Your team. Early impressions?

[#96 0]

I know it's early, but we've had Preseason and a couple of games now to see what kinda team our guys have out on the ice. What are your early impressions? Strengths, weaknesses?

Being a Ranger fan...

VERY European flavor. Top line looks great offensively (Jags, Nylander, Rucinsky). Second line looks decent. I've liked Rucchin's effort for years now, Marcel Hossa has been a surprise (but I hear he's very streaky and prone to slumps) and Straka is dangerous. 3rd and 4th lines SCARE me. Everytime they go out I keep my fingers crossed something bad doesn't happen. Hollweg, although I know some MSH members like the guy, does not belong at the NHL level yet. He tries to be a spark plug, I understand that he knows what his role is, but he has taken stupid penalties in each of the last 2 games. Really stupid. Send him down now, and get somebody else up to the big show. This new game is too offensive to just let him go out and take a dumb penalty and let the other team get an easy 2 minute PP.

D is ok. Nothing too great, not too bad I guess. What I see as a real weakness now is the lack of a natural pointman and puck carrier on the point for the PP. I mean, cmon now, Tom Poti? Even Darius gets time on the PP. Riduculous. I miss Leetchie. The goalies have been doing a decent job since preseason. Aside from the weak goal Weekes let up in OT last game, he's done ok. Lundquist looked sharp tonight against the Devils.

Overall, I'm not that unhappy. I think they will have some real sour outings, but for the most part, they have 2 good scoring lines, and a 3rd and 4th line that doesn't mind gettin' their noses dirty. I know as the season progresses, they won't be able to compete with the Flyers, Devs, Lightning in terms of skill, but I also don't think they'll finish as poorly as all the magazines say. I think they will either just make the playoffs or just be shy of getting in.

[tokes 0]

Being an Oilers fan, I'm pretty excited. If Horcoff can move from a 40 point player to atleast a 60 point player, paired up with hopefully a good showing from Peca and double the offense on the point from Pronger I think we should be good for atleast a playoff spot.

Either way you cut the cake, I love the much more open style of play now in the league. The Montreal/Toronto game earlier today was great, and I don't even like either of those teams.

[Eazy_b97 1]

I've come to the conclusion that Berg is the worst defenseman in the NHL and Quinn continues to be the worst coach. Other than that, I'm pleased. Allisons slow as hell, but decent with the puck. Needs to be utilized better. Lindros has played incredible thus far. McCabe, Kaberle, Khavanov and Klee look like they can handle the top 4 duties while Belak seems like an alright 6th D (I didn't expect him to be). We have 10 very good forwards. Domi's a joke and Chow is hit and miss. Kilger isn't great, but does his job so he's in my 10. Antro and Poni have looked good, but need to be on a proper line.

[#96 0]

Yeah I noticed that about Allison tonight. He's definately lost something since being out. Real slow. Decent hands, can still control the puck and protect it with his size. But get a quick attacker on him and he's gonna cause turnovers.

Quinn is a horrible coach. I never liked him. And Berg still boggles my mind as to how he can stay in the league. I'm happy for Lindros though. He's tryin real hard, ya know. He wants to succeed. I wish him the best of luck.

[Dangles 0]

Canucks:

Great so far, should have good scoring. I think Anson is the right fit for the Sedins, maybe they can score more than ten goals this year. However, I'm a little concerned about the D. Without Sopel and Malik, it's a young core and I'll be surprised if they do well. Baumgartner and Allen need to step up.

[Eazy_b97 1]

Yeah I noticed that about Allison tonight. He's definately lost something since being out. Real slow. Decent hands, can still control the puck and protect it with his size. But get a quick attacker on him and he's gonna cause turnovers.

Quinn is a horrible coach. I never liked him. And Berg still boggles my mind as to how he can stay in the league. I'm happy for Lindros though. He's tryin real hard, ya know. He wants to succeed. I wish him the best of luck.

Allisons always been slow. Tonight he played by far his worst game of the season and I've watched all the Leaf games this year. I don't think Chow had a good game and that hurt him. When Allison's behind the net all game, Tuckers crashing, Chow needs to be backchecking, which hurt us. I just hope Pilar makes a huge turn-around and comes back REAL soon.

[Eazy_b97 1]

I am a surprised Ranger fan...You kind of forget how powerful hard work and a group effort of 60 minutes is. If our Powerplay was better we would have easily won tonight against the Devils. We also seemed to be better w. penalties tonight which is a good sign of coaching.

Overall, the coaching seems pretty good in Renney and his high regarded assistants. He could have played the 3rd/4th line more a little more, especially in the first two games. Having Poti out of the lineup was a godsend tonight. Kondratiev is more raw then Tyutin, but has great upside and is ready for NHL hockey. Pock should be up instead of strudwick. Hope Purinton never dresses for us again.

I actually think we could have done w/o Rucchin, and have been pleasently surprised w/ Nylander.

First line is what it is...They cycle beautifly and I have to say they control the puck in the offensive zone during almost every shift. I have been very happy w/ Hossa so far on the second line. He has shown he belongs. I love the last two because they never stop working and they show desire. They are also our checkers which we need, because we have virtually no checkers on the first two lines. Betts and Hollweg in particular hit everything in site. Ortmayer has made some mistakes thus far, but his heart is always in it. Prucha deserves more time, but needs more strength as well. But he does belong here. Its scray how good Lundqvist is this early in the NHL game. The defense is our weakest link, but Malik is not as bad as I first thought. Strudwick needs to go though. I also think Dom Moore deserves more time.

Moore looked very good in the game I saw. Wait for Kondrats. He has an unbelievable amount of raw talent, but his mental strength has been questioned. He still hasn't lasted a full year in NA and he did try when with the Leafs. He's a guy I hope makes it because he has all the skills to make games more exciting.

[slaw 1]

Leafs:

Berg; i agree with the others it baffles me as to how he got into the league. It's as though Central Scouting went and were actually looking for a joke player. Sundin has had all of 3 minutes to proove himself so theres no saying wahts going on there. The tyical Maple Leafs style of beating everyone up is failing as they are 0-2. I think its due to the new Americanized (no offence) Dumb rules that play to American dumb fans (which noone here is cause you can spell hockey in the Address bar) quinn needs to be fired an Belfour needs to get into an old folks home. All & All it will surprise me if the Leafs are in a serious battle come playoff time. They will still be hard to beat but not as hard.

[Eazy_b97 1]

I don't think its panick time at all for the Leafs. Realistically, we've had 2 victories and pissed them away. The pissing away scares me, but really, our D is brand new and hasn't played in the pairs at all yet. I still want Berg run our of town, but Woz, Carlo and Kronwall are all NHL ready IMO and can fill in. They have the forward talent to score with anyone in the league, Eddie is still a top notch starter and their D is underrated. Kaberle has looked beyond incredible to start the year. If they get a coach, or Quinn removes his headd from his ass, look out.

[Chadd 916]

I don't think its panick time at all for the Leafs. Realistically, we've had 2 victories and pissed them away. The pissing away scares me, but really, our D is brand new and hasn't played in the pairs at all yet. I still want Berg run our of town, but Woz, Carlo and Kronwall are all NHL ready IMO and can fill in. They have the forward talent to score with anyone in the league, Eddie is still a top notch starter and their D is underrated. Kaberle has looked beyond incredible to start the year. If they get a coach, or Quinn removes his headd from his ass, look out.

I think you're overestimating their offensive talents but I can honestly say I haven't seen enough to judge them fairly.

[mik3 1]

I'm a penguins fan, this team is confusing as hell. For 5-10mins at a time it can look amazing on offense and not bad on defense. Then, it all falls apart. At least tonight they stopped crapping themselves on the powerplay.

[Chadd 916]

I'm a penguins fan, this team is confusing as hell. For 5-10mins at a time it can look amazing on offense and not bad on defense. Then, it all falls apart. At least tonight they stopped crapping themselves on the powerplay.

Their PP is critical for them this year. If they don't convert, they're going to have problems.

[#96 0]

I really thought that with the new rules, a PP would be an automatic goal. But it really hasnt' been like that. I know overall, goals are up. But the PP hasn't been strong. It's almost like teams are still playing the old way. Like they don't recognize teams aren't gonna attack them, clutch and grab, and that the zone has 4 more ft to work with. I dunno, but it's been kind of a let down. I mean, goalie's can't handle the puck as much, Dmen can't beat you up in front of the net, and the goals just haven't come.

[Gongshow11 1]

habs 3-0, the bottom lines are tearing it up while guys like kovalev and ribiero need to step it up big time. plus theodore must be more consistent. how does domi score fromt he blue line on a snap shot and bergeron as well when u won the vezina

[Eazy_b97 1]

habs 3-0, the bottom lines are tearing it up while guys like kovalev and ribiero need to step it up big time. plus theodore must be more consistent. how does domi score fromt he blue line on a snap shot and bergeron as well when u won the vezina

Have you noticed that almost all of the goals scored have been on his glove side and they made that smaller? I don't think Steens, Stajans or Antropov's he had much chance on last night, but the weak goals seem to be because of the restrictions on all goalies. Either glove or finding new holes.

[Michael9 57]

As Wings fan i am very pleased so far since there 3-0

Zetterberg should be good for close to 80 points this year, he allready has 6 points in 4 games. Shanahan is playing like they Shany of old with already 2 fights this year and 4 points.I was very impressed by Kronwall's pre-season he seemed to be the wings best defenceman after lidstrom, until he got injured. Williams is another wing that is impressing me this year. He's playing great on the first line with Lang and Shanny. He sould be good for 55 points this year( 3 points in 4 games so far). Legace seems to be doing ok so far as the wings starting goalie and exellent in shouout's. All in all the wings seem to be again one of the NHl's strongest teams and have just as much chance of winning the cup as any of the pother powerhouse team's.

GO WINGS

[Tanner23 0]

Canucks:

Great so far, should have good scoring. I think Anson is the right fit for the Sedins, maybe they can score more than ten goals this year.  However, I'm a little concerned about the D.  Without Sopel and Malik, it's a young core and I'll be surprised if they do well.  Baumgartner and Allen need to step up.

Canucks:Yes Allen and Nolan Baumgarterner have to step up and i am really impressed with both of them baumgartner especially. The top line looks really good . Carter and the sedins looked pretty dangerous on saturday VS. The oilers also. CLoutier was solid against the coyotes. And pretty good against the oilers except the first goal.The other goals he had no chance

[lee92 2]

i gotta say that i'm actually surprised by my wings. i knew they could still contend in the new nhl, but i didn't expect them to as they have in the past. even though it's only 3 games in, i'm quite pleased at how they're playing. another thing that's surprised me is samuelson. i never even heard of him before this year, no idea if he's a rookie or minor leaguer, but he seems to be producing, as well as williams. the wings always seem to get good production from rooks and minor leaguers.

[chippa13 1844]

As a B's fan, I have 3 words for the state of the team: Sign Boynton now. Alberts was woefully exposed in the first 2 games as not being ready for the NHL and Jurcina didn't look much better against Pittsburgh. If the B's shore up the blueline with Boynton and Big Joe hits his stride, watch out. If not, they're going to be playing a lot of games with football scores.

[mack 44]

Haven't seen too much of the Leafs this year, but I like what I've seen given the circumstances. Without seeing the evidence I have to agree that Aki Berg is a complete pylon out there. He always looked like he had Down Syndrome--I just never knew he actually had it. Why is he up in the bigs and not Bell? Lindros is surprising me with how well he's playing but I'm holding my breath on that because he may get a room at a hotel with a too-firm pillow and be on the IR. As for Belfour...I just hope he stays away from the crack and FUBU.

[Sven 1]

Nucks and Wings are my favourites this year and what ive heard/read yet is very nice to hear.

[Kovy_Ribs_Fedo 3]

habs 3-0, the bottom lines are tearing it up while guys like kovalev and ribiero need to step it up big time. plus theodore must be more consistent. how does domi score fromt he blue line on a snap shot and bergeron as well when u won the vezina

Kovalev and Ribeiro played well at the last game though against Toronto.

[asdfa 0]

Leafs:

Berg; i agree with the others it baffles me as to how he got into the league. It's as though Central Scouting went and were actually looking for a joke player. Sundin has had all of 3 minutes to proove himself so theres no saying wahts going on there. The tyical Maple Leafs style of beating everyone up is failing as they are 0-2. I think its due to the new Americanized (no offence) Dumb rules that play to American dumb fans (which noone here is cause you can spell hockey in the Address bar) quinn needs to be fired an Belfour needs to get into an old folks home. All & All it will surprise me if the Leafs are in a serious battle come playoff time. They will still be hard to beat but not as hard.

it doesn't sound as if the leafs are your team at all! :o

it's true that berg is a joke. i don't mind the way the leafs are playing this year, they have the potential to win, they just need better defensive coordination. all of their goals against have been pretty much the other team thrashing around in the leaf's zone, and messing up the man to man coverage, leaving one guy open around the net. belfour's been stellar, there's no way you can say he's too old, but quinn is making some messed up coaching decisions. the leafs 0-2 record is much less of an indication of the whole team as it is the defence right now.

[Shorthanded67 0]

St. Louis Blues.....

I'll be shocked if they win 35 games. They have a lot of young kids but they either need some experienced veterans or need their current veterans to step it up (Tkachuk, Weight). The chemistry just seems way off. What's really brutal is the attendance. Two home games so far and tons of empty seats. A Saturday night game looked like the arena was half-empty. Of course this may be due to the fact that the Cardinals are in the playoffs right now and this IS a baseball town moreso than hockey. I hope they draw more fans once the baseball season is over in a few weeks.

[mack 44]

Not to mention Brewer's the worst defenceman in the league...he's killing me.