Okay folks, it's that time of year again. Here with the annual predictions on the 2003-2004 NHL season. Who's going to the play-offs this year. Press print so you can say, "wow, how'd he do that"! Only two of my teams picked failed to make it last year. In no particular order, HERE WE GO!!!

In the East:

New Jersey Devils
Why: Well, they sort of had a good season last year as I remember, lost some key players near the end, but picked up tough blue liner Sean Brown, and veteran forwards, Larionov(how old is that guy now!!!) and Grant Marshall.

Back from a play-off lay-off, the New York Rangers
Why: Picture a line with any three of these guys; Bure, Holik, Carter, Kovelev for the entire season. Add a competitive goaltending duo and have fun.

Philadelphia Flyers
Why: A good team already, pairing Amonte and Roenick back together with the goaltending tandem of Hackett and Esche.

Pittsburgh Penguins
Why: Eastwood, Koltsov, and Berehowsky will bring a little more electricity to the game and Aubin and Caron will be fighting for that top spot in net.

Boston Bruins
Why: The team stayed pretty much intact. New additions are Ted Donato, McCarthy( Stock won't have to go it alone anymore) and McGillis and Moran will be holding the blue line for the entire season. Also watch for a fresh group of young defensemen, solid goaltending, and more ice time from Hilbert and Huml. Samsonov is healthy and Thorton will stay out of trouble.

Toronto Maple Leafs
Why: This was my pick for the Cup Finals from the East the past three seasons. Always a solid showing, the team returns with pretty much the same line up.

Ottawa Senators
Why: Look what they did last year! New ownership means the actually get paid to play this year. They also get Smolinski for the entire season along with Varada.

Carolina Hurricanes
Why: Because Ron Francis said so, and he has a contract with God. It's pretty much the same team as the Cup team a couple of years ago with the exception of having Kapanen gone and bringing in Vrbata.

And the challengers from the West

Colorado Av's
Why: Roy may be gone, but with the firepower they have and with the depth, not many games will have to be won by a shut out. The Av's added Kariya, Selanne, Worrell and Nikolishin. Aebischer is coming into his own as a solid net minder and with a coaching staff made up of Granato, Cloutier and Tocchet, how can you not make the play-offs.

Detroit Red Wings
Why: Team's intact with the addition of another ageless veteran, Ray Whitney. New goal tender comes to town, some guy named Hasek, who ever he is. I've heard he's good.

St. Louis Blues
Why: Solid team with talent, skill, and Chris Osgood in net for the season.

Edmonton Oilers
Why: Hardnose team with skating ability. Look for regular ice time from Raffi Torres this year.

Vancouver Canucks
Why: Team returning, more mature, Sedin+Sedin=GOAL!

Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
Why: Most of you probably laughed at me when I picked them last year. They spent a lot of money last off season and it showed in June.Most of the team returns with the exception of Kariya, but when you pick up Federov and Prospal, you won't miss his productivity and leadership.

Dallas Stars
Why: Arnott, Barnes, Guerin, Modano, Turgeon, and Young. Sydor has gone to Columbus, but he'll be replaced on the blue line by Don Sweeney.

L.A. Kings
Why: They're healthy. Stumpel(Boston-L.A.-Boston-L.A. he'll find a home somewhere), Allison, Deadmarsh and Palffy. If these guys stay healthy and they get solid goaltending, they'll be contenders.

And who goes to the big game?

Colorado vs. Boston

Not being biased there this is the best team Boston's had since the days of Neely, Oates, Juneau and Bourque.

 

Boston in the final??? Like the Stanley Cup final??

 

This is just my prediction. I did add why to justify my reasoning. We'll find out in about eight months.

 

I like the Leafs for the finals...I hope Dallas can do something, but all the offseason trades have me worried Darrian Hatcher is the man and is going to be sadly missed...The Red Wings are always tuff and should have gone much further in the playoffs than they did last year.

 

I just can't get into the NHL until football season is over, or at least until it's "hockey weather" outside.

Waxy

 

Hmmmm........... You did'nt mention the Lightning!

 

what amazed me last year was when the ducks SWEPT the wings, i never expected to see that...i was in shambles. Im a stars fan all the way and i think that this season might just be a rebuilding season. Wtih Hatcher and Sydor gone im kinda scetchy on how they will do this season. Sometimes it takes a season with new players to get into a groove and learn how eachother really play and get into "sync" if you wanna call it that. My favorite year was the 99 stars, they freakin owned all. STARS RULE

 

Let me tell you something, i'm a huge ranger fan, their my team no doubt, but don't hold your breathe for a return from the playoff layoff. The Rangers are old and bad with no fire. Old washed up Players come to Broadway to die, hate to tell you. Oh well, at least the Giants might do something this year.

 

I would love to see the Canucks in the final and yes that is biased.

Unfortunetly I just can't see anyone except the Devils getting by Colorado this year. First line is Kariya, Sakic and Selanne, second line is Forsberg, Hejduk, and Tanguay. Who cares about goaltending when your team will score 5 or 6 goals night in and night out.

Bruin52, I am sorry but we made the mistake of Felix Potvin a few years back and if he is going to be part of your goaltending duo I can't see you going to deep in the playoffs.

I forsee those darn Devils going to the cup final again.

My prediction: Devils beating the Avs in the finals.

 

Canucks will rule ALL this year.

 

Its very tough to argue with that

 

Canucks? The Canucks? The ones in Vancouver? You're serious? I trying to think of a player on their team..........Dang.

Sorry. My Avs are going to destroy the Western Conference before they skate around Scott Steven's in the Final.

 

Does the "Big Line" mean anything to you? Morrison, Naslund, Bertuzzi?

 

Nope. Never heard of 'em. They sound big. I wish my last name was Bertuzzi. I agree, the 'Nucks play the Avs pretty tough every year in the playoffs.

If we had a goalie, this season wouldn't be worth playing...

 

Wiz, I wanted to pick Tampa Bay for an eigth place spot. They have a lot of talent and speed down there. However, there doesn't really seem to be anybody taking charge of the team. Andreychuk is a veteran and isn't afraid to stand in front of the net, and Lecavalier is going to be in town for a long time, one of these guys needs to really step up this year if T.B. is going to do anything in the east. Perhaps they will, if they can get a fire brewing early it might look good.

canadianfordman, sure Potvin isn't going to win the Vezina this year, and Shields probably won't either, but Boston is also backing a solid defensemen corps. With the firepower up front, the D men in the back, and experienced goaltending that are happy with their contract ( unlike Byron Dafoe was, my dog could have made some of the shots he gave up ) they're not going to need a shut out every night. Also, they're both number one goaltenders and have been in the past. They'll be pressuring each other for that top spot every night they're in goal.