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Training Camp Preview
by Paul on 09/06/09 at 07:30 AM ET
Comments (3)
from Mike Zeisberger of the Toronto Sun,
To prepare you for the return of The Boys of Winter, here is Sun Media’s NHL training camp preview…
CALGARY FLAMES: Mike Keenan gets the boot as coach. In comes Brent Sutter, brother of Flames GM Darryl Sutter. Welcome to hockey’s version of All in the Family. Calgary had better get off to a good start or it might be a bit uncomfortable when the Sutter clan congregates around the table for Christmas dinner.
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS: With the Bulin Wall now in Edmonton, can Cristobal Huet be The Man to lead this talented squad to a Stanley Cup?COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS: Can rookie sensation Steve Mason avoid the sophomore jinx?
Filed in: NHL Teams | KK Hockey | Permalink
Comments
Couple of things. I watched Mason and he faded a bit at the end of the season (probably a nagging injury from the amount of shots the Jackets’ defense allows), but people have to admit he gives up some juicy rebounds but is a wall with those second shots. Honestly, if he doesn’t have to play more than 50 games I’d say he holds up…he’s too active to play more than that.
This is the season the Bruins come back to earth but still make the playoffs.
Tampa discovers that the Brad Richards—>Mike Smith trade actually paid off with a semblance of a real defense. (though giving up a player like richards is always gut wrenching)
Penguins-Marc Andre Fleury learns rebound control (not a joke); defense is still solid. Jeffrey and (possibly) Tangradi are staples on the 2rd/3rd lines. Kunitz is reunited with Staal; chaos ensues. Malkin will learn how to actually win a face off.
Leafs-Won’t make the playoffs…no team cohesiveness.
Montreal-6-8th seed won’t go far.
Rangers-Will look stupid most of the season and score 2 goals a night but will make the playoffs. Gaborik will be hurt by December and lead team scoring with 20 goals at that point.
Devils-Obviously they return to form behind a healthy brodeur.
Islanders-Will not make the playoffs and will be last place for both divisions.
Hurricanes-Keep plugging along.
Capitals-Varlamov to the goaltending rescue. Ovechkin will place third in points (but first in goals) to his arch-nemesis’. Backstrom will overshadow OV as the truly better all around player.
Red Wings-Osgood has another lackluster regular season with Howard playing 20 games and outshining him. Enter as the 3rd seed after Chicago and Vancouver; shocked in the 2nd round by an team no one ever expected to make the playoffs…edmonton. (a little too detailed).
Sharks-Will grab the 5th seed. Sign kessel somehow. Won’t matter.
Blues-Won’t make the playoffs…if they do they Conklin will be their starting goaltender and his curse won’t do them any good.
Blue Jackets-Won’t make the playoffs
Nashville-Will make the playoffs, won’t go far.
Anaheim-May take the west depending on seeding and acquiring a mid-grade sniper (expected 4-7).
Calgary-Limps into the playoffs behind a punishing defense and lack of scoring which means they’ll go nowhere in the playoffs.
Edmonton-Somehow they find a way to make it into the playoffs behind a somewhat lackluster squad.
Chicago-Last season wasn’t a deviation…will Huet ever prove himself? Can’t go far if Kane and Toews won’t check and won’t play defense. Sharp will get dealt and the team that get’s him will be eternally grateful. The Blackhawks will understand what the Hossa curse is and how they’ve saddled it for 12 years (ouch).
Posted by stoneman from Vegas on 09/06/09 at 08:53 PM ET
Red Wings-Osgood has another lackluster regular season with Howard playing 20 games and outshining him. Enter as the 3rd seed after Chicago and Vancouver; shocked in the 2nd round by an team no one ever expected to make the playoffs…edmonton. (a little too detailed).
You’re a sick man stoneman from Vegas. This could very well be true, but believing this before training camp starts is a rough way to live the season.
Posted by Osrt on 09/06/09 at 09:56 PM ET
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more on Pittsburgh please
Posted by liz brown from canada on 09/06/09 at 07:41 AM ET