Guest DJ Jeff Report post Posted September 14, 2002 I would have to go with the New Jersey Devils or the Toronto Maple Leafs. However, I like the Red Wings' chances of repeating. What about everyone else? Who will win Lord Stanley for 2003? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest treble charged Report post Posted September 14, 2002 ... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest bob_barron Report post Posted September 14, 2002 As a fan of both the Devils and Leafs i have to say I don't think they'll win. The Devils lost Holik and have made some questionable moves. The Leafs lost Cujo and gained Belfour. Nuff said Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest converge241 Report post Posted September 14, 2002 Devils are my favorite team, but I think it will be Philly Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest The Superstar Report post Posted September 14, 2002 FLAMES!! PANTHERS!! Why am I a fan of all the crappy teams? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Grenouille Report post Posted September 14, 2002 Colorado Avalanche. Too many weapons not to win. and just remember Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest KK Rage Report post Posted September 14, 2002 DETROIT RED WINGS Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest evilhomer Report post Posted September 14, 2002 On paper I'd pick either the Avalanche or The Red Wings. Too much power on them to ignore. But you never know what's going to happen until the games start. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest RobJohnstone Report post Posted September 14, 2002 mark my words, this is the islanders year --Rob Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest gthureson Report post Posted September 14, 2002 Leafs: Defence is still questionable. Their forwards are all solid, some even spectacular. Their D, on the other, is based around 3 guys, and one of them had his best year about six years ago. (That being Svehla.) Pilar may be a good one, but he may also be the next Norm MacIver. A D-man who can post points, but not much else. Goaltending is suspect not from a talent point of view (both Kidd and Belfour are talented) but from a mental health point of view (they are both nuts). Still, the conference lacks a powerhouse, so the Leafs might make it through. Devils: I'm fascinated by the fact that they hired Burns, a guy who has always ran his team around a defensive system first, offence second, and then went out and retooled with guys who I don't think will fit that system. I like Jeff Friesen. I like Tverdovsky. I just don't think Burnsie will. But they are still a solid team that can compete. Flyers: Too many overrated players. JR, Primeau, Leclair, Desjardins. Not enough mobility and puck movement from the blueline. A goalie the team hates. No Cup for them. Capitals: Jagr isn't the man to carry this team. When did he ever lead the Penguins? He may have been the superstar when Lemieux left, but Ronnie Francis was the leader. Hurricanes: I don't think they will go to the Cup finals again, but I think the trip will do them alot of good. Face it, they are a good team. Bruins: I just have to shake my head. Its almost like the Bruins don't want to win. They could have locked up Guerin during the season for less than the Stars paid him. Oh well. If they find a goalie, they'll be good. If the don't, they will fight for one of the bottom two playoff spots. Sens: Great season, bad playoffs. Rinse, repeat. Islanders: Alot of things came together for them last season. They'll make the playoffs, but I don't think they will do nearly as well. Thats how I see the East. If a team ain't mentioned, its because I don't think they have a snowballs chance in hell. The West? Red Wings: Have to be the favorite, so I think cracks are starting to show. Yzerman is gone for half the season, Joseph isn't as good as Hasek, their core is another year older. Time to see if guys like Datsyuk or Williams are as good as their hype, 'cause they'll get a chance with Yzerman out. Need another d-man to take pressure off their top 4. Avalanche: They need defenceman. If they find them, they have as much of a chance as the Red Wings. If they don't, maybe the conference finals. Kings: A good core, not enough support players. And they have Potvin. Felix Potvin will never win a Stanley Cup. San Jose: Good, solid team. Nothing flashy, really, but can maybe take Detroit in a seven game series. Stars: I liked Dave Tippet as a player. But lotsa new players + new coach usually means adjustment period. Good, not great team now. Canucks: Thin blue line, questionable goaltending. I'm hoping Cloutier uses last years red line goal to mature, but other guys have never recovered from stuff like that. Need guys that aren't on the first line to step up. Sedin twins need to play like two guys who aren't sharing the same statline. Everybody else is an also ran, including my beloved Oilers. But them and the Yotes are still capable of pulling some upsets and maybe going to the conference finals, but they don't have the jam to win it all. Red Wings are best bet in the West. East is far too open. If you forced me to choose, I'd probably like the Devils. Still lots of guys who know what it takes on that team. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MaxPower27 Report post Posted September 14, 2002 Well, I love the Sens and Bruins, but gthureson is absolutely right. I say the Sharks. Every year, they advance more and more, I think that this is their year. What does everyone think of the Rangers. I think that they're gonna eat it, but that's just my opinion. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest LaParkaMarka Report post Posted September 15, 2002 I doubt the Rangers are going to do any good at all this year. It really seems like it's either the Avalanche or the Red Wings, just because they are so loaded with talent. Of course, I'll be cheering for my beloved Canucks...if Cloutier can regain the form he had in the 2nd half of last season, and Naslund and Bertuzzi continue to light up the net, they are going to be a tough team to beat. Another team that does look pretty good is the Sharks, though I'm not too sure about their goaltending. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest RobJohnstone Report post Posted September 15, 2002 It seems to me whenever I watch the rangers play, I am just waiting for lindross to get injured. I don't dislike the guy but he is so fragile. He'll be gone for a large chunk of next season, mark my words --Rob Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Vern Gagne Report post Posted September 15, 2002 mark my words, this is the islanders year --Rob If you think Billy Smith, Dennis Potvin, Bryan Trottier, and Mike Bossy are gonna skate onto the Nassau Ice to save the Islanders. Well guess again Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest redbaron51 Report post Posted September 15, 2002 The cup is coming back for the 25th time this year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest nl5xsk1 Report post Posted September 15, 2002 Dallas: adding scoring and dropping Hitchcock will get them back to the Western elite ... if their goaltending holds up, they have as good of a chance as anyone. If not Dallas, either Colorado or Detroit. There's just not as many talented teams in the East, so I think it'll definitely be a Western Conference team. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Hogan Made Wrestling Report post Posted September 15, 2002 The Wings are winning it again, and this time they will play San Jose in the finals. The Sharks will win the Cup in the 2003-2004 season. www.letsgowings.com Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest treble charged Report post Posted September 15, 2002 The Wings are winning it again, and this time they will play San Jose in the finals. The Sharks will win the Cup in the 2003-2004 season. www.letsgowings.com Who's changing conferences? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Grenouille Report post Posted September 15, 2002 The Wings are winning it again, and this time they will play San Jose in the finals. The Sharks will win the Cup in the 2003-2004 season. www.letsgowings.com Who's changing conferences? The Western Finals might as well decide the Cup. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Slingshot Suplex Report post Posted September 16, 2002 Can't they just start the season already? I'm getting antsy. Although my fantasy team isn't ready yet so this is giving me time to churn over it many times. Oh and my choice....Colorado's gotta be the front runner.The Wings would be my preferred choice but I'm not totally spoiled.I'm pretty much open to anybody winning it except any team with players named Lindros (although I admit I am building some respect for the fact that he keeps coming back and playing at a top level). I just hope it's not Philly or the Rangers so I don't have to have ESPN shove them at me at all angles. And I would love to see Tampa do some good this year.I have a soft spot for them because there are a few ex Detroit Vipers on their roster. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Kahran Ramsus Report post Posted September 16, 2002 Colorado. Detroit is about to find out that Joseph can't win shit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest packwingfn Report post Posted September 16, 2002 Either the Red Wings or the Islanders (go osgood) Hopefully both make it to the finals and that would be sweet! And for the person who wondered if Datsyuk will live up to the hype? did you watch the playoffs last year? Datsyuk was schooling all of the hurricanes with his fancy play, this guy will be the future captain and star of the red wings, no doubt. I also hope Hockey season comes quicker, only 24 days left, Im almost gettin antsy cus this year Im gettin the Hockey package to recieve all the games for only $150 a year, not too bad specially since ESPN is cuttin down on their games cus of stupid Basketball on ESPN now, ugh Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Youth N Asia Report post Posted September 16, 2002 Wings over Leafs in 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest gthureson Report post Posted September 17, 2002 Alexandre Daigle looked pretty sweet his rookie year too. So did Pat Falloon. Gilbert Dionne had Habs fans convinced he'd be a 50 goal guy every year. Like I said, the jury is out on Datsyuk. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Phr33k Report post Posted September 17, 2002 Hey, don't knock Pat Falloon! I say the Wings are taking it again. Joseph will be motivated without the Mighty Quinn around to bitch him out for everything. They'll have to defeat the Senators to get there, bold prediction here. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest gthureson Report post Posted September 18, 2002 Nothing personal against Falloon. His rookie year, I thought, "25 goals, 53 points for a god-awful Sharks team. Thats pretty damned good." Little did I know that would be the best hockey he ever played in the NHL. If I'm picking the Wings, I'm picking them to win it despite Joseph, not because of him. I don't think he is much of a clutch goaltender. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Powerplay Report post Posted September 18, 2002 Colorado has little to no defensive depth. Avs Defense=Blake. Roy can carry you for a while, but we saw in Game 7 last year that he can only get you so far with an anemic defensive unit. They've made no real changes there, and Forsberg won't be totally fresh during the playoffs, which also helped their team out greatly. My pick is Detroit since they have the best depth all around (Offensive, Defensive, and Goaltending wise with CuJo and the best backup in the league, Manny Legace) and still can turn it on in the playoffs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Slingshot Suplex Report post Posted September 18, 2002 Yeah I see your point about the Avs defense...Blake,Foote (if he can stay healthy ever) are good.DeVries and Skoula are ok.....that's about it.Unless they're planning on just plain outscoring everyone 6-5. I change my 'frontrunner' vote but I don't know to who yet. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest redbaron51 Report post Posted September 18, 2002 I would love to see Detroit win the cup, and Toronto barely making it to the playoffs, and it shows leaf fans that Cujo was the team Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Grenouille Report post Posted September 18, 2002 I think Skoula and de Vries are both grossly underrated. By the time you work your way to the third line you have Eric Messier and Bryan Muir who do there job well enough, grinding. I wouldn't blame game 7 on Roy or the D. Everyone was dragging in the game. The old men took advantage and won the cup right there since everyone knows the Western finals may as well decide the cup. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
