In all the years in recent memory it seems that a team that did not copycat the approach the previous champion made, won the Stanley Cup. Every year, teams make minor and major adjustments to their season plan. Free Agents, Draft Picks, new blossoming players, and Trades put everyone in line to go after Lord Stanley. Who will be the 2009 Stanley Cup Champion? In 2008, the Detroit Red Wings showed that talent and stamina to deliver what could have been during several recent years past. They had a well-rounded team They could dish it out – take it – and fire pucks at you.

The Red Wings actually did an impersonation of the old Montreal Canadiens who were “all-star like” every year but the Canadiens delivered the Cup as well. Will some team gear up to stop the Red Wing special teams? I think you would have had to consider the Red Wings on top or next to it for the past several seasons. Look for the re-institution of the tougher rule calling. Which teams can make the transition best from the season into the playoffs – not always the President’s Trophy winner is it? That combination of skill, toughness, pride, and team commitment is what it will take.

Those Ole’ Canadiens were skating back into our memories last year. Huet and Price were both excellent goaltenders and their team success goes beyond goaltending. The Canadiens could adjust their play to attack their oppositions strengths and beat them many times. Look for the Montreal Canadiens to beat the Washington Capitals in the East and then lose in the Stanley Cup Final against their Western Division Original Six rival – the Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Black Hawks, who will defeat the upstart Calgary Flames for the Western title.

OK OK I can hear it! The Black Hawks are at least a year and some size away. Not so. That talent and youth will be the cause of some big celebration in the Windy City. The best uniform wins for a change.

Pittsburgh – Sidney is still just short of Mario. Will pay for loss of key role players. Will win President’s Trophy and lose in 6 games to Washington or Montreal. Just not enough heart overall.

Detroit – After another fine season the perennial contenders age begins to show and get destroyed in the biggest upset of the year – The Young Chicago Black Hawks upset Detroit.

Chicago – Acquisitions of defense and goaltending jump the Hawks back into the big time.
Montreal – Youth, Fire, and Special Teams. They could go all with way.

Washington – Ovechkin and more. Chicago – Washington games should be interesting. Why do I picture LaCavier in their uniform?

Dallas – Shows you how good coaching and solid teams retain success. Just short of depth to really challenge.

Calgary – Surprise team of the year. Team leadership is there. They will just gut it out game by game. By playoff time, they will be ready to surprise.

St. Louis – Big changes all pay off. Blues begin to look like the Blues again. One year away from a big rise.

Phoenix – Best of off season moves have the Wild Coyotes in route to the playoffs.

Philadelphia – Flyers also lost role players. Will have a tougher time this year prompting first time shake up rumors for the new Management.

Boston – Bruins not big and bad enough yet. But improving.

Vancouver – Just good coaching and spirit takes them closer.

Buffalo – The knock out minor league champion this year will be the Portland Pirates who share an exclusive relationship with the Sabres. Once again they need a miracle. With the best coach in the NHL, they work hard and then are hardly working.

Toronto – Finally developing youth. They will kick and scratch wins. The Curse of Frank Mahovlich lives on for another year or two.

Carolina – Not deep enough. Leadership is great and could surprise.

Anaheim – Big Ducks need to score more. They will intimidate weak or smaller size teams. If match ups go right – look out.

No Playoffs

Ottawa – Mean Murray gets what is coming to him.

Minnesota – Due for a drop after almost made it years

New Jersey – Perrennial power goes lame.

San Jose – Should have found a way to keep Soupy Campbell.

Tampa Bay – Big signings and big names go as the Rangers south.

Colorado – Like them a lot. Could surprise.

NY Rangers – Can’t buy me Love.

Los Angeles – Will probably trade away young stars after the season.

Florida – Nice suntan.

Edmonton – Will return to glory soon but not this year.

NY Islanders – Fire the coach. Fire the coach.

Columbus – They look better. They play better. But they are not much better.

Atlanta – Fans scream for day-glow pucks. Teams named after birds are jinxed.

Nashville – Silver tigers need to move.

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