Post by MikeGrim on Oct 9, 2008 15:24:41 GMT -5
2008-2009 NHL Season Preview
by: Michael C. Grimaldi
The moment you've all been waiting for, CarltonPrescott.com's preview of the 2008-2009 NHL season. I implore you to read this if for no other reason that...it took me a really long time to write. Also, I tried to make it as simple as possible for the non diehard's to read and hopefully pick a team to watch this season. First up will be a team by team break down (their total point totals are in parentheses) then I'll pick the playoff teams and the NHL awards. So let's get to it:
Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division
Pittsburgh Penguins (102 points)- The Penguins made it to the Stanley Cup Finals before being bested by The Detroit Red Wings. While their play in the Finals didn't live up to their own expectations, the bottom line is they were out matched in experience and overall depth. Does a Cup run one season mean they now have what it takes to win it all? Ehhh...I'm not so sure. What they have in skill I think they still lack in experience and they took a big step back in the "toughness" department, and I still don't trust #1 goalie Marc-Andre Fleury. Evgeni Malki and Crosby are a great 1-2 punch, and the addition while the loss of Marian Hossa hurts, the Pens hope the additions of Ruslan Fedotenko and Miroslav Satan make up for the loss. On defence, the team is young and need Chris Letang to step up in the absence of injured Sergei Gonchar. Pittsburgh will contend for the top spot here, but I don't see "Sid the Kid's" name being engraved on Lord Stanley's Cup...not yet.
New Jersey Devils (99 points)- Year after year you look at the Devils roster and expect this to be the year they don't compete for a high seed in the playoffs. And year after year, coach after coach, they continue to be there near the middle or top of the pack at the end. How do they do it? System, the right players to fit that system...oh, and some guy named Brodeur. The Devils scored the second lowest amount of goals in the Eastern Conference last year, and, of yeah, they allowed the fewest. How long can Martin Brodeur do it? I have no idea, but much like the Yankees, I'm not counting him out anymore. You can't. He's just that good, and in my opinion, top 5...of all time. Bringing Brian Rolston back will help the offense. Can Brian Gionta reach 40 goals...or even 30 again. Zach Parise has great skills, but they need a big season from Patrick Elias as well. The young defence will get better...but none of that matters...it's all about Marty.
New York Rangers (97 points)- Wow...I watched both games the Rangers played last weekend to "officially" start the season, and this is certainly not the same Rangers team. The problem is, I, like most, don't know if that is a good thing. Jaromir Jagr is gone. So too (probably) is Brendan Shannahan. In their places are guys like Markus Naslund, Nikolai Zherdev and Wade Redden. Is this team different? Yes? Better? I don't think they are, but who knows. Chris Drury and Scott Gomez are in their second years with the team and instead of trying to figure out who they belong with, coach Tom Renney will look to see who belongs with them. Zherdev must learn to play within himself, or he will never reach his potential. Brandon Dubinsky has a surprisingly strong rookie year, but I think the Rangers are thin at forward. The defence has to be better. Mark Staal is going to be a top 4 defenceman this year and he needs to play like it or Henrik Lundqvist will have to steal the Vezina Trophy from Mr. Brodeur for the Rangers to have a shot.
Philadelphia Flyers (95 points)- The Flyers made so much change last off season, that this past summer they actually had to move backwards to fit under the salary cap. The jump the Flyers made from 56 points to 95 is virtually unheard of, but the team now has solid goaltending and 6 forward who can score at least 20. Mike Richards and Jeff Carter showed that they are the real deals. Danny Briere has to be more consistant, and if oft injured Simone Gagne can come back from concussion issues, the two show see a lot of ice time together. The only question with the Flyers is defence. They're young. They're tough. But are they that good? In my opinion, they're good...but not good enough. I don't think the Flyers will take much of a step back...but they won't take much of one forward either.
New York Islanders (79 points)- The Islanders will compete...for the first pick in next years entry draft. Two of their top six scorers are gone and while they have some young talent, you can't expect Rick DiPietro to blossom into a top 5 goalie if he's playing behind players who couldn't get contracts with other teams and young players, most with limited upside. More dysfunction in the front office and a coaching change won't help matters. If you need a reason to watch the Islanders, keep an eye on 19 year old rookie Kyle Okposo. If the Islanders are committed to a youth movement, Okposo will be at the center of it.
Northeast Division
Montreal Canadians (104 points)- The Canadians are a fast, skilled, high power team with a star in the making goalie, Carey Price. They added some grit (Georges Laraque) and some experience (Robert Lang), but it's the speed and puck moving game the Canadiens need to play to be successful. Price melted down in the playoffs last year, but before that had shown in the second half of the season why people think he's the next great Canadiens goalie. Price can't afford to take a step back, because they don't have anyone with experience to fall back on. The brothers Kostitsyn (Andrei and Sergei) are exciting to watch and Alexei Kovalev is still one of the most gifted players with the puck in the world. The defence may be the most skilled group at moving the puck in the league, with Andrei Markov, Matthieu Dandenault and Roman Hamrlik but I'm not crazy about them in their own zone. 100 years for a franchise is a long time and they've never waited this long for the cup...as the slogan says, "Is This The Year?"
Ottawa Senators (94 points)- Last year the Sens won 13 out of their first 14 and looked unbeatable. The rest of the season, they won 30 and lost 38. Starting goalie Ray Emery was in constant controversy last year and decided to take his pads to Russia, leaving the bulk of the load to fall on...Martin Gerber. Yes, if you say his name fast enough and with the right accent, you might mistake it for Martin Brodeur. Sadly, once you see him play, you'll realise he's not. Ottawa still boasts a very potent offense with Dany Heatly, Daniel Alfredsson and Jason Spezza; but they'll have to put up 90 points each to get the Sens back to the top in this division. The defense has a few different faces like Jason Smith and Filip Kuba, but offensively they've taken a step back on the blue line. They will block a lot of shots, but not enough.
Boston Bruins (94 points)- The Bruins were a surprise last year. After dealing away their Captain Joe Thornton two years ago, they were seemingly a team looking to rebuild, yet somehow they made the playoffs last season. I say somehow, because I honestly don't have any idea. They even beat the much more talented Canadiens in the first round of the playoffs. How did they do it? They didn't have a single 30 goal scorer (Marco Strum led the team with 27) and were -10 in goal differential. Phil Kessel needs to have a big season and show he's a top player. Marc Savard continues to be one of the best assist men in the game...but who exactly is he going to dish to? Tim Thomas was surprisingly good in net and was 4th in save percentage; but if 21 year old Finnish rookie Tuukka Rask can show he is ready to be handed the reigns, Thomas could be pushed out the door. I don't see how the Bruins can repeat the success of last year.
Buffalo Sabres (90 points)- After being picked clean in the summer of 2007, the Sabres actually did make moves this offseason to keeping some of their own players. And while that tells the fans that they will try and compete, they also didn't make any moves of consequence to get better. They added Craig Rivet at the trade deadline in exchange from Brian Campbell and brought Rivet back this year to be their Captain. There's some veteran leadership on the blue line that I like and some talented players coming into or having just reached their prime. Derek Roy and Jason Pomminville, both only 25 had very good years last season and if Tomas Vanek and Maxim Afinogenov play to their potential, the Sabres will be in the mix to reach the playoffs.
Toronto Maple Leafs (84 points)- The Leafs are a team of mystery...they have the history and the fans, but their organ-i-zation has been in disarray the past few seasons and this year, no one is quite sure who they are. For one, because they don't have their leader and Captain Mats Sundin. No one, not even Sundin knows if he'll play this season, but it's basically a fact that if he does play, it won't be for the Leafs. Sundin led the Leafs in goals and assists last year, and I don't see where they're going to make that up. Jason Blake has been a bust, though he has had to battle cancer, so that's never easy to do. Nik Antropov is the poster boy for big skilled Russians with not much heart. Add to that, going with the goalie tandem of Vesa Toskala and 41 year old Curtis Joseph. Their defense is pretty decent, and the team sees it as a strength...but with Ottawa and Montreal in this division, they'll need great play from in their own zone.
Southeast Division
Washington Capitals (94 points)- Last season, before the calendar had even turned to 2008, the Caps seemed dead and buried. A coaching change and strong play from rookie Niklas Backstrom and eventual Hart Trophy (MVP) winner Alexander Ovechkin lead the Caps on a final stretch run that saw them win 11 of their last 12 games, led by stellar the goaltending of trade deadline acquisition, Cristobal Huet. Huet has departed and so has Olaf Kolzig, who had been the face of the Caps for 13 years. The Capitals will turn to veteran Jose Theodore to stop the pucks. Young defenceman Mike Green is a stud one of the best offensive defencemen in the league. If you can stop Ovechkin, you stop the Caps. They Flyers proved that in the playoffs last year. But the question is, can anyone really stop him?
Carolina Hurricanes (92 points)- After winning the Cup three years ago, the Canes have not made the playoffs. This season, the team will look pretty much the same as last year and have to hope the Cam Ward finds the form that helped him lead this team to the ultimate prize in sports. Eric Staal is a tremendous player and while his numbers have been down since his rookie year (the Cup year, where he scored 45g 55a), there's no reason to believe if the team plays better, he'll be right back near the top of the league in points. The rest of this team feels like they're retreads. Tuomo Ruutu came over in a deal with the Blackhawks, but still has never reached the potential of a star power forward. Sergei Samsanov, after being waived by two teams last year, put up 32 points in his final 38 games with Carolina. At 38, Rod Brind'Amour looks to comeback from a lost season where he had reconstructive knee surgery. The Hurricanes must get off to a good start.
Florida Panthers (85 points)- The Panthers are a mystery to me. I don't really know where this team is going. They traded their Captain Olli Jokinen to Phoenix for a couple of decent defencemen, Keith Ballard and Nick Boynton and also added Bryan McCabe to their blue line, so they appear strong there. The subtraction of Jokinen from their forwards though leaves big questions as to where there goals will come from. Nathan Horton put up 27 goals last year, but Stephen Weiss and David Booth have to show that they are big time scorers, or this team will be near the bottom in the offensive department. Tomas Vokun, who had to be considered a disappointment after coming over from Nashville, will have to prove is can be a #1 goalie if this team is to come close to sniffing the playoffs.
Atlanta Thrashers (76 points)- Two years ago at the trade deadline, the Thrashers, who had never made the playoffs, went all in and cashed out a lot of chips to make a run. They made the playoffs and then were swept out by the Rangers. Last season, they took the opposite approach, dealing Marian Hossa to Pittsburgh for some chips back. The Thrashers have two of the more dynamic young players at their respective positions in left wing Ilya Kovalchuk and defenceman Tobias Enstrom. Rookie d-man Zach Bogosian, the 3rd overall selection in this years draft will start the season with the team, and why not? Let's just hope he's not on the ice when Kovalchuk is on the ice, because if he is, as great as Kovalchuk's offensive skill is, he doesn't play defense.
Tampa Bay Lightning (71 points)- The Bolts finished last season tied for the lowest amount of points in the entire league, giving them the chance to select Steven Stamkos 1st overall in the draft. Stamkos will play for the Lightning, and actually already has. The kid has skills and will put the puck in the net probably 15-20 times this year. The team also has been completely overhauled from ownership to GM to the coach. Barry Melrose steps back behind the bench to try and take a talented group of young players back to respectability. Melrose will preach tough and aggressive play that will allow Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis to press the other team on the rush, however it will leave a young and questionable defence susceptible and the coach seems okay with that. Dan Boyle is gone to San Jose and in return, they got Matt Carle, 24, who will be asked to become a leader on the blue line. Last year at the deadline the Bolts traded star forward Brad Richards to Dallas, one of the players they got in return was goalie Mike Smith, who will handle the brunt of the load this season. If he can't, they signed Olaf Kolzig as insurance. The Lighting already have lost their first two games, both 2-1 losses to the Rangers in games in the Czech Republic.
Western Conference
Central Division
Detroit Red Wings (115 points)- To steal the idea behind a Lewis Black joke about the easiest job in the world is being the weather person in San Diego, CA (Q: "what's the weather going to be like today Lou?" A: "...Nice...Back to you.")...Q: How will the Detroit Red Wings do this year? A) Very Well...back to you. The Red Wings are the current, reigning and defending Stanley Cup Champions. They have won the cup 4 out of the last 11 times it's has been awarded. This is not your older brother's Red Wings team. Instead of being led by North Americans and Russians, they are mostly led by Swedes, 8 of them in fact. That cast of Swedes is led by 6 time Norris Trophy winner Niklas Lidstrom. Lidstrom, 38, is entering his 17th NHL season (all with the wings and has won the Norris 6 out of the last 7 times, and showed no slow in his abilities last season. Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk (a non-Swede) are the leaders on offense, but both play a very solid two way game and that is why the Wings are just so damn good. Much like the Devils, they have a system and players that fit the system excel in it. Unlike a lot of teams that have long time stretches at the top, the Wings produce and find young talent and replenish their roster better than any other team in sports, and the players keep coming. Datsyuk and Zetterberg were a hell of a two some as it were, and then last season,, basically out of nowhere, Johan Franzen, yet another Swede, stepped in up to score 27 goals and tally 6 game winning goals in the month of March alone. "The Mule" (tee hee) is just another example of why the Red Wings presence a lot the West doesn't appear to be ending any time soon.
Nashville Predators (91 points)- Two years ago Nashville showed all the signs of a team that was not only in the process of rebuilding, but possibly collapsing as a franchise and yet Nashville still (barely) qualified) for the playoffs. This season, nothing has really been resolved in terms of the franchise status. They're still hemorrhaging money, having a tough time reaching season ticket sales that would keep them in Nashville, and they continue to lose players. Nashville's problem is that they have been too...average. They're never bad, thus rarely do they get a high enough pick to draft a "game changer." Head coach Barry Trotz is entering his 10th season behind the bench. That's an amazing amount of time to stay in one place. Nashville has an good core of young blue liners in Dan Hamhuis, Ryan Sutter and Shea Weber as well as veteran Greg de Vries, but the lost Marek Zidlicki who led the defence in points last year. The forwards are actually a verteran group led by Steve Sullivan, Jason Arnott, Radek Bonk, David Legwand, Martin Erat and JP Dumont. Just typing those names, that's a pretty damn good list of players, all who can easily score 20 goals. The big question is in goal, where Dan Ellis will be the #1 unless Fin netminder Pekka Rinne can unseat him (sounds a lot like Boston, eh?). At some point you have to imagine a fire sale even though the Preds will be in the hunt for a mid to low seed in the playoffs? Is this the year?
Chicago Blackhawks (88 points)- Prepared to be bored with info, as we finally have reach my team. Yes, the Blackhawks. Maybe you've heard about the return of competent hockey in the Windy City, but if you haven't, here's the short of it: Penny pinching asshole owner Bill Wirtz died one year ago. His son Rocky took over the team and started to reverse all the shitty things his dad did that alienated one of the US stronger base of fans. All 82 games will be available for the fans to watch on TV. Bill Wirtz didn't allow home games on TV because he thought it hurt ticket sales. Hawk legends, Bobby Hull, Stan Makita and Tony Espositio, who had all been allowed to be forgoten in the city by Wirtz because of his grudge holding ways, all returned to become "ambassadors" to the team to bring back the fans who felt the teams they rooted for as children had tossed their heros out with the trash. Add to that promotions wiz John McDounough coming over from the Cubs, and the Blackhawks actually started marketing the team and ticket sales and interest soared. As for the team itself? Rookie Patrick Kane won the Calder (Rookie of the Year) Tropy and teammate Joanthan Toews was a runner up. Patrick Sharp developed into a real sniper, putting up a career high 36 goals. The Hawks missed the playoffs by 4 points a season ago. This year, they have subracted two 20 goal scorers (Jason Williams and Robert Lang) but hope that Dave Bolland and Jack Skille are ready to contribute big numbers. The Hawks have a plethora of good young forwards in the system and will only get better, but fans and the team are determined to make the playoffs this season. The Hawks made one of the biggest splashes in free agency signing All Star puck moving defenceman Brian Campbell. Campbell had a great season split between Buffalo and San Jose last year and will be expected to help the Hawks dismal power play unit. Along with fellow All Star Duncan Kieth as well as Brent Seabrook and Cam Barker, the Hawks boast one of the most talented and skilled young defence in the entire league. In goal, after the lock out a few years back, the Hawks signed Stanley Cup winning netminder Nikolai Khabibulin. The "Bulin Wall" never showed it in Chicago, and due to make almost $7 million in this, the final year of his deal, the Hawks are actively looking to move him. In his place, Critobal Huet was signed as a free agent and after a tremendous run leading the caps to the playoffs last season, will be expected to do the same for the Hawks. If the Hawks can rid themselves of Khabibulin an his salary, expect...tell me if you've heard this before, young Antti Niemi to take the back up role. Where is Niemi from? Finland, of course. The Blackhawks are an exciting, young, talented team; but if they are to make the playoffs they'll need a healthy Martin Havlat, continued improvement from d-man turned winger Dustin Byfuglien. Sharp has to stay at the level he reached, and Toews (the new Captian) and Kane cannot have sophmore slumps. It's a lot to ask of this team...but I think they'll do it.
Columbus Blue Jackets (80 points)- After a few injury plagued season, Rich Nash established himself again as one of the top power forwards in the game. The 6'4 216lb Nash has the size to battle through checks and some of the best hands for a big man since Mario. The problem for the Jackets is, they don't really have much behind him. They have good team speed at the forward position, but not a whole lot of proven entities. RJ Umberger comes over from Philadelphia, only to realise he'll be in the same division with new Blackhawk Brian Campbell and...well...please, if you have never seen this video...just watch. Nikolai Zherdev is gone, and first round pick Nikita Filatov will begin his pro career in in the AHL. The Jackets D is could be decent, having aquired Fedor Tyutin (Emilenenko wasn't available) and Christian Backman from the Rangers for Zherdev. 21 year old Khris Russell didn't have a tremendous rookie year, but I like this kid and think he'll be good. The Jackets best weapon other than Nash though, is goalie Pascal Leclaire who had 9 shut outs last season. I think the Jackets might be a little better this year...but just a little and not enough to crack the top 8 in the west.
St. Louis Blues (79 points)- The Blues have been in rebuilding mode for a few years now, but they still haven't seemed to turn the corner and sadly, the team's best young player, defenceman Erik Johnson has suffered an ACL and MCL tear which will most likely mean he won't be seeing the ice this season. Johnson was on the verge of establishing himself among the leagues elite, and this is such a major setback for both him and the team. Brad Boyes had a major breakout season last year tallying 43 goals after just 17 the previous season, while veteran Paul Karyia led the team in points. 20 year old David Perron is very highly thought of by the organization and will be needed to put up better than his 27 points a year ago. Manny Legace and Chris Mason will probably split duties in goal, but Legace had a good year last season and may be one of the most likeable people in all the NHL. Yet another young Fin goalie, Hannu Toivenen is lurking...seriously, what is going on over there in Finland? Expect the Blues to be big sellers this season with players like Keith Tkachuk and Karyia being moved. 4th overall pick in this years draft, 18 year old defenceman Alex Pietrangelo will start the season on the big club and with Johnson's injury, probably expected to contribute.
Northwest Division
Minnesota Wild (98 Points)- The Wild are a Jacques Lemire coached team...so you know they will play smart and a solid defensive game. Minneosta is lef offensivly by super skilled forward Marian Gaborik, but Gaborik is in the final year of his contract and the team failed to meet their deadline to re-sign him before the season starts. In other words, the Wild better win, or Gaborik could be on the market. Of course, the Wild probably will win enough to prevent that. They did lose Captian Brian Rolston, and that could hurt the offence. They do have some vets who have put up numbers in years past like Owen Nolan and Mark Parrish, but neither of those guys has looked very good the past few seasons. They will hope to get a spark from son of Islanders legend Clark Gillies, "Classic" Colton Gillies, but expect this to be more of the typical Jacques Lemaire team than it was last season. Surprisingly, the Wild are led in net by a Fin, Nicklas Backstrom who is one of the best young goalies in the league. The Wild should be a solid system oriented team. They'll hit, they scrap and they'll score...well, they'll score enough...most nights.
Colorado Avalanche (95 points)- Joe Sakic has decided to return to the Avs for at least one more season. Peter Forsberg still hasn't retired or commited to coming back. The Avs inability to turn the page on the past is what seperates them from Detroit. Yes, the Avs have a few very good young players that includes Paul Stastny who put up 71 points last season. Wojtek Wolski and Marek Svatos should also be big contriibuters for many years to come. Milan Hejduk is back and continues to put up big goal numbers, but unlike the Wings, I think time will catch up to the Avs this season. Injuries to older players killed them last year. Ryan Smyth was signed to a big free agent deal, but most wonder if he can be the player he was in Edmonton. Darcy Tucker? Really? The defence is ify at best and if Andrew Raycroft is the best they have in goal, the Avs very well could be on the outside looking in the spring. Too many teams have improved...the Avs have just gotten older.
Calgary Flames (94 points)- The Flames decided to shake things up a bit this off season and deal Alex Tanguay in a 3 team deal, reciving Mike Cammalleri from the LA Kings. Cammalleri scored 10 goals in his first 10 games last year, but then put up just 9 goals in 53 next games. The Flames are all about 3 players...the good thing for them, they all play different positions Jerome Iginla is the best player in hockey IMO...Maybe one day soon Crosby or Ovechkin will be, but right now Iginla is in his prime and showing no signs of slowing. Defensivly, the Flames have big hitter and future Norris winner, Dion Phaneuf. Phaneuf put up 17 goals and 43 assists and is one of the most feared hitters in the game. In net, the Flames have Mikka Kiprusoff (enough with the Finnish GOALIES ALREADY!!!), who led them to the Stanley Cup Finals against Tampa right before the lockout. Kiprusoff has never gotten back to that truly elite level of play, but on any night, he's capable of doing so. Todd Bertuzzi will attempt to resurrect is career in yet another uniform and Craig Conroy and Daymon Lankow will have to continue to be above average. The West is tight, but the Flames should have the goods.
Edmonton Oilers (88 points)- The Oliers were one of three teams in the West to amass 88 points last year, and like the 88 point Blackhawks they feel a playoff berth is within their grasp this season. After appearing in the Cup final 3 seasons ago, things fell apart in Edmonton Still, they managed to regroup quickly and last year they have a good group of young skilled players. Ales Hemsky led the team with 71 points and most blossom into a 30+ goal scorer for this team to make the playoffs. Sam Gagner enters his second NHL season after a very respectable rookie campagin at the age of 18. Eric Cole has come over from Carolina and hopes to add some leadership to this young squad. Robert Nilsson and Dustin Penner are two players the Oil hope step up as well. YouTube sensation Robbie Schremp attempts to bring these skills to the NHL. Dwayne Roloson will be the goalie and that, along with youth may be the Oilers' biggest challenge to overcome.
Vancouver Canucks (88 points)- After having some tremendous regular seasons over the past 7 years, the Caucks will be lucky if they can challenge for anything more than finishing last in the Conference. They still have, probably the best goalie in the game in Roberto Luongo and he will be put to the test this season. The Sedin twins are in their cotract years, and if the Canucks don't stay in the playoff hunt, could take their show to another team before the trade deadline. And as good as Luongo is, they have high hopes for young Corey Schnieder and it wouldn't be out of the question to see Loungo moved for the 4th time in his career. Their defense has been anchored for a while now by Mattias Ohlund and Sami Salo, but that could change as well. Trevor Linden has retired, and it may be time the Canucks retire to the rebulding stage of their franchise.
Pacific Divison
San Jose Sharks (108 points)- The Sharks are re-tooled on defence, having lost mid season auqisition Brian Campbell to free agency, the traded Matt Carle to Tampa Bay for Dan Boyle and also signed veteran Rob Blake. Just like the last two seasons, the Sharks are going for it all. After finishing second in the conference but bowing out in the second round, the Sharks fired their coach Ron Wilson and he's been replaced by Todd McClellan. They still have th bite up front (get it?) with Joe Thornton, Milan Michalek, Jonathan Cheechoo and Patrick Marleau, but after that could struggle to find offense. Jeremey Roenick had an unexpectedly solid year and has been brought back. The defense is pretty deep and at any time goalie Evgeni Nabakov can be on of the best in the world. The Sharks will fight for the #1 spot in the west, but have to be careful, because they are thin up front and injuries to even one of those players could have them fighting for their playoff lives.
Anaheim Ducks (102 points)- A year after winning it all, the Ducks spent much of the early part of last season waiting to see if Teemu Selanne and Scott Niedermayer would decide to come back and play. Eventually, they both did come back and helped the Ducks make the playoffs and a push at the division. Niedermayer is back with the team this year to star, but Selanne is still weighing his options. Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry are the two younger stars the team needs to reach potential, while Chris Pronger will continue to stead the blue line. Behind Pronger, the Ducks aren't very deep though and that's all the more reason Jean-Sebastin Gigure needs to be at Cup winning level again. The Ducks could be a team to reckon with or they could be a high priced team that can't make the right moves it needs to because of salary cap issues.
Dallas Stars (97 points)- For a long time I found the Stars to be a boring, late 90's dump and trap team. Last year, the Stars made some major changes including adding Brett Hull to their front office as co-GM. Hull shook things up and made a big trade with Tampa Bay, bring talented scorer Brad Richards in. Richards, along with the "still at it" Mike Modano will lead a much more fiesty and gritty team than in years past. The Stars signed known pest Sean Avery away from the Rangers, and add Avery to Joel Ott and Brendan Morrow and you have what makes for a team that will be no fun to play. Marty Turco is a bit of a nut job himself and has to keep his head about him for the Stars to reach the potential most are predicting them to have, because the defense isn't great. I have never liked the Stars. I never thought they should have moved from Minnesota and for years, that fact alone pissed me off enough to sleep on them. This year, I'm going to watch this team with new eyes. If nothing else, they should be a fun team to watch.
Phoenix Coyotes (83 points)- The 'yotes will be an interesting team this year under coach Wayne Gretzky. I love the game of Peter Mueller, who had a very good rookie year (22g 32a) and is only 20. Other young studs at forward could be 19 year old rookie Kyle Turris and 21 year old Martin Hanzal. Phoneix added perennial All Star center Olli Jokinen but were forced to thin out their blue line to do so. Ed Jovanaski and Derek Morris will be expected to lead on defence that otherwise is inexperienced. Mid-season aquisition Ilya Bryzgalov will have a full season in the desert to prove he is a true number 1 goalie. Despite a reasonably new arena in Glendale, AZ, the Coyotes are a team that needs to have a good year and garner fans interest, or I wouldn't expect the team to remain there for too much longer. The Coyotes are improved and will score goals but a playoff run would surpise me.
Los Angeles Kings (71 points)- While many teams have had issues trying to get under the salary cap before the season starts, the Kings have had to reach the floor of the cap. This is another very young team, that could be good but more than likely not be in the hunt. Anze Kopitar is a star and could I don't see why this guy won't score 50 goals in a season soon. 23 year old Dustin Brown came out of nowhere to put up a team leading 33 goals, but to project that again is a tough thing to do. The subtraction of Mike Cammalleri leaves a hole, and the Kings hope veteran Jaret Stoll can provideo some verteran leadership. Jack Johnson (not the singer/surfer) has a huge upside, but in 74 games last season only put up 3 goals and 8 assists and was a -19, second worst on the team. Goaltending is also a major issue, as Jason LaBarbera will look to start most games, who I like only because he's got an "nWo" gimmick on his mask. Sadly, he plays like the late 90's nWo Black more than the Hogan/Nash/Hall nWo.
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So now that's I've previewed each team, he's a look at my predictions for how each Conference will pan out:
Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division Northeast Division Southeast Division
1. Pittsburgh (y) 1. Montreal (z) 1. Carolina (y)
2. NY Rangers (x) 2. Ottawa (x) 2. Washington (x)
3. Philadelphia (x) 3. Buffalo 3. Tampa Bay
4. NJ Devils (x) 4. Toronto 4. Florida
5. NY Islanders 5. Boston 5. Atlanta
Western Conference
Central Divison Northwest Division Pacific Division
1. Detroit (z) 1. Calgary (y) 1. San Jose (y)
2. Chicago (x) 2. Minnesota (x) 2. Dallas (x)
3. Nashville 3. Edmonton (x) 3. Phoenix (x)
4. Columbus 4. Colorado 4. Anaheim
5. St. Louis 5. Vancouver 5. Los Angeles
x- playoff team
y- division winner
z- best record in conference
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Other Predictions:
Stanley Cup Champions- Montreal Canadiens (over Detroit Red Wings)
Hard Trophy (MVP)- Jerome Iginla (CGY)
Vezina Trophy (Best Goalie)- Henrik Lundqvist (NYR)
Calder Trophy (Rookie of the Year)- Steven Stamkos (TAM)
Norris Trophy (Best Defenseman)- Dion Phanuef (CGY)
Lady Bing (Most Gentlemanly Player)- Pavel Datsyuk (DET)
Selke Trophy (Best Defensive Forward)- Pavel Datsyuk (DET)
Jack Adams Award (Best Coach)- Mike Babcock (DET)
by: Michael C. Grimaldi
The moment you've all been waiting for, CarltonPrescott.com's preview of the 2008-2009 NHL season. I implore you to read this if for no other reason that...it took me a really long time to write. Also, I tried to make it as simple as possible for the non diehard's to read and hopefully pick a team to watch this season. First up will be a team by team break down (their total point totals are in parentheses) then I'll pick the playoff teams and the NHL awards. So let's get to it:
Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division
Pittsburgh Penguins (102 points)- The Penguins made it to the Stanley Cup Finals before being bested by The Detroit Red Wings. While their play in the Finals didn't live up to their own expectations, the bottom line is they were out matched in experience and overall depth. Does a Cup run one season mean they now have what it takes to win it all? Ehhh...I'm not so sure. What they have in skill I think they still lack in experience and they took a big step back in the "toughness" department, and I still don't trust #1 goalie Marc-Andre Fleury. Evgeni Malki and Crosby are a great 1-2 punch, and the addition while the loss of Marian Hossa hurts, the Pens hope the additions of Ruslan Fedotenko and Miroslav Satan make up for the loss. On defence, the team is young and need Chris Letang to step up in the absence of injured Sergei Gonchar. Pittsburgh will contend for the top spot here, but I don't see "Sid the Kid's" name being engraved on Lord Stanley's Cup...not yet.
New Jersey Devils (99 points)- Year after year you look at the Devils roster and expect this to be the year they don't compete for a high seed in the playoffs. And year after year, coach after coach, they continue to be there near the middle or top of the pack at the end. How do they do it? System, the right players to fit that system...oh, and some guy named Brodeur. The Devils scored the second lowest amount of goals in the Eastern Conference last year, and, of yeah, they allowed the fewest. How long can Martin Brodeur do it? I have no idea, but much like the Yankees, I'm not counting him out anymore. You can't. He's just that good, and in my opinion, top 5...of all time. Bringing Brian Rolston back will help the offense. Can Brian Gionta reach 40 goals...or even 30 again. Zach Parise has great skills, but they need a big season from Patrick Elias as well. The young defence will get better...but none of that matters...it's all about Marty.
New York Rangers (97 points)- Wow...I watched both games the Rangers played last weekend to "officially" start the season, and this is certainly not the same Rangers team. The problem is, I, like most, don't know if that is a good thing. Jaromir Jagr is gone. So too (probably) is Brendan Shannahan. In their places are guys like Markus Naslund, Nikolai Zherdev and Wade Redden. Is this team different? Yes? Better? I don't think they are, but who knows. Chris Drury and Scott Gomez are in their second years with the team and instead of trying to figure out who they belong with, coach Tom Renney will look to see who belongs with them. Zherdev must learn to play within himself, or he will never reach his potential. Brandon Dubinsky has a surprisingly strong rookie year, but I think the Rangers are thin at forward. The defence has to be better. Mark Staal is going to be a top 4 defenceman this year and he needs to play like it or Henrik Lundqvist will have to steal the Vezina Trophy from Mr. Brodeur for the Rangers to have a shot.
Philadelphia Flyers (95 points)- The Flyers made so much change last off season, that this past summer they actually had to move backwards to fit under the salary cap. The jump the Flyers made from 56 points to 95 is virtually unheard of, but the team now has solid goaltending and 6 forward who can score at least 20. Mike Richards and Jeff Carter showed that they are the real deals. Danny Briere has to be more consistant, and if oft injured Simone Gagne can come back from concussion issues, the two show see a lot of ice time together. The only question with the Flyers is defence. They're young. They're tough. But are they that good? In my opinion, they're good...but not good enough. I don't think the Flyers will take much of a step back...but they won't take much of one forward either.
New York Islanders (79 points)- The Islanders will compete...for the first pick in next years entry draft. Two of their top six scorers are gone and while they have some young talent, you can't expect Rick DiPietro to blossom into a top 5 goalie if he's playing behind players who couldn't get contracts with other teams and young players, most with limited upside. More dysfunction in the front office and a coaching change won't help matters. If you need a reason to watch the Islanders, keep an eye on 19 year old rookie Kyle Okposo. If the Islanders are committed to a youth movement, Okposo will be at the center of it.
Northeast Division
Montreal Canadians (104 points)- The Canadians are a fast, skilled, high power team with a star in the making goalie, Carey Price. They added some grit (Georges Laraque) and some experience (Robert Lang), but it's the speed and puck moving game the Canadiens need to play to be successful. Price melted down in the playoffs last year, but before that had shown in the second half of the season why people think he's the next great Canadiens goalie. Price can't afford to take a step back, because they don't have anyone with experience to fall back on. The brothers Kostitsyn (Andrei and Sergei) are exciting to watch and Alexei Kovalev is still one of the most gifted players with the puck in the world. The defence may be the most skilled group at moving the puck in the league, with Andrei Markov, Matthieu Dandenault and Roman Hamrlik but I'm not crazy about them in their own zone. 100 years for a franchise is a long time and they've never waited this long for the cup...as the slogan says, "Is This The Year?"
Ottawa Senators (94 points)- Last year the Sens won 13 out of their first 14 and looked unbeatable. The rest of the season, they won 30 and lost 38. Starting goalie Ray Emery was in constant controversy last year and decided to take his pads to Russia, leaving the bulk of the load to fall on...Martin Gerber. Yes, if you say his name fast enough and with the right accent, you might mistake it for Martin Brodeur. Sadly, once you see him play, you'll realise he's not. Ottawa still boasts a very potent offense with Dany Heatly, Daniel Alfredsson and Jason Spezza; but they'll have to put up 90 points each to get the Sens back to the top in this division. The defense has a few different faces like Jason Smith and Filip Kuba, but offensively they've taken a step back on the blue line. They will block a lot of shots, but not enough.
Boston Bruins (94 points)- The Bruins were a surprise last year. After dealing away their Captain Joe Thornton two years ago, they were seemingly a team looking to rebuild, yet somehow they made the playoffs last season. I say somehow, because I honestly don't have any idea. They even beat the much more talented Canadiens in the first round of the playoffs. How did they do it? They didn't have a single 30 goal scorer (Marco Strum led the team with 27) and were -10 in goal differential. Phil Kessel needs to have a big season and show he's a top player. Marc Savard continues to be one of the best assist men in the game...but who exactly is he going to dish to? Tim Thomas was surprisingly good in net and was 4th in save percentage; but if 21 year old Finnish rookie Tuukka Rask can show he is ready to be handed the reigns, Thomas could be pushed out the door. I don't see how the Bruins can repeat the success of last year.
Buffalo Sabres (90 points)- After being picked clean in the summer of 2007, the Sabres actually did make moves this offseason to keeping some of their own players. And while that tells the fans that they will try and compete, they also didn't make any moves of consequence to get better. They added Craig Rivet at the trade deadline in exchange from Brian Campbell and brought Rivet back this year to be their Captain. There's some veteran leadership on the blue line that I like and some talented players coming into or having just reached their prime. Derek Roy and Jason Pomminville, both only 25 had very good years last season and if Tomas Vanek and Maxim Afinogenov play to their potential, the Sabres will be in the mix to reach the playoffs.
Toronto Maple Leafs (84 points)- The Leafs are a team of mystery...they have the history and the fans, but their organ-i-zation has been in disarray the past few seasons and this year, no one is quite sure who they are. For one, because they don't have their leader and Captain Mats Sundin. No one, not even Sundin knows if he'll play this season, but it's basically a fact that if he does play, it won't be for the Leafs. Sundin led the Leafs in goals and assists last year, and I don't see where they're going to make that up. Jason Blake has been a bust, though he has had to battle cancer, so that's never easy to do. Nik Antropov is the poster boy for big skilled Russians with not much heart. Add to that, going with the goalie tandem of Vesa Toskala and 41 year old Curtis Joseph. Their defense is pretty decent, and the team sees it as a strength...but with Ottawa and Montreal in this division, they'll need great play from in their own zone.
Southeast Division
Washington Capitals (94 points)- Last season, before the calendar had even turned to 2008, the Caps seemed dead and buried. A coaching change and strong play from rookie Niklas Backstrom and eventual Hart Trophy (MVP) winner Alexander Ovechkin lead the Caps on a final stretch run that saw them win 11 of their last 12 games, led by stellar the goaltending of trade deadline acquisition, Cristobal Huet. Huet has departed and so has Olaf Kolzig, who had been the face of the Caps for 13 years. The Capitals will turn to veteran Jose Theodore to stop the pucks. Young defenceman Mike Green is a stud one of the best offensive defencemen in the league. If you can stop Ovechkin, you stop the Caps. They Flyers proved that in the playoffs last year. But the question is, can anyone really stop him?
Carolina Hurricanes (92 points)- After winning the Cup three years ago, the Canes have not made the playoffs. This season, the team will look pretty much the same as last year and have to hope the Cam Ward finds the form that helped him lead this team to the ultimate prize in sports. Eric Staal is a tremendous player and while his numbers have been down since his rookie year (the Cup year, where he scored 45g 55a), there's no reason to believe if the team plays better, he'll be right back near the top of the league in points. The rest of this team feels like they're retreads. Tuomo Ruutu came over in a deal with the Blackhawks, but still has never reached the potential of a star power forward. Sergei Samsanov, after being waived by two teams last year, put up 32 points in his final 38 games with Carolina. At 38, Rod Brind'Amour looks to comeback from a lost season where he had reconstructive knee surgery. The Hurricanes must get off to a good start.
Florida Panthers (85 points)- The Panthers are a mystery to me. I don't really know where this team is going. They traded their Captain Olli Jokinen to Phoenix for a couple of decent defencemen, Keith Ballard and Nick Boynton and also added Bryan McCabe to their blue line, so they appear strong there. The subtraction of Jokinen from their forwards though leaves big questions as to where there goals will come from. Nathan Horton put up 27 goals last year, but Stephen Weiss and David Booth have to show that they are big time scorers, or this team will be near the bottom in the offensive department. Tomas Vokun, who had to be considered a disappointment after coming over from Nashville, will have to prove is can be a #1 goalie if this team is to come close to sniffing the playoffs.
Atlanta Thrashers (76 points)- Two years ago at the trade deadline, the Thrashers, who had never made the playoffs, went all in and cashed out a lot of chips to make a run. They made the playoffs and then were swept out by the Rangers. Last season, they took the opposite approach, dealing Marian Hossa to Pittsburgh for some chips back. The Thrashers have two of the more dynamic young players at their respective positions in left wing Ilya Kovalchuk and defenceman Tobias Enstrom. Rookie d-man Zach Bogosian, the 3rd overall selection in this years draft will start the season with the team, and why not? Let's just hope he's not on the ice when Kovalchuk is on the ice, because if he is, as great as Kovalchuk's offensive skill is, he doesn't play defense.
Tampa Bay Lightning (71 points)- The Bolts finished last season tied for the lowest amount of points in the entire league, giving them the chance to select Steven Stamkos 1st overall in the draft. Stamkos will play for the Lightning, and actually already has. The kid has skills and will put the puck in the net probably 15-20 times this year. The team also has been completely overhauled from ownership to GM to the coach. Barry Melrose steps back behind the bench to try and take a talented group of young players back to respectability. Melrose will preach tough and aggressive play that will allow Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis to press the other team on the rush, however it will leave a young and questionable defence susceptible and the coach seems okay with that. Dan Boyle is gone to San Jose and in return, they got Matt Carle, 24, who will be asked to become a leader on the blue line. Last year at the deadline the Bolts traded star forward Brad Richards to Dallas, one of the players they got in return was goalie Mike Smith, who will handle the brunt of the load this season. If he can't, they signed Olaf Kolzig as insurance. The Lighting already have lost their first two games, both 2-1 losses to the Rangers in games in the Czech Republic.
Western Conference
Central Division
Detroit Red Wings (115 points)- To steal the idea behind a Lewis Black joke about the easiest job in the world is being the weather person in San Diego, CA (Q: "what's the weather going to be like today Lou?" A: "...Nice...Back to you.")...Q: How will the Detroit Red Wings do this year? A) Very Well...back to you. The Red Wings are the current, reigning and defending Stanley Cup Champions. They have won the cup 4 out of the last 11 times it's has been awarded. This is not your older brother's Red Wings team. Instead of being led by North Americans and Russians, they are mostly led by Swedes, 8 of them in fact. That cast of Swedes is led by 6 time Norris Trophy winner Niklas Lidstrom. Lidstrom, 38, is entering his 17th NHL season (all with the wings and has won the Norris 6 out of the last 7 times, and showed no slow in his abilities last season. Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk (a non-Swede) are the leaders on offense, but both play a very solid two way game and that is why the Wings are just so damn good. Much like the Devils, they have a system and players that fit the system excel in it. Unlike a lot of teams that have long time stretches at the top, the Wings produce and find young talent and replenish their roster better than any other team in sports, and the players keep coming. Datsyuk and Zetterberg were a hell of a two some as it were, and then last season,, basically out of nowhere, Johan Franzen, yet another Swede, stepped in up to score 27 goals and tally 6 game winning goals in the month of March alone. "The Mule" (tee hee) is just another example of why the Red Wings presence a lot the West doesn't appear to be ending any time soon.
Nashville Predators (91 points)- Two years ago Nashville showed all the signs of a team that was not only in the process of rebuilding, but possibly collapsing as a franchise and yet Nashville still (barely) qualified) for the playoffs. This season, nothing has really been resolved in terms of the franchise status. They're still hemorrhaging money, having a tough time reaching season ticket sales that would keep them in Nashville, and they continue to lose players. Nashville's problem is that they have been too...average. They're never bad, thus rarely do they get a high enough pick to draft a "game changer." Head coach Barry Trotz is entering his 10th season behind the bench. That's an amazing amount of time to stay in one place. Nashville has an good core of young blue liners in Dan Hamhuis, Ryan Sutter and Shea Weber as well as veteran Greg de Vries, but the lost Marek Zidlicki who led the defence in points last year. The forwards are actually a verteran group led by Steve Sullivan, Jason Arnott, Radek Bonk, David Legwand, Martin Erat and JP Dumont. Just typing those names, that's a pretty damn good list of players, all who can easily score 20 goals. The big question is in goal, where Dan Ellis will be the #1 unless Fin netminder Pekka Rinne can unseat him (sounds a lot like Boston, eh?). At some point you have to imagine a fire sale even though the Preds will be in the hunt for a mid to low seed in the playoffs? Is this the year?
Chicago Blackhawks (88 points)- Prepared to be bored with info, as we finally have reach my team. Yes, the Blackhawks. Maybe you've heard about the return of competent hockey in the Windy City, but if you haven't, here's the short of it: Penny pinching asshole owner Bill Wirtz died one year ago. His son Rocky took over the team and started to reverse all the shitty things his dad did that alienated one of the US stronger base of fans. All 82 games will be available for the fans to watch on TV. Bill Wirtz didn't allow home games on TV because he thought it hurt ticket sales. Hawk legends, Bobby Hull, Stan Makita and Tony Espositio, who had all been allowed to be forgoten in the city by Wirtz because of his grudge holding ways, all returned to become "ambassadors" to the team to bring back the fans who felt the teams they rooted for as children had tossed their heros out with the trash. Add to that promotions wiz John McDounough coming over from the Cubs, and the Blackhawks actually started marketing the team and ticket sales and interest soared. As for the team itself? Rookie Patrick Kane won the Calder (Rookie of the Year) Tropy and teammate Joanthan Toews was a runner up. Patrick Sharp developed into a real sniper, putting up a career high 36 goals. The Hawks missed the playoffs by 4 points a season ago. This year, they have subracted two 20 goal scorers (Jason Williams and Robert Lang) but hope that Dave Bolland and Jack Skille are ready to contribute big numbers. The Hawks have a plethora of good young forwards in the system and will only get better, but fans and the team are determined to make the playoffs this season. The Hawks made one of the biggest splashes in free agency signing All Star puck moving defenceman Brian Campbell. Campbell had a great season split between Buffalo and San Jose last year and will be expected to help the Hawks dismal power play unit. Along with fellow All Star Duncan Kieth as well as Brent Seabrook and Cam Barker, the Hawks boast one of the most talented and skilled young defence in the entire league. In goal, after the lock out a few years back, the Hawks signed Stanley Cup winning netminder Nikolai Khabibulin. The "Bulin Wall" never showed it in Chicago, and due to make almost $7 million in this, the final year of his deal, the Hawks are actively looking to move him. In his place, Critobal Huet was signed as a free agent and after a tremendous run leading the caps to the playoffs last season, will be expected to do the same for the Hawks. If the Hawks can rid themselves of Khabibulin an his salary, expect...tell me if you've heard this before, young Antti Niemi to take the back up role. Where is Niemi from? Finland, of course. The Blackhawks are an exciting, young, talented team; but if they are to make the playoffs they'll need a healthy Martin Havlat, continued improvement from d-man turned winger Dustin Byfuglien. Sharp has to stay at the level he reached, and Toews (the new Captian) and Kane cannot have sophmore slumps. It's a lot to ask of this team...but I think they'll do it.
Columbus Blue Jackets (80 points)- After a few injury plagued season, Rich Nash established himself again as one of the top power forwards in the game. The 6'4 216lb Nash has the size to battle through checks and some of the best hands for a big man since Mario. The problem for the Jackets is, they don't really have much behind him. They have good team speed at the forward position, but not a whole lot of proven entities. RJ Umberger comes over from Philadelphia, only to realise he'll be in the same division with new Blackhawk Brian Campbell and...well...please, if you have never seen this video...just watch. Nikolai Zherdev is gone, and first round pick Nikita Filatov will begin his pro career in in the AHL. The Jackets D is could be decent, having aquired Fedor Tyutin (Emilenenko wasn't available) and Christian Backman from the Rangers for Zherdev. 21 year old Khris Russell didn't have a tremendous rookie year, but I like this kid and think he'll be good. The Jackets best weapon other than Nash though, is goalie Pascal Leclaire who had 9 shut outs last season. I think the Jackets might be a little better this year...but just a little and not enough to crack the top 8 in the west.
St. Louis Blues (79 points)- The Blues have been in rebuilding mode for a few years now, but they still haven't seemed to turn the corner and sadly, the team's best young player, defenceman Erik Johnson has suffered an ACL and MCL tear which will most likely mean he won't be seeing the ice this season. Johnson was on the verge of establishing himself among the leagues elite, and this is such a major setback for both him and the team. Brad Boyes had a major breakout season last year tallying 43 goals after just 17 the previous season, while veteran Paul Karyia led the team in points. 20 year old David Perron is very highly thought of by the organization and will be needed to put up better than his 27 points a year ago. Manny Legace and Chris Mason will probably split duties in goal, but Legace had a good year last season and may be one of the most likeable people in all the NHL. Yet another young Fin goalie, Hannu Toivenen is lurking...seriously, what is going on over there in Finland? Expect the Blues to be big sellers this season with players like Keith Tkachuk and Karyia being moved. 4th overall pick in this years draft, 18 year old defenceman Alex Pietrangelo will start the season on the big club and with Johnson's injury, probably expected to contribute.
Northwest Division
Minnesota Wild (98 Points)- The Wild are a Jacques Lemire coached team...so you know they will play smart and a solid defensive game. Minneosta is lef offensivly by super skilled forward Marian Gaborik, but Gaborik is in the final year of his contract and the team failed to meet their deadline to re-sign him before the season starts. In other words, the Wild better win, or Gaborik could be on the market. Of course, the Wild probably will win enough to prevent that. They did lose Captian Brian Rolston, and that could hurt the offence. They do have some vets who have put up numbers in years past like Owen Nolan and Mark Parrish, but neither of those guys has looked very good the past few seasons. They will hope to get a spark from son of Islanders legend Clark Gillies, "Classic" Colton Gillies, but expect this to be more of the typical Jacques Lemaire team than it was last season. Surprisingly, the Wild are led in net by a Fin, Nicklas Backstrom who is one of the best young goalies in the league. The Wild should be a solid system oriented team. They'll hit, they scrap and they'll score...well, they'll score enough...most nights.
Colorado Avalanche (95 points)- Joe Sakic has decided to return to the Avs for at least one more season. Peter Forsberg still hasn't retired or commited to coming back. The Avs inability to turn the page on the past is what seperates them from Detroit. Yes, the Avs have a few very good young players that includes Paul Stastny who put up 71 points last season. Wojtek Wolski and Marek Svatos should also be big contriibuters for many years to come. Milan Hejduk is back and continues to put up big goal numbers, but unlike the Wings, I think time will catch up to the Avs this season. Injuries to older players killed them last year. Ryan Smyth was signed to a big free agent deal, but most wonder if he can be the player he was in Edmonton. Darcy Tucker? Really? The defence is ify at best and if Andrew Raycroft is the best they have in goal, the Avs very well could be on the outside looking in the spring. Too many teams have improved...the Avs have just gotten older.
Calgary Flames (94 points)- The Flames decided to shake things up a bit this off season and deal Alex Tanguay in a 3 team deal, reciving Mike Cammalleri from the LA Kings. Cammalleri scored 10 goals in his first 10 games last year, but then put up just 9 goals in 53 next games. The Flames are all about 3 players...the good thing for them, they all play different positions Jerome Iginla is the best player in hockey IMO...Maybe one day soon Crosby or Ovechkin will be, but right now Iginla is in his prime and showing no signs of slowing. Defensivly, the Flames have big hitter and future Norris winner, Dion Phaneuf. Phaneuf put up 17 goals and 43 assists and is one of the most feared hitters in the game. In net, the Flames have Mikka Kiprusoff (enough with the Finnish GOALIES ALREADY!!!), who led them to the Stanley Cup Finals against Tampa right before the lockout. Kiprusoff has never gotten back to that truly elite level of play, but on any night, he's capable of doing so. Todd Bertuzzi will attempt to resurrect is career in yet another uniform and Craig Conroy and Daymon Lankow will have to continue to be above average. The West is tight, but the Flames should have the goods.
Edmonton Oilers (88 points)- The Oliers were one of three teams in the West to amass 88 points last year, and like the 88 point Blackhawks they feel a playoff berth is within their grasp this season. After appearing in the Cup final 3 seasons ago, things fell apart in Edmonton Still, they managed to regroup quickly and last year they have a good group of young skilled players. Ales Hemsky led the team with 71 points and most blossom into a 30+ goal scorer for this team to make the playoffs. Sam Gagner enters his second NHL season after a very respectable rookie campagin at the age of 18. Eric Cole has come over from Carolina and hopes to add some leadership to this young squad. Robert Nilsson and Dustin Penner are two players the Oil hope step up as well. YouTube sensation Robbie Schremp attempts to bring these skills to the NHL. Dwayne Roloson will be the goalie and that, along with youth may be the Oilers' biggest challenge to overcome.
Vancouver Canucks (88 points)- After having some tremendous regular seasons over the past 7 years, the Caucks will be lucky if they can challenge for anything more than finishing last in the Conference. They still have, probably the best goalie in the game in Roberto Luongo and he will be put to the test this season. The Sedin twins are in their cotract years, and if the Canucks don't stay in the playoff hunt, could take their show to another team before the trade deadline. And as good as Luongo is, they have high hopes for young Corey Schnieder and it wouldn't be out of the question to see Loungo moved for the 4th time in his career. Their defense has been anchored for a while now by Mattias Ohlund and Sami Salo, but that could change as well. Trevor Linden has retired, and it may be time the Canucks retire to the rebulding stage of their franchise.
Pacific Divison
San Jose Sharks (108 points)- The Sharks are re-tooled on defence, having lost mid season auqisition Brian Campbell to free agency, the traded Matt Carle to Tampa Bay for Dan Boyle and also signed veteran Rob Blake. Just like the last two seasons, the Sharks are going for it all. After finishing second in the conference but bowing out in the second round, the Sharks fired their coach Ron Wilson and he's been replaced by Todd McClellan. They still have th bite up front (get it?) with Joe Thornton, Milan Michalek, Jonathan Cheechoo and Patrick Marleau, but after that could struggle to find offense. Jeremey Roenick had an unexpectedly solid year and has been brought back. The defense is pretty deep and at any time goalie Evgeni Nabakov can be on of the best in the world. The Sharks will fight for the #1 spot in the west, but have to be careful, because they are thin up front and injuries to even one of those players could have them fighting for their playoff lives.
Anaheim Ducks (102 points)- A year after winning it all, the Ducks spent much of the early part of last season waiting to see if Teemu Selanne and Scott Niedermayer would decide to come back and play. Eventually, they both did come back and helped the Ducks make the playoffs and a push at the division. Niedermayer is back with the team this year to star, but Selanne is still weighing his options. Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry are the two younger stars the team needs to reach potential, while Chris Pronger will continue to stead the blue line. Behind Pronger, the Ducks aren't very deep though and that's all the more reason Jean-Sebastin Gigure needs to be at Cup winning level again. The Ducks could be a team to reckon with or they could be a high priced team that can't make the right moves it needs to because of salary cap issues.
Dallas Stars (97 points)- For a long time I found the Stars to be a boring, late 90's dump and trap team. Last year, the Stars made some major changes including adding Brett Hull to their front office as co-GM. Hull shook things up and made a big trade with Tampa Bay, bring talented scorer Brad Richards in. Richards, along with the "still at it" Mike Modano will lead a much more fiesty and gritty team than in years past. The Stars signed known pest Sean Avery away from the Rangers, and add Avery to Joel Ott and Brendan Morrow and you have what makes for a team that will be no fun to play. Marty Turco is a bit of a nut job himself and has to keep his head about him for the Stars to reach the potential most are predicting them to have, because the defense isn't great. I have never liked the Stars. I never thought they should have moved from Minnesota and for years, that fact alone pissed me off enough to sleep on them. This year, I'm going to watch this team with new eyes. If nothing else, they should be a fun team to watch.
Phoenix Coyotes (83 points)- The 'yotes will be an interesting team this year under coach Wayne Gretzky. I love the game of Peter Mueller, who had a very good rookie year (22g 32a) and is only 20. Other young studs at forward could be 19 year old rookie Kyle Turris and 21 year old Martin Hanzal. Phoneix added perennial All Star center Olli Jokinen but were forced to thin out their blue line to do so. Ed Jovanaski and Derek Morris will be expected to lead on defence that otherwise is inexperienced. Mid-season aquisition Ilya Bryzgalov will have a full season in the desert to prove he is a true number 1 goalie. Despite a reasonably new arena in Glendale, AZ, the Coyotes are a team that needs to have a good year and garner fans interest, or I wouldn't expect the team to remain there for too much longer. The Coyotes are improved and will score goals but a playoff run would surpise me.
Los Angeles Kings (71 points)- While many teams have had issues trying to get under the salary cap before the season starts, the Kings have had to reach the floor of the cap. This is another very young team, that could be good but more than likely not be in the hunt. Anze Kopitar is a star and could I don't see why this guy won't score 50 goals in a season soon. 23 year old Dustin Brown came out of nowhere to put up a team leading 33 goals, but to project that again is a tough thing to do. The subtraction of Mike Cammalleri leaves a hole, and the Kings hope veteran Jaret Stoll can provideo some verteran leadership. Jack Johnson (not the singer/surfer) has a huge upside, but in 74 games last season only put up 3 goals and 8 assists and was a -19, second worst on the team. Goaltending is also a major issue, as Jason LaBarbera will look to start most games, who I like only because he's got an "nWo" gimmick on his mask. Sadly, he plays like the late 90's nWo Black more than the Hogan/Nash/Hall nWo.
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So now that's I've previewed each team, he's a look at my predictions for how each Conference will pan out:
Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division Northeast Division Southeast Division
1. Pittsburgh (y) 1. Montreal (z) 1. Carolina (y)
2. NY Rangers (x) 2. Ottawa (x) 2. Washington (x)
3. Philadelphia (x) 3. Buffalo 3. Tampa Bay
4. NJ Devils (x) 4. Toronto 4. Florida
5. NY Islanders 5. Boston 5. Atlanta
Western Conference
Central Divison Northwest Division Pacific Division
1. Detroit (z) 1. Calgary (y) 1. San Jose (y)
2. Chicago (x) 2. Minnesota (x) 2. Dallas (x)
3. Nashville 3. Edmonton (x) 3. Phoenix (x)
4. Columbus 4. Colorado 4. Anaheim
5. St. Louis 5. Vancouver 5. Los Angeles
x- playoff team
y- division winner
z- best record in conference
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Other Predictions:
Stanley Cup Champions- Montreal Canadiens (over Detroit Red Wings)
Hard Trophy (MVP)- Jerome Iginla (CGY)
Vezina Trophy (Best Goalie)- Henrik Lundqvist (NYR)
Calder Trophy (Rookie of the Year)- Steven Stamkos (TAM)
Norris Trophy (Best Defenseman)- Dion Phanuef (CGY)
Lady Bing (Most Gentlemanly Player)- Pavel Datsyuk (DET)
Selke Trophy (Best Defensive Forward)- Pavel Datsyuk (DET)
Jack Adams Award (Best Coach)- Mike Babcock (DET)