Olaf Kolzig

Kolzig actually didn't perform as poorly as predicted in front of the Washington's horrendous defense last season, putting up a respectable 15-14-6 record, 3.12 goals-against-average, and 90.9 save percentage at home in 2005-06. Unfortunately, he and the young Capitals were torched on the road, where he allowed 4.15 goals per game. The team finished next-to-last in goals allowed last season, and their only offseason addition on the back line was Brian Pothier, who padded his numbers playing behind a dominant Ottawa offense last season. While the team waits for their young defensemen to continue to develop, the 2000 Vezina Trophy winner will turn 37 during the season. Expect Kolzig to finish with similar or only slightly better numbers than last season.

While it's easy to love Olie the Goalie, the 2000 Vezina Trophy winner cracked at time under the constant pressure he faced in 2003-04. Washington's porous defense buckled often, causing his goals-against-average to jump from 2.40 to 2.89 and his record to drop from 33-25-6 to 19-35-9. While Kolzig is a lock to put up a solid save percentage, don't look for much in the way of wins from him this season, and his goals against could take a tremendous hit with the young and motley defensive crüe that should be playing in front of him in 2005-06.