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Post by IAMCAPER on Aug 11, 2005 7:29:14 GMT -4
Am I the only one who is loving the offseason flurry of signings and activity?  The entire league is undergoing a major facelift, we are witnessing hockey history. I think we should all put our psychic hats on and predict who will win the cup this year. Anybody brave enough? |
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Post by cbisle on Aug 11, 2005 18:33:57 GMT -4
I think this is one season where picking a champion will be a shot in the dark. A couple of teams come to mind for me but the team I think will hoist Lord Stanley's cup this year will be the Flyers. Just look at the off-season acquisitions; Derian Hatcher & Peter Forsberg. Hatcher is probably the best two-way defenseman in the league and Forsberg is the most explosive when it comes to offense. I think they should have shopped around for a goalie instead of re-signing Robert Esche, but hey, he's certainly not the weakest goalie in the league.
I think Pittsburgh and Phoenix also have legitimate shots at winning the cup. Pittsburgh made a huge splash in the free-agent pool by picking up Palffy, Recchi, Gonchar, and Thibault. Not to mention Sid the Kid and Lemieux.
With Phoenix they have the Great One behind the bench and an all-star roster with guys like Nedved, Hull, Comrie, Doan, Nagy and Ricci. However, they desperately need to pick up a solid netminder if they want to be taken seriously.
Noteables:
Oilers (serious contender with acquisition of Pronger and Pecca)
Canucks (they were a solid team 03-04 until they lost Bertuzzi. With him back in the line-up, look out)
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Post by IAMCAPER on Aug 12, 2005 9:07:08 GMT -4
If signings were the only thing considered I would agree with you cbisle, however you have to consider the players who left as well. Also, the biggest variable will be the actual game itself and how it will take shape with the new rules. I am biased but you have to consider the Montreal Canadiens as a threat if the NHL evolves as the rules say it will. The speed and skill of the Habs forwards will be very tough to compete with, but their defense needs some help.
The Flyers did make a huge splash in the UFA market but they also lost some big names. The thing the Flyers may have against them is the team make-up. They're built on a core of big tough skaters.
Other teams I see having a great season, if the new rules actually are enforced, are the Islanders, the Penguins, the Flames, the Black Hawks, the Thrashers, and the Oilers.
It's a crapshoot this season and I think the NHL is already 100% better than it was. Let's hope the season lives up to the hype.
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