Re: NHL 14/15: Almost there
Here come the predictions sure to be wrong:
Eastern Conference
1. Bruins- still the class of the East
2. Penguins- will take some time to find footing under new coach, Letang will be a monster
3. Canadiens- Galchenyuk is primed to step up big
4. Islanders- love the depth moves, adding Halak after a few years of below average goaltending
5. Lightning- Still not sold on Bishop replicating last year's numbers
6. Rangers- Like the Dan Boyle addition but they'll miss Richards and Pouliot
7. Capitals- Trotz will drive down Ovechkin's numbers, drive up his +/-
8. Devils- Schneider and the old vets will be just enough to sneak in to the playoffs
9. Blue Jackets- Johansen has catching up to do, lineup already pretty depleted with injury
10. Leafs- Better just not there yet, not sure Kadri can be #1 center
11. Flyers- They'll miss Timonen and Hartnell
12. Red Wings- Played way over their heads last year with injuries, Datsyuk sadly showing age
13. Senators- Not quite enough tank-tastic for McDavid but in rebuild
14. Sabres- Enroth will get plenty of work, added enough guys not to finish last
15. Panthers- Arrow pointed upwards, wanted to put them higher, just couldn't find enough reasons
16. Hurricanes- Cam Ward and Eric Staal will be traded by the time they take the ice in 2015-16
Playoffs: Bruins over Devils, Penguins over Capitals, Islanders over Rangers, Canadiens over Lightning
Canadiens over Bruins, Islanders over Penguins
Canadiens over Penguins
Western Conference
1. Kings- A full season of Gaborik with Kopitar will get their offense extra push
2. Stars- Loved the additions of Spezza and Hemsky, think Lehtonen is underrated
3. Blackhawks- Still don't love their D or goalies
4. Wild- Central division is a bear, loved their playoffs but goalie still a big question
5. Ducks- Goalies will have growing pains, eventually will smooth out, Kesler will fit well
6. Blues- Same as Ducks with goalies but I see Jake Allen as undisputed #1 by February
7. Avalanche- Step back but MacKinnon and Duchesne are both stars in the making
8. Oilers- Steadied goaltending, big leap forward from Yakupov fuel the big improvement
9. Predators- Rinne gets a fairly healthy year, still not enough offense
10. Sharks- Bad ju-ju around this team, something needs to be done with Thornton
11. Jets- Not going anywhere until they get a real starting goalie
12. Canucks- Not sold on Lack or Miller leading this team to the playoffs
13. Coyotes- Yandle will get moved, team won't score enough
14. Flames- Paid Deryk Engelland 2.9 per year, should be relegated
Playoffs: Kings over Avalanche, Blues over Stars, Blackhawks over Wild, Ducks over Oilers
Kings over Ducks, Blues over Blackhawks
Blues over Blackhawks
Stanley Cup Finals: Canadiens over Blues
Awards
Art Ross: Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh with 112 points
Hart Trophy: Tuukka Rask, Boston
Vezina Trophy: Tuukka Rask, Boston
Norris Trophy: Drew Doughty, Los Angeles
Rocket Richard Trophy: Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay with 56 goals
Selke Trophy: David Backes, St. Louis
Lady Byng: Matt Duchesne, Colorado
Calder Trophy: Evgeny Kuznetsov, Washington
Jack Adams Trophy: Darryl Sutter, Los Angeles
Please tell me why I'm wrong about your team. I hope I'm wrong about my team and the Penguins go 82-0 and then 16-0.
HOCKEY!!!