Who to watch in 2011?

[Crabovski*]

Columbus Minnesota and St. Louis are 3 quiet teams I plan on watching a lot next year.

[SB164]

- Can't wait to see the battles between Richards & Brown vs Getzlaf & Perry (kinda sounds like a law firm, no?)

- Someone mentioned Mikko Koivu will be playing alongside Heatley & Setoguchi. If nothing else, Minnesota fans are gonna have the chance to watch some exciting hockey.

- Zach Parise's return, alongside his underrated centreman Travis Zajac. He scored 45 and 38 goals before his injury last year. Will he continue his progress, and if so, how far? (I personally think he has the capabilities to be a top 5 goalscorer next year).

- Cam Fowler, Alex Pietrangelo, Kevin Shattenkirk and PK Subban: What will these young defencemen do in their 2nd full year in the league?

[um]

winnipeg (obviously)
florida (completely new team)
islanders (candidate to break out)

[Gobo]

Florida should be interesting.

[Bathcat]

Definitely keep an eye on Grabner. I'm crazy high on him. He has great shooting accuracy, and amazing skating and acceleration. After getting used to his role on the Islanders, he managed to put everything together and looked downright scary. He's starting to remind me of, and I'm not even exaggerating, Pavel Bure.

Here's all his goals from last year (skip to 1:32)

[Hanke]

I got my eye on Gaborik and Richards this year. If they workout watchout NHL!

[Mojo19]

How about Evander Kane?

[rynryn]

If Gaborik and Richards is anything like Gaborik/Demitra, I'll be checking out Rangers games for all the pretty scoring plays.

[Edgeworth*]

v: Islanders

and Blues sound like nice teams.


Might cheer for Minnesota cause I LOVE DEM TWO - WAY CENTERS **** YOU CROSBY.

c:

[Bathcat]

Originally Posted by rynryn

If Gaborik and Richards is anything like Gaborik/Demitra, I'll be checking out Rangers games for all the pretty scoring plays.

I thought Gaborik and Demitra rarely played together except pp time..

[rynryn]

Originally Posted by SkatersGonnaSkate

I thought Gaborik and Demitra rarely played together except pp time..

they didn't play together as much as anyone wanted but when they did they were always effective, and always exciting.

[Loungie]

Definitely excited to see winnipeg be back. Also, I'm hoping for a big year from the sabres. Out of anyone they upgraded the most IMO

[tututooter21]

Originally Posted by asdwe1

Winnipeg just beacuse it's Winnipeg

Wow, Amazed it took till post 25 to get this.

Winnipeg























































Everything else

[Definition]

I think the Jackets will surprise this year.

[Private Encounter]

Two teams that I am looking out for, in general, are Winnipeg and Florida. Winnipeg, for obvious reasons. Florida, brand new team. Hope it works out for them.

Specific players are Cole in Montreal, Brad Richard in New York and Mike Richards in LA.

[Iamok]

Well from a totally homer standpoint, the Sens should be interesting to follow. Not necessarily for their place in the standings as much as the potential high energy excitement that's been eluding them for so long. I'd expect something similar to the Oilers last year, where some games were a real treat.

[Crescent Street]

I like this thread.

Jagr.
Richards-Gaborik
Koivu with legitimate linemates
Can Tomas Kaberle help the leagues leading PPO team?
Islanders
Bobby Ryan poised for breakout
Winnipeg
HBO 24/7 Flyers Rangers
Bryzgalov

[TheUnseenHand]

Originally Posted by tututooter21

Wow, Amazed it took till post 25 to get this.

Winnipeg

I don't quite understand this. The novelty of the fact they moved should wear off rather quick. On the ice it's pretty easy to know what to expect. Picture the Thrashers in a colder place. Not saying they won't do well, but I don't understand what's particularly intriguing about them for anyone outside of Peg fans.

[Edgeworth*]

So we're up to:

Leafs (main team)
Wild (Do they still run the trap?)
Blues (legitimately excited c: Pietrangelo is a former Barrie Colt)
Islanders seem fun
Surprised no one has really talked about Flyers that much. I might watch them for kicks as well, will be interesting.

Mostly made this thread for fans of teams to pitch their team and why to watch them v: figured it'd be insightful at the least.

[Claude28Giroux]

LAK - Watch my boy.
WPG- wanna see how rowdy this crowd is. Also their goalhorn.
Buffalo- Watch big off season signings.

[LongWayDown37]

I think how Leino will transition into a top 2 center position will be awfully interesting. The Sabres apparently see something to bank $4.5 mil a year on.

[Fel 96]

Originally Posted by Edgeworth

So we're up to:

Leafs (main team)
Wild (Do they still run the trap?)
Blues (legitimately excited c: Pietrangelo is a former Barrie Colt)
Islanders seem fun
Surprised no one has really talked about Flyers that much. I might watch them for kicks as well, will be interesting.

Mostly made this thread for fans of teams to pitch their team and why to watch them v: figured it'd be insightful at the least.

They didn't run the trap since Lemaire is gone.

[eyeball11]

Originally Posted by TheUnseenHand

I'm really interested in seeing what St. Louis dose this year (the team, not the player. The player is always good). They have a lot of nice pieces there right now. Berglund further developing and a healthy Oshie. Should be a fun team to watch. Hopefully Perron is able to make a comeback too.

Also am quite interested to see how the teams involved in the major Philly trades do; CBJ, LAK, PHI.

Is that an STD?

[SMantzas]

The Devils have a lot of story lines.

1. new coach
2. how will Zach Parise bounce back from his injury?
3. can Brodeur keep his form from the 2nd half of the year?
4. how will Kovalchuk fare?
5. and of course: will the Devils make the playoffs?

[S E P H]

Originally Posted by MoarDefense

The Rangers. Richards passing to Gaborik might be a thing of beauty.

Playing NHL 12 from the IR room?