I thought Vin might be interested in this (hell he might've been there):
http://hfboards.com/showthread.php?t=825201
http://hfboards.com/showthread.php?t=825201
-
Smogon Premier League is here and the team collection is now available. Support your team!
-
Welcome to Smogon! Take a moment to read the Introduction to Smogon for a run-down on everything Smogon, and make sure you take some time to read the global rules.
The Everything NHL Thread
- Thread starter Jackal
- Start date
Av's going in for Sean Couturier it seems, scoring a whole eleven goals in seven preseason matches.
I love my team and I hope they will suck so hard this year, bring me Couturier in Burgundy & Blue!
I love my team and I hope they will suck so hard this year, bring me Couturier in Burgundy & Blue!
Planned to go but had friends home instead who weren't really interested in the 2 hours and a half drive.
The whole thing was televised on Québec's biggest continuous news channel, so I watched it on tv. They estimate more then 50k people were there.
Insane. Nobody can tell me this has no chance to influence anyone. Also, I guess I should have expected nhl.com not to cover it but it still sucks they haven't considering they cover a lot of non-nhl hockey stuff.
It was about time my boy Laraque retires.
Got downed by a 95 pound chick.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPLnDMx6GQc&feature=player_embedded#!
Got downed by a 95 pound chick.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPLnDMx6GQc&feature=player_embedded#!
Now that the season's about to start, how about we post our end of season predictions?
Eastern Conference
1. Washington Capitals
2. Pittsburgh Penguins
3. Buffalo Sabres
4. New Jersey Devils
5. Ottawa Senators
6. Tampa Bay Lightning
7. Philadelphia Flyers
8. Atlanta Thrashers
______________
9. New York Rangers
10. Boston Bruins
11. Montreal Canadiens
12. Florida Panthers
13. Toronto Maple Leafs
14. New York Islanders
15. Carolina Hurricanes
Western Conference
1. San Jose Sharks
2. Detroit Red Wings
3. Vancouver Canucks
4. Los Angeles Kings
5. Chicago Blackhawks
6. Phoenix Coyotes
7. St. Louis Blues
8. Colorado Avalanche
__________
9. Edmonton Oilers
10. Nashville Predators
11. Anaheim Ducks
12. Calgary Flames
13. Minnesota Wild
14. Dallas Stars
15. Columbus Blue Jackets
Eastern Conference
1. Washington Capitals
2. Pittsburgh Penguins
3. Buffalo Sabres
4. New Jersey Devils
5. Ottawa Senators
6. Tampa Bay Lightning
7. Philadelphia Flyers
8. Atlanta Thrashers
______________
9. New York Rangers
10. Boston Bruins
11. Montreal Canadiens
12. Florida Panthers
13. Toronto Maple Leafs
14. New York Islanders
15. Carolina Hurricanes
Western Conference
1. San Jose Sharks
2. Detroit Red Wings
3. Vancouver Canucks
4. Los Angeles Kings
5. Chicago Blackhawks
6. Phoenix Coyotes
7. St. Louis Blues
8. Colorado Avalanche
__________
9. Edmonton Oilers
10. Nashville Predators
11. Anaheim Ducks
12. Calgary Flames
13. Minnesota Wild
14. Dallas Stars
15. Columbus Blue Jackets
I see what you did there :)
Eastern Conference
1. Washington Capitals
2. Pittsburgh Penguins
3. Buffalo Sabres
4. New Jersey Devils
5. Tampa Bay Lightning
6. Philadelphia Flyers
7. Boston Bruins
8. Atlanta Thrashers
______________
9. New York Rangers
10. Ottawa Senators
11. Montreal Canadiens
12. Toronto Maple Leafs
13. Florida Panthers
14. Carolina Hurricanes
15. New York Islanders
I have the Lightning finishing 5th because I think they'll be surprising alot of people (plus they're in a weak division). I have the Thrashers finishing at least 8th, I mean they have like half of the Cup winning team's players. =] Rangers lack of veteran dmen will kill them, and Ottawa and the Habs will have goaltending troubles which will lead to their demise. Also Islanders are last because of injuries.
Western Conference
1. San Jose Sharks
2. Chicago Blackhawks
3. Vancouver Canucks
4. Los Angeles Kings
5. Detroit Redwings
6. Anaheim Ducks
7. St. Louis Blues
8. Phoenix Coyotes
__________
9. Colorado Avalanche
10. Nashville Predators
11. Calgary Flames
12. Columbus Blue Jackets
13. Edmonton Oilers
14. Dallas Stars
15. Minnesota Wild
I have the Hawks in at 2nd place, I don't think people have given their acquisitions a chance. I also think that Toews will be having a career year, and thus will lead his team to 2nd. Ducks rebound after missing the playoffs, and the Blues will once again make the playoffs with the guidance of Davis Payne (and Halak =]). Phoenix barely squeaks by and makes the playoffs. Colorado barely misses it, as well as Nashville. Calgary's experiment will ultimately fail, and Columbus's fault will be laid on their blueline. The Wild are last because they're just ass (and tank in order to get the first overall).
Going to throw in some crazy things like comments to make this post have some substance...
Eastern Conference
1. Washington Capitals
2. Pittsburgh Penguins
3. Boston Bruins
4. New Jersey Devils
5. Ottawa Senators
6. Philadelphia Flyers
7. New York Rangers
8. Montreal Canadiens
------
9. Tampa Bay Lightning
10. Buffalo Sabres
11. Toronto Maple Leafs
I know, I know Sabres to miss is a pretty bold prediction for a team coming off a division win with Ryan Miller on it, but this team is just not that good. Every year they let their roster get a little bit worse and the only reasons they get away with it are a piss poor division and good goaltending. Boston gets better every year on paper, Ottawa is slowly trending up and Montreal will at least have Markov for most of this year, which is an improvement over last year, at least. Atlantic continues to be ridiculously good, and with the Islanders injuries making them impotent again I think they'll be able to get enough points in division to squeak 4 teams in. Lightning for popular filler pick but Sabres, Leafs could also all sneak into the playoffs. I mean, it's the East, who couldn't?
12. Florida Panthers
13. Atlanta Thrashers
14. Carolina Hurricanes
15. New York Islanders
These teams suck.
Western Conference
1. Vancouver Canucks
2. San Jose Sharks
3. Detroit Red Wings
4. Los Angeles Kings
5. Chicago Blackhawks
While I'm sure freak injuries and that sort of thing will make these 5 teams not actually the best five teams, they seem to be a great deal better and more complete than the other ten(all of which would make the playoffs in the East regardless...). Can't imagine Chicago wins the Central after losing a third of their roster since they would have likely been close with Detroit last year had the Wings not gotten half their roster hurt, and assuming that doesn't happen against, Detroit has a better roster than last year. Turco mistakes aren't just rebounds like Niemi mistakes, they're whiffs, which will cost the team points. Vancouver benefits from easy division, but may be the best team on paper anyway.
6. Calgary Flames
7. Colorado Avalanche
8. Columbus Blue Jackets
----
9. Anaheim Ducks
10. St Louis Blues
11. Phoenix Coyotes
12. Nashville Predators
13. Minnesota Wild
14. Edmonton Oilers
15. Dallas Stars
Lot of toss-ups here, outside of the bottom three teams any of these could end up in the playoffs, I think. Think it's relatively unlikely Bryzgalov carries a shitty Phoenix team to the playoffs, but with less unbelievably bad numbers from S. Mason the Jackets should be good enough to get back in, in spite of a weak blue line - lots of good young players, Nash likely to bounce back. Don't like the Blues core and suspect Halak isn't as good as the playoffs made him look. Avs and Flames have the advantage of getting to crush the Oilers and Wild.
Wouldn't be surprised to see the Oilers jump up if they can get decent goaltending from one of the 700 goalies on their roster because they have such incredible offensive talent, but it's young and they probably won't get good tending, anyway. They'll be fun to watch - hoping for that Hall/Eberle/Paajarvi line to stick.
Conference champ predicts:
Detroit, Washington
Bias evident but Vancouver will have to play Chicago before Detroit under my predicted playoff picture which is like a surefire loss for them I'm pretty sure and I can't see Detroit losing to San Jose again unless the refs give them a rabajillion miscalled 5on3s again. Washington can't possibly be as bad in the playoffs as they've been the past three years... can they?
Incidentally if this actually happened I would start a complicated pyramid scheme to get enough money to buy tickets.
Eastern Conference
1. Washington Capitals
2. Pittsburgh Penguins
3. Boston Bruins
4. New Jersey Devils
5. Ottawa Senators
6. Philadelphia Flyers
7. New York Rangers
8. Montreal Canadiens
------
9. Tampa Bay Lightning
10. Buffalo Sabres
11. Toronto Maple Leafs
I know, I know Sabres to miss is a pretty bold prediction for a team coming off a division win with Ryan Miller on it, but this team is just not that good. Every year they let their roster get a little bit worse and the only reasons they get away with it are a piss poor division and good goaltending. Boston gets better every year on paper, Ottawa is slowly trending up and Montreal will at least have Markov for most of this year, which is an improvement over last year, at least. Atlantic continues to be ridiculously good, and with the Islanders injuries making them impotent again I think they'll be able to get enough points in division to squeak 4 teams in. Lightning for popular filler pick but Sabres, Leafs could also all sneak into the playoffs. I mean, it's the East, who couldn't?
12. Florida Panthers
13. Atlanta Thrashers
14. Carolina Hurricanes
15. New York Islanders
These teams suck.
Western Conference
1. Vancouver Canucks
2. San Jose Sharks
3. Detroit Red Wings
4. Los Angeles Kings
5. Chicago Blackhawks
While I'm sure freak injuries and that sort of thing will make these 5 teams not actually the best five teams, they seem to be a great deal better and more complete than the other ten(all of which would make the playoffs in the East regardless...). Can't imagine Chicago wins the Central after losing a third of their roster since they would have likely been close with Detroit last year had the Wings not gotten half their roster hurt, and assuming that doesn't happen against, Detroit has a better roster than last year. Turco mistakes aren't just rebounds like Niemi mistakes, they're whiffs, which will cost the team points. Vancouver benefits from easy division, but may be the best team on paper anyway.
6. Calgary Flames
7. Colorado Avalanche
8. Columbus Blue Jackets
----
9. Anaheim Ducks
10. St Louis Blues
11. Phoenix Coyotes
12. Nashville Predators
13. Minnesota Wild
14. Edmonton Oilers
15. Dallas Stars
Lot of toss-ups here, outside of the bottom three teams any of these could end up in the playoffs, I think. Think it's relatively unlikely Bryzgalov carries a shitty Phoenix team to the playoffs, but with less unbelievably bad numbers from S. Mason the Jackets should be good enough to get back in, in spite of a weak blue line - lots of good young players, Nash likely to bounce back. Don't like the Blues core and suspect Halak isn't as good as the playoffs made him look. Avs and Flames have the advantage of getting to crush the Oilers and Wild.
Wouldn't be surprised to see the Oilers jump up if they can get decent goaltending from one of the 700 goalies on their roster because they have such incredible offensive talent, but it's young and they probably won't get good tending, anyway. They'll be fun to watch - hoping for that Hall/Eberle/Paajarvi line to stick.
Conference champ predicts:
Detroit, Washington
Bias evident but Vancouver will have to play Chicago before Detroit under my predicted playoff picture which is like a surefire loss for them I'm pretty sure and I can't see Detroit losing to San Jose again unless the refs give them a rabajillion miscalled 5on3s again. Washington can't possibly be as bad in the playoffs as they've been the past three years... can they?
Incidentally if this actually happened I would start a complicated pyramid scheme to get enough money to buy tickets.
Not only do I think my predictions will pretty close to reality, they also have the added benefit of some intriguing first round match ups:
East:
1) caps
2) pens
3) bruins
4) devils
5) sabres
6) flyers
7) lightning
8) rangers
Caps are still by far the most dangerous team offensively and we've seen over the years how well that works out for regular season finish. On the other end, the Rangers alternate years of making the playoffs, so I have to go with them for the 8th seed. A rematch from a couple years ago, it pits the goaltending strength of the King against the scoring prowess of Washington. Halak, part 2 anyone? Crosby improves on something every year, so it's tough to pick against him and the Pens. Add in a healthy year from Malkin plus the improved defense and Pittsburgh looks pretty legit to come out on top of an always stacked Atlantic division. Tying Rocket Richard winners meet up in the first round of what should be some fun, offensively skilled hockey. Yzerman has assembled some great players in his first few months as GM, so Tampa looks to squeak into the playoffs this year as the 7 seed. Bruins barely take the Northeast in spite of MIA Marc Savard. Key players have bounce back years and the new additions will make an impact. A rematch of last season's magical comeback against Boston, the Flyers take the 6th seed thanks to the shaky goaltending and tough division. In the great 4-5 matchup, I have to take NJ and Buffalo. Loaded offensively on the top line, the Devils miss out on the 2 seed again by 1 point. Meanwhile, Buffalo relies on Ryan Miller for stability but will also get some quality play from Derek Roy, Tyler Ennis and Tyler Myers. If Vanek can return to form, I believe Buffalo can easily challenge the Bruins for the Northeast crown.. another tight division race there. former and current Vezina winners go head to head in this first round bout.
West:
1) canucks
2) sharks
3) red wings
4) kings
5) blackhawks
6) avalanche
7) blues
8) predators
In the west, last year's second most productive offense comes out on top thanks to an improved focus on defense. When the biggest question mark for postseason success is a goalie that puts up all-star numbers, you know you're a legitimately good team. On the flip side, I find it impossible to pick against Nashville no matter how questionable the team looks on paper. Every season, Barry Trotz has his team in the mix. Taking the Pacific, I have to go with the offense of San Jose. One of the two goalies from that tandem will take the starting position and run while the forwards do their thing. Look for a great season from the Big Pavelski and the bounce back of Setoguchi. The Blues took a step back last year but I have faith in Jaroslav Halak to hold the fort when the going gets tough. A lot of young talent on the roster.. look for a breakout year from David Perron! I can't pick anyone but Detroit for the Central, though. Too much experience, too much talent so they'll take the third seed. I think the Wings will rest guys during the season which will have an impact on the record. It's all about playoffs for this team, though, so they'll play it smart. I think the young Aves will take another step forward and somehow make the cut again. A scary first round match for the veteran Wings and a trip down memory lane in a once fierce rivalry. Though dismantled, Chicago still has a great core, good defense and now a veteran+hungry rookie goalie combo. They'll be competitive but not quite as good as Detroit. Meanwhile, the Kings show why they've been hyped as the next up and coming team. Not quite good enough to best San Jose, but good enough to grab home ice advantage for the playoffs. Doughty is the real deal and Jonathan Bernier earns his new 2 year contract extension. Honestly though, I could see a ton of different scenarios and teams making up the 4-8 spots... that's how good the West looks to me on paper.
EDIT: And for fun...
Key Omissions:
In the East, I just don't believe in the goaltending at all for Ottawa and their captain's numbers have declined over the past few seasons. Alfie is getting old, man. While Mike Fisher had a great campaign last year, he has one hell of hot wife distraction. Gonchar was a good add and they have up and coming Karlsson back there on D as well so they'll be in the mix down the stretch.. I just believe they won't make the final cut. The Habs also have a great young blueliner in PK Subban and return most of last year's playoff team. However, Price as the main guy just won't work in Montreal. He can't seem to succeed when the pressure of the Candiens faithful is on him. Goaltending is why they made the cut last year and why they'll miss the cut this season.
In the West, the Flames have a great goaltender and good forwards but things didn't really work out all that well after that Phaneuf trade. I think they have what it takes to make the cut on paper and just won't live up to the potential.. even though it's a weak division overall. The Ducks have a stellar top line but the depth is lacking and who else besides Vis is on the blueline again? Jonas Hiller has a great SV% partially because he faces a ton of shots. He can't steal every game. Phoenix is interesting but I just have no faith in them repeating last season's magic.
East:
1) caps
2) pens
3) bruins
4) devils
5) sabres
6) flyers
7) lightning
8) rangers
Caps are still by far the most dangerous team offensively and we've seen over the years how well that works out for regular season finish. On the other end, the Rangers alternate years of making the playoffs, so I have to go with them for the 8th seed. A rematch from a couple years ago, it pits the goaltending strength of the King against the scoring prowess of Washington. Halak, part 2 anyone? Crosby improves on something every year, so it's tough to pick against him and the Pens. Add in a healthy year from Malkin plus the improved defense and Pittsburgh looks pretty legit to come out on top of an always stacked Atlantic division. Tying Rocket Richard winners meet up in the first round of what should be some fun, offensively skilled hockey. Yzerman has assembled some great players in his first few months as GM, so Tampa looks to squeak into the playoffs this year as the 7 seed. Bruins barely take the Northeast in spite of MIA Marc Savard. Key players have bounce back years and the new additions will make an impact. A rematch of last season's magical comeback against Boston, the Flyers take the 6th seed thanks to the shaky goaltending and tough division. In the great 4-5 matchup, I have to take NJ and Buffalo. Loaded offensively on the top line, the Devils miss out on the 2 seed again by 1 point. Meanwhile, Buffalo relies on Ryan Miller for stability but will also get some quality play from Derek Roy, Tyler Ennis and Tyler Myers. If Vanek can return to form, I believe Buffalo can easily challenge the Bruins for the Northeast crown.. another tight division race there. former and current Vezina winners go head to head in this first round bout.
West:
1) canucks
2) sharks
3) red wings
4) kings
5) blackhawks
6) avalanche
7) blues
8) predators
In the west, last year's second most productive offense comes out on top thanks to an improved focus on defense. When the biggest question mark for postseason success is a goalie that puts up all-star numbers, you know you're a legitimately good team. On the flip side, I find it impossible to pick against Nashville no matter how questionable the team looks on paper. Every season, Barry Trotz has his team in the mix. Taking the Pacific, I have to go with the offense of San Jose. One of the two goalies from that tandem will take the starting position and run while the forwards do their thing. Look for a great season from the Big Pavelski and the bounce back of Setoguchi. The Blues took a step back last year but I have faith in Jaroslav Halak to hold the fort when the going gets tough. A lot of young talent on the roster.. look for a breakout year from David Perron! I can't pick anyone but Detroit for the Central, though. Too much experience, too much talent so they'll take the third seed. I think the Wings will rest guys during the season which will have an impact on the record. It's all about playoffs for this team, though, so they'll play it smart. I think the young Aves will take another step forward and somehow make the cut again. A scary first round match for the veteran Wings and a trip down memory lane in a once fierce rivalry. Though dismantled, Chicago still has a great core, good defense and now a veteran+hungry rookie goalie combo. They'll be competitive but not quite as good as Detroit. Meanwhile, the Kings show why they've been hyped as the next up and coming team. Not quite good enough to best San Jose, but good enough to grab home ice advantage for the playoffs. Doughty is the real deal and Jonathan Bernier earns his new 2 year contract extension. Honestly though, I could see a ton of different scenarios and teams making up the 4-8 spots... that's how good the West looks to me on paper.
EDIT: And for fun...
Key Omissions:
In the East, I just don't believe in the goaltending at all for Ottawa and their captain's numbers have declined over the past few seasons. Alfie is getting old, man. While Mike Fisher had a great campaign last year, he has one hell of hot wife distraction. Gonchar was a good add and they have up and coming Karlsson back there on D as well so they'll be in the mix down the stretch.. I just believe they won't make the final cut. The Habs also have a great young blueliner in PK Subban and return most of last year's playoff team. However, Price as the main guy just won't work in Montreal. He can't seem to succeed when the pressure of the Candiens faithful is on him. Goaltending is why they made the cut last year and why they'll miss the cut this season.
In the West, the Flames have a great goaltender and good forwards but things didn't really work out all that well after that Phaneuf trade. I think they have what it takes to make the cut on paper and just won't live up to the potential.. even though it's a weak division overall. The Ducks have a stellar top line but the depth is lacking and who else besides Vis is on the blueline again? Jonas Hiller has a great SV% partially because he faces a ton of shots. He can't steal every game. Phoenix is interesting but I just have no faith in them repeating last season's magic.
I was typing something up, but then i lost it.... >:(
Western Conference
1. Vancouver Canucks (Who isn't gonna guess this?)
2. Detroit Red Wings
(They're back, they're healthy, they got Hudler, Modano, and Salei. Did i mention they're healthy?)
3. Los Angeles Kings(I'm Drinking the Kool-aid on this one, even though i think it's legit. They are the only ones who gained more in the pacific than lost)
4. San Jose Sharks(Still talented, will miss Nabokov, Blake, and maybe Malhotra)
5. Chicago Blackhawks (Possibly the best they can do)
6. Phoenix Coyotes (People are gonna regret not picking these guys, they ARE good)
7. St. Louis Blues (If their young guns play up with Halak standing tall, they'll steal some wins.)
8. Edmonton Oilers (No one will see this coming. Perhaps it won't, but then again, nobody saw Phoenix becoming legit either.)
9. Nashville Predators
10. Colorado Avalanche
11. Anaheim Ducks
12. Calgary Flames
13. Minnesota Wild
14. Columbus Blue Jackets
15. Dallas Stars
Meh, so outside of Edmonton, i think these are legit picks for the west. It'd be an interesting playoffs for sure. I'd especially enjoy the Wings take on the Blues on their 20th anniversary of the Red Wings first playoff appearance that started this record run.
Eastern Conference
1. Boston Bruins (I think they can rebound, they'll be looking forward to and they've got the players to do so)
2. Washington Capitols (Perhaps it isn't smart to put these guys at #2, but then again, perhaps a revitalized Southeast Division will steal some wins from them.)
3. Pittsburgh Penguins (These guys would love to play in the Southeast, but they don't. They'll break through and win the division, but New Jersey and Philadelphia won't let them go further)
4. New Jersey (Full year with Kovalchuck, nuff said)
5. Tampa Bay Lightning (Never underestimate Stevie Y... He'll turn your trashy team into something meaningful... and he'll steal the leftover prospects from the Red Wings.... Jerk)
6. Philadelphia Flyers (Yeah, they aren't as unstable as last year, but they aren't much of a regular season team though...)
7. Ottawa Senators (They didn't change much, but since they finished 5th last year, perhaps that's not such a bad thing
8. Atlanta Thrashers (Good grief, they got guys from Chicago that are gonna try and carry this team, and i think they'll succeed with the other young talents that they have.)
9. Buffalo Sabres
10. New York Rangers
11. Montreal Canadiens
12. Carolina Hurricanes
13. Toronto Maple Leafs
14. New York Islanders
15. Florida Panthers
This all depends on what happens in that drnd Northeast Division... They are definitely the wildcard division in all of this.
Western Conference
1. Vancouver Canucks (Who isn't gonna guess this?)
2. Detroit Red Wings
(They're back, they're healthy, they got Hudler, Modano, and Salei. Did i mention they're healthy?)
3. Los Angeles Kings(I'm Drinking the Kool-aid on this one, even though i think it's legit. They are the only ones who gained more in the pacific than lost)
4. San Jose Sharks(Still talented, will miss Nabokov, Blake, and maybe Malhotra)
5. Chicago Blackhawks (Possibly the best they can do)
6. Phoenix Coyotes (People are gonna regret not picking these guys, they ARE good)
7. St. Louis Blues (If their young guns play up with Halak standing tall, they'll steal some wins.)
8. Edmonton Oilers (No one will see this coming. Perhaps it won't, but then again, nobody saw Phoenix becoming legit either.)
9. Nashville Predators
10. Colorado Avalanche
11. Anaheim Ducks
12. Calgary Flames
13. Minnesota Wild
14. Columbus Blue Jackets
15. Dallas Stars
Meh, so outside of Edmonton, i think these are legit picks for the west. It'd be an interesting playoffs for sure. I'd especially enjoy the Wings take on the Blues on their 20th anniversary of the Red Wings first playoff appearance that started this record run.
Eastern Conference
1. Boston Bruins (I think they can rebound, they'll be looking forward to and they've got the players to do so)
2. Washington Capitols (Perhaps it isn't smart to put these guys at #2, but then again, perhaps a revitalized Southeast Division will steal some wins from them.)
3. Pittsburgh Penguins (These guys would love to play in the Southeast, but they don't. They'll break through and win the division, but New Jersey and Philadelphia won't let them go further)
4. New Jersey (Full year with Kovalchuck, nuff said)
5. Tampa Bay Lightning (Never underestimate Stevie Y... He'll turn your trashy team into something meaningful... and he'll steal the leftover prospects from the Red Wings.... Jerk)
6. Philadelphia Flyers (Yeah, they aren't as unstable as last year, but they aren't much of a regular season team though...)
7. Ottawa Senators (They didn't change much, but since they finished 5th last year, perhaps that's not such a bad thing
8. Atlanta Thrashers (Good grief, they got guys from Chicago that are gonna try and carry this team, and i think they'll succeed with the other young talents that they have.)
9. Buffalo Sabres
10. New York Rangers
11. Montreal Canadiens
12. Carolina Hurricanes
13. Toronto Maple Leafs
14. New York Islanders
15. Florida Panthers
This all depends on what happens in that drnd Northeast Division... They are definitely the wildcard division in all of this.
Eastern Conference
1. Washington Capitals
2. Pittsburgh Penguins
3. Buffalo Sabres
4. New Jersey Devils
5. Tampa Bay Lightning
6. Boston Bruins
7. Philadelphia Flyers
8. Montreal Canadiens
9. Ottawa Senators
10. New York Rangers
11. Florida Panthers
12. Atlanta Trashers
13. Toronto Maple Leafs
14. New York Islanders
15. Carolina Hurricanes
Western Conference
1. Vancouver Canucks
2. Detroit Red Wings
3. San Jose Sharks
4. Los Angeles Kings
5. Phoenix Coyotes
6. Edmonton Oilers
7. St. Louis Blues
8. Chicago Blackhawks
______________
9. Calgary Flames
10. Dallas Stars
11. Colorado Avalanche
12. Anaheim Ducks
13. Nashville Predators
14. Columbus Bluejackets
15. Minnesota Wild
1. Washington Capitals
2. Pittsburgh Penguins
3. Buffalo Sabres
4. New Jersey Devils
5. Tampa Bay Lightning
6. Boston Bruins
7. Philadelphia Flyers
8. Montreal Canadiens
9. Ottawa Senators
10. New York Rangers
11. Florida Panthers
12. Atlanta Trashers
13. Toronto Maple Leafs
14. New York Islanders
15. Carolina Hurricanes
Western Conference
1. Vancouver Canucks
2. Detroit Red Wings
3. San Jose Sharks
4. Los Angeles Kings
5. Phoenix Coyotes
6. Edmonton Oilers
7. St. Louis Blues
8. Chicago Blackhawks
______________
9. Calgary Flames
10. Dallas Stars
11. Colorado Avalanche
12. Anaheim Ducks
13. Nashville Predators
14. Columbus Bluejackets
15. Minnesota Wild
I like how he wrote his own name on the cup :)Getting late for predictions but here's mine :
Apparently the Islanders will be winning their division this year, given that we're in some sort of bizarro NHL where Pavel Datsyuk gets a Gordie Howe hat trick...
I think that was the only time I've ever yelled at my TV for one of our players to turtle before... he sure didn't need to, though. I'd say he won the scrap even without the handicap for the fact surviving was pretty much a win - hockeyfights has him at like a 50%+ winner atm, lol.
It shows you how intense that Ducks/Wings rivalry is, even ignoring the fact the Ducks basically gave up after the first and spent the rest of the game trying to deliver cheap shots. It's not Colorado of the late 90s, but it's as close as we're likely to see in the modern era I think - neither team has forgotten about the 07 conference finals or the 09 conference semis, and basically every regular season game is just as scrappy. This is actually Datsyuk's second career fight(both against the Ducks), and a lot of other non-combatants have gone at it with them.
Honestly, I wish the Ducks were a better team this year for the rivalry to live on a little better. Threat of injury aside it's great hockey, usually.
It shows you how intense that Ducks/Wings rivalry is, even ignoring the fact the Ducks basically gave up after the first and spent the rest of the game trying to deliver cheap shots. It's not Colorado of the late 90s, but it's as close as we're likely to see in the modern era I think - neither team has forgotten about the 07 conference finals or the 09 conference semis, and basically every regular season game is just as scrappy. This is actually Datsyuk's second career fight(both against the Ducks), and a lot of other non-combatants have gone at it with them.
Honestly, I wish the Ducks were a better team this year for the rivalry to live on a little better. Threat of injury aside it's great hockey, usually.
Crazy first night. Dallas knocked off the Devils, Atlanta rolled over Washington. Scary moment with Pavelec, hopefully he comes back soon.
Sabres severely outplayed Ottawa and just scraped out the win. When you outshoot a team 29-12 after two periods and it's tied, you know they've been getting some lucky bounces. Vanek had about 17 scoring chances from point-blank range, but Leclaire just had his number.
Sabres severely outplayed Ottawa and just scraped out the win. When you outshoot a team 29-12 after two periods and it's tied, you know they've been getting some lucky bounces. Vanek had about 17 scoring chances from point-blank range, but Leclaire just had his number.
Who do you think the best and worst teams will be.
Also what will be the epic fail team (one that gets the first round pick).
Also what will be the epic fail team (one that gets the first round pick).
Montreal will be worst hopefully.
Then they can draft Couturier and I can start rooting for them again. There's a high chance he'll be the first #1 draft pick that's a francophone since MA Fleury.
Or it could be easier if TB came last and became even more french.
Could havesomething to do wtih versteeg and phil one nut. They picked up a lot of talent and hard work so id expect them to not be that bad
Since Derek Stepan had a hat trick in his first ever game, our genius GM is going to have a brand new contract for him by the end of the week.