NHL Preview-The Finalists

by Pete Gegick
So, today is the first day of hockey. Which means people go from this

to this.


Dear God. It's finally here. Time to finish this up so Carolina/Minnesota can take first priority.

10) Phoenix Coyotes

The whipping boy of the NHL finally came around last season, as the Coyotes made the playoffs for the first time since the 2001-02 season. The team is looking to do it again this year, behind a talented group of offensive players, led by Captain Shane Doan and talented youngster Martin Hanzal. When defenseman Keith Yandle and Ed Jovanoski are added to the equation, the team is a playoff contender. Adding elite goalie Ilya Bryzgalov makes this team a legitimate contender for the Stanley Cup.

Of course, the only headline about the Coyotes that matters this season will be the title, "Coyotes to Winnipeg."

9) St. Louis Blues

The Cinderella of the '08 season apparently lost its invitation in the mail last year. Compounding the situation is the loss of Keith Tkachuk, one of the league's great power forwards.

But the team brings back talented young forwards T.J. Oshie and David Perron, talented young defenseman in Erik Johnson, Roman Polak and Alex Pieterangelo, and a possibly young, elite goaltender in Jaroslav Halak. If the youngsters find some veteran leadership, the team will make some noise come playoff time.

8)Philadelphia Flyers

The Flyers made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals last year, before bowing out after six games to the Chicago Blackhawks. Make no mistake though, the team is stacked with physical players who have no problem dropping the gloves. Chief among them is Mike Richards, the captain, and possibly the best two-way player in hockey.

(Richards is as tough as they come)

Factor in edgy defenseman Chris Pronger, along with high-scoring Jeff Carter, and this team has the potential to be the "Beast of the East." If the team can find a consistent goaltender, look out.

7)Washington Capitals

Yes, the team returns the top center in Nicklas Backstrom, the best offensive defenseman in Mike Green, and the "top" player in the NHL, Alexander Ovechkin. Yes, it's Alexander Semin's contract year, which means a 100 point season isn't out of the question. Yes, the team has Brooks Laich, Jeff Schultz, and Mike Knuble, top-level players that any other team would love to have.

But there's too many unresolved questions to put the Capitals any higher. Who will be the 2nd-line center? Will a physical defenseman finally emerge? Can 22-year-old Semyon Varlamov handle the pressure as the undispute #1 in Washington? If the team can answer the questions, there's a chance that they can win the Stanley Cup. If not, though, the team will have a tough time when they reach the postseason.

6) Los Angeles Kings

After revamping the team last season, the Kings are finally among the elite in the Wester Conference. Behind the offensive production of budding superstar Anze Kopitar, and power forwards Wayne Simmonds, Dustin Brown, and Ryan Smyth, the team can produce goals in any number of ways.

With management signing defensive wizard Willie Mitchell to assist in the development of Norris-candidate Drew Doughty, and two other talented blue-liners in Rob Scuderi and Jack Johnson, Los Angeles has the talent and depth to play against anyone. If goaltender Jonathan Quick can keep the team in games, Los Angeles can finally take the Cup home.

5) Buffalo Sabres

Any preview of the Sabres begins and ends with Ryan Miller. He's one of the elite goalies in the league, and his talents were most visible during the United States' march to the gold medal game during the Winter Olympics. He needs to keep it up if his team even wants to make the playoffs, let alone march to the Cup.


(Plus, he wore a tuque in-game. How cool is that?)

It won't be all Miller though, as he now has one of the best young defenseman in Calder Trophy-winning Tyler Myers. Factor in offensive dynamos Jason Pominville, Derek Roy and Thomas Vanek, along with Syracuse native Tim Connolly, and this team is built for a cup run. The wait in Buffalo for a championship could end this year.

4)San Jose Sharks

The team is obviously gifted offensively, as it's top unit of Joe Thornton, Dany Heatley, and Patrick Marleau was also the top unit for Team Canada during the Olympics. With Joe Pavelski and Ryan Clowe adding depth, the team has enough firepower to outscore anyone in the league. Offensive-minded Dan Boyle also contributes from his spot on the defense, and is one of the toughest players in the league to contain.

The rest of the defense is a carbon copy of Douglas Murray: big and merciless. The signing of Stanley Cup-winning goaltender Antti Niemi should give the Sharks the opportunity to take the Cup back to "The Shark Tank."

3)Pittsburgh Penguins

Any team that has Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin on it is automatically a contender. The two can put up 50 goals and over 100 points per season, and will be gunning for those marks this year. Factor in two-way player Jordan Staal(out till November), and a group of role players who can score, fight, and wear the other team down, and the Penguins could be the toughest team to play in the NHL.


(There's a reason every team hates Pittsburgh.)

Plus, the team shored up its defense by signing Zbynek Michalek and Paul Martin, two players who were defensive stalwarts for their previous teams. With Brooks Orpik and Kris Letang assisting goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, the team has a ridiculous amount of talent. Expect playoff games in May at the Consol Energy Center.

2) Boston Bruins

Yes, the team lost Marc Savard. But since they gained talented rookie Tyler Seguin, the point could be moot. With a bevy of talented forwards, led by Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci and Milan Lucic, the team has forwards that fit every style of play. Include the trade that brought talented Nathan Horton from Florida, and it's beginning to look a little unfair in Boston.

Defensively, the team has the "Tower of Power" in 6-8 Zdeno Chara. He's flanked by a variety of other d-men, from the shutdown, brawling style of Andrew Ference, to offensive specialist Johnny Boychuk. With Tuuka Rask now firmly entrenched as the starter, the team should be able to win the East. But they will fall to...

1) Vancouver Canucks

The Sedin twins, one of which just one a Hart Trophy. Roberto Luongo, the goaltender who backstopped Team Canada to a gold medal. Alexander Burrows dominating in his ultimate pest role. The blue line pair of Dan Hamhuis and Keith Ballard, two of the best free agents signings by the time. Ryan Kesler finally becoming a household name.

This could go on through the entire time, or it can just be said that this team is stacked. If everything falls into place, the Canucks will finally allow the tortured fan base of Vancouver to enjoy a Stanley Cup.



(If that doesn't get people fired up, nothing else will)

And now, to quote Rafiki,...

"It is time."