Vicc -
I've been real busy here at home and while I've listened to games on the radio (or listened to them on the TV) I don't have a real good feel for them. My biggest fear is it's a copy of last year. Guys sound like they are working hard for Sully but they exchanged the mediocre goalies from last year (Shields & later Hackett) for an old Potvin. Dubber has e-mailed me saying he's gonna be an improvement and time will tell. Raycroft is only 21 and that's like baby in goaltending years.
Their "D" isn't super. Jeff Jillson, while scoring goals, reminds me of the defensive "gas can" Berard. (Jillson came in the McLaren trade last year) At this point he's a wash. Maybe with the full camp behind them, McGillis, Moran, Boynton & Gill will be better than what they had prior to the trade deadline when they got McGillis & Moran.
Offensively, you know the big guns on the 1st line. Joe, Murray & Knuble have picked up where they left off last year since taking Samsonov off the #1 line and putting Knuble back there this past weekend.
#2 line of Sammy, Green & Lapointe is a big ??? Will Lapointe(cough cough - waste of money - cough cough
) stay healthy? Same with Samsonov. Green has always been solid but not great IMHO
#3 line I'm liking a lot - always have. Rolston, PJ Axelsson & the rookie Patrice Bergeron have clicked right away. I always liked PJ & Rolston together & this year (so far) Bergeron has made some great plays as he has the early season lead for rookie scoring with 1G & 4A in 6 games.
#4 line Sandy McCarthy, Donato Grosek or whoever gets tossed in there has contributed in a positive way. I can't remember too many glaring errors and even Grosek chipped in with a goal last night.
Now, I guess to answer your question.
Do I think they are better than Ottawa, NJ Devils or even Tampa Bay? Not at all. I'm a homer but I'm realistic. All 3 of those guys have better goaltending and probably better defense. NJ showed better "D" stuffs better "O" last year in the playoffs. We found Thornton on a couple milk cartons near the end of last May. Murray was found in early June wearing a Devils sweater that was duck taped on to him.
Do I think they are better than...
Montreal, Buffalo & Toronto - Yes
NY Isles, NY Rangers & Pittsburgh - Yes
Florida, Wahington & Carolina - Yes
I think Philly is about even with the B's and I'm not sure what to think of Atlanta. Not sure if they are playing on pure emotion or if they have improved with the coaching change last year. (Sorry, I'm drawing a blank but he coached the Aves to their last Cup in 2001
)
I think realistically, maybe they are a 4-6 seed come playoff time. Probably closer to 5/6 than a 4. Everything hinges on how Potvin, Raycroft & their "D" hold up.
I hope that this isn't too long winded and if anyone has any comments, they are welcome. Even if you just want to tell me I'm :weed:
