As we count down the final days leading up to the 2009-10 regular season, let's take a look at each of the 30 teams with the official DGB Season Preview. Today, we look at the Atlantic Division.
New York Rangers
The good: There's a better-than-average chance that Donald Brashear will cripple Chris Drury in practice, saving the team valuable cap space.The bad: Wade Redden reported to camp still alive.
Biggest question mark: Aren't you kind of hoping Sean Avery knocks out Kyle Okposo this year just so we can all make "sloppy seconds" jokes?
Fearless forecast: Marion Gaborik will bring the sort of dynamic offensive threat that the team hasn't had since... wait, why is he limping off the ice?
New Jersey Devils
The good: Wisely maintained team chemistry by not bringing in any big name off-season acquisitions, even though almost half their good players left.The bad: Sure, Jacques Lemaire's offense will be fun to watch at first, but can the Devils maintain that sort of breakneck page all season long?
Biggest question mark: Everyone makes such a big deal about oversized shoulder pads, but why doesn't anybody ever complain about the ever-growing stomach padding Martin Brodeur is apparently using?
Fearless forecast: You won't watch a single one of their games all season.
Philadelphia Flyers
The good: If 35-year old Chris Pronger can't lead team to a Stanley Cup this year, no problem -- they still have him for another six years after that!The bad: Continuing a proud tradition of tough guy Flyers goalies, Ray Emery has already been beaten into a bloody pulp by Felix Potvin.
Biggest question mark: Will one of the Flyers commit a horrifying act of violence that ruins the Winter Classic, or will it be more than one?
Fearless forecast: Will almost certainly be one of the top two teams in the entire state.
Pittsburgh Penguins
The good: Aren't scheduled for another blatant tank job for another three or four years.The bad: Are at a tremendous disadvantage in an Olympic year in terms of fatigue, given that every single player on the roster is good enough to make an Olympic team.
Biggest question mark: Given that they're almost a sure thing to make the post-season, wouldn't it be a good idea for Sidney Crosby to start growing his playoff beard now?
Fearless forecast: I will continue to receive ten breathless e-mails a week that contain shocking photos of the Penguin players sitting around holding a trophy.
New York Islanders
The good: Franchise reputation is already dead and buried, which is a nice change since it marks the first ever case of this ownership group being able to get a shovel into the ground.The bad: Have six or seven good players, all of whom are goalies.
Biggest question mark: Which line will Taylor Hall play on?
Fearless forecast: Scott Gordon eventually throws a rock through the poster of Raquel Welch in John Tavares' locker, revealing a tunnel to Toronto hidden behind it.
Ah, the soothing sound of a "Martin Brodeur is fat" joke. Still a poor substitute for Kyle Wellwood. :(
ReplyDeleteWe play the Devils three times in one week near the middle of the season.
ReplyDeleteI'm stocking up on downers as we speak.
"Get busy livin', or get busy dying."
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking of starting on the other side of the tunnel somewhere near, say, Cardinal, Ontario. We can then have Todd Gill welcome him out of the hole.
"You don't understand! I'm not supposed to be here!
Inmate: Me neither! They run this place like a f___ing prison!"
ha ha ha, love the Shawshank reference.
ReplyDeleteTavares got the tunnel idea from Rick Nash. It's a real shame that Scott Howson found Nash's tunnel the day before he was going to leave ... and added 8 years to his sentence as a result.
ReplyDeleteAlways classic.
ReplyDeleteThe Isles one especially made me lol.