2010-11 Preview: Montreal Candiens

2010-11 Prediction 10th Eastern Conference

The only way to properly explain to someone that is new to hockey what the Montreal Canadiens mystique is about is to compare them to the New York Yankees. Everything they do, both on and off the ice, is subject to intense scrutiny in both then English and French speaking media. One would think that all would be well coming off a season in which they upset both the Penguins and the Capitals in series that they "couldn't win". This is far from the case as the man largely responsible for these upsets, G Jaroslav Halak, was traded to St. Louis for depth. Time will answer the question of whether this was a bad move or a shred move to unload a one-hit wonder at the peak of his worth. Present day Montreal has to find themselves wondering if G Carey Price is washed up before ever having lived up to his hype at the old age of 23 (told you they were tough up there). Past the goalie, the Canadiens return most of the small lineup. While this didn't cause problems for them in the first two rounds against high skill teams, a more gritty Philly squad was able to trip them up. Mike Cammalerri, Brian Gionta, and Scott Gomez are tiny forwards, while guys like Maxim Lapierre and Mathieu Darche add size. The blue line has some talent as well with guys like Andrei Markov, Hal Gill, and PK Subban hoping to help Price stabilize his performance. All in all, the Canadiens will most likely come up short due to Price's inconsistencies.

Player to Watch: G Carey Price

2010-11 Preview: Florida Panthers

2010-11 Prediction 14th Eastern Conference



The Panthers hope to have better days ahead, as GM Dale Tallon has publically stated he hopes to replicate the success he had in building Chicago's roster here in south Florida. In the meantime, on-ice success figures to be few and far between as this team has been on the cusp of a playoff spot the past few years, but just haven't been able to get it done. I see no reason that this will the season they turn that around. There are some bright spots for anyone that understands hockey in Miami. David Booth (returning from injury), Stephen Weiss, and Michael Frolik lead the group of forwards. Bryan McCabe leads a no-name defense, and will also continue to wear the "C" for this group. Between the pipes, Tomas Vokoun gives this team a puncher's chance to win every night, but in the end it seems that Florida will miss the playoffs again. That surely will make Dale Tallon happy, as the key to his plans lay in the high picks of the next few drafts.
 
Player to Watch: LW David Booth

2010-11 Preview: Dallas Stars

2010-11 Prediction 13th Western Conference

The Stars finished the 2009-10 season in 12th place in the Western Conference with a 37-31-14 record and 88 points. The Stars let two longtime team leaders in Mike Modano and Marty Turco walk away during the off-season. They traded for G Kari Lehtonen last season at the deadline and will rely on him to take over full time in goal this season. There is a good mix of youth and experience on the roster but the youth will still need another season before the Stars can expect to return to the Playoffs. Forwards James Neal and Jamie Benn will need to step up big in order for the offense to continue to improve. The Stars are very young on the defensive side of the puck as well and need to improve of their 23rd overall ranking from last season. Unfortunately for the fans in Dallas it is going to be a rebuilding season and they should expect some trades to be made to bring in an experienced defensemen or two.

Player to Watch: F Jamie Benn

2010-11 Preview: Columbus Blue Jackets

2010-11 Prediction 12th Western Conference

The Blue Jackets finished the 2009-10 season in 14th place in the Western Conference with a 32-35-15 record and 79 points. After making the Playoffs for the first time in their history in 2008-09 the Blue Jackets hit rock bottom last season. There was a lot of turmoil in the locker room between the players and now former coach Ken Hitchcock. Team leader and longtime Blue Jacket Rick Nash and Hitchcock did not see eye to eye on many issues concerning the team and the direction it was heading in. Former number one Draft Pick Nikita Filatov left for the KHL after Hitchcock refused to give him ice time. Rookie head coach Scott Arniel will have the luxury of having Filatov returning to the Blue Jackets roster. Filatov should be able to help improve the offense enough to move the team into the top 10 in scoring. Goalie Steve Mason suffered from a major drop-off last season compared to his remarkable rookie campaign. If Mason is able to regain some or most of his form the Blue Jackets may be able to sneak into the 8th spot and return to the Playoffs. If he doesn't regain his form the Blue Jackets will be near the bottom of the Western Conference again this season.

Player to Watch: F Nikita Filatov

2010-11 Preview: Carolina Hurricanes

2010-2011 Prediction 12th Eastern Conference

Two seasons ago the Hurricanes were in the Conference Finals. Last season they were a sub-.500 disaster. It seems that all signs point the Carolina fans to a season closer to last season's version. Two key vets have departed: Ray Whitney and future HOFer Rod Brind'Amour. The back end of the team provides lots of questions. Can Cam Ward return to the form of the past after a nasty skate-cut injury? Will any defenseman step up to help Joni Pitkanen? The forward group also has concerns, but at least there are two sure bets in C Eric Staal and LW Jussi Jokinen. From top to bottom, the rest of the lineup will need to prove itself for the Canes to have a shot at sneaking in to the playoff. At the end of the day, this team will probably need more time in order to develop themselves back in to a playoff team.

Player to Watch: C Eric Staal

2010-11 Preview: Buffalo Sabres

2010-11 Prediction 3rd Eastern Conference

The problem I've always had with predictions is that there are just too many variables to accurately assess whether or not they were worthwhile or just a waste of time. Since I'm the one writing this, I already know my predications are a waste of time, but for the sake of giving an accurate portrayal of this edition of the Sabres, I feel the need to disclaim that predicting them to win the division a) does not indicate I think they will have playoff success, and b) could be rendered even more useless with a few key injuries. If G Ryan Miller goes down for any period of time, this team could be in trouble. The same could be said of Calder (Rookie of the Year) winner D Tyler Myers or any of the other defenseman this team has left after the departures of Henrik Tallinder and Toni Lydman. Guys like Jordan Leopold, Steve Montador, and Andrej Sekera will need to stay healthy and log quality minutes for this season not to go south. Up front the team is not exceptional, but solid. C Derek Roy, RW Jason Pominville, and LW Thomas Vanek  are more than capable of putting up enough points to give this team a chance to win. Add C Rob Neidermayer (the last standing Neidermayer) to the mix for some additional veteran leadership and Buffalo should have plenty of times to celebrate until mid-April.

Player to Watch: D Tyler Myers

2010-11 Preview: Colorado Avalanche

2010-11 Prediction 9th Western Conference

The Avalanche finished the 2009-10 season in 8th place in the Western Conference with a 43-30-9 record and 95 points. The Avs are still in the midst of their rebuilding process and despite making a surprise trip to the Playoffs last season they will not make a return appearance this season. Look for Paul Stastny and Matt Duchene to lead the young Avs to a 9th place finish in the West. If Goalie Craig Anderson has another impressive season he could possibly push them into the Playoffs but it will be very difficult for him to have a repeat of his performance from last season. The defense is very rookie heavy and will need at least another season to grow and get stronger.

Player to Watch: F Ryan Stoa