Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Hockey season is fast approaching, which means the prodigal source of hockey insight returns: PUCK YOU! (The Legend Returns!) Nick has already posted some predictions for the season, heavily supporting the Canucks (of course). Me, I'm actually supporting the Canucks this season, because as I vowed years back, I would vehemently oppose the Canucks as long as they had a) Thugtuzzi, and b) Cloutier. Now that they're gone, I can finally wear my Canucks jersey in actual support of the team, and not just cruel mockery!

I still don't think they're going to win it all this year, but I do predict this: a regular season that is better than last year's abysmal train wreck, but not up to their previous standards, and a post-season that will see them get to the 2nd or 3rd round...ie, their best results in years. I am dubious about the Canucks balance this season...they lost a few good scorers (I'llBreakYourSpine-tuzzi and Carter) and didn't really pick up anyone that I can really see filling those roles. They also lost a handful of d-men, and picked up some new guys. Half the team is new! It's going to be a weird season.

But perhaps most importantly, so too starts our annual Fantasy Hockey Pool. AND SPEAKING OF FANTASY POOLS...an interesting post about this year's baseball pool will be my next entry, and coming tomorrow. It's a good one, if I do say so myself.

Edit: After some badgering by Nick, who wants me to make some predictions, I say this: Nick, in your predictions you say Anaheim and San Jose will both win their divisions, but they are in the same division...you fool!

WEST (* - win their division)
1. San Jose* - Way too potent, almost unfairly so.
2. Calgary* - With the same defensive core and some added strength up front, Iginla finishes in top 3 in scoring.
3. Detroit*
4. Nashville - Kariya and Vernon Fiddler light it up.
5. Anaheim - Pronger has a good year but the team doesn't live up to expectations.
6. Dallas
7. Vancouver - So-so regular season, lack of scoring and uncohesive lines hurt them.
8. Colorado - Svatos picks up where Tanguay left off, but still not as good as before.

Edmonton has a horrible year, further compounding the one-two punch from last year of losing the Cup and then losing Pronger.

I won't bother with the East yet because I haven't kept track of who's changed teams. I'll make predictions in the first or second week of the season.


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