Prime Cuts

"Montreal has generally never had a big scorer on their team,"

angus - i know you meant to say "in the last ten years".

Also, I know you have a man crush on burns, and i like him too, but second best d in the league? And Kovalev over Iginla or St. Louis?

and I quote:
"and hopefully it sparks some debate over at the DobberHockey forums."

Feels like he slid Kovalev and Burns in their to try and start something up here... they're clearly not the Prime Cuts of the league.

Firstly, my Habs remark implied more recent times. Everyone knows about their dominant past.

Again, this is not just the "BEST." Chara and Pronger have probably been better than Burns, but I saw things from him this year (some great shootout goals, great rushes, hits, and the like) and based his selection on a collection of things.

Same goes for Kovalev. In my opinion he is a Hart Candidate, making the best team in the East (sorry, New Jersey) tick night in and night out. Iginla is a better player and has been better, but Kovalev was due for some recognition and his great, motivated play this season earned him a spot on the roster.

double post, but I had more to add anyway. You will see with the rest of my selections how like McGuire's Monsters, this is a collection of guys who are playing great and that I think have shown something special this season. There are obvious choices and I think there can be some debate.

Malkin vs. Datsyuk was pretty close for the top spot, but Malkin's dominant stretch over the past two months swayed it in his favor. Same goes for goaltending.

I would give it to Malkin over Datsyuk as well, particularly given how Malkin rose to the occasion when injury threatened the team, and Datsyuk did not.

Certainly a topic of conversation.

Malkin and Ovechkin are no brainers to me. Kovalev - personally speaking - wouldn't even be top 10 in my books, but to be fair he's a Ribiero type player that I just don't like, so I have a hard time giving him much credit. Kovalev has really had a turn around year this year though, that's for sure.

I really love Burns and there's not that many other defenceman who bring what he brings night in and night out. Not a horrible choice.

Top drawer on the Nabokov pick though, he still doesn't get the credit he should in this league. The guy has won me a hockey pool this year and has dragged a non-playoff team into the playoffs in a keeper league for me. #1 in the league this year in my books.

A lot of people picked Kovalev this year hoping for 60 points. The fact that he'll get 85 makes him a prime cut in the fantasy world, I'd say.
Iginla? St. Louis? Did they surprise you? If you want a list of the best players, tune into the NHL awards. If you want Prime Cuts in the fantasy world - read some Angus!

Newer to the site here.... does Angus have a pre-season prime cuts?

I never did a complete pre-season team. I did a small list of sleeper picks for HFboards...

1. Antoine Vermette - will finally get his shot at being a scoring forward.
2. Andy Greene - a great puck carrying defenseman who can work the point on the powerplay very well.
3. Ryan Callahan - behind Jagr and Shanahan on the depth chart, but will still produce.
4. Brent Burns - now firmly entrenched as one of the best young blueliners in the game.
5. Dan Hamhuis - saw 28 power play minutes the entire season in 2006-2007, down from 268 minutes the season before.
6. Brett Sterling - Atlanta has a hole on the second line and Sterling looks to be a perfect fit.
7. Jeff Tambellini - has one of the deadliest shots in the game.
8. Joffrey Lupul - has a terrific shot, and knows his way around the offensive zone.
9. Richard Zednik - a guy you may be able to snag late because of his recent struggles.
10. Brad Boyes - will most likely line up on the top unit with Paul Kariya and converted center Keith Tkachuk.

as you can see, there are some hits and misses.

second part will be out mid-week.