Part seven in a seven-part review takes a look at the teams that failed to reach the postseason and what kind of impact each of them will have on your keeper-league squad. This week, we take a look at Phoenix and St. Louis.
Phoenix Coyotes Possibly on the way out… Mike Ricci, Jeremy Roenick, Owen Nolan and Curtis Joseph will be unrestricted free agents. The latter two could possibly sign, but the former two are gone for sure.
The team will be looking to add… A goaltender and an A-list forward. The Coyotes are happy with Mikael Tellqvist, so they could possibly settle for signing a backup or a 1A goalie, but they could also go after a solid No.1 guy. The Manny Fernandez rumors just won’t go away. Rookie Peter Mueller makes a nice addition to the top six and Alexei Kaigorodov will have an opportunity to win the No.3 center spot, but the squad will be on the lookout to sign a star left winger or a No.1 center.
General fantasy outlook… Phoenix has been rebuilding for years (it would seem), but until the New Year, they were only ‘half-assing’ it. They have solid prospects in the pipe with Mueller, Martin Hanzal and a slew of offensive rearguards. They have lots of cap space to fix their needs, but they will likely be on the outside looking in come March. With their new GM, expect the ship to be righted as the team builds slowly through the draft. They will likely have a pile of fantasy assets in about three years. Right now though, things are scarce.
St. Louis Blues Possibly on the way out… Radek Dvorak, Vladimir Orszagh, Peter Sejna, Ville Nieminen and Glen Metropolit will be unrestricted free agents, while forward Lee Stempniak will be looking for a big raise to his $450, 000 salary as a restricted free agent.
The team will be looking to add… With Erik Johnson bringing his Calder Trophy nomination act to St. Louis this year, they will be all set on defense. The goaltending situation is decent as well. There are a lot of holes up front and a good $15 million to spend filling them. Look for them to add a pair of first or second line wingers.
General fantasy outlook… The Blues under coach Andy Murray will be all about defense. Manny Legace will be fantasy gold. Why? Two reasons. Firstly, under Murray he flourished last season, going 18-5-2 between mid December and the end of February. Secondly, the guys protecting him are EJ, Christian Backman, Eric Brewer, Jay McKee and Barret Jackman. Defensively, are there a better five rearguards on any one team in the league? Legace is cheap in your keeper league. Snap him up and thank me later. Offensively, they probably will not have a 65-point player next year. Brad Boyes, Doug Weight and Stempniak should get close to that mark, but not over it.
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