FlyKev From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2006, 1069 posts, RR: 1 Posted (3 years 3 months 2 weeks 1 day 17 hours ago) and read 326 times:
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It seems a while since we were all predicting our winners for the Stanely Cup in 2006; saying goodbye to teams that had tried, failed or screwed up somewhere and now, here we are, with under one month to go until the pre season begins and just over a month and a few weeks until the real season begins.
So what better now than a thread to discuss what we reckon will happen this year with our supported teams and around the NHL.
Of course, this year we begin with a new team name for Anaheim, much needed however, Im nto a fan of their new logos and of course, a new announced logo design for buffalo (which is unpopular among many and has been dubbed 'the buffaslug').
Dallas have made some interesting changes to their team, dropping some big names, for some smaller names, and bringing back Sydor to the Stars.
The seasons yet to begin, but its looking like it should be a good one for all.
Whats your opinion, thaughts and views on the NHL?
Kev.
(Go Stars!)
The white zone is for immediate loading and unloading of passengers only
KROC From United States, joined May 2000, 19737 posts, RR: 99 Reply 1, posted (3 years 3 months 2 weeks 1 day 17 hours ago) and read 324 times:
Right. Lets talk Hockey as Baseball nears the stretch run and the NFL is gearing up to kick-off. I'm sure the dozen or so hockey fans left will be very interested.
"Never tell anybody outside the family what you're thinking again"
STLUAL747 From United States, joined Dec 2004, 164 posts, RR: 2 Reply 2, posted (3 years 3 months 2 weeks 1 day 13 hours ago) and read 305 times:
Well I will add my two cents. I am predicting my Blues will turn around from one of their worst seasons ever and win the Stanly Cup.
Ok now for reality I think my Blues have a chance at making the playoffs this year if we are lucky. They have a new owner (Dave Checketts) and a new President (John Davidson) who seem to know what they are doing. Davidson has made some good moves that should really benefit the Blues. We gained Legacy, Guerin, Hinote, Weight is back, Jay McClement, and Martin Rucinsky. We also have the number one overall draft pick in Erik Johnson who won't play right away but may show up at the end of the season. All and all the Blues look good this year. Are they a playoff team? I don't really know. I think they have a good shot though.
As for the rest of the NHL I think I have too pick the Predators as most likely to win the Cup. They looked good last year and I think they are going to be even better this year.
Srbmod From United States, joined Mar 2001, 14253 posts, RR: 61 Reply 3, posted (3 years 3 months 2 weeks 1 day 11 hours ago) and read 294 times:
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Quoting KROC (Reply 1): Right. Lets talk Hockey as Baseball nears the stretch run and the NFL is gearing up to kick-off. I'm sure the dozen or so hockey fans left will be very interested.
STFU!!!!
Signed,
The 12 Hockey Fans of A.net
I'm going to try to make it to some of the training camp scrimmage sessions this season since the Thrashers' training facility is near some of the stops on my delivery route.
My only real concern is who's going to fill the void (figuratively and literally) left by Marc Savard signing with the Bruins. Some have even touted last year's #1 pick Alex Bourret to potentially be the one to fill that role this season (Personally, I think he needs a season in the minors, but his stats in the Q last season possibly speak otherwise [44 goals, 70 assists, 114 points in 67 games with the Shawinigan Cataractes].). We have two superb offensive weapons in Kovalchuk and Hossa (I think we got the better end of the deal in the Hossa and De Vries for Heatley trade.), a highly regarded goalie prospect in Lehtonen (Thankfully we've signed some good backups just in case [Hedberg and Bratwaite]), and with the trade for Vishnevski, we've got a decent blueline as well.
Bob Hartley is in the last year of his current contract, as is the majority of the front office staff (Thrashers GM Don Waddell recently had his contract extended through the 2007-2008 season). If things look bad early, it could be quite possible for Hartley to be the first coach axed this season.
Enjoy Patricia Stefan and Jaroslav Slodry. I think we got the better end of that deal. Stefan is a bust considering he never lived up to his #1 draft pick status and last season was his best season as an NHLer. Modry doesn't seem to be a fit in the "New NHL" and fans here weren't sad to see him traded.
Chugach From United States, joined Dec 2004, 1041 posts, RR: 4 Reply 4, posted (3 years 3 months 2 weeks 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 275 times:
Quoting KROC (Reply 1): Right. Lets talk Hockey as Baseball nears the stretch run and the NFL is gearing up to kick-off. I'm sure the dozen or so hockey fans left will be very interested.
I'm impressed! Normally it takes a few posts by other people before you enlighten us with your hockey grudges. Way to stay on top of things
That said, out of the three teams I pay attention to--Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver--the Canucks are the biggest enigma. It's been a huge offseason of change for them and it will be interesting to see how the adjustments work.
Edmonton should be playoff-bound again, although Pronger being pussy-whipped by his wife into a trade won't help their cause. Their defensive line is worrisome.
I expect Calgary to be at the same level for the last two seasons; hopefully they won't lay an egg the size of the Saddledome in the first round again.
NeilYYZ From Canada, joined Jan 2006, 2647 posts, RR: 5 Reply 5, posted (3 years 3 months 2 weeks 1 day 6 hours ago) and read 270 times:
Toronto is going to have a year entirely dependant on Raycroft. If Raycroft returns to the same form that he was in a couple of years back in Boston I think we stand a chance of making the playoffs. The defence is strong, Gill, McCabe and Kaberle are all very capable. Kaberle needs to shoot more because people figured out that McCabe is a sniper and can pick the corners. The addition of Kubina I also see as a plus, he's a big guy, but he can also move the puck around very well. Of course we have Sundin, always a class player, and one of the better players in the league. I'm hoping to see Toronto in the post-season, but given the questionable John Ferguson Jr. as a GM, I think it could go either way. However, the addition of Paul Maurice as the Head Coach should help things out a fair bit. He's much more adept to the new NHL as opposed to the old Pat Quinn who relied to heavily on veteran players with puck handleing, but not too much speed. We shall see in time, but I'm giving the leafs a 50/50 chance at the post season.
As for the Senators, who I loathe, I bet they'll have a good year, but again, choke like a 4 year old girl with a lollypop come playoff time.
It may be too early to drink scotch... But it is NEVER too early to think about it...
Senorcarnival From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 6, posted (3 years 3 months 2 weeks 1 day 6 hours ago) and read 270 times:
To be honest, other than the Pronger dramafest, I was only paying attention to what the Avs were doing. I like that they realized they can't be bringing in any more guys like Turgeon and Brisebois and to start loading talent for the future. From the only game I was able to see Arnason play, I liked what I saw. It would be fun to see Arnason pair up with Wolski so we can possibly get a glimpse of the future of the franchise. As for this season, I predict more heartbreak in Denver as the groins and muscles on the old guys start to give and the youngins are left to fend for themselves in the Northwest division.
Eastern L1011 From United States, joined May 1999, 127 posts, RR: 4 Reply 7, posted (3 years 3 months 2 weeks 15 hours ago) and read 257 times:
I actually signed a petition against the new Buffalo logo. Not only do I think it is boring and ugly, I also think the jersey as a whole looks too much like Nashville's. I understand them wanting to go back to the old blue and gold but not if it is going to look like that. As far as the team goes, we'll have to wait and see. They lost a couple of key players but Buffalo still has a strong core of young guys. I'm sure they'll make the playoffs, but I'm not so sure they'll make it as far as they did this past season. Last season they were ahead of the curve as a team adapting to the new rules, but now other teams are going to start catching up and the league shouldn't be as polarized this season.
JFK69 From United States, joined Jun 2006, 1232 posts, RR: 2 Reply 8, posted (3 years 3 months 2 weeks 10 hours ago) and read 244 times:
Even with the whole Snow debacle on Long Island I am looking forward to the youngsters having a full season. Nillson should be one to watch in the league this year.....should be.... See Nolan kick yashins ass as well. Maybe there is someone in the league that can get that waste of space moving.
Very curious to see how the Blues will play though. A HUGE turnaround for them...
A332 From Canada, joined Feb 2005, 1553 posts, RR: 4 Reply 9, posted (3 years 3 months 2 weeks 9 hours ago) and read 244 times:
I am just wondering how many games it will take for that loser Eric Lindros to become a liability for Dallas... such a waste of time. He's called the most over-rated hockey player in history for a reason... now he's going to be a thorn in the side of my beloved Stars.
Here's to another great hockey season... Go Stars & Go Flames!
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