So, the playoffs are finally set. Unfortunately, my Sabres have missed yet again, settling for mediocrity as usual.

But my playoff predictions are as follows:

1) San Jose Sharks vs. 8) St. Louis Blues
The Blues made a valiant effort, making the playoffs for the first time since the lockout, however, against a Sharks team with a Red Wings coaching attitude, they don't stand a chance. Mason is a decent goalie, but I'm hoping Nabokov doesn't choke in the playoffs this time. I feel like this is the Sharks year. Sharks in 5.

2) Detroit Red Wings vs 7) Anaheim Ducks
This Ducks team is a shell of its former self, and unfortunately for them, they lost the one thing that pieced them together for the only Cup they have. The Wings were 3-0-1 in the season series, and I don't see them letting up in this series. The only thing that worries me about Detroit is their goaltending, but not for this series. Wings in 5.

3) Vancouver Canucks vs. 6) Columbus Blue Jackets
Rick Nash must be thanking the hockey gods right now. That or Steve Mason, who I really think should get the Calder. Vermette was a great pickup at the deadline for a team that needed a spark, and a guy that needed a change in scenery. I can't help but like the Blue Jackets, but I also fear for their lack of playoff experience. With Sundin and Sedins, and Roberto Luongo, who I think has finally returned to form, Vancouver will take this series in 6.

4) Chicago Blackhawks vs. 5) Calgary Flames
It's upsetting that a team as young as the Blackhawks is in the playoffs, rather than a veteran rich team like the Nashville Predators. Jonathan Toews is not ready to lead his team in the playoffs, just yet, but Captain Canada will help the Flames this series. Bringing along Leopold and Jokinen at the deadline may prove vital for the Flames post-season success. I'm going Flames in 6 for this one.

It's actually Sharks vs Ducks which makes things interesting.

Sharks gotta win but i want Cheecho to be good. He only started playing bad after he got injured in a playoff game against the predators :(

My predictions, copypasted from by blog:

1. Boston vs. 8. Montreal
Boston takes the series in 5 games.

The Canadiens will get one on the Bruins, but only one. Montreal's downfall will come to their forwards, who so far have had little to show in the past week prior to the post-season. Tim Thomas will shut the door for what little he gets against him.

2. Washington vs. 7. NY Rangers
The Capitals win the series in 6 games.

Alex Ovechkin. That's all I can really say for Washington. Look out New York, look out Sean Avery. It's obvious that the only thing that's really keeping the Rangers in the midst of the Playoffs is Henrik Lundqvist, and you can't blame him for giving up a bunch of goals lately.

3. New Jersey vs. 6. Carolina
Hurricanes storm a 7 game victory.

Sure Martin Brodeur is the ideal goaltender here, and there's little doubt he and his team will screw up come post-season, but when you have guys like Brind'Amour, Samsonov, and of course, Eric Stall, all on you, there's a high chance that this series will be a long one. Where there's one good guy for the Devils, there's always one more in Carolina. Cam Ward hasn't been that bad either.

4. Pittsburgh vs. 5. Philadelphia
Penguins win the series in 6 games.

Originally, I thought this series would be decided in seven. Perhaps I was being too nice. The point is, Crosby is getting stronger, Malkin's getting better, and Guerin's just as good as he's always been. On the Flyer's side, players like Danny Briere and Jeff Carter have stepped up in this past week, though have come short to clinch home start. Either way, I predict the Battle of Pennsylvania to be down to the wire.

And now it comes to the Western Conference:

1. San Jose vs. 8. Anaheim
Sharks take it in 6 games.

The San Jose Sharks have never been more alive, and winning their first ever President's Trophy will give them that extra confidence to knock off the Ducks. First there's Thorton, Cheecho, and Marleau on a line. Next, there's Setoguchi, Blake, and Roenick on another line. Need I say more? Oh yes, and Nabokov as the goaltender/cherry on top.

2. Detroit vs. 7. Columbus
Red Wings in 5 games.

The defending champions will still have some hard ground, because they'll face a potential Calder Trophy winner at their doorstep (that's right, Steve Mason). Rick Nash will pull circles around these bigger brutes, but unfortunately, in this battle of Red vs. Blue, Detroit's bigger brutes will pull even bigger circles around Columbus' defense.

3. Vancouver vs. 6. St. Louis
Canucks in a clutch, 7 game performance.

Luongo will be a beast in this series. A beast. St. Louis has been a shocker getting the sixth seed over Columbus, because of the other Mason. Other rookie players for the Blues have stepped up too, making this team very interesting, and they'll surely be cup contenders for years to come.

4. Chicago vs. 5. Calgary
Chicago walks over fire in 5 games.

Yes, I'm going against my own favorite team this year. Only because of conspiracy, and an injury riddled Calgary Flames will see them only win a single game against the Blackhawks. Nikolai Khabibulin will once again upset Calgary like he did in 2004. Plus the young line of Patrick Kane and Toews will die down an already weak defense.

Bruins def. Habs
Caps rape Rangers
Devils def. Hurricanes
Pens def. Flyers (no D)

Sharks def. Ducks
Wings def. BJs
Blues def. Canucks
Blackhawks def. Flames

Eric Staal is the. fuckin'. shit.

if only Habuberlinwall played like this for Winnipeg. Then Winnipeg would at least get one Stanley Cup!

At 4/29/09 04:53 PM, Buddhist wrote: Eric Staal is the. fuckin'. shit.

He's finally showing the promise that his potential showed during his rookie year. Now he's taking the Canes onward. The matchup between the Canes and Bruins will be interesting, but I think the principal focus is AO vs Malkin, isn't it? The two Hart Trophy finalists duking it out for a place in the East Finals.

At 4/30/09 05:46 AM, Coop83 wrote:

At 4/29/09 04:53 PM, Buddhist wrote: Eric Staal is the. fuckin'. shit.

He's finally showing the promise that his potential showed during his rookie year. Now he's taking the Canes onward. The matchup between the Canes and Bruins will be interesting, but I think the principal focus is AO vs Malkin, isn't it? The two Hart Trophy finalists duking it out for a place in the East Finals.

AO v. Crosby, especially after last night.

I like how much of a polarizing figure Crosby has become. After Ovie got the hat trick last night, all the hats came raining down. Then they got cleaned off, and a second wave came down, and Crosby went to the ref and was like "you think you can announce for them to stop so we can keep playing?"

and then today, the media was basically like "CROSBY WHINES AGAIN" and all the comments are like "CROSBY SUCKS CROSBY SUCKS LOL" or "PUSSSSSSYYYYYYYY WAHHHHHHH", etc.

being that I don't really like Crosby, i can't say that i don't like it a little deep down. I just think that you gotta reserve your hatred for him for the times when he actually is whining like a little girl.

Here's to a Caps sweep, btw. That, or seven games. Either one is cool with me.

As for this week's "No Shit?" moment, I present: REPORT: ISLANDERS' OWNER WANG REGRETS BUYING TEAM.

No shit?

Should be an interesting free agency period. Who will end up where? Where do the Sedins go? Does Heatley waive his no-trade to go to Edmonton? Are the Canadiens retarded for trading for Gomez? Will the Sabres actually try to do a God damn thing? Will Hossa continue to curse every team that tries to sign him? Or is that Ty Conklin's fault?

I guess we'll see.

Acquisition of the off-season so far - New York Rangers picking up Marion Gaborik. His career appears to have stalled and they got him relatively cheaply as well.

I wonder if we'll see any monster trades voer the next few days, before the real feeding frenzy kicks off.

At 7/3/09 11:46 AM, Coop83 wrote: Acquisition of the off-season so far - New York Rangers picking up Marion Gaborik. His career appears to have stalled and they got him relatively cheaply as well.

I wonder if we'll see any monster trades voer the next few days, before the real feeding frenzy kicks off.

Gaborik, gotten cheaply? Not at 7.25 a year over 5 years. Not for somebody almost literally made out of glass.

Acquisition has got to be Toronto. I mean, they got Jonas "THE MONSTER" Gustavsson! (I kid).

No, I truly believe that acquisition of the offseason was Marian Hossa. Sure, it's a 12-year deal, but for someone who was expected to be at least a $7 million cap hit against his team, now is only a $5.2 million cap hit.

Now if only Tallon could find a better way to give qualifying offers to his players.... maybe he wouldn't have to overpay Versteeg to stay in Chicago.

At 7/9/09 03:49 PM, Tluck-Person wrote: Gaborik, gotten cheaply? Not at 7.25 a year over 5 years. Not for somebody almost literally made out of glass.

He could have gone for more, but the Rangers, who usually break the bank have been relatively restrained in their pursuit, to be frank.

Acquisition has got to be Toronto. I mean, they got Jonas "THE MONSTER" Gustavsson! (I kid).

That's not a bad pickup at all. I wish the Avs could pick up a Goalie like that :( Instead, we retained Budaj and allowed Raycroft to walk to Vancouver >:(

Also, it's sad to see Joe Sakic retire - one of the best players and opne of the most respected professionals that are out there in the modern sporting scene. His two Stanley Cup championships helped to put Colorado on the Hockey Map and hopefully, we'll be seeing some more competitive teams from Denver in the NHL over the next few seasons.

Who's going to be the Captain now? Hejduk? Stastny? Lyles?

Acquisition has got to be Toronto. I mean, they got Jonas "THE MONSTER" Gustavsson! (I kid).

:( I thought that was a good move. I think Toskala is the kind of goalie that has to be pushed in order to perform and from what I hear this guy might be able to do that. I think Beauchimen was the better acquisition though, probably one of the most underrated Defencemen in the league, I'm excited to see him perform stepping out of the Pronger/Niedermayer shadow.

No, I truly believe that acquisition of the offseason was Marian Hossa.

He was a good pickup, but they overpayed. The deal they gave him was a terrible idea. What happens a couple years down the road when they don't have the cap room to hang on to Toews/Kane/Versteeg because they're dishing out the dough to this goofball.

Also, it's sad to see Joe Sakic retire - one of the best players

Yeah I always knew he was a good player, but because he played at the time of guys like Gretzky, Lemieux, Messier, Yzerman, etc. and the fact that I was pretty young when he won that first cup with Colorado, he always flew a little under the radar for me. But the way he played in the 2002 Olympics really made me take notice that he was one of the best players in the world.

Who's going to be the Captain now? Hejduk? Stastny? Lyles?

I would think it would HAVE to be Adam Foote. I mean a veteran player who has done about as much to attribute to Colorado's past success as anyone else.

At 7/16/09 02:46 PM, EternitySpent wrote:

Who's going to be the Captain now? Hejduk? Stastny? Lyles?

I would think it would HAVE to be Adam Foote. I mean a veteran player who has done about as much to attribute to Colorado's past success as anyone else.

I think that Footer is getting too old - he's 38 and he didn't play a lot of games last year - perhaps he's getting too old for it, and his body can't hack it?

I seriously think that he might decide to call it a day himself either this off season or next.

At 7/16/09 04:20 PM, Coop83 wrote: I think that Footer is getting too old - he's 38 and he didn't play a lot of games last year - perhaps he's getting too old for it, and his body can't hack it?

I agree, but as a sort of 'stop gap' captain they could do worse. Ideally, Matt Duchene would be able step up and pull a Johnathan Toews in a season or two.

At 7/19/09 03:19 PM, EternitySpent wrote: I agree, but as a sort of 'stop gap' captain they could do worse. Ideally, Matt Duchene would be able step up and pull a Johnathan Toews in a season or two.

Well, if you're thinking like that, we could do a lot worse than Hejduk or Stastny. They are both mature guys and have both worn the A on their sweaters last season.

foote or hejduk. both of those guys were there when they got the cup a few years back and know what it takes to be a championship team. i don't see them getting back to that for a while though. they're hurting for players now. sucks, because that's my one team in sports that's good at stuff. *glares at the oakland raiders*

At 7/19/09 04:09 PM, michelinman wrote: foote or hejduk. both of those guys were there when they got the cup a few years back and know what it takes to be a championship team.

Well, I'll stick myself firmly into the camp of having a Captain who will play at least 60-70 games for the club. I don't think Foote is capable of that at the moment, especially in a physically demanding position, like D.

i don't see them getting back to that for a while though. they're hurting for players now.

True enough, but in order to rebuild properly, we need to stay at the bottom of the league for another year and then leap forward with some top quality young talent that we've drafted. Duchene is the tip of the iceberg. I think he'll make his NHL debut this year, but it will not be a revelation just yet.

We've shored up some holes in the defence and now we need a good goalie ;)

At 7/19/09 03:39 PM, Coop83 wrote: Well, if you're thinking like that, we could do a lot worse than Hejduk or Stastny. They are both mature guys and have both worn the A on their sweaters last season.

Yeah I didn't think about Stastny, he's an up-and-coming star and might do well with the C, although he is only 24 and in his like 3rd or 4th year so I don't know if I would call him mature just yet.
But yeah this is an excerpt the Denver Post:

'The uncertainty is one reason Foote probably won't succeed Sakic as the Avalanche captain this season, although he and Milan Hejduk would be the best short-term choices. Instead, the nod probably will go to Paul Stastny, the 23-year-old center who would have to grow into the job. "That's not my decision," Stastny said of the "C." "I'll do what I can to lead by example. I'm not the most vocal guy. Footie's more vocal. I try to lead by example and mature as both a player and a person every day, and I feel I have the last few years. I've been around great guys - Footie, Ken Klee, (Ian) Laperriere, and most importantly, Joey.'

We've shored up some holes in the defence and now we need a good goalie ;)

Yeah I don't think Craig Anderson was a very good choice, but as an avid Leaf fan I can honestly say - he will be better than Raycroft.

At 7/20/09 12:22 PM, EternitySpent wrote:

At 7/19/09 03:39 PM, Coop83 wrote: Well, if you're thinking like that, we could do a lot worse than Hejduk or Stastny. They are both mature guys and have both worn the A on their sweaters last season.

Yeah I didn't think about Stastny, he's an up-and-coming star and might do well with the C, although he is only 24 and in his like 3rd or 4th year so I don't know if I would call him mature just yet.

He's been quite mature so far - managing to lead the team in points once already and he's coped with some pressure that is there from an expectant Denver crowd.

But yeah this is an excerpt the Denver Post:

'The uncertainty is one reason Foote probably won't succeed Sakic as the Avalanche captain this season, although he and Milan Hejduk would be the best short-term choices. Instead, the nod probably will go to Paul Stastny, the 23-year-old center who would have to grow into the job. "That's not my decision," Stastny said of the "C." "I'll do what I can to lead by example. I'm not the most vocal guy. Footie's more vocal. I try to lead by example and mature as both a player and a person every day, and I feel I have the last few years. I've been around great guys - Footie, Ken Klee, (Ian) Laperriere, and most importantly, Joey.'

Yeah, it will be interesting to see, but I guess that decision will be something that comes along during the training camp. Not that I'm suggesting Duchene could be the captain, but that one of the less touted candidates might make themselves into a good choice in the end.

We've shored up some holes in the defence and now we need a good goalie ;)

Yeah I don't think Craig Anderson was a very good choice, but as an avid Leaf fan I can honestly say - he will be better than Raycroft.

Well, as an avid Avakanche fan, I think Raycroft is a better goalie than Budaj. We're still smarting from Theodore leaving, to be honest.

Well...suddenly we have a lot of goaltending. That's great.

Now we just need to improve on offense and defense.

I'd like to see a couple more cheap, shrewd short-term pickups. Maxim Afinogenov could be a cheap gamble (although we'd have to switch him to LW), Gilbert Brule isn't gonna be too costly either. Shit, we have the cap space, try making an offer sheet for Phil Kessel. Bring in a couple young, cheap defensemen with upside, like Andrej Sekera or Dennis Seidenberg. Do something.

At 7/24/09 03:37 AM, Buddhist wrote: Well...suddenly we have a lot of goaltending. That's great.

Now we just need to improve on offense and defense.

I'd like to see a couple more cheap, shrewd short-term pickups. Maxim Afinogenov could be a cheap gamble (although we'd have to switch him to LW), Gilbert Brule isn't gonna be too costly either. Shit, we have the cap space, try making an offer sheet for Phil Kessel. Bring in a couple young, cheap defensemen with upside, like Andrej Sekera or Dennis Seidenberg. Do something.

Sekera just signed with the Sabres for two years. And you think you have goaltending? Odds are that Rick DP is out for some time, again, and that Roloson does something to make that 2-year contract idiotic. Biron will be starting in no time for the Isles.

I'm not betting on Rick playing much at all this year. I'm speaking on Rollie/Biron as a tandem. If Rick comes and plays well, even for a short period of time, I consider that to be a bonus. I want to see him work his way back and prove he's healthy and as good as he was when execs and scouts called him a future top franchise goalie.

At 7/28/09 03:06 AM, Buddhist wrote: I'm not betting on Rick playing much at all this year. I'm speaking on Rollie/Biron as a tandem. If Rick comes and plays well, even for a short period of time, I consider that to be a bonus.

Hang on a second... did I miss something, or did the Islanders get RickRolled?

That aside, I think that the Islanders have the depth to play around RDP spending indefinite time away from the club to recover. I'm sure that having a good goalie like him tied down to a 10 year contract means that they want him to be productive when he comes back, rather than a perennial crock.

At 7/28/09 04:20 AM, Coop83 wrote:

Hang on a second... did I miss something, or did the Islanders get RickRolled?

That aside, I think that the Islanders have the depth to play around RDP spending indefinite time away from the club to recover. I'm sure that having a good goalie like him tied down to a 10 year contract means that they want him to be productive when he comes back, rather than a perennial crock.

Like that last guy they gave a long, long contract deal. What was his name? Alexei Yashin?

At 7/28/09 04:43 AM, Tluck-Person wrote: Like that last guy they gave a long, long contract deal. What was his name? Alexei Yashin?

There's a big difference between DiPietro and Yashin.

RDP actually wants to play for the Islanders and can put up some quality numbers to back it up. Yashin... well, he comes along and has one mediocre year and when the fans and media start turning up the pressure for him to perform "after all, that's what they pay him for!", he turns on them and decides that he doesn't want to play for them again.

At 7/28/09 05:39 AM, Coop83 wrote:

At 7/28/09 04:43 AM, Tluck-Person wrote: Like that last guy they gave a long, long contract deal. What was his name? Alexei Yashin?

There's a big difference between DiPietro and Yashin.

RDP actually wants to play for the Islanders and can put up some quality numbers to back it up. Yashin... well, he comes along and has one mediocre year and when the fans and media start turning up the pressure for him to perform "after all, that's what they pay him for!", he turns on them and decides that he doesn't want to play for them again.

Right, right. Once again, just pointing out how the Islanders always seem to have horrible luck with the "lifetime contracts". RDP has his injury troubles, and Yashin has his loyalty troubles.

At 7/28/09 01:25 PM, Tluck-Person wrote: Right, right. Once again, just pointing out how the Islanders always seem to have horrible luck with the "lifetime contracts". RDP has his injury troubles, and Yashin has his loyalty troubles.

Horrible luck? More like the Islanders seem to have trouble with horrible, potentially borderline-retarded management.

Also, I think Dipietro is terribly overrated. He's not a bad goaltender, but at the same time I don't think he is extraordinary. Particularly considering that he is a former 1st overall pick, with an enormously lucrative contract; I just don't see him as the super franchise making goalie he was touted to be.

At 7/29/09 06:44 PM, EternitySpent wrote:

At 7/28/09 01:25 PM, Tluck-Person wrote: Right, right. Once again, just pointing out how the Islanders always seem to have horrible luck with the "lifetime contracts". RDP has his injury troubles, and Yashin has his loyalty troubles.

Horrible luck? More like the Islanders seem to have trouble with horrible, potentially borderline-retarded management.

Also, I think Dipietro is terribly overrated. He's not a bad goaltender, but at the same time I don't think he is extraordinary. Particularly considering that he is a former 1st overall pick, with an enormously lucrative contract; I just don't see him as the super franchise making goalie he was touted to be.

My main ploy with that contract is that he played about 2-3 mediocre seasons when he got that contract. He had a few good games here and there, but for the Isles, he was never anything special. Now he's just taking up space on a roster that desperately needs more experience and talent. Yashin utterly screwed them, and lets face it. Tavares is a start, but he won't be everything to that franchise.

Sorry for double posting, but...

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