I've been ridiculously busy lately and I still need to make my predictions. A little late since the season has started, but I am really into this Oilers-Flames game (for obvious reasons) and I want to get carried away, so here goes:
Western Conference:
1. Vancouver (their scoring depth is pretty formidable; I still think Luongo isn't that good, but this team will probably win the West anyway)
2. Chicago (people keep mentioning the players they lost, how about the fact that Toews, Kane, Hossa, Sharp, Keith, Seabrook all still remain, and I don't care what anyone says, Turco is a vast improvement upon Niemi)
3. Los Angeles (they will win their division, the Sharks are not that strong and the Kings are definitely on the up-and-up; Kopitar will amass 100 points this year and Bernier could take the job from Quick and carry this team to greatness (or not, Quick is still good too))
4. Detroit (with Zetterberg and Datsyuk, you're guaranteed to do well, but this team IS aging, but in my opinion, this team is a perennial contender)
5. Edmonton (THAT'S RIGHT! The forward lines are sick; Eberle-Horcoff-Hall, Penner-Gagner-Hemsky, Paajarvi-Brule-Cogliano, and then the fourth line. The D isn't deep, but the offence should maintain possession well. If Khabibulin plays really well, this team IS Cup bound)
6. San Jose (Niemi is a downgrade. This team is on the decline and after what is sure to be another disappointing season there is going to be a dismantling)
7. St. Louis (the addition of Halak will be instrumental. There is a lot of young talent on this roster)
8. Colorado (a tonne of young talent here as well. Mueller is poised for a breakout year, Duchene will follow up his stellar rookie season admirably, and Chris Stewart will have a big year too)
9. Anaheim (Hiller is great, Getzlaf, Ryan, and Perry are great, but their D is extremely weak and they are going to regret trading Whitney for Visnovsky (what a terrible trade))
10. Phoenix (a nice story last year, but they were overachievers and this team lacks depth. Bryzgalov is a top three goalie, in my opinion, but he can't carry this team again)
11. Nashville (there is some potential on this roster; Hornqvist and Erat should do well and Shea Weber is amazing, but they too lack depth)
12. Minnesota (this team could surprise people, but they'd have to stay healthy and all of their players would have to have big years; all in all, not likely)
13. Columbus (you heard it here first (maybe): Rick Nash is no longer a top goal-scorer or player in this league. This team will probably live or die with him, more likely die. On a positive note, Steve Mason could have a bounce-back year)
14. Calgary (Jokinen? Tanguay? What was management thinking? Kipprusoff is still a top five goalie, but he had excellent numbers last year and only managed a 35-28-10 record)
15. Dallas (Kari Lehtonen as your starting goalie; enough said)
Eastern Conference:
1. Washington (same recipe as last year, in the weakest division imaginable will net them loads of extra points in the standings and they'll easily win the Presidents' Trophy, but Varlamov will have to improve if they want to win when it counts)
2. Pittsburgh (expect a big year from Malkin. He has something to prove. Their D still isn't as good as when they won the Cup, but adding Paul Martin was a good move that will improve their depth)
3. Buffalo (Ryan Miller; he's the best. Tyler Myers and Tyler Ennis: huge years)
4. Philadelphia (if their goaltending weren't a question mark, I would predict a Cup for this team, but it is, so I can't)
5. New Jersey (this team is really good. Not as good as people realize, I think. They were Cup contenders without a scorer like Kovalchuk, now they have Kovalchuk. Parise's contract is up (a gift and a curse) and he'll have a huge year, but after this year they won't be able to afford him, thanks to the stupid Kovalchuk contract)
6. Boston (I really like this team. Their goaltending is going to have to make up for their poor D though; after Chara the depth of defence is lacking)
7. Carolina (Cam Ward will be stupendous this year. People don't realize how good he was and this team was after the Olympic Break last season)
8. Ottawa (Leclaire should be supplanted by Elliott, but neither of them is good enough to make this team a true contender)
9. Tampa Bay (big turnaround year for them (thanks in no small part to Steve Yzerman) and a big turnaround year for Lecavalier as well. If this team makes the playoffs then Stamkos will be the Hart Trophy winner; he's a top three talent in the NHL now, in my opinion)
10. Toronto (big turnaround year for them too. Giguere is still a top five goalie, in my opinion. Versteeg was a great addition and their D is really good. If they're coached properly, they could make the playoffs)
11. Montreal (This team has great forwards, especially Cammalleri, great D. But then Carey Price in net; he's atrocious. And the backup is Alex Auld. Get a new goalie or forget about the playoffs)
12. NY Rangers (No winners on the roster with the exception of Lundqvist; there's nothing more that this guy can do to lead his team to victory, yet they can't do anything for him, ever. We all remember the final game of the season against the Flyers last year, right?)
13. NY Islanders (watch out for Nino Niederreiter; he's a talented rookie. And there are some other good young players, but Streit is out for most of the year)
14. Florida (terrible team, great goalie)
15. Atlanta (their D is pretty good, but that's it)
Hart Trophy - Steven Stamkos (TB)
Vezina Trophy - Cam Ward (CAR)
Calder Trophy - Jordan Eberle (EDM)
Frank J. Selke Trophy- Pavel Datsyuk (DET) may as well rename the award the Pavel Datsyuk Trophy
Clarence S. Campbell Bowl - Edmonton Oilers (call me a homer)
Prince of Wales Trophy - Boston Bruins
Stanley Cup - Boston Bruins
