2009-10 NHL Thread

I'd much rather be sent to Calgary for a week than Edmonton. Hopefully this one isn't cancelled on me.

 

Need a distraction today, so now is as good a time as any to get my should have been pre-season picks in one game late.

West
Pacific Division
San Jose - No surprise here, arguably the most complete team in the NHL and will likely run away with the Presidents trophy. The Stanley Cup is another matter. They are just too deadly a team with Heatly not too succeed this year in the playoffs, but I'm sure they will find a way to melt down.
Anaheim - The best first line in hockey (Perry, Ryan, Getzlaf) will carry the team this year, but they actually will have some secondary support this year and they return a solid blue-line. Hoping for another big year from Hiller.
Los Angeles - Could be this year's Blackhawks. With oodles of top-end young talent, they made a very smart move in picking up Ryan Smyth (although never a $6.8 mil player) he is a foot soldier who has been through the battles and can lead this group and provide the grit and determination they need. With a young blue-line, though, they will need a huge year from Jon Quick/Erik Ersberg. Frolov in a contract year could go off with a Semin-like season.
Dallas - A scrappy, young team (Outside Modano, Skrastins and Turco) that still seems to be in transition. It's almost like they don't want to admit that they are in a rebuild. If they are out of the race at the Olympic break, Turco will likely be moved (Washington?) and they they will have to give up the ghost. They'll be competitive, but there's not enough there.
Phoenix - I feel for this group of players, because there is a lot of excellent talent here, but the uncertainty of their situation will be tough to ignore. They almost remind me of the Nordiques their final two years in Quebec where they were stocked with young talent, had a rough 93-94, broke out in a strike shortend 94-95 before flaming out in the first round, and then won the cup their first year in Colorado. Who ever ends up with this team is landing one primed for a breakout. Maybe not the cup in the first year, but certainly not a cellar dwellar as they are in the desert.

Northwest - First I just want to say this division has lost a lot of its lustre and no one in this divison blows my hair back. At all.
Vancouver - They will take first just because they have slightly more scoring depth than Calgary. Not wild about their Defence, but Luongo (I swear I will punch the next person who call him Bobby-Lou) can make up for a lot of mistakes from his blue-line and forwards.
Calgary - Depth is their biggest issue at every position. After their first line (Iginla, Jokinen, and whoever is lucky enough to play with them), they have Langkow and bunch of tird and fourth liners. Also after their top-three on the back end, there are a lot of question marks. They need a huge rebound year from Phaneuf, and not just him being a physical prick, but there's this thing called offence and defensive-zone play that he needs figure out again or he could be on a Redden-like slide, just earlier in his career. Regehr if healthy is a rock. Bouwmeester is a guy who in Flordia never reached his full potential, and although last year was one of his best years, he still suffered bouts of inconsistency. And they still did nothing to upgrade their goaltending after Kipper. They say they are going to limit his games this year, as they said last year, but that means playing Mchilwhatshisname more. Didn't work out too well last year.
Edmonton - I don't know how to read them this year. Top to bottom one of the best offensive blue-lines in the league, but not much of a physical edge past Souray, although Smid tries. Upfront there is the potential for a lot of offence, but that potential was their last year and they were hit with near season-long slumps from most of those guys they were counting on and inconsistency from Hemsky. Goaltending shouldn't be a question mark - I have always like 'Bulin going back to his days as a Jet, I think he got a lot of undue criticism in his first few years in Chicago where I think he played well behind a crap team in a crap situation. The new coaching staff better be able to bring out the best in this team because outside of Comrie they brought in no one. Also size is huge issue with the Oil this year. I think they will be in their normal spot of clawing for the final playoff seed in the west. If everything falls into place, they could go as high as sixth.
Minnesota - Not only undergoing an entire culture shift from defence first, second and third, to a more offensive scheme, they also underwent a bit of a roster overhaul, in the process ditching the oft-injured Gaborik. Big transition year for them, but with Backstrom in net they will always have a chance, and regardless of who's coaching they will be defensively sound.
Colorado - finally completely tor down after more than a decde of dominance. Will likely be the NHL's last place team, certainly a lottery team. Huge holes at every position, and if Stasny can't stay healthy this year it could get real ugly, real fast.

Central
Chicago - I put them here, but I'm not completely sold yet. It was aturbulent off-season in what should have been one of celebration. The players seemed quite loyal to Dave Tallon, I am very curious to see how they respond after everything that went down. Hossa will be a big boost when he finally gets healthy in December, but until then there will be a huge hole, especially sans-Havlat. Also Huet is still a question mark. He played OK last year, but nothing to really write home about, losing his starting gig to Khabibulin who at one time was on waivers. But I think 20 Cent was forced to do some growing up this summer (whether he was at fault or just in the wrong place at the wrong time) and I think he and Toews take the next step this year.
Detroit - no top team lost talent like Detroit did this season, yet for some reason I have a hard time truly believing it will set them back that far. With Datsyuk, Zetterberg and the mule on the top two lines, and their still strong supporting cast, they should still be a force to contend with. The biggest question isif a motivated Osgood will be able to bounce back and play like he did in the playoffs as upposed to the regular season last year.
Columbus - I love their direction and plan. They continue to grow and get better. There's nothing flashy in what they do, they just make solid moves like bringing in Samuel Pahlsson, who is one of the top shut down centres in the game. But the pressure is on Steve Mason to prove last year was no fluke.
St. Louis - There's more flash in their game than Columbus, but again another team that has been built the right way. However, I think they still could use a little more maturing, last year's big playoff push bordered on the magical, but it will be a lot to ask of this young group again, especially if Paul Kariya can't stay healthy. Goaltending is once again a big question mark with Chris Mason as the starter. Would not be surprised if Ty Conklin wrestles the job away from him at some point.
Nashville - The cupboard is pretty bare in Nashville. But I'm not sure of many teams that look forward to playing them. They are as physical as it gets in the West and will rarely be an easy out. Peke Rinne will give them a chance every night, but I don't think they have the horses to take advantage of it often enough.

x1-San Jose
x2-Chicago
x3-Vancouver
4-Detroit
5-Calgary
6-Anaheim
7-Los Angeles
8-Edmonton

9-Columbus
10-Minnesota
11-St. Louis
12-Dallas
13-Phoenix
14-Nashville
15-Colorado

East
Atlantic
Philadelphia - The Flyers have the East's most complete lineup. Their biggest question mark comes in net and whether or not Emery can play well enough to not lose it for them. I think he will be a rock and re-establish himself on the outter crust of top goalies in the NHL. I think he did a lot of growing up over the last two years, and there is no questioning his motivation now. If he screws this situation up he's done. Period.
Pittsburgh - Cup champs' biggest obstacle will be the Stanley Cup hangover, but they are clearly the next best team in the division.
New Jersey - It is time for their young prospects (I'm looking at you Bergfors) to finally take that next step. One thing is clear, this team will have a re-commitment to defence with Lou Lamourello back behind the bench, and with Brodeur still playing well and with some motivation to prove he can still get it done, they could do some damage this year. However, because of the new re-emphasis (it felt weird just typing that) I wouldn't count on a nother 90-point season from Parise. Probably be back down in the point per game range.
Rangers - not a big fan of some of the moves they made. Sather looked like agenious in getting the Habs to take Gomez off their books, but then looked like an idiot in basically giving that cap space to band-aid known as Gaborik. Depth is an issue on the blue-line and up front.
Islanders - So many holes to fill, only one off season. Still a lotof holes, but they are slowly collecting a nice pool of young talent (Taveres, Comeau, Okposo) but there is still lot of work to do on the Island. However goaltending for once won't be an issue, even if Dipietro continues to spend more time on the DL than the active roster.

Northeast - interms of depth this may be the weakest division in the league this year
Boston - should be a no contest, they run away with the division title, even without Kessel. Still solid at every position, and are hungry to make amends for last year's early exit.
Ottawa - I think it is a big bounce back year for the Senators. For the first time in arguably their history they could have two legit scoring lines. They have motivated goalie who just had is breakout year in Columbus (Leclaire) before he got injured. Plus they shed a major douchebag from their lineup, and anytime you can do that it's a good thing. However, they will need a big year from their re-tooled rearguard.
Buffalo - Is counting a lot on a bounce back year from Miller and for breakout years from their young forwards. I don't think it's completely out of the question. They will be a fun team to watch this year with the likes of Vanek, Stafford and Roy. But the pressure will be fully on the blue-line to lock down their own end, but I would be warry of rushing giant rookie Tyler Myers (6'8", 222 pounds).
Montreal - The Smurfs have a lot to prove this year. Gainey's job is on the line. If they were anything this offseason, they were flashy. I think it will take sometime, however, for all the new pieces to fit together and sort themselves out. Also I am still not sold on Price, even with Halak pushing him. Should at the very least be an interesting year.
Toronto - Well at least they will be able to out-fight anyone in the league. Their biggest need in the off-season was to upgrade the talent pool, but they decided to go another direction and open up a boxing club. That being said Beauchimine was probably their best signing, while Kessel will be pure boom or bust, I'm leaning towards the former, but it may be next year before that really happens. Their defence is definitely better than last year's which will help. But scoring will still be a major issue, especially if their first line (made up of streaky players) doesn't happen to produce every night. I put the over-under at 25 games before the monster overtakes Toskala for the starters job in net.
South East - no longer the south least
Washington - could be the most fun team in the league to watch. A complete throw back to the '80s. However, the question is whether or not they can prevent the other team from scoring as well. Theodore is all but washed up and Varlamov seemed to struggle with the big heavy work load, especially once the second round of the playoffs hit.
Carolina - They won't have a giant regular season, but they will be nice and consistent all the way through, never get too high or low. Staal will return to his point per game status with Cole back for the whole year and there is solid scoring depth after that, all four lines should be able to produce some. Their blue-line could be their weak spot, led by the enigmatic Joni Pitkanen. However, Cam Ward keeps getting better each year out and with a spot on the Olympic team up fro grabs he may even find that consistency that his game has lacked.
Tampa Bay - Koules and the gang being split up mayhave been the best thing that could have happened to the Lightning. Still a lot of talent on this team and with Hedman added to the defence, their blue-line is look decent as well. If Mike Smith can come back from his concussion riddled season last year, the Lightning are my dark horse team out East to make a good run and scare some teams.
Florida - If ever there was a team that just could not get over the hump, the Panthers are it. Despite losing Bouwmeester, they still have a solid defence, and with Vokoun they are still going to get first class goaltending. But the question, as always in Florida, is whether or not any of their forawards are going to finally develope intoa consistent threat.
Atlanta - Kovalchuk's final year in Georgia will be a big one as he eye's that lucrative contract and a ticket out of purgatory. The problem as alway will be that none of his teammates will be able to keep pace. And their. If anyone can name four Atlanta defencemen without looking it up, well you will have my undying respect. Hell, 19-year-old Zach Bogosian is listed as an assistant captain!?!?!? And then there is the goaltending. Hedberg will as always be solid as a back up, but Ondrej Pavlic proved last year he was not yet ready for prime time despite his insistance that he was and Khari Letonen once again was injured far too often, but if they are to have any success this year he will have to stay out off the trainer's table.

x1-Philadelphia
x2-Boston
x3-Washington
4-Pittsburgh
5-Carolina
6-Ottawa
7-Tampa Bay
8-New Jersey

9- Buffalo
10-Montreal
11-Rangers
12-Florida
13-Toronto
14-Islanders
15-Atlanta

Hart - Ovechkin
Norris - Green
Vezina - Nabakov
Pearson - Crosby
Lady Byng - Datsyuk
Calder - Hedman
Selke - Datsyuk
Richard - Ovechkin
Art Ross - Malkin
Jack Adams - Randy Carlyle, Anaheim
Presidents Trophy - San Jose
Wales Trophy - Boston
Campbell Trophy - Anaheim
Stanley Cup - Boston
Conn Smythe - Zdeno Chara

 

Well if you do actually come through, taking AMac's warning to heart, Schanks (That spelling could be fubar), on 178th street, just north of West Edmonton Mall, is usally pretty good, plus if whatever game you're watching starts to suck hind tit there is a lot else to do there. But if that's out of your way, there's good bars all over the city and almost all will have the game on. Whyte Ave usually has a few good spots, for example. Let me know when you do come in and I will get you squared away and if I'm not working I'll join you for the game.

 

Why wouldn't the NHL do a better kickoff to their season? You have games in Sweden and Finland, yet those are buried a day after the season kicks off and on during the afternoon of a work day.


Wouldn't it have been better to kick the season off on a Saturday-Sunday with the European games as a doubleheader each day?

Any other league would have made those games the spotlight.

 

NHL tried to do something good ... Thursday night (usually the biggest night for TV viewership during the week), with marquee doubleheaders on both Versus and CBC.

Unfortunately, the NHL is on Versus, so it's hard to do much of anything with a bang when you're on a channel nobody watches.

 

CBC's got a tripleheader on Saturday...the Blues & Wings in Stockholm in the afternoon, Leafs at Washingto at 7:00 and the late game is Calgary at Edmonton.

Whooooooooooooohooooooooooooooooo!

 

Jesus, Beef ... after your lengthy post, I have two questions:

A. Would you have Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin on your team?
B. Cole's Notes available?

 

Attention Americans: NHL Network will pick up all three CBC broadcasts.

 

A. Which team? Fantasy team? no, unfortunately, don't have Ovechkin either. Real life? I would accept both of them with open arms.

B. Like I said I needed a distraction this afternoon. Didn't realize the length until I finished. Coles notes will be out in stores early next week. But for you I will cut you a deal

 

Did Blair Betts catch on with anybody this year?

 

Signed with Philly.

 

Well of course he did. He's much, much better than Ovechkin and Crosby.