NHL Preview

Opening faceoff has come and gone as sports fan begin to share their lives with both football and hockey. As the NHL season gets underway, we begin to preview what we think will happen on the ice over the next few months.

1) After advancing to the Eastern Conference Championship two years in a row, the Sabres have missed the playoffs the last two-straight campaigns. How will the Sabres fare this year?

Joe Paterno, Assistant Sports Editor: 'After missing the playoffs the past two seasons, it's do or die time for head coach Lindy Ruff and general manager Darcy Reiger. During the offseason, Maxim Afinogenov, Jaroslav Spacek and Dominic Moore were shown the door. Mike Grier, Steve Montador and Cody McCormick were brought in to add size and grit to a team that has lacked toughness for the past few years. Key players Jason Pominville, Drew Stafford and Jochen Hecht will have to bounce back from disappointing seasons. If the Sabres stay healthy and get production from their key players, they will once again push for a playoff spot. I see a third-place finish in the Northeast Division and a playoff birth for the Sabres.'

David Sanchirico, Senior Sports Editor: 'The Sabres were unfortunate last year. They lost goalie Ryan Miller to injury for an extensive period of time and fell just two points short of the playoffs. At the same time, inconsistency plagued them and a lack of toughness ultimately led to their demise. Though the Sabres' offseason was silent compared to division rivals Montréal, Toronto and Ottawa, they did add physical forward and hometown favorite Mike Greer back to the roster, along with defender Steve Montador. If Miller, Thomas Vanek and Tim Connolly can stay relatively healthy, the Sabres will make the playoffs, but their lack of firepower will make it hard for the team to advance past the first round.'

2) The Islanders have been the epitome of hockey futility, but the future of the franchise looks bright with No. 1 draft pick John Tavares now on the roster. Will Tavares be able to make the Islanders respectable this year?

JP: 'Deemed the next Sidney Crosby, John Tavares was drafted first overall by the New York Islanders to be the catalyst of the team's re-building phase. Tavares enters the NHL as one of the most accomplished junior players in history after scoring 215 goals and accumulating 433 points. While I do believe Tavares will become a superstar in the league, he won't be able to turn the fortunes of the miserable franchise. After last year's meager 61-point performance, New York hopes to improve, but with little talent and rumors swirling of the team's relocation to Kansas City, the Isles will be fishing at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings all year.'

DS: 'Tavares is destined to be a standout, but the Islanders' situation is beyond resurrecting this season, especially for one player. The team averaged only 2.42 goals a game last year, not nearly enough production to give goaltender Rick DiPietro wins, and Tavares won't be able to raise that average enough to get the Islanders in the playoffs. On a more optimistic note, it may bring more fans to the usually empty Nassau Coliseum.'

3) The Pittsburgh Penguins won the Stanley Cup last year, and with a crop of young stars intact, look to be on the verge of a repeat. Give me one reason why the Penguins would not make it to the Stanley Cup Finals this year.

JP: 'While the Penguins return much of their Stanley Cup winning roster, the Eastern Conference has plenty of contenders aiming to take down the defending champs. The Philadelphia Flyers have added defenseman Chris Pronger and goalie Ray Emery to bring an added toughness to the conference. Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals look for revenge after being ousted by the Penguins in last year's playoffs. If Pittsburgh wants to reach the finals, they will have to bring their A-game every night, but in my opinion, the conference is too tough for the Penguins to repeat.'

DS: 'With Malkin and Crosby – two of the biggest stars in the game today – still manning the front line, Pittsburgh will be the odds-on favorite to win the Stanley Cup in 2010. But the Penguins' defense lost both Hal Gill and Rob Scuderi to free agency, limiting the Penguins' depth on the blue-line. Both players played well in the playoffs, and general manager Ray Shero even admitted that the Stanley Cup trophy wouldn't be in Pittsburgh without both Gill and Scuderi on last year's roster. Pittsburgh is relying on a bunch of young players to replace both defenders, which is a risk that may prevent the Pens from repeating.'

4) The San Jose Sharks have made the playoffs every year since the lockout, but have failed to advance past the Western Conference Semifinals each year. Will the addition of star Dany Heatley finally give the Sharks some playoff magic?

JP: 'Last season's President Trophy winners were odds-on favorites to hoist Lord Stanley's Cup, but were eliminated from the playoffs in six games. The Sharks have made the playoffs each season since the lockout, but have yet to reach the finals. Heatley gives Joe Thornton and Devin Setoguchi a proven goal scorer on the wing. Add Patrick Marleau and all-star defenseman Dan Boyle to the mix and the Sharks will again be a top three in the west. Heatley will get the Sharks deep into the playoffs, but the team's depth can't get them to the finals.'

DS: 'I think this might finally be the year that the Sharks break through, mainly because of the addition of Heatley. They did lose Milan Michalek and Jonathan Cheechoo, but management was itching to get rid of Cheechoo, and they did so and got a perennial 40-goal scorer in the process. The duo of Heatley and Joe Thornton gives the Sharks one of the best front lines in the NHL. Heatley also brings an impressive playoff resume to the Sharks: he has scored 10 goals and contributed 25 assists in 34 games. I think the Sharks will break the ‘curse' and get to the Finals.'

5) Who do you think will be the conference winners, Stanley Cup winner and MVP?

JP:

Eastern Conference: Philadelphia Flyers

Western Conference: Calgary Flames

Stanley Cup: Calgary Flames

MVP: Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals

DS:

Eastern Conference: Washington Capitals

Western Conference: San Jose Sharks

Stanley Cup: San Jose Sharks

MVP: Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals