NHL: The 2008-09 Season

[Irish Blues]

I'm surprised the Blackhawks made it to the conference finals. I won't be surprised if the Red Wings knock them out in 5 games or less.

AFA the Red Wings waltzing to the Cup: I wouldn't go bet on it just yet. I think the Penguins learned a huge lesson last year, and Carolina has all kinds of confidence in their goalie [who backstopped them to the Cup in 2006] and has a good chunk of that team still around. Would it surprise me if Detroit did it? No - but I don't think it's a slam dunk by any means.

That said, I think Detroit's days on top of the NHL are really numbered. I figure they've got maybe 2 more years and that's it - after that, they'll still be a very good team but not a perennial Cup favorite. I also think Dan Cleary is playing the best hockey of his career by far - the kind of hockey that makes you realize why he was a #7 overall pick.

[mandersonjr]

I really dont think their years are numbered, yes zet, dat, frazen, and lid arwe going to be out of their prime, and lid probably wont play for that many more years. But look at their farm system and the people they bring up during the middle of the year just to give them playing time helm, and leino are going to be the red wings next big stars....red wings are deep and its nice to be a hometown fan =) I miss tha avs and red wings rivarly from the 90's, I wish a rivarly like that starts back up in the NHL soon, they need it

[Irish Blues]

Well, what do you know.

-- Blackhawks out in 5, like I predicted
-- Pens triumph over Wings in 7 for the Cup.

Now ... the draft in a week, and on to free agency and the '09-10 season.

[mandersonjr]

The NHL wanted the penguins to win the cup and it was obvious. The 2nd goal in game 7 was icing, but hey that doesnt matter does it because sid the ''''' won a cup

[mandersonjr]

What do you think will happen to Hossa, and Dany Heatley

[tyhawk10]

Well, what do you know.

-- Blackhawks out in 5, like I predicted
-- Pens triumph over Wings in 7 for the Cup.

Now ... the draft in a week, and on to free agency and the '09-10 season.

Very nice prediction Irish Blues.

Woo! Free agency starts on Wednesday....2 more days. The NHL.com site had a list of the top 50 free agents for this summer if anyone wants to check it out.

Hossa will most likely chase money....but do you guys think his offers will drop from last year? There were rumors that he was getting offered around 7 yr / 50 mill. I am anxious to see if those numbers drop since he is a very poor playoff producer unless playing along side Sid.

Heatley, that situation is crazy. No idea whats going to happen.

How about the Flyers....Does anyone else think they gave up WAY to much for Pronger?? Plus, they have to get rid of someone for cap reasons, Briere is most likely gone come July 1.

Can't wait to find out.

[tyhawk10]

I miss tha avs and red wings rivarly from the 90's, I wish a rivarly like that starts back up in the NHL soon, they need it

I agree....nothing compares to those rivilaries in the 90's.

Us Pens fans.....we are really getting used to the idea of knocking those Flyers out year after year after year. That will never get old.

And we've been ending the Capitals playoff dreams since the mid 90's. Nothing new there.

However, since the lockout ended, look at all the newer players from the past 5 years that are establishing themselves as "franchise" or "superstar" players:

Look at the east:

Canes: Eric Staal
Devils: Zach Parise
Flyers: Jeff Carter, Mike Richards
Pens: Malkin, Crosby
Lightening: Stamkos
Caps: Ovie, Semin, Backstrom, Green

And the West:
Ducks: Ryan Getzlaf, Bobby Ryan
Flames: Phaneuf
Hawks: Kane, Toews
Blue Jackets: Nash, Steve Mason
Avs: Stastny
LA: Kopitar, Brown
Sharks: Setoguchi
Blues: McDonald, Boyes



Those few years before the lockout, the past "superstars" of the 90's were getting old and those rivalries were getting old with them.

But these newer players are already bringing a lot more to the game since the lockout has ended, and hopefully new rivalries will be formed.

[mandersonjr]

I hope the wings and pens play for next years stanley cup, and it gets more aggressive then this years. I enjoyed it alot. Can't wait till October =)

[tyhawk10]

What does everyone think now that the free agency dust has settled?

I'm surprised to see Sykora still unsigned. He has consistently put up 20 goal seasons. He doesn't fit in with the Penguins new fast paced system, but he sure could be useful somewhere.

Irish Blues, how about that Central Division of yours? Keeps getting tougher every year eh?

[tyhawk10]

Irish Blues, did you run the nhlscap.com site?