Why hello there, dear readers. There is quite a buzz around our fair city for the Penguins’ home opener on this Friday night, perhaps because many people want to see center Sidney Crosby, now 25, get started on what often is a historic year for the all-time great players. Also, not to be overlooked, there is that other center – you know, the new No. 3, Brandon Sutter, he who must replace Jordan Staal. Plus, is this the season that Kris Letang stays healthy and perhaps fulfills his promise as the NHL’s top defenseman? Has Marc-Andre Fleury shaken off all those pucks that the Philadelphia Flyers placed behind him in that Round 1 shocker from last spring? What about the defense corps in front of him? James Neal – surely a certain somebody (cough, cough) will predict more than 17 goals from Mr. Real Deal. Speaking of deals, what was up with that penalty kill in the Stanley Cup playoffs? Has Dan Bylsma figured out how to right what went so wrong? And, finally, Evgeni Malkin… because the best player in hockey deserves a mention at some point.
Would have really been a bear to be discussing any of the above on this Friday, huh?
No news here, folks. The NHL and union met Thursday, and NOTHING HAS CHANGED. Nobody is optimistic, not even the folks who I know were optimistic only a few weeks ago.
The guess here is hockey followers are all equally depressed on what should have been the first weekend of the NHL regular-season. The Penguins were to open tonight at home against the New York Islanders, and then follow Saturday with a game at Buffalo. Those games won’t happen – and the NHL is likely a week or so away from bagging a couple of more weeks.
So, let’s change topics. Submitted, for your no-doubt disapproval, the team rankings I submitted to USA Today for the bi-weekly NHL power poll.
Give them a look and discuss openly on Twitter. Use the hash tag #RossiRankings if you feel so inclined.
I’ve also included my predictions for various awards and the Cup Final/champion.
Cheers,
Rossi
Notes: Rankings reflect where teams stood heading into what would have been training camp. The top four spots are reserved for the reigning champ, Finalist, and conference finalists. Teams are not ranked in order of predicted finish.
1 – Kings
2 – Devils
3 – Rangers
4 – Coyotes
5 – Canucks
6 – Blues
7 – Bruins
8 – Blackhawks
9 – Flyers
10 – Penguins
11 – Red Wings
12 – Senators
13 – Hurricanes
14 – Stars
15 – Capitals
16 – Panthers
17 – Ducks
18 – Sharks
19 – Predators
20 – Lightning
21 – Sabres
22 – Wild
23 – Avalanche
24 – Islanders
25 – Oilers
26 – Jets
27 – Maple Leafs
28 – Flames
29 – Canadiens
30 – Blue Jackets
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
MVP: Jeff Skinner, Hurricanes
Top goalie: Cory Schneider, Canucks
Top defenseman: Kris Letang, Penguins
Points leader: Evgeni Malkin, Penguins
DIVISION WINNERS
Atlantic: Flyers
Northeast: Senators
Southeast: Hurricanes
Central: Blackhawks
Northwest: Canucks
Pacific: Stars
STANLEY CUP FINAL
East: Penguins
West: Canucks
Stanley Cup: Penguins
Would love an actual explanation of the Jeff Skinner for MVP reasoning. Hurricanes are a better team but Skinner seems like a stretch to me with all the other talent they have on the team and all the other talent in the NHL. He hasn’t shown me enough quite yet to even be considered in the conversation for a nomination. Maybe in a couple years. We shall see…hopefully.