Anaheim- it seems a while ago now that Anaheim won their first Stanley cup. They are still reeling after a shocking first round exit to Dallas. And I have to say, don't expect Anaheim to set the world on fire this year. Sure they'll make the playoffs, but their veteran core is getting older and older, so I see them finishing around 5th or 6th in the conference. Expect a big year from Ryan Getzlaf though.
Atlanta- Atlanta is still laughing from the deal they pulled of with Pittsburgh at the deadline last year. But with no support, don't expect Kovalchuk to be able to get it done by himself. This is still a young team, who I see finishing near the bottom of the east. Look for a big year out of Tobias Enstrom, though. Also Atlanta needs to figure out who is going to be their dependable no. 1 goalie, otherwise they will be going down the drain real fast.
Boston- I really like this team's toughness. They pushed the powerhouse Canadiens to a 7th game last year, and expect the same kind of effort this year. My only issue with them would be goaltending. Tim Thomas is not the guy who will get you to the cup finals. They better hope that Fernandez can come through for them. I like this team, especially with a healthy Bergeron, and expect them to finish around 6th or 7th in the conference. Look for another big year for Savard, and a great sophmore season from David Krejci.
Buffalo- This team has been devestated over the last few years, because it seems that no one wants to play there, or Buffalo can not afford them. Expect this young team to score a lot of goals, but don't expect them to make the playoffs, mainly because of their defense. Expect a big year from Derek Roy. I think they will finish around 9th in the East.
Calgary- I really like the way this team is going. If Kiprusoff can solve his problems with Mike Keenan and post numbers similar to the ones he posted in 04, expect the Flames to be a cup contender. Expect Iginla to mesh nicely with Cammeleri, who will benefit from having larger linemates who can do some of the dirty work. I expect the Flames will win their division and finish 2nd or 3rd in the Conference. Expect a big year from Mike Cammaleri and a Norris-worthy season from Dion Phaneuf.
Carolina- No one really knows what happened to this team. They really came out of no where to win the cup in 06, and have fallen back into obscurity. I don't expect they'll make the playoffs, unless Ward does something spectacular. I expect them to finish 9th or 10th in the east. Expect a nice season from Patrick Eaves.
Chicago- Many new NHL fans (or old ones for that matter) have fallen in love with the young, talented, Blackhawks. This team has a dynamic young core that includes the likes of Toews, Kane, Barker, and Seabrook, along with capable veterans like Campbell, Sharp, and Havlat, who are still relatively young themselves. Now don't expect Chicago to be able to compete with Detroit for the division title, but expect them to make the playoffs, probably around 7th or 8th in the West. Expect a big year from Toews as he bounces back from an injury, as well as a good campaign from Nik Khabibulin.
Colorado- This team could be good, or they could be terrible- it really depends. It depends on whether Sakic and Forsberg play, it depends on whether this team can play defense, and it depends on whether Peter Budaj can be a solid No. 1 goalie. This team has too many "i
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4 comments Last one added 9 months ago — Leave a Comment
Nate Santoianni 10 months ago
I personally like that people are underestimating Columbus. You all seem to be judging us on the off-season additions to the team (Umberger, Huselius,... not many mention our D upgrades) but nobody seems to take into account other factors.
1 - Hitch's system is now a year older, players have a better understanding of what is expected, and we've shed a lot of baggage. Z was a straight crapshoot every game, Veebs forgot how to play, we had Peca playing #1 center at times...
2 - No one is mentioning our prospects who are expected to make an impact. I'm not even talking about Filatov here. He may make the team. Voracek is the guy i'm putting money on. The kid had a dynamite season in the Q last year and has put on 25 lbs of muscle in the off-season (which he has spent in Columbus with fellow prospect Derick Brassard)
Keep on doubting - we'll finally make the playoffs this year.
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Nate Santoianni 10 months ago
Same thing for Phoenix - Don't forget that Kyle Turris is set to play this year. He managed a few games last year and was centering the top line. I wouldn't be surprised if the West playoff seeds looked like this:
Detroit
Dallas
Colorado
San Jose
Chicago
Phoenix
Vancouver
Columbus
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Seth 9 months ago
The Islanders veterans are without a doubt aging and have seen their best days behind them. However, with a healthy DiPietro, an underrated defensive corp. when healthy possesses both shutdown defense and an offensive threat with the likes of Campoli and Streit. Add young talent like Comeau, Okposo, Frans Nielsen, Jeff Tambellini and Sean Bergenheim, the Islanders might be more of a factor than you think. This is coming from a huge Isles fan, but we have all seen how young players can spark a rejuvenation in aging players, and I wouldn't be SHOCKED if this were the case on the Island this season.
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Evan Radtke 9 months ago
I have really high hopes for Dallas, i believe that the confidence within the team is incredibly high due to their amazing playoff run last year. There is no aspect of a great team that they are missing, they have great D, offense, and goaltending, with great veterans like Zubov, Modano and even Boucher and Robidas, young guns such as Niskanen and Brunnstrom and Marty Turco, who shocked everyone in the 2008 playoffs. and we can't forget about the heart of the team, Morrow, Ribero, Ott, Richards, and the aquisition of Sean Avery, i believe that the Dallas Stars can compete for the number one spot in the west (and league possibly), that is if everyone can stay healthy.
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