After a busy off-season for the North Stars, today we get a look at the projected offensive lines for one of the team's highest-scoring teams. Last season the North Stars, with 167 goals, finished second in the league in goals for, with their top line leading the way despite being thrown together for the first time.

This season Toronto brings continuity on the top line while looking to improve its secondary scoring. Departed are wingers Kiernan Cassidy, Richard Metcalf, and Nick Fisher, while Sean Gallagher was added through a trade, Zac Goonathan through free agency, and Tyler Ragnarsson was drafted in the third round.

by: jkrever
words: 2,547

Summary:

Falkirk-Abdalla-Hogan
Gallagher-Danielson-St. Louis
Hanson-Lee-Dufour
Hanson-Goonathan-Ragnarsson

<b><div align="center">FIRST LINE</div></b>

Overview:

Last season the Toronto North Stars’ first line was undoubtedly the best in the league, with Danielle Hogan, Michael Abdalla, and John Falkirk combining for 71 of the team’s 167 goals last season, topping all other top lines. This line provided an incredible 43 per cent of the team’s total offense last season, and half as many goals as the Winnipeg Jets entire team scored altogether. The incredible part is the fact that it was their first year together, with Abdalla joining the North Stars after a sign-and-trade with the Vancouver Nightmare. With a full season under its belt, this line is expected to be an even bigger producer, and all of Hogan, Abdalla, and Falkirk are legitimate Hart Trophy candidates entering the regular season.

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C John Falkirk --- HT: 5.10 --- WT: 185 --- Born: Surrey, B.C. --- Team: 4 --- SHL: 6</div>

Falkirk solidified himself as an established SHL super star last season after centering the league’s highest-scoring line. Critics say age will start to show its effects next season, but he is one of the hardest-working players in the league and is in the best shape of his life, so that isn’t expected to be an issue just yet. Last season Falkirk was second on the team in scoring with 53 points behind line mate Michael Abdalla, but most impressively he established himself as a responsible player defensively as well, leading the team in plus-minus with a plus-4 rating. As Abdalla and Hogan enter their prime, Falkirk is the stabilizer for that line and he’ll be expected to help Toronto once again be a force offensively.

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LW Michael Abdalla --- HT: 6.02 --- WT: 189 --- Born: Montreal, Que. --- Team: 2 --- SHL: 4</div>

After scoring 30 points with Vancouver in his second year, Abdalla broke onto the scene as one of the league’s top scorers in his third year in the SHL, scoring 25 goals and 32 assists in 60 games, putting him just below a point-per-game pace. Abdalla will look to take another major stride in his fourth year, as he looks to strengthen his game in hopes of becoming the league’s most dangerous player, especially with players like Ron Mexico, Jeff Dar, and Pavol Skvoznak regressing with others retiring. If Abdalla can take the next step, he will become one of the greatest ever.


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RW Danielle Hogan --- HT: 5.11 --- WT: 195 --- Born: Ottawa, Ont. --- Team: 3 --- SHL: 3</div>

Despite it being only her second year in the league last season, Hogan kept pace with elite line mate Michael Abdalla, finishing second on the team with 24 goals and adding 28 assists for a 52-point total. Despite the breakout season, the best most likely lies ahead for Hogan who now enters her prime with all of the confidence in the world. She forms one of the league’s top young duos with fellow first-overall pick Michael Abdalla, and these two will be expected to excel over the next three seasons and possibly more. This off-season Hogan has worked on her checking and her endurance, and after posting a minus-three rating last season, she’ll look to prove she can be responsible defensively as well as her team looks to cut down the amount of goals it gives up.

<b><div align="center">SECOND LINE</div></b>

Overview:

With the first line providing so much scoring last season, one common issue for the North Stars was secondary scoring. Richard Metcalf has departed through free agency, while Nick Fisher and Kiernan Cassidy are suiting up elsewhere after being traded, which means new faces on the second and third lines. New off-season acquisition Sean Gallagher moves to centre after playing defense for West Kendall, while Martin St. Louis and Bryan Danielson will look to provide scoring on the wing. All three players have shown tremendous offensive capabilities, while St. Louis and Gallagher are known for their two-way play.

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C Sean Gallagher --- HT: 5.11 --- WT: 180 --- Born: Donegal, Ireland --- Team: 1 --- SHL: 4</div>

With the North Stars looking for a responsible two-way centre with pass-first tendencies to anchor the second line, Kiernan Cassidy was sent to West Kendall for Sean Gallagher, who spent most of his life playing forward until being switched to defense with the Platoon. Gallagher brings the North Stars another Challenge cup ring, but most importantly allows Toronto to move shutdown centre Jared Hanson to the third line where he can help shut-down opposing top lines. This will be Gallagher’s season to turn heads and break out, and as long as he works on his strength in the off-season, the adjustment should be easy for him, especially with two natural scorers in St. Louis and Danielson alongside him. Gallagher should serve as the playmaker Toronto lacked for its second line last season.

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LW Bryan Danielson --- HT: 5.11 --- WT: 196 --- Born: Aberdeen, Wash. --- Team: 2 --- SHL: 2</div>

Toronto’s offensive depth last season allowed Danielson time to season in the minors with the Detroit Falcons, but with the loss of three key wingers, suddenly it’s Danielson’s time for the spotlight in the league’s hottest hockey market. He’ll be under the magnifying glass and expected to contribute for sure, and GM JJ Krever hasn’t held back when it comes to setting out expectations for the young Vancouver Whalers alumnus. With Detroit last season he had 36 points and 32 games with a rating of plus-seven as he looked to fine-tune his game for the pros. He’s as pure a scorer as any, which merited his first round selection a year ago. Indeed his natural scoring abilities have never been denied, but this season it will be about his defensive game and whether he’ll be able to play a two-way game that suits the North Stars’ needs. Luckily he’ll be playing alongside two of the team’s stronger defensive forwards in St. Louis and Gallagher, who will be able to pick up the slack if Danielson struggles. He scored four goals in limited action with the big club last year, and Krever expects him to become a dominant goal-scorer by this season’s end.

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RW Martin St. Louis --- HT: 5.10 --- WT: 180 --- Born: Montreal, Que. --- Team: 2 --- SHL: 4</div>

St. Louis is another forward who will look to take advantage of Metcalf’s departure this upcoming season as he teams up with newcomer Sean Gallagher and sophomore Bryan Danielson. St. Louis is a balanced forward who has always excelled in his own end, but has never been given a chance as a top-six forward. His offensive skills are there, and he’ll attempt to prove that this season as the team will be leaning on him for goals. He had 31 points in 59 games last season in a bottom-six role, impressing North Stars’ coaches in the limited time he spent with the top-six. This season St. Louis can expect to get minutes on the power play and the penalty kill, and with his elite skating abilities combined with his impressive vision, accurate passing and dynamite shot, St. Louis could emerge as a dominant SHL player this season and take the league by storm.

<b><div align="center">THIRD LINE</div></b>

Overview:

This will be Toronto’s shut-down line, but it will also be relied upon for a much-needed scoring touch from the bottom-six as well. Jared Hanson provides the anchor as quite possibly the best third-line centre in the SHL with his faceoff skills, defensive play, and offensive abilities as well as his leadership. Greg Dufour needs to work on his defensive game, but with his size, skating abilities, and toughness, he serves as the physical spark plug for the Toronto North Stars as well as the enforcer. Castiel Lee, meanwhile, remains a key leader and excels both in the defensive zone as well as offensively. The third line will hold the key to Toronto’s success, and the chemistry and leadership of Lee and Hanson, Toronto suddenly has three lines that are high-powered offensively. While the first line rarely struggled, there were times when Hanson and Lee, paired on the second line, carried this team last season. Now with less pressure to score, they’ll take on a shut-down role while looking to chip in with scoring when possible.

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C Jared Hanson --- HT: 5.11 --- WT: 185 --- Born: Surrey, B.C. --- Team: 4 --- SHL: 6</div>

Jared Hanson is dominant in every category, and although he’s on the third line, he’ll still be expected to play a pivitol role in the team’s success with close to 20 minutes a night. After winning close to 54 per cent of his draws last season, Hanson was one of the league’s top faceoff-men, giving Toronto an edge whenever he’s in the dot, whether at even strength, on the power play, or on the penalty kill. Last season he was fifth on the team in scoring with 43 points, just behind line mate Castiel Lee in that department. His minus-four rating was uncharacteristic for Hanson, who is a career plus, but that can be chalked up to the team’s defensive struggles on the back-end. Hanson gives the North Stars the entire package at both ends of the ice, on specialty teams, as well as in the faceoff circle and teamed with established SHL veterans like Lee and Dufour, the third line should expect to be a dominant force.

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LW Castiel Lee --- HT: 5.06 --- WT: 175 --- Born: London, Ont. --- Team: 3 --- SHL: 7</div>

Along with defenseman JJ Krever, Castiel Lee is the oldest and most experienced member of the Toronto North Stars. She’s been in the finals multiple times and has a pair of rings, and since being acquired in Toronto she has been a major force in the team’s offensive success as well as its defensive strategies. While she’s now considered an aging member of the SHL’s elites, there will be reduced pressure on the third line where she can continue to help shut-down opposing offensive lines while still chipping in with points. Those who counted her out heading into last season were proven wrong when she recorded 44 points in 60 games, good for fourth place on the team’s scoring list. This year she’ll once again look to prove that she still has plenty left in the tank. She’ll also help mentor the younger Greg Dufour, will look to take on a bigger role with the team this season.

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RW Greg Dufour --- HT: 6.06 --- WT: 235 --- Born: Windsor, Ont. --- Team: 3 --- SHL: 3</div>

As he enters his third year in the SHL, Greg Dufour has finally earned a permanent spot in a top-nine role, which will give him consistent 5-on-5 playing time. Dufour has limited potential offensively, but standing at 6-foot-6, he towers over many defensemen in this league and as long as he continues to work on his strength and his ability to finish, there is the possibility he can start scoring goals in close to the net because of his physical dominance. With proven scorers in Lee and Hanson on his line, there won’t be any pressure for Dufour to score consistently, allowing him to focus on continuing to be the physical sparkplug that every playoff team needs. Still, it’s possible for Dufour to chip in with a goal here and there while being responsible defensively and intimidating his opponents physically. With some work on his defensive game, Dufour can be a unique weapon to the North Stars, bringing size and toughness to a team that is generally undersized.

<b><div align="center">FOURTH LINE</div></b>

Overview:

While the North Stars do have other centres on the roster who will dress, whether it’ll be Jimmie Boice or Robby Metcalf, star centre Jared Hanson as well as possibly newly-acquired centre Sean Gallagher will be expected to double-shift at different times throughout the season. With Falkirk eating up heavy minutes on the first line, Hanson just like with the third line provides a veteran presence who can win face-offs on the bottom line, and he’ll be surrounded with one veteran sparkplug who Toronto North Stars’ fans know well in Zac Goonathan, and a young rookie who will be expected to produce straight out of juniors in Tyler Ragnarsson.

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LW Zac Goonathan --- HT: 6.01 --- WT: 200 --- Born: St. Albert,
Alta. --- Team: 1 --- SHL: 7</div>

Goonathan is a familiar face in Toronto after being the team’s inaugural captain six seasons ago. Krever sent him to heated rival West Kendall several seasons ago with Toronto’s attempt to rebuild, and now with the North Stars looking to go over the top, Goonathan has returned to where it all started to finish off his career. Although he’s shown over the past two seasons that he can be a dominant offensive player, Goonathan will see a reduced role in Toronto as a fourth-line player who will be expected to contribute occasionally offensively as well as physically. Over the span of his career he’s been one of the more intimidating players in the league with his high-flying hits and highlight reel goals, and his intensity is second to none. Last season with Minnesota, Goonathan was fifth on the team in scoring with 35 points, and second on the team in goals with 21, helping to propel his team to within a goal of winning the Challenge Cup after a disappointing game-seven overtime loss to the Los Angeles Panthers.

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RW Tyler Ragnarsson --- HT: 6.02 --- WT: 200 --- Born: Ornskoldsvik, Sweden --- Team: 1 --- SHL: 1</div>

After leading the Montreal Impact in goals with 19 to go along with 16 assists, draft experts were surprised to see Tyler Ragnarsson fall to the third round. The North Stars were thrilled to get the opportunity to draft the young Swedish phenom, and although he has a long way to go before becoming a complete player at the SHL level, fans can expect Ragnarsson to contribute on the score sheet. His offensive skills are elite, and it won’t likely take the 6-foot-2 winger very long to figure out how to find the back of the net in the pros. The biggest challenge will be putting his defensive game together, and adding strength at such a young age. GM JJ Krever thinks the best way to learn that is on the fourth line, where he’ll go up against bruisers and stronger players which will require him to refine his defensive and checking game. Still, despite being on the fourth line, Ragnarsson and Goonathan could create a dynamic duo, with Goonathan’s elite passing abilities setting up Ragnarsson’s raw scoring potential.

Really glad to see Dufour promoted, It was hard getting into fights with him when he only got 5 minutes a game and I do enjoy the easy wins.

Andren Akerson (Present)
Adrik Baranov (S55 to S70)
Rurik Razin (S32 to S44)
Roy Razin (S17 to S32) (HOF/Rage HOF)
Audun Wissink (S5 to S15)

good looking team

Normand Marineau || C || #42 || Minnesota Monarchs || Colorado Raptors || France || Rhine
Name: Normand Marineau
Age: 19
Birthplace: Saint Pierre et Miquelon, France
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 195 lbs
Number: 42
------------------------------------------------------------
Career Statistics:
SHL Regular Season:
TBD
SHL Playoffs:
TBD
SMJHL Regular Season:
S80 | 66 GP | 32 G | 39 A | 71 P | -6 | 22 PPP | 32 PIM | 160 SOG | 71 HIT | 48 SB | 41 TA | 57.2% FO
S79 | 66 GP | 23 G | 21 A | 44 P | +8 | 1 PPP | 18 PIM | 122 SOG | 66 HIT | 40 SB | 54 TA | 54.9% FO
S78 | 66 GP | 18 G | 29 A | 47 P | +6 | 6 PPP | 24 PIM | 189 SOG | 45 HIT | 31 SB | 68 TA | 53.7% FO
Career | 198 GP | 73 G | 89 A | 162 P | +8 | 29 PPP | 74 PIM | 471 SOG | 182 HIT | 119 SB | 163 TA | 55.6% FO
SMJHL Playoffs:
S80 | 7 GP | 1 G | 4 A | 5 P | -3 | 2 PPP | 2 PIM | 9 SOG | 11 HIT | 3 SB | 7 TA | 46.5% FO
S79 | 21 GP | 4 G | 8 A | 12 P | -2 | 0 PPP | 6 PIM | 36 SOG | 16 HIT | 7 SB | 14 TA | 57.1% FO
S78 | 13 GP | 1 G | 4 A | 5 P | -9 | 0 PPP | 2 PIM | 27 SOG | 12 HIT | 5 SB | 4 TA | 42.4% FO
Career | 41 GP | 6 G | 16 A | 2 P | -14 | 2 PPP | 10 PIM | 72 SOG | 39 HIT | 15 SB | 25 TA | 50.6% FO
------------------------------------------------------------
International Career:
IIHF Round Robin:
TBD
IIHF Medal Round:
TBD
WJC Round Robin:
S80 | 12 GP | 3 G | 7 A | 10 P | -1 | 0 PPP | 0 PIM | 29 SOG | 10 HIT | 6 SB | 6 TA | 51.0% FO
S79 | 12 GP | 2 G | 4 A | 6 P | +1 | 2 PPP | 8 PIM | 25 SOG | 4 HIT | 2 SB | 2 TA | 53.2% FO
S78 | 12 GP | 1 G | 3 A | 4 P | +0 | 0 PPP | 2 PIM | 11 SOG | 6 HIT | 2 SB | 5 TA | 60.3% FO
Career | 36 GP | 6 G | 14 A | 20 P | +0 | 2 PPP | 10 PIM | 65 SOG | 20 HIT | 10 SB | 13 TA | 53.2% FO
WJC Medal Round:
S79 | 3 GP | 1 G | 1 A | 2 P | -2 | 0 PPP | 2 PIM | 5 SOG | 2 HIT | 0 SB | 3 TA | 60.0% FO
S78 | 1 GP | 0 G | 0 A | 0 P | -1 | 0 PPP | 0 PIM | 0 SOG | 0 HIT | 1 SB | 1 TA | 44.4% FO
Career | 4 GP | 1 G | 1 A | 2 P | -3 | 0 PPP | 2 PIM | 5 SOG | 2 HIT | 1 SB | 4 TA | 57.1% FO
------------------------------------------------------------
Career Earnings and Draft Selections:
Signed a 3 year, $9,000,000 Contract with the Minnesota Monarchs in S80
Signed a 1 year, $3,000,000 ELC Contract with the Minnesota Monarchs in S79
Drafted 1st Round, 14th Overall to the Minnesota Monarchs in the S79 SHL Entry Draft
Signed a 1 year, $5,000,000 Rookie Contract with the Colorado Raptors in S78
Drafted 2nd Round, 17th Overall to the Colorado Raptors in the S78 SMJHL Entry Draft
------------------------------------------------------------
Awards and Achievements:
Voted Colorado Raptors S80 Assistant Captain
Won the Colorado Raptors S79 Alexander Zajac Trophy for Most Dedicated Player
Won the Colorado Raptors S78 Cassius Darrow Trophy for Most Outstanding Rookie

really like the second line

the stars should be able to score at will

1st line is gonna have to carry the offense imo...which they are very capable of doing

LA - TOR finals is my prediction

This team should totally destroy. I hope this season is ours!

Good read, this was neat

Former
SHL Head Commissioner S12ish-S27ish
GM S8 & S9 (Won cups both years)
2x GM Of The Year
5 Time Cup Winner
League MVP

Past Players
D - Aidan Richan - (S5 11th Overall)
C - Chico Salmon - (S17 1st overall)  

Current Player
D - Chico Smeb (S46)
SMJHL - Drafted 65th Overall by
SHL - Drafted 23rd Overall by

Originally posted by alext6792@Jan 2 2012, 09:51 PM
1st line is gonna have to carry the offense imo...which they are very capable of doing

LA - TOR finals is my prediction

I think we'll get plenty of secondary scoring from Marty and Gallagher at the very least and we all know Cass can score some goals. I'm digging our offense as a whole. No real holes to it

Thank you to My boys @Merica and @Ragnar for the lovely sigs!

Originally posted by Maxy<3@Jan 2 2012, 10:28 PM

I think we'll get plenty of secondary scoring from Marty and Gallagher at the very least and we all know Cass can score some goals. I'm digging our offense as a whole. No real holes to it

Danielson is pretty good too imo

Unfortunately, I see a small botch in the article.

Since I was selected 12th overall, I was a second round selection, not a first rounder...

Plus, Danielson will score 50 points this year, mark my words...

EDIT: i was expecting a MacA or Kessel face but Kaner's A-OK

Originally posted by BK_22@Jan 2 2012, 10:46 PM
Unfortunately, I see a small botch in the article.

Since I was selected 12th overall, I was a second round selection, not a first rounder...

Plus, Danielson will score 50 points this year, mark my words...

I'm not centering you though.

You're nothing without me.

Originally posted by JayMay@Jan 2 2012, 09:47 PM

I'm not centering you though.

You're nothing without me.&nbsp;

I scored 39 (Reg. Season) and 21 (Playoffs, most notably that 5G, 2A night in the semis) last year when we had an inactive Center last season. My improved Scoring has helped since

In other news, Rose traded to Stars for bag of pucks (e3)

<3 you Jamie

Originally posted by BK_22@Jan 2 2012, 11:53 PM


I scored 39 (Reg. Season) and 21 (Playoffs, most notably that 5G, 2A night in the semis) last year when we had an inactive Center last season. My improved Scoring has helped since

In other news, Rose traded to Stars for bag of pucks (e3)

<3 you Jamie&nbsp;

hey but you had me brah :D

Originally posted by sorryifarted@Jan 2 2012, 09:54 PM

hey but you had me brah&nbsp; :D

*bro fist*

Originally posted by BK_22@Jan 2 2012, 11:55 PM


*bro fist*

imo its either you or armia for calder!!!