Big LHL Season Preview 2

The next part of the Season Preview contains teams 8-10 in no particular order. This group features two of the best Big Ell Sports managers who have fallen on hard times and one owner who has never even been there. The third group is Theo Fleury’s bottle; these teams may make it to the playoffs or end up face down in a ditch with Bill Laforge.

Theo Fleury’s bottle

Burning Drips

• Staches: The Drips have some nice talent up front with Handzus, Murray and Cheechoo. Drip owner Whitey picked up some nice goalies and appears strong in net with Turco and Khabibulin. The Drips need both the Stars and Hawks to make the playoffs to have a hope at the title. The Drips usually start out fast but fade quickly. Whitey knows all about that.
• Mullets: Whitey’s second tier offense has gaping holes, just think major roles for Konowalchuk and Afinogenov. His defense is weaker than his knees. The Drips are banking on a big year from a rookie defenseman; when does that ever happen? But he does have Staios. By the way has Hartnell finally reached bust status?
• Question: Can Sedin and/or Bonk lead the Drips? The Drips need Sedin to finally realize his potential. I am not sure which Sedin this is but I imagine it applies to both. I have always thought that Bonk has had one of most disappointing careers. Obviously he’s got talent but he has never really made it. Much like Rob’s Varsity football career.

Montreal Maroons

• Staches: Maroons owner Craig Coughlin was busy before and during the draft. Lecavlier was picked up in a nice move from the Tundra to join Gaborik up front. Then Montreal went young during the draft picking up Ovechekin, Zherdev and Vanek. The Maroons also managed to pick a good defense with Boyd, Leopold, Morris and Poti.
• Mullets: Montreal has too many question marks to be considered championship material. Their biggest problem is shaky goaltending. Big LHL teams need two capable goalies to have a chance at the cup. Coughlin also took a lot of Flames but unfortunately for him none of them are named Iginla or Kipprusoff.
• Question: Can Langkow or Kobasew rip it up playing in Calgary? Craig Conroy proved that playing alongside Iginla definitely helps Fantasy production. Montreal can make the playoffs if either of these guys spends some time on the first line.

EZ Money Chiefs

• Staches: The Chiefs have some skill up front with Forsberg, Havlat and Satan but the key is Forsberg. He is injured again and always seems to be injured. The Chiefs do have a very good defense with Lidstrom, Zubov, Ozolinsh and Zhitnik but like Forsberg none are spring chickens.
• Mullets: The Chiefs are banking on big years from Dumont, Torres and Arnason. Say those three names again. EZ Money owner Shane Forrer made a controversial move with his selection of goalies. Shane Forrer said “This year I decided to think outside the box and decided what could be better than drafting three goalies that are older than me.” It remains to be seen if this move with pay off.
• Question: Kovalchuk, Kovalchuk, Kovalchuk? Illya is the biggest question mark for the Chiefs. If he plays the Chiefs make the playoffs, if not he’s in the lottery. It is always nice to see these problems in the EZ Money clubhouse who has been traditionally mediocre in the LHL.