The NHL Discussion Thread

[UnderAGlassMoon]

Being a lifelong Kings fan I suppose I am on the other end of the spectrum from a lot of you. I am still on the high from the Stanley Cup win!

What a magical last three seasons it has been for the once lowly Kings. The dates of June 11, 2012 and June 13 2014 will always be special. While the 2012 run was very, very unexpected and unbelievable, last year was just as good, if not totally different. In 2012 they were up 3-0 in every series, last year they won three game 7's all on the road! Again still riding the high!

Can't see the Kings dropping off much this year. The resigning of Gaborik was huge and they did not lose much from last year. Barring any injuries, they should have another deep playoff run.

I know a lot of you who read and post to this thread are on the east coast and east coast fans, I wish your teams the best.

Still have to think that the cup winner will come from the west again this year, or maybe they'll just beat the crap out of each other so much that the east can take advantage.

Drop the puck! GO KINGS GO!!!

[Reginod]

I'm expecting that the Canes will compete for the #1 draft pick.
And since Karmanos is shopping the franchise around, I'm also thinking that some other city will host the ex-Whalers in the future.

The good news is that the expectations are so low, even a bubbling-under-mediocre season will seem to be a triumph, and of course tickets will be easy to come by so I might see more games in person this season than ever before.

[Klonk]

I feel pretty good about the Rangers this year. I like the mix of youth and veterans. Boyle will help on the PP. Losing Stepan will hurt for a few weeks, but the kids that will be filling in are pretty solid. Nash is looking lean and mean in camp. Hopefully he's past the KO's from last year and will be a force. Hopefully. All this and of course there's Hank. I'm optimistic!

I agree with Dave though. The West is filled with powerhouses and will be tough to beat.

[headcrash]

Losing Stepan will hurt

The Canadiens say he's faking...

[Birdy]

I have this nagging suspicion that the Habs will have a sub-par season. Last year was great but I'm not sure that it will be the same chemistry this year with Jorges and Gionta gone. On the upside, guys like Galchenyuk, Gallagher have huge potential but Pacioretty, Desharnais and a few others could tank just as easily as go forward. Time will tell about Subban. I just hope his head fits through the dressing room door!

[oilersfan]

The Oilers will be better this year and of that I'm pretty convinced. The key is whether or not they're going to be good enough to compete for a playoff spot against what are pretty clearly some superior teams in their division. My guess is a better finish than last year but still outside of the playoffs.

[MudShark22]

The Isles will start slow; prompting Garth to sell Tavares and Okposo plus a #1 pick for the future draft rights to Paulina Gretzky's lovechild and every expiring contract on the Coyotoes.

[Klonk]

Oh how I miss your Islander optimism, Mud!

[ForeverAutumn]

The Isles will start slow; prompting Garth to sell Tavares and Okposo plus a #1 pick for the future draft rights to Paulina Gretzky's lovechild and every expiring contract on the Coyotoes.

LOL!

Slightly off-topic, but you can wow your friends with your Tavares family trivia knowledge... John Tavares' uncle, also named John Tavares, is entering his 24th year in the National Lacrosse League at age 46. And at 46 he doesn't sit back and relax, he's still one of the best players in the game.

[MudShark22]

I actually do think Isles have a shot at playoffs, but it must be the weed talking.

[oilersfan]

I'm far from being a soccer fan but I thought some of these were pretty cool...

http://www2.tsn.ca/bardown/Story.asp...seys&id=463579

[Klonk]

No surprise the Flyers still stuck in the 70's by dressing The Hound from Game of Thrones...

[Scott Bails]

Sigh....

[Yves]

I have this nagging suspicion that the Habs will have a sub-par season. Last year was great but I'm not sure that it will be the same chemistry this year with Jorges and Gionta gone. On the upside, guys like Galchenyuk, Gallagher have huge potential but Pacioretty, Desharnais and a few others could tank just as easily as go forward. Time will tell about Subban. I just hope his head fits through the dressing room door!

I respectfully disagree. Gionta and Jorges were both starting to show their age. The Habs have got a lot of young talent coming up the ranks. I think Price will keep them in games and the Habs will eke out a lot of 3-2 victories, just like in the pre-season so far. We're a team on the rise, not on the decline!

[ForeverAutumn]

This should be fun!

photo3.jpg

[headcrash]

No surprise the Flyers still stuck in the 70's by dressing The Hound from Game of Thrones...

Playing for the Flyers...So easy a caveman can do it.

[Score2112]

I have this nagging suspicion that the Habs will have a sub-par season. Last year was great but I'm not sure that it will be the same chemistry this year with Jorges and Gionta gone. On the upside, guys like Galchenyuk, Gallagher have huge potential but Pacioretty, Desharnais and a few others could tank just as easily as go forward. Time will tell about Subban. I just hope his head fits through the dressing room door!

As a fellow Habs fan I agree with you.... they still don't have the size to go the distance, and they need more defensive strength on the blue line. Price needs to stay consistent as well.

As much as it pains me to say it, I think the East is for the Bruins to lose.

[Yves]

The Bruins are over the hill. They won that one Cup a few years back but I don't see them repeating. They've got some serious cap issues and they're a notoriously cheap organization. Have some faith fellow Hab fans! Last year's playoff run was an invaluable maturing experience for this young team. They've got size in their younger players. I'm thinking Tinordi gets a spot of defense this year. The guy's like 6'6" !

[Birdy]

As a fellow Habs fan I agree with you.... they still don't have the size to go the distance, and they need more defensive strength on the blue line. Price needs to stay consistent as well.

As much as it pains me to say it, I think the East is for the Bruins to lose.

Actually, my gut tells me Tampa this year.

[Birdy]

The Bruins are over the hill. They won that one Cup a few years back but I don't see them repeating. They've got some serious cap issues and they're a notoriously cheap organization. Have some faith fellow Hab fans! Last year's playoff run was an invaluable maturing experience for this young team. They've got size in their younger players. I'm thinking Tinordi gets a spot of defense this year. The guy's like 6'6" !

Agree about the Bruins but as much as I love the Habs, something just doesn't feel the same.

[Klonk]

Actually, my gut tells me Tampa this year.

Absolutely. Tampa should be right up there. I still think Boston has it and will be the beast of the East.

[UnderAGlassMoon]

Absolutely. Tampa should be right up there. I still think Boston has it and will be the beast of the East.

Enough of this east coast bias

What are some opinions on the west?

Chicago and LA again in the conf. finals or can St Louis, Anahiem or San Jose breakthrough?

And how long is it going to take to get used to calling them the Arizona Coyotes?

[Klonk]

I think we all can admit the West is the best. One team you didn't mention was Colorado. Definite dark horse for me. But yeah, your Kings, Blues, Ducks, Blackhawks and Sharks are powerhouses. They all have a shot. I like the Blues chances.

My dark horse in the East is the Blue Jackets. This is a good team and if they take care of the Ryan Johanson thing, will be in the mix.

[Yves]

I honestly don't watch many West Coast games due to the time differences. I know they're almost all powerhouses but I don't really see them on any consistent basis until the playoffs...which are only 7 months away!

[ForeverAutumn]

Seven more sleeps until the season starts!