Who are the favorites in the East now?

[awaz]

alright fair enough.. bad comparison.. the real comparison is the 3 i mentioned vs. godard, adams, and an AHL guy..

you guys are saying the same wingers won the pens the cup and thats just not the case.. yes those 3 were involved in winning the cup, but even though satan and co. weren't world beaters, the pens had more depth (on the wing) then, then they do now.. and fedetenko's 30 points would be enough to be on the pens 2nd line (4th among wingers).. you cant just lose 2 top 6 wingers, when wing wasn't your strong suit to begin with, and think its not a big deal.. tangradi might replace some of it, but i would be floored, along with everyone else i'm sure, if he put up 75 points (to replace them both).. and i haven't even brought up injuries.. what happens if kunitz gets hurt again? (i dont put too much stock in that tho cause injuries will always happen, and whether your deep or thin, its going to hurt)

and i'm not trying to be-little the pens (alright i sort of am but come on its in my blood ).. anyone that didnt mention them is ignorant.. as far as putting them 5th.. IMO 2,4,5 are a crap-shoot between the pens flyers and devils.. i think about 6 points, tops, will seperate the 3 of them

and washington will run away with the conference again because their division is as weak as the atlantic is strong.. i might even say the ATL3 will go 3,4,5 just because the strength of the division and them beating up on eachother.. but there's no question they are the 3 of the 4 teams to beat in the east (washington being the other)

 

[loki604]

It was the same caliber of wingers that won the Pens the Cup. When they had an elite winger, they lost. Rookie Prospects/Aging But Still Capable Player/Cheap $1 mil-$2 mil FA's...all are generally going to produce the same next to Crosby or Malkin. If anything, the prospects at least have the possibility of surprising. Guerin wasn't going to get better.

 

[The Croz Man Cometh]

alright fair enough.. bad comparison.. the real comparison is the 3 i mentioned vs. godard, adams, and an AHL guy..

you guys are saying the same wingers won the pens the cup and thats just not the case.. yes those 3 were involved in winning the cup, but even though satan and co. weren't world beaters, the pens had more depth (on the wing) then, then they do now.. and fedetenko's 30 points would be enough to be on the pens 2nd line (4th among wingers).. you cant just lose 2 top 6 wingers, when wing wasn't your strong suit to begin with, and think its not a big deal.. tangradi might replace some of it, but i would be floored, along with everyone else i'm sure, if he put up 75 points (to replace them both)

and i'm not trying to be-little the pens (alright i sort of am but come on its in my blood ).. anyone that didnt mention them is ignorant.. as far as putting them 5th.. IMO 2,4,5 are a crap-shoot between the pens flyers and devils.. i think about 6 points, tops, will seperate the 3 of them

and washington will run away with the conference again because their division is as weak as the atlantic is strong

I wasn't trying to come across as a dick. But I did. lol

Back then, the wingers were closer in skill. so the depth was better since you could swap anyone and not have a big dropoff. Now to expect Dupuis to have a career year agin is asking maybe too much. But to hopefully have Kunitz healtrhy for a full season will make a big difference. And I don't think anyone in their right mind is expecting Tangradi to put upo 75 pts. Maybe 50 with a full year, and that is asking a lot. My best guess will be in the low 40's.

But even with Kovalchuk on the Devs, I think the Flyers and the Pens are better teams and should finish 2,3 or 4. While the Devs might be similar to the Flyers last year and finish lower in the standings but being better than other teams ahead of them. (If that makes any sense)

 

[awaz]

Prospects/Aging But Still Capable Player/Cheap $1 mil-$2 mil FA's...all are generally going to produce the same behind that defense.

well.. flyers do the same thing with goaltending so i guess i cant argue that point haha

 

[awaz]

I wasn't trying to come across as a dick. But I did. lol

Back then, the wingers were closer in skill. so the depth was better since you could swap anyone and not have a big dropoff. Now to expect Dupuis to have a career year agin is asking maybe too much. But to hopefully have Kunitz healtrhy for a full season will make a big difference. And I don't think anyone in their right mind is expecting Tangradi to put upo 75 pts. Maybe 50 with a full year, and that is asking a lot. My best guess will be in the low 40's.

But even with Kovalchuk on the Devs, I think the Flyers and the Pens are better teams and should finish 2,3 or 4. While the Devs might be similar to the Flyers last year and finish lower in the standings but being better than other teams ahead of them. (If that makes any sense)

pens fans and flyers fans arguing.. its bound to happen haha

my thing with the devils is i'm going to go a new route this season and count them as the favorite.. cause this under the radar shit really seems to motivate them year in and year out.. new season resolution, don't count out the devils to win the divison..

 

[anderwho2513]

1. Boston
2. Washington
3. Jersey
4. Philadelphia
5. Pittsburgh
6. Ottawa
7. Carolina
8. Montreal
--------------
9. Rangers
10. Sabres
11. Lightning
12. Thrashers
13. Islanders
14. Maple Leafs
15. Panthers

 

[loki604]

pens fans and flyers fans arguing.. its bound to happen haha

my thing with the devils is i'm going to go a new route this season and count them as the favorite.. cause this under the radar shit really seems to motivate them year in and year out.. new season resolution, don't count out the devils to win the divison..

Let them have the division. Seventh seed can knock them out again. Pgh/Phi in 4/5 for a first round matchup.

 

[Vadered]

1. Boston
2. Washington

What?

I get not having an Atlantic team in the top 2 - we beat each other up a bunch, in a strong division. But how on earth do you have the Capitals, the San Jose Sharks of the East (well, San Jose before last year) under the Bruins, the 6th seed last year who didn't really change much?

 

[The Croz Man Cometh]

pens fans and flyers fans arguing.. its bound to happen haha

my thing with the devils is i'm going to go a new route this season and count them as the favorite.. cause this under the radar shit really seems to motivate them year in and year out.. new season resolution, don't count out the devils to win the divison..

Good point. I stand by my dickishness then.

I think the Devs are going for 6th this year. I keep waiting for them to fall off and it is going to happen soon. Maybe not this year, or maybe not next year, or the year after that, or.......I could go on and on like this. My point is (I think) is that someday they will fall off and it will surprise no one, lol. I think I confused myself.

Back my point or something like that.

Washington
Boston
Pittsburgh
Philly
Buffalo
NJ
Ottawa
TB

Carolina
Atlanta
Montreal
NYR
NYI
Toronto
Florida

 

[anderwho2513]

What?

I get not having an Atlantic team in the top 2 - we beat each other up a bunch, in a strong division. But how on earth do you have the Capitals, the San Jose Sharks of the East (well, San Jose before last year) under the Bruins, the 6th seed last year who didn't really change much?

Except they did change. They got themselves a 30 goal threat on the wing in Horton, they got the #2 prospect in the draft coming in, and they got healthy. They were the best team 2 years ago, and they were absolutely destroyed by injuries last year. They roll 3 lines deep offensively, they have a top 3 goalie in Rask continuing to get better, and they have a terrific defense led by Chara. Not even mentioning the best defensive coaching staff in the East. What's not to like?

 

[awaz]

Let them have the division. Seventh seed can knock them out again. Pgh/Phi in 4/5 for a first round matchup.

hopefully.. even tho the pens have knocked the flyers out 2 of the past 3 years mad, i never have as much fun being a fan as when the flyers and pens are playing in the playoffs.. nothing like having the team you live and breath for playing against a team you would sell your soul to defeat

 

[dare2be]

hopefully.. even tho the pens have knocked the flyers out 2 of the past 3 years mad, i never have as much fun being a fan as when the flyers and pens are playing in the playoffs.. nothing like having the team you live and breath for playing against a team you would sell your soul to defeat

Rep from a Pens fan, only because the feeling is mutual

 

[Forty_Sixand2]

hopefully.. even tho the pens have knocked the flyers out 2 of the past 3 years mad, i never have as much fun being a fan as when the flyers and pens are playing in the playoffs.. nothing like having the team you live and breath for playing against a team you would sell your soul to defeat

Add living in your opponents city during a 7 game knock-down drag out second round matchup and you see where I stood last year.

 

[awaz]

Rep from a Pens fan, only because the feeling is mutual

haha thanks dare.. this is a damn good board that i can have civil conversations with you lot

Add living in your opponents city during a 7 game knock-down drag out second round matchup and you see where I stood last year.

pittsburgh is my 'home' as well, its a bloody nightmare dealing with my friends when the flyers lose to them (i recently visited a friend and turned all the pens memorabilia they had to face the wall so i couldnt see it)

we actually have a lot in common 46 haha..

(home in quotes cause i'm at school or working elsewhere the majority of the time, but that is where i claim residence)

 

[Forty_Sixand2]

haha thanks dare.. this is a damn good board that i can have civil conversations with you lot



pittsburgh is my 'home' as well, its a bloody nightmare dealing with my friends when the flyers lose to them (i recently visited a friend and turned all the pens memorabilia they had to face the wall so i couldnt see it)

we actually have a lot in common 46 haha..

(home in quotes cause i'm at school or working elsewhere the majority of the time, but that is where i claim residence)

Right on....

Luckily I am able to skate the periphery during hockey season. I will say that I got a kick out of my dog beating up this other dog named Malkin at the dog park. He didn't really "beat him up" per se but they were playing and mine was clearly the dominant one. The owners asked me his name and I chuckled and said "Ovie". His name is Luke, but at that moment......we all laughed, it was cool....

 

[Vadered]

Except they did change. They got themselves a 30 goal threat on the wing in Horton, they got the #2 prospect in the draft coming in, and they got healthy. They were the best team 2 years ago, and they were absolutely destroyed by injuries last year. They roll 3 lines deep offensively, they have a top 3 goalie in Rask continuing to get better, and they have a terrific defense led by Chara. Not even mentioning the best defensive coaching staff in the East. What's not to like?

Ah, crap, forgot they had all that injury trouble last year. Touche on that. And I know their goalie and D are usually strong. Still not afearing that offense, though. Savard projects out to their top point leader at 66 points if he'd played 82, and nobody else got over 52. Horton won't get much help from them, though in all fairness Florida isn't an offensive juggernaut either. Also, he might not get 20 minutes a night on the Bruins; Florida kept his line out a long time, I guess (I don't watch the Panthers very often, I admit). I'll move them from "Well, somebody has to win that division" to "They aren't bad." Still don't think they'll beat Washington for the Eastern regular season crown, though. Washington has too much experience at empty victories to lose to the Bruins.

 

[scottflyers88]

If the Penguins ever dabble with that experiment, I hope it's only as a last ditch effort if Letang is struggling in the upcoming season. IMO, I saw a marked improvement from him last year in his defensive abilities. His scoring numbers declined in 2009 from 2008, but I think a lot of that had to do with the fact that he was honing his game for more defensive responsibilities. Letang finished the regular season with his best +/- of his short career, and in the 09 playoffs, Letang was arguably the Pens best blue-liner.

Here is my best guess on the final east standings for 10-11:

1. Washington (bar-none top notch offense in the NHL)
2. New Jersey (Marty is still the man in the regular season, owns the atlantic)
3. Boston (no one will knock them out of the top spot in the NE)
4. Pittsburgh (biggest team weakness was addressed with Z and Martin)
5. Philly (top notch blue-line and a potent scoring threat)
6. Buffalo (Miller is one of the top three goal-tenders in the NHL)
7. Montreal (Carey Price will have the weight of the world on his shoulders)
8. Tampa Bay (Top two scoring lines will be potent, good adds in the net too)

he owns the pens i guess, not the atlantic.

 

[beantownmaniac]

Except they did change. They got themselves a 30 goal threat on the wing in Horton, they got the #2 prospect in the draft coming in, and they got healthy. They were the best team 2 years ago, and they were absolutely destroyed by injuries last year. They roll 3 lines deep offensively, they have a top 3 goalie in Rask continuing to get better, and they have a terrific defense led by Chara. Not even mentioning the best defensive coaching staff in the East. What's not to like?

I REALLY like this guy

 

[anderwho2513]

I REALLY like this guy

They'll still

in the playoffs.

 

[dare2be]

They'll still

in the playoffs.

Eat magic mushrooms???