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So who do you think is going to be hoisting the Stanley Cup come next June. The Rangers seem like the team to beat this year. But one thing for certain is my Leafs will break my heart yet again.

Who knows. I havent been a hockey game in a while. Leafs, Panters, Ducks, Stars, Rampage, Ice Bats, Ice Rays, & Bucks are my teams.

The Rangers? really? why? I don't think you can predict at this time-January will tell the story more accurately.
I put my money on the SENS.


as far as the leafs are concerned-forget about it.leafs continue to prove they don't how to recruit management let alone players. it's a successful franchise because of the fan base and love of the game.

so why bother?-(just ask the owners)

The Rangers have the goaltnding in Lundqvist, Up front they have Jagr, Drury, Gomez, Straka, and co. up front and a decent defence corp.

The only reason the Sens made it to the finals was that the Leafs werent there to bounce them from the first round of the playoffs as usual

"the only reason the sens made it" comment is absolute rubbish-they are and have been on paper far superior to anythibng toronto has put on the ice in a decade. get real.
the Senators made it to then finals honestly its called talent and hard work.
toronto continues to bomb season after season due to their own arrogance and inept management and you clearly reflect that. in fact any professional team from toronto follows the same path-losers year in and year out.

I agree the sens do have better teams on paper. But they always choke come playoff time when it matters most

I put my money on the .........


ISLANDERS!!!


he he

the NHL is still around????? LOL

if so then the DEVILS!

marvelousmark-where do you come up with this shit man?
"But they "always" choke come playoff time when it matters most".
HUH?
do you actually watch hockey? comments make no sense whatsoever. maple laughs hockey fans have this embedded arrogance and fantasy about themselves and hockey.
The Senators have accomplished more in 15 years of modern day hockey than the TML's ever will.
If you actually played hockey you'd understand that.

Heres the proof buddy. Good team come the season. Disapear come playoffs to lesser teams

1997-98
5th, Northeast
Won in Conference Quarterfinals, 4-2 (Devils)
Lost in Conference Semifinals, 1-4 (Capitals)

1998-99
1st, Northeast
Lost in Conference Quarterfinals, 0-4 (Sabres)

1999-00
2nd, Northeast
Lost in Conference Quarterfinals, 2-4 (Maple Leafs)

2000-01
1st, Northeast
Lost in Conference Quarterfinals, 0-4 (Maple Leafs)

2001-02
Won in Conference Quarterfinals, 4-1 (Flyers)
Lost in Conference Semifinals, 3-4 (Maple Leafs)

2002-03
1st, Northeast
President's Trophy
Won in Conference Quarterfinals, 4-1 (Islanders)
Won in Conference Semifinals, 4-2 (Flyers)
Lost in Conference Finals, 3-4 (Devils)

2003-04
3rd, Northeast
Lost in Conference Quarterfinals, 3-4 (Maple Leafs)

2004-05 Season cancelled due to 2004-05 NHL Lockout

2005-06
1st, Northeast Won in Conference Quarterfinals, 4-1 (Lightning)
Lost in Conference Semifinals, 1-4 (Sabres)

I wouldn't call the Devils, Sabres or Leafs "lesser" teams (at least at the time -- Toronto is now trash, but a few years ago they were solid). Even though the Sens have lost in the playoffs to lower ranked teams, that has more to do with the experience of the players on the team and not the team itself. You can't expect every team to sustain its regular season performance long into the playoffs unless they have experienced veterans. Just look at the Pens this year: They had a legitimate shot against Ottawa and the young guns just couldn't produce. The simple fact that Ottawa has been consistently strong in the regular season, despite only being around for 15 years now, should prove that they really don't "choke."

Anywho, Rangers are good on paper, but I am not 100% sold that the off-season pickups will push them to the lead in the Atlantic, let alone the East.

For the East, my pick is the Pens... but they've been my pick for about 15 years now.
For the West, who really cares? $10 says Detroit is at least 2nd in the West and gets upset before conference finals.

MM you're absolute right, when the sens lose to the lesser team: guess who it is?????
the TML always at the top of that lesser team list. that'd be my proof.


2007 for example: 19 NHL clubs, count 'em, out of 30 had more wins than toronto...19-it's embarrassing to say the least.

is that called choking? no it's called inept management.

But hey in the SENS 15 years they've accomplished more than toronto since the league expanded-the best years are coming.

I don't think much about statistics btw, I actually watch my team. They have been successful and will continue to do so.

If anybody chokes here its the TML.

Ottawa Senators 4- TML 3

I am a Leaf fan and have been since 67-68 (just my luck the year after they won their last Cup). I think the Penguins could surprise this year, with Ottawa and New York (Rangers) also strong in the Eastern conference. Anaheim and Vancouver are both pretty strong, Detroit is a ? due to their age. In the finals it could be Anaheim vs. Ottawa or the Rangers. As for the Leafs, well it will be 41 years and counting next June since their last Stanley Cup (no defence and specialty teams are also suspect).

Meant to say to the hockey guys out there-there's a live feed of Hockey night in Canada: Ottawa Senators vs TML on tonight
Go to www.cbc.ca follow the sports links.
cheers

Yeah I think it's always early to pick n choose a June Stanley Cup winner now in October. We all see some good teams right now regardless of whatever team it is. All I know I gotta say is......

Let's go Red Wings!

I'm more interested in the Oilers lately now that they signed the dreamy Sheldon Souray.

As they say, the Stanley Cup isn't won or lost in October... so I'm a little apprehensive to name my pick right now.

Despite my life-long Pittsburgh affiliation, I don't think they'll do MUCH better than last season. Sure the maturation of Crosby, Malkin and Staal will be benefitial, and Sykora and (to a lesser extent) Sydor will function much in the way Recchi and Roberts did. But something in my gut tells me this year isn't THE year for Crosby and the Pens -- that pains me sooooo much to say.

Not sure if it's my hatred of Broadway Blushirts, but I'm banking on the fact that the Rangers have a weak D (albeit a great goal-tender IS great D). Ottawa should be solid as usual, but everyone else is just sort of a huge question mark.

For the West... Sharks. Sharks. Sharks. (Despite their loss to the Avs they're my pick -- gutsy, I know!) I saw Detroit in Chicago this week and I was unimpressed -- granted it's only one game and the second of the season. Anaheim won't be able to perform at the same level as last year's playoffs, and most everyone else has a boarder-line shot.

Ottawa looks strong but so does Carolina. Pittsburgh is a disappointment so far. In the West it is really a toss up with no team looking dominant. The geritol squad (aka the Red Wings) continue to surprise, I don't know how Chris Chelios does it, I remember him in the 80's!

I wish someone at NHL headquarters would deal with the Philadelphia Flyers, yet another dirty hit yesterday, the lack of respect is getting really tiresome, one of these days somebody is going to get killed.

Sharkies!!!!!

From the Eastern Conference:

New Jersey Devils or Montreal Canadiens

From the Western Conference

Anaheim Ducks or Detroit Red Wings.

I think Anaheim may repeat.

GO STARS!!!! Dallas is holding on and headed to the NHL Western Conference Finals.. The south will rise again...

Well my guesses were totally off, so now I am picking Detroit and Philadelphia in the finals. I would like to see Dallas and Pittsburgh.

This hasn't interested me since the Bruins with Bobby Orr and Phil Esposito.
Maybe it's time to revisit.