All right puckheads, the time has come, and after a short and painful off season for us Sens fans, the new season has arrived and it looks like it will be quite interesting indeed. The balance of power has shifted in both Conferences and it looks like teams such as Phili and Colorado are ready to return to the playoffs and teams such as Nashville and Atlanta are ready to find a hole and hide in it. The emergence of the young Pittsburgh Penguins last year was impressive to say the very least, and the igloo may crack under the bright lights that it will draw with the even better team they will present this year, with the additions of Sykora and Sydor. Look for them to challenge the Rangers and Sens for the Eastern conference crown. Buffalo is not the team it was but remains a threat in the East. The Leafs and Habs will once again have to struggle to make the post season yet again after doing some minor tinkering in the off season. In the West the Oilers look improved, not that they had much room the other way, but good drafting and building through trades look promising for the future, if not this season. Calgary and Iron Mike Keenan look to improve after an 8th place finish last year, Mikka Kipprusoff will have a lot to say about that, as will Roberto Luongo dictate Vancouver's fortunes. Else where New Jersey will need every possible heroic Martin Brodeur can muster to make the post season, and the Red Wings will have to heavily rely on Datsuk, Zetterberg, Lidstrom and new comer Brian Rafalski if they look to return to championship form. Sleeper pick for a run, Colorado, not that they are a sleeper so much, but they will be much improved. So, enjoy and as Red Green advises, keep your stick on the ice.
No comments:
Post a Comment