Nashville is an all-around under-rated team. I think they can surprise many and they can go. If you were making a safe beat detriot or chicago would be good but im putting my money on nashville
Last edited by Predaleafs: 04-11-2010 at 01:40 AM.
I really think we'll see a Detroit-New Jersey final... they're just the most complete teams out of anybody.
In the East Pittsburgh, Buffalo and Washington definitely have something going on but those teams have such glaring weaknesses I really can't see them getting anywhere past the conference finals.
In the West I really only see Detroit or Chicago pulling through. San Jose and Vancouver have great talent, but not really the kind that wins you the important games - I really like the competitiveness of Vancouver this year though...
I'm really going to have to say Detroit. They are really the only team that's got the intangibles worth it in the playoffs - after them it's really anybody's guess... I also mentioned New Jersey but I'm not as confident in their defense and goaltending...
Contenders...Chicago, Detroit, Washington & Pittsburgh
Pretenders...Phoenix & Buffalo
Disappointments...San Jose & New Jersey
Surprises...Nashville & Ottawa
My predictions:
Final...Vancouver & Pittsburgh
Stanley Cup Champion...Vancouver
Two superstars in the twins, great two way forwards in Burrows and Kesler (and the Sedins), another 30 goal scorer in Samuelsson, decent D (will Mitchell play?) and Luongo.
I'm rooting for Chicago but their goaltending could be a problem.
Hodge on TSN is asking this question. I thought I would do something similar here.
I think...
The contenders are Det, Chi and Pit, and Wash
The pretenders are Montreal, Boston, and Flyers/Rangers
The biggest disappointments will be Vancouver and SJ
The team most likely to surprise is LA.
Vancouver will struggle with a long run, because of injury troubles at the back end. There are some really hot teams in the West including San Jose 8-1-1, Chicago 7-3, Detroit 8-1-1 and Nashville at 7-3. LA are 3-3-4, and Colorado are 3-5-2.
Of the playoff teams this year, I looked at the rosters to see how many Stanley Cup winning players are on each team. Here is the breakdown (including Philadelphia/NYR):
Team: Players with Cups:
Pittsburgh - 18
Detroit - 17
New Jersey - 8
Montreal - 4
San Jose - 4
Boston - 3
Chicago - 3
Los Angeles - 3
Colorado - 2
Ottawa - 2
Phoenix - 2
Nashville - 1
New York - 1
Philadelphia - 1
Vancouver - 1
Buffalo - 0
Washington - 0
It looks like both Detroit and Pittsburgh has the edge in regards to Stanley Cup winning experience on their roster, but I would not count out teams with exceptional goaltenders either. New Jersey looks to have the best chance as they have a Stanley Cup pedigree goaltender, along with seven other past Stanley Cup winning players including the addition of Ilya Kovalchuk.
Had the Carolina Hurricanes not beat the Devils in game seven last year in dramatic fashion, New Jersey could have had a chance at taking the Eastern Conference last year. With Carolina out of the picture to play spoiler this year, New Jersey has a good chance at taking on Washington and Pittsburgh for the Eastern side, and possibly winning it all.
Of course anything can happen, but New Jersey seems to have everything going for their roster with Paul Martin back to play PPQB, Martin Brodeur in net, and Ilya Kovalchuk to help out Parise/Elias with scoring, New Jersey will be a team to watch for sure.
Being a nationalist I'd like to see a Canadian team win it (since STL is out of it).
Vancouver because it would be their first and Luongo could use the accomplishment if he ever hopes to be mentioned in the same sentence as Broduer.
Montreal for being the best franchise all time and adding to their legacy. ( I know, blasphemy on the Leaf boards but I'm from Toronto so its only a ttc ticket to hunt me down and kill me ).
Either would suit me fine but Vancouver has the better chance. Failing that.....
Boston or Chicago for the original 6 style points of it. Boston doesn't have the scoring, Chicago doesn't have the goaltending.
Who I don't want to win
San Jose, because Heatly doesnt deserve a cup after the BS he pulled on Ottawa.
The Rangers, because Sathers pathetic management does not deserve a reward (negates the origional 6 style points)
Ottawa, because they're Ottawa and I am half a Leafs fan.
Philly, because they are Philly and knocked us out too many times.
Who I think will win, in order
Detroit, I didn't give them the origional 6 style point bonus because they are so damn good they didn't need it. Howard looks better than Osgood who is still sitting on the bench if he is needed for his traditional post season miracal. Everyone is healthy and seem to be rounding into form at the right time.
Pittsburg, on paper look as good if not better than last year, stronger forwards, slightly weaker D, I call it a wash, my gut tells me Sid wants another one but he may be too tired to pull it off.
Washington, we all know they are the best offense in the league but defense wins the Cup and they have a suspect group and even more suspect goaltending.
Buffalo, if Connoly comes back they could be the surprise team, Miller is on a mission. Deep everywhere.
New Jersey, Martin Broduer, Ilya, Parise , nough said. D is suspect though. Wouldn't mind this one too much so Marty could catch Roy in Cups to cement his best ever status.
I think it will be a Pens-Blackhawks final, with Pittsburgh winning again. I really feel like the Caps could be out by the second round if they get matched up with a strong defensive team. Hell, if the top 4 seeds all win their series, it would be Pens-Caps in the second round.
Not really too bothered by anyone in the East winning, aside from Boston or Philadelphia - and they might not even make it into the playoffs, anyway. All I know is that I want Chicago to make it to the finals, and then lose to whatever team comes from the East.
Of the playoff teams this year, I looked at the rosters to see how many Stanley Cup winning players are on each team. Here is the breakdown (including Philadelphia/NYR):
Team: Players with Cups:
Pittsburgh - 18
Detroit - 17
New Jersey - 8
Montreal - 4
San Jose - 4
Boston - 3
Chicago - 3
Los Angeles - 3
Colorado - 2
Ottawa - 2
Phoenix - 2
Nashville - 1
New York - 1
Philadelphia - 1
Vancouver - 1 Buffalo - 0
Washington - 0
It looks like both Detroit and Pittsburgh has the edge in regards to Stanley Cup winning experience on their roster, but I would not count out teams with exceptional goaltenders either. New Jersey looks to have the best chance as they have a Stanley Cup pedigree goaltender, along with seven other past Stanley Cup winning players including the addition of Ilya Kovalchuk.
Had the Carolina Hurricanes not beat the Devils in game seven last year in dramatic fashion, New Jersey could have had a chance at taking the Eastern Conference last year. With Carolina out of the picture to play spoiler this year, New Jersey has a good chance at taking on Washington and Pittsburgh for the Eastern side, and possibly winning it all.
Of course anything can happen, but New Jersey seems to have everything going for their roster with Paul Martin back to play PPQB, Martin Brodeur in net, and Ilya Kovalchuk to help out Parise/Elias with scoring, New Jersey will be a team to watch for sure.
Just semantics, but im pretty sure Steve Montador was with Anaheim in 2007.
Last edited by mapleleaf1389: 04-11-2010 at 04:39 PM.
Reason: my correction, he did'nt sign until 2008
).
