12/21/24
September 26, 2007
NHL 07-08 Prediction Thread: Have it at. What say you? Who'll make it that didn't last year. Who falls out of the 'real' season. Who makes it to the SCF? Whatever else you want to Nostradamusize about, this is the place to do it.
posted by garfield to navel gazing at 10:04 AM - 31 comments
I predict Steve Downie will get a long suspension. And I predict we'll all laugh at Fris for picking the Caps.
posted by SummersEve at 05:22 PM on September 26, 2007
Eastern Conf. Divison Leaders New York Rangers Ottawa Senators Tampa Bay Lightning The Other 5 teams Pittsburg Penguins Buffalo Sabres New Jersey Devils Philadelphia Flyers Atlanta FlamesThrashers Wester Conf. Division Leaders Detroit Redwings Vancouver Canucks Anaheim Ducks The Other 5 Teams Colorado Avalanche San Jose Sharks Calgary Flames Nashville Predators Dallas Stars The Duck Most Likely to Return Scott Neidermayer
posted by HATER 187 at 05:50 PM on September 26, 2007
Okay. I'll bite. Eastern Conf. Divison Leaders Pittsburgh Penguins Ottawa Senators Tampa Bay Lightning The Other 5 teams New York Rangers Buffalo Sabres Atlanta Thrashers Philadelphia Flyers Toronto Maple Leafs Wester Conf. Division Leaders Detroit Redwings Vancouver Canucks Anaheim Ducks The Other 5 Teams Colorado Avalanche San Jose Sharks Calgary Flames Dallas Stars Minnesota Wild
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 10:41 PM on September 26, 2007
My Western Conference predictions: Division Leaders San Jose Detroit Minnesota The other 5 Anaheim Dallas Nashville Vancouver Colorado
posted by MrFrisby at 08:25 AM on September 27, 2007
Wow, Weedy predicts the Devils will miss the playoffs. Interesting. I predict the Flyers will rebound in a big way now that Mr. I-realized-at-the-draft-I-didn't-want-to-be-here-but-didn't-resign-until- October-and-ficked-the-team-in-the-process is gone. I suppose that's my dark horse. But it isn't really dark. Maybe kind of gray. East: Divisions: Ottawa Pittsburgh Tampa Bay Other teams: Buffalo Philadelphia New Jersey Toronto Atlanta West: Detroit Calgary Anaheim The Others: San Jose Vancouver Colorado Minnesota Dallas
posted by SummersEve at 09:59 AM on September 27, 2007
Wow, Weedy predicts the Devils will miss the playoffs. Interesting. Only because I HAVE to put the Leafs somewhere. What kind of a fan would I be otherwise? And I don't like the Devils. At some point they're going to crap out because they don't hang on to their skill players. I think Gomez is a huge loss to that team. I also put in the Lightning which I'm not so sure is anything remotely smart. They may not make the playoffs. In fact - I'm changing that: Remove Lightning - insert Thrashers and put Florida in where Atlanta currently is. Lightning have no fucking goaltending worth talking about.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 12:53 PM on September 27, 2007
I'm with you on the Devils missing. Landgenbrunner is out for 6 to 8 weeks. Starting the season with 800 roads games can't help. And Rafalski Paul Martin is not. The Atlantic might give three teams, but Pitts and the Rangers are way ahead of the Devils right now. Its between Philly and the Devils, and I'd pick the team that has a PP quarterback.
posted by garfield at 01:27 PM on September 27, 2007
East Divisions: Senators Rangers Lighting The Others Sabres Penguins Devils Canes Leafs Western Division: Wings Ducks Wild The Other Sharks Flames Canucks Aves Blackhawks Finals Wings vs Sens Stanley Cup Champs= Senators I'm not joining the Panther Band Wagon as of yet neither am I ready to write off a squad with Broduer in the Pipes........ In all likely hood the Stars take the 8th slot in the West but I need to put the Blackhawks somewhere Does anybody know how we finished with these last season? I couldn't find it with a site search........
posted by skydivedad at 03:29 PM on September 27, 2007
I remember calling the Islanders a darkhorse and being laughed at.
posted by MrFrisby at 03:32 PM on September 27, 2007
Indeed you did MrFrisby and I see I was doing some of the laughing. Well Done Sir! I love weedy's comment from last year concerning all the "Panther Love"........ Good Stuff and Thanks for the link Frisby Guy........
posted by skydivedad at 03:51 PM on September 27, 2007
No problem, sdd, just don't pay any attention to the fact that I correctly picked only one division winner (Buffalo).
posted by MrFrisby at 04:05 PM on September 27, 2007
I would add my picks but since we stopped getting the weekday paper I've lost touch with most of the offseason action. Sharks did get Roenecke and kept everybody reasonably important except maybe Toskala as #2 keeper so I don't see how so many of you picked the Ducks to win our division.
posted by billsaysthis at 10:16 PM on September 27, 2007
so many of you picked the Ducks to win our division. I can't speak for everyone but adding Brad Norton and Alexei Semenov to add some "veteran" presence and depth on the Blueline along with Rivet just doesn't get it done. Roenik has been a none factor for a few years now. So I can't see them winning the Division. Especially if Nabokov falters with the increased work load there's nothing behind him. Hey, nobody said they wouldn't be in the playoffs. That's a given and should please you. As a fan the question you should be asking is can they crank it up a couple levels in the playoffs because they certainly didn't against the Wings last season. I watched every game in that round and if thats what they got they can't win the Pacific Division. The toughest in the league.
posted by skydivedad at 11:40 PM on September 27, 2007
In all likely hood the Stars take the 8th slot in the West but I need to put the Blackhawks somewhere Yeah, well, I don't follow the NHL well enough to say anything about it, but I'm super-happy-fun-excited to see that my boys in the green and black are expected to, yet again, fail in the first round of the playoffs. At least it wasn't Turco's fault this past season. Lord, I hate Tom Hicks.
posted by Ufez Jones at 12:34 AM on September 28, 2007
I want to swap out Nashville for Minnie. I also think Atlanta or Toronto could squeak in as the 8 seed.
posted by HATER 187 at 01:08 AM on September 28, 2007
I'm really tempted to switch my darkhorse pick now that I just read Peirre F'n McGuire also said that the Caps will make the playoffs. Ah, screw it, I meant it when I said it so I'm not changing now.
posted by MrFrisby at 11:20 AM on September 28, 2007
My only prediction is this: The Ottawa Senators win the Stanley Cup in 6 games. Of course, given how great I've been doing in the CFL pick'em contest lately, take that prediction with a salt shaker or two.
posted by apoch at 11:50 AM on September 28, 2007
Atlantic - NYR Pitt PHI NJD NYI Northeast - OTT BUF TOR MON BOS Southeast - CAR FLA ATL WAS TMP Central - DET NAS CHI STL COL Northwest - VAN COL MIN CAL EDM Pacific - SJ ANA LA DAL PHX Eastern Qualifiers OTT NYR CAR PITT BUF TOR PHI FLA Western Qualifiers DET SJ VAN ANA COL MIN NAS LA FINALS - NYR vs ANA (Ducks in 5)
posted by garfield at 11:56 AM on September 28, 2007
Dammit garfield! The last time that everybody here picked the Canes to be one of the worst in the league, they won the Cup. Now you went and fucked this all up by picking them first in the SE. This all but ensures that Wesley and Hedican will finally, and literally, break in two sometime in November, rendering the Canes' defense to nothing but (literally) swiss cheese. *sigh*
posted by NoMich at 01:09 PM on September 28, 2007
Sorry NoMich. Though I just saw that Karmanos has resigned for personal reasons. That may indicate something unhealthy within the team, or something negative we don't know about yet. Do you have any insight on this? My opinion is largely based on Ward coming to camp in top shape. He won his Cup and his Conn Smythe. Then got whipped for a season. He's back to prove something. Having Kaberle back should do wonders for the PP. And Cole healthy for a full season. And Justin Williams is solidifying his status as a force. I'd say Staal is going to have a bounce back year, but he may not if Marc starts to make noise. I have a theory he took step back to let Jordan have some ink last year, and he might do the same for Marc. But that is completely stupid.
posted by garfield at 01:19 PM on September 28, 2007
Dang garfield..........you and your conspiracy theories.........next I suppose Bonds took steriods and Ref's in the NBA are bribibal....
posted by skydivedad at 03:14 PM on September 28, 2007
Okay - next prediction - Scoring Race: 1. Sidney 2. Jagr 3. Thorton 4. Heatley 5. Ovechkin Biggest turnaround Season/Breakout Season? I got a feeling big, bad Bertuzzi has some life left in 'em on a line with Getzlaf. He's looked really good from what I've seen in the Pre-Season.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 03:26 PM on September 28, 2007
Conspiracy theories are what make the world go round. I suspect. Bert for sure. Bobby Ryan might break out on the same line. Adrain Aucoin should bounce back nicely if he can stay healthy. He hasn't done squat since leaving Long Island. Same goes for Frankie Kaberle. Todd White is a favorite of some to have a huge year. He definitely has a chance to top his career high 60 points.
posted by garfield at 04:04 PM on September 28, 2007
Biggest Turnaround=Tim Connolly Sabres He finally puts all the injuries behind him (including his current little nick) with his new responsibilities and line mates he should be good for a point a game......... Calder Trophy is wearing a Blackhawks Jersey this season. (Toews or Kane) ..... Adrian Aucoin was the worst Team Captain in the History of the NHL...... Savard was so pissed he actually benched him. I hate that guy! Scoring Heatley Crosby Jagr Thorton Spezza
posted by skydivedad at 04:18 PM on September 28, 2007
Though I just saw that Karmanos has resigned for personal reasons. That may indicate something unhealthy within the team, or something negative we don't know about yet. Do you have any insight on this? It was Jason Karmanos that retired this week. He was the assistant GM and I'm sure he wasn't looking forward to having that title for the next umpteen years 'cause Jimmy Rutherford ain't going anywhere anytime soon. The front office is doing a very good job of keeping mum on this topic, but I'm pretty sure that it's the lack of upward mobility that made Jason's decision. According to the local media, Ron Francis is one of the names on the short list of replacements. So is 66 year old Marshall Johnston (head of scouting). Peter Karmanos and Jim Rutherford pretty much worship the ground that Francis walks on, so I wouldn't be surprised if he gets the job.
posted by NoMich at 07:46 PM on September 28, 2007
Atlantic - Penguins Rangers Devils Islanders Flyers Northeast - Losers...er...Senators Sabres [deity]'s Team...er...Leafs Canadiens Bruins Southeast - Thrashers Capitals Lightning Hurricanes Panthers Central - Predators Red Wings Blackhawks Blue Jackets Blues Northwest - Canucks Avalanche Wild Flames Oilers Pacific - Sharks Ducks Kings Stars Coyotes Eastern Qualifiers Senators Penguins Thrashers Sabres Rangers Devils Leafs Canadiens Western Qualifiers Sharks Canucks Predators Ducks Red Wings Avalanche Wild Flames Finals: Penguins vs Sharks Scoring Leader: S. Crosby Richard Trophy: J. Spezza (ptui!) Calder Trophy: N. Backstrom (Capitals) Vezina Trophy: R. Luongo Hart Trophy: S. Crosby Norris Trophy: D. Phaneuf Adams Trophy: Ron Wilson
posted by grum@work at 11:02 PM on September 28, 2007
Patrick Kane is just sick in the shoot-out .........Wow........... P.S. Puck dropped in London....yippee
posted by skydivedad at 11:42 AM on September 29, 2007
grum, had did you know to draft Bernier? I don't remember seeing anything about him last season. and 4 from the northwest? ballsy.
posted by garfield at 12:13 PM on September 29, 2007
grum, [how] did you know to draft Bernier? I've heard that the other L.A. goalies were stinking up the joint. As well, he was fantastic in the Summit Series Redux. As a long-shot-last-pick, he seemed like a good choice. However, I wasn't smart enough to realize that he might actually start the game today, so he's not in my starting lineup.
posted by grum@work at 12:32 PM on September 29, 2007
Well, so much for my Stastny analyst. Hat Trick to start the season. Wow
posted by skydivedad at 08:36 AM on October 04, 2007
My Eastern Conference predictions: Atlantic Division 1. New Jersey 2. Pittsburgh 3. NY Rangers 4. Philadelphia 5. NY Islanders Northeast Division 1. Ottawa 2. Toronto 3. Buffalo 4. Montreal 5. Boston Southeast Division 1. Tampa Bay 2. Washington 3. Atlanta 4. Carolina 5. Florida Playoffs: 1. Ottawa 2. Tampa Bay 3. New Jersey 4. Pittsburgh 5. Toronto 6. Buffalo 7. NY Rangers 8. Washington, that's right folks, the Caps are my dark horse team this year.