King Kamala 0 Report post Posted September 20, 2003 NFL: Detroit Lions, don't laugh they've already gotten a solid base with Harrington and Charles Rogers and with a few more decent players they could overthrow the Packers as top team in the NFC Central in 2 or 3 years. NBA: Orlando Magic, with a decent enough center these guys could be NBA champs. 'Nuff said. MLB: Tampa Bay Devil Rays...I'm serious. These guys play hard every game and always give the opponents a run for their money thanks to the excellent managing of Lou Pinella and two of the most underrated players in the game Aubrey Huff and Rocco Baldelli. They might be tied for 2nd worst team in the league but they show a hell of a lot more signs of life than The Tigers or Padres. Also the team wants to raise it's payroll by $20 million in the off season. It may sound crazy but this team could be above .500 in as little as two years with right planning. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the max 0 Report post Posted September 20, 2003 NHL: Atlanta Thrashers, Florida Panthers, Edmonton Oilers MLB: Tampa Bay Devil Rays, San Diego Padres Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alfdogg 0 Report post Posted September 20, 2003 Memphis Grizzlies. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
razazteca 0 Report post Posted September 20, 2003 In 2 Years Cowboys vs Texans in the Superbowl. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Baron 0 Report post Posted September 20, 2003 Seattle Seahawks...Its allready beginning. in the NHL: Vancouver Canucks, Montreal Candiens, New York Islanders, Buffalo Sabres Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Just John 0 Report post Posted September 20, 2003 NFL: Seahawks, Lions NBA: Rockets, Magic Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lightning Flik 0 Report post Posted September 20, 2003 Seattle Seahawks...Its allready beginning. That I agree with for the NFL. They are looking like a good team in the years to come. Although, those jerseys are ugly. But not as ugly as Calgary Flames's Flaming Horse Jersey. NHL: Atlanta. As long they can keep Dan Heatly and Ilya Kovalchuk, they've got the makings of something great there. Add one or two good defensemen/defensive minded forwards, and perhaps either find a good goalie or Dafoe actually prove he's worth a damn, and I could see them being a contender. Even though, Edmonton is a good team, they'll never get anywhere unless they can get some more cash flowing to keep stars they build or be able to get some top talent. Although, Lowe has done a good job replacing people. As they've stayed the same since he took over from Sather. NBA: Orlando. They've got the pieces in place, and as mentioned, just give them a good centre and watch them make some runs for the Championship. MLB: Tampa Bay. They've got a team that consistantly shows up and they got pieces that when they fall in place, they will have a shot at contending. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest gthureson Report post Posted September 20, 2003 The Oilers need to get past that 1st round hump. They play hard, they're entertaining, they just can't seem to polish off the Stars. Anybody but Dallas first round this year, please. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brush with Greatness 0 Report post Posted September 20, 2003 Without a doubt the Florida Panthers. I still think guys like Denis Shvidki will come into their own as well giving this team scary potential. Atlanta also has a good nucleus with Kovalchuk, Heatley, Lehtonen and Braydon Coburn. They really need to build some strength around that. Edmonton, possibly, depending on how the new CBA works out. However, Edmonton has been a team of the future for about the past 7-8 years. Looking at Florida: G Roberto Luongo (4th - 97) Jani Hurme (58th - 97) Simon Lajeunesse (48th - 99) D Mathieu Biron (21st - 98) Jay Bouwmeester (3rd - 02) Lukas Krajicek (24th - 01) Kristian Kudroc (28th - 99) Andrea Lilja (54th - 00) Branislav Mezei (10th - 99) Filip Novak (64th - 00) Kyle Rossiter (30th - 98) Mike Van Ryn (26th - 98) F Nathan Horton (3rd - 03) Olli Jokinen (3rd - 97) Vaclav Nedorost (14th - 00) Petr Taticek (9th - 02) Stephen Weiss (4th - 01) Jaroslav Bednar (51st - 01) Kristian Huselius (47th - 97) Denis Shvidki (12th - 99) Anthony Stewart (25th - 03) They have 7 top 10 picks from the last 7 drafts. On top of that, they have 7 other first rounders from those drafts and 7 second rounders from those drafts. That's 14 first rounders over the past 7 drafts. As well, they have guys like Viktor Kozlov (6th - 93) Valeri Bure (33rd - 92), Matt Cullen (35th - 96), Juraj Kolnik, etc that will fill out the roster nicely. It's now all about players living up to their potential. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lightning Flik 0 Report post Posted September 20, 2003 And no offense to Mr. Florida fan, but they've been like Edmonton. They've been a team of the future for awhile now and haven't done anything to go beyond it. The Oilers need to get past that 1st round hump. They play hard, they're entertaining, they just can't seem to polish off the Stars. Anybody but Dallas first round this year, please. Are you kidding? I WANT THEM to play Dallas. As I'm tired of seeing other teams waste them out. Shit, I was pissed of who it was last year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brush with Greatness 0 Report post Posted September 20, 2003 I'm no Florida fan but to argue with their potential right now would be idiotic. At no point in time have they had this strength. It's generally regarded that goalies take six years to develop and skaters five (which is why the waiver rules are set as they are). Going by that logic it was guys like Jokinen, Luongo and Huselius that should have really started to hit their stride the past few years. Hmmm. The team of the future label didn't start getting thrown around until the summer of '01 when Stephen Weiss and Lucas Krajicek were drafted and Kristian Huselius really drove his stock up with his play in Europe. Since then, being the past two years, 14 of the 21 players I have mentioned have been acquired. Anyone who was calling them a team of the future before was being foolish and premature. In conclusion, according to team of the future logic, they still have a good three years to go by everyone else's label and five years to go by my accord. Edmonton on the other hand has been a team of the future for about the past 7 years. They are now past the expiration date. That isn't to say they don't have great potential but that until the CBA changes, they will never reach that potential. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kkktookmybabyaway 0 Report post Posted September 20, 2003 In this day of free agency, who knows... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lightning Flik 0 Report post Posted September 20, 2003 Edmonton on the other hand has been a team of the future for about the past 7 years. They are now past the expiration date. Uh... I think I was trying to say that, but not come out and say it outright. So if I didn't, sorry. Besides, I'm more pissed they bombed against Dallas yet again. Oh and I seriously think it's Atlanta, if they can get it together. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brush with Greatness 0 Report post Posted September 20, 2003 Yeah, I got what you were saying with Edmonton, but I thought it was unfair to compare Florida with them in this case. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
razazteca 0 Report post Posted September 20, 2003 Is Grant Hill still injuried collecting a check from the Orlando Magic? The Magic will be a contender the day Grant Hill retires and becomes an announcer for TNT. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Agent_Bond34 0 Report post Posted September 20, 2003 (edited) NBA: Orlando Magic, with a decent enough center these guys could be NBA champs. 'Nuff said. If they can get out of the first round of the playoffs, then maybe. Edited September 20, 2003 by Agent_Bond34 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted September 20, 2003 Texas Rangers Cleveland Indians Toronto Blue Jays Teams with good minor league talent, and in the case of the Jays, good management. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cartman 0 Report post Posted September 20, 2003 well I know alot of you willl laugh at this and call me a Homer, or drunk. NBA: Celtics...Yes THE Celtics. They actually have been really good the last two years already, and with Banks running the point they just got alot better IMHO. The Vin Baker situation is pretty much the most important factor right now. If he somehow comes back from rehab and plays like the old Baker he might just be what they need as a big man. If he is still crap they are screwed by his contract for the next couple years. Luckily I really like all the rookies this year and I think they can play if Baker can't anyways. MLB: Tampa Bay, Cleveland. I look at these two teams right now, and I see nothing but positives for them both. Both using their great young talent early to give them much needed experience. Both aren't as bad as their records show. Tampa Bay could be a contender in another division, and with better starting pitching of course. The bad thing about the D-Rays is that they have two perennial playoff contending, and rich, teams in their Division. The same goes for the Blue Jays. I'm sure someday New York and Boston will stop being the annual frontrunners of the AL East, but that might not be until after they get a real salary cap in baseball. NFL: With Parity running rampant who the hell knows. No teams can really establish dynasty runs like say Buffalo and Dallas have in recent past. Yea I know Buffalo never won the SB in those years but they were always great. If anything I think Houston and Detroit look REAL good in 2 more years. NHL: Nobody. There might not be ANY NHL the way things look right now. WHL? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted September 20, 2003 The Wild Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Ghost of bps21 0 Report post Posted September 20, 2003 MLB: Yankees. It's not like they're going to stop spending. NFL: Impossible to say with the salary cap. In 5 years even teams like the Lions and Texans could be in cap hell. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ripper 0 Report post Posted September 20, 2003 The Phoenix Suns. Amare Stodemire, Stephon Marbury, Shawn Marion, Zarko whatshisname(the guy got game), Casey Jacobson, Joe Johnson. The oldest one is Marbury and he is like 28-29. Amare, Zarko, Joe and Casey are all under 25. They are the best young team in the league. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the max 0 Report post Posted September 20, 2003 The Wild If they don't sign Gaborik, and keep up with this 'Alexandre Daigle' experiment, they won't be doing much of anything. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted September 20, 2003 The Wild If they don't sign Gaborik, and keep up with this 'Alexandre Daigle' experiment, they won't be doing much of anything. What do you mean the Wild win because of the system. *sarcasm* Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest AllCanadian Report post Posted September 20, 2003 It's more than just solid talent in the case of my 2 favorite sports teams(Canucks and Jays). I see too much talent to afford. Both organizations have quality GM's commited to winning but in 3 years I don't see the Delgado/Wells/Holliday trio all together in Toronto nor Bertuzzi/Naslund/Jovonoski in Vancouver. Just too much talent worth too much money. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phoenixrising 0 Report post Posted September 21, 2003 In baseball, the San Diego Padres are definitely a team of the future. They've been down and out for a few years but they're really building a nice group of talent with young guys like Sean Burroughs and veteran stars like Brian Giles and Ryan Klesko. Add in a new park opening next year and things are looking up for San Diego. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dogbert 0 Report post Posted September 21, 2003 MLB: Tampa Bay, Toronto NHL: Calgary, Atlanta Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
treble 0 Report post Posted September 21, 2003 The Blue Jays. JP Ricciardi definitely has his plan, and the only major part their likely to lose is Carlos Delgado, who I won't be happy to see go, but I realize that he's pretty replaceable for a lot less money than he's making right now. Pitching is their weak spot right now (outside of Halladay, for the most part, but Aquilino Lopez looks to be becoming a fine set-up man or even a closer), but they have a ton of outfielders either in the big leagues right now (like Vernon Wells or Reed Johnson) or in the minors who they'll be able to move to improve the pitching corps (except for Wells, he's not going anywhere). Ricciardi says he thinks they'll become legit contenders by '08, or so, but they've shown glimpses this year that they're pretty good already, so if they can keep up that pace for a whole year, they could be sneaking into the playoffs (or at least a late season pennant race) in the next year or so. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
King Kamala 0 Report post Posted September 21, 2003 In baseball, the San Diego Padres are definitely a team of the future. They've been down and out for a few years but they're really building a nice group of talent with young guys like Sean Burroughs and veteran stars like Brian Giles and Ryan Klesko. Add in a new park opening next year and things are looking up for San Diego. Also add to the fact that they're going to try to lure Greg Maddux to join their roster (Which won't happen) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Agent of Oblivion Report post Posted September 21, 2003 The Bears and The Cubs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
