| Offensive Line 1 | LW, Thomas Holmstrom | C, Pavel Datsyuk (A) | RW, Johan Franzen | |||||
| Offensive Line 2 | LW, Dan Cleary | C, Henrik Zetterberg (A) | RW, Todd Bertuzzi | |||||
| Offensive Line 3 | LW, Ville Leino | C, Valtteri Filppula | RW, Jason Williams | |||||
| Offensive Line 4 | LW, Kirk Maltby | C, Kris Draper (A) | RW, Darren Helm | |||||
| Defensive Pairing 1 | D, Nicklas Lidstrom (C) | D, Brian Rafalski | ||||||
| Defensive Pairing 2 | D, Niklas Kronwall | D, Brad Stuart | ||||||
| Defensive Pairing 3 | D, Brett Lebda | D, Jonathan Ericsson | ||||||
| Goalies | Starter, Chris Osgood | Backup, Jimmy Howard | ||||||
| Scratches | LW, Brad May | RW, Patrick Eaves | D, Derek Meech | |||||
psymin1 11:05 PM 11-03-2009
Upcoming Schedule- October 2009: October 2 @ (3:00pm)
October 3 vs. (3:00pm)
October 8 vs. (3:00pm)
October 10 vs. (7:00pm)
October 13 @ (7:00pm)
October 15 vs. (7:30pm)
October 17 vs. (7:00pm)
October 22 @ (10:00pm)
October 24 @ (9:00pm)
October 27 @ (10:00pm)
October 29 @ (9:30pm)
October 31 @ (10:00pm)
[Reply]
psymin1 11:06 PM 11-03-2009
2009-2010 Central Division Preview
BY BRANDEN CROW
FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER
With the big changes that have occured in the NHL's Central Division, what will the season hold for us? Here is a breakdown of our Central Division:
Detroit Red Wings
General Manager- Talon Raiver
Head Coach- Mike Babcock
2008-09 Finish- 1st in Central (51-21-10); Lost in Finals (3-4, Penguins)
Key Losses- Chris Chelios, Ty Conklin, Marian Hossa, Jiri Hudler, Tomas Kopecky, Darren McCarty, Mikael Samuelsson
Key Additions- Todd Bertuzzi, Patrick Eaves, Brad May, Jason Williams,
Preview- The Red Wings are losing out on a lot of goals this season, but that won't be a problem if Raiver's claim that Chris Osgood is the "most underrated goalie in the NHL" is true. The Wings will need to build on the core defensive unit they have already, and I expect a move from Raiver before too long, simply to add depth to that unit. With Brendan Shannahan on free agency, I wouldn't be surprised if Raiver tried to make a move for the veteran, and former Red Wing (not to mention, fan favorite in Detroit). The Wings problems enter in when you look at the salary cap. It will be interesting to see how Raiver handles this new position with such a tight cap.
Crow's Prediction- I have drank the proverbial Kool-Aid that Talon Raiver poured in his initial press conference- The Wings will be at the top of the Central and fighting for the President's trophy at the end of the season. First in Central.
Chicago Blackhawks
General Manager- Stan Bowman
Head Coach- Joel Quenneville
2008-09 Finish- 2nd in Central (46-24-12); Lost in Western Conf. Finals (1-4, Red Wings)
Key Losses- Martin Havlat, Nikolai Khabibulin, Sami Pahlsson, Matt Walker
Key Additions- Marian Hossa, Tomas Kopecky, John Madden
Preview- This team looks the most ferocious to me on paper with the addition of the Red Wing Salary Cap victims Hossa and Kopecky, along with the addition of veteran John Madden (former University of Michigan Wolverine standout), but there is one glaring weakness- Cristobal Huet. I don't see the Blackhawks being ready to take over the top spot in the conference, let alone the Stanley Cup for this reason alone. With Khabibulin now out of the picture, Huet becomes the number one goalie by default, and Wings fan will think back to the 2009 playoffs where Huet had a breakdown and helped the 'Hawks lose to the Wings in only 5 games. But, with the scoring that is sure to be there up front, especially after Hossa heals up and returns around Thanksgiving, this team may look a bit like the Red Wings of last year- winning games by simply outscoring opponents, even if that means putting in 4-6 goals a night. They have the best young Captain in the game (yes, better than Crosby) and he will keep things interesting this season.
Crow's Prediction- Things will be much closer than last year, and this team could surprise us this season. But, until they secure up the net, I still think the Cup is a couple years off. Second in Central.
Columbus Blue Jackets
General Manager- Scott Howson
Head Coach- Ken Hitchcock
2008-09 Finish- 4th in Central (41-31-10); Lost in Conf. Quarterfinals (0-4, Red Wings)
Key Losses- Christian Backman, Manny Malhotra, Mike Peca, Ole-Kristian Tollefsen, Jason Williams
Key Additions- Mathieu Garon, Samuel Pahlsson
Preview- With all the losses of the Blue Jackets (including Jason Williams to Detroit), Coach Babcock will be relying on young talent to stand out such as Derrick Brassard, Jakub Voracek and Nikita Filatov. Where the cause for concern comes in is in the Defense and in net. The addition of goaltender Mathieu Garon was a smart move in case Steve Mason can't replicate his great debut with the Jackets from last season.
Crow's Prediction- If Rick Nash (who the Wings shut down in the playoffs last season) has a big season, I expect the Blue Jackets to finish just fine and earn a playoff berth once again. But, they just don't look strong enough on paper to take over the high scoring Blackhawks, or the Red Wings. Fourth in Central.
St. Louis Blues
General Manager- Larry Pleau
Head Coach- Andy Murray
2008-09 Finish- 3rd in Central (41-31-10); Lost in Conf. Quarterfinals (0-4, Canucks)
Key Losses- Dan Hinote, Manny Legace, Jay McKee, Jeff Woywitka
Key Additions- Brendan Bell, Ty Conklin
Preview- The offseason didn't see too much change for the Blues, as they decided to lock up veteran Keith Tkachuk and sign former Red Wing backup Ty Conklin to replace (other former Red Wing) Manny Legace. But, with that in mind, I expect the Blues to be a much different team from last year because they will get back all of those that they lost to injury last season, most notably at the blue line (where only 2 of the 6 starters played the full season last year). Coach Murray will be relying on the young line of Oshie, Berglund and Perron to produce some big numbers this season.
Crow's Prediction- As long as Chris Mason doesn't disappoint, and the injuries of last year are gone, I see this team improving ten-fold from last season, maybe even making it past the first round of the playoffs. Third in Central.
Nashville Predators
General Manager- David Poile
Head Coach- Barry Trotz
2008-09 Finish- 5th in Central (40-34-8); Did Not Qualify for Playoffs
Key Losses- Radek Bonk, Greg de Vries, Vernon Fiddler, Ville Koistinen, Scott Nichol, Greg Zanon
Key Additions- Marcel Goc, Ben Guite
Preview- The Nashville Predators are an example of what happens when a team has no money to play with. They lost big name players like Greg Zanon, and were not able to sign any high profile free agents to replace them due to their budget. Jason Arnott, J.P. Dumont and Martin Erat are going to have to be big for the Preds if they want to see a playoff run this year, but I am not certain that THAT would even be enough. Other concerns come from the fact that the Preds will probably host the youngest defensive unit in the NHL with the promotion of Cody Franson from the AHL, Shea Weber, Ryan Suter and Dan Hamhuis. But, they have an X-Factor in goaltender Pekka Rinne.
Crow's Prediction- If Rinne can turn his half-season all-star play into a consistent, nightly thing for the Predators, they may surprise me. Unfortunately, I am not certain that will be the case, and I see the Preds at the bottom of the heap. Fifth in Central.
In this writer's opinion, I feel that the toughest division to play, year in and year out, has to be the West's Central Division. This division can go either way, and I would say it is even possible for my predictions to be completely flipped around, especially if some of the X-Factors come in and start to shine for their teams. Whatever happens, you can expect Central Division games to be hard, tough, exciting hockey as they have always been. And isn't that what matters most? No, you're right, what matters most is that there is exciting, tough, hard hitting hockey games that see the Red Wings come out on top!
(Thanks goes to fromtherink.com for help with the season previews.)
[Reply]
psymin1 11:08 PM 11-03-2009
WINGS LOSE CLOSE ONE IN OPENER, POWER PLAY STRUGGLES
BY BRANDEN CROW
FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER
Analysis: The Wings need to turn around their power play unit, and fast if they want to find success this season. They had 6 opportunities, and couldn't connect on any of them, including a 5-on-3. I expect Babcock to do some shifting on those lines for the rematch against the Blues tomorrow. The good news is that Osgood looked great, stopping all but 2 of the 33 shots he faced. It was good to see how Detroit could handle themselves in a defensive struggle, as that was a weak point toward the end of last season. Now, they just need a way to get their sticks going offensively.
| 0-0-0 | 0-0-0 | |
| 1 | FINAL SCORE | 2 |
| 15 | SHOTS | 33 |
| 7 | HITS | 5 |
| 18 | FACE-OFFS | 38 |
| 8 | PENALTIES | 6 |
| 16:00 | PIM | 12:00 |
| 0/8 | POWER PLAY | 1/6 |
| Chris Osgood | GOALIES | Chris Mason |
Three Stars of the Game:
Third Star-
G, Chris Osgood
31 Saves, 2 GA, 1 Assist
Second Star-
LW, Ville Leino
1 Goal, 0 Assists
First Star-
C, Brad Boyes
2 Goals, 0 Assists
Goalie Information:
DET, Chris Osgood, 60:00 (0-1-0)
STL, Chris Mason, 60:00
Current Record: 0-1-0
[Reply]
psymin1 11:08 PM 11-03-2009
BLUES SING IN A HEARTBREAKER
BY BRANDEN CROW
FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER
Analysis: After the second period ended, and Pavel Datsyuk had just buried his first of the season with 0.6 seconds left, it looked as if the Red Wings of last season were finally back. Then, the final ten minutes of the game happened, and the Blues took over. It’s games like this that can really ruin a club. But, with Mike Babcock at the helm, I expect the Red Wings to wash their hands of this sometime later tonight, and to come out strong in their next outing. There were shades of greatness today, but it just wasn’t enough as the Blues were able to mount the big comeback, overtime win to bring them their second in as many days, and a Blue (Patrik Berglund) a hat trick against Osgood.
| 1-0-0 | 0-1-0 | |
| 5 | FINAL SCORE | 4 |
| 31 | SHOTS | 18 |
| 4 | HITS | 13 |
| 33 | FACE-OFFS | 15 |
| 3 | PENALTIES | 2 |
| 6:00 | PIM | 4:00 |
| 1/2 | POWER PLAY | 1/3 |
| Chris Mason | GOALIES | Chris Osgood |
Three Stars of the Game:
Third Star-
C, Pavel Datsyuk
1 Goal, 0 Assists
Second Star-
C, Patrik Berglund
3 Goals, 0 Assists
First Star-
C, Keith Tkachuk
1 Goals, 0 Assists, GWG
Goalie Information:
DET, Chris Osgood, 60:48 (0-1-1)
STL, Chris Mason, 60:48
Current Record: 0-1-1 (1 Point)
[Reply]
psymin1 11:10 PM 11-03-2009
Whew! I'm actually farther into the season, and I will eventually catch this thread up to another thread on a different board. But, I am tired of doing it tonight (because I have to convert everything, ugh). Hopefully you guys enjoy this! It's my favorite Franchise that I've ever run (the first that I have posted). Thanks for reading, and please, any feedback is definitely appreciated!
[Reply]
onlybygrace 11:27 PM 11-03-2009
Kewl...I'm definitely following. Now if the Blues come back the States and tank it, NHL 2k10 is looking to be super realistic.
:-) [Reply]
bthomp05 11:43 AM 11-04-2009
Excellent chise so far
[Reply]
