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A Very Early Look At Next Year
by PuckStopsHere on 06/15/09 at 01:32 AM ET
Comments (3)
The season has barely completed and we do not know what rosters will look like next year, but nevertheless I thought it would be fun to take a look at next season. Obviously there is uncertainty in any pronouncements that can be made at this point. A big trade or a big free agent signing might render these assessments moot.
I have grouped the teams into six different groups of five teams. There are the likely contenders, possible contenders, probable playoff teams, possible playoff teams, likely also rans and the bottomfeeders.
Likely Contenders
Boston Bruins - Won the East in the regular season, but had a playoff run stopped by a hot Carolina team
Detroit Red Wings - Lost in the finals, but could have own if healthier
Pittsburgh Penguins - Defending cup champions
San Jose Sharks - As long as they don’t change too much from last year
Washington Capitals - If Varlamov solves goaltending problems
Possible Contenders
Anaheim Ducks - As long as Bob Murray doesn’t start a rebuild
Calgary Flames - An injured defence stopped their 2009 playoff run
Chicago Blackhawks - If a couple young stars take big steps forward this might be a low ranking
New Jersey Devils - Does Brodeur still have a full season without injury in him?
Vancouver Canucks - Assuming the Sedins return or they have something significant for their departure
Probable Playoff Teams
Carolina Hurricanes - A bit low for a semi-finalist, but it was a well timed hot streak.
Columbus Blue Jackets - As long as Steve Mason doesn’t hit a sophomore jinx
Montreal Canadiens - Carey Price needs to bounce back
New York Rangers - Salary cap woes, but some talent
Philadelphia Flyers - Will KHL goaltending stop an otherwise playoff team?
Possible Playoff Teams
Buffalo Sabres - Miller’s late season injury kept them out in 2009
Dallas Stars - The best non-playoff team in 2009, but had lots go wrong
Edmonton Oilers - I like Pat Quinn as coach. Goalie could be a problem. Roloson is 40.
Nashville Predators - Happy to not be the most likely to fold/move team in the NHL
St Louis Blues - Young team overachieved to make playoffs in 2009
Likely Also Rans
Colorado Avalanche - Not as bad as 2009 showed. Paul Stastny could be a star.
Florida Panthers - Was keeping Bouwmeester worth it?
Los Angeles Kings - Still rebuilding. Will they finally produce an above average goalie?
Minnesota Wild - Should drop without Lemaire coaching
Ottawa Senators - What can Heatley trade bring back?
Bottomfeeders
Atlanta Thrashers - Kovalchuk is a UFA in 2010. Will he be traded?
New York Islanders - It will take more than John Tavares to save them
Phoenix Coyotes - Could move up if ownership is solved in time for them to make some good moves
Tampa Bay Lightning - Can’t trust these owners to make any good moves
Toronto Maple Leafs - I like Burke, but it will take more than a summer to fix it
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Comments
The fact Atlanta had an impressive run down the stretch, despite being long eliminated from the playoffs, apparently is meaningless because Kovalchuk will be UFA if he isn’t re-signed. Good job at stating the obvious.
I also have to laugh at your line about the Flyers. KHL goaltending? Fun fact: Emery played in Ottawa before his one-year stint in the KHL. He did well in Ottawa, and did a damn good job in Russia (22-8-0, 1.86 GAA, .926 SV%).
Really, though. This could have waited until after free agency. “Very early” or not, it’s not an accurate depiction of where teams may or may not be. I’d put far more weight on a season prediction after having a good idea of what pieces are where. Will Florida manage to re-sign J-Bo? Does Atlanta actually get the pieces Kovalchuk asked for? Does Detroit re-sign Hossa? As the weeks pass, we’ll find out all this and more.
Posted by Alan from Atlanta on 06/15/09 at 08:51 AM ET
Is there any way to just block one blog’s posts? This guy is ruining KK for me.
Posted by helmet on 06/15/09 at 10:30 AM ET
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Couple of things.
Edmonton: Roloson may be 40 but they have deslauriers who is an excellent 1b goalie as of now...and sabourin who is a 2a goalie. Shouldn’t be a problem.
Panthers: A better team than most realize. Even without J.B. their style should get them in the playoffs if vokoun is spot on.
Sabres: No...this team is weak front to back. Miller isn’t going to save them from mediocrity.
Jackets: While Mason is impressive...this team is pieced together incorrectly...hardly any of the talent is home grown and competing egos do not a stanley cup contender make...EVER (see Rangers).
Flyers: Goaltending isn’t the problem it’s average to mediocre defense. Still...come playoff time these goalies won’t redeem themselves. If they pick up esche it won’t make a difference. Have to trade for a real goalie.
Hurricanes: problems with scoring and defensive defensemen. Eric staal is a show when he’s not on one of his long scoreless streaks.
Kings: “Will they finally produce an above average goalie?” Not a chance...not with this defense.
Bruins: Will have a goalie log jam when Rask’s play demands that he become their starting goaltender and Thomas is revealed to be Chris Osgood with better puck control.
Blues: Probably have the best NHL/AHL goaltending core of any team in the NHL. Mason, Legace, Schwarz, Bishop. Maybe not 1a goaltenders but 1b at least on most teams. Could snag some decent defensemen with a couple.
Posted by stoneman from Vegas on 06/15/09 at 01:05 AM ET