Eastern conference

[marekfan]

This should get some discussion going. This is how I see the east finishing:

1- Philly (I hope I'm wrong on this one)

2- Washington- They were tough last year and I think that we were about even, but add Jagr and I think that they have us for now.

3- Toronto ??? I don't know in this division, Ottawa may be better, but I just cant see them as #3 after all their player losses, I think that this Div. will be much worse then the SE this season.

4- NJ didnt change too much, but I think that Philly will beat them this season

5- Carolina- we should be better this year then last as long as Irbe continues what he has done, Barrasso will give us 5-10 wins and a rest for Irbe

6- NY Isles - they seem to be doing alot of offseason signing but we will have to see(they may end up another Ranger team full of talent going nowhere)

7- Buffalo- without Hasek they will fall a little but Biron played well when the dominator was hurt

8- Boston/ Rangers /Tampa- the loss of Allison will be tough, but if Dafoe can play a whole season they could eek in...
-The rangers have had the talent for years but will "concussion-boy" be able to pull them all together???
* my long shot is TB, I think that they have made some very good moves and could also sneak in

[ken_valyi]

WTF?

Are you suggesting that Ottawa finish below the Islanders, and not make the playoffs at all? LOL!

Please tell me this is in jest.

[ken_valyi]

/me gets out crystal ball and attempts to predict how the talent-starved Eastern Conference will end up.

1 New Jersey - They're still young and extremely talented team and yes I hate them!

2 Washington - They were a solid team before Jagr, and now they have a true superstar

3 Toronto - They've improved while the rest of the teams in the division took a step backwards.

4 Philly - They're better, but they aren't the Devils...yet

5 Ottawa - They haven't replaced Yash's awesome regular season numbers, but they still have a solid team

6 Carolina - They got the skillz and I love how they embarassed the Devils last year.

7 Pittsburgh - I believe in he who wears the mask of the Moose.. oh yeah and that Mario guy I hear is quite good.

8 New York Rangers - Provided Eric stays healthy, this team should have enough to make the playoffs finally!

I'm sure that this will comeback to haunt me, but hey, if you guys get too lippy I'll give you all game misconducts! :

[marekfan]

The Sens got swept out of last years playoffs in the first round, they scored one goal I think...in the series. They lost Yashin (and I think one other big name, but I'm not sure who), perhaps they will make the playoffs but I dont think that Spezza will make up for the loss of Yashin. Who else did they pick up this off season...maybe I missed something.

[ken_valyi]

Heck, you could very well be right about your choices. Although I'll seriously be shocked if the Isle doing anything more than just barely make the play-offs.

I just found it odd that you didn't put the Sens in your top 8 when I've been reading all these articles in the Ottawa Sun online about how great the Sens are. I swear that rag get it's stories approved by Rod Brydon before it publishes.

[marekfan]

to be honest I am just taking guesses, perhaps the Sens made some good moves this offseason and I have just not heard about them. I do not get too much hockey news in a small beach community in North Carolina. I follow the Canes about as close as I can and I am real excited about this season, but other teams I do not get too much news on. I agree that it is very hard to tell what the Isles will do, they will not have too much chemistry and they have sucked for a long time. They may flop with all their new disgruntled talent. I'm just speculating. I do think that Philly will be the team to beat in the East though. They have made some big improvements to a pretty strong team.

[P.J Stock]

Two things...

The devils will not finish ahead of the Flyers, and definitly not in first.

And I think that saying the rangers will finish 8th is also off the mark. To look at the teams roster, and to think they will not be in the playoffs is ludicrous.

Just my 2 cent.

[ken_valyi]

Originally posted by P.J Stock
Two things...

The devils will not finish ahead of the Flyers, and definitly not in first.

And I think that saying the rangers will finish 8th is also off the mark. To look at the teams roster, and to think they will not be in the playoffs is ludicrous.

Just my 2 cent.

You guys are putting a LOT of faith in Cechmanek. Granted he had stellar stats in his first regular season, but he was outplayed by Hedburg in the play-offs, and there's a little thing called a sophomore jinx that a goalie named Brian Boucher could tell you about!

Oh, and the Rangers have always had the talent (and salary to be a top team) but their chemistry has sucked. Also, I think Richter is getting past his prime. I don't see how you can say they've got a play-off spot cinched by any standard.

[marekfan]

If chechmanick (sorry about the sp) has this "sophemore jinx", the Brian Boucher will be over his...

[marekfan]

speaking of the Sens... TSN did a peice about them today...

http://www.sportingnews.com/nhl/prev.../senators.html

[ken_valyi]

Originally posted by marekfan
speaking of the Sens... TSN did a peice about them today...

http://www.sportingnews.com/nhl/prev.../senators.html

IMHO, that's a good objective piece on the Sens, thanks for posting that.

I do not get too much hockey news in a small beach community in North Carolina. I follow

Dude, I don't think I'd want to live anywhere that didn't get the CBC's Hockey Night in Canada. My sympathies.

Ok marekfan and myself have put our butts on the line with some bold predictions, whose next? We promise we won't laugh at you too hard!

[P.J Stock]

I will attempt to re-arrange "ken_valyi" top 8 here:


1 Flyers- they finished very close to the top last year, and with their additions in the off-season, they are going to be tough to beat.

2 Washington - Jagr.

3 Devils- Wont be nearly as good as last year.

4 Rangers- Yes Folks! Call me stupid...But I honestly think the rangers will be a top team this year! (Unless Lindros hits his head)

5 Toronto- eh

6 Pittsburgh - They still got Mario

7 Carolina- eh

8 Ottawa- eh

[marekfan]

While I appreciate your opinions, your top three are not possible. Philly and NJ are in the same division and your top three are division winners. Your # 3 seed needs to be the Northeast div winner... I think you had Toronto. As for the Ranger prediction...well, why not they have had the talent for a long time. But I think Richter is over-his-time, and they will once again have defensive problems. After all, offensively NYR were good last year, it was their "D" (or lack of) that killed them. This year their big addition was concussion-boy, and I do not relly think that he will solve the defensive woes for this team... but good luck.

[ken_valyi]

Originally posted by P.J Stock
I will attempt to re-arrange "ken_valyi" top 8 here:


1 Flyers- they finished very close to the top last year, and with their additions in the off-season, they are going to be tough to beat.

2 Washington - Jagr.

3 Devils- Wont be nearly as good as last year.

4 Rangers- Yes Folks! Call me stupid...But I honestly think the rangers will be a top team this year! (Unless Lindros hits his head)

5 Toronto- eh

6 Pittsburgh - They still got Mario

7 Carolina- eh

8 Ottawa- eh

Um..dude, you know the leader of each division takes a spot on the top 3?

So in your list Toronto would be 3rd (like they were in mine ) and Jersey would move to 4th and the Rangers 5th. Otherwise, I like your list, and I can't wait for the season to get going and this season to start!

[P.J Stock]

Originally posted by ken_valyi


Um..dude, you know the leader of each division takes a spot on the top 3?

So in your list Toronto would be 3rd (like they were in mine ) and Jersey would move to 4th and the Rangers 5th. Otherwise, I like your list, and I can't wait for the season to get going and this season to start!

Yea..After I typed it I knew something was wrong- but I was too lazy and didnt bother fixin it

As for Mr. Canes fan- The Rangers D has improved. They havnt added any big name players to the D, but they added a few solid guys.

[lumbeegirl]

1) RANGERS......

That's as far as I have gotten, what can I say? I have a lot of Faith or something in my boys....