Team Preview: KHL Medveščak Zagreb

Yes, I'm back after a month and a half hiatus. I hope to up it to 2 post per week when the NHL starts back up. For now it's basically when I get the time. In the meantime, enjoy this preview of KHL Medveščak Zagreb of the KHL.

The KHL season started Tuesday, but one team has yet to make it's debut in the league: KHL Medveščak Zagreb (nickname the Bears). Medveščak moved to the KHL after playing three seasons in the EBEL (the Austrian league). The Bears play in Zagreb, Croatia, making them the second-most western team in the league (Lev Praha is the most western). They will play in the West Conference in the Bobrov Division

Last Year

Medveščak did well in their last season in the EBEL, finishing the regular season with 26 wins in 40 games. Their 54 points was good enough for second place. They were the only team to finish the regular season with less than 100 goals against (99). In the placement round - which the top 6 teams determine the order they enter the playoffs in - the Bears kept their second place finish thanks to the bonus points they were rewarded. Medveščak swept Orli Zonjmo in the Quarter Finals. They weren't so lucky in the Semi-Finals, losing the series 4-1 to EC KAC.

Regular Season: 24W - 10L - 6OTL - 54PTS
Placement Round: 5W - 4L - 1OTL - 14PTS (includes 3 bonus points)

Oh, and they played in the coolest outdoor games ever!

Roster

Roster from Medveščak's official site.

Goalies: Barry Burst, Mark Dekanich, Mitja Koren, Andrei Vasiljevic
Defense: Mathieu Carle, Kurtis Foster, Mark Katic, Kyle Klubertanz, Alan Letang, Kenny MacAulay, Sasha Martinovic, Steve Montador, Mark Popovic, Ivan Svarny, Geoff Waugh
Forwards: Partick Bjorkstrand, Jonathan Cheechoo, Mark Glumac, Hugh Jessiman, Boyd Kane, Gal Koren, Dario Kostović, Charles Linglet, Andrew Murray, Matt Murley, Nathan Perkovich, Michael Ryan, Marko Šakić, Bill Thomas, Ryan Vesce, Luke Walker, Brian Willsie

Despite all the names here, I swear this isn't an AHL team. Medveščak basically turned over its entire roster during the transition of leagues. Some of the key signings include:

Jonathan Cheechoo - Bad news: Joe Thornton sold separately. Good news: Train Train Cheechoo Train!

Barry Burst - He set an AHL record for the longest shutout streak at 268 minutes and 17 seconds, and was STILL passed over by the Flames (then again, Flames and good decisions haven't gone together in years). I'm guessing he'll be the starter for the season.

Mark Dekanich - Signed before Burst, might be the backup now.

Kurtis Foster - I'll admit I'm surprised (in a good way) he's playing here. I thought he would at least be offered a 2-way deal by an NHL club.

Steve Montador - Just like Foster, kind of expected him to stay on this side of the ocean.

Hugh Jessiman - NO! Nononononononononononono!

Prediction

While this team does look good on paper, it doesn't help that they play in the harder of the two conferences. I can see Medveščak being able to compete against teams not based in Moscow or St. Petersburg. Being the new team though, I can't see instant success. Having to travel a lot more from their time in the EBEL could hurt too. Best case scenario is that they squeeze into the playoffs as a 7th/8th seed. First season though so the bar is low. I think they fight hard, but ultimately are on the outside looking in at the end of the season.

Final Prediction: 10th in Western Conference