Key Returnees:
G Jimmy Howard
(MLN FAB50 Hockey 2006 No. 13)
D Kyle Quincey
C Matt Ellis
RW Darryl Bootland

Key Newcomers:
C Kip Miller (Chicago Wolves)
C Krys Kolanos (Wilkes-Barre)
C Matt Hussey (Wilkes-Barre)

Griffins amassed a league-best 115 points last year, but were swept out of the playoffs in the third round by Milwaukee. Not many faces are left from that squad.  Notably, league MVP Donald MacLean took his 56 goals with him to San Antonio. Howard, Detroit's second round choice in 2003, is ticketed for the Wings' starting job next year.

Key Returnees:
C Corey Locke
(MLN FAB50 Hockey 2006 No. 44)
RW Andrei Kostitsyn
(MLN FAB50 Hockey 2006 No. 37)
G Jaroslav Halak
G Yann Danis

Key Newcomers:
C Kyle Chipchura (Prince Albert WHL) C Eric Manlow (Grand Rapids)
C Mathieu Aubin (Lewiston QMJHL)

The Hamilton Bulldogs ("Habs") have some exciting youngsters in Chipchura, Locke, Kostitsyn, and Aubin, plus character veterans such as Manlow and Ajay Baines to blend with them. They have the right coach for the job, too, in the person of the underrated Don Lever. Both goalies should be considered as bona fide prospects. This is a team that should deliver solidly throughout the season, if the NHL clubs don't pluck too many of the prime talents early.

Key Returnees:
RW Jesse Schultz (37 goals)
RW Lee Goren
RW Mike Keane (38 years young)

Key Newcomers:
D Dustin Wood (Syracuse)
head coach Scott Arniel (Buffalo)

Schultz, undrafted when he played in the WHL, exploded for 37 goals with the Moose after netting just nine the previous year. Goren and Keane provide the Moose with a massive leadership presence. The durable Wood will add strength to the blue line, and Arniel, a popular former Winnipeg Jet, takes over the club from Alain Vigneault, who is now head man in Vancouver. Big question is in goal, where newcomers Drew McIntyre (Grand Rapids) and Mike Ayers (Syracuse) hope to benefit from fresh starts.

Key Returnees:
LW Daniel Paille
LW Clarke MacArthur (21 goals)
RW Anthony Stewart
(injured most of the year)
G Jean-Marc Pelletier

Key Newcomers:
RW Drew Stafford (U North Dakota)
C Marek Zagrapan (Chicoutimi QMJHL)
LW Dylan Hunter (London OHL)

The Amerks are being graced by both Stafford and Zagrapan, former Buffalo first-rounders, both taken at 13, and should provide plenty of scoring punch. MacArthur could blossom into a premier power forward, akin to Dustin Penner, while Paille was the last cut from a very talented Buffalo squad. Stewart, a former top choice by Florida, remains the Panthers' top prospect.

Key Returnees:
C Geoff Platt (30 goals)
RW Joe Motzko (27)
RW Alexandre Picard
(MLN FAB50 Hockey 2006 No. 34)

Key Newcomers:
D Filip Novak (Binghamton)
RW Eric Boguniecki (Pittsburgh)
RW Adam Pineault
(Moncton QMJHL)

Coming off one of their best seasons in years, in large part due to unexpected big years from Platt, D Andy Delmore, and RW Mark Hartigan. Platt is back, but the other two are gone. This could be a big spot for Picard to step up. Dogged by injuries last year, Picard played in just 45 games for the Crunch.

Key Returnees:
C Kris Newbury (22 goals)
RW Brad Leeb (34)

Key Newcomers:
C Erik Westrum (34-64-98 for Houston)
LW Robbie Earl (U Wisconsin)
G Justin Pogge (Calgary WHL)
LW Jiri Tlusty (Czech Repub.), c
Coach Greg Gilbert

Good returning corps is bolstered by some stellar youngsters, with the free agent signing of Westrum, second among all AHL scorers, last year being a big plus. Tlusty, just 18, was taken 13th overall by the Leafs in June, while the emergence of Pogge, a third rounder in 2003, made expendable trade bait out of last year's top choice, Tuuka Rask, who was dealt to Boston for Andrew Raycroft.