Canucks in western final

Here we are. The Canucks are in the Western Final for the first time since 1994. The story of the first two rounds of the playoffs has been two-fold.
Defeating demons (barely)
Round one showed the NHL the good and the bad of the Vancouver Canucks. Van-city was a better team than the thinned Chicago Blackhawks. Yet, Vancouver after gaining a 3-0 series lead allowed the Hawks two easy blow out wins in game 4 and 5 to let them back in the series. In game 6 the Canucks out-played the Hawk's yet Corey Crawford stole the game. In game 7, as we all know, Vancouver pulled out a victory in over-time. Despite the victory I can't help but think about how close Vancouver was to perhaps the worst collapse in NHL history. What would have it meant for Roberto Luongo's career and his psyche? I am not sure if he would have gotten over the mental mountain. However, the canucks somehow survived, and defeated their demons, which lead to the second round and the second story line for the Vancouver Canuck's.
The invincible Sedin Twins.
In the second round the canucks played a gritty Nashville team, which appeared simply happy to be there. The Canucks coaching staff decided to play the predators patient style and rely on their superior talent; The sedins, Kesler, Burrows. This worked only because Kesler played like Super-man (5g--6a-11pts). The Sedin's on the other hand played like Spider Ham and continued their weak play from the second half of round one. They played poorly, were on the ice for almost every goal against and did not contribute offensively, they looked weak on the puck and out of cinq with one another for the entire series. Yet, despite the poor play of our Art Ross trophy winners Vancouver beat a weak Nashville team and won their ticket to the Western Final for the first time since 94.
Round three
Game one was a different story for the Sedin's. Hank scored his first goal of the playoff (other than the empty netter he scored in Rd 2) and the Sedin line outplayed Jumbo Joe for most of the night. San Jose looked tired in game one and were out hustled and outworked to pucks for 2/3 of the game, esp. in the third period.
I am looking forward to Wednesday. Will San Jose find their mo-jo in the next few days? Will Luongo out play Niemi in this series? Soon we will find out.

Nucks are dominating the pucks.

Canucks are on a six game winning streak, I like it. Here are a few comments about the year thus far.

Keith Ballard is a healthy scratch tonight. Ouch.That signing is looking quite awful at the moment. I have not watched him play much yet. To be honest I have not watched that much hockey, but him being a healthy scratch is embarrassing. He has zilch points and is a minus 3 that is tied with Parent for worst among the defence. 4.5 mill is a lot to pay a healthy scratch.

From the bit of hockey I have watched..Malhotra has looked good, same with Torres..Malhotra will probably break his record for points this season, I bet. He is flying out there, and is dominant on faceoffs. The second line is coming around, but lets be honest Kesler would be a fantastic third line centre and is an average second liner. His point totals are coming back down to earth from last year, like everyone expected.

Sedins are looking good again. 87-94 points is where I see them finishing this year.

I want to see Schneids in net more, against some more serious opponents. Who cares if he plays well against Carolina? He did look good though the other night against Colorado. How about putting him up against St. Louis, LA or Detroit. Maybe they think he would piss his pants, maybe he would, all I know is I want to see how he would respond to a top tier opponent.

Prior to the canucks current road trip, they have had a very easy schedule. They had Buffalo, Carolina and Chicago coming to town after playing a game the night prior. Those are some easy wins.

All for now.

Stanley Cup pick

Their are no perfect teams in the NHL anymore because of the Cap...Therefore I am picking two good teams that are nawt perfect.

I am going with the Bruins in the East because of their combination of grit, skill and speed up front; Nathan Horton will have a coming out party in the playoffs. Combine that with Zdeno Chara on Defence and top 5 goaltender in the NHL in Tukka Rask; I like them in the East.

Chicago still has a superb top 6 led by Johnathon Toews and Patrick Sharp down the middle. On defence they have reigning Norris trophy winner Duncan Keith to munch minutes. In net they have a better option this year than last, in my opinion: Marty Turco is not spectacular but better than Anti Niemmi.

In the final, the hungry bruins will end their 39 year drought and beat the Hawks in 6.

Poolers picks

Nicklas Backstrom

Prediction: 30-83=113 pts.

Last year: 33-68=101 pts

Gilbert Brule

Prediction: 25-23=48 pts in 68 games

Last year: 17-20=37 in 65 games

Alex Burrows

Prediction: 22-19=41 in 70 games

Last year: 35-32=67 (career year)

Sidney Crosby

Prediction: 55-65=120

Last year: 51-58=109

Pavel Datsyuk

Prediction: 27-58=85

Last year: 27-43=70

Drew Doughty

Prediction: 19-46=65

Last year: 16-43=59

Simon Gagne

Prediction: 35-37=72 in 75 games

Last year: 17-23=40 in 58 games

Ryan Getzlaf

Prediction: 31-71=102

Last year: 19-50=69 in 66 games

Claude Giroux

Prediction: 35-40=75

Last year: 16-31=47

Nathan Horton

Prediction: 36-36=72

Last year: 20-37=57 in 65 games

Jiri Hudler

Prediction: 25-45=70

Last year: In Russia

Jarome Iginla

Prediction: 32-33=65

Last year: 32-37=69

Evander Kane

Prediction: 30-25=55

Last year: 14-12=26 in 66 games

Patrick Kane

Prediction: 35-60=95

Last year: 30-58=88

Mikko Koivu

Prediction: 19-44=63

Last year: 22-49=71

Vincent Lecavalier

Prediction: 35-53=88

Last year: 24-46=70

Evgeni Malkin

Prediction: 42-74=116

Last year: 28-49=77 in 67 games

Alex Ovechkin

Prediction: 67-54=121

Last year: 50-59=109 in 72 games

Corey Perry

Prediction: 35-51=86

Last year: 27-49=76

Mason Raymond

Prediction: 31-30=60

Last year:25-28=53

Bobby Ryan

Prediction: 41-41=82

Last year: 35-29=64

Mikael Samuelsson

Prediction: 36-25=61

Last year: 30-23=53 in 74 games

Daniel Sedin

Prediction: 38-57=95

Last year: 29-56=85 in 63 games

Henrik Sedin

Prediction: 25-70=95

Last year: 19-83=112

Steven Stamkos

Prediction: 42-43=85

Last year: 51-44=95

Alex Tanguay

Prediction: 13-37=50 in 68 games

Last year: 10-27=37

John Tavares

Prediction: 37-35=72

Last year: 24-30=54

Joe Thornton

Prediction: 20-71=91

Last year: 20-69=89

Jonathon Toews

Prediction: 40-50=90

Last year: 25-43=68 in 76 games

Shea Weber

Prediction: 25-35=60

Last year: 16-27=43

Henrik Zetterberg

Prediction: 30-50=80

Last year: 23-47=70 in 74 games

Bring on the criticism..

Western Conference

1. Los Angelas Kings

2. Vancouver Canucks

3. Detroit Redwings

4.Chicago Black-Hawks

5. SJ Sharks

6.Phoenix Coyotes

7. St. Louis Blues

8. Columbus Blue Jackets

9.Anahiem Ducks

10. Colorado Avalanche

11.Calgary Flames

12.Nashville Predators

13. Dallas Stars

14. Edmonton Oilers

15. Minnesota Wild

Eastern Conference

1.Washington Capitals

2.Boston Bruins

3. New Jersey Devils

4.Pittsburgh Penguins

5.Philly Flyers

6. Tampa Bay Lightning

7. Ottawa Senators

8. Carolina Hurricanes

9. Buffalo Sabres

10. Montreal Canadiens

11. Atlanta Thrashers

12. Toronto Maple Leafs

13. NY Rangers

14. NY Islanders

15. Florida Panthers

North by north west

1.Vancouver Canucks

The highest scoring team in the West last season,should be the class of the Northwest once again in 2010-11. However for the Canucks just winning a division crown wont be a victory, if an early playoff exit is to follow. To get over the top the canucks management have brought in a new goaltender coach from Montreal Roland Melanson. Melanson who had been with the Canadiens for 13 seasons and most recently had enormous success with Jaroslov Halak is expected by the canucks brass, to be the influence Roberto Luongo needs to get back to the top echelon of goaltenders.

To make Luongo’s job easier and to improve the shallow depth on defense, GM Mike Gillies signed big fish and BC born Dan Hamhuis and traded on draft day for veteran defenseman Keith Ballard. These moves and the subsequent signing of canucks RFA’s Shane Obrien and Aaron Rome leave the Canucks backend very deep; perhaps so deep that the Canucks will have to move at least one contract by the beginning of the season. The injury to Sami Salo who suffered a torn achilies tendon while playing ball hockey will however give the canucks management time to decide what direction to head and more flexibility to decide if it is necessary to make a move.

Up front the Canucks are expecting the top two lines to continue to lead the team but can’t count on similar career years from any of the top six forwards. Going into the season the canucks would like to get a boost from up and coming prospects Cody Hodgson and Jordan Shroeder. Will either of them be in the lineup opening day? Cody Hodgson is still dealing with lingering back issues and is a question mark. Regardless if the rookies make the squad or not journeyman Manny Malhotra was signed as a multi-dimentional pivot. He will be expected to be a utility player; penalty killer, win faceoffs play both wing and centre. As well Raffi Torres was brought in with hopes of him being a gritty raging bull who can score. Raffi could play at any of the four lines through out the season

Conclusion: The Canucks are looking as good as they probably ever have. The potential is there for them to be deep through out the lineup and a better team than the group they had last year. Coach Alain Vigneault has no excuse with the talent assembled and has a lot to prove in the playoffs after being out coached in the playoffs last year. The core of this team for that matter has a lot to prove.

Northwest division title once again. Loss in second round; unless new coach is hired.

2. Colorado Avalanche

The Avalanche surprised last year reaching the playoffs after only one year as near basement dwellers. The quick turn around was lead by first time starter long time backup Craig Anderson who was leaned on heavily facing the most shots of any goaltender. Up front the Avs had a spectacular rookie season from Matt Duchene and were led by Paul Stasny, along with long time Av, Miljan Hejduk.

The 1-2 punch of Stasny and Duchene down the centre should continue to be formable especially with big bodied talents such as Chris Stewart and Peter Mueller flanking the wings. Still with such a young cast it is hard to know what to expect from this group. Who will underachieve? Will injuries expose young players uncomfortable in the new rolls they have to play.

On defense last year the strategy was quite simple..let the goalie see it. With the same crew returning similar defensive lapses are likely. The avalanche are hoping that stud defensive prospect Kevin Shattenkirk can make the jump and supply the avs with depth. Long term they are hoping Shattenkirk can be a replacement for minute munching Adam Foote. He however, may be more of the ilk of an alumni by the name of Sandis Ozolinsh.

Conclusion: The Avalanche should be a middle of the pack team in the up coming season despite playing in perhaps the weakest division in the west. The Avalanche will not build on their success from last season yet. A market correction is more likely for the Avalanche. That being said they should still be in the playoff hunt this season

3. Minnesota Wild

The key for the Minnesota Wild is the return of PM Bouchard and the reemergence of Martin Havlat. If Havlat and Bouchard can both be point a game players and rub off on their line-mates it could be a surprising year in Minnesota.

Down the depth charts however the Wild are thin. Freshly re-signed Mikko Koivu is an adequate first line centre but would be better suited as a second liner. The same goes for Matt Cullen who would be a superb third line centre for any team. He is penciled in as the second liner. This is the problem with the forward group, it can not afford the injury that will certainly strike. It simply, just does not have enough depth.

The defense is a decent top five with the likes of Burns, Barker and Zanon; but like the forwards the defense also lacks depth. It will be important for the developing players to step in as the Wild will likely wait to acquire more temporary depth till the season progresses. For this to be a superb defence this season the top 5 needs to over-achieve. I don’t see that happening.

With new coaching last season, Nicklas Backstrom saw his numbers plummet behind a roster that did not keep up with the rest of the west. The shift in philosophy of rookie coach Todd Richards, from the trap imposed by Jaques Lemaire to a more wide open style last year did not have the hoped for effect, as the thin group could not keep up with deeper more talented clubs.

Conclusion:There should not be any surprises in St. Paul Minnesota this coming season. With more or less the same cast from last year and the continued tuterlage of Todd Richards the Wild will not be the phoenix coyotes of 2010-11. They will be a non play-off team once again.

4.Calgary Flames

The flames went from a high scoring team, who could not keep the puck out of their own net in 08-09 under Mike Keenan, to the lowest scoring team of all 30 teams in 2009-2010 under Brent Sutter. Daryl Sutter has always had the reputation as a GM who can pull the trigger on a big trade or a big signing. However, for the flames this trigger happy strategy by GM Sutter has left the flames as a dysfunctional confused team.

This summer Daryl Sutter saw the remedy to the illness of his team, being the re-signing Alex Tanguay and Oli Jokinen, two former players that he has traded away in the past couple seasons. I like everyone was surprised that TSN was not reporting a hoax when they reported the two signings.

Going into the upcoming season the flames will once again like last season, be one of the stingiest teams to score against but will again struggle mightily to score goals. The Defence is strong and Mikka Kiprusoff has proven when his team plays a good system that he will be solid.

The flames are hoping with desperation that prospect Mikael Backlund will be ready for the big time this season. Backlund who is full of potential is needed for top line duty as Jarome Iginla’s Centre. This would be a needed surprise for the flames but is not something the flames can count on.

Conclusion: I think the flames will likely self destruct this season. The top six is lack-luster and depth in the system after that is non-existent. I am not sure how The Sutter tandem has not already been canned. Too many years have passed for the Flames owner-ship to use the 2004 stanley cup run or Daryl’s success in San Jose as license for him still being the GM of this team. He has made too many awful decisions. The signing of Jay Boumeester and the non- signing of Michael Cammaleri was the beginning of the end for Sutter. He and his management group have left this team void of a prospect pool. The present is murky as well as the future. Its time for this ship to be turned around. Expect no better than 11th or 12th in the West this season.

5. Edmonton Oilers

Their is once again excitement in Oil country as the loyal fan base awaits three fresh faced Rookies to supply the entertainment in the upcoming season. Hall, Pavaji and Eberle will more than likely be the trio that the Oilers build their forward cast around in the the coming years. As for this year if all three members of the trio are ready for primetime they should give edmonton many scoring options up front. Size and grit however will likely still be lacking in the forward group.

One more budding prospect that could sneak underneath the radar is Linus Omark who could potentially have some chemistry with his countryman Magnus Paajarvi.

Regardless of the abundance of young talent the forward cast is still not free of its blemishes. For example, number one centre Shawn Horcoff is far from a great number one centre and does not match up well against the other teams top checking lines.

On Defence the oilers are hoping for leadership and consistent play from Ryan Whitney who has been shipped from team to team the past two seasons. The other hopeful pillar of the Oiler defence is Tom Gilbert who will be needed in top form if the oilers are hoping to compete this season. Towering Kurtis Foster who was signed to a two year contract this summer could supply depth. Ultimately their will be a lot of competition for spots in training camp and could be room for prospect Theo Peckham to be in the top six.

The goaltending situation is even more mirky than the defence. With Veteran Nikolai Khabibulin charged with drunk driving and his status unknown management brought in from switzerland a familiar face in Martin Gerber to compete with youngsters Jeff Deslaurliers and Devan Debnyk. It is likely that all four could see action between the pipes this season. Ideally the oilers would like Khabibulin to split time with one of the young guns and have the other be the starter for the AHL affiliate Bulldogs. It could get messy keeping everyone happy.

Conclusion: It ultimately could be a messy season once again in Edmonton. Wins will be hard to come by for a team that is sorting its self out. Management is working on getting the distractions out of the locker room and still has its work cut out for them. The changing of the guard is happening as we speak.

Last place in division