The Predictions, Awards, and Pimpage thread!

[Perceptor]

Quote: Originally Posted by DrJones

Flames win the West, but Boudreau gets the Jack Adams? If Calgary is the #1 seed in the West, Sutter should have the Adams trophy renamed after him.

I have to agree. Vancouver is the team to beat because they're well balanced in defense and offense. The Flames have one of the best units on paper with Phaneuf, Bouwmeester, Regs, and Sarich, but their offense is a huge question mark. I've never been a Jokinen fan and Iginla can't do everything.

If the Flames are going to win the cup this season, Kiprusoff needs to be the goalie he was 4 years ago. He hasn't been good at all the last couple of years and that's why the Flames went from a contender to 1st round fodder. If he bounces back, they can win it all, but if he continues his decline, they will be fighting for a play-off spot

[DrJones]

Quote: Originally Posted by Perceptor

I have to agree. Vancouver is the team to beat because they're well balanced in defense and offense.

In the Northwest. I don't see the Canucks taking the #1 seat in the West either.

Quote: Originally Posted by Perceptor

The Flames have one of the best units on paper with Phaneuf, Bouwmeester, Regs, and Sarich, but their offense is a huge question mark.

Everyone knows that Phaneuf can hit and shoot, but can he actually play defence?

Quote: Originally Posted by Perceptor

If the Flames are going to win the cup this season, Kiprusoff needs to be the goalie he was 4 years ago. He hasn't been good at all the last couple of years and that's why the Flames went from a contender to 1st round fodder. If he bounces back, they can win it all, but if he continues his decline, they will be fighting for a play-off spot

Kiprusoff needs a reliable backup to start 15-20 games. Why the Flames don't acquire one is beyond me.

[BlueNGold]

Quote: Originally Posted by DrJones

Flames win the West, but Boudreau gets the Jack Adams? If Calgary is the #1 seed in the West, Sutter should have the Adams trophy renamed after him.

Thinking about it, you are right. It makes more sense for Sutter to win it in my predictions since the West is alot tougher than the East, they are in a tougher division than Washington and Sutter is in his 1st year with the Flames.

I didn't really think the awards out too much when I was typing them, I kinda just threw some names out there I thought would be in the conversation for those awards in real life.

[Perceptor]

Quote: Originally Posted by DrJones

In the Northwest. I don't see the Canucks taking the #1 seat in the West either. Everyone knows that Phaneuf can hit and shoot, but can he actually play defence? Kiprusoff needs a reliable backup to start 15-20 games. Why the Flames don't acquire one is beyond me.

I omitted the part about the division - thanks DrJones for clarifying that. Yes, Vancouver is the team to beat in the division, but if Luongo gets hot in the play-offs watch out

Can Phaneuf play defense? He can, but his positional play is horrible - until he learns to improve that, he will be a liability

Kipper has always needed a backup, but his play has been anything but solid the last couple of seasons. He hasn't stolen games like he has in the past and if he doesn't regain that form, the Flame swill struggle

[swil]

Quote: Originally Posted by tyler289

If Atlanta finishes higher than 10th,I'll be shocked.

Prepare to be shocked.

[DrJones]

Quote: Originally Posted by Perceptor

Kipper has always needed a backup, but his play has been anything but solid the last couple of seasons. He hasn't stolen games like he has in the past and if he doesn't regain that form, the Flame swill struggle

Kiprusoff's gotten worse each of the last 4 seasons while playing 74+ games each season, which would indicate one (or more) of the following:

1. His days as an elite goalie are over, and he's unlikely to ever recover his 2004 form.
2. Calgary's defence is a lot worse in reality than it is on paper.
3. He's been overworked, and needs to be cut back to 55-65 starts a year.

If I'm the Sutter boys, I'm looking hard at addressing Option 3, which means finding someone better than McElhinney to start 15-25 games a season. Throwing Kipper out there for 75 games and just hoping he'll cut his GAA by nearly half doesn't strike me as much of a plan.

[tyler289]

Quote: Originally Posted by swil

Prepare to be shocked.

I like a lot of the players they have, but I just think there will be too many teams better than them. Maybe next year.

[DrJones]

Eastern Conference

1. Washington Capitals
2. Pittsburgh Penguins
3. Boston Bruins
4. Philadelphia Flyers
5. Carolina Hurricanes
6. Buffalo Sabres
7. New Jersey Devils
8. Ottawa Senators
9. New York Rangers
10. Montreal Canadiens
11. Tampa Bay Lightning
12. Toronto Maple Leafs
13. Florida Panthers
14. Atlanta Thrashers
15. New York Islanders

Western Conference

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

Awards

Presidents Trophy: Washington Capitals
Hart: Evgeni Malkin
Rocket Richard: Alexander Ovechkin
Art Ross: Evgeni Malkin
Norris: Mike Green
Vezina: Roberto Luongo
Calder: Victor Hedman
Selke: Mike Richards
Lady Byng: Pavel Datsyuk
Jack Adams: Lindy Ruff