In all the years in recent memory, it seems that a team that didn’t copy the approach taken by the previous champion won the Stanley Cup. Each year, teams make minor and major adjustments to their season plan. Free agents, draft picks, burgeoning new players and trades have everyone lining up to go after Lord Stanley. Who will be the 2009 Stanley Cup champion? In 2008, the Detroit Red Wings demonstrated that talent and resilience to deliver what could have been for several recent years. They had a complete team. They could hand it out, take it and shoot discs at you.
The Red Wings actually did an impersonation of the old Montreal Canadiens who were “all stars” every year, but the Canadiens also delivered the Cup. Will any team prepare to stop the Red Wing special teams? I think you would have had to consider the Red Wings on top or next to it for the past few seasons. Seek reinstatement of the stricter rules. Which teams can best transition from the season to the playoffs? Isn’t it always the winner of the President’s Trophy? That combination of skill, toughness, pride and team commitment is what it takes.
Those Ole’ Canadians were skating back into our memories last year. Huet and Price were excellent goalkeepers, and their team’s success goes beyond goalkeeping. The Canadians were able to adjust their game to attack their opponents’ strengths and beat them many times. Look for the Montreal Canadiens to beat the Washington Capitals in the East and then lose in the Stanley Cup Final against their West Division rival Original Six: Stanley Cup champion Chicago Black Hawks defeating the upstart Calgary Flames for the Western title.
OK OK I can hear it! The Black Hawks are at least a year and a half away. Not so. That talent and youth will be the reason for a great celebration in the Windy City. The best uniform wins for a change.
Pittsburgh – Sydney still trails Mario. It will pay for the loss of key players. They will win the President’s Trophy and lose in 6 games to either Washington or Montreal. There just isn’t enough heart in general.
Detroit: After another strong season, the age of perennial contenders begins to show and be destroyed in the biggest upset of the year: The Young Chicago Black Hawks stunned Detroit.
Chicago – Defense and goaltending acquisitions bring the Hawks back in a big way.
Montreal – Youth, fire and special teams. They could all go with shape.
Washington – Ovechkin and more. The Chicago-Washington games should be interesting. Why do I picture LaCavier in his uniform?
Dallas: Shows you how good coaches and strong teams stay successful. A little short of depth to really challenge.
Calgary – Surprise Team of the Year. The leadership of the team is there. They will just gut it game by game. By playoff time, they’ll be ready to surprise.
St. Louis – Big changes pay off. The blues start to look like the blues again. One year away from a big promotion.
Phoenix – The best off-season moves have the Wild Coyotes on their way to the playoffs.
Philadelphia – The Flyers also lost role players. He will have a tougher time this year, prompting rumors of first-time shakeups for the new administration.
Boston – The Bruins aren’t big and bad enough yet. But getting better.
Vancouver – Only good training and spirit brings them closer.
Buffalo: This year’s minor league knockout champion will be the Portland Pirates, who share an exclusive relationship with the Sabres. Once again they need a miracle. With the best coach in the NHL, they work hard and barely work.
Toronto – Finally developing youth. They will kick and scratch for victories. The curse of Frank Mahovlich lives on for another year or two.
Carolina – Not deep enough. Leadership is great and could surprise.
Anaheim – Big Ducks need to score more. They will intimidate weak or smaller teams. If the pairings go well, watch out.
no playoffs
Ottawa – Mean Murray gets his fair share.
Minnesota – Due to a fall after almost making it years
New Jersey – Perennial power turns to leaf.
San Jose – Should have found a way to keep Soupy Campbell.
Tampa Bay – Big signings and big names go as the Rangers head south.
Colorado – I like them a lot. It might surprise.
NY Rangers – You can’t buy me love.
Los Angeles – Will probably trade young stars after the season.
Florida-Nice tan.
Edmonton – It will return to glory soon, but not this year.
New York Islanders – Fire the coach. Fire the coach.
Colon – They look better. They play better. But they are not much better.
Atlanta – Fans clamor for records that shine during the day. Teams named after birds are spellbound.
Nashville – The Silver Tigers need to move.
