who has the best hockey team in the NHL?

Question

I say the Calgary Flames

Answer 1

this season, id have to say the sabres. theyve hit a bit of a slump, but i feel their level of play at times is almost in a different league from the rest of the nhl. they are four lines strong, and (unlike anaheim) can probably withstand an injury to one of their key players due to their depth. despite a lack of true star power, they usually provide the most entertaining games on my center ice package. they skate like no other, forecheck incredibly well, backcheck even more efficiently, and play a mean transition game that often leaves opponents as mere spectators. i am not sold on ryan miller though, as he seems to have lazy lapses in concentration. anaheim is good, but too reliant on niedermayer and pronger. san jose has good depth and better goaltending, but i feel their overall team speed is not on par with buffalos. nashville may be the closest competitor, but when it comes to a team believing and buying into a system, ruffs sabres all seem supremely confident they will win every game and have absolute faith in what they do. i feel that defines the best team, and i dont see that from nashville. in fact, i dont see that from any other team to the extent displayed by the sabres, and that team concept is what makes the sabres the best... plus they have drury ;)

Answer 2

I also like the Flames, but I believe the Nashville Predators are a better team.

First, let's compare goaltenders. Calgary has a workhorse in Kiprusoff, but the dropoff is huge when McLennan has to spell him for an occasional game. In Nashville, Vokoun is also a workhorse, but his backup, Mason, stepped up big time while Vokoun was on IR this season. Now that both are injury-free, Nashville has a top-quality goaltender playing every night.

Sometimes goaltending is enough to singlehandedly win a game, but there are times when a team's goaltender has an off night. Which team is better prepared to compensate for a mere mortal performance from their goalie? Calgary has a superstar in Iginla and some decent scorers in Tanguay, Huselius, Langkow, Lombardi (a rookie), and Phaneuf. Nashville has their own superstar in Kariya (although Iginla is better), some good (not merely "decent") scorers in Arnott, Hartnell, Sullivan, and Legwand, and better blueline production in Timonen, Weber, and Zidlicky.

If I've forgotten anyone from either team, forgive me, but the scoring is the difference that favors Nashville over Calgary in my eyes.

Another team worth considering is the Buffalo Sabres, and while their scoring is at least on par with Nashville's, their goaltending runs into the same problem as Calgary's. Miller's a workhorse, but Biron is at best a decent backup.

I could type about the other 27 teams, but the general point I'd continue to make is that Nashville is the most complete team in the league, and as such, the best.

Answer 3

Montreal Canadiens

Answer 4

Ditto to Muttly. Detroit Red Wings! I get to see the Wings play the Flames on Sunday. Can't wait! Go Wings!

Answer 5

Detroit Red Wings!

Answer 6

right now, i am going to have to say nashville. they are doing great this season. but if you ask me...and im probally only saying this because im a HUGE pens fan...but i think the Penguins have a GREAT team this year. All that we need is more time together and right now trading would sorta suck bc we need EVERY player we have. so i think we have the best team, but we are still learning to be champions, with the exception of sidney crosby of course ; ]

Answer 7

Every year a different team.

No, not exactly, but it is never constant for very long.

Sometimes it's the Flames...

http://www.calgary-city-maps.com/Calgary-Flames-schedule.html

Answer 8

The Buffalo Sabres.

Answer 9

clearly the philadelphia flyers

haha I am always a philly fan but could I get an exchange from Buffalo? I like Buffalo as the best.

Answer 10

Netharlands was the best Hockey team in NHL coz they played in such a way that it was too difficult to beat the team throughout the tournament. they have a balanced team with skilled defence and attack policies. they have better mid field players than others.