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Post by Vampyre on Aug 28, 2008 13:20:58 GMT -5
So, the pre-season is almost here (makes a suitable consolation prize for the end of summer). What are your thoughts on the upcoming season? Who are your favourites to make the Conference Finals? (take the blinders off guys) Which teams are you excited to watch this season and why? Which players are you rooting for? Who is going to draft Tavares in 2009? (Leafs fans can make some noise here  ) |
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Post by icedragonsgm on Aug 29, 2008 19:40:52 GMT -5
I'm really excited about this upcoming season and can't wait to see how my Oilers make out. They should be a much improved team with the additions of Erik Cole and Lubomir Visnovsky. I'm also expecting that Sam Gagne, Andrew Cogliano and Dustin Penner will be much improved this season.
As for teams that I think will have a shot at the Conference Titles. I figure that Detroit will once again contend in the West with Dallas right there with them. Over in the Eastern Conference, well who really knows. I would suspect that both Pittsburgh and Philadelphia will be right there at the top.
I'm most looking forward at watching how the Blackhawks come around this year. They have quite a few young players who should be much improved this season. I'm fairly sure that they will make the playoffs.
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Post by Commish on Sept 1, 2008 12:50:28 GMT -5
With the '08-'09 season upon us, I am as excited as ever. I already have my NHL Center Ice package ordered so that the time regular season games are being played, I'll have my face glued to the television.
I would normally be looking forward to watching the Leafs play, but that's not the case this year as I'm fairly certain the team is going to suck. I have absolutely no problem with that, as I've stated for years that the Maple Leafs should go into a could rebuilding phase which would see them stock up on young prospects for about five seasons. Once the team has had those five bad season, which brought them so future young stars, then they could start focusing on making the playoffs and becoming a contender from year to year. Ideally they would follow a blueprint similar to that of the Red Wings. The Wings, regardless of how much distaste I have for them are the best run hockey organization in the league and always seem to make the right choices when it comes to management personnel, players, prospects, etc...
Now then, I'm also looking forward to watching a few other teams around the league. The Flyers, Flames, Ducks, Senators, and Blackhawks to a lesser degree are all teams that I enjoy watching and will root for.
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Post by Vampyre on Sept 1, 2008 20:49:34 GMT -5
With the '08-'09 season upon us, I am as excited as ever. I already have my NHL Center Ice package ordered so that the time regular season games are being played, I'll have my face glued to the television.  I would normally be looking forward to watching the Leafs play, but that's not the case this year as I'm fairly certain the team is going to suck. |
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Post by Devils on Sept 4, 2008 12:58:10 GMT -5
What are your thoughts on the upcoming season? I expect a few new teams to make some waves this time around so that should be cool. The Lightning have made some huge strides so that should annoy the hell out of me. Phoenix is my dark horse pick for big things in the near future. I am very happy about the prospect of seeing the Rags floundering like a fish out of water again. Ahh hockey is almost back ;D Who are your favourites to make the Conference Finals? (take the blinders off guys) Forgive my putting the Devils here but I think they have a real shot at another cup this season with the two major acquisitions this offseason. Devils vs Capitals Wings vs Sharks Which teams are you excited to watch this season and why? Of course I am excited to watch my boys in black and red play, but otherwise I think I will enjoy watching the Coyotes, Blackhawks, and Blues improve over the season. Which players are you rooting for? Brodeur, Parise, Zajac, Rolston....ok aside from the Devils. I always have liked Sergei Fedorov so I will be routing him on and his stellar Capitals offense. Shouldn't be too long before I hate this team because I really like what they have going and they will be a threat to my boys soon. Who is going to draft Tavares in 2009? (Leafs fans can make some noise here ) Well screw the Leafs first of all. But moving on, it's hard to say who will score big by sucking badly. I think the Laffs are front runners there, but let's not discount the amazing suckability of the Jackets, Kings, and Islanders. |
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Post by vancouverhotheads on Sept 4, 2008 17:01:51 GMT -5
What are your thoughts on the upcoming season?
I can't wait. The summer has been pretty slow. Baseball isn't on my radar anymore. My Leos are struggling. We're coming up to my favourite time of the year.
I'm looking forward to seeing the Laughs struggle but I'm really hoping they don't finish last. I hope they finish 5th or 6th from the bottom. That would annoy all their fans so much.
Who are your favourites to make the Conference Finals? (take the blinders off guys)
West - Red Wings & Stars - Both teams were great last year and they got even better this offseason.
East - Penguins & Rangers - I like the Rangers more this year with the changes they've made. It pains me to credit this team though so you know my blinders are certainly off. The Pens will be pretty close to last year's team minus Hossa but I don't think that'll be a huge problem.
Which teams are you excited to watch this season and why?
It'll be interesting to see how the Blackhawks progress. Anytime there is a lot of hype about a team, I usually become disinterested in them. Just my nature. They have some great young talent though and they should be the next version of the Penguins. This year isn't their year though.
I'm anxious to see how my Canucks do. I'm expecting the worst. I really hope New York signs Sundin so they'll have to dump one of their other top paid players and maybe the Canucks can scoop one of them up. I think it's going to be a long season on the West Coast of Canada. It'll be nice to see how guys like Edler, Raymond, Bernier, and Bieksa continue to develop though.
Which players are you rooting for?
Markus Naslund - I've always been a fan and hated the way people trashed him here in Vancouver at the end. As soon as he signed with New York all those same fans were whining about how the Canucks didn't re-sign him. I hope he scores 30-35 goals playing with Gomez or Drury or whoever.
Kevin Bieksa - I love his style of play and I love watching him fight. I hope he gets ahold of Tootoo this year.
Who is going to draft Tavares in 2009? (Leafs fans can make some noise here ).
He's not even a lock to be the number 1 pick but if the Laughs are picking at number 1 he's going to play for them. Atlanta's still going to suck so they'll give them a good run for the top pick.
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Post by Vampyre on Sept 4, 2008 18:46:16 GMT -5
Which teams are you excited to watch this season and why? Of course I am excited to watch my boys in black and red play, but otherwise I think I will enjoy watching the Coyotes, Blackhawks, and Blues improve over the season. I'm supposed to be in Newark during the 2nd or 3rd week of October, so I may take in a game if they're at home. |
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Post by warriors on Sept 4, 2008 18:53:37 GMT -5
prudential center is really nice...u'll like it
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Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2008 19:44:16 GMT -5
yeah...we went to a ranger-devil game last year and it was really fun..you'll have a good time
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Post by Devils on Sept 4, 2008 21:35:15 GMT -5
yes highly recommended.
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Post by Vampyre on Sept 4, 2008 22:47:45 GMT -5
Well, I won't know the exact dates until the end of the month, but if there's a game in town when I am there and anyone wants to join me.....(I'd otherwise likely just be sitting around my hotel room).
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Post by Devils on Sept 19, 2008 12:37:42 GMT -5
That sounds good man. Keep in touch on that I don't mind throwing back a few beers and watching a game with ya.
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Post by helionsgm on Sept 22, 2008 14:08:24 GMT -5
What are your thoughts on the upcoming season? I honestly think this upcoming season is going to be an exciting one. Now that teams are getting into the flow of post lockout hockey we're gonna see some really exciting things. As we have already seen with the increase in free agent talent. Although I think we are seeing alot more older players taking advantage of teams (cough, Neidermayer, Sellane, Sundin, cough)... But thats another arguement for another time! I think the players and referees are getting to be on the same page and we're getting alot of very exciting hockey! Who are your favourites to make the Conference Finals? (take the blinders off guys) Blinders or no blinder in the west, I see Dallas being a HUGE contender this year! Though they will continue to see strong competition from the Sharks and Ducks within their division making it very possible for all three to be Conferance contenders. Not to discount the strong play we'll see from Detroit who will surely make yet another strong push! I would also look out for Colorado and Calgary who won't go down easily! Chicago, Columbus, and Edmonton all look to have potential for surprise seasons but it'll be a tough battle with all the strong competition coming out of the West. The east I see as the usual crap shoot! Pittsburgh, Montreal, and New Jersey will battle out for the top two spots with Ottawa, NYR, Buffalo, and Washington trailing not far behind. With Wasington grabbing a top seed by winning their division that will leave, the likes of Carolina, Tampa, Boston and Philly duking it out for the final spot in the Eastern Circus. Which teams are you excited to watch this season and why? I think Chicago will play a fast paced high octane style of hockey you'd be retarded not to love! Of coarse I will love the gritty defensive dominance Dallas will bring to the table. With the addition of Avery to knock some bodies around it'll open up the ice for Morrow to show off more of his offensive touch, (easily the best hands by a power-winger since the demise of Bertuzzi). Speaking of Bertuzzi, if he and Camallerri are able to stay healthy and play to their potention Calgary should be a team to watch also. With a top line of Iginla, Langkow, and Bertuzzi they'll strike fear in the eyes of the opposition. When even your most offensively talented player is willing (and able) to throw down who wouldn't be scared of you? Like always I will also be excited to watch the leafs because I will get to see some of the most beautiful offensive execution and dominance exacted by their oposition night in and night out ;D Which players are you rooting for? I am looking for huge seasons from the likes of Loui Erikkson and Fabian Brunnstrom to help give the Stars that extra push it needs to stay atop the West! I am also looking forward to see what we get out of the "Ovechkin/Crosby Chronicles" - Chapter IV. The Kane/Toews connection should make for some exciting hockey, as should the Lecavalier/St.Louis/Stamkos line we should see some of in Tampa. Who is going to draft Tavares in 2009? (Leafs fans can make some noise here ) It could be a close race... I could see Toronto, Atlanta or Los Angeles taking it with guest appearances in the race by Florida, NYI, or Pheonix. With strong possibilities of major breakdowns by Minnesota, Vancouver, or Nashville. Needless to say the celler will be an interesting place to be this year. |
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Post by major on Sept 25, 2008 21:32:45 GMT -5
What are your thoughts on the upcoming season?
Haven't paid enuf attention but the Flames should be unstoppable. The cup parade will go through Red Mile. Nucks, Oil, Avs,......etc should all struggle. Wouldn't be surprised if the Flames go undefeated.
Who are your favourites to make the Conference Finals? (take the blinders off guys)
I agree, take the blinders off guys. Anyways like I said, Flames are a easy choice from the west. Any of the 15 teams from the east can prepare themselves for the "almost disappointment".
Which teams are you excited to watch this season and why?
This team is under-rated but I'll mention them, the Flames. Iggy's potting another 50. Cammi, Lombo flying around. Bertuzzi, Roy, Prust, Vandermeer taking some cheap shots. Swedish Sensation Backlund. The Dionator scoring 80 points from the backend. Robyn-hood Riding Miss Hemsky along the boards. You get the point, I can list much more.
Which players are you rooting for?
Anyone wearing the Flaming "C". Something bout the C that gets everyone excited.
Who is going to draft Tavares in 2009? (Leafs fans can make some noise here )
Except the Flames imho It can be anyone. Crapshoot there. I would say Wings, Pens, Laughs, Isles all have good shot at it.
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Post by Oil kings GM on Sept 25, 2008 22:37:50 GMT -5
What are your thoughts on the upcoming season?
I can't for it to get started as it has been a long summer. But right now I can honestly say that I have stopped watching a lot of hockey. I don't watch it as much as I used to, but I still pay attention. I think I am getting old.
But my thoughts are that AO will win the 'Rocket' Richard Trophy with 60+ goals this year. I will also say that Malkin (man I like him more than AO) will win the Art Ross over AO. Being an Oiler fan, I hate to admit this, but I am going to say that even though he is a pansy, Dion will win the Norris. Nabokov will win the Vezina. Turris will win the Calder beating out Stamkos.
There are a lot of young guys that I will keep my eye on (because of the 08 draft) to see how they do in the minors (yes, doing my homework early).
Who are your favourites to make the Conference Finals?
Dallas vs. Detroit for the West
Pittsburgh vs. Montreal for the East
Montreal over Dallas in the Final (Montreal wins the Cup on their 100th Anniversary). Yes you heard it here 1st.
Which teams are you excited to watch this season and why?
Phoenix
LA
Chicago
Pittsburgh
Washington
All young teams and if every team keeps all their players it should be a fun few years in the league. There are also more teams to name, but those are the 5 that I will keep my eye on for the next 5-7 years.
Which players are you rooting for?
Rick Nash - hopefully he has put all his injuries behind him and with Voracek more than likely making the team this year, and with Umberger and Torres helping him out I can actually see him score 40+ goals this season and finally putting an end to all the "overrated" player debates in the NHL.
Jay Bouwmeester - still wish the Oilers could get this guy and sign him long term, but still don't know if he would want to play in Edmonton as he didn't want to be in the limelight when Pronger wanted out of town. Maybe free agency this summer....
Pascal Leclaire - was last season a fluke or is he really that good. Don't get me wrong, he is an amazing goalie, but what a coming out party he had last season.
Sean Avery - the guy you love to hate. What else can I say.
Daniel Carcillo - Better than Avery? perhaps, could be a poor mans Probert if he puts it all together.
Who is going to draft Tavares in 2009?
I want to say the Leafs, but they would screw that up and take Braydon Schenn instead. I would want to say the Islanders, but they would also screw that up and trade it away. So I will say LA, the only reason is their goaltending...weak, weak, weak.
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