[JL]

I know it's very early to do this, but for the sake of getting into a bit of action and discussion, let's do this for the fun of it...

I really don't know what to make of Montreal to tell you the truth. Those changes can make for a better team or kills whatever little chemistry there was on the team. Time will tell.

For what it's worth:

1. Vancouver:

   Retaining the Sedin's was huge for the Canucks. What I do like about them is that they have some stability with great chemistry. Their young players should and will need to keep on improving to replace Sundin and Edler has some big shoes to fill with Ohlund gone, but I believe that he can, while Burrows will have to match his last year's production. Luongo once again is the reason why I pick them to finish ahead of Calgary.

2. Calgary:

   With San Jose, the best defense in the Western Conference. Kipper can be hot and cold but when he's hot, he's tough to beat. My concern is the loss on offense in Cammelleri and to a lesser point, Bertuzzi. Also a big question mark is Jokinen and his reputation in the dressing room. I do love the coaching change though.

3. Montreal:

   As stated in my opening statement, I really don't know what to make of all the changes, especially at forward. I do love the fact that they have more of a North American flavour now but most of their firepower up front is rather on the smallish side. The biggest improvement is on defense with the addition of Spacek, Mara and to a lesser point, Gill who will bring stability on the PK. With Markov, Hamrlik and Gorges, it makes for a good group of defensemen, which will help Price and Halak. Another wild card is Jacques Martin, the first experienced coach hired by the organization in a long, long time. But how will this all click? Time will tell. They could finish higher (or lower) depending on if they can build any chemistry.

4. Ottawa:

   The addition of Kovalev will give them some much needed punch on the PP and on the second line, something that's been lacking. But how will Kovalev respond to a coach asking for accountability defensively as we know that it didn't sit well with Carbonneau? Perhaps one of their biggest signing was to retain Chris Neil, a warrior, and if Pascal Leclaire can return to form, he will bring stability in net. The Dany Heatley factor could also be a huge distraction for the Sens and I'm not sold on their defense, which needs a true number one who can also man the PP.

5. Edmonton:

   The Oilers are the wild card in the West. Their core up front is quite young and some of those players are on the verge of make or break and if they turn the corner, they'll have a fast and dangerous offense with a good PP. Their defense has a mix of quality experience and youth who can be good or bad at the same time. The Khabibulin signing became necessary after Roloson ran out of town and they won't be starting the season with that non-sense 3 goalie rotation as they did last year. They could finish higher if the stars line-up for them.

6. Toronto:

   Leafs' fans will have to suffer through yet another tough season. Although I do believe that they have one of the top defensive group in the Eastern Conference, Brian Burke failed this summer to bring some quality scoring forwards to his team. We know that Toskala is good and not great, so they are hoping that Gustavsson will be the saviour in Toronto and even if he was, he can't score goals.

[Rookie]

Good stuff.

[VICE™]

I disagree with Vancouver being ahead of Calgary. Calgary's going to play a more defensive system, which is when Kiprusoff achieved his best seasons, and with the acquisition of Bouwmeester, Calgary's defense is lightyears ahead of their Canadian rivals. Especially with a full season out of a healthy Phaneuf. Also, since they're playing a defensive system, Cammalleri and Bertuzzi had to be gone because of their weak play in their own zone.

Vancouver's defense was exposed as slow when they played Chicago in the playoffs and they didn't do anything to remedy that. They're the exact same defense as last year, only minus their 2nd best overall defenseman in Ohlund. Of course, you can't count out a team with Luongo back there, but they didn't improve on what ended their season last year.

[Rookie]

Thats true but they did get Edler.

[flyerfan2]

Good post JL.

I'll add a little.

Canucks

Still lacking in secondary scoring and have a questionable defense imho.

Calgary

Could very well be the most well rounded team out of all the Canadian teams at this point.

Not so far ahead tho that a couple additions from others wouldn't put them at par with or ahead of the flames.

Habs

To small up front even smaller than in previous years when it was evident they were to small.

Goaltending is and remains a huge ?? mark as price has yet to prove himself capable of being a reliable #1 guy.

Oilers

status qua will remain out of the playoffs.


Sens

You touched on everything.


Leafs

Not bad enough to get into the lottery but not good enough to make the playoffs.

They should lead the league tho in penalty minutes.

[VICE™]

Originally Posted by Rookie

Thats true but they did get Edler.

They had Edler before.

Originally Posted by flyerfan2

Calgary

Could very well be the most well rounded team out of all the Canadian teams at this point.

Not so far ahead tho that a couple additions from others wouldn't put them at par with or ahead of the flames.

Yes, there could be moves to put them on par or ahead of the Flames. As it stands now though, the Flames look to be the best Canadian team. And it should be judged by what the team looks like, not potential when you factor in who they could sign and what not.

[sens_habs]

#1: Ottawa, I believe if heatly remains on the team, with the addition of kovi the sens will be a force in the east. like previously stated the d will need work, and leclair should be a good fit in net.
#2:Vancouver, The will be strong but i dont see them going much further this season then they di the last. Luongo cant do everything for them, alot of players need to step up, like bieksa did.
#3:Calgary, Allways a playoff contender but never seems to get it done. they will have a good season but will be lucky to proceed past the 2nd or third round.
#4:Montreal, A little upset they dumped koivu and mostly kovi, and also not a fan of signing gomez who i personally believe is a lazy forward. Glad komiserek is out georges should of gone too but gainey is an idiot. I see this season as a ruff one for the habs. If they play well together and coaching is better, then u may see them in the play offs but they certainly are not contenders for the cup.
#5: Edmonton: The front office needs to be replaced, that team isnt going to be very competitive.
#6: Toronto, need i say more

[SabresFan101]

Calgary is great on offense but some of their forwards are a little of, but with Bouwmeester they are going to be better than Canadiens and ahead. Vancouver some defense off you got to talk on defense like are you the second slide are you the hot guy. The Canadiens have open defense i watch some games were some players have a pt blink shot and score but Price will be more capable of making those saves next year when the have better defense i think. Komisarek is gone so it's going to be a defensive challenge but Markov what about him? and back to Calgary Kipprousoff achieved better seasons when the defense was good and they are going to be more good defensivley when Jay B. is there. Now to van.they had crapy defense when the y played Chicago so there defense is questionable next year.

[Rookie]

They did? Well he was a better player this year.

[Sherek X]

Calgary:
The loss of Cammelleri isn't a concern; Sutter still has time to help fill that void. Kipper should be back to his old ways now that Keenan is out of the picture and a full season with Olli Jokinen! Flames win the N.W. title.

Vancouver:
Getting rid of Sundin was the right move, but IMO Luongo is unreliable and will be plagued with injuries again and it's all on him depending when he goes down.

Montreal:
The size lacks on this team and is a problem and I think we are going to see much of the same as in last season.

Edmonton:
As much as I hate to put them up this high, Edmonton has a better chance this year with the Habby Scabby Bullin Wall. And look for them to squeak into the playoffs but go out in four games.

Ottawa:
The Dany Heatley factor will have this team down and out; hopes are that they make the playoffs.

Toronto:
Getting better