Running 2007 NHL regular season thread

I figured that I'd get the thread started with the season starting this weekend with the Ducks and Kings playing two games in London.

Here are my predictions for the final standings, playoff teams and award winners; all of which are sure to be wrong.

 

Geez, no flies on you, HB. Regular season doesn't begin until Saturday.

Oh, and Looserfanboy, the Rangers won't even get by the second round.

 

Man, there's no way in all I'm putting predictions out like that. You're a brave one, HB!

And JR is right. The Rags suck!

 

Yipee, regular season thread, finally! SO happy!

Will give my predictions tomorrow.

 

I like to get started early with the hockey threads!

Rangers are going to win The Cup, powered by Mimico's favorite son, Brendan Shanahan!

 

I can't wait. Now if the idiots at Dish Network would just reach a deal to offer Center Ice, I'll be in business.

 

Ok, I'll play

East:

Rangers
Senators
Lightning
Penguins
Hurricanes
Flyers
Islanders
Sabres

West:
Ducks
Red Wings
Canucks
Avalanche
Flames
Sharks
Wild
Predators

Rangers beat the Red Wings for the Cup

Hart (MVP): Sidney Crosby
Art Ross (Top Scorer): Sidney Crosby
Maurice Richard (Top Goal Scorer): Ilya Kovalchuk
Calder Trophy (Rookie Of The Year): Jonathan Toews
Norris Trophy (Best Defenseman): Dion Phaneuf
Vezina Trophy (Best Goaltender): Roberto Luongo
Lady Byng Trophy (Most Sportsmanlike): Brad Richards
Selke Trophy (Best Defensive Forward): John Madden
Jack Adams Award (Coach Of The Year): Mike Babcock
Jennings Trophy (Lowest Goals Against Average): Luongo and Curtis Sanford
Conn Smythe Trophy (Playoff MVP): Chris Drury

HB, if I may ask, what makes you put the Lightning at the bottom of the Southeast? They're a much better team than Florida, Washinton and Atlanta, and will be fighting the Hurricanes for the division.

 

I just think Tampa is thin on the blueline after Boyle and Denis Lemieux would be an upgrade in goal.

 

Now here's some good fodder for debate ...

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=219246&hubname=

Roberto Luongo says he'd quit the NHL if the league introduced larger nets.

There is no plan to do so but there was a lot of talk about it a couple of years ago during symposiums open to any ideas to enhance offence in the league.

Taller nets, wider nets, curved posts - some of the suggestions were wild.

Luongo, the star goaltender for the Vancouver Canucks, says he'd have no desire to play if nets were larger than the current size of six feet by four feet. During a conference call Tuesday, he was asked how he'd react if bigger nets were mandated.

"If that day comes, I don't think you'd see me in the NHL," he replied.

He'd rather retire, he added.

 

Memo to Gary The Weasel: LEAVE THE FUCKING GAME ALONE.

 

No shit ... someone on my softball board compared NHL marketing ability to NASCAR ... keep it regional, know your fans and don't change anything.

Fuck's sake, it's not like NASCAR started turning right in order to please people who weren't going to watch anyway.

 

I've got it! Make the nets bigger and eliminate goalies! Who needs to stop the puck? Every game can be 47-46! Won't that be fun?