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Northwest Division Playoff Shakedown
by Alanah McGinley on 01/18/07 at 04:49 PM ET
Comments (8)
While not much of a Terry Frei fan, I read his column today on Northwest Division parity with less irritation than usual. He aims to figure out how the NW will shake down come playoff time, and his assessment is reasonable… not to mention, a lot of fun.
“Most likely, one or two teams in the Northwest are going to step up in the final 10 weeks, and one or two are going to go in the tank. Still, it seems as if the division is headed for a record “pack” finish.”
And how does he break down the pack? Three teams make it and two teams crash and burn.
So let’s look at who lives and who dies.
Calgary: “The Flames will get to the top and stay there—99 points, first in the division, No. 3 playoff seed.”
Well, I agree and disagree with Frei here. Yes, it’s very possible, even likely, that the Flames will win the division. But I sincerely doubt they’re going to ride the top spot for the rest of the season. Especially since Frei himself even predicts only a 2-point difference between the top two NW teams. And I’d guess that more than just Calgary and Vancouver will be fighting for that spot. For at least the next 6 weeks, I say that almost everyone will stay in that race.
Vancouver Canucks: “The Canucks will continue to have fun—97 points, second in the division, No. 6 playoff seed.”
I agree. Not that the Canucks are going to pick up 97 points—I figure it’ll be a bit lower than that. But the #6 spot sounds about right, although it’s probably a crap shoot whether they take #6 or #3, with the likely horse race finish to the end.
Minnesota: “90 points, third in the division, No. 8 playoff seed.”
Frei seems uncertain about his Minnesota conclusions ("I’ll take the safest route and plug them right in the middle of the division.") and I can see why. The Wild really are an unpredictable team, running with strange streaks all season. But ultimately, I’ve got to agree with Frei because Marian Gaborik is back, and he and Pavol Demitra (not to mention Brian Rolston) should probably steer them to the playoffs—at least until Gaborik trips on some stairs and snaps a groin muscle, or some such idiocy.
And finally the really fun part, and the reason that I am now an Official Terry Frei Supporter… he thinks Edmonton and Colorado will miss the playoffs. Not that this is some incredibly controversial sort of assessment, but I still like seeing it in print. (Though he loses points from me for being so polite about it—i.e. about the Avalanche: “It is praiseworthy that the once-elite franchise is hanging in the hunt...” Oh, gag me.)
Anyway, there you have it. I’ve now cited a Terry Frei column without being (incredibly) obnoxious about it. I’m feeling very saintly about that. I deserve a cookie.
Filed in: | Canucks and Beyond | Permalink
Comments
Duly noted and on the record. I have a hard time imagining the Canucks coming out “well in excess of 100 points” but I hope you’re right!
That would be very nice indeed....
Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 01/18/07 at 07:40 PM ET
Tell you what, Alanah...I’ll help you out with the obnoxious part…
Frei is a moron. Never liked his columns. He is one of those typical msm types that think his %#^* don’t stink. Well, it does, and so do his columns.
He wrote for the Oregonian for a couple years back in the 80’s. His columns were brutal...the guy has nothing nice to say.
Last year he wrote a piece about Todd Bertuzzi that made me want to jump through the computer screen and throttle him. Instead...I just don’t pay attention to him anymore. He’s a moron. Oh..I already said that.
Posted by GZ Expat on 01/19/07 at 12:40 AM ET
Expat -- No cookie for you! (Kidding...) I also remember his commentary on the Bertuzzi incident and afterwards.
I was tempted to break things reading that stuff, believe me.
Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 01/19/07 at 01:05 AM ET
Luongo has made SUCH a difference for the Canucks. Just like Pronger did for the Oil last year.
Make sure you keep his wife/girlfirend/boyfriend (which is it?) happy!
Posted by w2j2 on 01/19/07 at 01:05 PM ET
This post may show up twice. I refereshed like 10 times over 10 min but nothing. so here goes again.
A Terry Frei love-in on the heels of your Sean Avery coming-out-of-the-closet party (i mean post)… what’s next? an ode to chelios?
Posted by grey wall on 01/19/07 at 05:03 PM ET
Oh, dear God… have I slipped THAT far? My reputation!!!
No, no, no— No Odes to Chelios, I swear.
I’m gonna have to get on a new anti-Wings photoshop job immediately.
Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 01/19/07 at 05:53 PM ET
Oh, and w2j2? We’re keeping his WIFE happy! (Just don’t ask how...)
Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 01/19/07 at 05:54 PM ET
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About Canucks & Beyond
Alanah McGinley has been blogging hockey since 2003, sharing opinions, rants and not-so-deep thoughts with anyone who will listen. In addition to writing Canucks & Beyond and helping manage Kukla’s Korner, Alanah is one of the founders and co-hosts of The Crazy Canucks Podcast, as featured at Canucks.com.
She has contributed pieces to FoxSports.com and the New York Times Slapshot blog, as well as other stray destinations in cyberspace.
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Just to get it on the record somewhere so I can brag to my friends at the end of the season, I see the Canucks well in excess of 100 points at the end of the year. This is not just wild optimism. It is based on their record. Take their record since Christmas, deduct 25% (because even an optimist can’t see them keep this blistering pace) and multiply by the remaining games and we’re well into the 100 range. Calgary could be right there as well, by the way.
Posted by Kent from Langley, BC on 01/18/07 at 07:07 PM ET