2006-09-11 00:04:07 · 25 answers · asked by yahell sucks! 2 in Sports ➔ Hockey
Did someone name Anaheim as a "surprise" team? Detroit? People, those teams were heavy favorites LAST year and are again THIS year. A "surprise" means a team coming out of nowhere that NO ONE expects to do anything. Crikey!
Bottom dwellers like Washington, Pittsburgh and St. Louis should improve greatly this coming season -- and those are legitimate SURPRISE teams!
2006-09-11 04:54:44 · answer #1 · answered by all crap, no wonder 2 · 12⤊ 0⤋
MAYBE the L.A. Kings. They've got a good coach in Crawford. It looks like he's got the authority to get who he wants - he brought in Cloutier from Vancouver for example (although L.A.'s goaltending was good anyway). And he's a winner.
Most importantly why the Kings will be the surprise team is that they're getting rid of complainers and floaters. They got rid of Roenick and Demitra. They got rid of another problem but brought him back (Avery) but I don't think he'll last all season there. They have a really good defense corps now. In the forward positions they didn't upgrade much, but hockey is won on defense and goaltending. They're in a tough division in the tougher of the two conferences, but they're getting the right group of people together. They only missed the playoffs by a bit the last two years so I'm thinking they'll be the surprise team.
2006-09-11 16:09:02 · answer #2 · answered by Ilmari_Karjalainen 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I think the Penguins. Now with Crosby and Malkin, they have the best young combo in the entire leaue. Give Malkin some time to adjust and Crosby to mature a bit more and the Pens are going a long way. Plus Fleury is getting better each year and soon Staal's going to join them. Don't be surprised if Pittsburgh gets the Cup soon.
2006-09-11 17:45:24 · answer #3 · answered by hockey craze99 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
The Leafs will be much better and could surprise a few people with Paul Maurice giving ice to star players as opposed to Quinn's old "rolling four lines." The Predetors could surprise a few people in the west as well. They're a solid team that skates well and if their goalie situation stays OK, look for them to make a run.
2006-09-11 11:52:02 · answer #4 · answered by DonkeyKong 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Pittsburgh is under new ownership and has some fresh drafts that plus a motivation to keep the team alive will make the team on their game.
2006-09-11 20:24:40 · answer #5 · answered by thinking wise 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Well, judging by these answers I see, there will be alot of suprised people this year. It'll be another small market team where Hockey is suffering. Like Atlanta, Nashville or Anaheim.
These are not Hockey cities. So unless their teams are winning, noone will attend games. Bettman isn't trying to promote cities where people are already Hockey fans.
2006-09-11 10:55:45 · answer #6 · answered by Guylemieux 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
The Toronto Maple Leafs.
I am not saying they will be the best and go all the way or anything like that. They will,however be much better than last season and will do a whole lot better than everybody believes. They will create some big surprises.
2006-09-11 16:23:52 · answer #7 · answered by bigjd_rockin 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
well i really think with the Flames on picking up Tanguay is going to be huge for them on offence and Iginla is going to have a career year and there defence is very strong and with the Kipper, I can see the Flames winning the Presidents trophy.
and if the Habs goalie Huet is as hot as last year which we will found out shortly, Montreal Canadiens will be very hard to beat this up coming season.
teams i don't think will do very well, I think Toronto Maple Leafs have a very bad team this year, and they better hope that Raycroft will come back from the dead. and with all the pick ups that Boston Bruins did i don't really think they have what it takes to win they don't have a goalie and Chara is horrible in the playoffs when the other players turn there game around come playoffs, Chara has a hard time keeping a good check on the players in his end, cause with the new rules he cant grab you anymore.
Detroit Red Wings will not be that good this year, they got most of there points from teams like St-Louis and Columbus which they where terrible teams last year, but now this year both have improved and the Blues will be very good compare of last year so don't bet on the Wings to be as dominate as last year.
2006-09-11 11:39:06 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 5⤋
Pittsburgh is a good possibility....we got some new talent and SOMEDAY (who knows when) we'll have a better venue....I'll tell ya what though. They shouldn't get a new venue UNTIL they bring the cup home again! But of course I'm biased...
2006-09-11 23:12:18 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Vancouver with Luango and good Def core now that the irresponsible Jovo and puck over the glass Allen are gone.
2006-09-11 10:00:27 · answer #10 · answered by Mark 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋