February 21, 2011
As we wind toward the AFHL Trade Deadline on March 3rd, teams are usually sorted into two neat categories…
Buyers: Contenders looking to shore up for the stretch run.
Sellers: Teams looking to shed veterans to get younger – and presumably better – for the future.
Why, you might ask, does everybody wait until the final minute to get their deals done, even when they’re solving needs that in many cases have been evident for months? Couldn’t they have done this stuff back in December?
In a lot of cases, it’s all about the art of the deal. Nobody wants to show their cards too soon, especially regarding offers for big game players such as Jarome Iginla or Jason Spezza. That only gives another team an opportunity to put together a better hand, while knowing exactly what they have to beat. It’s a little like playing blackjack with the dealer hitting first.
So despite the best intentions to get deals done earlier, a lot of teams won’t come with their best offer until just a few hours before the deadline. That way, the other side can’t shop it around to see if it can do better. That, for instance, is why a team like the Washington Power have yet to make their best offer for Jarome Iginla even though a player of his caliber is clearly the missing link in their quest for the AFHL Stanley Cup.
Nonetheless, these machinations are constrained by next Thursday’s March 3rd deadline, which is why everybody will be getting down to brass tacks very shortly. This year presents a potential bonanza, as several big names have been put into play recently. With that in mind, here’s a look at the ten players most likely to have a new team by the close of business next Thursday:
JAROME IGINLA and/or MARTIN ST. LOUIS (HOLLYWOOD STARS):
Obviously the two names most prominent on the tips of most GMs’ tongues, as the Hollywood Stars are rumored to be preparing for a major rebuild. The Washington Power and St. John’s Red Wings reportedly are in play for one of Iginla or St. Louis, and it’s doubtful those aren’t the only calls GM Mike Basset will receive about his superstar forwards.
SHANE DOAN (OSHAWA CITY LEAFS):
Rumor has it that the power forward has asked for a trade and Oshawa City plans to accommodate him, but this won’t be a fire sale. Oshawa City might be able to get just as much value in the off-season and GM Earl McNeill wants to make sure he gets a young star in return. That makes St. John’s the most logical trading partner – the Wings can offer a rising stud like Jordan Eberle and/or a 2012 1st round draft pick in exchange for Doan.
However, the more interesting possibility is if the Fort Drum Killers could get involved. This would be doable for GM Steve Stryska because they still have their 2011 first round draft pick and blue chip prospect Beau Bennett developing on their farm. The Killers could also look to other players on the block but a guy like Doan would give the Killers a completely different offensive dimension.
JASON SPEZZA (GOLDSBORO REBELS):
His tenure in Goldsboro seems to be coming to an end, and one has to think the Rebels wants to trade their underachieving star forward. The Rebels are going to miss the playoffs this year so GM Rich Mauch would be silly not to pursue something to get value for him now. The talented sniper could be a missing piece to some team’s championship aspirations. He’s also been mentioned in conjunction with the North Bay Warriors, although GM Mauch will be looking to obtain some young talent and high draft picks in exchange for Spezza and North Bay has already traded most of that away.
PATRIK ELIAS (MANHATTAN SUPERMEN):
Elias, who can play both LW and C, is quietly putting up points on a consistent basis, but it hasn’t done the Supermen any good. At age 34, Elias is still getting the job done, and a number of contending teams are in search of help on left wing. The most likely destination may be London, where health struggles on the left side of offense may force GM Blake Wilson to pull the trigger on a deal. Elias’ play on both the PP and PK would be a perfect antidote to all the attention Ryan Getzlaf and Rick Nash command.
RAY WHITNEY, MILAN HEJDUK, and/or MARK RECCHI (LOS BANOS WOLVES):
Wolves GM Andrew Fiorentino recently made an announcement about being a seller at the deadline, which came as somewhat of a shock after trading away his prospects and draft picks to acquire the veterans. Obviously, this isn’t very conducive to team morale, but Los Banos needs to tread carefully. It could wind up being a brilliant plan if Fiorentino can get more promising youth that most conteding teams will be ready to offer their best at the deadline. Somehow, Fiorentino needs to parlay at least two of the veterans into a talented young winger who can play alongside franchise cornerstone Steven Stamkos. The most likely to go is certainly Mark Recchi, who may retire at the end of this season.
BRIAN GIONTA (BOSTON GIANTS):
The subject of rumors since Boston GM Mike Phelan began his rebuild a few weeks ago, the sticking point here is that Gionta is more affordable than the other RWs such as Iginla, St. Louis, and Doan. Nobody expects him to be an offensive catalyst, but it’s not clear which teams are desperate enough for a right winger to make a winning offer.
SERGEI GONCHAR (BUFFALO PHANTOMS):
His deteriorating relationship with GM Daryn Beckman, not to mention his own request for a trade, has Gonchar’s name on the tip of many tongues around the league. He is a powerplay quarterback and can put up points on any given night, but the Phantoms want value in return and his sub-par season has put off some suitors.
—
Check back again next Monday as we will have complete coverage of the 2011 AFHL Trade Deadline throughout the entire week.
5:00 am 
Scott Burnside: Time to get our trade on. Busy day of activity coming? We’ll see. AFHL fans are anxious to find out. Let’s rock and roll.
6:15 am 
Pierre Lebrun: Greetings all… Blackberry is going to explode!
6:27 am 
Barry Melrose: Woo! Trade Deadline 2011!!
6:27 am Scott Burnside: Red Devils GM Jordan Carbone has been trying to pry Evgeni Malkin from Boston for weeks. Source says price on Malkin too high right now. Carbone hopes it comes down today.
7:00 am Barry Melrose: I am going on record to say Malkin is still a Giant by the end of the day.
7:07 am Scott Burnside: Giants GM Mike Phelan is asking for Tyler Seguin, Michael Grabner and a 1st round pick in a return for Malkin… Don’t expect Carbone to do it… Carbone wants to keep this young core intact.
7:14 am Barry Melrose: Going to be a slow day today?
7:40 am Scott Burnside: First trade of the day… Wolves GM Andrew Fiorentino trades Mark Recchi to St. John’s for Matt Lombardi. Good pick-up for St. John’s… Recchi will help them in the playoffs. Lombardi helps Los Banos in the future. Good 4 Lombardi.
Expanded: Recchi will be a solid third-line piece for St. John’s that can play hard at both ends and perhaps most importantly, he adds experience.
Lombardi needs to be a top six guy to succeed at this level and as last night’s Live AFHL recap shows, St. John’s had no room for him there.
7:45 am Scott Burnside: Barry, slow day today is relative. Even if there aren’t many trades, it doesn’t mean there won’t be tons of trade talks.
7:50 am Barry Melrose: Source says Killers GM Steve Stryska is definitely looking to upgrade offensively but only looking to deal Alex Burrows for a top line RW. Also, the Power GM Ray Irwin would like to add another star forward to his lineup and an offer is currently on the table for one of the Hollywood Stars’ forwards. Where has the Hollywood GM been?
8:47 am Scott Burnside: Nice trade. North Bay Warriors get Ryan Getzlaf from the London Mustangs for Jonathan Toews.
8:50 am Scott Burnside: Any rumblings from GM Keith Cancilla?
8:53 am Barry Melrose: Montreal Xtreme source says they’re quiet right now, “but it’s early”.
9:03 am Scott Burnside: Where’s Pierre Lebrun? Did his Blackberry actually blow up?
9:17 am Barry Melrose: Phantoms Sergei Gonchar has been skating, isn’t sure when he can practice. Doesn’t know what to expect for trade deadline. No 1 has talked to him yet.
9:18 am Barry Melrose: Has told Phantoms GM Beckman: “If you have something, I’ll look at it.” Won’t talk specifics about where he wants to go. “I’m a Buffalo Phantom”. No list of preferences.
10:53 am Scott Burnside: I wonder if Vipers GM Chris Hartley is going to make any more trades? Probably not.
10:55 am Barry Melrose: Never underestimate Chris Hartley. Might yet pull a rabbit out of his hat. Although he does seem pretty content with his current roster so it could be a quiet day for the Vipers.
10:57 am Scott Burnside: Just talked to Pierre Lebrun. He went to get donuts this morning and got stuck in traffic.
10:59 am Pierre Lebrun: Need to charge Berry soon! haha
11:45 am Barry Melrose: Rebels GM Rich Mauch keeps getting offers for Corey Perry. Is it possible the Calgary Hitmen could be inquiring?
11:51 am Pierre Lebrun: Everything we’ve been told is that Perry is not in play. He’s the Rebels best player so would be shocked if he is in play.
11:51 am Scott Burnside: Knights trading Thomas Vanek to the Wolves is just a rumor. Don’t see that happening.
12:05 pm Barry Melrose: Be back in a little bit. Heading over to SportsCenter.
12:30 pm Pierre Lebrun: Hitmen; GM Pat McKenna would like to add to his roster without taking away from it. James Reimer is a work in progress, obviously, but would be surprised if McKenna gives up on him this early.
12:50 pm Pierre Lebrun: Hollywood Stars GM Mike Basset via email says he is NOT having a fire sale. He blames the Stars downfall this season on goaltender Martin Brodeur costing them too many matchups and expects him to be better next season.
1:25 pm Scott Burnside: Really slow day so far.
2:03 pm Scott Burnside: It is an unsettling day for players, that’s the reality. Remember a great television piece last year on Brad Boyes being traded to Vancouver. It was heartbreaking for him. But we check with agents, GMs, players themselves and you can also glean from a players’ position on team depth chart whether he’ll be in play. Don’t feel guilty – it is a part of the business – but it’s tough for some.
2:42 pm Barry Melrose: Oshawa City Leafs GM Earl McNeill: “Very quiet right now.”
2:59 pm Scott Burnside: From Evander Kane via text message, “I want to stay and be part of the solution here in Montreal. We are gonna be really good soon and I want to be here for it.”
3:37 pm Barry Melrose: Goldsboro fielding calls on veteran Brendan Morrow but nothing imminent.
4:27 pm Scott Burnside: Hearing that Washington has kicked tires on Manny Malhotra… you like that as a possible fit?
4:45 pm Pierre Lebrun: He’s a good center for depth. Sees some time on the PK so he’s got some value.
5:14 pm Barry Melrose: Any chance Vancouver GM Kyle Kebert makes a move today? I think the Heroes are just one player away from being really dangerous, I just don’t know what. Maybe break up the Sedin twins?
5:17 pm Pierre Lebrun: Kebert could make a minor move, but he’s already addressed his key needs. He’s really done a terrific job in his first year on the job. He learned fast and has put an emphasis on winning in the future, not just this year.
6:26 pm Scott Burnside: Text from Chiefs’ Scott Hartnell says he understands if he gets traded: “Mike Nellany needs to do a job. He’s got to look out for what’s best for the franchise.”
7:45 pm Pierre Lebrun: If you had to pick right now, which two teams will be playing for the Stanley Cup and who wins?
7:47 pm Pierre Lebrun: Warriors vs. Power… Warriors win.
7:50 pm Barry Melrose: St John’s Red Wings and Washington Power. My same pick from the start of the year. GM Barry Hickey made some good trades in the past month and they are peaking at just the right time. Wings win.
8:33 pm Pierre Lebrun: Which team has the best chance to be the cinderella story of the playoffs? any goalie out there that might carry a lower seed?
8:38 pm Barry Melrose: Calgary Hitmen of course. They’ve been a cinderella story all year.
8:40 pm Scott Burnside: Chiefs’ Henrik Lundqvist can carry the Chiefs. Killers’ Miikka Kiprusoff can carry Fort Drum as well. Don’t forget about Vancouver Heroes’ Ryan Miller.
9:07 pm Barry Melrose: Less than 3 hours to go until the deadline passes. Trade talks have really heated up. Red Devils GM Jordan Carbone is talking to 5 different GMs at the same time.
9:15 pm Pierre Lebrun: Reports out of Washington say the Power just acquired Teemu Selanne from Hollywood.
9:20 pm Barry Melrose: Confirmed deal. Selanne to Washington for Alex Frolov, Mark Letestu, and Ryan Howse.
9:22 pm Scott Burnside: Good trade for Washington. They needed another guy who can score consistently. I like the move.
10:01 pm Pierre Lebrun: Lots of talk about Malkin going to the Red Devils. Carbone is pressing hard. Giants GM Phelan asking the moon – ie. Seguin, Grabner, 1st rounder, Nabokov, Montoya – so the question becomes whether Carbone is desperate enough to bite. Unless the price comes down I will be surprised if Malkin goes.
10:32 pm: Killers just traded Linus O’Mark and a 2nd rounder to Montreal for Jack Skille and Scott Parse.
Expanded: Looks like GM Cancilla gave up on Skille. Scott Parse might have more room to provide offensive support with Fort Drum. We’ll see.
10:43 pm Scott Burnside: Boston real close on trading Malhotra to Washington.
10:45 pm Pierre Lebrun: Manhattan GM Tony Furino still shopping veteran defenseman Roman Hamrlik but no takers. Deer Park offered a 3rd round pick but Furino wants a 2nd.
10:54 pm Barry Melrose: The Niklas Backstrom trade to St. John’s did not happen. A fake twitter account reported this. The two sides are in fact talking. Backstrom is Boston’s number one goalie and St. John’s is believed to be offering Pavelec + but GM Phelan seems content with Backstrom staying number one in Boston.
10:59 pm Pierre Lebrun: Done deal. Boston trades Manny Malhotra to Washington for for prospect Tim Erixon straight up. One hour left until the deadline passes.
11:13 pm Scott Burnside: Montreal just acquired Vladimir Sobotka from Manhattan for a 2011 R2 Draft Pick. Good trade for Montreal. Sobotka is young and can snipe.
11:32 pm Barry Melrose: Still hearing talk of Backstrom to St. John’s but still not done… Boston GM Phelan has been very active in trade talks this year. He’s been doing a nice job in Boston.
11:50 pm Scott Burnside: Ten minutes and counting. Will we see a last-minute deal involving Malkin? Boston and Toronto are still talking.
11:52 pm Barry Melrose: Just got a text from Phelan: “Nothing going on.”
11:59 pm Scott Burnside: Last minute trade… Oshawa City Leafs trade Scott Gomez to Washington for Steve Downie.
11:59 pm Scott Burnside: Red Devils source on what Boston wanted for Malkin: “Too much.”
12:05 am Barry Melrose: We are going to finish up shortly here. Which team’s moves today has increased their chances of winning the Cup?
12:06 am Scott Burnside: I’ve already given the Trade Deadline Stanley Cup to the Washington Power. Great job by GM Irwin… Traded prospects for Manny Malhotra and Teemu Selanne… Washington is stacked and ready for the playoffs.
12:09 am Pierre Lebrun: I’ll go with the Red Wings. I like the addition of Mark Recchi for depth on RW. They’re primed to win the Cup. Just gotta stay healthy.
12:11 am Scott Burnside: Bye everyone – see you all next year!
The 2011 AFHL Trade Deadline has passed.
Here are all of the trades from around the AFHL between January 1st, 2011 and the March 3rd, 2011 trade deadline.
Date
Team 1
Acquires
Team 2
Acquires
| Mar. 3, 2011 |  |
Scott Gomez (F) |  |
Steve Downie (F) |
| Mar. 3, 2011 |  |
2011 R2 Draft Pick |  |
Vladimir Sobotka (F) |
| Mar. 3, 2011 | |
Manny Malhotra (F) |  |
Tim Erixon (F) |
| Mar. 3, 2011 |  |
Jack Skille (F) Scott Parse (F) |
|
Linus O’Mark (F) 2011 R2 Draft Pick |
| Mar. 3, 2011 | |
Teemu Selanne (F) |  |
Alexander Frolov (F) Mark Letestu (F) Ryan Howse (F) |
| Mar. 3, 2011 |  |
Ryan Getzlaf (F) |  |
Jonathan Toews (F) |
| Mar. 3, 2011 |  |
Matthew Lombardi (F) |  |
Mark Recchi (F) |
| Mar. 1, 2011 | |
Ryan Malone (F) | |
Ray Whitney (F) |
| Feb. 28, 2011 | |
Vincent Lecavalier (F) Dustin Jeffrey (F) 2011 R2 Draft Pick |
 |
Colin Wilson (F) Ryan Whitney (D) Drew Shore (F) Reilly Smith (F) Ty Wishart (D) |
| Feb. 27, 2011 | |
Daniel Briere (F) Brent Burns (D) Dwayne Roloson (G) |
|
Mike Green (D) Kari Lehtonen (G) Cal Clutterbuck (F) 2011 R2 Draft Pick |
| Feb. 26, 2011 |  |
Ryan Kesler (F) Tyler Ennis (F) |
|
Anze Kopitar (F) Jochen Hecht (F) 2011 R1 Draft Pick |
| Feb. 21, 2011 | |
Tomas Vokoun (G) Jordan Eberle (F) Mason Raymond (F) Jordan Staal (F) Teemu Pulkinnen (F) Martin Jones (G) |
|
Ondrej Pavelec (G) Martin Havlat (F) Ville Leino (F) Tomas Plekanec (F) 2011 R3 Pick (from BOS) |
| Feb. 21, 2011 | |
Brett Sterling (F) | |
2011 R3 Draft Pick |
| Feb. 21, 2011 | |
Cory Schneider (G) Jonathan Bernier (G) Kyle Okposo (F) |
|
Jimmy Howard (G) Patrik Elias (F) Bryan McCabe (D) |
| Feb. 20, 2011 | |
Cal Clutterbuck (F) |  |
Alexander Radulov (F) Marcus Kruger (F) |
| Feb. 15, 2011 |  |
Mathieu Perrault (F) Luke Adam (F) |
|
Brad Boyes (F) |
| Feb. 14, 2011 | |
Wayne Simmonds (F) Cody Eakin (F) |
|
David Bolland (F) 2011 R3 Draft Pick |
| Feb. 7, 2011 | |
Wojtek Wolski (F) Eric Tangradi (F) Zach Bogosian (D) Jason Labarbera (G) 2011 R1 Pick (from WSH) 2011 R3 Draft Pick |
|
Eric Staal (F) Mattias Tedenby (F) 2012 R2 Draft Pick 2013 R2 Draft Pick |
| Feb. 5, 2011 | |
Patrick Marleau (F) Steve Downie (F) |
|
Vincent Lecavalier (F) James Neal (F) |
| Feb. 5, 2011 | |
Nikolai Khabibulin (G) | |
Sean Bergenheim (F) |
| Feb. 3, 2011 | |
Erik Johnson (D) Andrei Markov (D) 2012 R1 Draft Pick |
|
Jack Johnson (D) 2011 R3 Draft Pick |
| Feb. 1, 2011 | |
Derek Stepan (F) Rene Bourque (F) Matt Moulson (F) Kyle Beach (F) Kurtis Foster (D) 2011 R2 Draft Pick |
|
Tomas Plekanec (F) Ray Whitney (F) Mark Recchi (F) Marek Zidlicky (D) 2011 R3 Draft Pick |
| Jan. 24, 2011 |  |
Tyson Barrie (F) | |
Wojtek Wolski (F) |
| Jan. 20, 2011 | |
Charlie Coyle (F) 2012 R1 Draft Pick |
|
Milan Hejduk (F) |
| Jan. 17, 2011 | |
Eric Fehr (F) | |
David Bolland (F) |
| Jan. 16, 2011 | |
Scott Glennie (F) 2012 R1 Draft Pick |
|
Dwayne Roloson (G) |
| Jan. 15, 2011 | |
Ryan Suter (D) | |
Dion Phaneuf (D) |
| Jan. 11, 2011 | |
Zac Dalpe (F) 2011 R1 Draft Pick 2012 R2 Draft Pick |
|
Nicklas Lidstrom (D) |
| Jan. 9, 2011 | |
Travis Hamonic (D) 2011 R1 Draft Pick |
|
James Wisniewski (D) Kevin Porter (F) |
| Jan. 9, 2011 |  |
Olli Jokinen (F) Anton Stralman (D) |
|
Victor Hedman (D) |
| Jan. 6, 2011 | |
Erik Karlsson (D) Alexander Avtsin (F) 2011 R2 Pick (from OTT) |
|
Dion Phaneuf (D) David Backes (F) |
| Jan. 4, 2011 | |
Jakub Kindl (D) Viktor Stalberg (F) |
|
Mark Giordano (D) |
March 14th, 2011
With the Amazing Fantasy Hockey League’s playoff set to begin tonight, there’s no shortage of storylines for each of the eight teams in the postseason.
Can the Mustangs repeat after playing most of the year as a complete group this season?
Will the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Warriors fizzle in the playoffs after a remarkable regular season?
Is Washington ready to right the ship, or has their slumping offense doomed them to an early playoff departure?
And what of the Heroes? Is the AFHL’s most awards winning franchise poised for another run at glory?
The answers to these questions and more will become clear over the next several weeks, but for now we focus on the first round.
Below you’ll find breakdowns on each of the four opening round series.
North Bay Warriors (1) vs. (8) Manhattan Supermen 
There’s no question North Bay is a heavy, heavy favorite in this matchup. However, they also know they can’t afford to overlook Manhattan who is undefeated in their last three matchups.
SEASON SERIES:
Week 13 – Warriors won 10-1.
LEADING SCORERS:
North Bay – Alex Ovechkin (73 pts.)
Manhattan – Brad Richards (65 pts.)
OFFENSE/DEFENSE:
Brad Richards making it back for the playoffs after missing about 10 games was a huge boost for the Supermen and will likely head back to the first line with Bobby Ryan and Claude Giroux. The Warriors have far more depth of talent up front than do the Supermen, who will rely on a far more defensive scheme (plus/minus) for success. The Supermen combined for a +25 against Lexington in last week’s matchup. Frans Nielsen, Travis Hamonic, and Roman Hamrlik will do their best to make things difficult for the Warriors skill players. The Warriors finished the season ranked 1st for most total points on offense while the Supermen finished the season ranked 5th. Edge: North Bay
GOALTENDING:
They aren’t number one goalies, but recently, Cory Schneider and Jonathan Bernier have been absolutely stellar when given starts for the Supermen. For the Warriors, both Pekka Rinne and Kari Lehtonen are in the midst of having the best year of their careers. Even if the Supermen get enough starts out of Schneider, Bernier, and Turco, it still may not be enough in comparison to Rinne and Lehtonen. Edge: North Bay
X-FACTORS:
The Warriors simply possess far too much skill and overall depth to lose to the eighth-place team in the first round of the playoffs. The Supermen have made a spirited run to the playoffs, particularly after being left for dead leading up to the trade deadline, but the Warriors’ offense will be too powerful for them to compete. If the Supermen win all goalie categories and the plus/minus category then they might have a chance, but it’s doubtful.
DARREN PANG’S PREDICTION:
North Bay wins 10-1.
Washington Power (2) vs. (7) Fort Drum Killers 
Washington is all gaga over this playoff team, and after adding some really good players at the deadline, they are still in the conversation for winning the Cup. Don’t make a mistake here, though. The Killers are definitely dangerous going into the matchup as winners of four straight.
SEASON SERIES:
Week 13 – Killers won 6-4.
LEADING SCORERS:
North Bay – Teemu Selanne (63 pts.)
Fort Drum – Ilya Kovalchuk (50 pts.)
OFFENSE/DEFENSE:
Washington’s scoring is much more balanced among its forward unit, as evidenced by the fact they’ve got seven players with at least 50 points (Fort Drum has two). And, if they stay healthy, Washington’s trio of Dany Heatley, Joe Thornton, and Teemu Selanne can can be better than Ilya Kovalchuk, Mikko Koivu, and Chris Stewart. Neither team has a Norris Trophy candidate on the roster, but the Power’s defense corps is a little bit deeper and meaner than the Killers’, and that’s more than enough to give them the nod here. Edge: Washington
GOALTENDING:
So, Miikka Kiprusoff’s tank isn’t completely empty after all. Good for him. Unfortunately, when you compare him to Roberto Luongo, the Killers’ starter is only the second-best goalie in the series. Maybe even the third-best (and, no, I’m not talking about Tim Thomas, cough-cough). Edge: Washington
X-FACTORS:
Injuries are not an excuse, but Fort Drum needs Mikko Koivu to have a real shot. The star center is still nursing a broken finger, but he could return to the lineup as soon as tonight. But if he misses a few more games, then the Killers will lose most of the offensive stat categories. The Power were the best team in the league virtually all season so they deserve the high seed, but here is the proving ground. To be successful, their goaltending has to be better than Fort Drum’s.
DARREN PANG’S PREDICTION:
Washington wins 6-5.
St. John’s Red Wings (3) vs. (6) London Mustangs 
While London is the defending Stanley Cup champion, they’ve shown enough vulnerability this season that they might actually be flying under the radar. Don’t sleep on them, though.
SEASON SERIES:
Week 11 – St. John’s won 10-1.
LEADING SCORERS:
St. John’s – Henrik Zetterberg (69 pts.)
London – Jonathan Toews (69 pts.)
OFFENSE/DEFENSE:
Not much separates these two teams up front. The speedy Wings rely heavily on the big line of Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk, and Alexander Semin but do get contributions throughout the lineup and finished near the top of the rankings for most points scored on offense in the regular season. But London counters with Jamie Benn, Jonathan Toews, and Rick Nash. The Wings have the far superior blueline on paper, but Tyler Myers, who had an indifferent season, and Keith Yandle are wild cards for the Mustangs. Edge: St. John’s
GOALTENDING:
It’s tough to fathom that a team with three talented starting goaltenders would go into a series with questions in goal, but that’s exactly the case with the Mustangs, who have been plagued by injuries and inconsistent play in goal. Marc-Andre Fleury, on the other hand, has been very good this year and he will get better as the spring wears on. Edge: St. John’s
X-FACTORS:
A lot of people picked the Wings to win the Cup at the start of the season and many have stayed with the pick for the playoffs. London needs to excel on special teams in the playoffs, where they’ve been average all year. Despite their youth, the power play can be potent, and the Wings can’t give away any momentum when they’re a man short. Unlike the Wings of last year, this one is good enough to not need superhuman work by Fleury to win, and they need to keep it that way.
DARREN PANG’S PREDICTION:
St. John’s wins 7-3.
Calgary Hitmen (4) vs. (5) Vancouver Heroes 
Calgary’s cinderella story continues and with high expectations on Vancouver to make it back to the Finals for a second straight year, little is expected from the Hitmen. A quick Calgary start may get the Heroes squeezing the stick excessively.
SEASON SERIES:
Week 13 – Vancouver won 6-3.
LEADING SCORERS:
Calgary – Dustin Byfuglien (50 pts.)
Vancouver – Henrik Sedin (83 pts.)
OFFENSE/DEFENSE:
The Heroes feature two of the most dangerous players in the game in the Sedin Twins, while Calgary will counter with Dustin Byfuglien and Jarrett Stoll. The absence of injured forwards Kristian Huselius and Alex Steen severely handicaps a Calgary team already thin on secondary scoring. Neither team has a spectacular defense. Dustin Byfuglien is a do-everything warrior for the Hitmen, while Jay Bouvmeester and Dennis Wideman will look to improve on their regular season totals. Vancouver has more mobility on the blueline than it did in last year’s playoff run to the Finals and the offensive prowess of Tomas Kaberle cannot be ignored. Edge: Vancouver
GOALTENDING:
Heroes fans think Jonathan Quick can be rattled with traffic and Ryan Miller has been inconsistent in the regular season after winning the Vezina ten months ago, but how do you not give the nod to Quick who is currently the best goalie in the league (especially considering his MVP-calibre season)? Edge: Calgary
X-FACTORS:
Some may look at the Hitmen’s cinderella season and wonder when they are going to run out of gas. But make no mistake; this team is high on emotion. They were successful in all their big games, but if they want to be successful in the post-season, everyone has to step up to compete with the Heroes’ offense. The tough Heroes have to bang Dustin Byfuglien and neutralize him.
DARREN PANG’S PREDICTION:
Vancouver wins 5-4.