Blob Mckenzie wrote:I don't think Anaheim is any big threat.
The BIG is the part that worries me - their forwards are downright nasty, and have an ability to distract the opponent, while Teemu continues to defy Father Time. Anaheim will always worry me until Teemu retires. I'd certainly give the edge to a healthy Canucks team, but LA, the Sharks (i.e. Thornton finally neutralizing Kesler with that injury and injuring Ehrhoff), and the Byfuglien-era Hawks showed that skill+size causes the Canucks fits.
...the teams that worry me are Chicago , LA and hte Blues. Maybe the Wild too.
I was discussing ideal first round match-ups with a leaves fan, and I picked the Wild - start Lu at home and Schneider at Minny and we'd sweep! When it comes to the Wild, I remember the knobs on the radio before a Canucks-Wild game in Dec. 2011, when the Wild were on top of the League, saying that "The Wild have arrived". In my mind nothing has changed -they're a streaky team, and if they get on a streak at the right time (something they haven't done since 2003) they might make some noise.
I would have loved a first-round matchup against the Blackhawks - get it out of the way, if these Canucks win they're a team of destiny, if they lose - well, at least you get May and June of your life back
LA and STL...I probably don't give them enough credit, but I feel like this team is better suited to beat the close-checking, suffocating Sutter/Hitchcock style. Of the two LA worries me more though.
BTW ESQ what was you handle at the old site ?
Can't remember if I had a handle, I was a daily lurker though