Who is going to have the Sophmore Blues??

[Bakeryracing]

in 06-07 We saw Jordan Staal Have a Awsome rookie year. He even set some rookie records.

Lets just say he didnt show up that much in the 07-08 season, and had a bad 2nd season. Some people said he had the dreadful sophmore blues.

So what rookie do you think will have a "not so good" 2nd season??

 

[JohnnyDrama]

Price. I just get this feeling about him.

 

[sholi2000]

Price. I just get this feeling about him.

Bite your tounge

 

[JohnnyDrama]

Bite your tounge

I...er...Kane?

 

[g-force]

I'll chime in and say Peter Mueller.

 

[Ferris]

I'll second Carey Price. I think Halak will be the Canadiens starter. Price may not have a bad entire season but he will have a poor start to the season. And don't forget, he wasn't stellar last season - it's not like he lead the league in wins or GAA. He just played good on a good team that gave him lots of offense. Expectations will be high this year, too high.

 

[gamebreakers]

I think Price will be just fine. I also think Mueller will have a monster season. I don't really see any major slumps from the better players this season. They'll all get better

On a completely opposite note, I am looking for big big things from 3rd year player Patrick O'Sullivan!

 

[langway05]

I'll second Carey Price. I think Halak will be the Canadiens starter. Price may not have a bad entire season but he will have a poor start to the season. And don't forget, he wasn't stellar last season - it's not like he lead the league in wins or GAA. He just played good on a good team that gave him lots of offense. Expectations will be high this year, too high.

I hate to agree with Ryan..... ..... lol

But I'd have agree that Price had a team in front of him that gave him the chance to win..

Brian

 

[DXFlyers]

I think Towes will slump early in this season because of the injury that set him back last season.

I think Mueller will have a monster season with the help from Turris this year.

 

[Bakeryracing]

I forgot to chime in on who I thought would slump.

I say Kane will Slump thoughout the season.

I think Toews will have a monster season as the new "C'' of the Hawks.

 

[jaywings19]

I'm going with the hometown pick... Brandon Dubinsky.

He had most of his playing time centering Jaromir Jagr on the first line. I'm not sure what kind of role the Rangers have in store for him this year. However, he won't have the space to operate like he did when defenders went to cover Jagr.

 

[pathshot]

Jordan Staal's season wasn't as bad as it was on paper. He matured a great deal defensively, and is going to be an excellent third line center for the Penguins this year. He's just capable of being a lot more, and he might not ever get that chance with Malkin and Crosby present.

-m.

 

[sprague11]

I think Mueller will be getting top line minutes in Phoenix playing alongside Olli Jokinen, so likely no Sophmore Jinx there.

The team in front of Price is extremely good, and Price rose above the pressure when he was thrust into Hamilton so I'm not terribly concerned about him. I dont think he's getting 60 starts however.

 

[Mack]

I got to agree on Dubinsky, simple as no Jagr. Toews is in a sink or swim situation by being named the capitan after one year in the NHL. Price should have no huge issues and Kane has been skating with some of the Sabres for the past two weeks and looked great.

 

[FrankToronto]

I think Kane will post similar numbers and Toews will significantly improve on what will be a much better Chicago team this year.

Backstrom will crack 20 goals and 80 points. I'll consider 80 points my bold prediction.

Mueller might do just as good as he did last year, but I expect Phoenix to be a stronger team which may lead to a similar performance from Mueller.

The sophomore players who will truly make their mark in 2008-09 will be Sergei Kostitsyn, Milan Lucic, and Jiri Tlusty.

As for Price, I only seem him improving. He's finally had a chance to rest instead of playing in the NHL, AHL, and every single tournament on the planet. Now he can focus on an NHL career. He'll crack 30 wins, earn half a dozen shutouts, and gain even more control of his positioning than he already has. What you saw last year was one of the best goalie prospects taking his game to the NHL. This year you'll see him take his game to a whole new level necessary for the NHL.

I'll be rooting for them but I wonder if Gagner and Cogliano will be the ones struggling as I don't consider Edmonton to be that much better than they were last year.

My pick, however, is Tobias Enstrom. 38 points is admirable for a rookie. But I think Atlanta will battle Toronto for least in the East and Enstrom won't have a chance to improve his numbers unlike Tlusty who will gain tremendous ice time bottom feeding with Toronto.

 

[JohnnyDrama]

I think that Backstrom will make the biggest jump of 2nd year guys. Playing a full year with Ovy, he could crack 60-70 assists alone.

 

[iggyfan]

Price...mark my words, keep ur Halak young gun, trust me

 

[plubers]

I say Price as well.

 

[Burner]

I'll second Carey Price. I think Halak will be the Canadiens starter. Price may not have a bad entire season but he will have a poor start to the season. And don't forget, he wasn't stellar last season - it's not like he lead the league in wins or GAA. He just played good on a good team that gave him lots of offense. Expectations will be high this year, too high.

LOL are you kidding me? Price sucks because he didn't lead the league in GAA and wins? Halak is going to be the starter? What else can you tell us?

 

[allstarcollectors]

I hope none of the big 4, Kane, Toews, Backstrom and Price have a slump of any sort. I got way too much invested in their cards!!!