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As you can tell, I like hockey. And I love my Blue Jackets! So, this month, The Cheap Seats will focus on a preview for the upcoming NHL season… No useless banter beforehand, just straight to the predictions and whatnot. It’s the real reason anyone reads this thing anyway.
2003-04 NHL Predictions
The Last Season For A While
Atlantic
1. New Jersey Devils-Can they still remain on top in the East with a pathetic offense?
Key ingredient-Patrick Elias-needs to find the scoring touch of 2 seasons ago.
2. Philadelphia Flyers-Will the offensive gun shoot blanks in the playoffs again?
Key ingredient-Jeff Hackett-Lots of pressure in taking over for playoff-fluky Cechmanek
3. New York Rangers-Is Glen Sather the coaching answer to the mess he created?
Key ingredient-Anson Cater-Surrounded by aging $$$, he can carry them to a sniff of the playoffs.
4. New York Islanders-Can DiPietro lead them back to the promise land?
Key ingredient-Mike Peca-The Isles need his Selke-smoothness ALL season.
5. Pittsburgh Penguins-Should Mario trade himself?
Key ingredient-Mario Lemieux-With a horrid supporting cast, Mario needs to find a way to get peeps in the seats, and play all season.
Northeast
1. Ottawa Senators-Will this be the year to win the Stanley Cup?
Key ingredient-Patrick LaLime-With a standout team around him, he holds the keys to the Cup.
2. Boston Bruins-Will the Offense support a lackluster D?
Key ingredient-Sergei Samsonov-After playing in 8 games last year, they needs his scoring in a big way.
3. Toronto Maple Leafs-Will the defensive holes be filled?
Key ingredient-Eddie Belfour-He carried them last year, and they won’t do anything without him this year.
4. Buffalo Sabres-Can Marty Biron finally become the Dominator?
Key ingredient-Miroslav Satan-Youthful Sabres wont compete if he is playing in Slovakia.
5. Montreal Canadians-What happened to Jose Theodore?
Key ingredient-Jose Theodore-The real one please come forward.
Southeast
1. Tampa Bay Lightning-Will they keep Khabibulin around to win the weak Southeast?
Key ingredient-Vinnie LeCavalier-Even more pressure to replace the other Vinnie.
2. Atlanta Thrashers-Can the young studs get their first playoff appearance?
Key ingredient-Byron Dafoe-The offense is there, but someone needs to keep the goals out of the net, and it won’t be the D.
3. Carolina Hurricanes-Will they rebound from last year’s dismal season?
Key ingredient-Glen Wesley-Brought him back to patch up a horrendous defense.
4. Washington Capitals-Will Jaromir Jagr make it to the end of his contract?
Key ingredient-Peter Bondra-Finding his scoring touch will soften Jagr’s ineffectiveness.
5. Florida Panthers-How much longer will Luongo survive?
Key ingredient-Valeri Bure-This might be his last chance to play NHL hockey.
Central
1. Detroit Red Wings-Hasek or Cujo?
Key ingredient-Steve Yzerman-Needs to stay healthy to captain the greatest defense ever.
2. St Louis Blues-Is goaltending still their downfall?
Key ingredient-Chris Pronger-He gave up his captaincy until he gets his game back. Watch out!
3. Columbus Blue Jackets-Will the offseason additions greatly improve road game?
Key ingredient-Marc Denis-Overworked a year ago; Freddie Backup may give him enough rest to become this year's Giguere.
4. Nashville Predators-Whose gonna play defense?
Key ingredient-David Legwand-Now that he is signed, he needs to be the superstar he can be.
5. Chicago Blackhawks-Has this Original 6 franchise hit rock bottom?
Key ingredient-Tuomo Ruutu-The best player outside of the NHL is finally signed.
Northwest
1. Vancouver Canucks-Is Johan Hedberg the adequate backup Cloutier needs?
Key ingredient-Dan Cloutier-Needs to perform better with the huge talent in front of him.
2. Colorado Avalanche-Can 2 inexperienced goalies carry this juggernaut?
Key ingredient-David Abischer-Roy’s backup takes the reigns for now.
3. Edmonton Oilers-Will the Mike Comrie situation be a distraction?
Key ingredient-Tommy Salo-Played subpar last season, still feeling effects of Olympics.
4. Minnesota Wild-Are the Wild really that good?
Key ingredient-Marian Gaborik-The heart, soul, and offense of the team is prepared to play in Slovakia all season. Without him, they won’t roar.
5. Calgary Flames-Where is Jarome Iginla?
Key ingredient-Jarome Iginla-Needs to find his scoring touch if Flames want to finish 4th.
Pacific
1. Los Angeles Kings-If healthy, can they really win this division?
Key ingredient-Adam Deadmarsh-Having him for a whole season will change this team drastically.
2. Dallas Stars-Now that Turco signed, can they win the Cup?
Key ingredient-Bill Guerin-A full season and more goals is what he needs to contribute.
3. Anaheim Ducks-Is Giguere for real?
Key ingredient-Sergei Federov-Replace Kariya, Win the Cup.
4. San Jose Sharks-How far back did last season set them?
Key ingredient-Patrick Marleau-Needs to replace Selanne/Nolan’s points.
5. Phoenix Coyotes-Will a new arena and new logo help?
Key ingredient-Sean Burke-He is the only reason the Yotes can compete, and who knows how long he will remain.
Playoffs
East-round 1
Devils vs Rangers
The Rangers get back to the playoffs, but the Marty Brodeur sends them packing up early.
Senators vs Thrashers
Thrashers first playoff appearance is a great one, nearly stunning the high powered Sens.
Lightning vs Leafs
The season is salvaged as Leafs upend Bolts.
Flyers vs Bruins
Hackett hacks up former team in sweep.
East-conf-semis
Devils vs Leafs
The wall that is Broduer will not fall in the sacred city.
Senators vs. Flyers
Do they always meet in the playoffs? Yes, and Sens win again.
East Conf final
Devils vs Senators
LaLime outshines Broduer in a classic 7 game series, in which every game is 1-0.
West-round 1
Wings vs Blue Jackets
The Jackets always play the Wings well, just never win. So how do they do it this time?
Kings vs. Blues
An injury-riddled LA can’t stop the rejuvenated Blues.
Canucks vs. Ducks
High-powered Nucks offensive nets an early exit by the Quack Attack.
Avalanche vs. Stars
Classic matchup that proves Colorado needs a goalie. Stars in 6.
West-conf-semis
Canucks vs. Blue Jackets
Jackets crash into a wall named Bertuzzi-Naslund.
Stars vs. Blues
Johnson/Osgood fizzle as Stars outshine the Blues.
West conf final
Canucks vs. Stars
Stars are stumped again by another hot goalie, Dan Cloutier.
STANLEY CUP FINAL
VANCOUVER CANUCKS VS OTTAWA SENATORS
The Holy Grail of sports returns to its homeland as an all Canada Cup Final saves the NHL. Following a thrilling 7 game series and the hoisting of the Cup by Senators Captain and Conn Smythe Winner Daniel Alfredsson, Commissioner Gary Bettman announces that a new CBA has been reached and hockey is saved!
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