[Phoenix Arrow]

Well, the new season is nearly upon us. After one of the best performances I've seen from the Bruins by dumping the Habs out 4-0 in their 100th year followed by a jammy win by the Canes in the next round, I've been feeling short changed on the hockey front.

After a pretty average regular season, the Pens managed to pull off another one of their playoffs wonders by making it all the way. In a repeat of last season final, this time they managed to beat the Red Wings 4-3. Max Talbot scored twice in the final game of the series to win Lord Stnaleys Mug in Detroit.

Phoenix Arrow does season predictions and gets them all wrong.
Pacific Division
San Jose Sharks have been a team to watch for the last two seasons. Last year they were the highest scoring team in the regular season. I don't think they'll be able to match that achievement but they'll certainly be in the top 8 come the end of the season. Probably will win this division. Phoenix and LA have little or no chance of getting into the playoffs. I'm not even entirely sure if we will see a team in Phoenix come next season which is a shame because I've always liked them. I'm predicting a better season for Dallas this year and I can see them challenging the Sharks come the end of the season.

Northwest Division
Vancouver are my dark horse this year. I don't think they'll be too impressive in the regular season but they'll make it to the playoffs and will find some form there. I think they'll make it to the conference final. Calgary will certainly be there abouts and Edmonton will be more of a threat to those top 2 this season. I can see Minnesota making a strong start then tailing off towards the end. Colorado I can see doing the opposite. Making a poor start the powering up towards February. I don't think they'll make the playoffs though.

Central Division
As you were. Red Wings will win the conference. Blackhawks will continue to worry them but won't be a serious threat. Blues will be right behind them. Columbus won't make the cut this year though and will be left floating somewhere between St. Louis and Nashville.

All in all, the Western Conference qualifiers will be: Detroit Redwings, San Jose Sharks, Chicago Blackhawks, Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, St. Louis Blues, Dallas Stars, Edmonton Oilers.

Southeast Division
I think the Atlanta Thrashers will the suprise of the year. I don't think they'll be enough to topple the Caps from the top spot of this division but they'll certainly be a threat. When we played them last season, I saw some definite promise in them. Canes and Panthers will be consistently average all season and I think both miss out on the playoffs this time around. Tampa Bay will be poor. Backroom drama.

Northeast Division
Bruins will win this division. We won't blow it apart, but we'll get on it with it and will ultimately do well and will come first comfortably. Habs will be more of the same. There's something missing from their team and this won't be their season. Or maybe I'm just saying that. The Senators will have a better season and will be pushing the Habs. Buffalo will be average and the Leafs will be out of it completely.

Atlantic Division
This is the tricky one. It all rests on whether or when Pens find their consistency. I think they'll do well this season though and I'll say they'll clinch this division but justice will be served and they'll go out early in the playoffs. Jammy bastards. NJ and Rags will be a few points behind but they'll play well and will be fine. I don't think the Flyers will have an outstanding season this year. Nothing major to worry about but they'll be edged out of the playoffs. The Islanders have no chance and never will.

The Eastern Conference then. It's always hard to predict I'm goign for Washington Capitals, Boston Bruins, Pittsburgh Penguins, Montreal Candiens, NJ Devils, NY Rangers, Ottawa Senators, Atlanta Thrashers.

I don't think Redwings or Pens will reach the final this season. That's just on instincts. I think they'll go out rather early. I wanted to say Vancouver will reach the final from the West or perhaps Chicago. From the East, it could be anyone really. I'm going to say Washington though. I'm not sure why. I'd like it to be Boston, but I think we;ll ultimately c**k it all up. I can see us reaching the confence final this time around though.

[Franck]

Funny that this is sponsored by PJ as he doesn't play in the NHL any more

It is this year or never for Chicago imo. The money they've spent on free agents leaves them in a position where they might not be able to get everyone signed after this season.

This post has been edited by Franck: 16 September 2009 - 03:39 PM

[Aaron Sinclair]

Canes never make the playoffs the season after getting in. Hopefully we buck the trend this season.

[fmgod]

Avshave gone from star studded roster to absolute sh*te, we have so many over paid players that are crap yet we have a few diamonds, shcoking and we've lost the one and only mr sakic, disgrace.

[Phoenix Arrow]

Franck, on Sep 16 2009, 04:37 PM, said:

Funny that this is sponsored by PJ as he doesn't play in the NHL any more

It is this year or never for Chicago imo. The money they've spent on free agents leaves them in a position where they might not be able to get everyone signed after this season.

That's why it is. 12 years of service. Legend. Funny how the only thing he's won was in the lockout though.

And yeah. You're looking like a challenging side, but whichever way I cut it, I can't see you coming about the Redwings over the course of a season. But I can see you doing quite well in the playoffs if you can find some form.

Buchanan 9, on Sep 16 2009, 05:04 PM, said:

Canes never make the playoffs the season after getting in. Hopefully we buck the trend this season.

Mmm. I've never really rated them tbh.

This post has been edited by Phoenix Arrow: 16 September 2009 - 04:36 PM

[Franck]

Phoenix Arrow, on Sep 16 2009, 06:34 PM, said:

Mmm. I've never really rated them tbh.

The 'Canes are a great play-offs team when their veteran power and good play-off support comes into play, not as good in the regular season though.

[keithv]

I tend to agree with most of your predictions.

Montreal's season almost exclusively hinges on which Carey Price shows up. If the pre-All Star Price shows up Montreal could do some damage. If post-All Star Price shows up we're f*cked.

[Phoenix Arrow]

Ahh, so you agree that the B's will once again rule supreme over the Habs? I kid.
I agree with you though. You have a very solid team but it seems that the goaltending side of things lets you down. I mean, if Price plays like he did in our playoff match-up then only the Maple Leafs will break your fall. 15 goals conceeded in 4 matches wasn't it? I think you were far better off with Huet, should've held onto him. Then you could've given Price some time as an understudy to Huet until he was ready for the number 1 spot which I don't think he is yet. No consistency.

[Baldy17]

I only ever watch Hockey for the fights

[keithv]

Phoenix Arrow, on Sep 16 2009, 07:46 PM, said:

Ahh, so you agree that the B's will once again rule supreme over the Habs? I kid.
I agree with you though. You have a very solid team but it seems that the goaltending side of things lets you down. I mean, if Price plays like he did in our playoff match-up then only the Maple Leafs will break your fall. 15 goals conceeded in 4 matches wasn't it? I think you were far better off with Huet, should've held onto him. Then you could've given Price some time as an understudy to Huet until he was ready for the number 1 spot which I don't think he is yet. No consistency.

As much as it pains me I must admit that the B's do look to be in better shape than Les Habitants.

The Huet deal was a tough call. If we kept him chances are he's looking for mega $$$ or he's walking to some team who will give him mega $$$ (at least iirc he was a UFA at season's end)

If Price can keep his head on straight he should come out fine.

[Phoenix Arrow]

keithv, on Sep 17 2009, 05:39 AM, said:

As much as it pains me I must admit that the B's do look to be in better shape than Les Habitants.

The Huet deal was a tough call. If we kept him chances are he's looking for mega $$$ or he's walking to some team who will give him mega $$$ (at least iirc he was a UFA at season's end)

If Price can keep his head on straight he should come out fine.

I'm not entirely convinced he's matured enough yet. I think a year as an understudy would've done him a world of good.

[keithv]

Phoenix Arrow, on Sep 17 2009, 02:47 PM, said:

I'm not entirely convinced he's matured enough yet. I think a year as an understudy would've done him a world of good.

No argument here on that point. Hopefully with a new goalie coach and a better atmosphere in the locker room he'll be ok.

[Phoenix Arrow]

keithv, on Sep 18 2009, 12:58 AM, said:

No argument here on that point. Hopefully with a new goalie coach and a better atmosphere in the locker room he'll be ok.

Maybe.
A bit concerned about Tim Thomas. Not sure why but I get the impression he won't be as solid this year. We've lost Manny as well so it's just him.

[JD Farrell]

Phil Kessel to the Maple Leafs. \o/

[Franck]

In exchange for the Leafs 1st and 2nd round draft picks in 2010 and their 1st round pick in 2011.

Not a bad return if you consider that the Leafs havn't reached the playoffs since the lockout and that there is a high probability of that 2010 draft pick being in the top 10-12

[Phoenix Arrow]

Franck, on Sep 19 2009, 03:46 PM, said:

Not a bad return if you consider that the Leafs are sh*t and that there is a high probability of that 2010 draft pick being in the top 5.

Fixed. Shame, but we have enough cover. Ryder, Wheeler, Recchi, Thornton, Bitz and Kobasew. We need someone new to play on the left though unless they plan on switching someone over from the right. I'd look to trade some of the dead weight up though. It would be nice to see us get another superstar in.

This post has been edited by Phoenix Arrow: 19 September 2009 - 04:06 PM

[Franck]

Phoenix Arrow, on Sep 19 2009, 06:06 PM, said:

Fixed. Shame, but we have enough cover. Ryder, Wheeler, Recchi, Thornton, Bitz and Kobasew. We need someone new to play on the left though unless they plan on switching someone over from the right. I'd look to trade some of the dead weight up though. It would be nice to see us get another superstar in.

Do you really have the cap space for that?

[Phoenix Arrow]

Franck, on Sep 19 2009, 07:17 PM, said:

Do you really have the cap space for that?

Well, probably not. Thinking about it, we don't really need one. I mean, Lucic is still only 21 and getting better by the game. We've got Sturm back from his knee operation that had him sidelined most of last season and then we bought in Steve Bégin. Switch Bitz or Kobasew over to the other side and there you have it, 4 lines. Then we've got 3 first round draft picks next season (I think) and a bit of cap space. Recchi is retiring this season too so we hopefully we can bring in a star next season. No idea how much Recchi is on or how much we have free now though.

[keithv]

Watching MTL v Pitt. Montreal looks decent so far. The commentators have been saying good things about Price so far\o/

Bugger! Just as I post that Pens score /o\

This post has been edited by keithv: 22 September 2009 - 12:34 AM

[keithv]

The "Big" Three showed a good deal of chemistry. Now hopefully the other lines can figure out how to contribute, especially Plekanec and the Kostitsyns.