[Scrooge]

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.

[Asha]

Very nice writeup Andy.

[Jlg-28]

good gook Andy, nice write up, hopefully we can see these expectations come true

[Drew]

Wow. Helluva writeup there Andy. I thoroughly enjoyed reading that.

I don't mind seeing them gel for a year either. I feel that this team is built for the future anyway. Regardless. it's gonna be a helluva exciting year ahead.

[Hyperfried]

Geez. Who needs ESPN and TSN. We have Andddaaaayyyyyy.

Nice job, great writeup.

[Scrooge]

Thanks a lot, guys. I appreciate it.

Definitely keep your eyes open for more stuff like this. After all, I am doing Post Game HIVE, and a few other things. So, be excited.

[Asha]

Andy, Add this to your portfolio.

[Chris]

Good stuff, bud.

Makes me proud to hand over the PGH reigns.

I do not think the Sabres will win the division nor do I think they will go deep into the playoffs. You are correct about the good young players and I do believe they will step up and enable Buffalo to find a place in the playoffs. However, the fact still remains that there defense is highly suspect (sure the blue liners can get points on the board but can they keep them off.) I think the loss of Drury and Briere will bring to light how poor defensively this team really is. I see Buffalo finishing 2nd in the N.E. and prob 6 in the conference.

[Scrooge]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I do not think the Sabres will win the division nor do I think they will go deep into the playoffs. You are correct about the good young players and I do believe they will step up and enable Buffalo to find a place in the playoffs. However, the fact still remains that there defense is highly suspect (sure the blue liners can get points on the board but can they keep them off.) I think the loss of Drury and Briere will bring to light how poor defensively this team really is. I see Buffalo finishing 2nd in the N.E. and prob 6 in the conference.

You're unregistered, you don't count.

While the loss of Drury and Briere are HUGE for not only Buffalo's scoring, but their confidence as well, I think they'll find a way to put pucks in the net. Also, remember they still have Miller. SOO many aspects go into this.

Remember the depth the Sabres had the past few years? They didn't lose their 3rd and 4th lines, you know. I think if those two lines step up to the plate and do their share of scoring, Buffalo can easily see a number 2 or 3 spot. No doubt about it. Don't mind me, though. I'm just analyzing.

[shaunhagg1]

i'll have to agree with everyone here, nice write up andy.


ohhh i can't wait for opening night.

LETS GO FLYERS!!

[Hextall_Fan88]

As I've seen Smith play probably a good 40+ games per season the past 6 seasons, I guess I can make an educated guess as to what he'll bring to the table. Grit, solid defensive instincts and leadership would be the main 3. He never gives up on a play, blocks shots like you'd never believe and plays through pain, usually every single game. He makes people pay when they have their head down along the boards, not a huge hitter, but at 6"3, 225, he can easily battle with the biggest power forwards. What I've noticed though, and really, not that many people have, is that his stick is always active, and always in the right place when he's standing in front of the net. You won't see many deflected goals into our own net by Smith. With him and Kukonnen, I can see them being +15 and beyond for the season.

Agree with almost everything Andy, except the fact that you predict a 80-90 point season for Briere and that Calgary will runaway with their division.
Briere will have the tools, certainly to get that many playing with Gagne and Knuble, but our system is quite a lot different than that of the Sabres. I don't see him getting quite the room as he got before. Don't get me wrong, Carter is a future #1 center, but right now he lacks the polish, so Briere will be counted on and watched for. He didn't quite have the same pressure in Buffalo with Drury and company helping him out. But hopefully he'll prove me wrong.

And the Northwest, while it will be close, I think Colorado will finish first and really put up a battle in the playoffs. This is pretty much the same team that went on a huge winning streak at the end of last season to almost squeak in at that 8th seed position. Team remains unchanged, except for two huge additions, Smyth and Hannan. Calgary will have their hands full.

[Drew]

Originally Posted by Hextall_Fan88

As I've seen Smith play probably a good 40+ games per season the past 6 seasons, I guess I can make an educated guess as to what he'll bring to the table. Grit, solid defensive instincts and leadership would be the main 3. He never gives up on a play, blocks shots like you'd never believe and plays through pain, usually every single game. He makes people pay when they have their head down along the boards, not a huge hitter, but at 6"3, 225, he can easily battle with the biggest power forwards. What I've noticed though, and really, not that many people have, is that his stick is always active, and always in the right place when he's standing in front of the net. You won't see many deflected goals into our own net by Smith. With him and Kukonnen, I can see them being +15 and beyond for the season.

Agree with almost everything Andy, except the fact that you predict a 80-90 point season for Briere and that Calgary will runaway with their division.
Briere will have the tools, certainly to get that many playing with Gagne and Knuble, but our system is quite a lot different than that of the Sabres. I don't see him getting quite the room as he got before. Don't get me wrong, Carter is a future #1 center, but right now he lacks the polish, so Briere will be counted on and watched for. He didn't quite have the same pressure in Buffalo with Drury and company helping him out. But hopefully he'll prove me wrong.

I don't think anyone could have said it better. Yeah boy! This was the shit we were missing in your absence!!

[Rex]

what shitty predictions

Rangers finish dead last in the East, Flyers win the cup.

and thats not biasness

You must be a leafs and canucks hater, bcz thers no way Leafs will end up 4th in the division or Canucks will not end up last in the division. Canucks will be fightin for top seed in ther division, and no i dont think Flyers will be second in ther division, and definitely not higher than Pittsburgh. And yes my opinion will count, and yes i do realize this is a flyers fan site.

[dutch74]

always love to hear a dissenting opinion, Stopper... I don't agree that the Flyers will be second either. If the team develops chemistry right away (and that's a big IF), that could be possibly... especially with key injuries on the Rags or Pens.

As for the Canucks, I can't see a team back-stopped by Luongo in last place. Their D is just sick... and if they can get the Sedins some help, they'll be right in the thick of things.

Can't wait to see Smith hit the ice... I was 50-50 on this trade when it happened (mainly the Lupul part), but Smith is going to bring some grit and consistency to the back end.

Anybody see if Carter has bulked up at all? that kid needs to hit the weights