Don Cherry
02-23-2003, 11:58 AM
After a slow start, the Toronto Maple Leafs have finally started looking like the powerhouse they were last season. They're receiving offensive production from all lines (even Tie Domi has 12 goals), and Ed Belfour is looking more like a Vezina candidate each week.
The young Nik Antropov has finally overcome a series of injuries, and has posted a +15 with 14 goals and 22 assists. Keep close tabs on what coach Pat Quinn does with the returning Gary Roberts. If Antropov moves off the first line, his numbers may drop.
Moving onto defense, Robert Svehla is another player you should have on your radar. He stands at a solid +13, with 5 goals and 24 assists. And if a fellow GM was sleeping on the job, you may be able to swipe Bryan McCabe, now fully healthy, and putting up a respectable +11. Even the aged Jyrki Lumme is a +9.
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Star Power
No analysis of plus-minus would be complete without acknowledging the kings of plus-minus, the Dallas Stars.
Playing two-way hockey has become contagious on Texas ice, as just about every major or minor player on all three lines is positive. And not by a small margin either. Jere Lehtinen is enjoying a career year with 23 goals and a whopping +32. Brenden Morrow has recently fallen to injury, but still posts a massive +22. Scott Young may not be the offensive force he used to be, but no one can argue with a +19. Rookie Niko Kapanen has 25 points and is leading all rookies with a +24. And recently acquired Phillipe Boucher has fit right in with a +28.
It's impossible to go wrong by selecting any one of these players to assist your plus-minus deficiencies. Dallas has shown no signs of slowing down, even with the recent injury to Marty Turco.
http://nhl.com/columns/rowe/plusses022003.html
The young Nik Antropov has finally overcome a series of injuries, and has posted a +15 with 14 goals and 22 assists. Keep close tabs on what coach Pat Quinn does with the returning Gary Roberts. If Antropov moves off the first line, his numbers may drop.
Moving onto defense, Robert Svehla is another player you should have on your radar. He stands at a solid +13, with 5 goals and 24 assists. And if a fellow GM was sleeping on the job, you may be able to swipe Bryan McCabe, now fully healthy, and putting up a respectable +11. Even the aged Jyrki Lumme is a +9.
===============
Star Power
No analysis of plus-minus would be complete without acknowledging the kings of plus-minus, the Dallas Stars.
Playing two-way hockey has become contagious on Texas ice, as just about every major or minor player on all three lines is positive. And not by a small margin either. Jere Lehtinen is enjoying a career year with 23 goals and a whopping +32. Brenden Morrow has recently fallen to injury, but still posts a massive +22. Scott Young may not be the offensive force he used to be, but no one can argue with a +19. Rookie Niko Kapanen has 25 points and is leading all rookies with a +24. And recently acquired Phillipe Boucher has fit right in with a +28.
It's impossible to go wrong by selecting any one of these players to assist your plus-minus deficiencies. Dallas has shown no signs of slowing down, even with the recent injury to Marty Turco.
http://nhl.com/columns/rowe/plusses022003.html