano is likely to start the year as the Ducks third line center. After their game against the Rangers, the Ducks will have six days off before playing at home against the Sharks.
BOSTON
Games this week
vs. Philadelphia, vs. Tampa Bay
Games next week
vs. Colorado, @ Carolina, @ Chicago
Notes
The Bruins open the season with three home games. They are rested when they face Tampa Bay on Saturday, while the Lightning are in Carolina Friday. Tyler Seguin will once again start the season on the wing, but will eventually move back to center early in his career. Joe Corvo is likely to start the season as Zdeno Chara’s partner on the blueline.
BUFFALO
Games this week
vs. Anaheim, @ Los Angeles
Games next week
vs. Carolina, @ Pittsburgh
Notes
The Sabres start the season across the pond where they play the Ducks and the Kings. Buffalo, with their new owner, spent a lot of money in the off-season bringing Ville Leino and Christian Ehrhoff aboard and that should help the team. Derek Roy is suffering from a shoulder injury but should be fine for the opener. Jhonas Enroth will back up Ryan Miller in goal this season.
CALGARY
Games this week
vs. Pittsburgh
Games next week
@ St. Louis, @ Montreal, @ Toronto
Notes
The Flames only play once this week and with Jarome Iginla just beginning to skate due to back spasms, I recommend benching all your Flames. If your first week is 11 days, then keep them in your lineup as Calgary has a three game road trip. It looks like Mikael Backlund could start on the top unit between Iginla and Alex Tanguay. Rene Bourque is currently out with aches and pains. Miikka Kiprusoff will start again in goal but the Flames need Henrik Karlsson to play at least 20 games in net to provide Kiprusoff with some needed time off.
CAROLINA
Games this week
vs. Tampa Bay, @ Washington
Games next week
@ New Jersey, vs. Boston, @ Buffalo
Notes
Zac Dalpe got an increase in fantasy value when he was placed on Eric Staal’s wing. There were a few surprise cuts on Thursday as the Hurricanes sent down Zach Boychuk, Drayson Bowman and Jerome Samson. The Hurricanes play a rested Washington team on Saturday after opening at home against the Lightning the night before. Rookie Ryan Murphy, an offensive juggernaut in junior hockey and Carolina’s first pick in the 2011 Draft is still in camp.
CHICAGO
Games this week
@ Dallas, vs. Dallas
Games next week
vs. Winnipeg, vs. Boston
Notes
The Blackhawks play a home-and-home series with the Dallas Stars so expect tempers to flair early on. The Blackhawks added enforcers Daniel Carcillo and Jamal Mayers plus defenseman Steve Montador to the mix this season and it could be a wild couple of games this week. Viktor Stalberg is expected to miss three weeks with a leg injury, but Patrick Kane is expected to start the season at full strength after off-season wrist surgery.
COLORADO
Games this week
vs. Detroit
Games next week
@ Boston, @ Columbus, @ Ottawa, @ Montreal
Notes
The Avalanche play only once this week but they get a break as they open at home against a possibly tired Detroit team who play their home opener the night before at home against Ottawa. The second overall pick, Gabriel Landeskog, looks like he will make the team and could play on a line with Paul Stastny and David Jones and that will only add to his fantasy value. Brandon Yip is out four-six weeks with a broken forearm.
COLUMBUS
Games this week
vs. Nashville, @ Minnesota
Games next week
vs. Vancouver, vs. Colorado, @ Dallas
Notes
Columbus play the rested Wild after taking on Nashville the previous night. The Blue Jackets did very well in the off-season to finally get a number one center, but Jeff Carter did cost them a lot. Columbus also went out and picked up the quarterback for their power play that had always been missing as they signed UFA James Wisniewski to a multi-year deal. Unfortunately, Wisniewski will miss the first eight games of the season with a suspension as he illegally hit Cal Clutterbuck in the head. Derick Brassard should move from center to the wing this season. Tomas Kubalik will get the first shot to play alongside Carter and Rick Nash but we think the job will eventually go to Vaclav Prospal.
DALLAS
Games this week
vs. Chicago, @ Chicago
Games next week
vs. Phoenix, vs. St. Louis, vs. Columbus
Notes
The Stars play a home-and-home series against the Chicago Blackhawks, so expect fisticuffs in both games. Steve Ott and Krys Barch should handle most of the rough stuff. The Stars made a good off-season acquisition in picking up defenseman Sheldon Souray who should be able to help Alex Goligoski on the point during the power play. Brenden Morrow has been suffering a knee injury but hopefully will be all right for the start of the season.
DETROIT
Games this week
vs. Ottawa, @ Colorado
Games next week
vs. Vancouver, @ Minnesota
Notes
The Red Wings play a rested Colorado squad on Saturday in Denver after playing their home opener against Ottawa the previous night. Pavel Datsyuk has a sore back after injuring it lifting weights. He should be fine for the start of the regular season. Fabian Brunnstrom has had a great preseason and is in line for a new contract. Brad Stuart and Mike Commodore are hurting so Jakub Kindl could get a break and start the season as the Red Wings fifth defenseman.
EDMONTON
Games this week
vs. Pittsburgh
Games next week
@ Minnesota, vs. Vancouver
Notes
The Oilers play only once this week, and get the advantage as Pittsburgh play in Calgary the previous night. Since they play only three times in the first 11 days of the season, it may be a good idea to bench your Oilers. Ryan Whitney has still not recovered from ankle surgery in March and could miss the start of the regular season. Ben Eager is suffering from whiplash/concussion, but is also hoping to return for the start of the season. Ales Hemsky, Ryan Smyth and Shawn Horcoff played together for the first time in over four years this week. Look for Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to get at least a nine-game trial with the Oilers.
FLORIDA
Games this week
@ New York Islanders
Games next week
@ Pittsburgh, vs. Tampa Bay
Notes
The Panthers play only once this week and only three times in the before October 17, so bench all your Florida players if you can. Jacob Markstrom will backup Jose Theodore with Scott Clemmensen out until late October at the earliest as he underwent knee surgery. Jonathan Huberdeau, the Panthers first pick, third overall, could make the team out of training camp and should get nine games or less to show what he can do. Mike Santorelli, a big surprise last season, will miss two-four weeks with a shoulder injury.
LOS ANGELES
Games this week
vs. New York Rangers, vs. Buffalo
Games next week
@ New Jersey, @ Philadelphia
Notes
The Kings open up in Europe and then return to the East Coast the following week with a pair of games Thursday and Saturday before finally heading home. They signed stud defenseman Drew Doughty to an eight-year contract and he should be ready to go in Europe as he has been practicing with the London Knights of the OHL. Willie Mitchell is healthy which will bode well for the Kings as he was able to train all summer, something he couldn’t do last season.
MINNESOTA
Games this week
vs. Columbus
Games next week
@ New York Islanders, @ Ottawa, vs. Edmonton, vs. Detroit
Notes
The Wild are rested when they play the Blue Jackets in their only game this week, while Columbus takes on Nashville the previous night. The Wild will have two good scoring lines for the first time as Mikko Koivu will center Dany Heatley and Devin Setoguchi, while Matt Cullen will center the second line between Guillaume Latendresse and Pierre-Marc Bouchard. Josh Harding missed all of last season after knee surgery. He will backup Niklas Backstrom in goal.
MONTREAL
Games this week
@ Toronto, @ Winnipeg
Games next week
vs. Calgary, vs. Colorado
Notes
The Canadiens will likely miss Andrei Markov at the start of the season as he had to shut things down after swelling returned to his surgically repaired knee. Tomas Plekanec took his spot on the point during the power play, alongside P.K. Subban while David Desharnais replaced him at center. The Habs signed Chris Campoli as an insurance policy for Markov. Scott Gomez is hoping to bounce back after a horrible 2010-11 season in which he scored a paltry seven goals.
NASHVILLE
Games this week
@ Columbus, @ St. Louis
Games next week
vs. Phoenix, vs. New Jersey
Notes
The Predators are tired after playing in Columbus on Friday and then travel to St. Louis to take on a rested Blues team. Colin Wilson is looking to have the big career predicted for him when the Predators made him their first pick, seventh overall, in the 2008 Entry Draft and should get it started this season. Sergei Kostitsyn tied for the scoring lead with the Predators last season with 50 points and will look to better that this season. Mike Fisher will likely miss at least the opener after off-season shoulder surgery that is taking its time to heal.
NEW JERSEY
Games this week
vs. Philadelphia
Games next week
vs. Carolina, vs. Los Angeles, @ Nashville
Notes
It appears that Adam Larsson will make the team as a rookie. The fourth overall selection in the June Draft played 24:48 minutes on Thursday and is the defenseman the Devils really needed at the draft. Edmonton, Colorado and Florida could rue the day they passed on the talented blueliner. Expect 39-year-old Martin Brodeur to play less this season, possibly 55-60 games which will give Johan Hedberg, his backup, more fantasy value.
NEW YORK ISLANDERS
Games this week
vs. Florida
Games next week
vs. Minnesota, vs. Tampa Bay, vs. New York Rangers
Notes
The Islanders play only once this week, so if you have viable options, bench all your New Yorkers with the exception of Mark Streit and John Tavares. There is a battle for the starting goaltending job between Evgeni Nabokov and the oft-injured Rick DiPietro. We think that Nabokov will take the job and run with it over most of the season. Look for Mark Streit to have a big season after missing all of last year with major reconstructive shoulder surgery.
NEW YORK RANGERS
Games this week
@ Los Angeles, @ Anaheim
Games next week
@ New York Islanders
Notes
The Rangers open up in Europe and get the advantage as the road team in both games so they will not lose a home game at Madison Square Garden. The signing of Brad Richards was the big news in the free agent market during the off-season and he will start the season centering Marian Gaborik and possibly Wojtek Wolski. Marc Staal is still suffering from the effects of a February concussion. He may miss the start of the season. There are rumors that Sean Avery may not make the team. Stay tuned.
OTTAWA
Games this week
@ Detroit, @ Toronto
Games next week
vs. Minnesota, vs. Colorado, @ Washington
Notes
The Senators play both games on the road this week. Rookie Mika Zibanejad, the sixth overall pick in the June Draft, has been outstanding in training camp and has an excellent chance to stay with the team. We think that Daniel Alfredsson will have a bounce back season in 2011. If David Rundblad fails to make the Senators this season, he may return to Sweden. Craig Anderson will start in goal with Alexander Auld as his backup.
PHILADELPHIA
Games this week
@ Boston, @ New Jersey
Games next week
vs. Vancouver, vs. Los Angeles
Notes
The Flyers play both games on the road this week. Michael Leighton is the odd man out in goal and will play in the minors while Ilya Bryzgalov will start the majority of the games with Sergei Bobrovsky backing up. Claude Giroux is second in preseason scoring with seven assists, trailing only Mike Ribeiro. Chris Pronger’s recovery time is amazing. After undergoing two surgeries in the off-season, many thought he would be out until Christmas, but it looks like he’ll be ready for the opener in Boston. We eagerly await the return to the NHL by Jaromir Jagr.
PHOENIX
Games this week
@ San Jose
Games next week
@ Dallas, @ Washington, vs. Winnipeg
Notes
The Coyotes only play once this week. Kyle Turris is still holding out and it does not seem like Phoenix is going to cave to his demands. The Coyotes should have a very good veteran first line with Shane Doan, Daymond Langkow and Ray Whitney. Mike Smith is the starting goaltender at this time with Jason LaBarbera as his backup. Keith Yandle is the stud blueliner that almost every team in the NHL covets.
PITTSBURGH
Games this week
@ Vancouver, @ Calgary, @ Edmonton
Games next week
vs. Florida, vs. Washington, vs. Buffalo
Notes
The Penguins play three games in four nights so expect to see Brent Johnson play once for Marc-Andre Fleury. Pittsburgh plays all three games in Western Canada this week. They will face a rested Edmonton team Sunday after playing the Flames in Calgary on Saturday night. Sidney Crosby will travel with the team but he has yet to be cleared for contact in practice so it is extremely unlikely that he will play. Evgeni Malkin appears to be healthy once again after missing 52 games over the last two years. He should hit the 90 point mark if he can remain healthy. Kris Letang will be one of the top offensive defensemen in the NHL if Crosby and Malkin are healthy.
ST. LOUIS
Games this week
vs. Nashville
Games next week
vs. Calgary, @ Dallas, @ San Jose, @ Anaheim
Notes
The Blues play only once this week, so bench your St. Louis players unless your league is 11 days in the first period as they play four times next week. They are rested and face a Nashville team that play in Columbus the night before. Jason Arnott will miss the opener as he underwent cataract surgery. David Perron passed baseline testing and will start training after missing most of last season with a concussion. Patrik Berglund is looking to build on his success of last season and could get 60-plus points.
SAN JOSE
Games this week
vs. Phoenix
Games next week
@ Anaheim, vs. St. Louis
Notes
The Sharks play only once this week and three times in the first 11 days and that is actually good news for San Jose as they have injured goaltending. Starter Antti Niemi is questionable after having a cyst removed just before the start of training camp, while Antero Niittymaki will miss the first 11 weeks of the season after undergoing hip surgery. Thomas Greiss could get the start in the home opener. Brent Burns gives the Sharks a potent one-two punch on the blueline, along with Dan Boyle. Martin Havlat (shoulder) is participating in some contact drills and could be ready for the start of the season.
TAMPA BAY
Games this week
@ Carolina, @ Boston
Games next week
@ Washington, @ New York Islanders, @ Florida
Notes
Tampa Bay take on Boston Saturday after playing Carolina the previous night. They open the season with a five game road trip including facing three divisional opponents. Brett Connolly, the sixth overall pick in the 2010 Entry Draft, is impressing many with his play in training camp. Vincent Lecavalier is healthy for the first time in a long time and could get back to a point-a-game pace.
TORONTO
Games this week
vs. Montreal, vs. Ottawa
Games next week
vs. Calgary
Notes
The Maple Leafs start the season with a five game homestand and look to get off to a hot start as they attempt to make the playoffs for the first time since the lockout of 2004. They play only three times in the first 11 days so you can bench your Toronto players if there are better options. James Reimer will start the season as the top netminder with Jonas Gustavsson backing up. Matthew Lombardi missed all but the first two games last season with a concussion but is getting close to a return. Nazem Kadri is out of action for the next two-four weeks so Matt Frattin could break training camp with the Leafs. Jake Gardiner has impressed many with his skating ability on the blueline but he likely could use some time in the minors.
VANCOUVER
Games this week
vs. Pittsburgh
Games next week
@ Columbus, @ Philadelphia, @ Detroit, @ Edmonton
Notes
The Canucks play only once this week and four times on the road next week. Coach Alain Vigneault has been impressed with the play of rookie Nicklas Jensen. Roberto Luongo saw his first action of the preseason on Wednesday, while Manny Malhotra played for the first time on Thursday.
WASHINGTON
Games this week
vs. Carolina
Games next week
vs. Tampa Bay, @ Pittsburgh, vs. Ottawa
Notes
The Capitals play only once this week and face a Carolina team that plays Tampa Bay the previous night. Michal Neuvirth is struggling with an undisclosed injury but that shouldn’t matter as he will back up Tomas Vokoun this season in net. Look for Roman Hamrlik to see power play time on the point for the second unit. Tom Poti’s career could be in jeopardy as he did not pass his physical with an injured groin. The Capitals will place him on long-term injured reserve and get a break on the salary cap.
WINNIPEG
Games this week
vs. Montreal
Games next week
@ Chicago, @ Phoenix
Notes
The Jets return to Winnipeg as the city has been without an NHL hockey team for 15 years and get to face the Montreal Canadiens in what should be a rocking good time for all. The Jets have been very impressed with the seventh overall pick in the 2011 Entry Draft, Mark Scheifele. He may get a nine game trial with the Jets but would be better served returning to the Barrie Colts of the OHL and playing a lot. Evander Kane could have a breakout season in 2011-12. Look for Dustin Byfuglien and Tobias Enstrom to be the fantasy leaders on the blueline.