As we're just 48-hours away from the North American start of the 2008-09 NHL season, and I just wrapped up the season previews with the Toronto Maple Leafs, I figured it was a fine time to recap.
Side note: I don't think I've ever done one of these so early, but the season isn't 48 hours away if you're just reading this now. In fact, it took me three hours to write this, so already we're down to 45 hours. If you drink heavily and pass out in a gutter somewhere you could even cut it down to maybe 15 hours—not that I'm condoning that.
As for the rest of the time? Well you could cook 60 fifteen-minute meals in that time, or 30 half-hour meals. Or (if you're like me and terrible at video games) you could beat Star Wars: The Force Unleashed...twice. Yes it took me seven hours to do, but I like collecting collectibles. These are things I think you should know.
We'll start with the division leaders. In the Northeast, it's a pretty common expectation that the Montreal Canadiens are going to resume their dominance from last season, and increase the pace just a bit as they're driven by the emotions behind their centennial anniversary.
Rounding out the Eastern Conference will be two of the top young teams of recent memory. The devastating trifecta of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Jordan Staal will help keep the Pittsburgh Penguins afloat in the Atlantic Division despite the losses of Sergei Gonchar and Ryan Whitney, while Alexander the Great is eyeing a second consecutive trip to the promised land with the Washington Capitals.
Across the Conference border, the Detroit Red Wings only got stronger in hopes of defending their Stanley Cup championship. They lost only two players (Dallas Drake and Dominik Hasek) to retirement, and gained Marian Hossa, Ville Leino, and Ty Conklin, while re-signing key cogs from last year, cementing the fact that they're the cream of the Central Division.
The Dallas Stars surprised a few teams last season, making it all the way to the conference finals last season, and in a season of adjustment for San Jose, the Stars will look to slip on the divisional crown in the Pacific. The Northwest Division is anything but wide open, but the Calgary Flames will look to fend off an upstart Edmonton Oilers team and the defending champs, the Minnesota Wild
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3 months ago
Ahahaha I love the different stars' categories. Love it!!! And great job on all the season previews, BT, you are easily the best NHL writer on this site.
from 3 months ago
Haha I wouldn't go that far as we're always uncovering new talent on the site, but thanks man I appreciate it. And thanks for sticking with the series the entire way! Time for the season to start!
BT
3 months ago
Great job as usual, BT. Pretty gutsy call picking the Caps out of the East, but the Stars over the Wings in the West is a pick I have also begun to feel more confident in.
Gonna be interesting to see how all the re-building teams shape up this season. I've got my money on the 'Hawks to make the playoffs and the Sens to be one of the top 5 teams in the East. Heatley-Spezza-Alfredsson returned to their dominant form this weekend against the Pens in the Premiere, and I am expecting big things from that line all year.
Drop the puck!!
3 months ago
Great series man! Wings/Leafs Thursday...... can't wait!
3 months ago
dude,
I was trying to pay a little attention to your NHL talent summary for next season...
But after having read that Brière was playing for the Rangers...
New York Rangers: Chris Drury and Daniel Briere should settle into the Rangers' offense, and if Nikolai Zherdez can get motivated, New York may have two "Big, Blue, Wrecking Crews".
I'm not so sure anymore that all this is very serious...
Sorry senior writer...
from 3 months ago
Sorry that one name slip-up soured you on everything Benjamin, it's pretty unfortunate.
BT
3 months ago
great breakdown, great analysis.
i like the movie comparisons parts, fits great with the cool part of hockey!
great job, my pick,
3 months ago
Great article! I love the categorizations, this was really fun to read.
3 months ago
Hey BT, just wanted to point out that (for now) Bobby Ryan of the Ducks is in Iowa, so his abilities to help the Ducks are now limited. Just commenting on what you said regarding the Ducks towards the top. Great read!
from 3 months ago
I read that today too.....it throws off a bunch of other stuff too....like that rookies article from last week or whatever. I dunno if I'll change it, but maybe I'll just throw in a note or something...Thanks though Ken (I'm calling him on waiver dibs when he gets called up :P)
BT
3 months ago
Awesome categories and they are all right. The Devils are usually an up and down team just like Cage's movies. National Treasure to Next
3 months ago
Pretty good stuff. I'm a little baffled as to why the Coyotes are ranked so low though. I don't think they'll win the west or anything, but I think they have a good shot at the playoffs, more than the Hurricanes.
from 3 months ago
They aren't low in the league, so much as just placed on the list. They're categorized by probably having an up-and-down year. The teams aren't really organized in an order, I just put them into the categories Matt :)
BT
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