NHL 2008-'09 prediction thread

[gohabsgo]

With the regular season set to start in less than a week, I thought it would be a good idea to get merbites predictions for the upcoming hockey season – besides, its always fun to come back in March and April to see how the predictions turned out!

Here’s a couple of memorable predictions from last season:

Originally Posted by Doc Holliday

“Toronto will squeeze into 7th or 8th spot & there's no chance in hell that the Habs make the playoffs. They are just terrible!”

Originally Posted by Doc Holliday

I still guarantee that the Maple Leafs will finish higher than the Habs in the standings come the end of the year.


Anyhow, here are my picks for the Eastern Conference :

1. Montreal: The class of conference and the North East Division
2. Pittsburgh: will be strong again this season
3. Washington (by virtue of winning the SE division)

4 through 8 in no particular order: NY Rangers, Ottawa, Carolina, Boston, NJ

9. Philadelphia: its back to reality for this over achieving team that finished in last place just two seasons ago – proving that last years performance was a fluke
10. Tampa
11. Buffalo
12. Florida
13. Toronto Make Me Laffs, only the Islanders and Atlanta will keep the shitty Maple Turds out of last place – end result: no playoffs and no John Taveres.

14. NYI
15. Atlanta

 

[WoodyWoody]

Phili is in Carolina is out

With the regular season set to start in less than a week, I thought it would be a good idea to get merbites predictions for the upcoming hockey season – besides, its always fun to come back in March and April to see how the predictions turned out!

Here’s a couple of memorable predictions from last season:

Originally Posted by Doc Holliday

“Toronto will squeeze into 7th or 8th spot & there's no chance in hell that the Habs make the playoffs. They are just terrible!”

Originally Posted by Doc Holliday

I still guarantee that the Maple Leafs will finish higher than the Habs in the standings come the end of the year.


Anyhow, here are my picks for the Eastern Conference :

1. Montreal: The class of conference and the North East Division
2. Pittsburgh: will be strong again this season
3. Washington (by virtue of winning the SE division)

4 through 8 in no particular order: NY Rangers, Ottawa, Carolina, Boston, NJ

9. Philadelphia: its back to reality for this over achieving team that finished in last place just two seasons ago – proving that last years performance was a fluke
10. Tampa
11. Buffalo
12. Florida
13. Toronto Make Me Laffs, only the Islanders and Atlanta will keep the shitty Maple Turds out of last place – end result: no playoffs and no John Taveres.

14. NYI
15. Atlanta

Great stuff and Im with you on all but one.Phili will be in and Carolina is out.
I hate the Flyers to Bro.

 

[joelcairo]

I dislike the Flyers also but they will make it. I think Tampa Bay will also make it. Rangers and Senators might not. Montreal, Pittsburgh and Washington are all shoo-ins. Toronto of course - even if they don't finish last - will be a continuing embarrassment to the sport.

 

[King Of Kings]

NHL East Div.

I dislike the Flyers also but they will make it. I think Tampa Bay will also make it. Rangers and Senators might not. Montreal, Pittsburgh and Washington are all shoo-ins. Toronto of course - even if they don't finish last - will be a continuing embarrassment to the sport.

The Leafs r looking @ golfing till 2015.Tampa,come on.Gary Roberts.No chance.I like those pics.The fu*k n Flyers r in. Hurricans wont make it.
Both Devils and Rangers have powerhouses in nets.
Done.7-8 respectively.
Habs,Pits,Caps,Bruins,Sens complete the top 8.
Go Habs Go

 

[Possum Trot]

Top 4 in no particular order - Philly, Pittsburg, Montreal, Washington - next 4 - NJ, NY, Ottawa, Tampa

Boston and TO to miss the playoffs

 

[SexyNadya]

My Pics !!

The Leafs r looking @ golfing till 2015.Tampa,come on.Gary Roberts.No chance.I like those pics.The fu*k n Flyers r in. Hurricans wont make it.
Both Devils and Rangers have powerhouses in nets.
Done.7-8 respectively.
Habs,Pits,Caps,Bruins,Sens complete the top 8.
Go Habs Go

I like your pics King of Kings and welcome to Merb !

1- Les Canadiens de Montréal ! ( Voilà )
2- Pittsburgh Penguins
3- Washington Capitals
4- New York Rangers
5- New Jersey Devils
6- Philadelphia Flyers
7- Boston Bruins
8- Ottawa Senators

And Friends as you post your selections please select who you choose to finish last overall
in the NHL for the year 2008-09 !
A Wet Willy is on the line !

My selection: "" The Toronto Maple Leafs "" with 69 points !!!

 

[Gotsome]

Winnipeg Jets all the way to the cup

 

[G1GBallday]

EA Sport's video game NHL 09 simulated the entire 08-09 season and ended up with a Stanley Cup final between Detroit and Montreal with Detroit winning in six. (They also have the Leafs finishing 14th in the east. )

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=251518&lid=sublink02&lpos=headlines_main

I bought this game on PS3 when it came out last month because it includes a centennial edition of the Habs with players like Dryden, Roy, Plante, Robinson, S. Savard, Lapointe, Laperriere, Harvey, E. Bouchard, Shutt, Lafleur, Lemaire, Beliveau, Cournoyer, Lach, both Richard brothers, Gainey, Morenz, and a few more I'm forgetting. I had my PS3 simulate a game between the centennial Habs and the current team that ended in an 8-7 win for the current edition with Carry Price stopping Howie Morenz in the 8th round of a shootout.

 

[SexyNadya]

Hello TongueNCheek ... Nice name !

As long as Toronto doesn't finish last, because I wouldn't want to see them get a chance at John Tavares in next year's draft.

In previous years, I enjoyed watching Toronto THINKING that they have a chance at making the playoffs, and then just FAIL! This year, from the start, the mood is REBUILDING. It makes me mad to think they throw in the towel. Makes me think they want Tavares, and as a HABS fan, I would hate to see that happen.

GO HABS GO!

TongueNCheek

Having the Leafs struggling like this is not good for Canadian hockey.

They must get back on track and the acquisition of Tavares would be perfect.We want him on Canadian soil !

 

[gohabsgo]

the acquisition of Tavares would be perfect.We want him on Canadian soil !

Tavares will eventually end up on Canadian soil, but certainly not in Toronto – I see Atlanta getting the first overall pick - Atlanta also happens to be on the verge of bankruptcy, with the RIM guy Jim Balsillie buying the team and relocating to Kitchener-Waterloo.

Having the Leafs struggling like this is not good for Canadian hockey.

Dont worry about the sad sack Toronto franchise ever struggling financially – with all the idiot and gullible Maple Laff fans, MLSE’s coffers will be filled into perpetuity.

 

[EagerBeaver]

ESPN: Addition By Subtraction Improved Rangers

ESPN says the best goaltending in the Eastern Conference will be on display at Madison Square Garden this season:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/preview2008/team?page=nhlpre08/nyr

 

[gohabsgo]

West

1.) Detroit
2.) Dallas
3.) Flames (will win their division)
4.) SJ
5.) Chicago
6.) Oilers
7.) Ducks
8.) Minnesota
===========
9.) Nashville
10.) Canucks
11.) Colorado
12.) Phoenix
13.) Columbus
14.) Blues
15.) L.A.

 

[Dplus seeker]

Even though I hate the Habs, I dislike the leafs even more, but I'm not going to be as quick to write them off as everyone else. Remember where Montreal was predicted to finish last year? The leafs have some young talent, and I think Mikhail Grabovski will be the new "Leclair-ism" to come back and haunt the Habs.

My Predictions for the East:

1. Philadelphia
2. Ottawa
3. Washington
4. Pittburgh
5. Montreal
6. King Henry & the Broadway Crew (NYR)
7. Jersey Swamprats
8. Boston

9. Leafs will make it interesting at the end of the season & scare the beans out of Boston

West:

1. Detroit
2. San Jose
3. Calgary
4. Dallas
5. Anaheim
6. Chicago
7. Phoenix
8. Edmonton

P.S. Been dying to put up my NYR avatar but can't find where in CP to do so...anyone?

 

[G1GBallday]

P.S. Been dying to put up my NYR avatar but can't find where in CP to do so...anyone?

You need to become a supporting member to have an avatar. (I might be changing mine for the hockey season. )

EAST:

1) MTL
2) PIT
3) WAS
4) BOS
5) PHI
6) NYR
7) OTT
8) TB

WEST:

1) DET
2) ANA
3) VAN
4) SJ
5) DAL
6) EDM
7) CHI
8) CGY

 

[Doc Holliday]

Tavares will eventually end up on Canadian soil, but certainly not in Toronto – I see Atlanta getting the first overall pick - Atlanta also happens to be on the verge of bankruptcy, with the RIM guy Jim Balsillie buying the team and relocating to Kitchener-Waterloo.

Once again you get your facts all wrong. Nashville is the team Balsillie's rumoured to be once again after. Not Atlanta. Also, he'd relocate it to Hamiltion, not in the Kitchener/Waterloo area. I also don't see Atlanta finishing last as long as Kovalchuk is still playing there.

Saying that Atlanta is likely to get the first overall pick because they're supposedly 'on the verge of bankruptcy' just goes to show how naive you are. This is also the first time that i've heard of Atlanta facing bankruptcy.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Having the Leafs struggling like this is not good for Canadian hockey.

I agree that it's not good for hockey in Canada, but the Leafs will be struggling on purpose in order to re-organize the team for future years. This is why their budget is $10 million under the cap. It's also why Mats Sundin isn't welcome on the team. But i'm sure Ron Wilson wasn't told about the Leafs supposed 'plan' to be lousy this year & he'll have his young & speedy team fighting for a playoff spot.

 

[Doc Holliday]

I suppose someone forgot to tell Ron Wilson that he was supposed to tank the season. He's got the Leafs playing great hockey!!! Who needs Mats??

 

[joelcairo]

I suppose someone forgot to tell Ron Wilson that he was supposed to tank the season. He's got the Leafs playing great hockey!!! Who needs Mats??

Ron Wilson is a perfect fit for the Leafs - an obnoxious SOB who will end up being hated by all his players.

 

[lgna69xxx]

this team wont hate Wilson, but they will respect and more importantly, PLAY FOR HIM!!!!! thats what counts, seriously, they new full well there was no expectations this season and they also no hes a great coach and he has inspired them, hate? no, respect? YES! and with respect, there will be results, there already on pace to be the story of the season "IF" they keep playing like they are..... ive watched all but 2 games so far this yr and that includes preseason, and they are a very exciting YOUNG team, look out, there gonna surprise some ppl this year

 

[gohabsgo]

Here are the standings at the half way mark:

Rank Team GP W L OT PTS

EAST

1 Boston 42 31 7 4 66
2 Washington 43 27 13 3 57
3 Philadelphia 42 23 10 9 55
4 Montreal 41 25 10 6 56
5 NY Rangers 44 25 15 4 54
6 New Jersey 41 24 14 3 51
7 Buffalo 42 21 16 5 47
8 Carolina 43 21 17 5 47

9 Florida 42 20 16 6 46
10 Pittsburgh 43 20 19 4 44
11 Toronto 42 16 20 6 38
12 Tampa Bay 41 12 19 10 34
13 Atlanta 43 14 24 5 33
14 Ottawa 40 13 21 6 32
15 NY Islanders 42 12 26 4 28


WEST

1 San Jose 41 31 5 5 67
2 Detroit 41 29 7 5 63
3 Calgary 41 25 12 4 54
4 Chicago 39 22 10 7 51
5 Vancouver 44 22 17 5 49
6 Anaheim 43 21 17 5 47
7 Phoenix 43 21 17 5 47
8 Colorado 42 22 19 1 45

9 Columbus 42 20 18 4 44
10 Minnesota 41 20 18 3 43
11 Edmonton 40 19 18 3 41
12 Nashville 41 19 19 3 41
13 Dallas 40 17 17 6 40
14 Los Angeles 41 17 18 6 40
15 St. Louis 40 16 21 3 35