NHL Regular Season '07-'08

BtownJay · September 28th, 2007, 12:28 PM

I figured we have some team threads, but would need some place to talk about the other teams/games during the year. Below are TSN's pre-season power rankings...

TSN : NHL - Canada's Sports Leader (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?fid=548&hubname=)

My thoughts & some favorite teams of...
Full Article

klicks · October 2nd, 2007, 03:02 PM

I vote for Jay to take over the power rankings for TSN! Not sure what TSN's chief progrostinator is smoking, but I agree with Jay much more than TSN.
Some additional comments:
- I'd put Ottawa behind both Detroit and Anaheim - last year was their shot and they blew it, I'm looking for the Sens to drop off despite their wealth of talent. Detroit might finish first overall simply due to a weaker division - it will probably be them and Anaheim in the western final.
- Buffalo number 4? Lost too much in the off-season, and despite Connolly, Vanek et al. and overall good team speed, I have them figured to be consistent but not overpowering and ending up about 9th overall.
- San Jose - should be about 5th, a very strong team that maybe got close enough last year to be very hungry this year. Too bad they'll have to get by Annaheim and Detroit.
- New York Rangers, great goaltending, and they've added to an already impressive offence by landing Gomez and Drury (whom I think was the best UFA available. They may be a little shy on the blueline, but with the balanced 4 lines they have I see them finishing a strong 4th overall. I figure they are one of the most improved teams, at least on paper.
- Flyers, gotta give Holmgren credit for completely revamping a very poor team over the summer. I liked the signing of Joey Mullen as an assistant coach too. Should be one of the most improved teams, but they are in a tough division - I got them figured for battling for a playoff spot. Jason Smith should help stablizie what was a porous, slow defence. If Biron or Nittymaki really step up, they could become a leigitmate contender. Holmgren might still have to make a move for more speed on the blueline.
- Pittsburgh - cindy and the boys are gonna rock this year, I figure this is the year they get close but don't win. Fleury will need to get more consistent to keep this team as a contender; with their run and gun style and iffy defence, he'll get lots of work. They'll be a great team to watch no matter how they finish in the standings.
- Maple Laffs - who you kidding? 28th.
- Islanders - got nothing, it will look good on Comrie and crowd to finish below the lowly leafs. Maybe Mikey can go cry on Hillary's shoulder.
- some surprises I see as possible: Colorado, LA, Edmonton and Washington. I figure the Av's will take first in the division ahead of Vancouver, and the Oilers with their new found youth and speed could squeak in for 3rd and be in a battle for 8th in the conference. I like what LA has been doing, maybe they too can battle for a playoff spot. I figure that Ovechkin will lead the Caps to an above .500 year and 8th in the east.
- tough year ahead for Boston, Chicago, Columbus, St Louis, Montreal, Nashville, Dallas and Jersey fans, and of course the Coyotes (but they don't have any fans anyway).
Toughest calls - Florida, Tampa and Carolina - who knows how they'll pan out, but I'm thinking Florida may surprise with Vokoun (one of my favourite goalies) between the pipes. If Cam Ward returns to form and is over the sophomore jinx, Carolina could be tough too.
The worst TSN ranking IMO, was Nashville for 11th overall - hell, I don't think they'll even finish 11th in the conference!
Those are my thoughts for what they're worth, now you know why I don't do this as a living

BtownJay · October 2nd, 2007, 03:48 PM

Don't sell yourself short Klicks... I think it was very good. Its really hard to predict whats going to happen, who knows what could change as the season goes on. Sure i don't agree with EVERYTHING you posted, but unless we shared a brain, thats going to happen. But it was a very educated opinion of the rankings you gave, good work.

The one thing I will add is about the Flyers defense. Barring injury i don't think they will add anything else. They got the two men they wanted with Timonen and Smith. Kukkonen and Coburn are going to be a big suprise to people this year, mark it down. Hatcher and Jones round out the 6, but if Jones struggles, don't be suprised to see the rising star Guenin (sp?) playing as well. IMO, they are set there.

Oooops, two more things... I agree with you about Florida... i like what they have been working on there, and they could really suprise people this season. And the Caps aren't making the playoffs... no way, no how. They still have no defense and one and a half lines.

BtownBeers · October 2nd, 2007, 04:06 PM

Good break downs and interesting reads by both!

I guess Parent isn't making the Flyers roster jay?

BtownJay · October 2nd, 2007, 04:15 PM

Only if we have a bunch of injuries. The final roster is out today (i'll post it in the Flyers thread) and he's not on it. Nate Guenin (sp) is the #7 d-man.

BtownBeers · October 2nd, 2007, 04:19 PM

Damn...guess he's not ready...not sure what that tells us about him that this Guenin is ahead of him already..though I know knowing about that guy either.

BtownJay · October 3rd, 2007, 01:49 PM

Well i'm really bored, and don't feel like doing much work. So here are my pre-season (sort of) predictions...

East
1. Senators
2. Rangers
3. Penguins
4. Sabres
5. Hurricanes
6. Flyers
7. Devils
8. Panthers

West
1. Red Wings
2. Sharks
3. Ducks
4. Canucks
5. Flames
6. Wild
7. Avalanche
8. Stars

klicks · October 3rd, 2007, 03:18 PM

pretty hard to argue those Jay. I'd move the Sens from 1st to third in the east, swap the Sharks and disney kids in the west and swap the Avs and Wild with the Canucks and Flames. Other than that, I agee with your predictions of who makes the playoffs. I figure the most interesting race will be for 7 and 8 in the west, with 4 or 5 teams fighting it out to the end - Oilers and Kings will likely end up just missing and the Flames, Stars and Canucks will just make it in.
Anyway, England tour notwithstanding, it all starts tonight - I am PUMPED

klicks · October 3rd, 2007, 03:40 PM

and when it's all said and done - Red Wings vs Rangers for the cup.

Rusty27 · October 3rd, 2007, 03:49 PM

Oh freakin bloody hell NO! I beg you,please NOOOOOOOOOOH!
Sens vs Sharks is my pick

klicks · October 3rd, 2007, 03:53 PM

Hope your prediction is better than mine Rusty - I'd rather see Sens/Sharks than Rangers/Wings. What I'd REALLY like to see is Pens/Sharks, just because I hate the Sens.

October 2nd, 2007, 04:06 PM	#4
BtownBeers Skull Fucker Wannabeeee! Join Date: 08-23-2004 Location: In Mrs. Jays Pants! Posts: 23,918 Tournaments Joined: 0 Tournament Wins: 0	Good break downs and interesting reads by both! I guess Parent isn't making the Flyers roster jay? __________________ As someone who has been on both ends of a loaded weapon I can only wish you well in your idealized little vision of what the world should be; I will continue to deal the world as it really is. -BaldBil

October 2nd, 2007, 04:19 PM	#6
BtownBeers Skull Fucker Wannabeeee! Join Date: 08-23-2004 Location: In Mrs. Jays Pants! Posts: 23,918 Tournaments Joined: 0 Tournament Wins: 0	Damn...guess he's not ready...not sure what that tells us about him that this Guenin is ahead of him already..though I know knowing about that guy either. __________________ As someone who has been on both ends of a loaded weapon I can only wish you well in your idealized little vision of what the world should be; I will continue to deal the world as it really is. -BaldBil

October 3rd, 2007, 03:49 PM	#10
Rusty27 Good ol' Rocky Top;Rocky Top,Tennessee Join Date: 07-15-2004 Location: Knoxville,Tenn. Posts: 31,472 Tournaments Joined: 0 Tournament Wins: 0	Oh freakin bloody hell NO! I beg you,please NOOOOOOOOOOH! Sens vs Sharks is my pick __________________

October 2nd, 2007, 03:02 PM	#2
klicks head up, stick down, elbows out Join Date: 07-04-2005 Posts: 1,385 Tournaments Joined: 0 Tournament Wins: 0	I vote for Jay to take over the power rankings for TSN! Not sure what TSN's chief progrostinator is smoking, but I agree with Jay much more than TSN. Some additional comments: - I'd put Ottawa behind both Detroit and Anaheim - last year was their shot and they blew it, I'm looking for the Sens to drop off despite their wealth of talent. Detroit might finish first overall simply due to a weaker division - it will probably be them and Anaheim in the western final. - Buffalo number 4? Lost too much in the off-season, and despite Connolly, Vanek et al. and overall good team speed, I have them figured to be consistent but not overpowering and ending up about 9th overall. - San Jose - should be about 5th, a very strong team that maybe got close enough last year to be very hungry this year. Too bad they'll have to get by Annaheim and Detroit. - New York Rangers, great goaltending, and they've added to an already impressive offence by landing Gomez and Drury (whom I think was the best UFA available. They may be a little shy on the blueline, but with the balanced 4 lines they have I see them finishing a strong 4th overall. I figure they are one of the most improved teams, at least on paper. - Flyers, gotta give Holmgren credit for completely revamping a very poor team over the summer. I liked the signing of Joey Mullen as an assistant coach too. Should be one of the most improved teams, but they are in a tough division - I got them figured for battling for a playoff spot. Jason Smith should help stablizie what was a porous, slow defence. If Biron or Nittymaki really step up, they could become a leigitmate contender. Holmgren might still have to make a move for more speed on the blueline. - Pittsburgh - cindy and the boys are gonna rock this year, I figure this is the year they get close but don't win. Fleury will need to get more consistent to keep this team as a contender; with their run and gun style and iffy defence, he'll get lots of work. They'll be a great team to watch no matter how they finish in the standings. - Maple Laffs - who you kidding? 28th. - Islanders - got nothing, it will look good on Comrie and crowd to finish below the lowly leafs. Maybe Mikey can go cry on Hillary's shoulder. - some surprises I see as possible: Colorado, LA, Edmonton and Washington. I figure the Av's will take first in the division ahead of Vancouver, and the Oilers with their new found youth and speed could squeak in for 3rd and be in a battle for 8th in the conference. I like what LA has been doing, maybe they too can battle for a playoff spot. I figure that Ovechkin will lead the Caps to an above .500 year and 8th in the east. - tough year ahead for Boston, Chicago, Columbus, St Louis, Montreal, Nashville, Dallas and Jersey fans, and of course the Coyotes (but they don't have any fans anyway). Toughest calls - Florida, Tampa and Carolina - who knows how they'll pan out, but I'm thinking Florida may surprise with Vokoun (one of my favourite goalies) between the pipes. If Cam Ward returns to form and is over the sophomore jinx, Carolina could be tough too. The worst TSN ranking IMO, was Nashville for 11th overall - hell, I don't think they'll even finish 11th in the conference! Those are my thoughts for what they're worth, now you know why I don't do this as a living

October 3rd, 2007, 03:18 PM	#8
klicks head up, stick down, elbows out Join Date: 07-04-2005 Posts: 1,385 Tournaments Joined: 0 Tournament Wins: 0	pretty hard to argue those Jay. I'd move the Sens from 1st to third in the east, swap the Sharks and disney kids in the west and swap the Avs and Wild with the Canucks and Flames. Other than that, I agee with your predictions of who makes the playoffs. I figure the most interesting race will be for 7 and 8 in the west, with 4 or 5 teams fighting it out to the end - Oilers and Kings will likely end up just missing and the Flames, Stars and Canucks will just make it in. Anyway, England tour notwithstanding, it all starts tonight - I am PUMPED

October 3rd, 2007, 03:40 PM	#9
klicks head up, stick down, elbows out Join Date: 07-04-2005 Posts: 1,385 Tournaments Joined: 0 Tournament Wins: 0	and when it's all said and done - Red Wings vs Rangers for the cup.

October 3rd, 2007, 03:53 PM	#11
klicks head up, stick down, elbows out Join Date: 07-04-2005 Posts: 1,385 Tournaments Joined: 0 Tournament Wins: 0	Hope your prediction is better than mine Rusty - I'd rather see Sens/Sharks than Rangers/Wings. What I'd REALLY like to see is Pens/Sharks, just because I hate the Sens.