New NHL season begins tonight.

[irv]

Who has who going far and winning the Stanley Cup?

Personally, with all the hype around the Toronto Maple Leafs since they have acquired Tavares, I do not see them going very far or as far as a lot of people have them going.

Some say they are going to the cup final and some have them winning it this year.

I don't see it as I think they still have a longs ways to go, defensively especially, before they get there.

Many teams this year are stronger than last, imo, especially San Jose with the acquisition of Karlson.

I really don't know who could win the cup this year as I haven't followed along religiously with all the pickups and trades, etc, but I don't think the Leafs are the team that will be carrying Sir Stanley around at the end of the season.

[commishbob]

I'm excited for the season, if not my Rangers' chances. I'm headed to NYC for a couple of October games, my first in the Garden since 2005 and only my second since 1970. Already have the tickets for our annual trip to see them play in Dallas.

Leafs look formidable. And since I always root for an 'Original Six' club when my Rangers are toast I'm OK with a Toronto Cup raising. Been awhile.

[irv]

Originally Posted by commishbob

I'm excited for the season, if not my Rangers' chances. I'm headed to NYC for a couple of October games, my first in the Garden since 2005 and only my second since 1970. Already have the tickets for our annual trip to see them play in Dallas.

Leafs look formidable. And since I always root for an 'Original Six' club when my Rangers are toast I'm OK with a Toronto Cup raising. Been awhile.

Nice!

Believe it or not I have only been to 2 Leaf games in my life. My 1st was years and years ago when my bud and I bought scalpers for a Toronto vs Detroit game.
My second was when I took my son, around 7 yrs ago. We had alright seats but we both thought the game was boring as hell.
My son wanted to leave in the 2nd period and I was OK with that but we decided to tough it out to the end. I think he enjoyed the train ride more as it was a pathetic game, which was the norm for the Leafs back then.
I was disappointed, obviously, as this was his first ever NHL game.

The lady who cut my hair today has great seats for tonight's Leaf home opener. She bought the cheapest scalpers she could get as her husband knows someone there who can get them much closer once the game gets under way.
Should be a great game, the Leafs vs the CDN's, and on paper the Leafs should come out on top but since this is the season opener and because of the old rivalry, the CDN's would love nothing more than to spoil the Leafs intro of John Tavares on their season opener night.

[58pinson]

Read this thread and thought I must join in!

With the Rangers having sent so many players packing towards the end of last season (including Vigneault, who I thought was a pretty good coach) I'm not expecting a whole lot this season. That said you never know and I'm looking forward to the home opener tomorrow night against Nashville.

It's been a few years since I've been to MSG - just too damn expensive anymore. But talking about seats, back in the day I had a buddy who could turn the cheapest blue section nose bleeders into some of the best seats I've ever been in. You'd pass a twenty (or a little more depending on the game) to this old time usher who'd tell you to go downstairs to section whatever and ask for so and so. The password would be different each time. I remember "stuffed cabbage" on one occasion. Viola, you'd be sitting 4 or 5 rows off the ice between the red lines. Ah, the good old days.

Might be a chance for me to get a bucket list item taken care of this spring. Always wanted to head up to Ontario and get on the train and head west. Stopping in any town that had a Major Junior team, watch a match and head to the next stop for another. All the way to Spokane or Vancouver. Maybe.

Leafs look like a pretty good club to me. I hate the Islanders, but saw enough of Tavares while he was there to know he is a blue chip player. If he's not a big piece up there I'll be suprised.

[irv]

Originally Posted by 58pinson

Read this thread and thought I must join in!

With the Rangers having sent so many players packing towards the end of last season (including Vigneault, who I thought was a pretty good coach) I'm not expecting a whole lot this season. That said you never know and I'm looking forward to the home opener tomorrow night against Nashville.

It's been a few years since I've been to MSG - just too damn expensive anymore. But talking about seats, back in the day I had a buddy who could turn the cheapest blue section nose bleeders into some of the best seats I've ever been in. You'd pass a twenty (or a little more depending on the game) to this old time usher who'd tell you to go downstairs to section whatever and ask for so and so. The password would be different each time. I remember "stuffed cabbage" on one occasion. Viola, you'd be sitting 4 or 5 rows off the ice between the red lines. Ah, the good old days.

Might be a chance for me to get a bucket list item taken care of this spring. Always wanted to head up to Ontario and get on the train and head west. Stopping in any town that had a Major Junior team, watch a match and head to the next stop for another. All the way to Spokane or Vancouver. Maybe.

Leafs look like a pretty good club to me. I hate the Islanders, but saw enough of Tavares while he was there to know he is a blue chip player. If he's not a big piece up there I'll be suprised.

It was a much different game than what I was expecting. The CDN's were all over the Leafs last night and I thought it was going to be the other way around.
The Leafs defense, like usual, showed clearly, imo, how weak Toronto's defense really is.

Nice goal by JT and he played well except for a few gaffs which could have been 1st game jitters.

Marleau and Mathews looked great, especially on the game winner.

Watching some highlights today, I was shocked Boston got smoked 7-0 to Washington. I dislike Marchand with a passion but Ellars got what he deserved, imo.

San Jose getting beat was also a surprise but they came up on a hot goalie last night. I think they doubled Anaheim in shots but couldn't get them when they needed them.

I think we are in for some really great hockey this season.

Toronto against the Hawks tomorrow night should also be a good game but if the Leafs defense doesn't smarten up in a hurry, they aren't going to be able to win like they think they can.

[sedin26]

Go Canucks!!

Since the Canucks have been bad for a few years and likely will be for a while yet, tickets are cheap. I haven't been to a game in about 8 years but I think this might be a good time to go.

[TUM301]

Bruins should be pretty tough again this season, can the younger guys keep progressing is the question. At least the coaching staff takes some chances and allows the "kids" to grow and learn the ins and outs. Overall, the 3`rd line is just so-so and even the 2`nd will go games with little production. Defense is average or slightly better. Chara is older than Brady but still steady (need to watch minutes), back checking will help. Goaltending is their strongest suit, solid 1 2 combo with Rask at about 55 games or so. Always root for the Leafs and dump on the Yank, I mean Canadiens !! Enjoy the season boys, long live Johnny Buyck.

[irv]

Originally Posted by sedin26

Go Canucks!!

Since the Canucks have been bad for a few years and likely will be for a while yet, tickets are cheap. I haven't been to a game in about 8 years but I think this might be a good time to go.

I think the Canucks look good this year. That Elias Pettersson kid looks like he is going to be a great one!

Originally Posted by TUM301

Bruins should be pretty tough again this season, can the younger guys keep progressing is the question. At least the coaching staff takes some chances and allows the "kids" to grow and learn the ins and outs. Overall, the 3`rd line is just so-so and even the 2`nd will go games with little production. Defense is average or slightly better. Chara is older than Brady but still steady (need to watch minutes), back checking will help. Goaltending is their strongest suit, solid 1 2 combo with Rask at about 55 games or so. Always root for the Leafs and dump on the Yank, I mean Canadiens !! Enjoy the season boys, long live Johnny Buyck.

I'm really surprised to see Chara back this year. Has he said this is his last year?

The Leafs look good so far and should improve once everyone gets use to their linemates.

I think Nylander outpriced himself? If he or his agent don't bend, I doubt we'll see him back in a Leafs sweater anytime soon.

[samosa4u]

I agree with everything Dale wrote. The Leafs are definitely going to be a better team this year, but I still don't think they can beat Washington, Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh and Boston. They will probably have more wins this season, however, I just see them getting eliminated in the first round again.

Now I was excited when they signed Tavares - who wouldn't be? He is one of the top forwards in the league. However, I think what this team really needed was a guy like Erik Karlsson.

[SikSyko]

I think it's San Jose's year.

Being from Ottawa I'm shocked on how well the team has played so far, thought we were going to get blown out by the Leafs last night. I can't see the play lasting more than a few games, they are playing over there heads trying to prove everyone wrong saying they are going to end up in last place.

[TUM301]

Originally Posted by irv

I think the Canucks look good this year. That Elias Pettersson kid looks like he is going to be a great one!



I'm really surprised to see Chara back this year. Has he said this is his last year?

The Leafs look good so far and should improve once everyone gets use to their linemates.

I think Nylander outpriced himself? If he or his agent don't bend, I doubt we'll see him back in a Leafs sweater anytime soon.

Chara hasn`t mentioned anything about his last season. The guy is a workout warrior, even by professional players standards, and seems to truly enjoy playing with the B`s and helping develop the young players. Also he has stated many times how much he and his family enjoy the Boston area, fan base and organization.

[irv]

Originally Posted by SikSyko

I think it's San Jose's year.

Being from Ottawa I'm shocked on how well the team has played so far, thought we were going to get blown out by the Leafs last night. I can't see the play lasting more than a few games, they are playing over there heads trying to prove everyone wrong saying they are going to end up in last place.

I was really surprised at that outcome as well. Like you, I thought the Leafs would walk all over them.

You just could be right that their playing over their heads, but if they continue to play like that, they just might have a decent season?

Originally Posted by TUM301

Chara hasn't mentioned anything about his last season. The guy is a workout warrior, even by professional players standards, and seems to truly enjoy playing with the B`s and helping develop the young players. Also he has stated many times how much he and his family enjoy the Boston area, fan base and organization.

I thought I read where he said this might be his last year? It could have been everyone else just assuming, however?

Chara is a Beast for sure! His workout regimen is unlike anyone else's, even Olympians.
I certainly wouldn't go near him and I think most NHLer's feel the same way.
7 feet on skates and stronger than a Rhino! Not someone to tangle with!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8skxq6wWso