Pre-Season - How is Your Team Looking?

[30ranfordfan]

Oilers.... who knows? Yammamoto has looked good in the preseason - and if that actually turns into another talented player up front, they've got the potential to have a couple of good lines.

I'm expecting the PP will be better this year, the Oilers should be a "top third of the league" offense - but the defense? I have no idea what to expect out of that group, or the goalies.

Two years ago they were supposed to "challenge for a playoff spot" and they actually won a playoff round. Last year they were supposed to win the division and played terrible. This year? Supposed to be bad (again) so they'll probably be half decent.

[Thick McRunfast]

Two years ago they were supposed to "challenge for a playoff spot" and they actually won a playoff round. Last year they were supposed to win the division and played terrible. This year? Supposed to be bad (again) so they'll probably be half decent.

It's funny, right? All the predictions and calculations and data thrown around in the preseason, and still, you just never know how a team is going to do.

[Devlin]

I don't put too much stock in preseason, any sport.

The B's are not playing too many of their regulars

[Stryfex]

Wings fan here...

...team actually looks okay out there in the pre-season but the team is an absolute atrocity and this year is going to reflect that. They have arguably the league's worst defence top-6 and their prospects are looking quite nice up front but equally disastrous on defence. You can't compete in the NHL with 100% terrible defencemen.

Also, wings fans are really high on Dylan Larkin - and I get it, he's a nice, exciting young player that seems to be an all around awesome dude - but he's just average at hockey. He is just simply not the star wings fans want him to be - he's a 2nd line player a good team but yet we're apparently building around him for the future? bleak future if true

[RGM81]

My sens look like the have a legitimate shot at the first overall pick next year............. @RGM81 do you see Suzuki sticking with the big cvlub? really hoping not :)

Well your prayers were answered, as Suzuki was returned to Owen Sound this morning. I don't mind it at all. Let him dominate one more year in the OHL, get even hungrier, physically mature a little bit, and hopefully rock it for Canada at the World Juniors.

[MR.M's Cards]

woke up to that news this morning and couldnt be happier :) little surprised about joel ward thought he could provide a good veteran presence

[Crosscheck]

Jets don’t look bad the little bit I have seen. Hoping for a Division Championship & a cup or at least cup final appearance. I think the West is going to be pretty tough though. I agree though the preseason doesn’t always mean much.

[RGM81]

Jesperi Kotkaniemi has made the Habs roster out of camp! Bring on the YG!


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[zunato]

It is always hard to gage a team during preseason. One day you see a bunch of vets play the next a bunch of AHLers and rookies. For my Hawks the season I think will depend on a few things

1) Cam Ward. I believe Ward will be the #1 for most of the season. If he has a good year I think the Hawks make the playoffs. Lots of fans think that with no Crawford, no playoffs. I have never been a fan of his, I think his numbers just reflect on the team he had in front of him. I honestly don't think Crawford will play to much this year.

2) Alex DeBrincat. He was tied for 2nd on the team in points and 1st in goals in his rookie year. He did that while playing on all 4 lines during the year. So far this preseason he has played on a line mostly with Toews. I think if he plays mostly on the 1st line (Toews) or on the 2nd (Kane) he betters last years point totals.

3) Off season moves.
Cam Ward, good #1 or #2 goalie. Something they didn't have the second half of last year.
Chris Kunitz, veteran player who can play on any line and willing to stand in front of the net and get some dirty goals again something the hawks didn't have last year.
Brandon Manning, A physical defense man that's willing to "mix it up". Again something the Hawks haven't had in a couple of years
Brandon Davidson, Looks to be a solid back up defense man with NHL experience that the Hawks missed last year.
Marcus Kruger. Helps the bottom six and the PK.

4) Durability. The Hawks core (Toews, Kane, Keith, Seabrook) have played a lot of game the last ten years. Playoffs, Olympics, International play I think have take a toll on them and last year it showed. I'm hoping that missing the playoffs gave them time to recharge their batteries.

I think they surprise everyone and make the playoffs this year.

[odjickfan]

Jesperi Kotkaniemi has made the Habs roster out of camp! Bring on the YG!


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This one will be expensive!