Majsheppard 203 Report post Posted July 2, 2010 TSN said at least 3 thousand times yesterday that Vancouver vaulted past Chicago as the team to beat because they added a couple of good defensemen in Ballard and Hamhuis and Malhotra to their third line. Meanwhile Chicago removed every player on their team that made less than 5 million dollars The question at hand, is Vancouver the team to beat in the West now? Or is this just Canadian sports coverage being overly hyped up for the Canadian team? Thoughts? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redwingfan19 293 Report post Posted July 2, 2010 (edited) absolutely not. vancouver is a joke, and TSN and the media hypes them up every year. Same old song and dance, strong or bust regular season and flop in the playoffs. Vancouver = San Jose Sharks 2.0 Edited July 2, 2010 by redwingfan19 5 Branton87, Hockey13Playa, Original-Six and 2 others reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WingsallTheway 383 Report post Posted July 2, 2010 The Canucks are supposed to be the team to beat every year apparently. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Carman 387 Report post Posted July 2, 2010 They've improved and should be one of the favorites in my opinion. But definitely not 'the team to beat'. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest screwdahawks Report post Posted July 2, 2010 The Canucks are supposed to be the team to beat every year apparently. LOL I was thinking the same thing. They sure got the hype last year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevkrause 1,247 Report post Posted July 2, 2010 LOL I was thinking the same thing. They sure got the hype last year. They got better in all the areas they needed to and already had a good team... I wouldn't say ANY team is the "team to beat" as there are too many variables that can drastically change things, but they are definitely a scarier team to play today, than they were June 30th... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Majsheppard 203 Report post Posted July 2, 2010 LOL I was thinking the same thing. They sure got the hype last year. They sure did, but Chicago definately got the most hype. Chicago was the team to beat last year in the West. They've improved and should be one of the favorites in my opinion. But definitely not 'the team to beat'. So then who do you think is the team to beat in the West? Chicago is not going to be it... then who will it be? Vancouver and San Jose seem to be the choices... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Carman 387 Report post Posted July 2, 2010 (edited) I'm not a fan on preseason projections at all. But if I had to choose a team I would go with Vancouver in paper at least. Although I would just throw the wings, nucks, sharks, kings, and Chicago as the class of the west rather then just one team. Edited July 2, 2010 by Carman 1 Branton87 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevkrause 1,247 Report post Posted July 2, 2010 I'm not a fan on preseason projections at all. But if I had to choose a team I would go with Vancouver in paper at least. Although I would just throw the wings, nicks, sharks kings, and Chicago as the class of the west rather then just one team. You really can't discount what LA may do either if they land Kovalchuk... 1 Majsheppard reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dropkickshanahans 463 Report post Posted July 2, 2010 Chicago and San Jose were the teams to beat last year with their acquisitions (San Jose's always the favorite. Every. Year.), as were Philly and Pittsburgh (Then along came New Jersey at the trade deadline). I'd say Vancouver's definitely much better, but Luongo has to start performing better in the playoffs if they want to consider them the team to beat. 1 Majsheppard reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Majsheppard 203 Report post Posted July 2, 2010 You really can't discount what LA may do either if they land Kovalchuk... This is very true, though they are not built top to bottom like Chicago was last year they would have some firepower on both ends of the ice. Not enough to be called favourites. Yet I would not count them out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Original-Six 254 Report post Posted July 2, 2010 LA Kings > Canucks (especially if they get Kov) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jollymania 162 Report post Posted July 2, 2010 (edited) adding Hamhuis, ballard, Oreskovich, Tambilini, and Malhotra doesn't mean anything, they were mostly saying though that now they are more on par with the Blackhawks with all of their personnel loss. Edited July 2, 2010 by jollymania Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Majsheppard 203 Report post Posted July 2, 2010 adding Hamhuis, ballard, Oreskovich, Tambilini, and Malhotra doesn't mean anything, they were mostly saying though that now they are more on par with the Blackhawks with all of their personnel loss. This is true, but they said that they are the team to beat on paper because they moved past Chicago because of their poor cap management. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
T.Low 1,011 Report post Posted July 2, 2010 (edited) There is no "team to beat" in the West. It's up for grabs, but Vancouver has as good a shot at taking it as anybody. Observing the facts: Vancouver made it into the final four in the West last year, then got ousted by Chicago, but after blowing Chicago out in the first game. Chicago got weaker, Vancouver got better, Detroit got marginally better, San Jose...? And some of the main Chicago guys that disrupted Vancouver's game are gone. So...who is the favorite? Chicago will make the playoffs and once your in, who knows whats going to happen, but they're sure not the favorite. So, is Detroit the favorite? No. San Jose? Not at this moment. It could definitely be Vancouver's time. The Sedins need to take the next step in the playoffs. Luongo needs to get rid of the C and get his mellon together. Sammy needs another blockbuster year, as does Raymond and Burroughs, and the D line is more solid. Edited July 2, 2010 by T.Low 1 Majsheppard reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Crymson Report post Posted July 2, 2010 Luongo is too inconsistent. The Canucks beat the Kings in the first round because they scored a lot of goals, not because Luongo played well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HankthaTank 1,100 Report post Posted July 2, 2010 adding Hamhuis, ballard, Oreskovich, Tambilini, and Malhotra doesn't mean anything, they were mostly saying though that now they are more on par with the Blackhawks with all of their personnel loss. Well being on par with Chicago would sure be a good thing with winning the Cup I suppose. Now if they can just learn how to get pass them in playoffs.... Luongo does them no help either. All that talent and for some reason just sievitis like crazy when it matters. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hooon 1,089 Report post Posted July 2, 2010 I agree with the Nucks just being another overhyped choke team like the Sharks. I also agree that LA will be one of the stronger teams in the west, especially if they get Kovalchuk. I think Quick is underrated. I also think the Wings will be one of the toughest teams in the league if they can stay healthy! 2 Branton87 and Original-Six reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
evilmrt 636 Report post Posted July 2, 2010 Well being on par with Chicago would sure be a good thing with winning the Cup I suppose. Now if they can just learn how to get pass them in playoffs.... Luongo does them no help either. All that talent and for some reason just sievitis like crazy when it matters. I agree, now we have some parity in the West. At the moment, I don't see a clear front runner like we did with Chicago last summer. I guess the question is...with a more even field in the West, are the Wings going to be good enough with basically the same team as last year plus Hudler? I'd say yes, if the defensive mess from last season is fixed...but thats up to Holland. As far as the Canucks go, I think they're going to be one of the top teams in the conference if Luongo gets his crap together. Like someone else said, take the C off his jersey, please. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drake_Marcus 890 Report post Posted July 2, 2010 absolutely not. vancouver is a joke, and TSN and the media hypes them up every year. Same old song and dance, strong or bust regular season and flop in the playoffs. Vancouver = San Jose Sharks 2.0 Bingo. Luongo doesn't scare me in the playoffs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hockeytown0001 7,652 Report post Posted July 2, 2010 Bingo. Luongo doesn't scare me in the playoffs. "I only gave up 5 instead of 7 like last year, so I guess that's an improvement." Those words from the team captain sure inspire fear in the hearts of opponents. Truly, the Canucks are the team to beat. 1 Original-Six reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,793 Report post Posted July 2, 2010 (edited) TSN still thinks that Calgary is a team built for the playoffs, despite losing in the first round for like 4 straight years. Vancouver has never been the team to beat in its history, and it won't be any different next season, unless they win the Presidents Trophy going into the playoffs. Edited July 2, 2010 by GMRwings1983 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hockeytown0001 7,652 Report post Posted July 2, 2010 TSN still thinks that Calgary is a team built for the playoffs. Vancouver has never been the team to beat in its history, and it won't be any different next season, unless they win the Presidents Trophy going into the playoffs. TSN thinks that every Canadian team is the Lord's gift to humanity. Not really a surprise considering that they're a Canadian network, but seriously, try to be a little objective when it comes to hockey. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zombi 43 Report post Posted July 2, 2010 I'm thinking that LA is going to take that title this year. Adding Kov will just cement that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
F2B&G 15 Report post Posted July 3, 2010 With 7uongo between the pipes? No way. Not until he proves himself. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
