Early 2009-2010 Season Predictions

[Howlett14]

I know it is only the middle of August, but with the training camp soon coming up, i felt what a good time to see where you think your team belongs in the rankings, please do not be biased and say things like " Da HawKZ R DA BEST, DAI GOT DA HOZZA, THEYZ # 1"

So I will start by listing how I think the rankings will end up, and you can either evaluate or discuss, but please refrain from arguing and flaming wars

Eastern Conference --------------------------------------- Western Conference

15 - Atlanta Thrashers --------------------------------------- 15 - Phoenix Coyotes
14 - New York Islanders ------------------------------------ 14 - Los Angeles Kings
13 - Florida Panthers ----------------------------------------- 13 - Colorado Avalanche
12 - Toronto Maple Leafs -------------------------------------12 - Minnesota Wild
11 - New York Rangers ----------------------------------------11 - Columbus Blue Jackets
10 - Toronto Maple Leafs -------------------------------------10 - Nashville Predators
9 - Ottawa Senator ---------------------------------------------9 - St. Louis Blues
8 - Buffalo Sabres --------------------------------------------- 8 - Edmonton Oiler
7 - Tampa Bay Lightning---------------------------------------7 - Calgary Flames
6 - New Jersey Devils ------------------------------------------6 - Anaheim Ducks
5 - Carolina Hurricanes ----------------------------------------5 - Dallas Stars
4 - Philadelphia Flyers ------------------------------------------ 4 - Chicago Blackhawks
3 - Montreal Canadiens ---------------------------------------3 - Vancouver Canucks
2 - Pittsburgh Penguin---------------------------------------- 2 - San Jose Sharks
1 - Washington Capitals --------------------------------------1 - Detroit Red Wings


Comment and Discuss....

[drew618]

Originally Posted by Howlett14

Eastern Conference --------------------------------------- Western Conference

15 - Atlanta Thrashers --------------------------------------- 15 - Phoenix Coyotes
14 - New York Islanders ------------------------------------ 14 - Los Angeles Kings
13 - Florida Panthers ----------------------------------------- 13 - Colorado Avalanche
12 - Toronto Maple Leafs -------------------------------------12 - Minnesota Wild
11 - New York Rangers ----------------------------------------11 - Columbus Blue Jackets
10 - Toronto Maple Leafs -------------------------------------10 - Nashville Predators
9 - Ottawa Senator ---------------------------------------------9 - St. Louis Blues
8 - Buffalo Sabres --------------------------------------------- 8 - Edmonton Oiler
7 - Tampa Bay Lightning---------------------------------------7 - Calgary Flames
6 - New Jersey Devils ------------------------------------------6 - Anaheim Ducks
5 - Carolina Hurricanes ----------------------------------------5 - Dallas Stars
4 - Philadelphia Flyers ------------------------------------------ 4 - Chicago Blackhawks
3 - Montreal Canadiens ---------------------------------------3 - Vancouver Canucks
2 - Pittsburgh Penguin---------------------------------------- 2 - San Jose Sharks
1 - Washington Capitals --------------------------------------1 - Detroit Red Wings

As far as the Eastern Conference goes, I think you have it down pretty well. But on the other hand, the Western Conference I am a little iffy about the area around the playoffs cutoff line, about 9, 8, and 7. Now looking at last year, the Blues had a slightly better team than the Oilers, in my opinion. Saying that, them having some newer players in the system, some promising, may put them higher up this year, but we'll have to wait and see. I may be a bit biased because the Blues are my favorite team. Hopefully recently signed players such as Brendan Bell and well-scoring AHL players such as Adam Cracknell and Barry Tallackson. Most of all, many have noticed the Blues goaltending hasn't been top of the line recently. With the pass of Manny Legace (god i hope they bring him back up) and the newfound success of Chris Mason, we definitely haven't led too well in that field. Hopefully we can help our goaltending with the sign of new goaltending consultant Ed Belfour, one of the winningest goaltenders in the NHL, who will be a great help to our system. I really think we can pull something together this year.

[Da Luc]

Eastern Conference --------------------------------------- Western Conference

15 - Atlanta Thrashers --------------------------------------- 15 - Phoenix Coyotes
14 - New York Islanders ------------------------------------ 14 - Vancouver Canucks
13 - Florida Panthers ----------------------------------------- 13 - Colorado Avalanche
12 - Toronto Maple Leafs -------------------------------------12 - Minnesota Wild
11 - New York Rangers ----------------------------------------11 - Columbus Blue Jackets
10 - Toronto Maple Leafs -------------------------------------10 - Nashville Predators
9 - Ottawa Senator ---------------------------------------------9 - St. Louis Blues
8 - Buffalo Sabres --------------------------------------------- 8 - Edmonton Oiler
7 - Tampa Bay Lightning---------------------------------------7 - Calgary Flames
6 - New Jersey Devils ------------------------------------------6 - Anaheim Ducks
5 - Carolina Hurricanes ----------------------------------------5 - Dallas Stars
4 - Philadelphia Flyers ------------------------------------------ 4 - Chicago Blackhawks
3 - Montreal Canadiens ---------------------------------------3 - San Jose Sharks
2 - Pittsburgh Penguin---------------------------------------- 2 - Detroit Red Wings
1 - Washington Capitals --------------------------------------1 - Los Angeles Kings

[Oceanside344]

Not bad predictions, but I can't see the Oilers making the play-offs yet this year. Too many teams are around that 8th spot, and they still need more experience and time to get used to the new coaches and stuff. And since they basically have the exact same team as last year, except for Khabibulin who hopefully will be good, there shouldn't be a huge improvement. Unless the young guys (mainly Gagner, Penner, Nilsson) and Hemsky start being more consistant and overall more productive, but I think with Quinn they should have more freedom to do as they please on offense. They should be close to the playoffs at least.

@Da Luc, I think the Kings prediction is just a bit biased.
Eastern Conference ----------------------------------------------- Western Conference
15)New York Islanders--------------------------------------------- 15)Los Angeles Kings
14)Atlanta Thrashers ---------------------------------------------- 14)Phoenix Coyotes
13)Florida Panthers ----------------------------------------------- 13)Colorado Avalanche
12)Tampa Bay Lightning ------------------------------------------ 12)Nashville Predators
11)Toronto Maple Leafs ------------------------------------------- 11)Minnesota Wild
10)Montreal Canadiens -------------------------------------------- 10)Edmonton Oilers
9)Ottawa Senators -------------------------------------------------9)St. Louis Blues
8)New York Rangers ----------------------------------------------- 8)Columbus Blue Jackets
7)Buffalo Sabres --------------------------------------------------- 7)Dallas Stars
6)Carolina Hurricanes ----------------------------------------------- 6)Anaheim Ducks
5)Philadelphia Flyers ----------------------------------------------- 5)Vancouver Canucks
4)New Jersey Devils ------------------------------------------------ 4)Chicago Black Hawks
3)Boston Bruins ---------------------------------------------------- 3)Calgary Flames
2)Washington Capitals --------------------------------------------- 2)San Jose Sharks
1)Pittsburgh Penguins ---------------------------------------------- 1) Detroit Red Wings

The Western Conference is almost unpredictable from 11th-6th pretty much. All the teams are pretty close all the time, and it will still probably be that way this season.

[Howlett14]

I know exactly what you mean drew but the goaltending between the oilers and the blues are really no comparison, with the new acquisition of number one goalie nikolai khabibulin between the pipes for edmonton, i think they will be able to squeak into the playoffs, also we all know that chris mason is a bit of a streaky goaltender as well

and nice picks da luc, i hope it works out for ya

and i agree with your comment on unpredictably ocean because there is a possibility that any of those teams can squeak in or squeak out, its that tight in the west

[Da Luc]

Originally Posted by Howlett14

and nice picks da luc, i hope it works out for ya

What do you have to say about it now?