8th SEASON OUTLOOK CONTENDERS AND PRETENDERS By Bo Siemsen, November 18th 2003

The season is upon us once again … and once again I take out my crystal ball to try and predict what is going to happen. Who has a shot at the cup, who would settles for a spot in the playoffs … and who’s unlikely to make it to the final 16. Obviously a lot can change – and usually do through the course of a season, so I can only speculate based on the current rosters. In the Eastern Conference 3 clear-cut favourites for the division titles spring to mind. That’s the Canadiens, Panthers and Rangers. In the west it is a bit more muddy … obviously the Avalanche rank as the clear favourite in the North West division but the two other division titles are up for grabs. A quick look … by division … NORTH EAST DIVISION Last year the Buffalo Sabres under Conor Williams’ management took the division title on 99 points, but traded away Pavel Bure and flunked out of the playoffs early. The Montreal Canadiens rank as clear frontrunner to take this division title this season. They are a deep veteran team with skill speed and grit will have the title after all 82 games. Teams like Buffalo, Ottawa and Toronto will put up a fight all season but it is unlikely that they can keep up with the Canadiens. Particularly the Senators and Sabres will need to make the playoffs in order to stay healthy … if they slip up and end outside the top 8 they will join the line of bankrupt teams at the end of season. 4 teams from this division made the playoffs last season, this year I would not be surprised to see the Ottawa Senators slipping and dropping outside the top 8 and into deep waters and financial misery. But that’s just me, maybe Belfour will once again stand on his head and get enough wins for the team. They certainly have a top duo with Belfour and Vokoun. The Boston Bruins will continue their rebuilding process watching all their youngsters mature even further. ATLANTIC DIVISION Last season the New York Rangers ran away with the division title 24 points ahead of the brave Pittsburgh Penguins who battled through a long season with injuries and no Mario finishing 2nd in the division and 9th in the Conference. Only the Rangers made the playoffs last year from this division. Once again the Rangers will be expected to run away with the division title, eventhough the New York Islanders should put up a much better season this year with the addition of veteran John Leclair through Free Agency and a rapidly maturing group of young forwards. The defensive unit is still a questionmark lacking quality veterans. The Penguins will jump on the back of Jean-Sebastian Giguere and see how far he can carry their young squad standing behind a reliable defensive unit (if you ignore the unavoidable blunders from Martin Skoula that is). The Flyers will focus on developing the team taking baby-steps forward and hopefully securing a sound financial position. The Devils look set to once again try to take a run at the playoffs, but could instead be headed for another financially troublesome season if they don’t reduce their payroll (sending Claude Lemieux, Igor Larionov, Shvidki and Smirnov to the farm would be a good start). SOUTH EAST DIVISION Last year the high powered Panthers had to fend of a surprisingly strong challenge from the Washington Capitals (99 points vs. 97). The 99 points was enough for 2nd place in the East and a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals losing in 7 games made it a season of “almost” for the Panthers. The Capitals and the first-time Thrashers also made it to the playoffs. The last two didn’t get far though. This upcoming season, with the addition of Jaromir Jagr and a top solid defence the Panthers should be able to run away with the division title with a bigger margin than last year. The Capitals shouldn’t feel too sure to repeat that playoff season. They have Roenick, Turco and Zubov. That’s about it. They need some magic from someone, in the past it was Kovalev, last year it was Turco … they are in the dangerzone. the Atlanta Thrashers under Colin Whitmee’s determined management with additions like Curtis Joseph and Vincent Lecavalier will again be in contention for a playoffspot. The Hurricanes and the Lightning are both capable and inexpensive teams, but it will be against the odds if they make the playoffs with their current teams. EASTERN PREDICTIONS IN CONCLUSION Division Winners – Rangers, Panthers, Canadiens In the playoff race – Maple Leafs, Senators, Sabres, Islanders, Thrashers, Capitals In long-shot Limbo – Hurricanes, Lightning, Devils, Penguins Still reconstructing – Flyers, Blues CENTRAL DIVISION Last season the St.Louis Blues ran away with the division title reaching 110 points in Benjamin’s final season in the WCFHL. More than 20 points ahead of the surprising 2nd placed Chicago Blackhawks. The Detroit Red Wings came in at a disappointing 4th. They even missed the playoffs thanks to a depressing lack of management from last years GM’s. The Predators made a brave run and finished 9th in the conference just outside the playoffs while the Blue Jackets secured the first overall pick in this years entry draft. New GM in St.Louis, Mike Gallant, will not have it as easy as Ben did. With the retirement of Patrick Roy they had to ship out Jaromir Jagr to acquire Joe Theodore and Steve Yzerman (basically). Remove the best ever goaltender and a 7 times leading scorer in the NHL (Jagr) and you will have a lesser team. I suspect we could have a great 3-way battle for the Central Division title this season. Obviously the Blues are still strong. The Detroit Red Wings should re-emerge under Shon “former Stanley Cup finalist” Shampain’s management and dare I say it, the Chicago Blackhawks, who are just getting better and better for every trade they do. That’s some change from recent years, Mikko. I don’t think the Nashville Predators will not be able to compete with these 3, but could still put in a good run and battle for one of the last playoff spots – though the tough division will make it tricky for them. If they don’t make it, they are likely to join the line of financially troubled teams. Even if they do make it it’s a possibilitye. The Blue Jackets are knee-deep in NHL goaltenders with Mark-Andre Fleury, Felix Potvin and the two Jamie’s (Storr and McLennan). Currently low on cash the payroll seems a bit high. PACIFIC DIVISION The Dallas Stars rebounded from their sub-par season 5 performances and took the division title in arguable the strongest division in the WCFHL. They reached 105 points, 2 more than the then defending champions San Jose Sharks and even the heroic efforts of Los Angeles Kings (97 points). Someone had to give in this division … and that was the Coyotes. Under Mike Roeder’s competent come-back management they were expected (by me atleast) to make the playoffs but they failed. This season once again the Sharks are frontrunners for the Division title. Though their usual laizze-faire attitude might allow the Stars to sneak in once again. And even the Phoenix Coyotes could make a good run if their new Free Agency acquired goaltender Dominic Hasek takes his game to the highest level, which we all know is pretty damn high. The Kings have acquired Freddie Brathwaite to take Arturs Irbe’s spot between the pipes riding shotgun to Johan Hedberg. I can’t see the Kings getting the same unbelievable level of goaltending as they did last year … when Irbe and Hedberg combined for 43 wins and a 2.39 GAA … and finally there’s the Mighty Ducks. Most likely they will be this divisions prügelknabe in the upcoming season, though apparently a financially responsible one this time around. NORTH WEST DIVISION The Colorado Avalanche blew everyone away in the Western Conference last year. A combination of their all star line-up and the comparatively weak division enabled them to reach an unprecedented 127 points giving them an outrageous 43 point margin ahead of the 2nd placed Vancouver Canucks. The Edmonton Oilers finished on their traditional 8th place in the Conference as the 3rd team to make the playoffs from this division. Both the Flames and surprisingly the Wild were within striking distance of the playoffs all year, but fell short in the end. I cant see anything or anybody preventing the Avalanche from repeating the division and likely the Conference title too. The Canucks has reduced their payroll dramatically by 15 million adding youngsters like Justin Williams and Henrik Zetterberg. With a solid D in front of Khabibulin they still have a good shot at the playoffs … the Edmonton Oilers appear to be on their last leg with the decline of Adam Oates and Martin Straka, but they should compete again. They are in financially unsafe waters now though. The Calgary Flames will look to the top line with Robert Lang, Paul Kariya and Jarome Iginla for production. Whether that will be enough to paper over the gaping cracks in their defence is questionable … but it should be a highscoring season for the Flames … in both ends of the ice. The Minnesota Wild has consistently been surprisingly good at collecting points. Now with the addition of Pavel Bure and Gary Robert they have 2/3’s of a good line. With Mike Rathje removed from the D they could crumble more often than in the past. WESTERN PREDICTIONS IN CONCLUSION Division Winners – Avalanche, Sharks, Blues Playoff certainty – Stars, Playoff battle – Blackhawks, Red Wings, Kings, Coyotes, Canucks, Oilers, Flames, Predators Still reconstructing – Mighty Ducks, Wild, Blue Jackets LET THE GAMES BEGIN !