NHL Preview

First Off Lets Start Out West.

Im from Edmonton , and that makes me an Oiler fan. I am actually very excited to see the Oilers play this year , I mean who wouldnt be with all the rookie talent coming in. Now I am not going to sit here and tell you that the Oilers are going to make the playoff but I will guarntee you the Oilers dont finish last in the West. I find it rediculous to see so many people say that the Oilers will finish last. This team has a solid nucleus with Hemsky , Penner , Gagner , Brule. If Hemmer stays healty , you have a very solid number one line that at times dominated last season until Hemmer went down. I predict the Oilers to finish in the 10 - 12 range in the west. Brule will have a break out season and I am predicting 30 goals. Out of the big three rookies you have to say Magnus Paajarvi will be the best this season just due to the fact he has all that experience playing against men. He will start the year on a line with Brule and Cogliano. That line has speed to kill and will be fun to watch,

On to the West

1.Vancouver
2.San Jose
3.Chicago
4.Los Angeles
5.St. Louis
6.Detroit
7.Colarado
8.Phonix


The rest are a wash. My suprise team in the west would have to be St.Louis. This is a team that made the playoffs 2 years ago with a bunch of rookies in the lineup. Last year they really struggled but I see those young players bouncing back this season. They have a solid top 9 up front lead by Perron , Oshie , Backes , Boyes , Berglund and so on. There backend  is very good with Erik Johnson who will be one of the top 10 dmen in the leauge this season in my mind and also adding Halak should help alot. He certainly is a upgrade on Mason.

I have Detroit 6th because I dont by the hype. Everyone seems to be so high on the Wings. They have basically the same team as last season expcept they ARE A YEAR OLDER!!!. Detroit did not look that impressive at all through the season last year and have alot of old guys who have become pretty injury prone.I do think Howard will be better but in my mind there is no way this team wins the cup. I do think they could still win a round or two in the playoffs with there experience but they dont have enough to win it all.

As for Vancouver there is no argument there. The Canucks looks very strong from top to bottom. There defense looks great . Ballard and Hamhuis are two of the most underrated  D men in the league and will shine in Vancouver.

West Finals

Vancouver Over LA in 7

In terms of playoffs I have Vancouver taking on LA in the West finals , with Vancouver getting things done. As much as I want to say LA has enough to beat Vancouver , at this point they do not. They need to add another scoring threat up front.

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In The East

1. Washington
2.New Jersey
3.Buffalo
4. Philly
5. Pittsburgh
6. Boston
7.Ottawa
8.Tampa Bay

Who ever doesnt have the Caps winning the east needs to give there head a shake. The 3 teams with a chance to compete for 1st are New Jersey , Philly and Pittsburgh. They all play in the same division so they have to play each other a ton. In my mind I see those 3 teams as pretty even so it will be tough for one of those teams to get as many points as the Caps who get to face the Panthers , Thrashers , Hurricanes and Tampa 6 times each.

I have New Jersey second becasue I am one of the people that thinks Kovalchuk will work in Jersey. They have a new offensive coach and he will play with a great 2 way player like Parise who can score a ton of points. Parise in my mind is a top 8 scorer this season and could even get 100 points. You also need to remember that the Devils brang in Anton Volchenkov. He is a stud and as solid as Paul Martin was , Volchenkov is a huge upgrade. You also have to throw in Arnott who was Nashvilles best offensive option. He will get a chacne to play with some talented players and I still think he has a lot left in him.

Ottawa could be a bit higher but I think the lose of Volchenkov is huge. Im not sold on Gonchar he is what 36? , has injury problems and cant play defense at all. He is  simply a powerplay threat thats about it.

Tampa I really like. Guy Boucher looks like he should be a great hire as head coach. I cant wait to see what kind of offense he implements. He has a ton of options up front. I also think Lecavalier will excell with a new coach.

EAST FINALS

CAPS OVER DEVILS IN 6

In the East I like the Capitals to win and yes go to the Stanley Cup. I think it will be Washington against Jersey in the finals. The Caps will add a big weapon at the deadline. I think Brad RIchards woiuld be a perfect fit for the Caps. He is a ufa and will likely be dealt to a contender and the Caps are the perfect fit.

Caps over Vancouver in the final. Ovechkin will finally get it done , they wont run in to a miracle goalie like last year. Varlomov will be better , Carlson and Alzner will be very solid on the back end.

Stanley Cup Winner - Washington Capitals


I might throw up some point leaders and award winners later. Thoughts???


Also I cant wait for the Klippers annual hockey draft tomorrow night. Me and a few buddies at the station are entering a team. I will throw up our team after the draft.

Lets go Oilers , can not wait for HNIC , it will be awsesome tonight.