My Predictions
With the salary cap,new refereeing guidelines and a year away from hockey
little is certain as the season starts.Will briefly look at all the teams.2006 Turin Olympics are a subject for a later date.By the way - long time Canadiens fan.
Eastern Conference
Play-off teams
New Jersey - elite goaltender,know how to play the game,well coached.
Ottawa - good young talent,depth,mobile defence,not sold on coaching
or goaltending.
Philadelphia - best group of forwards,well coached,slow defence questions in goal.
Play-off hopefuls
Boston - good elite players,questions on defence,coaching,back-up goalie.
Florida - good young talent,interesting additions,will they play for Keenan.
Montreal - no elite players on defence or at forward good depth,problems if Theo gets hurt.
Pittsburgh - great young talent,how much will Mario play,Olczyk as Coach iffy.
Tampa Bay - very strong core forwards,reasonable defence,good coaching,questions in goal.
Toronto - Maple ifs - if they stay healthy,if the young guys produce,if they find a back-up goalie.
Play-off doubtfuls
Atlanta - no Kovalchuk,no play-offs.
Buffalo - very average all around.
Carolina - young teams,lacks leadership.
NY Islanders - Yashin as captain,Milbury as GM,enough said.
NY Rangers - team has a history of not being in shape = injuries & loses.
Washington - hopefully other teams will dump salary in their direction.
Western Conference
Play-off teams
Anaheim - good additions,may take time to gel.
Calgary - very solid young team,depth plus Iginla.Dion Phaneuf?
Colorado- stong forwards,reasonable defence,questions in goal.
Detroit - experienced,talented but no take charge goaltending.
San Jose - overall talent,have to find a way to win.
Play-off hopefuls
Chicago - big improvement talent wise but will they gel as a team.
Columbus - improved,questions in goal,depth.
Dallas - solid goaltending,team is getting old.
Edmonton - good additions,questionable goaltending.
Los Angeles - old talent,too many questions.
Minnesota - great coaching,excellent young talent,cap room,no take charge goalie.
Nashville - team has grown together,interesting additions,solid but not spectacular.
Phoenix - solid but Gretzky cannot send himself over the boards.
St.Louis - team may be sold any minute,too many attitude players
Vancouver - talented forwards,solid defence,often let down by goaltending.
Stanley Cup
Ottawa / Calgary - winners