For instance: Though I like the Colorado Avalanche, they have hamstrung both their offensive and defensive cores during the offseason. They'll continue to slide and will not get by better teams in the west, even if they do make the playoffs. I think the Ducks and Bruins will be the best of the west and east.
2006-09-07 02:27:42 · 20 answers · asked by derandnet 2 in Sports ➔ Hockey
I agree seeing the Avs fall off the chart this year. They are probably the weakest team in their division with Calgary and Vancover competing with them (Calgary added Tanguay to help out Iginla and the Canucks have a solid goalie now in Luongo). \
However, I still don't see the Ducks winning the cup because of their inconsisten goaltending. Giggy had a very awkward 2005 season and I see him as a one-hit wonder from the 2003 season. The addition of Pronger will help boost their power-play...but they still lack in depth in their 3rd and 4th line.
Boston, to me, is too young a team. Thought they have a solid coach in Lewis, Savard and Chara won't provide enough weaponry or veternship to lead them through the playoffs this year...but may be in a couple of years once they establish themselves.
San Jose needs to add some depth to their defensive core to help out Tosleka, especially on the penalty kill....if they can do that, they already have the offense to generate a power house team.
As for my predictions, I believe the west will be battled out by the Flames and the Canucks (that's right...two canadian teams) They both made key off-season moves with Calgary bolstering their offense with Tanguay and Friesen being added to their line-up while maintaining their stellar defense. Plus having former assitant coach Playfair take over will give the Flames a more agresstive offense. The Cancuks did the best thing by shipping Bertuzzi (not ever going to be himself in Vancover) and gaining Luongo to fix their greatest weakness....goaltending. In addition, they have plenty of options to replace Bertuzzi with the resignings of both Sedin twins and Brendan Morrison. Naslund will come back to himself, bust most importantly....the Cancuks won't have to score a lot to win a game.
As for the east, this one is a lot tougher because so many teams changed. Ottowa doesn't have a solid goalie in Gerber so I have to throw them out. The Devils still have to find a way to stay under the cap and sign Gionta, Martin, and Hale. The Flyers are injured, and can't even sign Gagne. So with all this, I have to go with the team that seems to still have the key elements to repeat their last run....the Buffalo Sabers. They have all the depth they need and have a solid goalie in Miller. And the addition of Spacek from the Oilers will add to their offense. The only uncertainty is the concussion to Connolly...he will miss the start of the season, but if he can come back...his offensive skills will be much appreciated by the organization.
Thus, the cup will be between the Sabers and the Flames....with the Flames being the first Canadian team since the 1992 Canucks to win the cup.
P.S. Pre-season predictions are never right...I doubt even I'm write. Why??? Who ever thought the Ducks would be in the finals in 2003 and the Oilers would be a game away from being the first 8th seeded team to hoist the cup. Anything can happen......so, I see the Columbus Blue Jackets kicking some ***!
2006-09-07 11:00:43 · answer #1 · answered by Vik 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Personally my opinion, is that in the west the best team will be Either Calgary or San Jose, both were impressive last season, i dont doubt that they will meet in the playoffs this year. I think Anahiem is being given too much credit, yeah they have the two top defensmen in the league, however up front they dont have much fire power, Selanne will have another stellar season, but who else do they have? Goaltending is questionable as well, Gigure cant get the job done and Bryzglov is still young nad developing.
In the east, i believe that Ottawa has the best chance to have a good season, but come playoff time, they may choke, Montreal will have anawesome year, will go far in the playoffs, same goes for the Rangers.
It will be a Calgary vs Ottawa final, Calgary in 6 for the cup
2006-09-07 02:54:07 · answer #2 · answered by Metallicat 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Bruins will make the playoffs this year but not in the first place on the east. I think Sens will be first then Carolina,Philadelphia Montreal, New Jersey and Boston then it will be between NY rangers, Buffalo, Atlanta and yes Pittsburgh!!!(CROSBY/ MALKIN)WOW for the last 2 seeds on the east .Washington not this year sorry for any Ovechkin fans!!
Montreal will win the East Trophy
On the west its tougher to tell :
Maybe Dallas or Nashville then Detroit, Calgary Flames
Edmonton Oilers,Anaheim Ducks(PRONGER/NIEDERMAYER)WOW
then it will be between Minnesota, San Jose Sharks,Vancouver Canucks and Los Angeles Kings
Sharks will win the west trophy
Les Canadiens de Montréal will win the 25th Stanley Cup in their
glorious history .what ?? a guy can dream no??
2006-09-07 03:23:49 · answer #3 · answered by sam (joe thornton) pro 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The Ducks and Bruins aren't a bad prediction at all.
I, personally, am a Stars fan, and they've made some interesting changes over the offseason as well... some good, some bad, but in general I believe for the better. Keep an eye on St. Louis, too. They made some EXCELLENT improvements and should prove to be a lot more fun to watch this season.
2006-09-07 02:54:18 · answer #4 · answered by deathbywedgie 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
In 2005, we went to the Hockey East tournament in Boston. We went to the Bruins game, while we were there, the Bruins vs.Tampa Bay. TB won the cup that year. Last March, we went to the Bruins game, Bruins vs. Carolina, Carolina won the cup. I hope the Bruins take it this season, but it will probably be the team they play when we go in March.
2006-09-07 06:40:27 · answer #5 · answered by Mimiat41 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think the Anaheim Ducks are the team to beat this coming season. You have to look at the experience that their younger players (Perry, Getzlaff, Penner, McDonald, Kunitz, et al) got in last year's playoffs, plus picking up Chris Pronger. I am not a Ducks fan, but like their chances very much.
2006-09-07 07:10:11 · answer #6 · answered by CSUFGrad2006 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Ok ... I am a Selanne fan ... I want him to win a Cup so bad but I won't jinx it by saying that the Ducks will win the Cup. I am also a Broncos fan and literally threw up when Elway got his first Super Bowl. Jeez, I think I will possibly have the big one if Selanne wins a Cup but, hey, it would be worth it. Hyvaa Ankat!!!
2006-09-07 14:01:02 · answer #7 · answered by Claire52 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Bruins, Puhleeeeze.......
Ducks look Solid though. I think the east is wide open. Senators can be strong if Gerber performs, Carolina remains strong.
I will pick Ducks over Carolina in 7
2006-09-07 07:35:52 · answer #8 · answered by Hockey, Guns & Beer 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It's a total crap shoot. I guess the question is: who's turn is it? Probably some other Southern US team where Bettman wants to promote the sport. But seriously, If I told you that Chechoo would put up 50+ goals last year you never would have believed me. So really, it's a crap shoot. Especially with the heavy player movement each year.
2006-09-07 05:07:01 · answer #9 · answered by Guylemieux 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
As far as winning, there's an awful lot of talented teams that could go. (hopefully a Canadian team this year). As far as not having a chance, I'd say the Toronto Maple Laughs, (only cause I really don't like them) they didn't do anything to improve there team at all.
2006-09-07 07:07:26 · answer #10 · answered by steviec63 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋