Predictions for 2011-12

[Fred]

Hit stats, yeah probably included Raymond hits and Henrik hits in that number . Maybe I am wrong but seemed to me that Chi Town was a lot more physical as was Boston. I believe it was Don Cherry that said that with the refs not calling the scrums and the cheap shots and Vcr not responding most coaches and GM could see the direction the play-offs were going.

I think Brouwer would have been a good addition but Washington give him a good deal because they also can see which directions things are going. Players like that are made for the play-offs. Torres getting $1.75 million also shows where these players fit in. We don't have the sort of Cap Space to accomodate 3 & 4 liners at those prices

[dhabums]

I think Brouwer would have been a good addition but Washington give him a good deal because they also can see which directions things are going.

I am 100% in favour of following the Capital's model for playoff success. I am 110% in favour of reactionary team management. I am 120% sure I have no idea what you mean by "the direction things are going".

What exactly do you mean by that?

[Eddy Punch Clock]

I think Brouwer would have been a good addition but Washington give him a good deal because they also can see which directions things are going.

I am 100% in favour of following the Capital's model for playoff success. I am 110% in favour of reactionary team management. I am 120% sure I have no idea what you mean by "the direction things are going".

What exactly do you mean by that?

I think I can see veins popping out of your temples. This new reserved and moderated you is going to backfire eventually.

Remember bums, serenity now, insanity later.

[sagebrush]

I think Brouwer would have been a good addition but Washington give him a good deal because they also can see which directions things are going.

I am 100% in favour of following the Capital's model for playoff success. I am 110% in favour of reactionary team management. I am 120% sure I have no idea what you mean by "the direction things are going".

What the team needs is a good director to improve direction directives.

[rats19]

I think Brouwer would have been a good addition but Washington give him a good deal because they also can see which directions things are going.

I am 100% in favour of following the Capital's model for playoff success. I am 110% in favour of reactionary team management. I am 120% sure I have no idea what you mean by "the direction things are going".

What the team needs is a good director to improve direction directives.

directly? or indirectly?

[dhabums]

I think I can see veins popping out of your temples. This new reserved and moderated you is going to backfire eventually.

Remember bums, serenity now, insanity later.

I respectfully disagree with your diagnosis.

[Fred]

I've just noticed TSN has put out it's first Power Ranking, they have Boston @ #1 and, cough cough, Chicago at # 2, SJ at #3 and Vcr #5

Chicago Blackhawks44-29-9 Added lots of toughness in the offseason, with Daniel Carcillo, Jamal Mayers, Steve Montador and Sean O'Donnell among those joining the fray, while veteran Andrew Brunette, rookie Brandon Saad, Rostislav Olesz and Sami Lepisto round out the newcomers that should help the Blackhawks get back among the top teams in the league, even if the blueline may lack depth.

Apparently EA Sports has Chicago winning the Cup as does Bob McKenzie




Sorry I couldn't resist

[Potatoe1]

I think Brouwer would have been a good addition but Washington give him a good deal because they also can see which directions things are going.

I am 100% in favour of following the Capital's model for playoff success. I am 110% in favour of reactionary team management. I am 120% sure I have no idea what you mean by "the direction things are going".

What exactly do you mean by that?

Hmm sometimes I miss that voting function.

I wish I could make a bunch of alts and up vote your post (smile).

And yes the Caps really do have it all figured out.

OMG puck possession teams always win lets do that...

OMG we lost to a defensive team, lets change our system...

OMG the Bruins won with toughness lets over pay a bunch of free agents....

A team with probably the best offensive core group in the league, none of whom like to fight or check is going to try and win with toughness and defence,,,,, Good luck..

[Rumsfeld]

Sooooo, predictions...

Vancouver will win their division again easily. So will Detroit and San Jose. Hawks will finish 4th. Flames will miss the playoffs. I don't see a helluva lot of difference from last year in the bottom half of the playoff bracket. Colorado should make a run.

I think we will turn on the afterburners in the second half and make a run at another President's Trophy, but second in the West is where I'll guess we finish. I anticipate a major move for a major forward before the deadline.

As for the playoffs, I want to boldly (and predictably) proclaim we'll win it all...but how many teams not called the Redwings who don't have NHL golden boy #87 on their roster make it to the Final in back-to-back years? I just have a feeling we're no longer welcome. So I'll predict a third round defeat in a long, painful series with the Wings, Sharks or Hawks.

The Sedins have peaked and neither will be in scoring title territory at the end of this season, but they will hit the 90-point range. Edler will become a bona fide stud on the back end. Luongo will struggle in both the regular season and the playoffs.

[Potatoe1]

Luongo will struggle in both the regular season and the playoffs.

What makes you think that?

He's been one of the best regular season goalies since basically forever. He's playing behind a team that has the personnel to easily be a top5 defensive team.

The only legit beefs with Lu is his performance in big games, questioning his ability to perform in the regular season like a reach to me.

[Rumsfeld]

Luongo will struggle in both the regular season and the playoffs.

What makes you think that?

He's been one of the best regular season goalies since basically forever. He's playing behind a team that has the personnel to easily be a top5 defensive team.

The only legit beefs with Lu is his performance in big games, questioning his ability to perform in the regular season like a reach to me.

I think his reflexes are regressing, and I think his inability to cope with media scrutiny will put him in playoff mode early this year. Justifiable or not, he will be under an electron microscope all year.

I hope we don't trade Schneider until we see how Luongo plays between now and February.

[sagebrush]

I think Brouwer would have been a good addition but Washington give him a good deal because they also can see which directions things are going.

I am 100% in favour of following the Capital's model for playoff success. I am 110% in favour of reactionary team management. I am 120% sure I have no idea what you mean by "the direction things are going".

What the team needs is a good director to improve direction directives.

directly? or indirectly?

Definitely.

It needs to be attended to directly.

A direct drive to draft a diligent director of direction directives.

[Eddy Punch Clock]

I think I can see veins popping out of your temples. This new reserved and moderated you is going to backfire eventually.

Remember bums, serenity now, insanity later.

I respectfully disagree with your diagnosis.

I completely disagree everything you say but I'll defend to the death your right to say it.

[dhabums]

I think I can see veins popping out of your temples. This new reserved and moderated you is going to backfire eventually.

Remember bums, serenity now, insanity later.

I respectfully disagree with your diagnosis.

I completely disagree everything you say but I'll defend to the death your right to say it.

Don't die for me Eddie Punch Clock,
The truth is I never left you
All through my wild days
My mad existence
I kept my promise
Don't keep your distance

[Fred]

Lucky for you guys you heard it here first

The 2011 Stanley Cup parade could once again roll down Michigan Avenue next June.

The Chicago Blackhawks are TSN's leading choice to hoist Lord Stanley's Cup, as revealed on the NHL on TSN Season Preview Show on Wednesday.

The core of the team's championship squad from two seasons ago remains in place. Led by two of the NHL's most talented forwards in Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, last season's disappointing early playoff exit could be a turning point for the Blackhawks.

In a survey conducted with the NHL on TSN panel, there was no consensus on which team would win the Cup with the Blackhawks edging out the Washington Capitals, San Jose Sharks and Pittsburgh Penguins in voting. The Philadelphia Flyers also received some votes.