Gongshow's NHL Preview

[gongshow]

Western Conference:

Central Division:

Chicago Blackhawks?

The Hawks will be much improved this year. Adding Khabibulin and Aucoin will shore up many defensive woes they may have had in the previous few years. However, they still lack the firepower up front to really make them any sort of threat. Their first line consists of Eric Daze, who is a never-will-be, Tyler Arnason who would be a third- liner on any decent team, and Tuumo Ruuto, who has a decent upside.

Columbus Blue Jackets ?

The Blue Jackets will become one of the strongest of the recent expansion teams. Adding Adam Foote is absolutely huge. Rick Nash will continue to emerge as one of the games elite forwards. The Jackets have a strong defensive core which includes Bryan Berard, Rostislav Klesla and Rostislav Suchy all of whom are mobile and offensive. Playing alongside Nash, Nikolai Zherdev will have a great year. Additionally, getting Gilbert Brule in this years draft was a steal because he has a solid chance at making the team. Look for the Jackets to do some damage in the Central.

Detroit Red Wings?

The Wings have been hit hard by the new salary cap and I couldn?t be more pleased. Bringing back Chelios, Shanahan and Yzerman for one final year is potentially the worst off-season move the team could have made. The money they used to pay these over-the-hill plugs could have been used to secure Pavel Datsyuk, who has signed with a Russian team. Additionally, the Wings have lost solid players in Darren McCarty, Darian Hatcher, Ray Whitney and Curtis Joseph, whose spots will be filled by fringe NHL?ers . With Datsyuk?s future in doubt let the re-building begin in Detroit for the first time in my life time.

Nashville Predators?

The Predators will continue to improve in the new NHL landscape. Bringing in Paul Kariya to play alongside Steve Sullivan, the Predators look to play a fast-paced game that will utilize the no red line rule and expose immobile team?s defence. Also, bringing in Danny Markov will improve their defensive corps.


St. Louis Blues?

The dynamic of the Blues will be entirely different this season. Although the Blues will pretty much look the same up front (minus Pavol Demitra), their defense will be considerably different. Losing team captain and franchise player Chris Pronger will hurt, however, adding Eric Brewer is a step in the right direction for the teams future. The Blues will be slightly weaker than they have been in previous seasons, but will still make the playoffs.

[Johnny Toetags]

y'know, I think I might actually watch a couple of games this year.

[tak]

brilliant. why? gongshow.

[gongshow]

Western Conference:

Northwest Division:


Calgary Flames?

The Flames have improved upon an already dangerous team. The Flames possess the games best all-around player and team leader in Jarome Iginla, as well as one of the strongest defensive units in the game with Robin Regehr, Roman Hamrilik, Jordan Leopold, Rhett Warriner, Andrew Ference and rookie Dion Phaneuf. The Flames have plenty of fire power. In the off-season they loaded up adding McCarty and Tony Amonte to play up front with Iginla, Chris Simon and Shean Donovan. The short of it is the Flames have excellent goaltending in Miika Kiprusoff, HUGE, solid defensemen and a lot up front. Look for the Flames to have a fantastic year.

Colorado Avalanche?

Like the Wings, the Avalanche will be in their first recession in many, many years. Losing Adam Foote and Peter Forsberg to free-agency will hurt drastically. On top of this, the Av?s have added horrible free agents in Pierre Turgeon and Patrice Brisebois to be impact players and I still don?t believe in David Aebischer as a dominant goaltender. Although the Av?s still possess Sakic, Tanguay and Blake, they are in for a mediocre season where they will struggle to make the playoffs.

Edmonton Oilers?

Even though the Oilers have added big names in Chris Pronger and Mike Peca, I am still not a believer in their chances. Aside from Ryan Smith and Ales Hemsky, the Oilers have very little up front and have a very weak depth chart. Also, aside from Pronger and Jason Smith, their defense is average at best. Signing Pronger might give the Oilers fans hope this year, but the length and cost of the deal will become a major anchor nearing the end of his contract. The fact is that they gave up the same type of defenseman in Eric Brewer who is younger and will come and a lower price tag. Additonally, do not count on Ty Conklin to be any type of savior.

Minnesota Wild?
The Wild have changed very little since the NHL went on hiatus. They lost a solid player in Andrew Brunette and picked up Brian Rolston, which amounts to the same if you ask me. The Wild could surprise, but don?t count on much more than a slight chance to make the post-season.


Vancouver Canucks?

The Canucks will be a very dangerous team this season. They were fortunate to keep their franchise player Markus Naslund and have kept all of their best players in tact. The Canucks added Anson Carter for cheap and he will play will with this motivated group. With Bertuzzi coming back with a fresh start, look for the Canucks to be amongst the best in the West.

[JSC]

Side Note: Smyth is still yet to sign with the Oilers.

[gongshow]

Western Conference:

Pacific Division:

Anaheim Mighty Ducks?

Brian Burke?s Ducks will be one of the most improved teams in the new NHL. The have quite a bit of depth and have made some excellent additions. Scott Niedermayer will excel and flourish with this offensive minded team. They have mobile defence and good goaltending. Rookies Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry could crack the line up and make dividends in the future. Look for the Ducks to finish at the top of the Pacific Division.

Dallas Stars?

The Stars are another team that look pretty much the same as they did before hockey left us for a year. They still have a premier goaltender in Marty Turco and a lot of good players up front. I am very surprised they didn?t buy out Bill Guerin?s contract and that they still had enough funding left to sign Mike Modano and Sergei Zubov. The Stars are still a threat in the West.

Los Angeles Kings?

The Kings could be the surprise team of the West. They have made quite a few good, key additions to their roster. Adding Demitra, Jeremy Roenick and Craig Conroy make them dangerous up front and they still have a solid set of defensemen. Their biggest question mark is in net, where they will rely upon free-agent signee Mathieu Garon to carry the bulk of the games. However, he can?t be any worse than Roman Chechmanek.

Phoenix Coyotes?

The desert dogs are committed to a young, fast team and they will do very well this year. Having 99 behind the bench will help this team drastically, and bringing in vets Curtis Joseph and Brett Hull for virtually nothing won?t hurt either. The Coyotes have a lot of good players in Mike Comrie, Ladislav Nagy, Peter Nedved and SHANE DOAN. Look for the ?Yotes to make the playoffs.

San Jose Sharks?
Haven?t added much, haven?t enough to make them worse. The Sharks haven?t made any significant moves this off-season but will still be a dangerous team in the West.

[gongshow]

West Conference Final Standings Predictions:

1. Flames
2. Ducks
3. Blues (will win the weakest division in the conference)
4. Canucks
5. Stars
6. Sharks
7. Kings
8. Coyotes

[Johnny Toetags]

WAR FLAMES!!!!11111111111111

[gongshow]

Tomorrow: Eastern Conference

[Johnny Toetags]

TOMORROW?!?!? :mad:

[gongshow]

TOMORROW?!?!? :mad:


sorry to leave you in suspense... but that gives everyone a full day to DISCUSS..

[Alfuh]

The red wings are retards for letting the guy with the best hands in the NHL go so they could keep some old timers around. I haven't been following the situation too closely, but is it at all possible that another team would sign him this season?

[Alfuh]

Oh and didn't meant to take away from the conversation here. First off, great write up Gongshow, I haven't been able to keep on top of all moves and taken some time to reflect what they will mean for each team. I think its fucking great that the avs and wings are set for poor years. Something new and exciting in the west!

Now onto the East ... Devils! Devils! Devils!

Bastages lost 2 Scotts, Neidermayer and Stevens. It seems like we keep getting smaller. With Philly sporting a fucking stacked as hell team it doesn't look that great for us. All that said the Devils find ways to win no matter whats up. Even with the new offensive minded rules Brodeur is the best goalie in the league.

Booyakasha! WAR DEVILS!

[Johnny Toetags]

so. gongy. Which Canadian team should I hitch my wagon to? And whatever happened to the Oiler's awesome new uniforms?

[gongshow]

Eastern Conference:

Atlantic Division:

New Jersey Devils?

The New Jersey Devils have been hit hard by the new CBA. In losing two corner stone defenseman in Scott Stevens (retirement) and Scott Niedermayer (free agency) the Devils once scary and imposing blue line will now look considerably different. Add in the fact that they will start the season without Patrick Elias and that they are shopping Jeff Friesen to make cap room, and you have a very hazy situation for the perennial powerhouse. The Devils were able to retain Brian Refalski and did a good job in signing Richard Matvichuk, Vladimir Malakhov and Dan McGillis, however, you can?t replace the intangibles that both Stevens and Niedermayer bring to both the ice and the locker room. The Devils will not fall off as drastically as some may think because they have one of the most proven and talented goaltenders in NHL history in Martin Brodeur. The Devils gaffed in signing Alexander Mogilny (whose hip problems will continue to deteriorate his play) to a multi-year, lucrative contract. The Devils won?t be the force they once were, but will still play a sound game.

New York Islanders?

This seasons version of the New York Islanders will not be a contending team. The Isles have parted ways with gritty Mike Peca, Dave Scatchard, and their #1 and #2 defensemen Roman Hamrlik and Adrian Aucion and have replaced them with an aging Alexei Zhitnik and a sloppy, mistake prone Brent Sopel. They have also added the biggest one-way played in the league in Miroslav Satan. The Islanders should have used the one-week buy out period to rid themselves of Alexei Yashin who will remain a disappointment until the end of his career. Mike Milbury is potentially hockey?s worst GM and I cannot believe his horrible decision making still has him working in the NHL.

New York Rangers?

Plain and simple: The New York Rangers are a horrible hockey team and will miss the playoffs again this year. Here is why? 1. Jaromir Jagr will continue to dog it and collect a pay check 2. With no less than 14 European players on their roster, the Rangers will lack the heart and determination to get them anywhere. Rangers fans have one bright spot in Nigel Dawes, who will unlikely make this year?s team. 3. The Rangers are said to have a new found commitment to youth, and although this may be true, they have wasted cap room and rosters spots on Michael Nylander, Martin Rucinsky and Marek Malik. If you are a Rangers fan you are in for another long winter.

Philadelphia Flyers?

The Flyers were the most active team this off-season, making a number of big moves and signing a plethora of marquee names. Much to my chagrin, the Flyers will be the toast of the East and will dominate this season. They have a big, mobile defensive group, plenty of scoring, grit and a solid farm system. Bobby Clarke made quick decisions to bring in Hatcher and Forsberg, and was not afraid to part ways with veterans logging big contracts. Also, giving Mike Richards and Jeff Carter an opportunity to play at an elite level will only help their careers, and will pay dividends in the end. The only question mark surrounding the Flyers success is whether or not Robert Esche can carry them on his shoulders long enough to win a Stanley Cup. Although I personally think Esche is a sack of shit, he is playing behind a strong enough team that his errors will be blanketed very easily.

Pittsburgh Penguins?

What is to be said about the Pens that you haven?t already heard? Pittsburgh will easily be the league?s most improved team this season. Adding wunderkind Sydney Crosby, John Leclair, Ziggy Palfy, Mark Recchi and Sergei Gonchar, the Pens will be a contending team both in the Atlantic and in the East. We all know that Mario Lemieux will not play a full season, but his presence around the prodigy will be the best way possible to break the kid into the league. The Pens also have a capable goaltending duo in Thibault and Andre-Fleury who will be depended upon to bail out an offensive minded team with a suspect blue-line. Although the Penguins won?t win the Stanley Cup this season, they are no longer a pushover and will get better as the years go on.

[TILSON]

meh. hockey. its better than soccer I guess.

[Alfuh]

meh. hockey. its better than soccer I guess.

Sshhhhh

This thread is awesome. If you don't like hockey quietly leave the way you came in. Thank you.

More Gongshow! More!!

[JSC]

You better fucking hurry up and do a Leafs prediction before Allison and Lindros collide in pre-season.

[gongshow]

Eastern Conference:

Southeast Division:

Atlanta Thrashers?

There are a few question marks surrounding the potential success of this years Thrashers team. The biggest one at this time is whether or not they will come to terms with Ilya Kovalchuk before the season begins. If he opts to play overseas or hold out, the Thrashers can pretty much kiss their season goodbye. The second question is whether or not they have enough depth to challenge later in the season if they suffer any injuries. The Thrashers have some serious talent in Marian Hossa, Marc Sevard and newly signed Bobby Holik, but after the second line the team thins out drastically. Lastly, the Thrashers will turn to Kari Lehtonen to carry the bulk of the load in net. Although they have Mike Dunham to back him up, there are still questions as to whether or not he can step in and make a difference. The one saving grace for the Thrashers is that the Southeast Division is the weakest in the Eastern Conference, thus they will play some of the weakest teams 8 times each. If the Trashers can lock up Kovalchuk, stay healthy and keep on top of the Hurricanes, Panthers and Capitals, they could threaten for a playoff birth.

Carolina Hurricanes?

Honestly, who the fuck cares about the Carolina Hurricanes? The brightest spot for the Canes comes in the form of Eric Staal who is primed to become a big name in the league. Aside from that the Canes brought back Oleg Tverdovsky from exile and signed the quietly effective Ray Whitney. The Canes may have a decent season, but no one will notice. Why? Because no one cares? not even their own fans who STILL cannot sell out half their ugly, green seated arena.

Florida Panthers?

The Panthers made some great strides this off-season bringing in veterans Gary Roberts, Joe Nieuwendyk, Martin Gelinas, Eric Cairns and Jozef Stumpel. It seems like the Panthers are making the right choices to help their youth learn and improve, as well as give a shot at immediate success. If the Panthers can stay healthy, they have a good mix of players, the second best goalie in the NHL in Roberto Luongo and a good crop of defensemen led by the monstrous Jay Boumeester. The Panthers could be one of the surprise teams of this NHL season, don?t be surprised if they contend for the Southeast Division crown.

Tampa Bay Lightning?

The Bolts will continue to be a dominant team in the East. However, whether or not they can repeat as champions is in doubt. Although they were able to lock up Martin St. Louis and Vincent Lecavalier to long term deals, losing Khabibulin will devastate the Bolts this season. As is stands, John Grahame and Sean Burke will probably split duties in net, but neither of them is effective enough to make a run for the Cup. The Bolts were fortunate to keep many of the pieces of their Stanley Cup puzzle in tact, but they lost the most important of all. The Lightning will make the playoffs and will likely finish atop their division, but they won?t have the goaltending to win back-to-back.

Washington Capitals?

The Capitals are obviously in a state of re-building. Look for them to deal vets Brendon Witt and Olaf Kolzig to cup contending teams before the season reaches December. They have bright spots in rookie Alexander Ovechkin, Alexander Semin (great name) and Shaone Morrison who will all get better as a result of playing a lot of minutes for an entire season. It will take a few years, but eventually the Capitals hope to build from within, however, this season will be a long, mistake filled campaign.

[Alfuh]

More! More! More!

[tak]

they just said on espnews that it looks like datsyuk will end up signing with the red wings after all. in other news, fuck the red wings.

[dy-no-mite3000]

y'know, I think I might actually watch a couple of games this year.
ill watch moe this year than last.

[gongshow]

sorry about the delay.. ill have the final, and most important division by tomorrow!

[Oliver Klosov]

You forgot to mention in your write ups about how they are gaying up the game and are using such faggatronics as Shoot-outs to decide ties.

[Global Honored]

Grahame has played well in net over the last two seasons for the Bolts. He has shared with Khabi over that span. The Bulin Wall was great during the Cup run, and we "proverbial fanbase we" couldn't have done it w/o that play, but Grahame has been able outplay the streaky Khabi for long stretches over the past few years and now as the clear #1, I don't think it will be a huge drop off, b/c the guys already know how to play and win with him. Plus...show Mr Conn Smythe Brad Richards some love. The MVP race this season:Vinny, Marty & Brad...neck & neck..GO BOLTS!

[tak]

jeremy roenick got a concussion in a preseaon game the other day. apparently god loves concussions and hates the los angeles kings.

[JSC]

jeremy roenick got a concussion in a preseaon game the other day. apparently god loves concussions and hates the los angeles kings.His 11th diagnosed concussion. You figure he may have started playing with his head up after abut the 3rd.

[JSC]

P.S. Insert Lindros joke here.

[dy-no-mite3000]

http://img188.exs.cx/img188/6706/lindrosad1505wn.jpg
http://slam.canoe.ca/HockeyImages/lindros_hit2.jpg
http://www.foursport.ca/concussion.jpg
http://hem.passagen.se/mano3560/b-lindros.jpg

"His brain thinks he's still hurt because he was in a certain state for such a long time. Think about it this way; if you were subjected to hear Celine Dion sing for one week straight and then the music was turned off, I'm sure your ears would be ringing for a few days afterward because the pain would be so vividly ingrained in your head."

[Bloody Pulp]

Sharks = 6-0 in preseason. pwnt.

[elgigante]

sorry about the delay.. ill have the final, and most important division by tomorrow!

i guess my watch is broken then cause it seems like tomorrow was 8 days ago

[Alf]

brilliant. why? gongshow.
lol. nice Eloy