Then again, when don't we expect a lot from our sports teams here in the City of Brotherly Love? Since I can remember, at the beginning of each sports season, I've hoped for a big championship in Philly. Have I seen one since birth? No. However, with the abundance of the Flyers off season moves, it's easy to see the anticipation building up in the loyal fans of the orange and black. On a personal level, here's what I expect from the OAB this season. Also, my predictions on how the league will look, and who will hoist the Cup in June.
Key Additions:
Without question, the Flyers biggest off season acquisition was former Buffalo center,
Daniel Briere.
Known for his creative hands and unstoppable quickness, Briere brings in a much needed leadership force to the Flyers locker room. Last season, Briere played in 81 of Buffalo's games, and posted
95 points. 32 of them goals, 63 being assists. These numbers excite me to see what Briere can do with the likes of Gagne and Knuble/Upshall up on the first line. I predict another eighty/ninety point season for Briere.
Next, Joffrey Lupul and Jason Smith.
Acquired in the trade with Edmonton for Joni Pitkanen, these two power players also bring veteran experience, and leadership qualities with them. Last season Lupul and Smith put up a combined total of 39 points. Although these numbers are low, the experience and morale these players bring into the locker room cannot compare with those numbers. I predict a strong season for Lupul. I also predict him to be on a line with Richards and Carter while Upshall experiments on the first. As for Smith, I'm not too educated on him as a player, so I won't go and make any outrageous predictions right now. Stay tuned for those throughout the year, I suppose.
Finally, Kimmo Timonen and Scott Hartnell.
These two ALSO bring in veteran experience and leadership qualities (I wonder if this was Homer's goal?). Both Hartnell and Timonen were aquired from Nashville, the Flyers center of movement over the past year and a half. Look forward to Timonen and Hartnell's names being on the scorecards a lot this season. We may've found our defensive play makers in these two.
Now, the predictions.
Here's how this is going to work. I'm going to break the entire league down by division instead of conferences.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Starting with the Atlantic:
New York Rangers
Philadelphia Flyers
Pittsburgh Penguins
New Jersey Devils
New York Islanders
Sadly, I don't see Philly finishing at number 1. The Rangers are just going to be too powerful when it comes to offensive fire power. Maybe we'll get lucky, and win a few key match-ups against the Rangers that'll help us come the end of the season, but as of now, I see NYR taking the Atlantic.
Northeast:
Buffalo Sabres
Ottawa Senators
Montreal Canadians
Toronto Maple Leafs
Boston Bruins
Although the Sabres seemed to have taken a HUGE hit over the off season, they've had depth for the past few years, and it's now time for their other players to step up. We know they all can do so, too. Look forward to hearing more of Buffalo's 3rd line names this season. Briere and Drury are gone, fellas.Ottawa will have a strong season but will fall just short of taking the Northeastern crown. Don't count them out of the playoffs, though. They'll be a force to be dealt with.
Southeast:
Atlanta Thrashers
Carolina Hurricanes
Tampa Bay Lightning
Washington Capitals
Florida Panthers
The Atlanta Thrashers will shock the league this year. The Thrashers picked up two, in my opinion, underrated players in Slava Kozlov and Alexandre Giroux. These two kids will definitely help Atlanta put points on the board more than ever before. With a solid goaltender in the backfield, watch for Atlanta to climb the standings and runaway with the Southeast division.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Central:
Detroit Red Wings
St. Louis Blues
Nashville Predators
Columbus Blue Jackets
Chicago Blackhawks
The Central division is just TOO weak for anyone but Detroit to take it away. I see St. Louis running a close second with all of the off season work they've done, but to say St. Louis would take the division is just crazy. Definitely a playoff spot for them this year, though.
Northwest:
Calgary Flames
Colorado Avalanche
Minnesota Wild
Edmonton Oilers
Vancouver Canucks
Honestly, this division is one of the hardest to predict. I see Calgary blowing the division away, though. Both Edmonton and Vancouver have lost a lot of talent and will have a fun time fighting for last in the division.
Pacific:
San Jose Sharks
Dallas Stars
Anaheim Ducks
LA Kings
Phoenix Coyotes
The San Jose Sharks will be the underrated team of the NHL this season, and will probably shock the league as they make yet another push deep into the playoffs. The Sharks didn't lose a lot of talent like other teams in the league, but they did gain a little bit more in Alexei Semenov's signing. The re-signing of Marleau will also boost the Sharks morale, and keep their leader on board.
Last but not least, I see an NHL Stanley Cup Final between Buffalo and San Jose with San Jose taking the glory this year. As hard as it is to predict AGAINST my team, I just don't see Philadelphia being cup caliber yet. Give this team this year to gel, and we'll win it all next year.