In this weeks episode we preview the Central Division with complete analysis and predictions for each team. We also talk with Red Wings play-by-play announcer Ken Daniels to get his thoughts on Detroit’s chances to repeat as Stanley Cup champs. We’ll also discuss some bad news for the St. Louis Blues, a big trade between the Ducks and Thrashers, why Asia could be Cup Crazy in the future, we’ll throw a former NHL coach into the penalty box and a whole lot more.
MP3 File
As always, a great show from you guys…
I was surprised when you read my last post on your show, in which I made the “bold” prediction of the Phoenix Coyotes making the playoffs (at the expense of one of the Pacific division’s “Big Three”).
Doug my excellent, attic-based podcaster and predictor extraordinaire… while I believe you (and Eddie as well) possess wonderful insight as far as hockey and real life are concerned, I couldn’t help but notice the note of incredulity in your voice as you pointed out that the logic in my prediction assumes that the Ducks will be the odd team out. However much I would like that to be the case, I don’t think the Ducks will be playing golf during the first round of the playoffs. I guess I just didn’t want to say “the Sharks might not actually make the playoffs”. I think it’s a real possibility given a new coach and a new system that the players might have trouble getting adjusted to. Given the amount of talent and experience the Sharks now have, THAT’S bold. So as much as I hate admitting it, the Ducks have a better chance on paper than the Sharks.
I picked Dallas simply because they walked over the Ducks and Sharks in last season’s playoffs (much more so the Ducks)and yet they continue to get no love from the sport’s press, for the most part. That logic is simple, to be sure, but like you guys have said many times – the division is ultimately a toss up, especially when it comes to key injuries and hot streaks. But Dallas remains one of the most underrated teams in the league in my opinion. I firmly believe that if they had eliminated the Sharks in four then they would have had a very real chance at advancing to the finals. Instead the Sharks proudly went down swinging in one living hell of a game 6.
In the end, I just want to see Phoenix do well, I guess. I’ve always liked cheering for the underdogs.
But I agree with your central division picks. Hard not to pick Detroit to go all the way again. Aboslutley filthy rich and deservingly so. Can’t wait to see who both of you pick to win it all.
When you guys previewed the Central Division last week, you mentioned that Nashville didn’t make any big acqusitions in the off season. Well Nashville didn’t have Steve Sullivan at all last season and as it stands now he’s 100% and ready to return, so in my opinion, getting a leader and scorer like Sullivan back is almost as good as landing a big name in the offseason.
Not only does fantasy hockey get people to “care about the games when they’re not on,” but it indeed is a great way to learn about new players – maybe by accident. Two or three years ago, we had an inexperienced young gal who just wanted to be part of the fun. she picked RJ Umberger. We all said “WHO?” He wasn’t the greatest pick that year, but he sure turned out to be a guy that we all were looking at last year after a 50-point seasom.
Any idea what kind of game the Victoria Cup will be tonight between the NY Rangers and Metallurg Magintogorsk of the KHL?
Also, the first night of the IIHF Champions League Group Stage is next week, here’s the schedule for gameday 1. The full tournament Groups are also inclueded as well.
Group A
Karpat Oulu (FIN)
Eisbaren Berlin (GER)
Metallurg Magintogorsk (RUS)
Eisbaren Berlin VS. Karpat Oulu
Group B
HV71 Jonkoping (SWE)
SC Bern (SUI)
Espoo Blues (FIN)
HV71 Jonkoping VS. SC Bern
Group C
Salavat Yulasyev Ufa (RUS)
Slovan Bratislava (SVK)
Ceske Budejovice (CZE)
Salavat Yulasyev Ufa VS. Ceske Budejovice
Group D
Slavia Prague (CZE)
ZSC Lions (SUI)
HC Linkoping (SWE)
Slavia Prague VS. HC Linkoping
Are there any rule changes for the new season? I haven’t heard of any so assume if there are any they are minor.
At the end of last season there was talk about changing the size of goalie equipment and a group was set up by the league to study this. What came of this effort?
Good question Doug. I have heard no news on rules or equipment changes either. Wasn’t the net size also being debated last season
? Maybe the guys can touch on this in the next week or two.
Doug, here’s a short article from TSN about some of the changes that are supposed to be in effect at the start of this season:
“The National Hockey League’s Board of Governors endorsed three key rule changes in its annual meeting on Wednesday that will be implemented at the start of the 2008-09 season.
The first change will be for Rule 76.2 on faceoffs, placing the first faceoff of a power play in the defending zone of the team that committed the foul.
Second, a change to Rule 81.1 on icing will state that, “Any contact between opposing players while pursuing the puck on an icing must be for the sole purpose of playing the puck and not for eliminating the opponent from playing the puck. Unnecessary or dangerous contact could result in penalties being assessed to the offending player.”
The last change will be to Rule 85.5 on faceoff location, saying that if a puck is shot off the goal frame, goal post or crossbar, the subsequent faceoff will remain in the end zone where the puck went out of play.
Also, the league announced Wednesday that the board endorsed immediate and long-term recommendations provided by the Goaltender Equipment Working Group and the league’s competition committee and will work with goalies and equipment manufacturers on standards for the maximum size of all equipment that a player can wear.”
I don’t know if the agreed upon (?) changes in goalie equipment will be in effect this season. Probably not since the manufacturer’s of thier equipment might not be able to make the changes soon enough. I like the new faceoff rule and icing rules though.
Wings will once again coast through the long, boring regular season. Then they’ll step it up and battle to win another Stanley Cup !!
Nate,
Thank you for posting the interesting information about rule changes. I agree with you on the faceoff changes. Teams on a power play will get an extra advantage, provided they can win the faceoff.
Doug in San Jose
Thanks to Doug S. for posting the NHL’s video.
Here’s another rule change which didn’t appear on the video or on Nate’s posting but which was in today’s San Jose Mercury News:
“No commercial timeout will be permitted when play stops following an icing, except when penalties are assessed that affect the on-ice strength of either team. Both teams are permitted to make a line change at that point.”
I assume that a “line change” also includes being able to change defensemen.
For those of you wondering what Doug in San Jose is talking about click on “Doug” in the top right corner of this page to check out my latest post on the new rules and the goalie controversy in Ottawa.