By Lee
Manchur
Saturday, September 22nd, 2001
It's that time of year again. Take the hockey bag out of the basement, lace
up your skates, and be sure to wear a helmet, because this NHL season is
sure to be one with a lot of ups and downs, with many surprises along the
way.
The NHL has an all-new look this season. Jagr in Washington? Renberg and
Riechel coming back to the NHL after years off, and both going to play in
Toronto? The Yashin saga in Ottawa is over, with the New York Islanders trading
for him, as well as obtaining the feisty Mike Peca. Nikolia Khabibulin is
back for his first full season after contract disputes in Phoenix led him
to Tampa Bay last year. The Dominator has left Buffalo, and the Big E goes
to the Big Apple.
And to think, that's only in the Eastern Conference alone!
Read below for my predictions for this year's 2001-2002 NHL season in the
Eastern Conference. Then, go to the
SC NHL board to discuss what you agree and disagree with
in my predictions. A day before the NHL season starts on Tuesday, October
2, I will post my Western Conference predictions, as well as my Stanley Cup
predictions and then, get ready to hit the ice because there are 1,230 games
in this year's NHL regular season!
EASTERN CONFERENCE -
PREDICTED FINAL STANDINGS
1. *Washington
2. *New Jersey
3. *Toronto
4. Philadelphia
5. Ottawa
6. NY Rangers
7. Boston
8. Tampa Bay
-------------
9. NY Islanders
10. Buffalo
11. Carolina
12. Florida
13. Pittsburgh
14. Atlanta
15. Montr�al
*Division leaders seeded 1-2-3; top eight in conference make playoffs
1. Washington Capitals - Jagr in the line-up and goaltender Olaf
"Godzilla" Kolzig locked-up long term. The Capitals are a powerhouse for
this season. Expect even more from D-man Sergei Gonchar this season, who
had a career year last year, fifth in the league in points by defensemen.
2. New Jersey Devils - Attempting to become the first team since the
Oilers of the '80s to make it to the Cup Finals three years in a row in 2002.
This team has few new faces, so expect the same old results - wins, and lots
of 'em!
3. Toronto Maple Leafs - A severely souped-up offense has led the
Leafs to just a 1-3 record so far in the preseason, but as the additions
of Riechel, Renberg, and Green get to know Sundin, Roberts, Corson, and the
others, expect a lot of goals for T.O. Enforcer Tie Domi begins the season
serving a suspension from last year's playoffs.
4. Philadelphia Flyers - With Roenick almost signed before teams were
"officially" allowed to sign free agents this year, it was clear the Flyers
wanted to make a statement this season. LeClair is back for a full and healthy
year. Coach Barber won Jack Adams last season. Flyers are solid in net with
Cechmanek and Boucher.
5. Ottawa Senators - With Yashin out of their hair, the Senators begin
a new era. Recently signed captain Alfredsson to a one-year, $3 million contract.
Hossa remains unsigned. Patrik Lalime will be a strong candidate for goaltender
of the year. Sens have the biggest defenseman in the game with Zdeno Chara,
acquired in the Islander trade for Yashin.
6. New York Rangers - Biggest offseason move, easily, was acquiring
The Big E, Eric Lindros, in a trade-and-sign deal with the Flyers. Rangers
are not secure in goal, with brittle Mike Richter again being the number
one goalie. Fleury has finished rehab and will be back for 2001-2002.
7. Boston Bruins - Last year was a "would've, should've, could've"
season. Much different story in '02. The team had trouble keeping a goalie
last year, but now have Dafoe in it from the start. Significant addition
was free agent Martin Lapointe, who will help Guerin, Samsonov, and Thornton
greatly in the offense. Third leading scorer in NHL, Jason Allison, still
unsigned.
8. Tampa Bay Lightning - A young team, but with one of the top goalies
in the game, Khabibulin, the Lightning are finally playoff contenders once
again. Captain Lecavalier still unsigned. Brad Richards coming off excellent
rookie campaign. The "Bolts" have the hardest slap shot in the game in Fredrick
Modin.
9. New York Islanders - Offensive additions of Yashin and Peca are
not enough, despite a very respectable blue line. Islanders still lack a
solid #1 goalie; sophomore DiPietro coming off a 3-15-1 rookie season and
not #1 material.
10. Buffalo Sabres - No Peca, and no Hasek for the first time since
the Sabres were East champs in 1999. Watch for J.P. Dumont to have a great
season. Sabres have decent all-around team, but Hasek bailed them out too
many times in previous seasons, and now they have no one to do that for them.
Sabres do lead NHL in one category - undoubtedly they have the best TV
play-by-play announcer in the league.
11. Carolina Hurricanes - Ron Francis approaching 500 goals (487)
and 1,500 games (1,489) this season. A lot of different weapons up front,
but not a lot of depth. Example: goalie Irbe played 77 of 82 games last season.
12. Florida Panthers - If their performance at the 50th NHL All-Star
Game in 2000 was any outlook, the Panthers will be brilliant this season
with the Bure Brothers playing side-by-side in southern Florida. Kidd will
do well in goal; watch out for back-up Loungo to pull of a "Nabokov" this
season.
13. Pittsburgh Penguins - Can the Pens live on without Jagr? The answer
is no - not when you don't get any current NHL-caliber players in return.
Unloading Jagr's $11 million salary, however, allowed the team to re-sign
players like Hedberg, Kovalev, and Straka, however. Lemieux plans to play
only 75% of games this season to gear up for playoffs. Unfortunately, I don't
think they will make the post-season.
14. Atlanta Thrashers - A great team for a third-year team. Number
one line could possibly be Stefan-Heatley-Kovalchuk - all early first-round
draft picks from 1999, 2000, and 2001, respectively. Rhodes will flourish
in goal if the defense plays decent.
15. Montr�al Canadiens - The injury bug will not leave the Canadiens.
They already lead the NHL with "man games lost to injury" for the 2001-2002
season, and it hasn't even started yet - Koivu possibly out all 82 games
this year with cancer. Very respectable team offense; very poor team defense;
Hackett/Theodore combo just does not work in goal. Another long season for
the best all-time hockey team.
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