Hockey News Predictons

[Nicklin3011 0]

Sorry if this was posted before, but the list is now complete and Im gonna have to say Bang On.

http://thehockeynews.com/articles/27434-Th...redictions.html

[Zion 93]

Sabres won't make the playoffs.

[Swayze 81]

Sabres won't make the playoffs.

They would have last year if Miller didn't get hurt

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Sorry if this was posted before, but the list is now complete and Im gonna have to say Bang On.

http://thehockeynews.com/articles/27434-Th...redictions.html

The Wings dominated the 'Hawks last season (especially in the playoffs). Switching Havlat for Hossa is almost a lateral move when you compare the relative stats of those two players last year. Then they switch Khabi for a terrible, terribe Huet? How the hell do people interpret these moves as putting them over the big red hump?

[Zion 93]

It's cute seeing all of the "The Real Hockeytown" signs when I go see the Wings in Buffalo. They're so cheap, and so committed to the wrong players (Tim Connolly) that it will be painful listening to the complaints this year.

I'll have to skate more this year.

[under_par_00 45]

The Wings dominated the 'Hawks last season (especially in the playoffs). Switching Havlat for Hossa is almost a lateral move when you compare the relative stats of those two players last year. Then they switch Khabi for a terrible, terribe Huet? How the hell do people interpret these moves as putting them over the big red hump?

One word: Kopecky.

On a serious note, Toews, Kane, Keith, Seabrook and others are all one year more experienced, and should have better seasons than last year.

[BeeRYCE 2]

I truly think this is the year that Los Angelas starts to show their true potential... I predict playoffs for them at any spot between the 6th or the 8th seed. As far as the Wings ranking 4th, I predict 2nd or 1st in the West. Datsyuk WILL have a career season and maybe Zetterberg too, and I'm hoping Lidstrom will help with another Norris. As far as the East goes, I'd say dead on... I'm just surprised that they ranked Washington over Pittsburgh, although it might happen.

[BeeRYCE 2]

Oh and if the Isles get another 1st overall pick... Two words... TAYLOR HALL.

[T-Ruff 47]

Sabres are in

Leafs no chance if they stick with their current roster (need more offense)

Sens will squeek in 6-8 IMO

The Wings dominated the 'Hawks last season (especially in the playoffs). Switching Havlat for Hossa is almost a lateral move when you compare the relative stats of those two players last year. Then they switch Khabi for a terrible, terribe Huet? How the hell do people interpret these moves as putting them over the big red hump?

I don't think it's everybody thinking the Hawks are suddenly so much better, but more so the notion that the Wings are worse.....

Edited August 23, 2009 by T-Ruff

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

That's cool, a guranteed 2nd round trip and people underestimating Detroit? Yeah, sounds good to me.

[dat's sick 1,002]

The Rangers couldn't score more than 2 goals a game last year and still made the playoffs. Now they're supposed to finish 13th?

Sure, if Gaborik can't stay healthy they've got serious problems, but Lundqvist alone will ensure they'll be at the very least fighting for a playoff spot.

I don't believe in the Canadiens or the Senators. I actually think Tampa will take one of the last two spots in the East over either of them.

The West looks pretty much how I'd predict it too.. although I think the Wings will be higher.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

The Wings dominated the 'Hawks last season (especially in the playoffs). Switching Havlat for Hossa is almost a lateral move when you compare the relative stats of those two players last year. Then they switch Khabi for a terrible, terribe Huet? How the hell do people interpret these moves as putting them over the big red hump?

It's called predicitions/guesses and there's really nothing much else to talk about in the offseason, and being controversial draws more attention to your information.

[Lovin Jiri Fischer 147]

I love how their reason for San Jose to be #1 in the west is because they won the President's Trophy last year. That's pretty much all it says. Let's not take into consideration that they don't even have a full team signed yet and have very little cap room left.

They really screwed up the West. They got the East about right but I would switch the Pens and Flyers.

Edited August 23, 2009 by Lovin Jiri Fischer

[b.shanafan14 733]

The Wings dominated the 'Hawks last season (especially in the playoffs). Switching Havlat for Hossa is almost a lateral move when you compare the relative stats of those two players last year. Then they switch Khabi for a terrible, terribe Huet? How the hell do people interpret these moves as putting them over the big red hump?

This. I recently rewatched the Wings-Blackhawks WCF series and it was a complete mismatch. Hossa, despite the broadcasters strenuous insistence that he was big factor, save Game 4, he wasn't. And Havlat was just as affective in the regular series as Hossa was. But the biggest thing thats going to keep the Blackhawks grounded: Cristobal Huet. The guy goes down early and is especially weak to the blocker-side, and everyone in the league knows it.

Granted the Wings lost 3 solid contributors, but Zetterberg and Filppula had off-years in the goalscoring department and we have plugged some decent holes with the depth forwards we've picked up, while at the same time, putting no real pressure on them to contribute all of the 90 goals lost. Also, remember that the Wings last season were uncharacteristically putrid defensively, requiring them to score more. I think they know what to expect from a hangover now and will be hungrier out of the gate. My only concern with this team isn't its offensive capability or is defensive core, cause the Wings are still the envy of most of the league in those departments, its our backup goaltending situation in Howard.

Not to mention that last season, almost every team in the Central made the playoffs, another year of development later, the Blackhawks will still have to deal with better teams in Columbus, St. Louis, and Nashville on top of the Red Wings. And being labeled as the team to beat in the West has never been an easy target to wear on your back.

[gcom007 1,465]

I'm really surprised people are writing off the Blues so quickly. I think they're going to surprise a lot of people this year especially with Kariya back full time. They had the best second half last year without Kariya scoring at over a point per game pace before being injured. Watch out for them. The thing about the Blues and the Hawks is that they're going to come into this season more experienced and more confident and expect to win more. They both proved a lot in their own ways last year and it's going to help them this year.

I'm not near as high on the Canucks as The Hockey News. They'll be a top 8 team but I don't think they'll be a 2 or 3 team. I like Calgary's chances in the division better and think they'll be the 2nd seed. I'm not surprised that they have Chicago at 3 and I wouldn't be surprised if it came to be. We'll see...I don't see Columbus making it just because I think Detroit, Chicago and St. Louis pounding on them all season in the division is going to take a lot of points away from them.

Edited August 23, 2009 by gcom007

[chrisdetroit 189]

Sorry if this was posted before, but the list is now complete and Im gonna have to say Bang On.

http://thehockeynews.com/articles/27434-Th...redictions.html

Really? The Wings are going to drop to 4th because we lost Hossa and Jiri Hudler? And the Hawks are going to win the division after losing their #1 scorer nad their starting goaltender because......??? Because they got Hossa but he will miss best case 1/3 of the season.

Everybody agrees Philly got better but the Pens are still better than them? Really?

I agree with many of the others but this is just a bunch of the same old crap. Pens are still great, Chicago is going to take giant steps and the Wings are going down the tubes.

I'm ok with peoplemaking predictions but usually there should be some logic to them. Thses predictaions remind me of Obamacare. We will pay for 2/3 of the cost by making it more efficient.....yea right.

[chrisdetroit 189]

One word: Kopecky.

On a serious note, Toews, Kane, Keith, Seabrook and others are all one year more experienced, and should have better seasons than last year.

What kind of logic is that? You could say that about anybody. Helm, Ericsson, Fillpula are all one more year experinced and should have better seasons. Kane also showed that he doesn't have what it takes in the playoffs against guys like Z.

[Selke13 0]

What kind of logic is that? You could say that about anybody. Helm, Ericsson, Fillpula are all one more year experinced and should have better seasons. Kane also showed that he doesn't have what it takes in the playoffs against guys like Z.

i, personally, think kane is waaay over rated to begin with. he is very gifted offensively. but he all round play is below average. hes good for scoring goals and knocking out old cabbies. hell probably go fetal position when someone lines up against him. hes terrible in corners and cant play d.

hes great offensively, but as far as im concerned the hawks can have him

[MadMan Mark 0]

It's laughable, IMO, that Chicago is above the Wings. The Hawks 2 biggest handicaps in WCF, goaltending and defense. . . and they addressed neither in the offseason other than downgrading in net. I think Flames catch Canucks. I don't see Dallas at a #7. That team is going to flounder with another non-playoff year, plus the Stra didn't do themselves any favors in hiring a re-tread for a coach. Ducks are a question mark for me. . . either they catch the Sharks or they play another distant 2nd. They definitely lost a lot on D this off-season. Here's how I see the West:

1. Wings

2. Sharks/Ducks

3. Flames

4. Canucks/Hawks

5. Hawks/Canucks

6. Sharks/Ducks

7. Blue Jackets

8. Kings - going out on a limb here

I think the late run by the Blues last year was a fluke, as was evident in their first round ouster by the Canucks.

[MadMan Mark 0]

i, personally, think kane is waaay over rated to begin with. he is very gifted offensively. but he all round play is below average. hes good for scoring goals and knocking out old cabbies. hell probably go fetal position when someone lines up against him. hes terrible in corners and cant play d.

hes great offensively, but as far as im concerned the hawks can have him

Of the 3 RFA's in Chi next year, I think Kane is who the Hawks should let go bye bye. He has no defensive game and is easily pushed off the puck by bigger players.

Sidenote - he only can knock out old cabbies when it's 2 against 1

[LeftWinger 5,131]

Oh and if the Isles get another 1st overall pick... Two words... TAYLOR HALL.

Two more words.... SALARY CAP

[LeftWinger 5,131]

I don't think it's everybody thinking the Hawks are suddenly so much better, but more so the notion that the Wings are worse.....

Ya, much like after Yzerman retired and Shanahan left. Oh God! How the Mighty WIngs have fallen!

Lets See:

Lost Hudler, Sammy, Hossa & Kopecky replaced them with Leino, Helm, Eaves, Williams and Bertuzzi. Lidstrom healthy, Holmstrom healthy, Datsyuk healthy. Ericsson Full Time. Franzen, Zetterberg signed, fat and happy. Oh, Rafalski healthy.

Let them predict what they want. I wouldn't mind seeing a 3rd or 4th seeded Red Wings go into the playoffs on a role instead of a coast...

[gcom007 1,465]

Ya, much like after Yzerman retired and Shanahan left. Oh God! How the Mighty WIngs have fallen!

Lets See:

Lost Hudler, Sammy, Hossa & Kopecky replaced them with Leino, Helm, Eaves, Williams and Bertuzzi. Lidstrom healthy, Holmstrom healthy, Datsyuk healthy. Ericsson Full Time. Franzen, Zetterberg signed, fat and happy. Oh, Rafalski healthy.

Let them predict what they want. I wouldn't mind seeing a 3rd or 4th seeded Red Wings go into the playoffs on a role instead of a coast...

I think Chicago and St. Louis are going to be better teams because they're more confident and proved a lot last year. St. Louis especially with Kariya back will be far tougher than people are giving them credit for. Their 2nd half last year was solid minus Kariya who might be good for 70-80 points. They've got two guys who can win games for them in goal as well and nothing to lose this year.

And as much as I'm excited about the Wings this year, I think it's foolish to think that we haven't taken a fairly sizable step backwards as it stands now. A lot can change as the season goes on if guys step up and prove themselves, but as of now, there's too many question marks to think that we're going to roll right into first and teams like Chicago and Calgary won't put up a good fight. In my mind, the West has the potential to ice 8 teams for the playoffs that all have just as good of a shot as the others to win the Cup.

And I'm all for the competition. It's going to be a great year.

[A.T.Hun 0]

To paraphrase Darth Vader (and who doesn't like to do that from time to time):

"Preseason predictions do not concern me."

[Selke13 0]

Sidenote - he only can knock out old cabbies when it's 2 against 1

ya, i forgot he brought his muscle