|
|
Post by phillyfiend on Jul 29, 2008 23:14:41 GMT -5
Top three teams, in your own opinion, of each?
Are the Fly guys going to be up that high as of right now?
|
|
|
|
Post by Dr Dan Stantz on Jul 30, 2008 18:59:54 GMT -5
The Flyers are going to win their division. The only team who has a shot at comepeting with us for that is the Pens, who I just don't feel with be nearly as strong this year. The Rangers are back to trying to buy talent, and it just isn't gonna work.
Top 3 teams in each conference:
East:
1. Montreal
2. Philadelphia
3. Washington/Tampa Bay (hard call)
West:
1. Detroit
2. San Jose
3. Minnesota
NOTE: These are of course the top 3 teams in each division, not necessarily indicative of conference wide points. But I think these teams will finish in these positions.
|
|
|
|
Post by el_duderino on Jul 30, 2008 20:15:04 GMT -5
I really can't disagree with much there. The only things I'm seeing differently are Tampa (curious to see how these pieces actually fit together) and Minnesota (but that division is always so tight, so it's hard to tell). I'll replace the Wild with, oh, let's go with the Avs for now. ;D
So, since I can't give you really much different, I'll give you something completely different. And that's a couple of teams that are a move or two away (either pre- or during season) to make a "surprise" push after one of those spots. I think Boston is close, but still missing a top scorer. We'll see how Bergeron returns. The other in the East is Carolina. They've been consistent, but slid backwards last season. They're still going to be there, and probably need one more piece (perhaps on the blueline) to put them back at the top. If Justin Williams wasn't injured for the second half of the season, they may have made more of an impact.
In the West, the big swing may come in Vancouver. Lots of talk about them picking up Sundin. And if he wants to play, he's still a force to be reckoned with. Again, that Northwest Conference is so tight, you never know who might end on top. And while they probably won't overtake Detroit, the Blackhawks have made HUGE strides in the past couple of years. I don't see them sliding backwards, and a trade with a seller at the deadline might push this team even higher.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dr Dan Stantz on Jul 30, 2008 20:37:04 GMT -5
I agree with a lot of what you said... outside of the 2 things in the West. I can't see the Avs being good enough to win their division with Budaj and Raycroft in net... too unproven for my tastes. Raycroft showed so much promise with Boston, and he had a great year in Toronto, but he was God awful last season. Maybe he rebounds, but I don't see it.
Also, Vancouver, even if they pick up Sundin... they just don't have enough offense.
Maybe they should talk to Tampa Bay and trade for one of their 18 forwards... which is why I put them in the running for that division... they'll win every game like 8-7, but still.
|
|
