There was this one time in high school when I watched a thrilling game between the Blues and Red Wings and was so excited to go to school the next day and talk about it with the hockey guys in my French class like we always did after good games. To my disappointment, they hadn't even watched it. I remember saying, " I thought you guys liked hockey??" and they said, " We do…the Flyers!" and in that moment I realized that you could love hockey, but not be a hockey fan. That there was a difference in loving the sport and loving a team.
I've always been the type to enjoy a game no matter who was playing. When people ask who I'm rooting for, my reply is always a great hockey game because for me that's the bottom line. I want to be entertained!
So, if after some self-reflection you realize that you have tunnel vision and only watch games "your" team plays in, I'm here to help expand your horizons. Here are some things to be excited about for each and every team now that the season is set to get under way.
Tuesday,
I took a look at the Atlantic Division. Wednesday,
I focused on the Central Division. Thursday, it was
all about the Northeast Division. Friday,
I featured the Northwest Division and, today, it's time for the Southeast...
Carolina Hurricanes:
With two rather significant additions in Jordan Staal and Alex Semin, the Hurricanes have put the entire league on notice. They came to play. There was a lot left to be desired after last season, but the good news is that they showed continuous improvement throughout the year and they're hoping it carries over into this shortened season. we know that Eric Staal and Jeff Skinner are better than their stats showed and we know that Justin Faulk is as good as advertised and we know that Cam Ward is still a terrific goaltender. Mix in the new guys and there's a lot to be excited about in Raleigh.
Florida Panthers:
Sometimes I feel like Florida is the land of misfit hockey players. Guys who have struggled in other markets/teams for one reason or another are given new life with the Panthers and last year we saw the kind of magic they could make together as the victory rats returned in full force. Right now, all eyes will be on third overall draft pick, Jonathan Huberdeau, to find out if he's worthy of all the hype, but GM Dale Tallon is owed much of the credit for the resurgence of hockey in South Florida and we all know he's not done yet.
Tampa Bay Lightning:
Although there were a few bright spots - specifically Steven Stamkos' 60 goal campaign - not making the playoffs last year was a rather large disappointment. GM Steve Yzerman focused this off season on improving his defense starting with the goalie. Anders Lindback had been outstanding in Nashville backing up Pekka Rinne and they're expecting more of the same in Tampa as they had the worst team defense in the league last year. Helping the cause will be Sami Salo and Matt Carle, who both signed as free agents in the summer, but, it's the guys up front that need to return to form if the Lightning hope to plan a parade in June.
Washington Capitals:
A lot of new faces in Washington, but also quite a few that are all too recognizable, which has everyone thinking "Is this finally the year?" For me, the answer to that question starts between the pipes as Braydon Holtby and Michael Neuvirth are poised to push each other for the starting role. The other rather intriguing factor facing this team is how new head coach Adam Oates will push this talented team past the wall that has kept them out of the Eastern Conference Finals all these years.
Winnipeg Jets:
The honeymoon might be over in Winnipeg as fans want more than just a hockey team. They want one that wins. Blake Wheeler, Evander Kane and Andrew Ladd did their best to make that happen last year, but they need more which is why GM Kevin Cheveldayoff signed veteran center Olli Jokinen to help distribute the puck. Left untouched was their defense that struggled mightily. With Zach Bogosian out for another 4-8 weeks after wrist surgery and concerns over Dustin Byfuglien off season conditioning, there are more questions than answers in Winnipeg, but that's what makes them an intriguing team to watch
Tomorrow, I'll finish up with a preview of the Pacific Division.
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Here's a link to my
photo album on facebook of my trip to Russia. I tweeted a lot of them, but here they are all in one place!
Julie
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