Most Improved Teams...

[Ice Picks]

Post what teams you think will be the most improved, and which will be going backwards this season...


1. IMPROVING: Anaheim, Montreal, and Islanders


2. BACKSLIDERS: Sabres, Toronto, and New York Rangers

 

[TCSN]

How much more could the Rangers go backwards? I see them going forward

 

[the mugs]

Bruins...Goaltending issues? Steve Shields vs. John Grahame...No DaFoe. No McLaren. No Guerin. Could be going the wrong way.

 

[Chenker]

I see the Rangers going forward as well. And Mugs I feel for yah I see the Bruins going backwards... Hope not but it looks that way:shrug:

 

[no all]

ya the rangers are going forward> there gonna be a solid team this year, but not sure about the team chemistry:shrug:

watch out for the habs, everyone knows there gonna be a very good team this year. If they can stay away from all the injuries

 

[british bulldog]

this was e-mailed to me

this was e-mailed to me

COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS made solid moves in the off season both on offense, Andrew Cassels and #1 pick 18 year old Rick Nash and defense, Luke Richardson and Scott Lachance. 40 wins is not out of the question this season.

MINNESOTA WILD with the signing of Cliff Ronning from kings expect .500 year with solid home ice advantage in their favour.

NEW YORK RANGERS will continue to score goals with the signing of Bobby Holik. Lindross will benefit from this if he can stay healthy. Improved defense and goalie Mike Richters (reportably his last year) will make it a memorable one. Will make the playoffs

PHOENIX COYOTES. This team is on the up and 50+ wins this season is more than realistic. With the additions of Tony Amonte (more scoring), Kelly Buechberger (physical player) and Sean Burke (force in net). Another team who could make the playoffs.

ANAHEIM MIGHTY DUCKS and Steve Rucchin, heads second line which will be better than most teams first line. Defense has never been a problem and with the added strength on offense, Adam Oates (flyers) and Peter Sykoria (devils), this outfit will make giant strides this season.

 

[Sports Junkie]

I would not have said it at this time last week, but acquiring Rick Berry in the Waiver draft, trading for Mike Grier and signing Zubrus has improved the Caps significantly. Not to mention a healthy Johannson who missed all but a couple of weeks of last year. Trying to be as impartial as possible, but after a couple of weeks to get accustomed to all the new faces, I would not be surprised to see the Caps challenge Philly for the top spot in the East. I absolutely agree with Mugs on the Bs. Could be trouble in beantown.

 

[no all]

ya the caps will be a force in the east
but they will not challenge for the top spot in the east:shrug:
I see them finishing 3-4th:shrug:

 

[cooz3]

downslide...BRUINS

UPSIDE...COYOTES...good team ...got better

cooz

 

[TexasBC6]

Improved: Columbus, Anaheim, Dallas, Washington

Downslide: Toronto, Buffalo, Vancouver

 

[the mugs]

Chenks..."High speed dirt" for the B's this year

 

[Chenker]

Mugs The only thing they might have going for them is they might play together more as a team without some of the big names there. If they can acquire a number 1 goalie from some where they could make the playoffs. If not it will be "Sweating Bullets" time for the B's this year.

looking forward to your posts this year. Is it too early for you to start growing your playoff beard in October? Not if the B's start off 10-0

 

[Sam]

Texas, Vancouver? How? And please dont just say Cassels

 

[TexasBC6]

Basically, I don't think they have the scoring depth to put up the offensive numbers they were putting up last year. They did lose two blueliners as well as Cassels and they added nothing. I'm not a Cloutier believer, and I don't think the Sedins are second line NHL players. I think teams will key on the top line and then there's not much scoring punch after that. Not saying they will be terrible by any means, just that they won't be as good as last year.

I'd like to hear your thoughts if you get a chance, I could be missing something here.

 

[no all]

cloutier looks more focused than ever. He got in a scrap with mike brown at practice yesterday cause brown hit him in the face with a puck:lol:
cloutier is gonna improve this year by alot D# should be fine
plus there gonna be better than last season
but that's just my opinion

 

[TORONTO-VIGILANTE]

great thread, guys.....!!!!

anyone have any opinons on that VANCOUVER juggernaut this year....??

 

[Sam]

First, your right, the sedins arent 2nd line players, and thats why they dont play second line.
Line 1
Bertuzzi, Naslund, Morrison
Line 2
Hlavac , Linden, Fedorov
Line 3
Letowski, Chubarov, Cooke
Line 4
Sedin, Sedin, Klatt


Fedorovs brother is gonna be good, he looks exactly and skates like him. Might be a little bigger . If he learns to pass he will be good. Watched him play in winnipeg in pre. Had 4 goals in pre.

On the point, they picked up Sami Salo, which will help alot. Clouthier will be better this year. By no means am i saying they will do better than last year, but i just cant see how they can be picked as a team to go on the decline neither. But thats just my view, which dont count for a whole lot.

 

[Sam]

Oh, and i think Dallas will be much improved, followed by Anaheim.

 

[TexasBC6]

Didn't know they got a different Fedorov, interesting. And the only reason I said I don't think the Sedins are second liners is I read that they would be on their second line along with Klatt. Seems more reasonable for them to be on the fourth line, so I guess I got some bad info (I think it was TSN).

I still don't think they'll do as well as last year though. Appreciate the info.

 

[no all]

sam where did u hear the sedins were playing 4th line?:shrug: