The Hockey News: Screen Shots: Screen Shots: 2008-09 Western Conference predictions

Western Conference

1. Detroit Red Wings
2. San Jose Sharks
3. Calgary Flames
4. Dallas Stars
5. Anaheim Ducks
6. Chicago Blackhawks
7. Minnesota Wild
8. Edmonton Oilers
9. Phoenix Coyotes
10. Nashville Predators
11. Columbus Blue Jackets
12. Colorado Avalanche
13. St. Louis Blues
14. Vancouver Canucks
15. Los Angeles Kings

Okay seriously, what teams below the salary cap floor need a backup goalie? I mean come on, somebody please be willing to take on Roli's real salary just to pick up his cap number to help them reach the floor. Pretty please.

LA is below the floor, I think, and still need a starting goalie.

Dola

Still no MRI for Gonchar, but being reported 6 weeks recovery for a separation. If the MRI eventually reveals surgery is needed, 6 months.

So, most likely the Pens will tank the season, sell off Satan, Fedetenko and others at the deadline...and draft Tavares 1st overall in 2009.

How did I miss this thread starting?

SI

I wouldn't expect anything less from the Pittsburgh Tankers. If they do tank...will the wagon break from all the fans jumping off?

Schneider to ATL for Klee, Brian Larsen and a prospect winger.

Welcome back, Teemu.

Don't worry, we'll make sure you get Danny Sabourin. Biron already has, what, 9 playoff wins? That is like triple what Chechmanek had, so he's got to be on his way out. You'll need a goaltender.

Side note: Take this with a whole shaker of salt. Sporting News had a ranking of top 50 NHL players, and it was done by Jay Feaster. So not exactly 2 beacons of hockey knowledge.

He had Mike Richards at 46. And Jeff Carter at 45.

If it is for scoring...I wouldn't have a problem with it but I think Richards is one of the more complete players in the game. Carter is streaky...very inconsistent. When he wants to play he is good, but he'll disappear for games.

Apparently the MRI revealed... surgery. Gonchar will be out for 4-6 months.

With both Whitney and Gonchar out of the line-up that makes an already thin Penguins blueline look anorexic. If Whitney and Gonchar make it back a bit ahead of schedule, however, maybe it will be one of those blessings in disguise. The Penguins should still be in the playoff race even without those two and this will give some youngs a chance to get some experience. Maybe one or two will flourish.

In unrelated news, the Blackhaws finally waived Khabibuhlin.

Anorexic from a offensive standpoint, I'll give you. But they'll still be pretty strong in their own end. Not a top 5-7 grouping, but in the top 1/2 of the league, with Orpik, Eaton, Scuderi and Gill.

Kris Letang is going to breakout. Goligoski will be given his chance to show he belongs in the NHL- his size, speed and offensive skill have lent themselves to Brian Rafalski comparisons. And Darryl Sydor is still solid as a #7 guy.

Also, Whitney could be back as early as mid/late November.

I know, looking for any glimmer of hope. :(

Luke Schenn is the best defenceman in the NHL.

That is all.

Jeff Finger

Ping Chief. According to the Toronto Star:

"...the Leafs were willing to trade their 2009 first rounder on a conditional basis and a couple of prospects to Anaheim for Mathieu Schneider and youngster Bobby Ryan."

Surprised this hasn't been posted yet, the Bulin Wall is on waivers.

Took long enough.

Go Jets Go!

Roberto Lulongo was named captain of the Canucks. Interesting to say the least.

Well, of course, the Leafs were willing. I would be, too, if I were them. Fortunately, Burke wasn't in the market to give away talent. :)

There were seven solid offers for Schneider, apparently, and two of them also included Ryan. But Burke said that was a non-starter.

Now, put on my "evil anal-yzer" cap. If Burke wants to go to Toronto, him not trading Ryan to Toronto must mean he thinks Ryan sucks, right? ;)

See post #60, supra.

Chelios looks like he broke an ankle or leg or foot. Something looked jacked tonight. Interesting to see how it effects who gets waived if so.

Also, Darren Helm looks like a MONSTER. I cannot believe this kid probably won't make the team. On TSN they apparently said he'd be top 3 lines on 20 teams in the NHL and he's only what, 21?

Go Manitoban!

Leino looked good for Detroit too. I suspect he'll make the team out of Camp, and Helm starts as the #1 center in Grand Rapids.

Helm is like a more skilled version of Draper. I am so excited to see this kid develope.

Wings fan circle jerk!

I'm not a Red Wings fan, I just like Helm.

Enjoy your last season with Burke ;)

I don't think this word means what you think it means.

Ah, my bad. It will likely happen again, too.

Didn't stop ya from pullin' it out, did it? :)

Heh...we'll live. Our assistant GM is one of the more well respected eyes for talent in the game (Dave McNab) and will probably get first shot at the job. Plus, he's been "learning" on the job now for three years from Burke.

And, no, Nonis ain't gettin' it.

What about Matt Millen? Maybe hockey is his forte.

AWW DAMN, I COMPLETELY FORGOT! :D

Go offer him now, Samueli!

The Canucks named Roberto Luongo as captain. It's the first time in something like 40 years that a goalie has been named captain although Luongo won't be able to actually "do" anything, those responsibilities fall to his alternates, Ohlund, Mitchell and someone else.

General manager Lou Lamoriello said this morning that he has given Fedor Fedorov's agent permission to talk to other teams that might be interested in trading for him and the 25-year-old forward will not be play for the Devils. Lamoriello insisted that it was purely a numbers decision and he had promised Fedorov that if he wasn't one of the team's top 12 forwards, he could seek a deal elsewhere.

"We've given his representative time to talk to other teams," Lamoriello said. "When we spoke to him when he was coming this summer, if it looked like he wouldn't be one of the top 12 forwards, we would give his agent time to talk to other teams. He'll have a time frame. He's done nothing wrong. He's healthy. It's just a numbers decisions. We want to be proactive to that and give him the opportunity before training camp ended.

Asked if this meant Fedorov definitely would not be on the Devils this season, Lamoriello replied, "Yes."

If Fedorov's agent can't find a taker, the next step would be to place him on waivers.

Fedor is only 25?

Jesus, it seems like he's been around forever.

Sounds like with Chelios out 6 weeks that the Wings will use the same six D from last season, and go from there. What it means is Lilja won't be dealt anytime soon, but Meech will make the team for sure, and Quincy should be fine until Chelly is back, then someone has to be traded or clear waivers.

Holland also said Helm and Leino were the two best players at Camp, and throughout the exhibition season so far. So I assume Leino makes the big team out of camp, Downey goes to GR and Helm will be the first one called up if we have injuries.

After 1 game, Tyler Kennedy is on pace to score 164 goals!! :thumbsup:

Back to back 2-1 wins for the Rangers over Tampa to start the season out in Prague. Now get back home and rest up.

Banner raising time

Really, NHL? Your big musical act to get people hyped is Def Lepperd?

Toskala is the captain for the Leafs, hadn't heard that until today.

PING HB

Just reading in the SI NHL preview-- article about Hossa.

He's living in Royal Oak..maybe you can go drinking with him sometime. Preferably before they play then Pens.

I live 5 minutes from where I assume Hossa lives. I'll go on a jog later, and you know, check things out, make sure no one is messing around out there.

His neighbors will like it if you wear a hockey mask too.
Ax optional.

I'll see what I can do. Maybe we'll hook up with DeTox and kick it FOFC-style (which I'm sure Hossa would totally dig.)

His biggest concern should be not getting bit by my dog when I walk by his house. My dog's not great with strangers when out for a walk.

There's a risk...

Thanks. I feel a little safer already. Keep it up. Marian and I appreciate it.

i am luke schenn andalusia
i am luke schenn andalusia
i am luke schenn andalusia
wanna grow
up to be
be a defenseman,(defenseman)
defenseman, (defenseman)
defenseman, (defenseman)
defenseman, (defenseman)
defenseman, (defenseman)
defenseman, (defenseman)

That was beautiful.

The NFL gets the Rolling Stones, Prince, and Bruce Springsteen, and the NHL gets Def Lepperd... 2008 Def Lepperd.

Oh and as an F you to Leafs fans ..

Wings draft their stud's in the 5th round, not with the 5th pick.

HA!

Your momma's so ugly they renamed Halloween...Yourmamaween