NHL Preview/Predictions

Hey, I'm back and now since the NHL is back in session, I figured I'd give a bit of a preview here. It'll be somewhat similar to my NFL preview, but it won't have as much info because ESPN is the absolute worst at covering hockey. Like the NFL preview, it'll be arranged in order from worst to first, with the Eastern conference coming first. Also, at the end, I'll say make or miss the playoffs because both the NBA and NHL don't know how to limit teams.

Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division
N.Y. Islanders: Will still stink, despite the sensational rookie John Tavares, he'll be ok, by scoring 20g, and have at least 50 points on a horrible team. The goalie situation will be interesting, as they have Rick DiPietro, whom they signed to one of the worst contracts in history, and Marty Biron, who was solid in Philly.
Playoffs: Miss

N.Y. Rangers: Have plenty of offense, with Marian Gaborik, Vinny Prospal, Sean Avery, and Marc Staal leading the way. But, have only a few experienced defensemen, and Henrik Lundqvist, as good as he is, can't stop everything, but he'll stop enough to get them in the playoffs.
Playoffs: Make, barely

N.J. Devils: their coach from the 95 cup championship is back, but they let Brendan Shanahan, who provides leadership go. But, they also have someone who has been their forever, in their goalie, Marty Brodeur, the all time winningest NHL goalie, only reason they make the playoffs.
Playoffs: Make, barely

Philadelphia Flyers: Only because I have CSN Philly, do I know what all the Flyers did this summer, and it was great, except for the possibly questionable signing of Ray Emery, to replace Biron. Chris Pronger, acquired in a trade from Anaheim will surely bring up the defense, and it shows that the Flyers are for now. But, still below the team from the other side of the state.
Playoffs: Make

Pittsburgh Penguins: Still have 2 of the top 10 players in the game, in Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Also have one of the top 10 goalies, in Marc Andre Fleury. Although they lost some enforcement players in Hal Gill and Miroslav Satan, they'll still be fine.
Playoffs: 1 or 2 seed.

Northeast Division
Toronto Maple Leafs: Will take Brian Burke another year or 2 to rebuild this once proud franchise. Granted, they improved their defense, but where's the scoring?
Playoffs: Miss

Buffalo Sabres: Have the U.S. starting goalie in the olympics, Ryan Miller, but not much else, other than Thomas Vanek, who will again get his requisite 70 points. Lindy Ruff always gets the most out of his players, but I just don't see them making the playoffs.
Playoffs: Miss

Ottawa Senators: Have aging players, and struggled down the stretch the past few seasons, but I think they're just a shade outside the playoffs, much like the Rangers. They did make a blockbuster trade to acquire Jonathon Cheechoo and Alex Kovalev, who will bring a lot of scoring, just I don't know who their goalie is, which is the reason they miss the playoffs.
Playoffs: Miss

Montreal Canadiens: Have Alex Kovalev, a very prolific scorer, and Carey Prince, a very young promising goalie, that;s why I'm picking them to make the playoffs.
Playoffs: Make, barely

Boston Bruins: What's not to like? Got one of the best goalies, Tim Thomas, one of the best defensemen, Zdeno Chara, and Marc Svard is a star in the making.
Playoffs: number 1 seed.

Southeast Division: Everyone will stink except the Captials, I'll just leave it at that, although Carolina may also make the playoffs, they're one of those sneaky teams. Otherwise, don't know a whole lot about the division. Other than the fact that Tampa, Florida, and Atlanta will stink to the high heavens and be three of the worst teams in the league.

Western Conference

Central Division
St Louis Blues: Have one of the most optimistic teams, and rightly so, after their surprise second half run, much like the Rockies second half run in 07 for baseball. They also have Paul Kariya, who brings leadership and scoring. They also have one of the best young goalies out there, Chris Mason.
Playoffs: Make

Nashville Predators: Very small market team, who always seem to go beyond expectations, much like the Sabres, and I will believe in them and Jason Arnott and Steve Sullivan, who will be a prolific partner.
Playoffs: Make

Columbus Blue Jackets: Made Columbus go into euphoria after their first ever playoff experience last year, where they got swept by the eventual Western Conference champs. But, with Rick Nash and their amazing goalie, Steve Mason, they'll make the playoffs again.
Playoffs: Make

Detroit Red Wings: Lost Marian Hossa, who went to the team I'm picking first in the division. They replaced him with Todd Bertuzzi, who is capable of producing about half of that scoring amount. But, they're still an amazing team, who work together.
Playoffs: Make

Chicago Blackhawks: Got Marian Hossa to help out Patrick Kane and Jonathon Toews, and with Cristobal Huet in net, who is a very good goalie. Made the conference finals last season and will go even further, by beating their northern rivals.
Playoffs: 2nd seed

Northwest Division:
Colorado Avalanche: Don't know much, but I know they stunk last year, and will stink this year, which is weird to say for the Avs. They will be a rebuilding project, considering they lost a lot of veterans and it's like they're going to take a bit to rebuild, and will eventually return to their luster...in about 3-4 years.
Playoffs: Miss

Minnesota Wild: Again, don't know much, but I don't think they're very good, so this is where they go.
Playoffs: Miss

Edmonton Oilers: Exchanged Dwayne Roloson, a good goalie, for another good, not great goalie Nikolai Khabiboulin. the Boulin wall is no more, and he seems to be one of those guys like A.J. Burnett who only puts up good numbers during contract years, that's what I expect this season in the first of a multi year deal.
Playoffs: Miss

Vancouver Canucks: Very solid team, much like the Wings, who don't have many superstars, but have very good players, like Mikael Samuelsson, and their stud goalie, Roberto Luongo. Have them making the playoffs.
Playoffs: Make

Calgary Flames: Can't go against Jarome Iginla, one of the best players in the league, but few folks know about him, because nobody cares about hockey, he plays in Canada, and he plays in western Canada. Mikka Kiprusoff is also very good in net.
Playoffs: 3rd seed

Pacific Division:
Phoenix Coyotes: When you lose Wayne Gretzky as your coach, and the fact that the team is bankrupt, you think you're going to have a good season? That's what I thought.
Playoffs: Wait until someone buys the team and moves it to an actual hockey market, Winnipeg anyone?

Dallas Stars: Just don't have anyone, besiudes Marty Turco in net, who's going to score?
Playoffs: Rebuilding, wait 5 years.

L.A. Kings: Have great young stars, in Ryan Smyth, Michal Handzus, and Jarret Stoll, but this team is like the Blackhawks of a few years ago, who are good, but not quite there yet.
Playoffs: Miss

Anaheim Ducks: Very veteran team, but brought in some youth with the Pronger trade, and still have good goalies, in J.S. Giguere and Jonas Hiller, but will just barely miss the playoffs.
Playoffs: Miss, barely

S.J. Sharks: Great team, esp. with Joe Thornton giving everyone goals, but he'll miss Cheechoo on his line, but Cheechoo is replaced easily by Dany Heatley. Evgeni Nabokov is also one of the top 5 goalies in the league, hence why they won the President's trophy last season.
Playoffs: 2nd seed.

Stanley Cup Final Prediction: Blackhawks beat Capitals in 7, showcasing 3 of the top players in the game, Toews, Kane and Alex Ovechkin.

As I'm not going to be a symbol for plagiarism, I took most of the info for this article from USA Today's website.


Thoughts? E-mail me at braveever@yahoo.com