The Hockey News releases 09-10 season predictions

[CORUPTWJ]

The Hockey News has finally finish releasing their 09-10 regular season predictions.

http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/27434-The-Hockey-News-200910-NHL-regular-season-predictions-No-1.html

They predict that the CBJ will end up in the 8th spot in the West with San Jose in #1. 

So what do you think of there predictions for the season?  I think they are pretty spot on for both the East and West.  I hope the see the CBJ a little higher by the end of the season, but I would be happy with an 8th spot to get us into the playoffs again.  And I do agree that Detroit will make it in, but won't take the #1 spot in the division.  Chicago will have that spot.

[TheFiveHoleExpress]

I think that St. Louis will make the playoffs, i see us more as 6/7, not a 8 spot. I know its not that much difference, but still it makes a difference in who you will play in the first round.

[bluejacketman009]

I normally like the THN predictions, but they have the Canucks beating out the Flames for the Northwest division, which is not going to happen.  www.profantasyconsultants.com, although they specialize in fantasy sports, has the Jackets ranked 6th, which I agree with, along with a good preseason breakdown.  We will be better than last season so I don't see us losing any spots in the standings.  I think we are a year away from the cracking the top 5 though.

[JacketsFan19]

They predict that the CBJ will end up in the 8th spot in the West with San Jose in #1. 

Good, that means we'll actually win the series.

[Fensterblau]

I thought the rankings were pretty solid.
I did take exception to a few things though:

1.) I don't think the NY Islanders are going to be the worst team in the Eastern Conference again. I believe that the addition of John Tavares alone will make them better than that. But they also cleared up their goaltending situation with the additions of Dwayne Roloson and Martin Biron, so they have capable bodies in net if Dipietro continues to struggle with injury. They are now in the second year of their rebuild under Scott Gordon, and they have some good young players like Okposo, Nielsen, Bailey and now Tavares. Add in the reliable veterans like Doug Weight, and they should at least be a 10-12 seed team. Still not a playoff team, but definitely not as bad as last year.

2.) The Nashville Sexual Predators are ranked too high. Nashville has been in a downward spiral for the last two years. Ever since the team was sold, they have been hanging on by a thread and working with a shoestring budget. Actually, they have always been that type of team, but it's especially true since the sale. They are a franchise that has built a reputation on making the most of their own farm players and using a solid system to make up for their lack of talent. But the lucky streak has to end some time. Last season they managed to salvage what would have been a last place record when Steve Sullivan came back from injury. I would bet my house that he will be on the shelf again by the 2nd month of the 2009/10 season. He won't be able to save them this time around. And when Joel Ward is your best offensive player, you're not going to be finishing in the top 12 in your conference. I wouldn't be surprised if Nashville was the worst team in the league this year. And I still think they will lose their hockey team within the next 2-3 years.

3.) The LA Kings are ranked too low. There's no way on God's green earth that Nashville and Dallas are finishing ahead of Los Angeles.

4.) The Dallas Stars are also ranked too high. I don't see Dallas making the playoffs this year. Anaheim, San Jose and Los Angeles should all finish better than Dallas. And there is a possible 4 teams (Chicago, Detroit, Columbus and St. Louis) in the central that will potentially finish in the top 8. So if even 2 teams from the Northwest are competitive, and I am assuming Vancouver and Calgary will both be, then there is no way Dallas is making the playoffs. They are getting older and older and their window gets smaller every year. they couldn't do it last season, so I have no reason to think they will this season. Especially when you consider Los Angeles and Columbus as teams on the rise.

Just my 2 cents...

[Chaosbourne]

I would agree with you Fenster about Nashville. They are spiraling out of control and will probably finish last in the Central this year.

However, I think Dallas will make a fairly solid run this year. They had a horrible season last year on account of injuries. Its not good when you lose your captain two weeks (or whatever it was) into the season.

Finally, I think it is a bold statement to say that the Los Angeles Kings are going to finish ahead of Dallas. Yes they made some good acquisitions, and yes they are not outrageously horrible, but I think you underestimate environment. Los Angeles is pit of dispair. You should hear the fans at the Staple Center....its just sad.

I also think that Philadelphia will finish before both Washington and Pittsburgh. I know that is a bold statement, but getting Pronger has turned that team into a nightmare. They had a pretty solid season last year, and got a lot out of ALL of their guys. If they can build on that this year, I'd say they are going to contend for the top of the east.

More or less though, I think this whole list is not very creative/thoughtful. I feel like the author just looked at the end of the year standings from last year and then just moved the teams around based on their performance in the playoffs or whatever.

Anyways, good catch on the article and thanks for sharing. See you all September 21st!