Lights, Camera, Action. 2010/2011 NHL season destined for Hollywood ending
2010/2011 Projected NHL Rankings
Okay, before we begin, I will admit I'm an Oilers fan, who is living in hope. In the past off season, I've wished upon shooting stars, name dropped "Eberle" "Hall" and "Pjaarvi" in every argument possible, and done my best to forget what happened last season. I've waited 4 years for a playoff game, and an incredibly long time for even a meaningful game to be played at Rexall Place. While glorified magazines like "The Hockey News" have gone with their usual safe picks, going out on a limb to predict the Oilers will finish last in the Western Conference, I'm here to tell you the truth. As a matter of fact, it was only 1 year ago when pundits had the Copper and Blue in the running for the Northwest Division crown. A handful of injuries and uninspired play has changed many peoples' minds in thinking this team is not capable of going anywhere near the playoffs anytime soon.
This team will go as far as the young guys take them. It's a challenge they're more than capable of.
This team will go as far as the young guys take them. It's a challenge they're more than capable of.
The sleeper pick this year is the Tampa Bay Lightning. Vinny Lecavilier and Martin St. Louis used to be household names around hockey circles. It was in the pre-lockout era that they won the Stanley Cup and were firmly establishing themselves as players that can carry a team. Since then, htey've become merely an afterthought. Being snubbed by the Olympic Team they've also been questioned whether they're in the twilight of their careers. This season will answer those questions as they bring the Lightning back to respectibility.
They may be a year or two away, but the Los Angeles Kings are a team ready to explode.
Chances are they won't get to the top but if I'm right I look like the a genius, get it wrong and I'm like 95% of prognosticators out there.
Most of these picks are likely going to cause you to shake your head, but then again so do results at season's end. Expect the unexpected. Expect teams who hung around in years past to take a tumble, teams like Calgary and Montreal. The goal of the playoffs still isn't realistic for the "Centre of the Universe"
Once all is analyzed to death, there is only one thing we can be sure of...unpredictability. This season is more wide open than any other season I've followed. Parity allowed teams like Colorado and Phoenix to make the unexpected jump to postseason play, while Calgary and Anaheim, superstars in tow, are on the outside looking in. Expect less 'surprise' teams this year than last, but there will be less of a gap between good and bad.
The Stanley Cup Final will not be one that brings ratings through the roof, but will feature two young exciting teams who are considered 1A teams in most circles.
The L.A. Kings will outlast the Buffalo Sabres in 6 games to capture their first Stanley Cup in team history. Bettman will be found clicking his heels, and thanking the heavens while pointing out to every critic just how brilliant he thinks he is.
And hey, if you want a history of how my predictions turn out, go down the page and you'll read in clear print "Chicago over Washington in 2009 Stanley Cup Final.
Hey, just saying.
Most of these picks are likely going to cause you to shake your head, but then again so do results at season's end. Expect the unexpected. Expect teams who hung around in years past to take a tumble, teams like Calgary and Montreal. The goal of the playoffs still isn't realistic for the "Centre of the Universe"
Once all is analyzed to death, there is only one thing we can be sure of...unpredictability. This season is more wide open than any other season I've followed. Parity allowed teams like Colorado and Phoenix to make the unexpected jump to postseason play, while Calgary and Anaheim, superstars in tow, are on the outside looking in. Expect less 'surprise' teams this year than last, but there will be less of a gap between good and bad.
The Stanley Cup Final will not be one that brings ratings through the roof, but will feature two young exciting teams who are considered 1A teams in most circles.
The L.A. Kings will outlast the Buffalo Sabres in 6 games to capture their first Stanley Cup in team history. Bettman will be found clicking his heels, and thanking the heavens while pointing out to every critic just how brilliant he thinks he is.
And hey, if you want a history of how my predictions turn out, go down the page and you'll read in clear print "Chicago over Washington in 2009 Stanley Cup Final.
Hey, just saying.
Western Conference
1. Los Angeles- Infusion of youth finally will pay off as Kopitar and Co. ready to explode
2. Vancouver- Defensive upgrade, Franchise goalie, well-rounded offense has 'Nucks eying up top spot
3. Chicago- Major overhaul in offseason but core pieces still intact.
4. Detroit- Last year to make a run with Lidstrom in twilight of career.
5. San Jose- Will slip a little, but the Sharks know all too well what regular season success brings.
6. Colorado- No sophomore slump for this group of kids
7. Phoenix-The 'Yotes will continue to build on their strong foundation of youth, with or without support from hockey allergic residents of Glendale.
8. Edmonton- Need 3 rookies (Hall, Eberle, Pjaarvi) to play as advertised, Khabibulin to play even half of what he's capable of, and they need a four-leaf clover to help them over the injury catastropes of last season.
___________
9. St Louis-- Halak will narrowly miss another opportunity to carry his team through the playoffs.
10. Calgary-Recycled goods Jokinen and Tanguay isn't a recipe for bounce back year
11.Anaheim- Loss of Niedermayer will hurt. A lot.
12.Nashville- Low budget team will have trouble keeping up this year
13. Minnesota- Suffocating defensive style doesn't work nearly as well as it used to
14. Columbus- Defense core is green, goaltending a shot in the dark, and not enough offense to make up for it.
15. Dallas-Loss of Turco will be felt.
Easter Conference
1. Washington-Too fast, too skilled, too dynamic to not pile up the wins.
2. Buffalo- Ryan Miller and Tyler Myers carry a team that is also underrated offensively
3. New Jersey- Addition of Kovalchuk has them sitting pretty...10 years down the road? The jury is still out.
4. Boston- Goal-scoring was an issue last year, but the addtion of Seguin and Horton will help give them enough offense to get to the post-season.
5. Pittsburgh- Any team with the likes of Malkin and Crosby are a virtual lock to make the playoffs, but they're a little 'top heavy'. Supporting cast isn't as strong as it needs to be.
6. Tampa- Dynamic powerplay combined with Stamkos' push for 60+ goals and fresh new coaching has the Lightning as the darkhorse this year.
7. Philly-Lack of solid goaltending will make them slip a little in what is now a deep Eastern Conference.
8. Ottawa- Sergei Gonchar a huge lift to power play. An invigorated Jason Spezza can do wonders.
________
9. Montreal- Not quite good enough to be taken seriously, not quite bad enough to take a tumble
10. Carolina- Whether they make it or break it depends on if Cam Ward can turn things around after a bad year.
11. Toronto- Above average D, solid goaltending, but scoring will be a struggle
12. Atlanta- Life after Kovalchuk begins as team tries to forge new identity. This takes time.
13.NY Rangers- Bigger changes needed to move up standings. Those changes weren't made.
14. Florida- ten years and counting of non-playoff hockey for team in process of another massive rebuild
15. NY Islanders- Even franchise player John Tavares won't be able to right this ship just yet
1. Los Angeles- Infusion of youth finally will pay off as Kopitar and Co. ready to explode
2. Vancouver- Defensive upgrade, Franchise goalie, well-rounded offense has 'Nucks eying up top spot
3. Chicago- Major overhaul in offseason but core pieces still intact.
4. Detroit- Last year to make a run with Lidstrom in twilight of career.
5. San Jose- Will slip a little, but the Sharks know all too well what regular season success brings.
6. Colorado- No sophomore slump for this group of kids
7. Phoenix-The 'Yotes will continue to build on their strong foundation of youth, with or without support from hockey allergic residents of Glendale.
8. Edmonton- Need 3 rookies (Hall, Eberle, Pjaarvi) to play as advertised, Khabibulin to play even half of what he's capable of, and they need a four-leaf clover to help them over the injury catastropes of last season.
___________
9. St Louis-- Halak will narrowly miss another opportunity to carry his team through the playoffs.
10. Calgary-Recycled goods Jokinen and Tanguay isn't a recipe for bounce back year
11.Anaheim- Loss of Niedermayer will hurt. A lot.
12.Nashville- Low budget team will have trouble keeping up this year
13. Minnesota- Suffocating defensive style doesn't work nearly as well as it used to
14. Columbus- Defense core is green, goaltending a shot in the dark, and not enough offense to make up for it.
15. Dallas-Loss of Turco will be felt.
Easter Conference
1. Washington-Too fast, too skilled, too dynamic to not pile up the wins.
2. Buffalo- Ryan Miller and Tyler Myers carry a team that is also underrated offensively
3. New Jersey- Addition of Kovalchuk has them sitting pretty...10 years down the road? The jury is still out.
4. Boston- Goal-scoring was an issue last year, but the addtion of Seguin and Horton will help give them enough offense to get to the post-season.
5. Pittsburgh- Any team with the likes of Malkin and Crosby are a virtual lock to make the playoffs, but they're a little 'top heavy'. Supporting cast isn't as strong as it needs to be.
6. Tampa- Dynamic powerplay combined with Stamkos' push for 60+ goals and fresh new coaching has the Lightning as the darkhorse this year.
7. Philly-Lack of solid goaltending will make them slip a little in what is now a deep Eastern Conference.
8. Ottawa- Sergei Gonchar a huge lift to power play. An invigorated Jason Spezza can do wonders.
________
9. Montreal- Not quite good enough to be taken seriously, not quite bad enough to take a tumble
10. Carolina- Whether they make it or break it depends on if Cam Ward can turn things around after a bad year.
11. Toronto- Above average D, solid goaltending, but scoring will be a struggle
12. Atlanta- Life after Kovalchuk begins as team tries to forge new identity. This takes time.
13.NY Rangers- Bigger changes needed to move up standings. Those changes weren't made.
14. Florida- ten years and counting of non-playoff hockey for team in process of another massive rebuild
15. NY Islanders- Even franchise player John Tavares won't be able to right this ship just yet
Calder Trophy: Taylor Hall
Norris Trophy (top defenseman): Drew Doughty
Vezina Trophy (top goalie): Ryan Miller
Jack Adams Award (Top coach): Guy Boucher
Rocket Richard Trophy: Steven Stamkos
Art Ross Trophy: Sidney Crosby
Presidents Trophy (Regular Season Champion): Washington Capitals
Western Conference Champion: Los Angeles Kings
Eastern Conference Champion: Buffalo Sabres
Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings
Norris Trophy (top defenseman): Drew Doughty
Vezina Trophy (top goalie): Ryan Miller
Jack Adams Award (Top coach): Guy Boucher
Rocket Richard Trophy: Steven Stamkos
Art Ross Trophy: Sidney Crosby
Presidents Trophy (Regular Season Champion): Washington Capitals
Western Conference Champion: Los Angeles Kings
Eastern Conference Champion: Buffalo Sabres
Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings
Bleacher Buff
posted by BleacherBuff @ 4:24 PM
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