DROP THE PUCK!! YOUR NHL PREVIEW!!

Posted: October 8th, 2008 | Author: Buffo 95 | Filed under: Hockey, NHL | 2 Comments »

Mike Barker, Caniac extrodinaire, and Blues Honk and someone who doesn’t have time to look all over the net for pictures to make the post ‘look pretty’ (Editors Note: Sure he’s pretty!  Just look at this picture from Myspace!~~This is where Bugs Bunny would ask, “Aren’t I a stinker?’”)

Time for the upcoming hockey season, feel free to kick these opinions around…

Team by team look at the East up first.

by Mike Barker

With the new hockey season soon approaching, let’s take a look at where the NHL stands.

Eastern Conference

We’ll start with some familiar favorites…

Pittsburgh Penguins- Sid the Kid, Evgeni Malkin and the oft used goaltender Fleury have the notice of the Eastern Conference since they played for the Cup last year, but they have lost some personnel that may come back to haunt the team. Look for the Pens to still be strong, but unless there are some mid-season moves, they may not have the talent to top the East.

Washington Capitals- The new Russian “freak boy” Alex Ovechkin and company will build on last year’s success and be a dominant player this season. The question for the Caps will be in net. Maybe it’s just me, but getting rid of Kolzig may be a mistake.

New York Rangers- Sure, they didn’t sign Shanahan (yet), and the rumors still swirl that they are in the mix to snag Mats Sundin, but with Henrik Lundquivst who led the league last season in shutouts, and with two wins already giving up only one goal per…, the blueshirts have a strong shot at the East this season.

Montreal Canadiens- The Habs are celebrating their 100th season as a hockey club. With a strong team, and history on their side, the Canadiens will give an extra effort to this season and may make a splash in the Eastern Conference.

Tampa Bay Lightning- Despite the 0-2 start in Europe, the ‘Ning will be much improved with the addition of the mullet behind the bench…Barry Melrose. Having Lecavalier, St. Louis, and overall first draft pick of Steven Stampkos will only benefit this once proud franchise.

Carolina Hurricanes- The home town bias comes into play here. The Hurricanes missed the playoffs by one game last season, but this year they start the season a little more healthy, the biggest addition may not be Janne Pitkanen on defense, but Tom Rowe behind the bench.

By the way, yes, I know I’ve put three Southeastern team up so far…I actually believe this division will be that strong.

New Jersey Devils- I think that I’ve put this reason for the Devils making the playoffs for about five years now…not that this site has been up that long…but any team that has a goaltender the caliber of Martin Brodeur should make the playoffs. Look for Marty to piss my wife off this season and pass Patrick Roy for most wins in a career for goaltenders…for the basic fact that he plays 75 of 82 regular season games in a season.

Ottawa Senators- Canada’s Capital has been just on the outside of being a great hockey team for the last couple of seasons. With a split in Europe over the defending Eastern Champs, there may be some optimism in Ottawa, but when it comes to the overall play of the season, I think that the change in schedule back to less play in the division will actually hurt the Sens.

Philadelphia Flyers- The Flyers will probably make the playoffs since at least one of the previously mentioned teams won’t. The Flyers are still tough, as always, and have enough offensive firepower to win their share of games.

Boston Bruins- Now we get into the also rans. The Bruins are the best of the rest, but look at their roster and you’ll agree that they are probably not a playoff team. Strong enough to take a team out of the playoffs, but not a contender.

New York Islanders- The Islander’s front office tries so hard…but since they gave so much money to their goalie a couple years ago, which looks dumber and dumber, there is no money left for any real talent either on defense, or for putting the puck in the net.

Florida Panthers- There are only 4 teams left in the East. I’ll take the Panthers to be the best of the bottom four…and yes, there is some bias there, but not a divisional one.

Buffalo Sabres- The bias…I hate the Sabres. Most Canes fans do. I challenge you to give me one single reason that the Sabres will do any damage this season. I own a Buffalo jersey…and I’ve threatened to personalize it with the number 0…and a nameplate of Cups.

Toronto Maple Leafs- I really don’t think that the Leafs are this bad. However, I looked at all the other teams in the East and realized that at least their front office is secure. The Leafs are going to have a lot of problems unless someone like Ponikarovsky has a career year.

Atlanta Thrashers- Again, probably a bias, but these guys SUCK!! They have no hope of making the playoffs, and unless a couple of teams collapse, which happens, then this placement is actually probable.

OK, the East is done, I’m off tomorrow (probably today once I post this), so I’ll have the West done then.

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