Expectations - Regular Season/Playoffs

[MaynardJKeenan 1]

They'll make the playoffs like in the past years without much difficulty again despite roster changes. After that, who knows...

Wow, way to go out on a limb, lmfao.

I think we will have our hands full trying to win the central this year, which, to me, doesn't really matter if we are 1st in the West or 4th. I don't see us making much noise in the PO's this year. Not because of who we lost or who we signed, but because of the last 2 years long runs. Our guys are spent, imo. We almost need a 1st round exit to rest up and make a push in what I believe will be Lidstroms final year in the '10-'11 season. Not to mention the Olympics this year adding more wear and tear to our top players. I just hope we either win the Cup or get knocked out early so we can come back strong the following year.

Edited August 8, 2009 by MaynardJKeenan

[Lovin Jiri Fischer 147]

The only two concerns I have for the season:

Backup goaltending. We are pretty much relying on Ozzie to stay 100% sharp and healthy the whole season. Or Howard needs to step it up. But backup goaltending is a regular season issue that shouldn't matter too much in the playoffs.

Offensive production: We need everyone who is not Datsyuk to take a huge step up this season. I know they are up for the challenge though.

But what team in the West can take us? San Jose? Nope. I think last year was their year. Chicago? Doubt it. They still don't have a good goalie. Anaheim? Not so much. They lost Pronger anyway.

[puckbags 863]

Expectations = Stanley Cup !!

[WingZNut13 99]

I think even with the Roster changes, they make the playoffs. Chicago stays a close 2nd the whole way through the season but never compete. I think the Wings make a deep playoff run again.

On the Injuries...Let's just say if everyone can stay healthy, they make a serious run at the Conference Finals against whoever. If we lose even one key player to injuries, we are screwed. I don't think our depth is going to be able to support injuries at all.

[VM1138 1,921]

It's been a rough summer and even I have been upset about some of it, but calmly and honestly, this is what I see happening:

OFFENSE:

Still among the top 5 in the league. I actually think with Hossa gone we have a better balance of shooters and passers. Not as many "cooks in the kitchen" plus young kids, all with scoring touches, eager to prove something.

Solid defensively. Will be the same story as 08 and 09.

DEFENSE:

On paper, best in the league. But so was last year's. This is the wild card. Will they return to form or will they continue to falter?

GOALTENDING:

Osgood will perform well all season. Howard is a wild card but I kind of have a feeling he won't be as good as Conklin. But since our defense will (hopefully) improve, I think Ozzie and Howard will both have relatively easy seasons.

RESULT

1st Place in the Western Conference, 2nd in NHL.

I know people are all about Chicago, but really, they weren't on the same level as us last year, and they haven't really done anything to make them leaps and bounds better. They will be better and more experienced, but I expect a similar result as last year, Chicago running close to us but still not able to hang.

San Jose: Has done nothing to fix their annual problem. Their core remains, and this is why they will never have playoff success.

Anaheim: Has gotten worse.

Calgary: Wild Card. I think they are poised to be most dangerous this year next to the Wings.

Like someone else mentioned, injuries will define how far we go. Every year we get hit bad around February and I'm afraid that'll happen again this year. With the younger guys hopefully performing ewll we can rely on them more than Lidstrom and our other stars and be relatively healthy come playoffs.

Edited August 8, 2009 by VM1138