For the Most Part Signings are Over, Predictions Time!
Of course there still could be a absolute steal in free-agency that could alter the standings but I feel now that all the real impact players are gone(except Hasek) that it is safe to make some 2007-2008 predictions. I will start off with the standings.
Eastern Conference
1. New York Rangers- This could change if Jagr isnt good with Drury or Gomez, if he is they will be almost unstoppable.
2. Ottawa Senators- It is true that nothing really changed but other teams got alot better. They will not beat the Leafs everytime, I doubt they will make it far in the playoffs but Ottawa always has a good regular season.( If they cant resign Emery they will drop a couple spots.
3. Atlanta Thrashers- This will not be a hard division, they win by defalt.
4. Pittsburgh- Young talent will get them through the regular season but they may fold in the play-offs because of lack of leadership.
5. New Jersey Devils- Brodeur, Brodeur, Brodeur, if they can sign Souray he will help too.
6. Toronto Maple Leafs- Read my name and call me bias but there is no denying that the Leafs got significantly better. I thought I was bias until i heard a habs fan on here say it. Blake and Toskala make them significantly better and if they can get 50 points out of Bell then SJ will be cringing.
7. Buffalo Sabres- Drury and Briere will hurt no doubt about that, but they still have young talent who can score and a good goalie.
8. Philadelphia Flyers- This could go to Montreal or Philly so dont be upset Habs fans. The flyers got Briere and have young talent in Lupul. They did trade Pitkinin however so they could end up in the basement.
9. Montreal- Remember these are interchangeable so dont be mad. They did lose Souray and horribly over-paid Hamerlik but Smolinski is good and Huet will carry them once again. If they can lose Kovalev then bump them up to 7th.
10. Boston- Fernandez will help, not that much.
11. Washington- They could surprise alot of people but I still think that until Ovechkin has a really good #1 centre that he will do well but not carry the team.
12. Carolina- Yeah Staal and Cole are good, but unless Ward can lead them to past glory I dont see them higher than 12th.
13. Tampa Bay- If they can get a #1 goalie then the sky is the limit but with the big three there only depth they are unlucky 13th.
14. Florida- Vokoun will be great but this franchise does not seem to focus on winning.
15. New York Islanders- There team got gutted, I cant picture them being higher then dead last.
Western Conference
1. Vancouver Canucks- This is hard for me to write because I dispise the Nucks but with Luongo, and the Sedins it is hard to imagine anything lower.
2. Detroit Red Wings- If they dont finish here they will finish 1st. No matter how much they lose they always seem to get 1st in the West. Of course they will have to resign Hasek.
3. Anaheim Ducks- They didnt lose much but if they keep Niedermayer the defence will be unbeatable and they could win the cup again.
4. Colorado Avalanche- I dont know if they have the goalie but with Sakic and Smyth they definatly have the skill and leadership. Hannan doesnt hurt either.
5. Calgary Flames- Still have the goalie and the captain and the defence.
6. San Jose Sharks- Will have a great season but these teams will finish ahead in the standings, but will only have a couple of points on them.
7. Dallas Stars- As usual Turco will be brilliant in the regular season and fizzle in the playoffs.
8. Los Angeles Kings- Probably not but they really went shopping this off-season and if they got a goalie they could finish even higher.
9. Minnesota Wild- What if Backstrom was a 1 hit wonder.
10- Columbus Blue Jackets- Getting better every year.
11. Chicago Blackhawks- Good core of young stars. Will be cup contenders in around 3 years.
12. St. Louis Blues- Kariya will help, not enough.
13. Phoinex Coyotes- The great one will have a development season, once Turris is ready they could be contenders as well.
14. Nashville Predators- All they have left is Sullivan and Zidliky in terms of stars. This could waver alot.
15 Edmonton Oilers- Biggest losers of the off-season.
Now for the scoring leaders.
Sidney Crosby- 130 points Sid the kid will be at it again.
Alexander Ovechkin- 125 points Finally has a centre.
Joe Thornton 120- Blessed with a new contract Big Joe will be as good as ever.
Now for the Play-offs
Rangers vs. Flyers Rangers in 6
Senators vs. Sabres- Senators in 7
Thrashers vs. Maple Leafs Leafs in 6
Pittsburg vs. New Jersey Pens in 7
Vancouver vs. Los Angeles Nucks in 4
Detroit vs. Dallas Wings in 5
Anaheim vs. San Jose Ducks in 7
Colarado vs. Calgary Aves in 5
Leafs vs. Rangers Rangers in 7- Leafs wont be a pushover and could actually win this series.
Sens vs. Pens Pens in 7- They will be back with a vengeance
Vancouver vs. Colorado Aves in 7- Smyth is taylor made for the playoffs.
Anaheim vs. Detroit- Ducks in 7- They have got what wins in the Playoffs, grit.
Pittsburgh vs. Rangers Rangers in 7- Pens will fall in a hard fought series
Colorado vs. Anaheim- Ducks in 7- Aves goaltending catches up to them.
Rangers vs. Ducks- Rangers in 7- Ducks are good, not repeat good.
So those are my predictions please comment.