NHL 2007-08 Regular Season Preview

With only a couple of days to go until pre-season games start, I put together previews of each team in the league as according to my own expectations. I could be right or wrong and your opinion might differ, so please take this with a grain of salt obviously. I tried to be rational and based my opinion on teams' last season performances, plus their off-season acquisitions. By all means this picture isn't complete and we won't know until perhaps December about each team's true weaknesses and strengths, so this is just a wild guess if you will.

For every team I guessed whether we'll see it improve when compared to 2006-2007 season, as well as projected place in its conference at the end of regular season. Keep in mind, because of the division winner rule it is difficult to make a more educated guess regarding teams' finishing position.

Eastern Conference

Atlantic

New Jersey Devils
One of the teams that lost very important pieces of its puzzle in order to be truly competitive. Gomez and Rafalski were both the core of this team and their absence will be noticed. I don't see Zubrus being able to fill the void Gomez left and Martin, as much as I like him, will not replace Rafalski on power play. The Devils must count on their youngsters (Parise,Zajac) to improve and carry this team.
Compared to 2006-07: Worse
Projected finish: 7-9

Pittsburgh Penguins
This team will continue where it left off last year, building upon its group of young and talented players. Re-signing Roberts should help to inject some experience into their lineup and Garry should gel into this team very well as the season goes on. Pretty questionable signing of Sydor shouldn't hurt them much and with three lines set with great talent at centre position the Penguins are a legitimate treat to challenge for the conference title.
Compared to 2006-07: Better
Projected finish: 1-3

New York Rangers
One of the most improved teams on paper during the off-season. Doesn't this remind you so much of the Rangers from the mid and late 90's? Surely does to me. Stacked on the offence. Very questionable defence that worked surprisingly well during the closing stretch of last season. Great goal-tending. While they will be competing in the most improved division of the league next year, I believe they have great chances of a deep playoff run.
Compared to 2006-07: Better
Projected finish: 4-6

New York Islanders
Now, this is one devastated team I believe. Losing all the assets to bring Smyth over only lose him to free agency shortly after. That hurt. Along with Blake and buyout of Yashin their roster was a black hole, which they later filled with some questionable players. I just don't see Guerin and Comrie forming a fearsome first line. And the absurd contract Fedotenko was given? Don't see much going for the Islanders unfortunately. One good thing is that a bunch of those contract are one year long, so if worst comes to worst NY Islanders can always re-build next year.
Compared to 2006-07: Worse
Projected finish: 13-15

Philadelphia Flyers
A couple of big signings here. Daniel Briere and Kimmo Timonen better back up their cap numbers with some points on the board. Still, count me not so impressed. Behind the big names I see holes. We never saw Martin Biron carry the full load as number one goal tender. He will have to prove that he's capable of doing so. Secondary offence is a question. Lupul has a dreadful season in Edmonton last year and we'll see if he can bounce back. Scott Hartnell is a great two way defencive forward, but at 4.2m per he must become a very important part of this team for it to succeed. Flyers still have Hatcher and Gauthier on their D - two who were nothing more but a pair of pylons last season finishing with a horrid plus/minus statistic. Overall this team is unquestionably improved from the last season, but not enough to be a contender in my opinion. Still, playoffs are not out of the question.
Compared to 2006-07: Better
Projected finish: 4-6

Northeast

Buffalo Sabres
One of the most exciting teams on the "new" NHL took a big hit in the off-season. I felt they had to do anything in their power to keep one of the two co-captains and maybe they did, but couldn't attract either. Matching Vanek's offer sheet was another mistake in my opinion. In order to be successful a lot of responsibility lies on the new core of this team - Connoly, Vanek and Roy. Connoly's injury problems prevented him to have good seasons in the past, but now there is no one else to step up shall the centre go down. At least their defence remained unchanged, but not like they were known to be a defencive team. Their mentality of outscoring their opponents will have to change and Miller will have to carry a much bigger workload. For me to say that this team will improve next year I'd have to place them in the Stanley Cup finals. I can't see them there.
Compared to 2006-07: Worse
Projected finish: 4-6

Ottawa Senators
A clear favourite to win the division. Not many off-season moves were made by Ottawa, but it's understandable - they will have a very big off-season next year having to re-sign Heatley, Spezza, Fisher and Redden. I don't think they will be able to keep their team together then, so now it's their last chance of making a deep playoff run and challenging for the Cup once again. Don't know about the playoffs, but I believe they should win the Northeast, hence they'll be better.
Compared to 2006-07: Better
Projected finish: 1-3

Toronto Maple Leafs
It's a definite improvement on paper compared to last year, but i thought the same last summer as well. Still, Sundin will have a proven scorer to play with - Jason Blake, and that should help. Other than that the Maple Leafs remain largely unchanged with a couple of minor moves. They should be better however, Wellwood's injury last year really hurt them. Pavel Kubina can't play any worse than he did last season, so that should change for the better. I predict the Leafs will make the playoffs finally, but cannot consider them serious contenders come playoffs.
Compared to 2006-07: Better
Projected finish: 7-9

Montreal Canadiens
Too much responsibility rests on rookies here. If they click, Montreal shall challenge for a playoff spot. But I think it's unlikely. 5 on 5 scoring looks to be a great problem here, and power play cannot rely on Souray's booming slap shot anymore. I don't even know if Alex Kovalev can play like he care more than 1 game out of 5. Roman Hamrlik will improve that defence, but the problem has always been Montreal's inability to score when it matters. And I don't see that changing. One of the few bright spots on this team is goal tending. Maybe it could save the day for the Habs.
Compared to 2006-07: Worse
Projected finish: 10-12

Boston Bruins
I'm scared of Boston. Because it seems no matter what this team does they will struggle to make playoffs and bomb at the end of the season. Getting Fernandez from the Wild will not help as much as they hope. Manny played on a great defencive team and his stats reflect that. How he's going to play on a team that has very troubled transition game only time will tell, but the outlook is grim if you ask me. Boston will probably do better than 14th last year, but I can't see this team in the final 8 come playoff time.
Compared to 2006-07: Better
Projected finish: 10-12

Southeast

Atlanta Thrashers
Making playoffs for the first time in team's history was nice. Atlanta will have to remember those moments because they are not coming around any time soon. Waddel's seat is very hot right now, with all the moves he pulled at the trade deadline last season. They didn't pay off, if one is to remember shameful exit out of the post-season. No real improvements here, this team will get worse.
Compared to 2006-07: Worse
Projected finish: 13-15

Tampa Bay Lightning
It's hard to predict anything about Tampa. They squeezed into playoff last couple of years, but that's where this team's potential end right now. Their bad defence got worse because Sarych isn't there any longer, holes in their goal tending weren't plugged in. Another outstanding season from their big three and we might see Tampa in the playoffs again. But shall St. Louis, Lecavalier and Richards struggle - Tampa isn't going anywhere.
Compared to 2006-07: Worse
Projected finish: 7-9

Carolina Hurricanes
Carolina had their Stanley Cup hangover, but they should take their division once again this time around. The team is largely unchanged, but Cory Stillman will play come October. That should help. Word is Cam Ward has been working very hard this summer and he's got a new goalie coach. We'll see, right now I'd say he's Carolina's main concern. They should take their division regardless.
Compared to 2006-07: Better
Projected finish: 1-3

Florida Panthers
Still don't think the Panthers have enough to crack the playoffs, but I think we will see this team improve and continue to improve in the upcoming years. Their goal tending situation improved compared to last season, key RFA contracts were given out to keep the core intact. Granted in their division anything could happen, including Florida winning it, but I see it as unlikely. Still give the edge to the 2005-2006 champion here.
Compared to 2006-07: Better
Projected finish: 10-12

Washington Capitals
Washington I will mark as better only because of them acquiring Nylander who, despite his age, should help Ovechkin's production quite a bit. Semin will continue to develop in one of the best forwards of this league. But the rest of the team has too many question marks to make an impact. Washington will likely finish in the last part of the standings ladder, but I will put them as improved for the reasons above. Kolzig will probably continue to lead the league in shots against.
Compared to 2006-07: Better
Projected finish: 13-15

Western Conference

Central

Detroit Red Wings
The Red Wings' future looks bright with long term reasonable contracts given to Datsyuk and Rafalski, as well as having most of their core locked up for at least a couple of years. They will continue to dominate their division easily, especially with Nashville fading away due to financial difficulties they encountered. Hasek played well last year and he is no longer a question mark he was coming out of Ottawa. They got a couple of young centres to pitch in with secondary scoring, but Detroit needs to start injecting some more youth into their lineup as time passes by. I don't think it's a team that could go all the way, but they should seriously challenge once again with a deep run in the playoffs.
Compared to 2006-07: Better
Projected finish: 1-3

Nashville Predators
A team as stacked as Nashville was last year had to be more successful in the post-season. They were not and we saw it dismantled. A lot of secondary scoring was acquired, but I don't see a standout candidate to lead them far in the post-season. Unfortunately I don't believe that Arnott qualifies as a leader. It will be sure exciting to watch how Radulov develops as we saw some flashes of brilliance from this youngster last year. Nashville should have an average season and due to the weak division they compete in, I wouldn't be surprised to see them in the playoffs.
Compared to 2006-07: Worse
Projected finish: 7-9

St. Louis Blues
Honestly, I was very surprised to see Paul Kariya sign with the Blues. It had to be the contract that attracted the star, because I don't see many exciting things happening for St.Louis. Doug Weight and Keith Tkachuk re-unite once again, but I don't see much working there. I think St.Louis will do about as well as they have last season, but that's about it. Playing all those divisional games against Detroit and Nashville won't do them any good.
Compared to 2006-07: Better
Projected finish: 10-12

Columbus Blue Jackets
Peca isn't going to save the day for Columbus. They needed some fresh blood, but failed at securing any big name during the off-season. I think this team will continue to be a bottom feeder in the Western conference with a losing record, but this time around they might dip a little lower than their 11th spot last season. Not much else to say here. I think someone is not doing as good of a job in Columbus as it could be done. Fans are the ones to lose I guess. And that's a bummer. At least Fedorov's disgusting contract will be off their books in 2008.
Compared to 2006-07: Worse
Projected finish: 13-15

Chicago Blackhawks
I have a feeling this franchise is going to turn things around soon enough. They might not be good enough to sneak into the playoffs next year, but the future is finally starting to look brighter for this once great organization. Kane, Toews and Skille should all get their feet wet in the NHL and start their development. Martin Havlat is still around, but signing of Robert Lang was very questionable to me. Perhaps the front office feels their youngsters need to learn from a veteran, but I think that at this point of his career Robert is a wash. This two year deal might bite Chicago in their rear in the long run, we'll see. Overall, they can't be quite as bad as they were last year.
Compared to 2006-07: Better
Projected finish: 10-12

Northwest

Vancouver Canucks
The Canucks are pretty much the same team they were last season, hence they should be competing for division title once again. Very good defencive team that struggles to find its secondary scoring. Northwestern division is pretty tough to play in, as its filled with solid teams for the most part, but Vancouver should have no problems getting into the playoffs once again. Luongo is a stud of a goalie and if needed he will carry this team on his shoulders to the post season. The only reason I bumped them down a spot is because they now have a very dangerous division rival(see below). So, in this case "worse" is very relative.
Compared to 2006-07: Worse
Projected finish: 4-6

Minnesota Wild
Another case of a pretty good defencive team. I think Minnesota will go head to head with Calgary Flames competing for the last couple of playoffs spots. I don't know whether they're good enough to get into the post-season, but if Gaborik plays close to 80 games this time around they might surprise a few people. Overall, this is a pretty solid team that won't jump over its head as far as expectations go, but will be tough to play against. I'll put them as "worse", only because I think that's more likely of them than gaining additional ground in the West.
Compared to 2006-07: Worse
Projected finish: 7-9

Calgary Flames
Calgary got Keenan. Some people say that move lone will cost them a playoff spot. I don't think so. what has me more concerned about Calgary are acquisitions of Aucoin and Sarich. Adrian Aucoin has been having numerous injury problems in Chicago and I'm not sure he could turn his career around. At 4m per he seems to be high of risk to take for this team, but only time will tell I guess. Iginla has been locked up for years to come and that's good news. One thing for sure, we will not see the same defencive team we all got used to. Keenan does not preach defence as well as he does offence. Losing Hamrlik will also be noticeable; a team doesn't easily replace a +30 guy, so transition game is likely to suffer. I put Calgary as "better" only because they should be more fun to watch this year. Standings-wise I think they'll remain very close to where they ended up last year.
Compared to 2006-07: Better
Projected finish: 7-9

Colorado Avalanche
Plain and simple - I think Colorado will be the team to beat in the Northwest. A couple of great off-season moves signing Ryan Smyth and Scott Hannan that should be very beneficial to this club. On top of it we got Wolski, Stastny maturing and hopefully picking up their production, as well as Svatos that should play better. A couple of great, underrated defence men in Clark and Leopold and i think we got one dangerous team that should challenge for division title. Still lead by the great Joe of course, who probably has a productive season or two in his tank. I'd be very happy if I was an Avalanche fan, things are looking great for this team.
Compared to 2006-07: Better
Projected finish: 1-3

Edmonton Oilers
3...2...1...re-build! I think that's the message we all get by watching this team's off-season moves. Pretty young team that will struggle to remain consistent. A bunch of holes everywhere you look that won't be plugged by Penner or Pitkanen. I predict them to improve gradually, but it won't happen this year. Offensively they're a threat, but as Anaheim proved past season, defence is what wins you games more often than not. Edmonton does not have any defence to speak of. Sheldon Souray might beat his own record of -28 past season with Montreal this time around. Too many key pieces are missing in Edmonton and it does not seem big name UFAs are all that willing to play there. Pretty scary what could happen to a team that contended for the Stanley Cup just over a year ago.
Compared to 2006-07: Worse
Projected finish: 13-15

Pacific

Anaheim Ducks
How can a team be better coming off a Stanley Cup winning season? That's what I'm wondering as well. Do I think the Ducks will repeat? No. Therefore they're worse by default. It does not look like Scotty will return at this point and I don't think that Shneider is an equivalent replacement for him. Losing a 50 goal scorer in Selanne will also hurt. Again Bertuzzi scoring even half this much is unlikely. Still a very good team that will challenge for division crown, but they won't be Anaheim they were last season. They might be sharing the pool with sharks and we all know what happens to ducks when a shark gets hungry. The question is whether this shark will get hungry or go for smaller prey instead.
Compared to 2006-07: Worse
Projected finish: 4-6

San Jose Sharks
Another powerhouse in the West. San Jose Sharks were destined to make a deep run in the playoffs for so many years now that it feels like a safe bet to pick them again. Because some year they will raise the Cup. Rather sooner than later. Not much done in the off-season, but who needs overpriced UFAs when you are able to lock up both Thornton and Marleau to very good contracts. With this kind of a 1-2 centre punch San Jose will remain competitive for awhile. Between Anaheim and San Jose winning division it's really a wild guess for me. I will go ahead and predict the Sharks bypass Anaheim for number one in the Pacific, but it's not set in stone.
Compared to 2006-07: Better
Projected finish: 1-3

Dallas Stars
I think Dallas is on a decline. Modano is not the guy he used to be and Zubov's getting older. Brenden Morrow is supposed to be the replacement, but other than him there isn't anyone else. Dallas should make the cut mainly because we all know that Marty Turco will have another successful regular season. But this offensively challenged club needs some changes and I don't mean Todd Fedoruk or Mike Ribeiro. Personally, I wouldn't be surprised to see Dallas to fall out of the playoff picture, but as it is there aren't enough teams to challenge the dinosaur. Maybe even Los Angeles? That'd be sure fun to see, although unlikely.
Compared to 2006-07: Worse
Projected finish: 4-6

Los Angeles Kings
A heap of signings here. Some I like a lot - the others I hate just as much. Question mark on Handzus, who spent nearly all of last season out with an injury. Big question on Nagy - talented, but very soft forward with less than stellar production as of late. Even bigger question mark with Kyle Calder at nearly 3m per. Defence looks very good with Stuart, Preissing, Visnovsky and Blake. maybe a little bit too offence oriented, but still very respectful. If things click for the Kings my 10-12 prediction will fly through the roof. But I'll go ahead and say that they won't click just yet. When so many people are brought together at once chemistry usually suffers a great deal. Still should be a definite improvement over last year, because Frolov, Cammalleri and Kopitar are still there.
Compared to 2006-07: Better
Projected finish: 10-12

Phoenix Coyotes
Worst team in the league last season trying for a repeat? And why not I say? I remember someone calling Phoenix a place where UFAs go to die and at the moment I'm inclined to agree with that. Maybe they'll surprise me and finish 14th in the West instead of 15th. Who knows... I will put them as "better" because how much worse can a team possibly become?
Compared to 2006-07: Better
Projected finish: 13-15

                Posted by P1x44r on 11/09/2007 10:28                Comments (10)

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