Comments on: Philabright’s 2008-09 preseason NHL power rankings http://philabright.com/2008/08/22/philabrights-preseason-nhl-power-rankings/ Mistreating concussions since 1983 Wed, 28 Dec 2011 17:50:28 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Ryan Bright http://philabright.com/2008/08/22/philabrights-preseason-nhl-power-rankings/#comment-71 Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:21:41 +0000 http://ryanbright.wordpress.com/?p=146#comment-71 Regardless of if they made the postseason or not last year, EDM, Chicago and Phoenix are better teams this season. I can’t say that about MN or Anaheim. Edmonton was thriving toward the end of the season and if it wasn’t for the horrid start to the season, would have made the playoffs. Their goalie situation is not the best but they added veteran Erik Cole, Lubomir Visnovsky and will get a healthy Souray back. Chicago was a decent young team last season and added Huet and Campbell. Columbus got better as well. Voracek, Umberger and Torres are not going to jettison the Jackets to top ten in the league, but give enough depth to make them better than last year.

There is no doubt Gabby is an incredible player, one of my favorites actually. But I’m not sure he can be as effective as the go-to guy on offense, without a sound supporting cast. Can guys like Brunette and Bouchard be relied on to to win some games? I guess we’ll see. As for injury problems, Gaborik missed half the season in 06-07 and around 20 games in 05-06. The fact they he was healthy last season may just be a fluke. I hope he proves me wrong, since I plan to pick him up on my fantasy team.

]]> By: JD http://philabright.com/2008/08/22/philabrights-preseason-nhl-power-rankings/#comment-70 Mon, 25 Aug 2008 08:33:19 +0000 http://ryanbright.wordpress.com/?p=146#comment-70 Wow, I can’t believe that you actually ranked Edmonton, Chicago, and Phoenix that high on your board considering they didn’t make the playoffs. You actually rank them above Minnesota, Calgary, and Anaheim. I’m assuming that you Flyers fan and watch the Eastern Conference, but seriously…you actually believe that you think those three teams will vault into the playoffs? Even worse is you have Columbus at 16! They finished 24th last season.

As for your MN comments, I guess someone forgot to give you the memo. Marion Gaborik finished 8th in the NHL in scoring, and is still a very young man. Played 77 out of 82, scored 42 goals, 41 assists, and a +17. Mike Richards didn’t even have that good of a season (28 goals, 47 assists, +14).

]]> By: Ryan Bright http://philabright.com/2008/08/22/philabrights-preseason-nhl-power-rankings/#comment-69 Sun, 24 Aug 2008 02:23:42 +0000 http://ryanbright.wordpress.com/?p=146#comment-69 Lloyd, thanks for the input. First off, the Flyers finished in the final four last season in impressive fashion. They also were only seven points from the division lead. Those, plus the fact that the Flyers didn’t lose anyone of real substance, leads me to believe they will be higher than 10th and will contend for the division. All reports from the team are saying Gagne is in better health than he was before the concussion, he is in better shape and has been working on getting stronger. As for asking for two more puck-moving defensemen, good luck. They are very hard to come by. But don’t forget you have Timonen, who is one of the best power play qb’s in the game.

The Coyotes have a solid number-one goalie in a contract season for a full year, and added a number-one center in Olli Jokinen. They had a decent season last year, look for them to slip into the playoffs this year.

]]> By: M_lloyd http://philabright.com/2008/08/22/philabrights-preseason-nhl-power-rankings/#comment-68 Sun, 24 Aug 2008 02:21:23 +0000 http://ryanbright.wordpress.com/?p=146#comment-68 oh and the Coyotes at 12 haha, 25th and they have done well.

]]> By: M_lloyd http://philabright.com/2008/08/22/philabrights-preseason-nhl-power-rankings/#comment-67 Sun, 24 Aug 2008 02:14:02 +0000 http://ryanbright.wordpress.com/?p=146#comment-67 Coming from the UK my opinion probably counts less, but as a massive flyers fan i don’t see how you have us finishing any higher than 10th. We need at least 2 good puck moving d-men (bring back Pitkanen) and until Gagne can prove he can play 50+ games a season, i just cant see us topping the east for a few years. My money is on the stars for this years cup.

]]> By: Ryan Bright http://philabright.com/2008/08/22/philabrights-preseason-nhl-power-rankings/#comment-65 Sat, 23 Aug 2008 18:44:13 +0000 http://ryanbright.wordpress.com/?p=146#comment-65 Bryan, there is an argument for the Pens being a better team than the Flyers, but I don’t think there is a good one for Montreal. The Habs got dismantled in the playoffs last season at the hands of the Flyers and added Tanguay, but lost Streit. The Habs will be a good team, but I believe the Flyers AND Pens are a bit better in the long run.

As for Boston, I love Lucic and their defense, but that goaltending situation is no good. They were an eight-seed last season and did not add anyone to the team, so what makes them suddenly so good?

Ray, the Flyers and Pens had some great battles last season with Laraque and Malone and even Roberts. Godard trying to replace all three of them just won’t work. Remember, the Flyers added Arron Asham in the offseason as well.

]]> By: Ray http://philabright.com/2008/08/22/philabrights-preseason-nhl-power-rankings/#comment-64 Sat, 23 Aug 2008 17:45:27 +0000 http://ryanbright.wordpress.com/?p=146#comment-64 Unfortunately for the Pens, what is stopping the oh so horrible Flyers players to stomp a skate in Crosbys eyeballs?

Eric Godard

]]> By: Bryan http://philabright.com/2008/08/22/philabrights-preseason-nhl-power-rankings/#comment-63 Sat, 23 Aug 2008 14:30:31 +0000 http://ryanbright.wordpress.com/?p=146#comment-63 Overall I like the rankings, some teams you threw up there based on offseasons and others you put a wee bit too high (I’m from Philly and I’m a diehard Flyers fan but the Canadians and Pens are better teams). Also, I really think Boston could be the surprise team, with their system and size they can beat any team in the East. Lastly, to all the people who comment on the the toughest division in hockey being the Pacific, please, the Atlantic division is unmatched, all All-Star goalies with some of the top players in the game playing eachother in bloodbaths all season, nothing matches the play.

]]> By: Cory http://philabright.com/2008/08/22/philabrights-preseason-nhl-power-rankings/#comment-62 Sat, 23 Aug 2008 06:06:36 +0000 http://ryanbright.wordpress.com/?p=146#comment-62 I agree with the dropping of the Ducks and not just because I’m a Wings fan. They just don’t look that good. The offense last year was beyond terrible and really didn’t get any better. They could have Selanne for the whole year but they’re going to have to get rid of Schneider who was their best defenseman last year despite the fact they have Pronger and Niedermayer on their team. Speaking of those two they both had mediocre years by their standards. If those are any indication of future performance that doesn’t look good for their defense. Their third problem is they are a Brian Burke team. Good for the short-haul but no plan for the long-term. I guess Burke has been to busy basking in his own genius after they won the Stanley Cup team to realize this team needs some new younger and faster players.

]]> By: Ryan Bright http://philabright.com/2008/08/22/philabrights-preseason-nhl-power-rankings/#comment-61 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 18:29:53 +0000 http://ryanbright.wordpress.com/?p=146#comment-61 All good points Ray. I really think Brendan Morrison is the kiss of death though.

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