TEAM PREVIEWS

 With the first overall draft pick, Kings GMs Jason Gogna and Abdul Manjra locked in goalie Stephen Corradino. They went on to build a dynamic team with the likes of Zakaria Manjra, Gurjeet Jhutty, and rookie Ahmed Jadoon. Many of these picks have been known to switch between offense and defense, leaving the Kings with a whole playbook of strategies. The Kings will also be welcoming in rookies Hamza Minhas and Zaid Rangrez (former MMGL scorekeeper) into the mix. With a group this diverse, it's difficult to see which route this team will take. That being said, you can count on the GMs to bring the offensive power every game, as no one is stranger to Jason Gogna's breakout rookie season of Fall 2012.

Prediction: Last season proved a team is not the sum of individual parts. This season's Kings will look to break this curse and bring back the Kings' status.

Player to Watch For: Hard to overlook the first overall draft pick Stephen Corradino. All eyes will be on the superstar goalie who failed to meet fans' expectations last season. Be sure to witness a Tim Thomas-like comeback season.

 - Captain Maverick

 The Falcons are under new management with Shoaib Rangrez making a return as a player alongside rookie Vasim Kagzi. While other teams chased down goalies in the first round of the draft, the Falcons acquired Sabir Shaikh, who has shown his versatility as a shutdown defenseman with a knack for sparking offensive plays. Perhaps the Falcons' obstacle this season will be working out offensive lines that gel, with rookies Shahzad Rana, Abraham Iqbal, and Mohsin Mahida making their MMGL debut. The Falcons goaltender will be Kaleem Mirza, who had a hot hand during the Bruins playoff run to the semis. 

Prediction: With no remnant of the Falcons core left, it's difficult to say where this team is headed. That being said the GMs seem very confident in their picks and believe this is the year of the Falcons. 

Player to Watch For: Word around the league is that Shahzad Rana is a sleeper pick and has potential to become the Falcons go to play maker. Keep your eyes peeled folks!

- Captain Maverick

  If the Sedin's are proof of building a solid foundation, then beware the Saili Brothers and the revamped Jets. Veteran GM Ricky Saili will be managing his team once again this season, alongside older brother Vikram. In between the pipes, the Jets will have Vezina winner Yasir Hussain, perhaps alternating with Deepinder Brar. Kudos on managing to get both Sufyaan Shaikh and Parmeet Uppal, the scoring duo that led the Hawks to their unlikely semifinals run. GM Ricky Saili was also exceptionally pleased to draft defenseman Navdeep Virdi, an acquisition he sought all last season. 

Prediction: Although some pieces of the Jets team seem incomplete, it's really hard to doubt a team that's under the leadership of Ricky Saili. Expect highs and lows throughout the season and a playoff run. 

Player to Watch For: You can bet older brother Vikram Saili has some big shoes to fill as he makes his MMGL debut this season, but no one will be taking his skill set lightly once the ball drops. 

- Captain Maverick 

  The Hawks are under new management, with Adil Patel returning to the MMGL scene and welcoming rookie GM Nawaz Shaikh. This team looks like it's been molded around a physical framework, boasting additions such as Fahim Limbada, Shahrukh Shah, Zubair Patel and Varish Shaikh. The goaltending will be split between Hussain Aswat and Riaz Parekh, which can either play to the Hawks' advantage or result in a tactical failure. The GMs look like they will split the responsibility of scoring and leave it to their big guys to clean up in the defensive zone. Fans will also get to see who the mysterious rookie Joe Bruno is and what he has to offer this season. 

Prediction: This is not a team that should be taken lightly. Assuming all the pieces fall into place, be sure to see the Hawks making a finals run. 

Player to Watch For: With a breakout season in 2012, all eyes will be on Shahrukh Shah as he continues to develop into a potent offensive force. 

- Captain Maverick 

  
The veteran GM pair of Rizwan Hassan and Mazhar Hussain of the new Bruins seem to be going with an all out experienced approach. This includes a roster brimming with the likes of Huzeifa Patel, Abdul Kazi, Suhaib Shaikh, and the return of Atif Bokhari. The Bruins will also be welcoming in Ibrahim and Shahid Butt, and rookie goaltender Amer Sheikh. The Bruins boast of a high-powered offense that is supported by an experienced defensive crew. Perhaps their kryptonite lies in a goalie that is new to gym league hockey and may need a few games to adjust. Nonetheless, expect the Bruins to be roaring back (and this time not in anger).

Prediction: There is no doubt that a team under the leadership of Rizwan Hassan and Mazhar Hussain will not disappoint. Expect to see an energized Bruins team in the semis.

Player to Watch For: Atif Bokhari is by far one of the most consistent shutdown defensemen MMGL has seen. His return to the league is most welcome by his team.

Captain Maverick

  On to the Sharks, a team that tactically looks much different from last season. GM's Zahid Panchbhaya and Yusuf Ingar are putting a lot of faith into up and coming young goaltender Mohamed Bashir. Our MMGL data analysis team (yes we have one of those) predict that the Sharks will get balanced scoring once again this season, from Patel Brothers Rajin and Sadik, and the junior Panchbhaya, Fahad. Working to their advantage is a go-to scorer in Yusuf Ingar, a key component that was lacking in the Sharks' arsenal last season. The Sharks would also like to welcome Abbas Ammarshi to MMGL this season, and have big hopes for a player that can play an alll-around game. It will be interesting to see how the Sharks will rotate between defense and offense, as this is a team with a rookie goalie playing with a moderate-intensity defensive line up. Nonetheless, Zahid Panchbhaya has never failed to put on a show for our fans, and I believe he will not disappoint this season.

Prediction: Hard to go against statistics, and the combination of Shark + Zahid Panchbhaya have led to two straight President's Trophy wins. Definitely a threat to any team looking to chase that #1 spot.

Player to Watch For: Rumor has it Abbas Ammarshi is an all-in-one leader, motivator, and positional player. High hopes for a rookie breakout season, and something tells me he will not disappoint.

Captain Maverick

 What better way to start the previews than with our Fall 2012 champion Nordiques. The only original is GM Shoaib Khan. He will be sharing this responsibility with former Hawk's GM Shakir Shaikh. Their first pick was goalie Uzair Baig, a move that surprised few. It is surprising though that their next two picks went to Fayaz and Mohammed Kazi. It looks like the Nordiques are taking a defense first approach this season, as compared to run and gun offense last season. The Nordiques will also be welcoming three rookies into MMGL, those being Asim Malik, Shakil Rangrez, and Farhan Saleh.

Prediction: Although offensively lacking, this is still a Shoaib Khan team, and my inner Maverick is telling me they will still finish the season with a playoff home advantage.

Player to Watch For: You can bet Shoaib and Shakir will have high hopes for rookie Farhan Saleh, who can switch between offense and defense.  Only time will tell if the gamble pays off.

Captain Maverick