They'rrree Baaaack...
Yes sports fans, it's HOCKEY SEASON once more! I cannot convey strongly enough the excitement I feel at knowing my NHL Center Ice channels are about to be filled for the next eight months, with games-a-plenty. Wicked slappers from the blue line, brutal checks in the corners and those cheezy, animated Canadian Tire ad shorts.
Ahhhhhh. Life is sweet sometimes. This is even better than the Cubs pounding the sh*t out of the fish last night, I'd say.
So on with the predictions, lads. This astute hockey observer believes that other than two teams in the east (Ottawa and Phillthy), the WC will dominate the league in most categories that matter. When it's all said and done, I believe we'll see the following throughout the season:
Best Offensive Fireworks: Colorado
Honorable mention: Vancouver, Ottawa, maybe Phillthy
Best Defensive Smackdowns: Detroit
Honorable mention: Vancouver, Carolina, Phillthy, maybe Colorado
Best Line: Hejduk - Foresberg - Tanguay
HM: Kariya - Sakic - Selanne, Toddzilla - Morrison - Naslund
Best G: Broduer
Honorable mention - Turco
Best Young Gun - Kovulchuk
Honorable Mention - Spezza (Ott), Koltsov (Pitt), Gaborik (Minn)
Best Young D - Jackman (again)
Honorable Mention - Bouwmeester (Fla), Baumgarnter (Pit), Orpik (Pit)
Best Yougn G - Marc Andre Fleury (Pit)
Honorable Mention - none that will compare
Playoff Predictions
WC
1. Colorado
2. Detroit
3. LA (if they get healthy)
4. Vancouver
5. St. Louis
6. Dallas
7. San Jose
8. Minnesota
9. Edmonton
EC
1. Ottawa
2. New Jersey
3. Carolina
4. Phillthy
5. Toronto
6. Tampa Bay
7. Boston
8. NY Rangers
9. Buffalo
Finals - Colorado vs. Ottawa
Winner - Ottawa (surprise!)
Tonight's games to watch:
Buffalo at Phillthy - 7:00 EST
Montreal at Ottawa - 7:00 EST
Los Angeles Kings at Detroit Red Wings - 7:30 EST
Calgary Flames at Vancouver Canucks - 10:30 EST
Ahhhhhh. Life is sweet sometimes. This is even better than the Cubs pounding the sh*t out of the fish last night, I'd say.
So on with the predictions, lads. This astute hockey observer believes that other than two teams in the east (Ottawa and Phillthy), the WC will dominate the league in most categories that matter. When it's all said and done, I believe we'll see the following throughout the season:
Code:
Best Offensive Fireworks: Colorado
Honorable mention: Vancouver, Ottawa, maybe Phillthy
Best Defensive Smackdowns: Detroit
Honorable mention: Vancouver, Carolina, Phillthy, maybe Colorado
Best Line: Hejduk - Foresberg - Tanguay
HM: Kariya - Sakic - Selanne, Toddzilla - Morrison - Naslund
Best G: Broduer
Honorable mention - Turco
Best Young Gun - Kovulchuk
Honorable Mention - Spezza (Ott), Koltsov (Pitt), Gaborik (Minn)
Best Young D - Jackman (again)
Honorable Mention - Bouwmeester (Fla), Baumgarnter (Pit), Orpik (Pit)
Best Yougn G - Marc Andre Fleury (Pit)
Honorable Mention - none that will compare
Playoff Predictions
WC
Code:
1. Colorado
2. Detroit
3. LA (if they get healthy)
4. Vancouver
5. St. Louis
6. Dallas
7. San Jose
8. Minnesota
9. Edmonton
EC
Code:
1. Ottawa
2. New Jersey
3. Carolina
4. Phillthy
5. Toronto
6. Tampa Bay
7. Boston
8. NY Rangers
9. Buffalo
Finals - Colorado vs. Ottawa
Winner - Ottawa (surprise!)
Tonight's games to watch:
Buffalo at Phillthy - 7:00 EST
Montreal at Ottawa - 7:00 EST
Los Angeles Kings at Detroit Red Wings - 7:30 EST
Calgary Flames at Vancouver Canucks - 10:30 EST
Comments
They should be the model for the rest of the league IMO.
Plus, I'm glad the Pens picked up Baumer. I think he's going to show what he's capable of this season as a top 4 Pens D. He'll definitely get the ice time now!
Tonight's festivities worth watching:
Los Angeles Kings at Pittsburgh Penguins - 7:30 pm
Chicago Blackhawks at Colorado Avalanche - 9:00 pm
St. Louis Blues at Phoenix Coyotes - 10:00 pm
Oh! The predictions cometh!
Eastern Conference:
1 Ottawa (though maybe not with Havlat retreating to the Czech Republic
2 New Jersey
3 Tampa Bay
4 Leafs!
5 Philly
6 Boston
7 Florida
8 Montreal
Western Conference:
1 Vancouver
2 Dallas
3 Detroit
4 Colorado
5 Minnesota
6 St. Louis
7 Los Angles
8 Anaheim
Award Predicitions to come! Stay Tuned! Although, I will predict that Hasek will suck huge ass this year and will re-retire with immense shame.