Going to try something a little different today to take up another one of the long days in August.
So much of the talk around here focuses on the Senators and rightfully so. But today I'd like to take a crack at the 29 other teams. My task is simple- One comment on each of the 30 teams heading into the 2013/2014 season. A prediction, a question, a witty observation…Something. And preferably the first thing that pops into my head.
This should be interesting…
Anaheim Ducks- They finally moved Bobby Ryan after more than a year of rumours but are they a better team? Jakob Silfverberg will help fill the void but there is very good reason to believe the Ducks are prime for a pretty signifcant fall off. So says the advanced stats anyway…
Boston Bruins- A great team on paper and should be among the best in the East but the whole Jarome Iginla signing was downright strange. He bailed on them and Aaron Ward at the deadline but ended up crawling back to Beantown this offseason. Does he have much left in the tank after a weak playoff showing with Pittsburgh?
Buffalo Sabres- Ryan Miller and Thomas Vanek are both still on the roster but for how long? Both guys were regulars in the rumour mill this off season and seem like pieces that could move once the Sabres fully commit to the rebuild. 5 SensChirp Bucks if you can name the coach of the Buffalo Sabres. Annnd GO!
Calgary Flames- Speaking of going full rebuild, the Flames and Jay Feaster finally seem to be coming to terms with the reality of their situation. Could be some rough years ahead for the Flames in the post-Iginla era.
Carolina Hurricanes- Bad one year, good the next. What Hurricanes team do we see this season? They pay a ton of money to a core that includes Eric Staal, Jordan Staal, Jeff Skinner, Cam Ward and Alex Semin. Some good pieces there but not enough to return to the playoffs, I don't think.
Chicago Blackhawks- The defending Champs should be good again this season but does the ol' Stanley Cup hangover slow them down? No real significant changes this off season either so they'll be rolling with pretty much the same group that dominated in the lockout shortened season. Is the motivation still there after 2 Cups in 4 years?
Colorado Avalanche- They made a tough choice passing on Seth Jones at the Entry Draft in June but look they've got a good one in Nathan MacKinnon. MacKinnon, Duchene, O'Reilly, Statsny and Landeskog up front and Patrick Roy behind the bench? Ya, I think I'll watch a couple Avs games this season.
Columbus Blue Jackets- While cruising CapGeek the other day I noticed the Jackets have the 9th highest payroll in all of hockey. Under new GM (and former Ottawa Senator) Jarmo Kekäläinen, they appear to be poised for a turnaround. I don't know if it's this year, but it's soon.
Dallas Stars- Man oh man are their new jerseys ever green! Really interested to see how Sergei Gonchar looks in those things. On a more hockey related note, I expect Tyler Seguin to rip it up in the Big D.
Detroit Red Wings– Hmm. Can't think of anything. Although it will be interesting to have the likes of Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg and "the rest" of the Red Wings visit the CTC on a regular basis.
Edmonton Oilers- All that talent up front, this has to be the year things start to trend upwards for them…right?! Ference was a nice addition to their blueline but with the guys they have on defence and Devan Dubnyk carrying the mail in goal, I just don't know if things will be much better for the Oil this year.
Florida Panthers- For just $7 bucks you can see this team play and get a $25 gift card to Duffy's. Incredible. This looks like the year they at least begin to pass the torch to Jacob Markstrom in goal. Interested to see how he responds.
Los Angeles Kings- Not a whole lot of turnover in this roster from last year so they should be among the best in the newly formed Pacific Division this coming season. With Bernier out of the picture, Jonathan Quick will get a ton of starts. He's my early (reallllly early) pick to win the Vezina this season. You heard it here first!
Minnesota Wild- Did you know Dany Heatley still plays in the NHL? Cuz he does. For the Wild. They also have Matt Cooke in their line up. Looking for a team to hate, Sens fans? This is a pretty good option. Unless you still have a soft spot for Zenon Konopka.
Montreal Canadiens- Short team got shorter with the acquisition of Danny Briere. It's real nice going into a season with such a thorough debate edge over a rival fan base. Last season's first round (mis)match-up should really fire up the rivalry between Ottawa and Montreal although I kind of expect the Habs to fall off a bit this season.
Nashville Predators- Every year I look at the Preds opening day line up and am baffled by their ability to stay competitive. They really don't have a legitimate offensive threat in their forward group yet Head Coach Barry Trotz always has them in the mix come playoff time. Having one of the best goalies in hockey helps, I suppose.
New Jersey Devils- Kovalchuk is gone and the league may have to step in and take over the team in the very near future. They locked up Ryane Clowe to a long term deal, Zajac appears to be massively overpaid, and they'll be leaning on UFA acquisitions Jaromir Jagr and Michael Ryder to provide the offence this season. With Brodeur nearing the end of a terrific career, I think we're about to find out just how good Cory Schneider really is.
New York Islanders- The Mike Milbury stink is finally beginning to clear up on the Island. They are coming off an impressive season and brief run in the NHL playoffs and have a ton of quality young talent. Interested to see how Peter Regin fits in with that team next season.
New York Rangers- It will be fascinating to see just how different this team is under Alain Vigneault compared to John Tortorella. There is a ton of potential in that roster but their insistence on blocking shots and collapsing defensively just wasn't working. Lots to be excited about in New York this season. An aside- Brad Richards may have one of the most ridiculous contracts in the NHL.
Philadelphia Flyers- If I had to make a pick for the first coach to get canned this season, it has to Peter Laviolette. They spent big money on Lecavalier and Streit this off season but with wait for it, question marks in goal, the Flyers could stumble out of the gate. I predict the Flyers have a new bench boss by Christmas.
Phoenix Coyotes- Like Nashville, a team that manages to stay competitive year in, year out despite an extremely underwhelming group of forwards. What they lack in scoring, they make up for in incredible, young talent on the blueline. Oliver Ekman-Larsson is going to play his way into the Norris Trophy conversation this season.
Pittsburgh Penguins- If Sidney Crosby can stay healthy for a full season, he'll be the run away Hart Trophy winner and could put up north of 120 points. Unfortunately the idea of Crosby staying healthy for a full season seems pretty much impossible at this point in his career.
San Jose Sharks- The term "closing window" comes to mind here. Every year they are competitive yet every year seem to come up lame in the playoffs. One more time they'll go into a season with Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau on the roster and Doug Wilson making the personnel decisions. If it doesn't work out this year, they have to make some changes.
St. Louis Blues- It's August 12th and their best defenceman still doesn't have a contract for next season. The Pietrangelo stand off is an interesting one and if ever there was a time where an offer sheet was worth the risk- this would be it. Although at this point I would assume the Blues just match any offer. Pietrangelo is that good.
Tampa Bay Lightning- Really interested to see how Jonathan Drouin fits in with the Bolts. There was a ton of hype surrounding this kid heading into the June Entry Draft and he looks like he could have a chance to play in their top six with guys like Martin St. Louis and Steven Stamkos. If he can stick with the big club, he plays his way into the Calder Trophy discussion.
Toronto Maple Leafs- They won't be good this year and it's going to be fun to watch. Some odd decisions by Dave Nonis this off season. I look forward to their dramatic fall back to Earth.
Vancouver Canucks- How long until John Tortorella's first media meltdown? I would be shocked if he makes it through November. It will be fascinating to see if he uses a similar on-ice approach in Vancouver as he did with the Rangers. Can the Sedins block shots? Guess we'll find out.
Washington Capitals- Adam Oates gets his first full season with the Capitals and it really seems like a big one for the organization. They didn't make many changes this off season and will again be counting on Alex Ovechkin to be their most valuable player. I wonder if the looming Sochi Olympics serve as a distraction for Ovehckin or if he can maintain his Hart Trophy level from last season?
Winnipeg Jets- The Jets will play in the Western Conference this season and are going to have a heck of a time keeping up with the pace out there. A bold prediction- The Jets find themselves near or at the bottom of the Conference by season's end. Apologies to any Jets fans that may be reading this.
So there they are. 29 somewhat coherent thoughts about the other 29 teams in the National Hockey League. Feel free to leave some of your own observations in the comment section below.
A reminder that former Senator Daniel Alfredsson is expected to address the media in Ottawa on Thursday. Should be interesting.
