I like your predictions.

As expected though, the comments section degenerates into Leafs fans getting defensive because their team is likely going to regress a little bit, and not wanting to face reality. And of course, the target for their anger becomes the Senators, because everyone knows that the Senators aren't allowed to be better than the Leafs.

Here's the roster facts:

Ottawa has the best goaltending tandem in the Eastern Conference. They are the only team in the east that could play either guy with confidence. They both have the stats to back this up.

Toronto's best defender would be #3 on the Senators. Karlsson-Methot is infinitely better than anything Toronto can roll out.

If Ottawa goes into the season with Spezza-Turris-Zibanejad-Pageau down the middle, well. Bozak would be in competition with Zibanejad for the 3rd line spot, and he'd probably lose out. So Toronto's #1 guy would be Ottawa's #4.

Wingers....I'd give Toronto an edge on their top two lines, and Ottawa an edge on the bottom two lines BUT if Michalek and Ryan work out with Spezza, then that's likely to be one of the most productive lines in the east.

Coaching....no contest. MacLean is superior to every coach in the league at the moment and he's got the hardware to back it up.

Toronto can roll out their mouthbreathing knuckledraggers all season and get in a bunch of fights, blah, blah, blah, but teams won't be intimidated by that once they realize that McLaren and Orr can't actually play hockey, so they simply need to skate away.

Do I think Ottawa will win the conference? I think it's down to them, Pittsburgh, and Boston.

Do I think Toronto will miss the playoffs? No, they'll probably finish between 5 and 7.

But call this what it is. Organizationally, Ottawa is LIGHT YEARS ahead of Toronto.
- the_terror

Yawn.

I like your predictions.

As expected though, the comments section degenerates into Leafs fans getting defensive because their team is likely going to regress a little bit, and not wanting to face reality. And of course, the target for their anger becomes the Senators, because everyone knows that the Senators aren't allowed to be better than the Leafs.

Here's the roster facts:

Ottawa has the best goaltending tandem in the Eastern Conference. They are the only team in the east that could play either guy with confidence. They both have the stats to back this up.

Toronto's best defender would be #3 on the Senators. Karlsson-Methot is infinitely better than anything Toronto can roll out.

If Ottawa goes into the season with Spezza-Turris-Zibanejad-Pageau down the middle, well. Bozak would be in competition with Zibanejad for the 3rd line spot, and he'd probably lose out. So Toronto's #1 guy would be Ottawa's #4.

Wingers....I'd give Toronto an edge on their top two lines, and Ottawa an edge on the bottom two lines BUT if Michalek and Ryan work out with Spezza, then that's likely to be one of the most productive lines in the east.

Coaching....no contest. MacLean is superior to every coach in the league at the moment and he's got the hardware to back it up.

Toronto can roll out their mouthbreathing knuckledraggers all season and get in a bunch of fights, blah, blah, blah, but teams won't be intimidated by that once they realize that McLaren and Orr can't actually play hockey, so they simply need to skate away.

Do I think Ottawa will win the conference? I think it's down to them, Pittsburgh, and Boston.

Do I think Toronto will miss the playoffs? No, they'll probably finish between 5 and 7.

But call this what it is. Organizationally, Ottawa is LIGHT YEARS ahead of Toronto.
- the_terror

There is so much wrong with this post that it's not worth fixing all the errors and mistakes. We get it, you hate the Leafs and Habs and there shall not be any postives said about them.

First season is short. 7 or 8 episodes. Coincided with the writers strike in 2008.
- scotch_tape

I'll watch it on my day off if the GF doesn't protest.

Jesus
- shvingter88

No, you (frank). Moses.

Jesus
- shvingter88

We need him soon.

Superb!

However, I think you may have caused all the dwarfs to retreat to another thread!
- spatso

Oh, you mean the Habs and Sens fans?

Oh, you mean the Habs and Sens fans?
- PrinceLH

Watch out. He might hit you with the Pageau > Giroux hammer.

There is so much wrong with this post that it's not worth fixing all the errors and mistakes. We get it, you hate the Leafs and Habs and there shall not be any postives said about them.
- Gunslinger

Right.....they want the Sens in the first round of the playoffs........this year's Habs. Good in the regular season and not so good in the playoffs. What did they used to say? Leafs were built for the playoffs, the Sens for the regular season, about 10 years ago. I guess it's all cyclical.

There is so much wrong with this post that it's not worth fixing all the errors and mistakes. We get it, you hate the Leafs and Habs and there shall not be any postives said about them.
- Gunslinger

He did not mention the Habs. Not relevant to the discussion at hand.

Devils blogger "predicting" that Senators win the East?

Yeah, ok..
- StargateSG1

fixed

Senators blogger "predicting" that Senators win the East?

Yeah, ok..
- StargateSG1

I don't think he's a Sens blogger, but yea ...

There is so much wrong with this post that it's not worth fixing all the errors and mistakes. We get it, you hate the Leafs and Habs and there shall not be any postives said about them.
- Gunslinger

Actually, I didn't even mention the Habs. I don't hate the Habs to be honest. I nothing them.

The only statement I'd be willing to revise in my post would be regarding the goaltenders. New Jersey could roll with Brodeur or Schneider with confidence. So there, the Devils and the Senators have the best tandems in the east.

Everything else I said, it's partly opinion, but completely based in facts.

Sorry I didn't pump the Habs for ya though, being left out probably feels crummy.

Crummy like going into the playoffs as the 2 seed and losing in 5 games to an AHL team.

Watch out. He might hit you with the Pageau > Giroux hammer.
- Gunslinger

What is it about that area of the country? The Habs and the Sens.....midgets till the end! Pageau and Conacher.......now there's size! Fear not, the Euro's will let them down!

love Pageau!

I like your predictions.

As expected though, the comments section degenerates into Leafs fans getting defensive because their team is likely going to regress a little bit, and not wanting to face reality. And of course, the target for their anger becomes the Senators, because everyone knows that the Senators aren't allowed to be better than the Leafs.

Here's the roster facts:

Ottawa has the best goaltending tandem in the Eastern Conference. They are the only team in the east that could play either guy with confidence. They both have the stats to back this up.

Toronto's best defender would be #3 on the Senators. Karlsson-Methot is infinitely better than anything Toronto can roll out.

If Ottawa goes into the season with Spezza-Turris-Zibanejad-Pageau down the middle, well. Bozak would be in competition with Zibanejad for the 3rd line spot, and he'd probably lose out. So Toronto's #1 guy would be Ottawa's #4.

Wingers....I'd give Toronto an edge on their top two lines, and Ottawa an edge on the bottom two lines BUT if Michalek and Ryan work out with Spezza, then that's likely to be one of the most productive lines in the east.

Coaching....no contest. MacLean is superior to every coach in the league at the moment and he's got the hardware to back it up.

Toronto can roll out their mouthbreathing knuckledraggers all season and get in a bunch of fights, blah, blah, blah, but teams won't be intimidated by that once they realize that McLaren and Orr can't actually play hockey, so they simply need to skate away.

Do I think Ottawa will win the conference? I think it's down to them, Pittsburgh, and Boston.

Do I think Toronto will miss the playoffs? No, they'll probably finish between 5 and 7.

But call this what it is. Organizationally, Ottawa is LIGHT YEARS ahead of Toronto.
- the_terror

NJD are another team who can roll two extremely competent guys. I am intrigued to see whether Anderson can continue his play though, last year seemed almost too good.

Karlsson is obviously an offensive beast, but I'd put Dion ahead of Methot; he certainly plays harder minutes and in all situations where Methot doesn't. Methot is a solid D however, and one that most teams would like.

MacLean is obviously a very competent coach, though Carlyle also did a good job last year. As for the knuckledraggers, I hope that the addition of some grit in the form of Clarkson and Bolland (who can also play) will remove the need for both Orr and McLaren. Doesn't make it feel less good to see Orr one-punching Bourque though

love Pageau!
- spatso

Ewww.........locker room romance!

Actually, I didn't even mention the Habs. I don't hate the Habs to be honest. I nothing them.

The only statement I'd be willing to revise in my post would be regarding the goaltenders. New Jersey could roll with Brodeur or Schneider with confidence. So there, the Devils and the Senators have the best tandems in the east.

Everything else I said, it's partly opinion, but completely based in facts.

Sorry I didn't pump the Habs for ya though, being left out probably feels crummy.

Crummy like going into the playoffs as the 2 seed and losing in 5 games to an AHL team.
- the_terror

So the Sens are an AHL team? Okay thanks.

Jesus
- shvingter88

This blog was a massive success.

Exactly! And I applaud the Canucks for doing what they had to. I'm not sold on Schneider. He could be good, but he's not going to be great, after 20 years of Marty Broduer. The talent level on the Devils is getting mighty thin and there really isn't any great star on the horizon. The Devils always had some star power, to go with their relentless defensive game. There are no more Steven's, or Niedermeyers, or Parise's, on this team. It's a number of also rans, that have been dealt around the league, from other franchises. Ryder is OK, but is he a star? Same with Clowe. Both are past they're prime and outside of Adam Henrique, there isn't allot of youth on this club. A retool is coming.
- PrinceLH

yeah because top picks always work out and we all know how prospects always work out, i mean florida and the oilers are powerhouse teams already

sure the devils dont have any "sexy" names because they have been good for over 2 decades, but lou has always found sleepers

i like merrill and severson and gelinas isnt too bad either, boucher we will see

Actually, I didn't even mention the Habs. I don't hate the Habs to be honest. I nothing them.

The only statement I'd be willing to revise in my post would be regarding the goaltenders. New Jersey could roll with Brodeur or Schneider with confidence. So there, the Devils and the Senators have the best tandems in the east.

Everything else I said, it's partly opinion, but completely based in facts.

Sorry I didn't pump the Habs for ya though, being left out probably feels crummy.

Crummy like going into the playoffs as the 2 seed and losing in 5 games to an AHL team.
- the_terror

What about the three goal night Pageau had against Montreal?

I think Canadiens fans are a little spooked by the kid!

What about the three goal night Pageau had against Montreal?

I think Canadiens fans are a little spooked by the kid!
- spatso

4 points in the NHL regular season.

Get happy.

yeah because top picks always work out and we all know how prospects always work out, i mean florida and the oilers are powerhouse teams already

sure the devils dont have any "sexy" names because they have been good for over 2 decades, but lou has always found sleepers

i like merrill and severson and gelinas isnt too bad either, boucher we will see
- dmarsden2988

You will go through 3 successive drafts and not picked any higher then 29th. That's going to spell disaster, with no top level prospects in the pipeline. Who was the last decent draft? Adam Larsson?

Right.....they want the Sens in the first round of the playoffs........this year's Habs. Good in the regular season and not so good in the playoffs. What did they used to say? Leafs were built for the playoffs, the Sens for the regular season, about 10 years ago. I guess it's all cyclical.
- PrinceLH

The Sens this years habs, not sure you have any thing to back that up. They have size and goaltending, pretty much the exact opposite of ten years ago.

4 points in the NHL.

Get happy.
- A_Tree

We are talking about the Habs here.......right?