Canes Country Clash: Atlantic Division Predictions, 2009-10
by Bob Wage on Sep 29, 2009 1:10 PM EDT
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PrintCory and I will now take a gander at the Atlantic Division, home of the Stanley Cup Champion, Pittsburgh Penguins. Will the Pens repeat as Cup champs? Will they at least be able to win their own division this season?
Last year, Cory picked them to win the Atlantic while I picked New Jersey. (Yippee, I got one right). So, what do we think this year?
Cory's take:
________
Bob's Take:
- Philadelphia
- Pittsburgh
- New Jersey
- New York Rangers
- New York Islanders
The division as a whole is very strong, but I don't see four teams making it to the postseason again. If Martin Brodeur still performs like Martin Brodeur, then three will make it.
I'm going to jump on the Philadelphia bandwagon and choose them to win because on paper, they have a very strong team. They are talented up the middle, with Carter, Richards, and Briere, and they are loaded on defense. You want size, how about this for size? Chris Pronger, 6-6, Braydon Coburn, 6-5, Ryan Parent, 6-3, and Ole-Kristian Tollefsen, 6-2. Throw in playmaker Kimmo Timonen, and the defense will be tough to play against. Scoring shouldn't be a problem with Simon Gagne returning to form and Danny Briere having something to prove. Ray Emery might not be the best goalie in the world, but with this bunch in front of him he might not need to be.
Oh yeah, that dude named Pronger always seems to play on successful teams, what's up with that?
It's really not necessary to delve into the Penguins lineup very much. They have all the key pieces returning. The question is, do they have enough in the tank, mentally and physically, to do it again? Will the recent signing of Ryan Bayda push them over the top?
They will be dangerous in the playoffs, but I don't think they will win the division.
Jersey has taken a step back with the loss of Brian Gionta and Jacques Lemaire's "defense at all costs" style finally wore out it's welcome in Minnesota. Don't expect sell out crowds in Newark to watch the mastermind in action. Since the lockout, you also need to score goals in this league to win and Lemaire has not warmed up to that idea. Just ask Marian Gaborik, who begged out of Minnesota because of that defensive system.
Having said that, the Devils will be very good and should not be taken lightly. I just don't see them repeating as division champs.
The New York Rangers are a bit of a mystery. You look at the roster and wonder how these guys can win. Ryan Callahan, Christopher Higgins, and Brandon Dubinsky are solid players, but not superstars. Of course much rides on the groins of Marian Gaborik, but even if he is healthy, will it matter? Overpaid and under-performing Wade Redden still takes up space at the blueline. Marc Staal can only do so much.
Henrik Lundqvist is still a good goalie, but not good enough to push these guys into the playoffs.
The New York Islanders have a lot of young talent and should be fun to watch. But the final scores might be a bit painful. Sit back and enjoy Islander fans while there is no pressure to win.
_____
Now it's your turn to choose:
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Go Devils
They’re my mom’s team so I got to pull for them, especially over the Pens.
OBTW, I “love” the SportingNews:
http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/stajan.41/200217
10th place in the East for the Canes? Behind the Canadiens (4th), Rangers (7th) and Leafs (8th)?
If money's the root of all evil then why do so many
churches brow beat their members for more?
Then there's this guy
http://sean-angus.blogspot.com/2009/09/2009-2010-nhl-predictions.html
His are a lot better but I’m not sure if I should just concentrate on the “Canes can’t” stories like the one in The Sportingnews.
If money's the root of all evil then why do so many
churches brow beat their members for more?
The ESPN power rankings were aweful too.
Not just the Canes but top-to-bottom pathetic. Devils at 24? Since when?
The Canes are only behind Boston, Washington, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia in the east. I can’t really argue with that too much. I’m not touching the eastern v western conference issue this early in the season.
As for the Devils, don’t be surprised if they have a down year. The trap can’t be run effectively with just any 6 defensemen. It requires skilled players. The Devils d looks like this:
Paul Martin, Colin White, Johnny Oduya, Bryce Salvador, Mike Mottau, and Andy Greene. Any of those names strike fear in to you? The only guy in that group I like is Johnny Oduya and that’s only because I like his last name. I just don’t see the talent there to run a defensive first system. I don’t see enough offense to win games even with Broduer in net. They’ll keep things close and win a few off of work ethic, but I for one will not be surprised if NJ ends up outside of the playoffs.
Embrace big ideas!
Based on the past few years I would say crazy pants indeed, however,I have read a lot of print that states Tampa is going to be a team that must be dealt with.
by hotchipsnsalsa on Sep 29, 2009 6:55 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m not sold on Ray Emery either, but he has been a decent goaltender in the past. I believe that had he not been in Ottawa his issues would have just been taken as standard nutty goalie issues and not “ho my god he is ruining our chances of winning the cup never mind the fact that Daniel Alfreddson chokes on hot air.” He’s by no means top flight, but does Philly need a top flight goaltender to win in the regular season? How about the playoffs? My answer to both is no. They’ve got a good team that will wear down opponents. Emery just needs to be competent.
Or maybe I’m just talking up a guy trying to get someone in the fantasy league to bight on taking him since Cory ruined the chance of anyone taking Parise at # 4.
Embrace big ideas!
I don’t see Ray emery working out in Philly at all.
We all know Ray won’t have a drug issue in Philly cause you can’t find that stuff there right! Oh wait…
by Iggy Reilly on Sep 29, 2009 2:01 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
+1
Guy is not that great of a goalie. He played for a then great Ottawa team that outscored the hell outta everyone, so it didn’t matter what he did in net.
Oh yeah, and like Iggy said, he has those little drug and “disagreement” issues that occasionally pop up. Yeah, wouldn’t want him for anything.
Member of Canes Country and the Cat Scratch Reader
My guess...
Playoff teams are in bold:
1) Penguins – The Cup Champs are still deep, and should be able to win without being pushed too hard.
2) Flyers – Philly has great talent, but little depth. One or two key injuries and they’re in trouble. If Ray Emery resumes his typical off-ice antics, they’re in big trouble
3) Rangers – Lunqvist can and will carry this team to the playoffs.
4) Devils – Never bet against Lou and Marty
5) Islanders – They’ll get out of the NHL and league basement up to about 26th over-all… but that’s it.
Let's go Caps!
I agree with that. I’m not sure why people would have the Pens not winning that division. They are to talented with Dan Baylasomthing behind the bench with Crosby and Malkin. I doubt they finish #2 in that division.
As for the Devils, I don’t think they will make it. They did little to nothing in FA, and they still have a relatively old team and did nothing to solve the problems on the blueline. I don’t think they will be magical this season without new blood on that team.
Member of Canes Country and the Cat Scratch Reader
This morning the Islanders have 7 votes. Glad this is so scientific.
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by Carolyn Christians on Sep 30, 2009 7:51 AM EDT reply actions
I don’t think Philly has the depth to finish ahead of Pittsburgh.
And remember, not only do the Penguins have Ryan Bayda, but they’ll have Craig Adams for the full year. We’re talking dynasty.
Let’s see….I’m going
1. Flyers
2. Penguins
3. Devils
4. Rangers
5. Islanders
I’m kinda conflicted with Rangers/Devils picks. The Rangers didn’t do much to improve during the off-season and neither did the Devils. I’d put the Devils at the 6th seed in the East and the Rangers will be on the bubble. Actually a good division overall. Have some good teams with very different styles. And hey, Islanders, at least you have Tavares.
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