2008-2009 NHL season will be TOUGH! Everyteam looks decent!?

Question

any predictions?

I like the Sharks chances!

Answer 1

I have been saying that to friends for a couple of years. There is so much parity now because of the influx of young talent and the salary cap. There are however, some teams way under the curve.

I have been afraid of the Sharks and Sens for a couple of years and can't figure out with the talent they have, why they falter so often in the playoffs after successful reg. seasons? I think it is a matter of time before either of those teams takes a cup home.

Answer 2

I think detroits still got it in the west and montreal again in the east. I'm a canucks fan and hoping they could make the playoffs this year

Answer 3

The best teams next year...

San Jose (I'm a Sharks fan too!)

New York Rangers

Montreal

Detroit

Dallas

Philadelphia

Answer 4

If the Rangers get Jagr back, The Rangers have a good chance

Answer 5

Every team looks decent?  Do you work for the marketing team at Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment?

You're right about the season being tough, with a lot of good teams.  I have no reason for saying this (just a funny kind of hunch), but for some reason I think the Eastern Conference is going to produce 08/09's champ.  I just hope it's not another boring New Jersey "win 1-0" Stanley Cup run.

Could be the year of the Flyers - if they can get a little more mobile on defense and Martin Biron plays as well as he did this year.

Answer 6

We'll have to see how their coaching situation sorts out.  Once July 1st gets here will have a MUCH better idea.  For instance if the Caps are unable to sign Huet or trade for another goalie you can write them off for sure.  Free-agency changes a lot, we'll just wait to see if it's for the better or for the worse.

Answer 7

SJ SHARKS ;)

Answer 8

the caps will be a team to beat next year

Answer 9

EAST- Philly, Montreal, NYR, Capitals

WEST- Redwings, Sharks, Ducks

up and coming- Lightning, Blackhawks, Kings, Blues,

Answer 10

Every team may look decent (except for the Wings who look like a machine).  But free agency still hasn't started.  When that's all said and done, the field should look different than it does now and you'll see what teams remain decent and what teams look like they could challenge the Red Machine.

Answer 11

Did Pittsburgh suddenly get old....am I missing something here???

Did Nick Lidstrom retire????

Nothing has changed yet....that makes me see anyone moving above these two teams!  No team is within one or two players of becoming obviously better than Detroit and Pittsburgh!

Until, through free agency or trades, (the draft did not provide a game dominating star), another team improves by several players....Meaningful games will be played in June between the Motor City (aka Hockeytown) and The steel city!

Answer 12

A Canadian team is gonna win the cup.

Answer 13

The Sharks will take a little time to adjust to a new system that McMellan brings in. I do believe that they are one of the WEST contenders as of now.. along with DET!  Dallas could be tough also.

As for the East... you got MONTREAL who has plenty of Cap Room to work with to get better, PITT that will still have Malkin and Crosby and Fleury, Gonchar and Whitney... Staal, Kennedy, Sykora, Talbot... they wil still be good!

Answer 14

Well, I HOPE the Sharks can reach their expectations, if so then it will be their first time reaching their expectations since 2002! If you want to know why I think that then send me an email.

I like Dallas, they are a great playoff team and they carry great vets. I think they could've made the Detroit/Dallas series a little more interesting if they were more rested. That Game 6 vs San Jose really hurt them in the beginning of the Western Finals.

But Detroit still looks like the 'team to beat'. They have got great veteran leadership, the succeed in the big games, best offense and defense in the NHL last year. I think only a couple of fingers can beat them next year.

Monteal, I think, will win the Eastern Conference next year (Regular Season). They have the great young Carey Price, who did struggle in the playoffs last year. I don't see them in the Stanley Cup Finals, but I do see them in the Eastern Conference Finals.

I am going to put the Penguins at 2nd in the East as was last year. They have great young talent that is only going to get better. I can see them in the Cup Finals again, but not winning it, unless they escape playing Detroit, San Jose, Dallas, Anaheim. Those teams know defense.

I'm going to ignore predictions until after a lot of the big name Free Agents decide where they are going to go.

Answer 15

Lightning all the way for the biggest come back! lol