Which team is going to win the Stanley Cup?

[Brandon Allin]

Poll coming.

[11:11]

I may be biased, but the Flyers do have a strong team.

Or at least I know they used to.

[hf57]

went with penguins, but detroit might be better.

[IATA4224]

It's Pittsburgh's year..

[phil19]

go the sharks!

[IWasaCamera]

I'd have to go with the Wings.

A solid system and great depth should more than make up for questionable goaltending in Osgood. The addition of Hossa bolsters what was already a formidable set of forwards who can play well on both ends of the ice. Hell, they'll even be dangerous when down a man with Datsyuk, Zetterberg, and Hossa killing penalties. Not to mention Kronwall and Franzen will likely continue the progress they demonstrated in the playoffs, although to a lesser extent.

Unless they're hit with a rash of injuries, Detroit is the clear frontrunner.

And to all those choosing Pittsburgh, really? The team replaces Hossa (most important Pen in the playoffs) and Malone with...Miro Satan and Ruslan Fedotenko. They start the season without Gonchar and Whitney who are both sidelined for extended periods of time. Brooks Orpik is now their top defenseman followed by Hal Gill and Kris Letang. Fleury isn't a proven netminder either. Not exactly a winning formula. Who knows though, maybe they can pull it together.

[IATA4224]

I'd have to go with the Wings.

A solid system and great depth should more than make up for questionable goaltending in Osgood. The addition of Hossa bolsters what was already a formidable set of forwards who can play well on both ends of the ice. Hell, they'll even be dangerous when down a man with Datsyuk, Zetterberg, and Hossa killing penalties. Not to mention Kronwall and Franzen will likely continue the progress they demonstrated in the playoffs, although to a lesser extent.

Unless they're hit with a rash of injuries, Detroit is the clear frontrunner.

And to all those choosing Pittsburgh, really? The team replaces Hossa (most important Pen in the playoffs) and Malone with...Miro Satan and Ruslan Fedotenko. They start the season without Gonchar and Whitney who are both sidelined for extended periods of time. Brooks Orpik is now their top defenseman followed by Hal Gill and Kris Letang. Fleury isn't a proven netminder either. Not exactly a winning formula. Who knows though, maybe they can pull it together.

The most important Pen(s) are Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Fleury.. Kinda weird that you said he wasn't a proven goaltender.. The kids 24 years old.. These three players are the winning formula..

[IWasaCamera]

The most important Pen(s) are Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Fleury..
Since Marian is gone, yes. Hossa was far, far, far, far more valuable in the postseason and since we're discussing Stanley Cup potential, whatever Malkin manages in the regular season (which I'm sure will be quite solid again) is rather irrelevant. He completely burnt out when it mattered most and in my opinion will continue to do so every time Pittsburgh reaches the playoffs. Malone was a key component to the Malkin line and without that presence, I foresee even less success for #71, at least when it actually counts.

Gonchar's absence is also an incredible loss for the Pens, especially on power play where they have no other real point man to complement Malkin. It's my sense that people are overlooking this.

No arguing that Sid is the most important though.
Kinda weird that you said he wasn't a proven goaltender.. The kids 24 years old.. These three players are the winning formula..
Yes, he's 24 but he's also been called one of the best netminders in the NHL as a result of last year. No more than another Cam Ward for me. This isn't some rash opinion either, been watching the kid since he was in the Q.
These three players are the winning formula..
In the regular season.



On a different note, can't wait for hockey to get back into the swing of things. Stamkos looked quite good in his debut and I'm looking forward to watching his career blossom. Sophomore seasons for Price, Toews, Kane, Mueller, Hanzal, Lucic, etc. All sorts of new additions across the board as well.

[Brandon Allin]

The most important Pen(s) are Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Fleury.. Kinda weird that you said he wasn't a proven goaltender.. The kids 24 years old.. These three players are the winning formula..
Crosby has to stay healthy, Malkin disappeared in the finals last year, your best playoff performer in Hossa is gone, you're starting the season without your top two d-men (defense wins championships), Fleury tends to make monumental collapses, and overall, the Penguins were a better team last year. Last season was the Penguins best opportunity, and they couldn't get it done.

On another note, who in their right mind voted for the Islanders? Please tell me that's a joke. The Islanders are arguably the worst team in the NHL, with the Leafs and Thrashers trailing closely.

[IWasaCamera]

Crosby has to stay healthy, Malkin disappeared in the finals last year, your best playoff performer in Hossa is gone, you're starting the season without your top two d-men (defense wins championships), Fleury tends to make monumental collapses, and overall, the Penguins were a better team last year. Last season was the Penguins best opportunity, and they couldn't get it done.

On another note, who in their right mind voted for the Islanders? Please tell me that's a joke. The Islanders are arguably the worst team in the NHL, with the Leafs and Thrashers trailing closely.
Agreed all around.

I am eager to see Schenn, Bogosian, and Okposo suit up against the big boys though.

[dmobley]

Go canucks go!

ok ok I know they won't win the cup since they'll probably score fewer goals than they did last season (only 5 teams scored fewer) even though they added demitra since naslund and morrison are gone. and yet again they'll waste a season of luongo's career.

[emkvetwin]

i'm going with Montreal, although i'm rooting for the Kings. no chance now, but give us 2-3 years and we'll be there.

lol at two votes for the Islanders... they're worse than LA at the moment.