Yahoo! Power Rankings

[Nicklin3011 0]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news?slug=rm-n...o&type=lgns

[Lidstrom for life 20]

Chicago #2? LOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Chicago #2? LOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

Chicago is going to be solid this season. That's not that far-fetched. They'll pose a bigger threat to winning the division than NSH did in the 06/07 season.

[Lidstrom for life 20]

Chicago is going to be solid this season. That's not that far-fetched. They'll pose a bigger a threat to winning the division than NSH did in the 05/06 season.

I know, they will be good, perhaps my LOL was to long. Its just that how can you have them #2 right now in a power ranking when Hossa will not be there at the start, Kane could be suspended for the begining of the season, and Huet is the starting goalie...

[esteef 2,679]

^ Well they do have Kopecky right?

esteef

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

I know, they will be good, perhaps my LOL was to long. Its just that how can you have them #2 right now in a power ranking when Hossa will not be there at the start, Kane could be suspended for the begining of the season, and Huet is the starting goalie...

They're the youngest team in the league, they grew leaps and bounds during the postseason, and Crawford will occupy that spot before too long. A lot of teams took backward steps, so please tell me who you think is better than Chicago at this point.

[hockey23 79]

I think 6th is about right for now. They could easily be the best team if Leino, Helm, Ericsson, and Howard have good seasons, but they're rookies and you can't count on them.

[the_winged_wheel 3]

They're the youngest team in the league, they grew leaps and bounds during the postseason, and Crawford will occupy that spot before too long. A lot of teams took backward steps, so please tell me who you think is better than Chicago at this point.

Detroit.....still better up front even with the losses and WAAAAY deeper on defence and I’d have to smoke a lot of crack before I take huet over Osgood. The hawks will push det for the division but will not win it.

[hockey23 79]

They're the youngest team in the league, they grew leaps and bounds during the postseason, and Crawford will occupy that spot before too long. A lot of teams took backward steps, so please tell me who you think is better than Chicago at this point.

I don't see how Chicago will be much improved this year.

Forwards: Lost Havlat's 77 pts and added Hossa's 71 for 2/3 of the season.

D: stayed the same

Goalies: lost khabibulin and have to play Huet as the starter. Big downgrade. Crawford is not a quality NHL goalie right now.

[MadMan Mark 0]

I had to laugh at the #2 ranking for the Hawks. . . mediocre D and a drop in goaltending and somehow they become the darling of the West. I guess having Hossa for half of the year and Kopecky for a full year jumps them above the Wings. As I recall, the Hawks were dispatched in 5 games. Then it gets better. . . the Canucks at #4. The media swing to talk up ANOTHER year of Roberto Luongo has officially begun. This guy is the most successful goalie according to sportswriters between Aug and the start of the reg season. Then somehow he disappears into mediocrity. The Sammy addition vaults them above the Wings too. Give me a break.

These rankings are comical, starting with the Pens. I'll say it now, Pens will not get out of Round 2 next year. A true Cup hangover will be on display in Pitt this year. They did nothing to help their average D.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Detroit.....still better up front even with the losses and WAAAAY deeper on defence and I’d have to smoke a lot of crack before I take huet over Osgood. The hawks will push det for the division but will not win it.

I never said they weren't. I was referring to comparisons amongst the other 28 teams. Who said anything about Huet over Osgood, I most certainly didn't.

I also didn't say the Wings won't win the division, but they will be pushed harder for it this year then in recent years past. If people don't see that, they've got the blinders on.

[thedisappearer 291]

and I’d have to smoke a lot of crack before I take huet over Osgood.

Welcome to my sig line.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

I had to laugh at the #2 ranking for the Hawks. . . mediocre D and a drop in goaltending and somehow they become the darling of the West. I guess having Hossa for half of the year and Kopecky for a full year jumps them above the Wings. As I recall, the Hawks were dispatched in 5 games. Then it gets better. . . the Canucks at #4. The media swing to talk up ANOTHER year of Roberto Luongo has officially begun. This guy is the most successful goalie according to sportswriters between Aug and the start of the reg season. Then somehow he disappears into mediocrity. The Sammy addition vaults them above the Wings too. Give me a break.

These rankings are comical, starting with the Pens. I'll say it now, Pens will not get out of Round 2 next year. A true Cup hangover will be on display in Pitt this year. They did nothing to help their average D.

I agree they shouldn't be ahead of the Wings. If history has proven anything, its that the Wings will be in the same shape they have been for the past 15 years, which is at or right below the number one spot in the NHL. That doesn't mean the Blackhawks won't push and aren't a better team then they were last year.

[MadMan Mark 0]

I never said they weren't. I was referring to comparisons amongst the other 28 teams.

I also didn't say the Wings won't win the division, but they will be pushed harder for it this year then in recent years past. If people don't see that, they've got the blinders on.

If Babs has this team come out of the gate on fire (Oct and Nov) and they can put up 30+ points, Wings coast to the division title. Hawks will be playing catch up all year. I see it too often that teams are not prepared to start the season. Hopefully, Wings take both in Sweden and then slap the boys from Chi-town at the Joe to set the tone.

Hawks may score a lot this year, but their D and goaltending will give up more, especially when playing Detroit.

[Gutierrez 7]

How is Calgary ranked ahead of Anaheim?! I also think San Jose at 10 is a little low, they should be higher.

[titanium2 867]

How is Calgary ranked ahead of Anaheim?! I also think San Jose at 10 is a little low, they should be higher.

Calgary got Bouwmeester while Anaheim lost Pronger. On paper I suppose that's enough for work at home columnists.

[Lidstrom for life 20]

They're the youngest team in the league, they grew leaps and bounds during the postseason, and Crawford will occupy that spot before too long. A lot of teams took backward steps, so please tell me who you think is better than Chicago at this point.

for the START OF THE SEASON when Chicago is WITHOUT HOSSA and possibly Kane I would say: Pittsburgh, Detroit, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington and Anaheim should all easily be ahead of them. I would probably also have Vancouver, San Jose, and Calgary ahead of them at this point. Granted that will change when Hossa comes back but for now I would have them about 10. Huet is not a very good goalie, they have an above average defense, and when they get everyone back they have a very good offense but take away the best two wingers from any team and the offense isn't going to be very good. (I am operating under the assumption that Kane will be suspended for at least the first couple of games?)

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

If Babs has this team come out of the gate on fire (Oct and Nov) and they can put up 30+ points, Wings coast to the division title. Hawks will be playing catch up all year. I see it too often that teams are not prepared to start the season. Hopefully, Wings take both in Sweden and then slap the boys from Chi-town at the Joe to set the tone.

Hawks may score a lot this year, but their D and goaltending will give up more, especially when playing Detroit.

Once again, not saying they won't....but what makes you so sure your scenario will take place. The Wings, while still stacked had a quite a bit of roster turnover, while the Hawks added firepower. Yeah they lost some pieces, but they've also gained some great experience last year and probably quite a bit of hunger. The Wings have played in the SCF's the past two years and made it to the WCF's the year before. They're older and have to be more worn out than a younger, more well rested team.

Again, I'm not saying the Wings aren't better than the Hawks....*they are,* but its not so inconceivable that the Wings will be pushed by a young, talented squad.

It seems as though far too many Wings fans have this superiority complex and as a result can never give another team credit.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

for the START OF THE SEASON when Chicago is WITHOUT HOSSA and possibly Kane I would say: Pittsburgh, Detroit, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington and Anaheim should all easily be ahead of them. I would probably also have Vancouver, San Jose, and Calgary ahead of them at this point. Granted that will change when Hossa comes back but for now I would have them about 10. Huet is not a very good goalie, they have an above average defense, and when they get everyone back they have a very good offense but take away the best two wingers from any team and the offense isn't going to be very good. (I am operating under the assumption that Kane will be suspended for at least the first couple of games?)

Until Kane's suspended no one can assume they'll be without him. Chicago beat both Vancouver and Calgary in the postseason when their inexperience was supposed to show. Huet isn't a very good goalie, but there's far worse and he's serviceable.

Chicago isn't worse than half the teams you listed. Anaheim should not be ahead of them given their offseason and Washington is debatable.

[Lidstrom for life 20]

Until Kane's suspended no one can assume they'll be without him. Chicago beat both Vancouver and Calgary in the postseason when their inexperience was supposed to show. Huet isn't a very good goalie, but there's far worse and he's serviceable.

Chicago isn't worse than half the teams you listed. Washington and Anaheim should not be ahead of them.

Washington took the stanley cup champs to 7 games. Anaheim is much better than Chicago: Hiller is WAY better than Huet, even with losing Pronger they have a better defense than Chicago and even though I hate them I would take Getzlaf/Perry over Toews/Kane anyday. Don't forget too that Chicago lost Havlat who led the team in points last year and his replacment will miss the begining of the season. Even if Kane isn't suspended they won't have a great offense until Hossa gets back.

[MadMan Mark 0]

Once again, not saying they won't....but what makes you so sure your scenario will take place. The Wings, while still stacked had a quite a bit of roster turnover, while the Hawks added firepower. Yeah they lost some pieces, but they've also gained some great experience last year and probably quite a bit of hunger. The Wings have played in the SCF's the past two years and made it to the WCF's the year before. They're older and have to be more worn out than a younger, more well rested team.

Again, I'm not saying the Wings aren't better than the Hawks....*they are,* but its not so inconceivable that the Wings will be pushed by a young, talented squad.

It seems as though far too many Wings fans have this superiority complex and as a result can never give another team credit.

Yes, the Wings had turnover, but the loss of Hossa from the Wings is negated by his absence for the first part of the season (I really don't think he'll be on the ice until Jan). Huet has never won anything and the Hawks made no improvement, zero, to their most glaring problem. . . their D.

Wings only need to shuffle a few players. They still have two solid lines of O and D. The 3rd line will be fun to watch with Helm and whoever plays with him.

As I said, a quick start sets the tone. I also believe issues within an organization begin at the top. And with ALL the Hawks need to address next off-season, some of that turmoil may filter down to the ice. . . especially when your name is Toews, Kane or Keith and you start hearing you may not be back with the team (Personally, I think Kane should be the one, but since they made him the face of the Hawks, they'll keep him and probably let Keith go) If Huet screws the pooch early, the headhunters will be out in Chicago bitching about the Hossa signing because that money could have been better spent on improving the D, thus helping out Huet. . . no too far-fetched, IMO.

I don't have my blinders on, I am just not convinced that the Hawks improved enough to SERIOUSLY contend with the Wings.

[Selke13 0]

vancouver @ 4 is more funny than chicago @ 2

i think detroit should still be ahead of them since they beat chicago, who beat vancouver

[Nicklin3011 0]

lol you Detwat fans are on crack...Medicore D? We have the best D Core in the league. SEABROOK AND KEITH probably the best pairing in the league. Barker showed how good he is on both O and D last year. CAmpbell offensive force with average defense and Hjalmarsson showing how good of a stay at home D man he is. Wow lay off the pipe Detroit. Huet showed he can win with MTL, and Wash...not to mention he won 20+ with Chicago in limited starts. The Blackhawks have one of the best offenses in the league without Havlat and Hossa. All 4 lines can score...when November rolls around and Hossa is on the Ice look the f*** out. Detroits run is over..sorry

Edited August 14, 2009 by Nicklin3011

[hockey23 79]

lol you Detwat fans are on crack...Medicore D? We have the best D Core in the league. SEABROOK AND KEITH probably the best pairing in the league. Barker showed how good he is on both O and D last year. CAmpbell offensive force with average defense and Hjalmarsson showing how good of a stay at home D man he is. Wow lay off the pipe Detroit. Huet showed he can win with MTL, and Wash...not to mention he won 20+ with Chicago in limited starts. The Blackhawks have one of the best offenses in the league without Havlat and Hossa. All 4 lines can score...when November rolls around and Hossa is on the Ice look the f*** out. Detroits run is over..sorry

Thanks for giving me a good laugh.

[MadMan Mark 0]

lol you Detwat fans are on crack...Medicore D? We have the best D Core in the league. SEABROOK AND KEITH probably the best pairing in the league. Barker showed how good he is on both O and D last year. CAmpbell offensive force with average defense and Hjalmarsson showing how good of a stay at home D man he is. Wow lay off the pipe Detroit. Huet showed he can win with MTL, and Wash...not to mention he won 20+ with Chicago in limited starts. The Blackhawks have one of the best offenses in the league without Havlat and Hossa. All 4 lines can score...when November rolls around and Hossa is on the Ice look the f*** out. Detroits run is over..sorry

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

Oh, had to catch my breath on that laughfest. . .

Yes, your D core is THE BEST. . . THE BEST at turning it over and having games decided in the WCF. Huet may have shown he can win in MTL and WASH, but if I remember correctly, he's not there any more. The icing on the cake is you are stating that minus Havlat's 77 points AND Hossa's 71 points, the Hawks have one of the BEST? offenses in the league. Now, be honest, who's smoking crack?

If you think Hossa is back in Nov, keep hitting that pipe.

Hawks better do something this year, because the team falls apart next off-season and you get to swallow 30% of the cap with Huet, Campbell, and one-armed Hossa.