3afan
10-04-2005, 02:26 PM
Does anyone care about the NHL starting up soon? Here is the DMN's quickie preview:
PACIFIC
1. Dallas: Barring injuries, Stars have fewer holes than any other team in the division.
2. San Jose: Great, young team can win it all if goaltending steps up.
3. Anaheim: New GM brings aggressive offense, physicality to the Mighty Ducks.
4. Phoenix: Solid lineup, but age and goaltending are significant concerns.
5. Los Angeles: Can jump all the way to the top if goaltending is great.
CENTRAL
1. Detroit: As always, plenty of skill and plenty of discipline.
2. Nashville: A much better team in a weaker division.
3. Chicago: Much better, but there's still plenty of work to do.
4. St. Louis: Injury-prone and ill-fitting. Goalie Patrick Lalime will rescue a few points.
5. Columbus: Marc Denis might be the league's worst No. 1 goalie.
NORTHWEST
1. Calgary: Should pick right up from 2004. Darryl Sutter is the key.
2. Vancouver: Still a strong regular- season team that underachieves in the playoffs.
3. Colorado: Great offensive prowess but needs help on defense.
4. Edmonton: Are Chris Pronger and Michael Peca really the way to get better?
5. Minnesota: Took a step back.
ATLANITC
1. Philadelphia: Solid personnel and great coaching. Ken Hitchcock leads the way.
2. New Jersey: The Devils should take a huge step backward. Martin Brodeur won't let them.
3. NY Islanders: A surprisingly good lineup should help goalie Rick DiPietro step up.
4. Pittsburgh: Everyone wants them to do well, but this is a tough division.
5. NY Rangers: At least they're trying to rebuild, and they do have one line.
NORTHEAST
1. Ottawa: Most talented forwards in the league. Dany Heatley and Jason Spezza have chemistry.
2. Montreal: Don't underestimate the impact of a Bob Gainey building program.
3. Boston: Plenty of help up front, but the defense might be the weak link.
4. Buffalo: Renovation on a budget could prove worthy of While You Were Out.
5. Toronto: Plenty of talent, but too many risky bits in this puzzle.
SOUTHEAST
1. Tampa Bay: Getting John Grahame and Sean Burke in goal should patch the hole.
2. Atlanta: There is potential for significant improvement.
3. Florida: Jacques Martin gets the greatest challenge of his coaching career.
4. Carolina: On paper, the Hurricanes are the second-worst team in the league. On ice, they are better than that.
5. Washington: Cut last-minute deals just to get up to minimum payroll.
PACIFIC
1. Dallas: Barring injuries, Stars have fewer holes than any other team in the division.
2. San Jose: Great, young team can win it all if goaltending steps up.
3. Anaheim: New GM brings aggressive offense, physicality to the Mighty Ducks.
4. Phoenix: Solid lineup, but age and goaltending are significant concerns.
5. Los Angeles: Can jump all the way to the top if goaltending is great.
CENTRAL
1. Detroit: As always, plenty of skill and plenty of discipline.
2. Nashville: A much better team in a weaker division.
3. Chicago: Much better, but there's still plenty of work to do.
4. St. Louis: Injury-prone and ill-fitting. Goalie Patrick Lalime will rescue a few points.
5. Columbus: Marc Denis might be the league's worst No. 1 goalie.
NORTHWEST
1. Calgary: Should pick right up from 2004. Darryl Sutter is the key.
2. Vancouver: Still a strong regular- season team that underachieves in the playoffs.
3. Colorado: Great offensive prowess but needs help on defense.
4. Edmonton: Are Chris Pronger and Michael Peca really the way to get better?
5. Minnesota: Took a step back.
ATLANITC
1. Philadelphia: Solid personnel and great coaching. Ken Hitchcock leads the way.
2. New Jersey: The Devils should take a huge step backward. Martin Brodeur won't let them.
3. NY Islanders: A surprisingly good lineup should help goalie Rick DiPietro step up.
4. Pittsburgh: Everyone wants them to do well, but this is a tough division.
5. NY Rangers: At least they're trying to rebuild, and they do have one line.
NORTHEAST
1. Ottawa: Most talented forwards in the league. Dany Heatley and Jason Spezza have chemistry.
2. Montreal: Don't underestimate the impact of a Bob Gainey building program.
3. Boston: Plenty of help up front, but the defense might be the weak link.
4. Buffalo: Renovation on a budget could prove worthy of While You Were Out.
5. Toronto: Plenty of talent, but too many risky bits in this puzzle.
SOUTHEAST
1. Tampa Bay: Getting John Grahame and Sean Burke in goal should patch the hole.
2. Atlanta: There is potential for significant improvement.
3. Florida: Jacques Martin gets the greatest challenge of his coaching career.
4. Carolina: On paper, the Hurricanes are the second-worst team in the league. On ice, they are better than that.
5. Washington: Cut last-minute deals just to get up to minimum payroll.