Because it still seems a couple of weeks early to revisit this years’ NFL predictions and use phrases like “I told you so” and “Wow, who knew the Jets were really this bad?” I thought it might be time to stick my neck out, make a few people angry and throw caution to the wind with some NHL prognosticating for the upcoming season. For this to carry some truly unbiased weight, I thought it best to not mention last season’s tremendous 7-Game Finals victory by the Boston Bruins and subsequent parading of the Cup through untamed wilds of the world such as Vancouver. I won’t mention it, but you know Milan Lucic enjoyed that party.  All that not being said, let’s move on to the 2010/11 season and see if we can identify the NHL’s Bills and Eagles.

Eastern Conference – Atlantic Division: The most important question in this division and indeed in the NHL is – when will he of the Golden Goal return to the NHL from concussion-like symptoms? Although the Pens have a boatload of other talent led by Evgeni Malkin, it is Crosby who calls stroke, and without Sid, the Pens are just ‘in the mix’. Meanwhile, Brad Richards has landed in New York attempting to prove that it is not the talent black hole it has been since ’94 and that his ridiculous free agency contract will pay dividends other than rekindling his bro-mance with Coach John Tortorella. There is not enough paper to document the Flyers’ moves but GM Paul Holmgren personally replaced all the nameplates in the locker room and they will go as far as new goalie Ilya Bryzgalov will take them. Keep an eye out for prospect Sean Couturier and Jaromir Jagr’s mullet. The Islanders continue to be one of sports’ most dysfunctional franchises and GM Garth Snow continues to wonder how long he can continue to pay players by the hour while New Jersey look to be just getting older by the day. Division – Penguins, Playoffs – Rangers, Flyers. 

Photo: Contributed

Northeast Division: With all the blog talk about ‘Repeat’, the Champs lost key components in Mark Recchi (retired) and Michael Ryder (free agent/dropped the Cup) but improved by letting Tomas Kaberle go to Carolina. They are still huge on the blue-line and if they can stay unsuspended in a Shanahan world they can ride the horse that is Tim Thomas deep into the post-season. The Buffalo Sabres finally got off the salary cap floor thanks to new owner Terry Pegula and brought in Robyn Regehr and Christian Ehrhoff to shore up the defense in front of talented goalie Ryan Miller. The Anchor Bar will be rocking come playoff time! In Montreal, the Habs’ key signing was Erik Cole whose $18 million began the season on the 3rd line but if Carey Price can have a repeat of ‘10/’11 they should manage a seeding in the 6th- 8th range. The Sens are in for a long year in the Nation’s Capital although it will be interesting to see if Coach Paul McLean can change the feel of the locker-room. A healthy Daniel Alfredsson will help. And then there are the Leafs. Tim Connolly is no Brad Richards but if he and Matthew Lombardi can stay healthy they do give Toronto depth at center. James Reimer is key in net and whether or not John-Michael Liles can add punch to last year’s anemic power play remains to be seen. Right track, but not yet. Sorry Leaf fans. Division – Sabres, Playoffs – Bruins, Canadians.

Southeast Division: First order of business in Winnipeg was getting a corporate Airmiles card for the year before NHL re-alignment. It will be a long year for the Jets but as long as the fans stay true it is a character squad led by Andrew Ladd that understands their role. Welcome back J-E-T-S. Tampa Bay look to be the class of the Division with so much talent up front in Stamkos, St. Louis and Lecavalier and a blue line anchored by Brewer and Ohlund. It remains to be seen though whether Dwayne Roloson can be the same goalie in his 60’s that he was in his 50’s. In Washington, Bruce Boudreau will ride the S.O.B. line of Semin, Ovechkin and Backstrom, knowing that regular season success better translate into something other than a first round exit this year. A young Carolina Hurricane team needs Jeff Skinner to continue to improve to support Eric Staal while Cam Ward will have to play at least 70 games between the pipes to give them a real chance. In Florida, GM Dale Tallon channeled his inner Paul Holmgren and threw all the kids out of the sandbox and started from scratch. Kevin Dineen takes over behind the bench and there is a good mix of veterans and kids. The 12 or 13 fans at each home game should enjoy an improved product.  Division – Lightning, Playoffs – Capitals.

Photo: Contributed

Western Conference – Central Division:  With NHL re-alignment coming, this could be the last year the Red Wings terrorize the Western Conference. Pavel Datsyuk is the consensus pre-season MVP favorite and Zetterberg, Holmstrom and Lidstrom make for an evil power play along with A.N. Other. Health and age will be the issues for Detroit but we say that every year. Bounce back time has arrived in Chicago now that all the salary cap issues have been purged. Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook are superb behind Kane and Toews and the only question is which Corey Crawford will show up from night to night. Top to bottom, might be the most complete team of skaters with great speed and toughness. The defensive minded Predators might only give up 9 goals all year with Pekka Rinne in net but… they might only score 10. Ex-Kelowna Rocket Shea Weber is a beast. The St. Louis Blues brought in Jason Arnott and Jamie Langenbrunner to shepherd the 20-something roster but they might need a couple of years while in Columbus, Rick Nash is wondering why the front office thought James Wisniewski’s suitcase (full ‘o cash now) should hold the Blue Jackets’ mortgaged future. Thanks for playing. Division – Red Wings, Playoffs – Blackhawks, Blues

Northwest Division: OK Canuck fans, where do we stand? When last we chatted I was sneaking off into the night like Danny Zuko after his first night with Sandy… but, oh yeah, I was carrying a really big Cup. Team Regular Season brought in perennial tough guy Marco Sturm… wha? Talent-wise they run deeper than anyone else at all positions but still lack the toughness needed. Of greatest concern are the lack of faith in Luongo, mostly from the fans, and Ryan Kessler’s revealing pictorial in ESPN The Magazine. Yeesh… On to Calgary and once again Jerome Iginla and Mikka Kiprusoff will valiantly attempt to carry the hopes of a city. Hard to believe Brad Richards didn’t want to center Iggy and Tanguay! 8th seed and 1st round exit at the hands of Vancouver methinks. The Wild brought in Devin Setoguchi and Dany Heatley as part of their shake-up leading me to wonder – “Why?” Colorado might be better than people think and but it still needs a year or two more. Sounds very familiar to Oiler fans whose team has an average age of the Olympic Gymnastics squad – bar Ryan Smyth – but will be a lot of fun to watch this season if nothing else.  Division – Canucks, Playoffs – Flames.

Pacific Division: The Los Angeles Kings got dubbed “Philly West” as Mike Richards and Simon Gagne came over to join an already talented squad led by Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty. Quick and Bernier have much to prove in net especially in the post-season and they still have to deal with the Sharks. Led by Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau, San Jose picked up Martin Havlat in the Heatley move but they have turned playoff underachieving in to an art form and the perception is that time is running out. In Anaheim, GM Bob Murray is still waiting for the free agency period to start and wondering if Corey Perry has another 50 in him. Better hope so. The Stars are rebuilding… again behind rookie Coach Glen Gulutzan and trust me when I say that nobody but Bettman cares what happens in Phoenix.  Division – Kings, Playoffs – Sharks, Ducks.

So here goes – prediction extraordinaire. In the East, the Sabres prove that you have to open the season in Europe these days to win the Cup and take out the Penguins while in the West, the Blackhawks are back in the Finals after taking out the Canucks once more for old times’ sake. Sabres in 7, Rick Jeanneret goes berserk in the booth and the Cup gets as close to Toronto as physically possible. 

A sad R.I.P. to Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis who passed away on Saturday at the age of 82. Although he was seen by many as out of touch with the modern game and crazier than a soup sandwich, Sports Fans recognize his immense contributions to, and deep love of the game of 4-down football. He began as a coach, became an owner and AFL Commissioner and led the way in taking chances and believing in people. The future of the all-white leisure suit is in jeopardy but Raider Nation watched an emotional team triumph on Sunday over a game Houston Texans.  So long Mr. Davis… you will be missed.