Timo Seppa at Puck Prospectus takes a look at one breakout player and one declining player for each team in the Atlantic Division based on their projection system...
Trending Up: G Martin Biron
Last Season: - 7.8 GVT | VUKOTA Projection: + 2.6 GVT
Veteran netminder Martin Biron wasn't fully appreciated by Flyers fans and management for very solid seasons in 2007-08 and 2008-09 -- last we checked, .915 and .917 were above-average save percentages. After a dismal campaign in a backup role on Long Island, look for the 33-year-old veteran to bounce back to a solid performance level with the Rangers, while getting a chance to spell Lundqvist on a regular basis. Biron's experience and quality should entice head coach John Tortorella to lean on Lundqvist's backup more frequently than in recent campaigns, when only lesser options were available.
...as has been said numerous time if Biron can find his game under Allaire he could be the best signing this offseason.
Trending Down: C Vinny Prospal
Last Season: + 9.1 GVT | VUKOTA Projection: + 6.4 GVT
After his third tour of duty in Tampa Bay ended very poorly -- his 0.4 GVT tells you just how dismal it was -- Prospal got a chance to redeem himself in New York. Though many observers figured the Czech centerman would benefit from lining up with high-scoring winger Marian Gaborik on a regular basis, the fact is that large portions of Prospal's bounce-back season were spent with lesser linemates, so kudos to the 13-year veteran for producing anyway. Unfortunately though, Prospal tends to be highly inconsistent from one campaign to the next, so don't be surprised if 2010-11 is another dip on the roller coaster.
...i was down on the Prospal signing as I'd rather see a youngster get his spot, but his leadership and desire cannot be denied and I'm hoping for another great season from the veteran forward.
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3 comments:
I would rather see DZ or Ani as the one who will step up but Biron is good too i guess.
I'm on the fence with Prospal. He's mediocre and "old" and isn't a great puck carrier but dude has extreme enthusiasm that hopefully rubs on teammates.
I'm with Jack on this one-though Prospal will play with the enthusiasm of a kid he will also disappear during the season when not scoring. He just doesn't play that well without the puck or contribute when not scoring. His good year and bad year routine doesn't help either. At this point I would rather have a kid brought up-IF one is ready.
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