2005-08-18T00:00:00.000-07:00

My predictions for the NHL 2005-06 season.
With the new landscape in the NHL and some significant rule changes, the next NHL season seems to be wide open like never before. Pittsburgh, Calgary, Edmonton, Florida all made lots of headlines so far. But the only headlines that will matter are the ones created in May and June.

Eastern Conference.
Winners:
1 - Montreal - This team is designed for the new rules. If key players stay healthy, and younger ones improved this team is my pick to win the east.
2 - Ottawa - No big moves, that is because they made them a year earlier. With loads of talent what would you change?
3 - Pittsburgh - No, they won't win anything but now that Mario is back, and they made significant changes, they will be energized and exciting. They will score a lot, but will also allow almost as many. Crosby could be good or great, either way, Pittsburgh wins with him.

Maybes
1 - Philly - :Most teams in the east took a big step back. Philly made some giant step forward, but also took some steps back. But with solid goaltending, and a healthy Forsburg, they could be tough.
2 -Toronto - Roberts and Nieuwendyk were gambles. Lindros and Allison are cheaper gambles with a larger upswing. If they stay healthy, and I don't thing they will, TO could finally win the third round.

Losers:
1 - Islanders - Millbury... what else can you say
2 - Tampa - How many goalies are there in the league that won a cup? 4! And they let one get away. I'd have traded St Louis for 2 above average goal scorers and kept the Bulin Wall. Brad Richards over time, will probably be the best player they have... you have to keep him.

Western Conference:
Winners
1 -Los Angeles - They got Conroy and deleted a bunch of injury prone suckers. I predict this team is going to surprise the heck out of everyone this year. And hey, having Roenick on the team is going to give them a high profile player again for the first time since Gretzky was around.
2 - Nashville - Kariya took his team to within a game of winning the cup in 03. Then he gets hurt and suddenly he's worthless? He'll do very well with this tough, young, hardworking team that is going to breakthrough this year.
3 - Anaheim - New GM, new owner, new champion defenseman, and lots of talent still on the team.
Maybes
1 - Calgary - Everyone talks about how they kept the core. Well, remember, they let Conroy go and I think that is going to hurt. Yes, Iginla is the leader and having McCarthy around will help but I think they will miss him come playoff time.
2 - Vancouver - Hurray for the Canucks, they got Bert and Nasland back. Now how about a Goalie?
3 - Columbus - My brother lives in Columbus that is why I am adding them. But really, with Nash getting better and upgrades on defence, I don't see this team going anywhere but up.
Losers
1 - Edmonton - I'm not sure those moves are going to pay off. Should have stayed the coarse and used the money to keep existing players instead of getting Pronger and Peca.
2 - Phoenix - OK, Cujo was a steal I know and maybe he can help them win a few more games. But they do have Hull who is going to be a pain in the ass, plus they have Comrie and Morris who are young, talented, disruptive and traded twice already. But then again, never bet against #99.

No point in predicting who will win the cup this year, the rules have changed and we have not yet seen if the refs are going to be serious about obstruction. Could it be Montreal vs Nashville? LA against Ottawa? Tampa vs Calgary?

One thing I see happening this year is that hockey will be more popular then ever in most markets. We know it will in Canada for sure. Pittsburgh, LA, Anaheim, Florida, Tampa, Columbus, Nashville, Chiacgo, Phoenix will increase. Philly, NYR, Buffalo will probably stay the same. Colorado, Dallas, NYI, Carolina, San Jose, Detroit will go down a bit.

NHL Hockey