TSN Panel Pics

[10 Minute Misconduct 104]

Ray Ferraro - Philadelphia over Vancouver

Pierre McGuire - Philadelphia over Vancouver

Bob McKenzie - Detroit over Philadelphia

James Duthie - Chicago over Philadelphia

[dropkickshanahans 463]

Too many people on the Philly bandwagon. I'm surprised the other three didn't pick Chiacgo as well.

On ESPN Melrose has Chicago and Philly and Barnaby has Washington and San Jose

[thegerkin 189]

On the NHL Network earlier, can't remember the name of the show (it's got Larry Murphy and Kevin Weekes), they were discussing what teams would make it into the playoffs and which would miss and Chicago was named as a team that wouldn't necessarily be guaranteed a 1-8 seed.

[10 Minute Misconduct 104]

I think McKenzie has picked the Wings 3 years in a row lol

[dropkickshanahans 463]

Am I missing something with Vancouver? They're picked as favorites by some but I thought they lost much needed depth offensively and defensively after signing the Sedin twins?

[Reds4Life 51]

At least Pens were not picked by everyone. I really hope Flyers beat them up in both regular season and playoffs.

[Guest mindfly]

Mckenzie is the best expert there is, so him picking detroit is awesome

[henrik40 76]

Barry Melrose isn't doing himself any favors in his attempt to convince people he's not a moron. Pronger for both MVP and Norris? Hawks over Flyers in the Finals?

[Zion 93]

Huet implodes. And no one is on the Pittsburgh bandwagon anymore?

[Guest mindfly]

Huet implodes. And no one is on the Pittsburgh bandwagon anymore?

Peter Laviolette (ex carolina coach SC winner 06) had pittsburgh as the winner over canucks.

[T-Ruff 47]

Am I missing something with Vancouver? They're picked as favorites by some but I thought they lost much needed depth offensively and defensively after signing the Sedin twins?

As far as Defensive depth they improved... losing Ohlund and adding Ehrhoff, Lukowich, and Schneider

Offensively they lost Sundin and added Sameulsson, while young guys like Kesler/Raymond/Burrows/Bernier could continue to get better

With a full season of Luongo, I think they're certainly better off than last year and will cruise to the division title...

[StevieY9802 6]

If Philly had a better goaltending they would be my clear cut favorite realy. Or I should say non-psycho goaltending. I think the Pens have a little bit of a Cup hangover and in a conference as wide open as the East that could be trouble. They still make the playoffs though. Depending on Emery I don't know who to pick in the East but my top 3 would be Philly, Pitt, and Boston.

In the West it's down to the Wings or Sharks for me. The Wings are two time WC champs and got the game 6 in 07. They know what it takes. The Sharks still don't. But I think the Heatly deal is a good one for them. The Blackhawks had a lot of changes from a team that played very very well together. Not having Hossa for a few months will hurt and Huet is the biggest ? of them all. He's too inconsistant and they have no proven guy behind him. Calgary is the same for me. Great D but Kipper hasn't been the same since 04. Laviotolette(sp?) says Detroit will have a rough road of it? I think every team in the West will have that.

As for the panel I'm not sold on the Canucks yet. Luongo for having good regular seasons he still hasn't had a good playoff yet. He gave up quite a few softies against the Hawks, especially in game 6. I also didn't like Duffie's comment about the Wings goaltending a few years ago. If he was talking about 08, why would have had concerns? Ozzie and Hasek were both great during the season. Last year yeah but not a few years ago. And even last year if anyone could have turned around it was Ozzie. We've seen him win before. We can't say that about Huet. But I'm with McKenzie. Wings are hungry after game 7. That will light a fire under them and I think Bert and Eaves have something to prove too.

[e_prime 1,936]

As far as Defensive depth they improved... losing Ohlund and adding Ehrhoff, Lukowich, and Schneider

Offensively they lost Sundin and added Sameulsson, while young guys like Kesler/Raymond/Burrows/Bernier could continue to get better

With a full season of Luongo, I think they're certainly better off than last year and will cruise to the division title...

I'm not so sure about them "cruising" to the division title. I think Calgary is going to give them a good run for their money, again. Calgary only finished two points behind and have certainly added some pieces in the off-season. I'll take Sutter as coach over Keenan any day... Bouwmeester not too shabby. It'll will also be interesting to see if Jokinen and Iginla on the same line for a full season will be fruitful.

I too think their only real question mark is in goal. Kipper is great, but they need McElhinney to either step up or get out.

Maybe they just need to play him!? GP 14 GAA 3.59 SV% .889 1-6-1 (seven starts? am i reading that stat line correctly?)

Edited October 1, 2009 by e_prime

[T-Ruff 47]

I'm not so sure about them "cruising" to the division title. I think Calgary is going to give them a good run for their money, again. Calgary only finished two points behind and have certainly added some pieces in the off-season. I'll take Sutter as coach over Keenan any day... Bouwmeester not too shabby. It'll will also be interesting to see if Jokinen and Iginla on the same line for a full season will be fruitful.

I too think their only real question mark is in goal. Kipper is great, but they need McElhinney to either step up or get out.

Maybe they just need to play him!? GP 14 GAA 3.59 SV% .889 1-6-1 (seven starts? am i reading that stat line correctly?)

Perhaps... I just think the Flames will be a bit worse off than last year, while the Canucks will be better.... You make some good points I didn't consider though (Sutter, Jokinen for the whole season) ... But I think the offense will be worse off and Kipper still hasn't really lived up to the hype after the playoff run, and he'll have another long season considering they don't have a legitimate backup (as you also mentioned)... So I do think the Canucks will gain the lead, not look back, and have it virtually wrapped up with a couple weeks to go.

[Doggy 130]

As far as Defensive depth they improved... losing Ohlund and adding Ehrhoff, Lukowich, and Schneider

Offensively they lost Sundin and added Sameulsson, while young guys like Kesler/Raymond/Burrows/Bernier could continue to get better

With a full season of Luongo, I think they're certainly better off than last year and will cruise to the division title...

Cruise? With Calgary in their division. Think about your words. The Flames roster s***s on Vancouver's any day of the week.

[Doggy 130]

Perhaps... I just think the Flames will be a bit worse off than last year, while the Canucks will be better.... You make some good points I didn't consider though (Sutter, Jokinen for the whole season) ... But I think the offense will be worse off and Kipper still hasn't really lived up to the hype after the playoff run, and he'll have another long season considering they don't have a legitimate backup (as you also mentioned)... So I do think the Canucks will gain the lead, not look back, and have it virtually wrapped up with a couple weeks to go.

WTF?? He won a Vezina after the playoff run!

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

Too many people on the Philly bandwagon. I'm surprised the other three didn't pick Chiacgo as well.

On ESPN Melrose has Chicago and Philly and Barnaby has Washington and San Jose

Why so skeptical? Simply b/c neither Barry or Barnaby picked Detroit?

Whereas I don't really think Chicago or Philly has the goaltending to get there, both teams should be really good. Chicago did get to the Conference Finals lest we forget.

San Jose hasn't proven anything but without a doubt they are going to be good. They've got WAY, WAY too much talent not to be good. They may even win the Pres. Trophy again.

Dany Heatley is a superstar. The Wings didn't add a superstar. The Sharks did. That makes them improved. They've got a good goalie. They've got veteran and puck moving D men. They are as safe a bet to make the finals as anyone.

As for Vancouver (in your other post). Doubting Vancouver these days is probably based more upon the past than reality.

Vancouver is strong.

Anytime you have Luongo between the pipes, you have a chance.

As for their offense maybe losing some pieces by signing the Sedins? Highly doubtful.

You start with the Sedins obviously. Toss in:

Bernier 15 goals

Demitra 20 goals

Kesler 26 goals

Samuellson 19 goals

Burrows 28 goals

Wellwood 18 goals

and they will be much like the Wings = offense by committee.

On the back end you really have to like the youngster Edler and the addition of Ehrhoff, add in Bieksa and Mitchell and Salo's shot and they will be fine. Oh, not too mention that they have Hordichuk and O'Brien adding toughness and I see a very well balanced team.

Wouldn't shock me at all if Vancouver wins the Pres. Trophy either.

[kylee 727]

Am I missing something with Vancouver? They're picked as favorites by some but I thought they lost much needed depth offensively and defensively after signing the Sedin twins?

friend, you are forgetting about mikael samuelsson

[e_prime 1,936]

Perhaps... I just think the Flames will be a bit worse off than last year, while the Canucks will be better.... You make some good points I didn't consider though (Sutter, Jokinen for the whole season) ... But I think the offense will be worse off and Kipper still hasn't really lived up to the hypeafter the playoff run, and he'll have another long season considering they don't have a legitimate backup (as you also mentioned)... So I do think the Canucks will gain the lead, not look back, and have it virtually wrapped up with a couple weeks to go.

1. Certainly true, offensively they are not as good. Losing Cami was big, and Bert is now here.

Roy is a vet, but not a huge loss in scoring. They filled in with some pieces, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Sutter go after another offensive piece. (If they can keep their cap in line this year.)

Current Forward lines:

Moss - Jokinen - Iginla

Bourque - Langkow - Dawes

Glencross - Conroy - Boyd

Nystrom - Prust - Sjostrom

Jaffray

2. The same could be said for Luongo, but I'd take Luongo/Raycroft over Kipper./McBackup. No doubt.

3. This is a team that should go after Manny Fernandez. Sign him to a one-year deal and they'll be that much more in contention from the defensive/goaltending side. They'll have someone that they can depend on in goal when Kipper needs some rest.

[e_prime 1,936]

Whereas I don't really think Chicago or Philly has the goaltending to get there, both teams should be really good. Chicago did get to the Conference Finals lest we forget.

They also made it there with Khabi between the pipes... Not Huet.

Vancouver is strong.

No denying that. I just can't believe that folks think the Flames have dropped off so much.

(Not a shot at you T-Ruff, TSN has the Flames #17 in Power Rankings...)

EDIT: Clarification.

Edited October 1, 2009 by e_prime

[Doggy 130]

They also made it there with Khabi between the pipes... Not Huet.

No denying that. I just can't believe that folks think the Flames have dropped off so much.

(Not a shot at you T-Ruff, TSN has the Flames #17 in Power Rankings...)

EDIT: Clarification.

They haven't dropped off much though. I look at how Sutter got the Devils to the division title with a D that wasn't fit to hold the jockstraps of Calgary's and Brodeur was injured most of the season.

I don't care how much people think the Flames offense has dropped. The fact is, they have two very good scoring lines, good checkers, the best defense in the league and a Vezina-winner in net.

[mmamolo 287]

Calgary - Adding Bouemeister with Phaneuf on the back end the Flames should get a fair amount of offense from their blueline. Losing Cami up front definitely will hurt them but having Jokinen for a full season will help. Personally I just dont think they will score enough to pull out the tight games you need to win in order to win your division. As good as Kiprusoff can be his numbers have declined every year since joining the Flames. It's time to put up or shut up. Until I see him get back to form I won't be banking on it. One good bit of news on the Kiprusoff front is that this was the first offseason that he hired a personal trainer and apparently he's come to camp in the best shape of his career. I think it's key for the Flames to get some quality starts from anyone other than Kiprusoff because it seems like every spring Kiprusoff is burnt out.

Vancouver - Their blueline is absolutely sick. Ehroff has a bomb from the blueline and adding in Schneider makes their 2nd pp unit that much stronger. Now obviously Schneider won't be in the line up every single night but they have 7 very strong defensemen. In my mind that blueline has got to be top 2 or 3 in the league easy. Offensively they should be pretty good. I don't think we'll necessarily see repeat performances on the hands of Kyle Wellwood and Mikael Samuelsson but it's not out of the cards either. The Sedins will be heavily counted on as usual. To me the Canucks take the division.

Philadelphia - Adding Pronger makes the Flyers that much tougher to play against. For me I think the Flyers will be so strong that even if Emery is only decent they shouldn't have much trouble taking their division. I think we'll see big years from Gagne, Carter, Hartnell, and Richards. I even think Briere will put up good numbers again. Not to jump on the bandwagon but I really can't see the Flyers not making the ECF.

Pittsburgh - Every year ppl talk about the Stanley Cup hangover and obviously it can play a small role but I dont usually put a lot of stock into it. This year is a little bit different. I think the fact that the Pens are so young and were so inexperienced (with winning it all) that these young guys are going to be looked upon to lead by example this year and after a long summer of partying that could be tough. I think Marc-ANdre Fleury may be the guy to struggle the most for Pittsburgh as he commonly inconsistent and they may stumble a bit out of the gates. Losing Scuderi and Gill will hurt but it shouldnt be that big of a deal. Gill played way above his capabilities in the playoffs last year and really isnt that great. Adding Jay McKee was a great move on their part and I think he'll pay dividends instantly.

Chicago - As good as Huet can be at times I don't think this is the guy to take Chicago anywhere. Things looked so good for this team last year making it to the WCF but with all the turmoil they have faced and the pending RFAs next season I think the wheels could come off a little bit. Personally I think they definitely make the playoffs but I dont see them advancing beyond the 2nd round. There are jsut too many other good teams out there and Chicago doesn't stand out as much as they did several months ago.

[Doggy 130]

Calgary - Adding Bouemeister with Phaneuf on the back end the Flames should get a fair amount of offense from their blueline. Losing Cami up front definitely will hurt them but having Jokinen for a full season will help. Personally I just dont think they will score enough to pull out the tight games you need to win in order to win your division. As good as Kiprusoff can be his numbers have declined every year since joining the Flames. It's time to put up or shut up. Until I see him get back to form I won't be banking on it. One good bit of news on the Kiprusoff front is that this was the first offseason that he hired a personal trainer and apparently he's come to camp in the best shape of his career. I think it's key for the Flames to get some quality starts from anyone other than Kiprusoff because it seems like every spring Kiprusoff is burnt out.

You make good points however for me, the bolded hold no water. His GAA and SV% have declined but that's a trend with all goalies in that period because scoring has increased. He joined the Flames in the dead puck era, then there was the lockout and then his numbers declined. He also won the Vezina trophy with that decline. Ozzie will tell ya, the most important stat in wins and that total is pretty damn solid.

[Konnan511 1,736]

I was expecting pics of the TSN crew, not picks .

I don't see why the Flyers are the sexy pick to be in the SCFs. You need strong playoff goaltending which is why I understand hardly any analyst picking the Hawks to be in the SCFs, but the Flyers don't have goaltending which is why I'm bewildered why everyone and their mother is picking them to go to the SCFs.

Plus, the old adage, to be the best you have to beat the best and they haven't done that in a while. They haven't even finished higher than 3rd in their own division the past three years while losing to the Pens the past two years in the playoffs. I must be a skeptic because I don't see them being able to beat the Pens or Bruins or Caps in the playoffs this upcoming season with or without Pronger.

[StevieY9802 6]

You make good points however for me, the bolded hold no water. His GAA and SV% have declined but that's a trend with all goalies in that period because scoring has increased. He joined the Flames in the dead puck era, then there was the lockout and then his numbers declined. He also won the Vezina trophy with that decline. Ozzie will tell ya, the most important stat in wins and that total is pretty damn solid.

The people who are questioning Kipper and saying he's declined are most likely looking at the playoffs. I know I am. And those people are right on. His GAA and for the most part his save % has gotten worse every year since 04 in the playoffs.