Double OT: Three teams to watch this season
Ales Hemsky could be in for big things in Edmonton this season.(Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images)
Mike Brophy
2008-09-03 11:25:00
If you have picked up a copy of our annual Yearbook, then you already know we have chosen the Detroit Red Wings to win the Stanley Cup.
And you may also know the last time we were right in our pre-season prediction was in 2004 when the Tampa Bay Lightning won the Cup. So it might just be worth your while to actually watch games this season.
And if you are anything like me, these three teams are worth keeping an eye on:
Los Angeles Kings
Maybe it’s because I believe GM Dean Lombardi is on the right track, but I just hope ownership in Los Angeles has patience and allows Lombardi to follow through on building a team I believe is very close to being a competitor.
In Anze Kopitar, Patrick O’Sullivan, Dustin Brown and Alexander Frolov, the Kings have some fine young studs up front.
Jack Johnson, Thomas Hickey and Drew Doughty offer hope for the future on the blueline.
An upgrade in goal is definitely required.
Edmonton Oilers
Like the Kings, the Oilers have a host of young guns up front including Ales Hemsky, whom I believe will break out and be a top-10 scorer this season.
Related Links
If Shawn Horcoff returns to health he’ll be a quality two-way pivot and Sam Gagner and Andrew Cogliano will certainly be counted on the take the next step in their young careers.
It is time for Rob Schremp to make his move, too.
Phoenix Coyotes
I’m not convinced the Coyotes have what it takes to be a playoff team in the tough Western Conference, but they’ll make a serious run at it.
Olli Jokinen is an excellent addition, though it must be noted he has never played an NHL playoff game. He’ll look great on a line with captain Shane Doan.
How quickly kids such as Peter Mueller, Kyle Turris, Martin Hanzal and perhaps even top draft pick Mikkel Boedker develop will play a big role in the Coyotes success this season.
Keep and eye on the contenders, by all means, but don’t ignore these squads.
Mike Brophy is a senior writer for The Hockey News and a regular contributor on THN.com.
For more great profiles, news and views from the world of hockey, Subscribe to The Hockey News magazine.
Scott S (Posted 2008-09-12 00:31:15)
First of all Daniel your grammar is horrible. Second of all, the rangers traded Backman to Columbus not St. Louis. St Louis traded him to the Rangers last year at the deadline. No he didn't amount to what St. Louis wanted, big whoop, its St Louis their expectations and New Yorks were way too high to begin with. Modin scored twelve points in twenty three games last season which if you project onto a full year equals about 40-50 points, nowhere near washed up. Huselius may be lazy but he's still managed to put up 60-70 points a year. You are right on one thing, this isn't an article about the Blue Jackets directly. However, I do believe the Jackets should have been included in this list and are one of those "teams to watch this season".
daniel (Posted 2008-09-10 07:26:14)
scott, just to say it one more time. modin is washed up, has been for the last 2 seasons. huselius is lazy and can be better than he actually is, but he' lazy. a lazy player goes nowhere in the NHL and he reminds me of jaroslav bednar just the way he plays only maybe a little quicker when he actually wants to skate. umberger will be good, but how good can he be with nobody around him. backman sucks that's why st.louis traded him to colunbus because he didn't amount to what st.louis had hoped. russell is good and will be for years to come. one of the few bright spots is russell. pascal leclaire should have a good season. if he don't then it's gonna be a nightmare for this team because they don't have any depth in goal at all. i don't see columbus doing nothing. there system might be more defenisve minded with hitchcock as the coach, but the offense is where the bright spot is. unfortunately, the bright spot isn't even that bright. columbus goes 13th in overall standings this season.
daniel (Posted 2008-09-10 07:17:46)
i didn't know that they were talking about columbus in this column. o wait they didn't mention them at all. maybe because they aren't gonna do anything at all. columbus isn't doing nothing this season people. they don't have a scoring threat at all except for rick nash with no one to help him out at all. columbus is gonna do worse than the kings this season unless leclaire can be a miracle worker for them. they will be in the hunt for tavares or hedman. they aren't gonna be anything worth watching. that is why they aren't on this article and shouldn't be talked about like they are actually gonna do something. give it a rest people. columbus sucks this season.
Scott S (Posted 2008-09-10 00:31:52)
David - The Blue Jackets finished twelfth or thirteenth lastly year with with a vastly underachieving offense. Modin healthy for even half the season will better than triple his points from last year. Brassard playing between the aforementioned Modin and most likely Voracek for most of the season should get anywhere from 40-50 points (and I have yet to see anyone predict him lower than thirty points) Voracek is a beast. Plain and simple and IMO easily match and most likely out do Brassard. Nash will again be a scoring machine, probably even more than last year with his new and improved team mates Huselius and Umberger (who should both hit the 50 point plateau). Defense wise, yeah it is still a mostly defense first system but this is also Hitchcock we're talking about. However the point production from the backend over all should increase. Backman is offensively talented no matter what he does defensively. Russel is a solid first pass two way defenseman and has the upside to explode offensively if given the time. Tyutin is waaaay underated offensively and I can see him getting at least 20 points on the top PP unit. Commodore, Klesla and Hejda should all match or better their totals from last season with the new and improved offense in front of them. This of course all opinion and prediction but David, nobody in their right mind would call Columbus a trainwreck. You seem to be looking for one big splash one big momentous trade, or pick up, but in doing so you miss the big picture which boils down to a bunch of really smart really solid moves that when put together, have the makings of a really good hockey club.
David (Posted 2008-09-07 04:57:57)
Jessie, I didn't say Columbus has weak defense what I said is that all the have on defense is defense don't contain one person on the back end to feed the forwards or quarter back the power play. And just like you said yourself they need people up front so now I think we can both come to terms in saying they have no one to feed the offense and not enough to finnish the offense. At best I think Columbus can get 12th if they do something extaordinary they will get 10th. They are not a playoff team they do not have the means to be one.
Jessie (Posted 2008-09-06 19:46:49)
Also David, FYI, the blue jackets were top 10 in all defensive category with a much weaker roster than they have now. If they can get some offensive help (won't be difficult replacing Fedorov's 9 goals, Vyborny's 7, Peca's 8 and Modin's 6) in their top 6, they will be a playoff team.
AaronD (Posted 2008-09-06 08:55:48)
Just wanted to clarify something that seems to have gotten lost in the mix here.
When the Yotes got Bryzgalov, they were below the Kings in the standings. Within a day or two after the pickup, they leapfrogged the Kings.
Burke has stated that he offered Bryz in a trade to L.A. but Lombardi declined. The return that Burke was asking for was never revealed. After Lombardi declined, Bryz went on waivers and got picked up by the Yotes.
Gary (Posted 2008-09-05 22:56:40)
Daniel,
Most likely John is a Duckie fan. He probably is not old enough to remember that the last time the Kings were in the playoffs was in 2002 against Colorado, as you have stated. I have talked to fans of other teams mainly Detroit, and I was told there is a difference between Kings fans and Ducks fans. Even they have stated, that Staples Center is more energenic than the Honda Center. As for goaltenders, I believe that Ersberg will be one of the top ten in the league for save percentages.
As for you John, try a little research on the Kings history. They have been to the playoffs multiple times. They have even played a few of the greatest playoff games in the history of the NHL.
daniel (Posted 2008-09-05 22:33:03)
hey john, are you a ducks or sharks fan? just asking, cause did you know the kings sold out more games than the ducks or the sharks did last season. it might be hard to believe, but it's true. every time i go to a kings game in the regular season it's loud. in the playoffs unfortuantely i haven't been able to witness it in 5 seasons, but the last time when they played colorado and potvin was the goalie on fire. the stands were something you didn't want to knock on cause you would of gotten your teeth kicked in. the fact is even though the kings suck john, they sold out more games then most teams that made the playoffs and actually had something to cheer about. maybe you should question your loyalty to your team, cause there aren't many fans that have the loyalty to there team like the kings, GO KINGS GO!!!
daniel (Posted 2008-09-05 22:21:25)
predictions...predictions...predictions. anybody can go all day long on a comment about predictions. david, i hope you meant nabokov, instead of toskala (teskala). one thing for sure though is i think the kings are heavily being underrated. the goaltending showed promise with ersberg and labarbera, but if you use 7 goalies of coarse you aren't gonna go far. i think if the kings goalies stay healthy, they can help enough not to be in last. at the same time though, i hope they do suck again and we become last in the NHL just to get tavares or hedman. could be just what the doctor ordered. there is one thing for sure about the kings... you can't knock the forwards. if the defense is any better this year, the goalies will be better and that is why i think the kings will be better. they probably won't make the playoffs. but they will be where you think the coyotes will be. i think the coyotes will make the playoffs, bryzgalov is going to be the reason.
David (Posted 2008-09-05 18:41:55)
Ok all you that think Columbus is going to make it are on crack. Here's my West Conf predictions.
1 Detroit - They lost no one except aged Hasak and only improved their stanley cup team by adding Hossa.
2 SJ - The loss of Campbell was delt with by getting Boyle and Blake, a more offensive coach, and who I personally think should've won the Vezina this year Toskala.
3 Calgary - By far the strongest team in the NW
4 Dallas - Big tough team with great goaltending and more of an offensive side than Anaheim
5 Anaheim - Best Defense in the league and great goaltending which wins them games but no offense to win more.
6 Chicago - More experience for the young talent and great additions on Defense and Goaltending during the off season.
7 Edmonton - More experience for the young talent Visnosky and Souray will be great O Dman punch and starting goaltender battles.
8 Vancouver - I know it sounds crazy but a weak NW will give them wins and if injuries don't go around they have a great Defense for Luongo and I think Bernier is going to work wonders with the Sedins I've always said they need a Power Forward with just an accurate enough shot think Anson Carter.
9. Colorado - Their team is great except their goaltending is going to be what keeps them out.
10 Phoenix - The addition of Jokinen and Turris and Brzy will move them up a couple spots but their D isn't good enough to put them much higher
11 Nashville - Some how Barry Trotz made it with the team he was given last year but I don't think it will happen this one especially with just that loss of O from Radulov and Zidlicky.
12. Minnesota - Have a good set of ODmen but only one person to finnish the job up front and as sickening as it is their overly strong defensive mind is going to be what gets them this spot and I hope I placed them too high because I hate teams like this.
13 St. Louis - Young defense and goaltending isn't strong enough to back them up but their offense is good enough to put them up one more spot than last year.
14 Columbus - Like I said before no Dmen to move the puck and in need of a high quality playmaking centre for their top line wings maybe I just don't have enough faith in Umberger to be a top line player. Leclaire is their only hope at anything
15 LA - Until goaltending is achieved the defense is young and are just a beat down for the Pacific powerhouses.
I know I talk a lot about the Dmen on every team but in my head that is the most important part of a successful team you need them to make it so shots against you are easily saved and this is where the offense starts.
Kelly (Posted 2008-09-05 15:03:53)
Jessie- If you knew anything about hockey you would know that the top 3 spots go to the division leaders so you would have to have a northwest team in the top 3. So if the teams you listed are going to make the playoffs plus a northwest team that really only leave positions 6-8 open.
Curtis (Posted 2008-09-05 01:01:19)
I am an oilers fan so this may sound biased but im intrigued by what theyve done and cant wait to see how they do.Id like them to win the division but calgary will be good too so who knows. If the oilers can stay healthy we got a damn good shot at playoffs and making it past the first round. And BTW i beleive the oilers hold the record for the loudest fans during the playoff run in 05/06
Dennis Kirkpatrick (Posted 2008-09-04 23:08:52)
Interesting you picked the Lightning in 2004. We won the cup by playing better hockey and out finessing every opponent. It is unfortunate that under our new owners and coach our motto has to become "if we can't play better hockey than our opponents, then lets see how many players we can physically damage and put out of the game". I believe that's what mullet head means by being "a tough team to play against at home".
otty (Posted 2008-09-04 23:04:18)
John, Ryan is correct when he states that Kings fans are louder than most fans during the palyoffs, the problem is that I can't remember the last playoff game for the Kings. The fact is that the kings are doing the right thing in building through the draft, Kopitar, Brown etc but we are going to have to wait 2 to 3 years before they all come together. By that time our organizaton will start to get rid of the good young players because AEG really only cares about money not winning cups....
G8RBolt (Posted 2008-09-04 22:32:58)
What... no love for the Lightning???
Joe (Posted 2008-09-04 21:09:25)
i think you can include the black hawks on your list....young guns indeed and they do have a goalie....as for the oilers, they will start out on fire but they will however slide into their defensive mode shortly after christmas and fall from grace again.
John (Posted 2008-09-04 14:59:24)
LOL AT RYAN!!!!!
No other fans are louder than Kings fans during the playoffs? What a joke! The Kings are NEVER IN THE PLAYOFFS!!!! The loud noises you are hearing are the fans and players crying! Trust me, ive been to the Ghetto Center and Queens fans ARE NOT LOUD! The Queens will suck just as bad this year, and again last year. that was a funny playoff comment you made.......The kings and the playoffs never come together in the same sentence!
Ryan (Posted 2008-09-04 14:34:04)
I have never heard of so many conflictin opinions on one subject. Where do you guys pull this stuff from? Who cares about Brygalov now? The Kings will not need him. They will have Ersbeg until the future of the franchise (Bernier) is ready. I am a Kings fan and I am fialy impressed with what they are doing. They are building a franchise the right way instead of renting players. And I have been to many rinks and NO FANS are louder than Kings fans during the playoffs, and NONE more loyal than Kings fans.
J-Dawg (Posted 2008-09-04 14:14:22)
Wow!... Brian Kemp knows everything. He should be a THN columnist. He corrects other columnists, bloggers and readers with his OPINION. For what it's worth Brian you may be right and you may be wrong.
Jessie (Posted 2008-09-04 14:10:32)
Brian-I forgot to add: I am not so sure that Chicago is going to slide into the 6th spot. Yeah, they added Campbell and got a better this off season, I just don't see them living up to all the hype that they have been awarded this off-season. Like I said, 5-8 is wide open.
Jessie (Posted 2008-09-04 14:08:05)
Brian-I give the top 4 spots to Detroit, Dallas, Anaheim and SJ and beyond that, it is wide open which is why I said they will challenge for the 5-8 spot. If the jackets did NOTHING else but solve the Nashville Predators, they would have already been in the playoffs last season. The jackets, on paper of course, are a far better team than they were last year and I predict they will take more than 1 game from the preds this year, not to mention how they will fair vs. other opponents.
Brian Kemp (Posted 2008-09-04 13:14:14)
Jessie, sorry, but even though I agree with you that Columbus is greatly improved, they probably won't finish any higher than 7th in the West, because Detroit, Dallas, San Jose, Anaheim, Chicago and Calgary (or possibly Edmonton) will most likely finish ahead of them. Nashville might give them a run for 3rd in the Central, but without Radulov, they're going to have trouble on the offensive end. I can see Columbus getting in, and at the very least, I expect them to be closer thean they have been before, but the above mentioned teams should all finish ahead of them.
Brian Kemp (Posted 2008-09-04 13:05:08)
daniel, waivers is not like free agency, because in free agency, the player holds all the cards. On the waiver wire, the player goes to the first team that picks him. If he doesn't want to go to that team, he can make it known, but the team that wants him can still pick him. They would then be in a position to try to convince him he wants to play for them or to try to trade him. The player is not in a position to really dictate like he is when he is a free agent. As far as the list goes, all three of these teams will be fun to watch, and of the three, LA is the one I think will develop into the most consistent of the three, with Phoenix coming real close and Edmonton doing what it has done since Messier left town: Barely make/miss the playoffs, and once in, make some team(s) miserable before waking up to the fact that they're only a so-so team. Like someone said earlier, they haven't finished at or near the bottom enough to pick up the sure thing prospects with a top 5 pick, and their later picks haven't suprised anyone by developing into stars. Columbus should be on this list. They are up and coming, and Filatov will be fun to watch. Looking at their roster, they should have a top notch top six within the next few years, with Nash and Filatov forming a nice 1-2 on the left side, and Brassard and Voracek forming the rest of a good scoring first line. Leclair has stepped up, and if he continues, he should be one of the top 5 goalies in the league for years.
jibby (Posted 2008-09-04 12:57:45)
I am going out on a limb and i am saying that Phoenix will replace Anaheim in the playoffs this year. I know it sounds crazy but i think the Ducks wont be able to score enough goals this year and i like what the Coyotes have done.
Alex (Posted 2008-09-04 12:34:02)
Xuthl: drafting Patrick Kane would have cost the Oilers Sam Gagner's services... I'm not entirely sure who'd I would take between the two, so I wouldn't envy anyone else the decision.
Jessie (Posted 2008-09-04 12:21:29)
Chris: it is a case of people who think they are going to suck because they always have, but they have no idea of how things have transpired over the last year or so. True, the jackets USED to be a "train-wreck" but since Hitchcock came on board and now Scott Howson, they are building into something that looks like a real hockey team. The jackets were more competitive than they had ever been last season, and have improved their roster dramatically over last season. I can see them finishing behind detroit in their division and grabbing a 5-8 spot in the west.
Chris (Posted 2008-09-04 12:07:01)
David and Mark, you have got to be kidding me. Columbus got off to a pretty good start last year and they were in the mix up until the all-star break. They have greatly improved their team over the summer and I see no reason why they shouldn't at least lock up 8th place in the west by playoff time. I'm not saying they are going to win the Cup or even a playoff round but I think they will at least make it.
Jessie (Posted 2008-09-04 12:04:34)
Mark--You clearly have no idea what Columbus has been up to over the last 18 months. Yes, Columbus has made some considerable picks and trades since Scott Howson has been their GM. They have added: Huselius, Tytuin, Commodore, RJ Umberger, Backman, Torres, signed Mike York to a 2-way (if he regains his 50+ form, he will be a steal, if not he costs them next to nothing) and resigned Mike Peca. They are rid of light, non-competitive players such as Vyborny, Fedorov, Hainsey, and traded away the problem child that is Nik Zherdev and the uninspired Gilbert Brule. The jackets are huge, competitive and have depth that they never had before. They have first rounder Jakub Voracek in '07 coming into their lineup who shows ample promise as does '06 pick Derrick Brassard. Leclaire put up top 10 goaltending stats last year as did their entire team defensively with a much weaker blueline than it has now. Steve Mason, the top goalie in the OHL last year is also waiting in the wings. LA will be interesting to watch in the sense that it will be interesting to see how they will reach the cap floor. I agree with the Oilers being a team to observe, Phx, to a milder degree, but the real team to watch this year is Tampa. It will be intriguing to see if those renegade owners' plan is a good one or not. It would be nice Mark, if you actually did some research before you slam a team. In the end, you just end up looking foolish.
Xuthl (Posted 2008-09-04 10:43:36)
I think the Oilers are one legitimate superstar away from being a contender. Unfortunately, one less victory against the Calgary Flames and Patrick Kane could have been that star. One flaw the Oilers have had throughout franchise history is that they have never finished low enough in the standings to be able to draft the truly elite prospects. The Oil will be gamers this year though! Look for Ethan Moreau to get the best possible results from this young squad.
daniel (Posted 2008-09-04 08:35:51)
brandon, every player has a chance to say well i don't wan to play for this team and they could go somewhere else. it's all a matter of the player's agent and how the player feels about going to the team that's signing them. when the player is on waivers it's like the free agent market. bryz had 3 teams looking for him to play on if i remember and the only reason why he didn't choose LA to play in, is because he didn't want to be in LA anymore. Bob Miller and Jim Fox said it best when they said the Kings were close to signing him. I do agree with you on the fact that Lombardi was scared that he would end up like another Cloutier case. But i do know for a fact the Kings were pretty close to signing him. Lombardi said that Labarbera has the equal amount of talent as Bryz, well that tells you something about the last few years of Kings goaltenders. Great scouting huh. what a joke. they need Kelly Hrudey back in net, or someone like him. LMAO
Patrick (Posted 2008-09-04 03:22:37)
Did it ever happen in modern NHL that all teams of one division reached the playoffs in the same year?
Jimi Guy (Posted 2008-09-03 22:47:20)
As an Oilers fan I have to say I am very proud of what Kevin Lowe did this summer, and lets hope it keeps going with new GM Steve Tambellini. I think that, given time, they are going to be a real contender and a real pain in the butt for a lot of teams, espescially in the North West Division.
Alex in AZ (Posted 2008-09-03 19:59:39)
Not everyone in the Pacific will make the playoffs. While Phoenix and LA are rising teams, at least one of them will not make the playoffs because Dallas, San Jose, and Anaheim in their division plus Detroit and a Northwest team are all locks for the playoffs. That leaves 3 spots that are more than likely going to be filled by Central and Northwest teams unless something bizarre happens.
David (Posted 2008-09-03 19:39:44)
I agree with Edmonton and Phoenix having a good shot at the playoffs this year but LA doesn't have a chance look at their division these guys have to play Anaheim San Jose Dallas and Phoenix with Phoenix being their best chance for wins. Unless LA gets a goalie I wouldn't expect much although rumours of Khabibuiln arriving aren't far off as Chicago needs to get rid of a goalie to clear cap space, and Columbus making it.........common get real unless Filatov pulls an Ovechkin who do they have to put pucks in the net or even to stop pucks from making it to the net. Other than Nash and Leclaire who do they have? I don't see the addition of Umberger and Huselius puting them into contention now if they could obtain a high quality offensive defenseman and a high quality playmaking centre for Nash Huse and Filatov than they might make 10th to 8th in the west
steve drysdale (Posted 2008-09-03 19:39:36)
The Oil look good, no doubt about it, however, they should move Rolie to
L.A for a second rounder.....At a 3.6 million cap hit that would cost around 3 for his last year it would help L.A hit the min, and he would help
the young guy transcend. That, along with signing the RFA's and adding
the young blue liners salaries would put them almost where they need to be, and as good as Rolie is, they still might be there for the lottery. Let the Frenchmen handle the pipes in Oil country.
Mark (Posted 2008-09-03 19:13:43)
Why should Columbus be mentioned? Have they made wise draft choices and influential trades?
I agree with all the positive outlook Brophy has for all three teams. Gretzky shouldn't feel pressured. Phoenix will probly start contending soon. Management must realize that no matter how good/bad coaching is, a coach can only work with what he has. Gretzky is learning the trade and has the team to start making noise with.
The Kings will get better, absolutely. With all the d-men they are stockpiling, I'd expect this team to be pretty good in the next three seasons or so. Wouldn't surprise me if the Oilers made it this season, seeded 6th or 7th. Can't see Hemsky breaking the top 10 in scoring, but all the forwards having at least one season under their belts should amount to a playoff spot.
I can see Columbus finishing last in the West this season. What a train wreck.
Pens Fan (Posted 2008-09-03 19:00:50)
The Oilers will make big strides this season maybe even the second round.
ogopogo (Posted 2008-09-03 18:51:11)
I thought the last time THN was right for their preseason Stanley Cup prediction was in when they picked Anaheim for the 2006-07 season.
Brandon Sparks (Posted 2008-09-03 17:53:05)
Also, I highly doubt that the Ducks offered to trade Bryzgalov to anyone since his placement on waivers was simply a means of freeing up cap space for our "favourite" mid-season "acquisitions".
Brandon Sparks (Posted 2008-09-03 17:32:37)
Daniel, Bryzgalov did not pass on the Kings, no player on waivers can choose the team they go to. The lowest ranked team that offers to pick a player on waivers gets him. The Kings obviously did pass on Bryzgalov, since he landed in Phoenix, and not Los Angeles, who were placed a few spots below them in the standings. The Kings most likely chose not to take Bryzgalov since he is not under a two way contract (in case he flops), the same case with Dan Cloutier, thus they would be stuck with those two dressed at all times and no chance for guys like Labarbera or Bernier to play.
daniel (Posted 2008-09-03 17:06:42)
ian, lombardi didn't pass up on bryzgalov. bryzgalov passed on the kings. nothing would have been going to the ducks also because of the fact that bryzgalov was put on waivers(meaning he was basically a free agent). jim fox and bob miller even said during an intermission that the kings were looking to pick him up. the kings did try to pick him up but he didn't want to be in LA anymore. as to Lombardi saying he wasn't as much as an upgrade from LaBarbera is a crock of bull. When i went to a autograph signing i talked to Luc Robitaille and even he said that he is a minor league goaltender that has already peaked. Ersberg will be the starter this year and prove that the Kings do have the goaltending behing Ersberg and Bernier. Labarbera by mid-season will be out of the picture and will not be re-signed after this season.
ian (Posted 2008-09-03 16:22:29)
Sally, the Kings did pass on Bryzgalov. It had been stated quite a few times around the time he was put on waivers that he was offered to the Kings with very little going the way of the Ducks but Lombardi felt he wasn't much of an upgrade over Labarbera.
Tim Liewikedly (Posted 2008-09-03 14:32:08)
Hey, Sally you want to see your great owner - just attend a Frozen Fury game....You can't miss him and Smithers(Leiwke) drinking martini's next to the King bench.
Anschutz/Leiweke = Sterling/Baylor
Stewart Grant (Posted 2008-09-03 14:28:51)
The Maple Leafs should take note of the job that Lombardi is doing in LA. Using a long-term vision and stockpiling draft picks and prospects will bring much greater rewards to the Kings than will the band-aid solutions consistently attempted by the Leafs.
Sean (Posted 2008-09-03 14:10:49)
Lombardi has nothing to worry about with his job security. He has the Kings exactly where AEG wants them: well beneath that cap minimum and stocked with a bunch of young players they won't have to pay competitve wages to for several years. It's just like when he was in SJ -a slave to the owners without the slightest concern for the game or fans. Love them as I do, this team is an embarrassment to the sport.
Sally Walker (Posted 2008-09-03 14:02:11)
A few points of clarification:
- the Kings did not pass on Bryzgalov; Phoenix was lower in the standings at the time the Ducks put him on waivers so they were allowed first chance to pick him up.
- If Brophy knows anything at all about AEG and Phil Anschutz, the incompetent owner of the Kings, it's that of course they will allow Lombardi to ice a glorified AHL team so as to keep the payroll down.
- Kings fans have a right to gripe about their team. We fill Staples Center to capacity on most nights even though our last playoff appearance was 2002. Our owner is the wealthiest in the entire league yet refuses to appear in public or associate with the team in any way. At millions below the salary cap floor, we have the most available cap space of any team yet have allowed negotiations with RFAs Stoll and O'Sullivan to drag on for months and now camp opens in less than 2 weeks.
Drew Mason (Posted 2008-09-03 13:06:35)
Well Doug obviously the Coyotes improved so much because of Bryzagalov. They were 7-10 before they acquired him. He went 26-22 while Tellqvist went 9-8 and Auld went 3-6. With a very solid goalie and with Jokinen, and Doan leading the offense while hoping the young guys like Mueller and Turris step up, this team will be very good next year though their defense is shaky after Jovanovski and Morris. Chris I also agree Columbus will be in the playoffs this year. Their team is very good.
Doug (Posted 2008-09-03 12:23:02)
With all due respect Maxine the Yotes didn't do THAT much to better themselves. Brian Burke gave away a bonafide top goaltender that both L.A. and Tampa were stupid enough to pass on. That was the reason Phoneix improved so much. Without Bryza the Yotes would have been challenging Tampa for worst team in the NHL.
game_misconduct (Posted 2008-09-03 12:22:08)
It is hard to believe that Kings ownership will not panic and shift to "we need to make the playoffs right now" mode with all of the whining you here from some Kings fans. Of course, they are the least knowledgeable, but they are also the loudest. I hope the owners do stick with it, as it would be interesting to see the West (Phoenix, San Jose, St. Louis, Chicago, Kings?) rule hockey for a decade.
t-murder (Posted 2008-09-03 12:20:56)
Bryzgalov is going to have to have a tremendous year to get the yotes into the playoffs unless they score 4 goals a game often enough to win. Their defence is a little thin but if there is anything gretz can teach its how to score. With all of the young scoring talent this team reminds me of the penguins the year before last. All that is missing is the blossoming defense corps.
Chris (Posted 2008-09-03 12:20:03)
Once again, no respect for the Blue Jackets. They will be in the playoffs this year. Just wait and see.
Maxime (Posted 2008-09-03 11:59:39)
If Gretzky doesn't bring his team in the playoffs this year, he'll have some explaining to do...the Yotes showed a lot of promess last year, and made their team that much better this year...The Great One better become The Great Coach this year...
Advertisement
Should the Canadiens be retiring Patrick Roy's No. 33?
"The big thing with Carlo — and I tell him that every day — is that 'You're not in very good shape.'"
- Leafs coach Ron Wilson on the conditioning of Carlo Colaiacovo, which Wilson believes is one of the reason's the defensman is oft-injuried.
Our Partners
The Hockey News Corporation. All Rights Reserved © 2008 Transcontinental
Standards: XHTML 1.0 STRICT + CSS 2. V 1.5 17.09.2008
