The Hockey News: Mike Brophy's blog: THN.com Blog: 10 reasons to get excited about '08-09

THN.com Blog: 10 reasons to get excited about '08-09

Will Wings defenseman Chris Chelios return for his 25th season in the NHL? (Photo by Dave Sandford/Getty Images)

Mike Brophy
2008-07-14 13:34:14

The 2007-08 season is barely over and already my mind has turned to next year.

Here are 10 things I am looking forward to:

• Can Sidney Crosby wrestle away the scoring title and MVP award from Alex Ovechkin? Sid the Kid was making his move up the scoring charts this season when he suffered a high ankle sprain that ultimately shelved him 29 games. Still, he came back and led his team to the Stanley Cup final.

• Will Chris Chelios play again? Truth is, I hope he does. Although he was a healthy scratch during the final, the 46-year-old Chelios can still be a fine No. 5 defender on the defending champs. I’d love to see him hit his goal of playing until he’s 50.

• Watching the Tampa Bay Lightning. I see a lot of 8-7 and 9-6 games in their future. Lots of forwards, but also lots of questions in goal and on defense.

• Can the Ducks bounce back? A year of turmoil followed their 2007 Stanley Cup victory, but the Ducks should return well-rested and with Scott Niedermayer playing from the get-go.

• The re-emergence of the Edmonton Oilers. I’m not certain if I’m in the minority, but I really like the Oilers’ chances of making the playoffs, depending on how their goaltending holds up.

• Will the Chicago Blackhawks continue their upward trend? I wouldn’t exactly accuse the Hawks of spending like drunken sailors, but the signing of defenseman Brian Campbell is a pretty good indication they expect to make some noise in the Western Conference.

Related Links

• Will the Columbus Blue Jackets make the playoffs for the first time in franchise history? If I’m a betting man, I say no. However, if they do, it will all come down to Ken Hitchcock’s coaching.

• Will the Ottawa Senators play with more grit or has their window of opportunity closed? I really like the signing of Jarkko Ruutu who brings some much-needed sandpaper to the table.

• Can the Red Wings become the first team in a decade to repeat? Certainly the signing of Marian Hossa provides them with a fighting chance.

• The continuing emergence of the game’s young stars. You still need a veteran presence to be successful in the NHL, but the game’s young guns are chipping in big-time, too.

Mike Brophy is a senior writer for The Hockey News and a regular contributor on THN.com. His blog appears Mondays and his column, Double OT, appears Wednesday.

For more great profiles, news and views from the world of hockey, Subscribe to The Hockey News magazine.

COMMENTS (46)

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brian Posted
(2009-04-30 06:45:59)

andrew, i find it odd that you follow your for lack of a better word, snotty statement about chelios "The Only Reason Chris Chelios I'snt Retiring is because he Wants 1000 Career points,Wants to be the oldest player to be in an NHL game..." with "...and becuase he loves hockey." First, you make it seem like Chelios is being shallow and egotistic about stats and records, and then you do a complete 180 turn and make it seem like its not about the numbers or stats, its becuase he loves the game. if you've ever played hockey, you would know that Chris Chelios isn't retiring for one reason: the love of the game. Hockey is an addiction.

Andrew Posted
(2009-04-30 06:37:47)

The Only Reason Chris Chelios I'snt Retiring is because he Wants 1000 Career points,Wants to be the oldest player to be in an NHL game and Because he loves Hockey

Sean Posted
(2009-04-30 06:37:37)

Toronto has what? As far as the crappy teams go, I'd take the Europeans on the Oilers, Kings and Canucks in a heartbeat over the Leafs'. As far as good teams go, I think the Stars, Habs, and Capitals Euros all put the Leafs's to shame as well. Face it - the Leafs suck no matter how you slice it.

paully Posted
(2009-04-30 06:37:34)

goleafsgo they have the best gruop of europeans other then detroit and they have toskala who is just as good as broduer but plays on a bad team

Ozzy Posted
(2009-04-30 06:37:21)

Ovenchkin sucks, Not!!! Phoenix is not going to make it, Jokinen is not that good. Anaheim is not going very far. Montreal will not make it far and ottawa probably won't because there defence sucks. Chicago won't either. Brian Campbell's upside is his offense but his denfense need's some work. Boston has no forwards and new jersey will only make it because they have a good goalie.

Britt Reasoner Posted
(2009-04-30 06:36:53)

I don't think Burke should be called "little Burke"...he's far from it, both his mouth and his ego. It's pathetic how he thinks it's alright for him to trash Lowe and the Oilers for a year but can't take the heat when it's turned back on him. I guess the league supports him...but then again, why wouldn't they since they're trying to get more American attention surrounding the NHL, which doesn’t seem to be working all that well. It's just sad because it makes Lowe look like the badguy, yet again. Another thing the league is trying to do is making Crosby the posterboy for the league to draw in more attention. He is not going to save the NHL, to the dismay of the league. It’s way too much to put on one guy. When he came to western Canada last season, it was such a joke. He was bombareded by the media and couldn't sneeze without someone commenting on it. I would love to see him do his thing without all the pressure on his shoulders to "save the league". If he could just focus on playing instead of how to answer all of the retarded questions asked by members of the media, I'm sure there would be no question that he would be sitting on top of the scoring for years. He has worked so hard and deserves to do well, he just needs a little less pressure and attention and maybe we'll really get to see what he can do. It's just too bad that will never happen since the NHL is so attention-starved from the rest of the sports world.

Cam Neely Posted
(2009-04-30 06:36:43)

Bruins will shock the hockey world this season. Most importantly, they will ruin Montreal's 100th celebrations by pounding them to the ground, making sure hey don't get anywhere close the Stanley Cup, once again.

Ovechkin SUCKS! Posted
(2009-04-30 06:36:15)

playoffs west: detroit san jose calgary chicago Anaheim dallas pheonix colarado and yes i put pheonix because they got jokinin. east playoffs: pittsburgh montreal washington new jersey philly rangers ottawa boston

Glenda Kuiper Posted
(2009-04-30 06:36:14)

I am a huge Chelios fan, I think he should be aloud to play as long as he thinks he can contribuit to the team, he isn't only valuable on the ice but in the locker room to for good leadership and I feel alot of these young players can learn for all of his experience!

Jordon Emans Posted
(2009-04-30 06:36:14)

To be truly honest here, I don't think the Canes will even MAKE the playoffs, let alone win their division. The Caps will certainly take it, and here's to hoping the Pens can make the finals again and finish it this season!

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