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Hockey World Blog picks the winners

Oct 1

Posted by Chris in Round Table, Season Previews | 4 Comments

Throughout the month of September, the members of Hockey World Blog deconstructed the strengths, weaknesses and off-season acquisitions of all 30 NHL teams as they finalize their rosters and prepare for the 2009-10 season. Now we offer our predictions for who will lead the league by seasons end. Who will come out on top in each division? And ultimately, which team will be left standing long enough to hoist the Stanley Cup in June? Here’s what we think:

Chris

Division Winners, East

  • Atlantic: This could be the toughest division in the East, but the Flyers have good, young talent and got a whole lot tougher during the off-season. Their blue line looks better with Pronger and Emery could be a surprise in net. The Flyers will take the Atlantic.
  • Northeast: The Bruins are the complete package – good defense, unselfish offense and solid goaltending. The Bruins will skate through the competition without a doubt.
  • Southeast: While the division is slowly improving, nobody can match the scoring power of the Washington Capitals. The Caps could do some serious damage this year.

Who could win the Cup: The Boston Bruins have a great team that has failed to make a significant impact in the post-season in recent years. Attribute it to injuries or lack of toughness or what you will, the Bruins are resilient and play hard and tough every night. Not only can this team put the puck in the net, they all work hard to keep it out of their own net. Last season, 11 players were plus-15 or better. With team scoring leader Marc Savard a potential free agent at season’s end, and with the team tight up against the cap, it’s do or die for the Bruins this season.

Divisions Winners, West

  • Central: Arguably the best division in hockey, my money is still on Detroit. Experience and great leadership, plus an infusion of young, hungry talent, will propel this team.
  • Northwest: The Sedin twins and Roberto Luongo all signed long-term? With the addition of puck-moving defenseman like Schneider and Ehrhoff, the Vancouver Canucks look better on both ends of the rink. This team could be scary.
  • Pacific: This could be a close one, but San Jose should be able to edge Anaheim for the division title. San Jose has good offensive depth and strong goaltending. If Thornton and Heatley click as linemates, watch out.

Who could win the Cup: Quack…quack…quack…Not only are the Ducks big and physical, they have strong depth at all positions. The loss of Chris Pronger will be offset by the addition of Ryan Whitney and James Wisniewski, who are both offensively-minded and defensively talented. Koivu, Lupol, Selanne and Ryan all provide excellent scoring depth in addition to Perry and Getzlaf on the top line. These guys are big and tough and thrive on physical play. If Giguere falters in net, the Ducks have a stellar back-up in Jonas Hiller. This team has what it takes to win.

Chris’s Stanley Cup Champion Prediction: Anaheim Ducks

As a Wings fan, I want to put the Red Wings’ name in that line, and I hope I’m wrong in my prediction, but the fact of the matter is that the Anaheim Ducks are big, powerful and know how to score goals. Sure, they lost Chris Pronger, but they offset his absence with offensive depth and still boast a solid defensive corps. Add in the one-two punch of Jonas Hiller and J. S. Giguere in net and you have a lot of work on your hands if you want to put the puck in their net. If the Ducks begin to fly together, do other teams in the West have what it takes to break them apart?

Eric

Division Winners, East

  • Atlantic: With their already deep depth from the previous year, as well as the additions of big defenseman Chris Pronger and wild card Ray Emery, I am going to have to go with the Philadephia Flyers.
  • Northeast: Come on Ottawa! They have added so much talent during the off season, as well as getting rid of unhappy Dany Heatley, they have an amazing team this year on paper and the ability to live up to those numbers. Plus a healthy Pascal Leclaire should be the answers to their goalie troubles.
  • Southeast: Besides the Washington Capitals, is there anyone really worth watching in this division? No there is not, and that is why I choose the Washington Capitals.

Who could win the Cup: This is a tough one, but I will have to say the Philadelphia Flyers. They have the size, grit and talent of every aspect of the game, it is hard not to choose them. The only potential weakness could be of new goaltender Ray Emery, but I have a feeling he will be a great fit in Philly and will do great.

Divisions Winners, West

  • Central: Although I do feel the Chicago Blackhawks have added some amazing talent over the off-season, I still feel the Detroit Red Wings are the dominant team. The Wings have lost some big named players, but in previous years they have proven their young players coming up from Grand Rapids are NHL caliber players.
  • Northwest: Having some of the best hockey fans in the NHL, the Calgary Flames look to build upon their 7th guy and go for it all. Captain Jarome Iginla does it all, fighting, point scoring and penalty killing. Big defenseman Dion Phaneuf is already laying on the big hit in the pre-season, what more could you ask for? A solid goaltender in Mikka Kiprusoff will provide the big saves to win the game as well. Calgary will be tough.
  • Pacific: I would love to say the Phoenix Coyotes, but that would be completely wrong. Maybe almost as far fetched, I am going with the Dallas Stars. They have amazing depth and talented players, as well as some very attractive ice girls. I do believe they have a good chance as long as they stay healthy, which has been a problem in previous years.

Who could win the Cup: Despite losing many talented players, the Detroit Red Wings are still a threat in any 7 game series. A team that turns the other cheek and then smirks as they score on the power play, Detroit is a well disciplined and talented team. The team is comprised of some of the best players in the game today, as well as up and coming talent. The only concern as with every team, is the ability to stay healthy throughout the whole season and playoffs.

Eric’s Stanley Cup Champion Prediction: Philadelphia Flyers

The Broad Street Bullies are back and will be the real deal this season. The whole team is tough. Daniel Carcillo lead the league last year in penalty minutes. Big defenseman Chris Pronger will be skating with the team this year and will provide grit and a lock down defensive play style. Goaltender Ray Emery is on a mission from the previous year playing overseas in the KHL.  Veteran players such as Danny Briere, Simon Gagne and Kimmo Timonen will provide leadership in the playoffs. All of them will be lead by one of my favorite players, Captain Mike Richards. The Philadelphia Flyers will also be playing in the Winter Classic this year which would hype any team up. Do not be surprised when they win it because they are built to win the Stanley Cup this year.

Eddie

Division Winners, East

  • Atlantic: The defending cup champion Pittsburgh will have the infamous “Stanley Cup Hangover” early on, but will get things together to take the division away from Philadelphia and New Jersey after the Olympic Break. It will be interesting to see how well they play under a full season under Dan Bylsma.
  • Northeast: Boston is simply the best team in this division. They dominated last season and they got better. Montreal and Buffalo will try to make a run but will come up short.
  • Southeast: Similiar to Boston in the Northeast, Washington is the clear favorite. Watch out for Florida and Carolina to make the division race closer than it was last season.

Who could win the Cup: Like how last season was Sidney Crosby’s year to win, this could be the same for Alex Ovechkin. Ovechkin has won every other major award but the one that’s most important. A team that only got better with the additions of Mike Knuble and Brendan Morrison, I like for the Capitals to get over the Pittsburgh hill and reach the Stanley Cup finals.

Divisions Winners, West

  • Central: If Chicago wants to be taken seriously by Detroit, they have to win the division this year. If Chicago doesn’t win it this season, who knows if they ever will. The Blackhawks and the Red Wings will be in the two-team race all season, with the younger Blackhawks wanting it more.
  • Northwest: If Mikka Kiprusoff and Jarome Iginla can pickup their game from last season, this can be Calgary’s division. Whats working in Calgary’s favor is the home ice advantage at the Saddledome and Vancouver’s NHL-Record 14-game road trip before and after the Olympic Break.
  • Pacific: San Jose is everyone’s pick to win this division. While the Sharks and Dallas Stars can be in talks to win the division, the big question is can Anaheim play the way they played the second half of last season throughout the 2009-10 season? Expect the Ducks to take the division title.

Who could win the Cup: Like in the Eastern Conference, this could be the year of the young super stars. That is what will keep the Red Wings from advancing to the finals. Anaheim has Bobby Ryan and Corey Perry. Chicago has Jonathan Towes and Patrick Kane. Expect the Blackhawks to lift the Clarence Campbell Bowl for the first time since 1992.

Eddie’s Stanley Cup Champion Prediction: Washington Capitals

When this season is over, the title of Marian Hossa’s autobiography will be “Close But No Cigar: How I Got To Three Consecutive Stanley Cup Finals Without Winning.” Hossa will play in another Stanley Cup final with the Blackhawks, but this time he will see Alexander Ovechkin raise the Cup over his head.

Matt

Division Winners, East

  • Atlantic: While the Penguins are defending Stanley Cup Champions, they won’t have what it takes to get it done during the regular season this year. Philadelphia got bigger and stronger during the off-season, and a healthy Daniel Briere will lead them to a division title.
  • Northeast: The loss of Phil Kessel and Aaron Ward won’t do much harm to the Boston Bruins. They return enough experience to claim another division title.
  • Southeast: The Capitals are another year older, another year wiser, and another year hungrier. Alex Ovechkin and his crew will run away with this one.

Who could win the Cup: The past two seasons have ended in disappointment for the Washington Capitals, but that could all change this season. They have one of the hungriest groups of players ever, and with their free agent signings, are a clear choice in the East.

Divisions Winners, West

  • Central: As everyone expects the Blackhawks to oust the Red Wings and claim a division championship, the Wings find themselves in the exact position they want to be in – the underdog. Chicago and goalie Cristobal Huet falter under pressure and the Detroit takes the division once again.
  • Northwest: Vancouver added some tremendous depth to their team via trade and free agency. They will own the Northwest Division this season.
  • Pacific: Joe Thornton and Dany Heatley will be absolutely lethal in San Jose, but Anaheim will pick up where they left off last season and take the division.

Who could win the Cup: Detroit’s young players have more experience in the playoffs than they do in the regular season. This should benefit them come April, May and June as they march to a third consecutive Stanley Cup Finals appearance.

Matt’s Stanley Cup Champion Prediction: Detroit Red Wings

The Red Wings are eager to prove last year was a fluke and they are still among the NHL’s most elite, while the Capitals are the hungriest to prove they have what it takes to raise Lord Stanley. It will will be a battle, but the stifling defense of Nicklas Lidstrom and Brian Rafalski will shut down the most potent scorers in the league and claim their second Stanley Cup in three years.

NHL 10 Review

Sep 20

Posted by Matt in Round Table | 3 Comments

NHL10 Cover Featuring Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks

NHL10 Cover Featuring Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks

As many of you know, EA Sports released its latest version of their NHL game last week, NHL10. This years game includes several new features to make hockey fans drool, and fall in love with the EA Sports NHL franchise all over again. Straight from the back cover, the games new features include:

1. New Battle For the Cup Mode – Experience the intensity of NHL playoff hockey. Play through injuries, intimidate rivals, and match lines as storylines carry across the entire series.

2. Build a Stanley Cup Champion – All-new GM mode lets you scout amateurs, put players on the trading block, hire staff, and earn experience points to become a legendary GM.

3. Battle on the Boards – Shield the puck with your body, kick-pass it to a teammate, or pin your opponent against the boards with an all-new board play engine.

4. All-New First-Person Fighting – Change the momentum by trading blows with an NHL enforcer. Tug an opponent’s jersey to gain an advantage – before or after the whistle.

5. Become the Ultimate Pro – Improve your draft status by dominating the prospects game, then use new coaching tips, improved teammate AI, and detailed position instructions to build the ultimate career.

6. Capture Multiple Championships – The coveted EA Sports Hockey League Cup is always up for grabs as new seasons start on a monthly basis online.

The following is our take on the game after about a week of play…

Matt: I picked up the game on the day it was released, at 8 in the morning. Needless to say, I was pretty excited about it. I considered leaving work several times just to go home and play, unfortunately, I did not do it. The NHL franchise by EA Sports is the sole reason I even own an Xbox360. I bought it just for NHL 09, and now own NHL 10 as well.

The features included in NHL 10 make it a great upgrade over its predecessor. It has so much depth that in a weeks worth of playing, I have not even begun to explore just how much you can do within the game. The replay value is through the roof.

I have spent most of my time, thus far, on the Be a Pro mode. So far I am thoroughly impressed with the new offerings. The improved teammate AI is definitely noticeable. In ’09, my pro really struggled with assists because one timers failed to work and my teammates never crashed the net. Now I find myself racking up 2 or 3 assists per game by making some sick passes.

Being a gear junkie, all the things you can do to your pro are a great feature. This year, I can now suit up my player going tounges out with a pair of white Easton SE16 skates. I was surprised, however, to see no Easton S19 hockey stick in the game.

Downfalls of the game are hard to find, but I’ve noticed a couple. While going through the Be a Pro, I played well in the prospects game, and ended up being the number two overall draft pick. The team that selected me…the Boston Bruins. How they ended up with the second pick in the draft is beyond me. Then I play in three games at the NHL level, picking up 12 points, and got sent to the minors. I know the Boston line up would be hard to crack, but those kind of numbers do not justify being sent to the minors.

Anyway, NHL 10 is everything I want it to be and more. The replay value is ridiculous. Online play alone will keep me attached to the game until NHL 11 comes out in a year. I think the price tag for games is becoming overwhelming at $60 a pop, but for anyone who loves hockey, this game is completely worth it.

Eric: The game itself has many additions that make the game not only more realistic but fun.

The addition of more goalie animations like stacking the pads and rotate them in the air to the other side just like Martin Brodeur, the ability to hug the post by holding the right trigger opposed to last years automatic hugging which allowed for difficult saves to be made against the cross crease goals, as well as a few more additions equipment selections to make your goalie to your liking.

As forward their is more equipment, shields that can be just about any color of the rainbow, as well as colored stick tape. Although it may be unrealistic to some bit, it is neat seeing a team online who sports all the same color stick tape that goes along with their jerseys, or even the ability to choose pink or purple to raise awareness to varying cancers much like the NHL does. Also the much needed kick fake as well as being tripped to your knees and still being able to shoot the puck. And lastly, my most favored addition is that of being able to pin someone against the boards. Board play brings another element of game play which could either make or break how a team plays.

Part of the appeal to NHL 09 as well as NHL 10 is the rating system. After you complete a game, you are then rated on position, stats and team play. Depending on your play, be it a lot of turnovers or scoring 5 goals, your rating will vary. With a combination of having good ratings and a specific number of game sunder your belt, you then unlock player cards (rookie on up to legend) that allow you more credits to distribute to your player to make him better. To bypass this, this year EA offered you the ability to unlock or purchase  predetermined bonus packs. These bonus packs are predetermined point values added to a specific attribute such as slap shot power. With this addition, which is mainly making Microsoft and EA more money, it takes away from the gratification of working hard and earning your reward of a better playable character. That being said, anyone with gold equipment are, well not anyone I think too highly of.

My take is more geared for online play, as I myself have even signed up at League Gaming’s NHL League.  League Gaming puts you into a real hockey experience, with NHL Owners, GMs, Captains, a live draft, trades, Juniors and the overall NHL experience as you and your 19 human counterpart team faces off against other human teams to make a fun, and competitive realistic experience. (Any questions feel free to email me at EB@hockeyworldblog.com)

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Highlight Reel

Aug 21

Posted by EB in Round Table | No Comments

Every great player has highlight reel plays. Be it scoring a pretty goal, laying on a big hit, or a goalie standing on his head. Which of the 3 types of reels would you like to play over and over? On the flip side, which of the plays would you least like being in if you were on the opposimovie reelte end? And why so?

Chris:

Highlight reel goals, for sure. With grace and ease a skilled forward is able to make his way to the net for a highlight reel goal, turning players inside out and, in the case of Alex Ovechkin, even turning yourself inside out before scoring. Great puck handlers like Datsuyk and Malkin can make even the best defenseman look silly. These are guys who even get their teammates to shake their heads on the bench and say, “How did he do that?” A sick dangle or a highlight reel goal is a thing of pure beauty and these guys make it look easy. As much as hitting is a big part of the game, finesse moves and out-of-this-world goals provide entertainment and leave fans and players alike wondering if they only imagined what they just saw.

Adversely, sometimes you’re the guy shaking your head when you have a wide open net and the goalie miraculously sprawls across the crease with his glove wide open to snatch the puck out of mid-air centimeters before it crosses the goal line leaving you to wonder if that catching glove is regulation size. When you’ve got an open net, you’d better bang it home because goalies are waiting to make highlight reels of their own at your expense.

Eddie:

I guess you can say I’m going to be a bit biased because I’ve spent 90% on my hockey career between the pipes. I have made hundreds of game-changing saves in my life. But I’m going to honestly say for once I’d like to be the one lighting the lamp. I’ve admired players such as Ovechkin, Zetterberg, Iginla and the ways they have been able to score.

While hockey fans are some of the best fans in sports, the fans can erupt a building and make visiting players shiver when a highlight reel goal is scored. The fans can really be a sixth man when a go-ahead or highlight reel goal is scored. They just don’t get as loud or excited when a goalie makes a big save.

On the other side of things, I would not want to be on the other side of a big hit. I think one of the reasons why I stayed in goal is not only because they are the only players on the ice the entire game, but they don’t get hit as well. I’m 6’1 and 160 lbs., so I think if I were to get “Kronwalled”, I would feel it a little harder and for a little longer than most players.

Eric:

Being that I play defense, I would have to say lining someone up and laying the body on them for a big hit is what I would like to be remembered doing. The physicality of the game dictates how players react, be it chasing the puck in the corner, or passing instead of holding the puck. Nothing makes a player or team shudder more than after a big hit.

Slight side effects of tightness of the stomach, embarrassment and wanting to go invisible may occur. Being deked around and made to look like your motoring skills are the equivalent of a new born is the last thing I would want, and I think I would try to burn the video evidence. Stay away dirty dangles, stay away.

Matt:

I absolutely love a great dangle that leads to a goal. When a skilled puck handler walks around a defenseman and proceeds to undress the goalie, I am sure to be out of my seat. Fortunately, it seems that we are seeing a lot more of that in the “new NHL”. Players are now allowed to show off their speed and skill as most of the obstruction has been removed from the game.

On the flip side, being that defenseman who gets walked around, looking so helpless, is pretty embarrassing. It will definitely help you learn to play the body though. I think after being dangled repeatedly, you start to pick up on things like that in hopes to avoid future humiliation.

I absolutely love a great dangle that leads to a goal. When a skilled puck handler walks around a defenseman and proceeds to undress the goalie, I am sure
to be out of my seat. Fortunately, it seems that we are seeing a lot more of that in the “new NHL.” Players are now allowed to show off their speed and skill as

most of the obstruction has been removed from the game.