More NHL Season Previews

ESPN has their NHL season preivew up. Here are some snippets:

Question: Are the changes to the Blue Jackets' lineup enough to get them in the playoffs for the first time?

Answer: Sorry, but not quite. Howson has taken important steps to change the makeup of the team, but he still lacks a proven point producer on the back end and might not have the No. 1 center he needs to get maximum production from Nash. There is also a concern about the lack of secondary scoring. Close, but no cigar, in the ultracompetitive Western Conference.

There is a lot more in this preview, and they—unlike many of the other previews we've read—actually get most of their facts straight on the Jackets.

ESPN also makes their predictions for individual trophies, division, conference, and Cup champs. Not to worry, no Jackets to be found in any of these lists.

The hockey Buckeyes rolled over York 9-3 on Saturday in an exhibition match. Sophomore co-captain Zach Pelletier had a hat trick. Many Buckeye forwards attributed to the scoring including highly touted freshman Zac Dalpe who added a goal.

They'll play their first-regular season game at home versus Miami this Friday. If you follow college hockey and would like to see what the latest is with the Miami Redhawks, be sure to check out this blog as the auther does a fantastic job with it.

The Lightning owners contine to boost their fantasy team. They shipped their toughest D-man in Shane O'Brien with winger Michel Ouelet to Vancouver for Lukas Krajicek and a minor league forward Juraj Simek. This as the Rangers took two games from the Lightning this past weekend in Europe.

Sounds pretty knee-jerk to me. O'Brien should make the Canucks top six that much tougher, while Krajicek should help out the Lightning owners' fantasy league.

-LTL