First it�s nice to see that goals are now rewarded more than assist � like the old Sportsmark Promotion (lost track of what they morphed into) Under the new scoring, while a good plus/minus and toughness (PIM�s) will still be rewarded, it will rightfully pale as compared to scoring itself. Players who manage a good amount of shots on goal are now rewarded as well. A perennial complaint about the CDM scoring system was that PIM�s were just reward too much. A player who has a 2 goal, 1 assist night along with a +1 would get four points. Or a player could pick up a minor/major/misconduct and make his owners happy. Theo Fleury carried teams for a week last year by accomplishing nothing outside of misbehavior - while Brendan Shanahan helped contestants out on a rare off-night by Detroit simply by handing the referee a �game puck� at the final buzzer (for calling a game-deciding penalty against the Wings) and picking up a cheap misconduct. Under this year�s scoring system, a 2 goal, 1 assist game along with a +1 � while throwing in 5 shots will now be worth 12 points while a minor/major/misconduct hissy-fit is still worth only 4.25.

And similar to my Patrick Roy/Nik Khabibulin comparison with the goalies, the diminishing value of +/- makes quality players from non-elite teams much more attractive. My test subjects for the offensive scoring changes will be Jeremy Roenick and Alexei Yashin...

OLD SYSTEM -

Roenick: 21 Goals = 21 pts, 46 Assists = 46 pts, +32 = 32 pts, 5 PPG = 5 pts, 74 PIM�s = 17.5 pts.
(21+46+32+5+17.5 = 121.5 pts)

Yashin: 32 Goals = 32 pts, 43 Assists = 43 pts, -3 = -3 pts, 15 PPG = 15 pts, 25 PIM�s = 6.25 pts
(32+43+(-3)+15+6.25 = 93.25 pts)

NEW SYSTEM -

Roenick: 21 Goals = 84 pts, 46 Assists = 92 pts, +32 = 32 pts, 74 PIM�s = 17.5 pts, 167 Shots on Goal = 33.2 pts
(84+92+32+17.5+33.2 = 258.7 pts)

Yashin: 32 Goals = 128 pts, 43 Assists= 86 pts, -3 = -3 pts, 25 PIM�s 6.25 pts, 239 Shots on Goal = 47.8 pts
(128+86+(-3)+6.25+47.8 = 265.05 pts)

Under the old system Roenick had over 30% more value than Yashin, for the most part due to Roenick playing on a good line for a successful team. But under the new template, Yashin actually holds a slight advantage!!!!! First, Yashin gets rewarded for his goal scoring � which now negates the advantage Roenick held with the +/-. Even though Alexei is now no longer rewarded for the power play goals, that is made up by him firing 72 shots more on goal than Roenick. Also with simply more points being rewarded the value of Player A having a 30-point advantage over Player B is now diminished.

MUST HAVE

Peter Forsberg (COL � 4120) � Eighth most expensive centerman listed, but he actually is #1. Multiply his 20-game playoff totals (9 G, 18 A � where goals are harder to come by) and you have a 108-point season, that doesn�t suck.

Jason Allison (LA � 3630) � Someone who will flourish on your team with the new scoring system. Dropping from 36 to 19 goals accounted to his fall from 95 to 74 points, but was still good for a point-a-game.

Mario Lemieux (PIT � 3860) � Way overpriced last year but much more reasonable this time around. Had 35 goals in 43 games two years ago. If he can just play 60-65 and put in 40 he will be of tremendous value.

Mike Comrie (EDM � 2960) � Was a budgetary play from the start by many teams last year, and then exceeded all possible expectations. 33 goals out of 60 points works perfect with the new scoring, and still comes cheap.

Joe Thornton (BOS � 4070) � Bruins may be in for some hard times this year, but Thornton will still get his points in bunches. A 37-goal scorer two years ago, I would not be surprised to see him net a scoring title.

Sergei Fedorov (DET � 4310) � Yzerman�s rehab puts Sergei on the ice with Shanny and Hull for half the year, should be awesome early.

Robert Lang (WSH � 3500) � When last paired with Jagr scored 32 goals and 80 points, along with a +20.

BARGAINS

Saku Koivu (MTL � 2080) � You got to see him in the playoffs, so you know he can still play. I imagine he�ll get some occasional time off, but you will still get 3500-4000 type value out of Koivu.

Eric Lindros (NYR - 4130) � One of the best scoring centers on the lot, with 37 goals (and 36 assists) in 73 games last year. His +19 and 138 PIM�s round out his game. The downside of course is his concussion history which continues to be a threat to end a career at a drop of a dime.

Alexei Yashin (NYI - 4240) � Documented earlier, is also one of the best snipers at the position, scoring 72 times over the past two seasons.

Radek Bonk (OTT � 3770) � 25 goals and 70 points last years, looks like he will peak at about that level.

Daniel Briere (PHX � 1900) � Exploded in the second half of last year and wound up with 32 goals among his 60 points. Should be a great value.

OVERPRICED

Jeremy Roenick (PHI � 4560 - +32 won�t mean as much now, as the goals dropped from 34 two years earlier to 21. Coach Hitchcock�s four-line system will further cut into JR�s playing time.

SPECULATIVE PICKS

Vincent LeCavalier (TB � 2690) � Another one-time Junior phenom who hasn�t broken out yet. His drop from 67 to 37 points over the past two seasons is a product of simply having no one to click with. The assists went down from 42 to 17 while the goals only dipped from 25 to 20. If he ever used his �GET OUT OF TAMPA CARD� to good use I have a feeling Vinny would suddenly become huge.

Alyn McCauley (TOR) � Forget the 16 points in 82 games during the regular campaign � when he was buried on the fourth line. A Mats Sundin injury got him major time during the playoffs, where he exploded for 15 points in 20 games. Is still only 25, so hopefully T-O management will see the light and get him regular ice time.

Jason Spezza (OTT) � One-time top pick still appears to be buried on the fourth-line, at best. He may even end up getting another year of seasoning in the minors.