Page 43 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 105

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Over The Boards
By Brad Robertson
Canadian NHL
Team Pre Season
Power Rankings
HL training camps are in full
Nswing, and the eve of the 2021-
22 regular season is upon us, so let’s
look at our Canadian teams. With
a return to division play it’s worth
noting that things just got tougher
for some. Although Montreal had a
run to the Stanley Cup finals, they
will have a tough time squeezing
into the playoffs now that they are
back in the Atlantic Division where
potential 100-point teams Florida,
Tampa Bay, Boston and Toronto
reside.
#1 Toronto Maple Leafs
With the big 4 of Matthews,
Tavares, Nylander, and Marner
intact and some much-needed
forward depth brought in during the
offseason, Toronto shouldn’t have
any troubles scoring. They have
an underrated defense core that
was much improved last season.
The goaltending tandem of Jack
Campbell and Petr Mrazek should
be able to backstop this team to a
successful regular season.
#2 Edmonton Oilers
Any team that can boast having
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605 Education Rd. Cornwall, ON, K6H 6C7
two all world players in Connor
McDavid and Leon Draisatl driving
the offence each game should be
set up for success. The addition of
two-way forward Zach Hyman will
help with getting the puck to either
McDavid or Draisatl. The blue line
additions of Cody Ceci and Duncan
Keith and the breaking in of young
talented defenseman Evan Bouchard
should solidify the back end. The
health status of Oscar Klefbom is
unknown but if he makes a return,
the defense core will be strong.
The goaltending tandem remains
unchanged. Veteran Mike Smith
and Miko Koskinen are decent, but
can they take this team deep into a
playoff run?
#3 Winnipeg Jets
After a disappointing loss to
Montreal in Round 2 of last season’s
playoffs, the Jets hope to regroup.
They are deep up the middle with
Mark Scheifele, Pierre Luc Dubois,
Paul Stastny, and Adam Lowry.
Newcomers Brenden Dillon and
Nate Schmidt will help make this
defense core strong. Goaltender
Connor Hellebuyck is one of the top
goaltenders in the league.
#4 Montreal Canadiens
After a Cinderella run to the
Stanley Cup finals last season,
Montreal finds itself back amongst
some of the top teams in hockey
inside the Atlantic Division. A
season without captain Shea Weber
and the short-term absence of
star goaltender Carey Price will
be difficult to navigate. Montreal
added some scoring punch with
the addition of Mike Hoffman and
a return to form from Jonathan
Drouin will certainly help. Losing
playoff hero Phil Danault to the
Kings in Free Agency will be a
big loss. Jesperi Kotkaniemi was
snatched up with an offer sheet by
the Carolina Hurricanes. Montreal
Issue #105 October 2021 43
then went out and traded for solid Continued from page 15
two-way center Christian Dvorak. “I like to be as organized as
A full season from young sniper possible to get the most out of each
Cole Caufield should be exciting. training session. Building a positive
#5 Vancouver Canucks relationship with your players will
Vancouver looks to turn around its help them feel safe and gain the most
fortunes from a lost season and the out of them each training session or
game,” said Flipsen. “Never stop
youth there should emerge. Flashy learning the game you are coaching.
defenseman Quinn Hughes and Always look for new coaching
dynamic forward Elias Pettersson, methods to further your knowledge so
along with promising forwards Nils you can pass that on to your players.”
Hoglander and Vasily Podkolzin
For Flipsen, the best part of coaching
should be an exciting core to watch. is being able to help provide a safe
Newcomers Connor Garland and and fun environment for the players to
Oliver Eklund Larsson will step work on the skills they need to excel
in and play key roles. Thatcher in the sport they love to play.
Demko returns to the number one
spot between the pipes and veteran “There is nothing like seeing a
Jaroslav Halak will back him up. team full of smiling faces when they
#6 Ottawa Senators are having fun,” said Flipsen. “To
me, the most important role of a coach
The youth movement continues no matter how old the players are, is
in Ottawa. They will insert a few to always make sure they are in a safe
younger promising players this environment where they can come
season as forward Shane Pinto and and play the sport they love to play. A
defenseman Jacob Bernard Docker
should make the team. They will great coach will figure out a way to get
join the young nucleus of forwards through to each one of their players.
Sometimes that means treating each
Tim Stutzle, Josh Norris, Drake player with a different coaching
Batherson, Brady Tkachuk, and method to get the best out of all your
defensemen Thomas Chabot and players and help them grow to their
Erik Bransstrom. Ottawa needs full potential.”
a more consistent effort from
goaltender Matt Murray. This team Since he’s been coaching for a
is on the rise and will be fun to while now, Flipsen says it’s hard to
pick a favourite coaching memory or
watch. moment, as each level he’s coached
#7 Calgary Flames has a different set of memories.
The Flames took a step back
last season and there is cause for “Coaching U7 for so many years
concern. Long time captain and All- and just seeing how one day a kid
Star defenseman Mark Giordano steps on the ice and can’t even
take one stride without falling to
is off to Seattle via the expansion seeing them zoom around the ice
draft. His talent and leadership by the time they have finished the U7
will be missed. The Flames added program makes the early morning
Stanley Cup winning forward Blake ice times worth it,” said Flipsen. “I
Coleman but is that enough to help view coaching as a privilege, and it
get them back on the right track? is a very rewarding experience. If
Goaltender Jacob Markstrom is in you have the time, I recommend to
tough to carry the load. Bringing anyone to help with a team in any
in coach Daryl Sutter last season capacity. Local minor sports clubs and
wasn’t enough to get them associations are always looking for
straightened out. We shall see if he new volunteers to help coach teams of
can work his magic on this group all ages and caliber. Nothing is better
with a full season at the helm. than making a positive impact on a
player on and off the playing field.”
“People Pulling Together for you”