Ongoing NHL thread - Part III

[esls79]

USA Today season predictions

 

[forty_three]

USA Today season predictions

^^ This is because Tortorella is a better coach than Babcock.

 

[jstewismybastardson]

for USA Today

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

If the Leafs only improve 2 pts on last year this season will be seen as a colossal disappointment.

Not saying they should be better, but Babcock will probably kill someone by the trade deadline if they're on that kind of pace.

 

[dash]

A 22 point improvement for the Flames from last season?!? Seems a little ambitious to me.

 

[dash]

Also, even with a healthy Carey Price, I don't see the Habs topping 100 points. Heck, I'll be surprised if they top 90 points.

 

[dash]

for USA Today

Nolan Patrick, welcome to Vancouver.

 

[sabresfaninthesouth]

I'm not expecting the Sabres to be very good yet this year, but if they take a step backwards from last year's 81 points, I'd be pretty surprised.

 

[Nasty_Magician]

I think adding Hall and Zacha to the lineup will be enough to bump the Devils up a couple more points. I've been saying it all offseason, the x-factor for the Devils is Mike Cammarlleri's health. If he plays 65+ games the Devils are a playoff team. If he plays 30 games they are on the outside looking in. If he's healthy there's a very real possibility he, Hall, Henrique and Palmieri could account for 100 goals. With Schneider in net and a better bottom 6 that's likely enough to get them in.

 

[dash]

If he's healthy there's a very real possibility he, Hall, Henrique and Palmieri could account for 410 goals.

I couldn't resist

 

[Nasty_Magician]

I couldn't resist

I thought it as I was typing it.

 

[forty_three]

I think adding Hall and Zacha to the lineup will be enough to bump the Devils up a couple more points. I've been saying it all offseason, the x-factor for the Devils is Mike Cammarlleri's health. If he plays 65+ games the Devils are a playoff team. If he plays 30 games they are on the outside looking in. If he's healthy there's a very real possibility he, Hall, Henrique and Palmieri could account for 100 goals. With Schneider in net and a better bottom 6 that's likely enough to get them in.

This is almost the exact situation the Jackets are in with Jack Johnson. Except they are outside looking in if he plays 65+ (at 18+ mins per). The only chance they have is to limit him to under 30.




Okay, they really have no chance. I just wanted to jab at JMFJ

 

[dash]

ESPN predicts the Flames will nab a wild card spot - That seems more realistic to me.

2016-17 season preview: Calgary Flames

 

[Darkstone42]

 

[esls79]

Do Pens fans now have the Phil on a pedestal like they did with the (former) superstar Max Talbot? I remember reading stories about Talbot handing out pizza to students in line for rush tickets - has the Phil, or will he, hand out food (preferably hot dogs) to the hungry masses of non-mouth breathers?

 

[Darkstone42]

Do Pens fans now have the Phil on a pedestal like they did with the (former) superstar Max Talbot? I remember reading stories about Talbot handing out pizza to students in line for rush tickets - has the Phil, or will he, hand out food (preferably hot dogs) to the hungry masses of non-mouth breathers?

I really hope they do have him hand out hot dogs for student rush games. That would be hilarious.

And I don't know about Pens fans in general, but I personally adore The Phil.

 

[dash]

I'm hearing he's even more popular these days than Punxsutawney Phil...

 

[tducey]

I thnk Calgary will make the playoffs next year, unsure if they finish 2nd in the Pacific though.

 

[Nasty_Magician]

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

According to SN, Phil isn't even one of the top 20 RW's in the league:

Ranking the top 20 right wingers in the NHL, by the numbers - Sportsnet.ca