And.. for the uninformed...

[lithera]

TODAY IS THE FIRST DAY OF HOCKEY SEASON!

Sport's Illustrated's Power Rankings

I'll put up ESPN's when they get them up.

Comments

[skidspoppe.livejournal.com]

Since my boys don't play until tomorrow it hasn't really started yet :)

Re:

[lithera.livejournal.com]

I know the feeling, but hey, it's all good.

[marzipan-pig.livejournal.com]

hah! thank you for letting me know :)

[archeon.livejournal.com]

penguins ranked 30th?!?!?!?!

Bah... probably the same group who predicted the 0-5 St. Louis Rams would be in the Superbowl...

Re:

[lithera.livejournal.com]

If Mario isn't healthy for the whole season, they aren't going to do so well.

[silentclarity.livejournal.com]

Have to agree with most of those. Colorado is certainly the team to beat this year - they got better, and Detroit got worse. I don't think CuJo is as good as Hasek (and Roy), and I certainly don't think that the new coach is as good as Bowman was. That and the desire to win won't be there. Defending the cup is always harder than winning it. Colorado only got better during the offseason - I don't think the loss of Kasparitis will hurt much (He's quite overrated IMO) and with Forsberg back and a bunch of young guys looking to step up, I don't think Drury will be missed as some writers claim. Look for Lacroix to deal for a big name defenseman around the trade deadline (Pronger's getting up there and it doesn't look like he's going to see a cup in St. Louis any time soon...).

Out east it's wide open. If the Flyers respond well to Hitchcock, they will end up winning the east - on paper they are by far the best team. Their only weakness is in goal (they lack a playoff calibre goaltender). I do not agree with all the hype about the Rangers - they made a few big deals over the summer; but they've done that every summer with no effect. If they start hot then every sportswriter in America is going to start haglaughluaghlhaluhging them, but I'm really doubting they'll make the playoffs.

To whoever was pissed at Pittsburgh being ranked 30: They're not the worst team in the NHL, I don't think they deserve to be ranked 30th, but I certainly don't think that they'll make a splash in the playoffs. Mario Lemieux just doesn't have it any more.

I do think Toronto should get more credit. If Belfour is on his game he's a way better goalie than Cujo - Belfour has won the cup; Cujo hasn't.

JD