Julia's Friends

OLD synopsis of this season I cooked up. Gonna put a new one up once all the teams hit 41 points:

-- WEST --

CENTRAL

DET - Missing key players to FA, this powerhouse looks like it'll be missing the playoffs after reaching the Cup only two years before.
CBJ - With a few key signatures, the Blue Jackets look to stay in the top 8 and quite possibly further into the playoffs.
STL - Unless antoher superb year from their #1 Goalie Mason, The Blues may just slip out of contention... Time will tell.
CHI - A huge offseason with big names coming to Chicago, they look to be the most stacked team on the West Conf.
NSH - Stuck in a tough division, Nashville has everything stacked against them.

NORTHWEST

MIN - Lose Gaborik to FA instead of injury and add no offense? Now everyone's questions and no answers are running Wild.
CGY - Sign Bouwmeester, add a new coach (Sutter), and blend in a few hot players from last year and its a toss up as to who will win the Northwest
VAN - Keeping the Sedins in Canucktown + Luongo = the Contender
EDM - Even with a few acquisitions over the break, the Oilers still won't make the playoffs
COL - Losing Sakic to retirement, only vapid dreams of greatness remain in the empty Colorado bench

PACIFIC

SJS - With a late add on with Heatley, San Jose looks primed to get over their 1st-round-&-out syndrome.
DAL - If Turco can play in net the team avoids serious problems like Avery or injury, Dallas looks to the playoffs.
LAK - A brand of young, lively players will vie for one of the last remaining spots in the West Conf.
ANH - Without a starting goalie and a questionable defensive after dealing Pronger to the Flyers, the Ducks look... roasted.
PHX - Stuck in a mess of moneys and ownership, the Coyotes couldn't look any worse. They hope.

-- EAST --

NORTHEAST

BOS - Although losing Kessel to TOR, Boston looks to hop back to the 1st in the East after Thomas' stellar year
MTL - Paying out the big bucks to get Cam, Gio, & Gomez--the Habs are gunning for 1st in the NE, East, and the Cup (if Price can play).
TOR - A hot-shot offense looks to put Toronto near the top of the East
OTT - Dropping Heatley and adding Leclaire to jumpstart this team just might do the trick.
BUF - Miller must stay healthy if they wish to sneak into the playoffs this year.

ATLANTIC

PIT - Although they added a few and lost a few more, the Penguins are looking like a repeater. Woot.
PHI - A stronger, more powerful team since adding Pronger to the line-up only multiplied their chances at the Cup to the top.
NJD - A quiet offseason has left the Devils still lacking in power, but no farther than the 1st round and out cycle they have found themselves in...\
NYR - Grabbing Gaborik has turned up the offensive prowess the Rangers possess and quite possibly to the Eastern Conf. Finals.
NYI - 1st rd. pick Tavares is an amazing addition to their line-up, but the Isle is still quite far from Cup contention

SOUTHEAST

WSH - If putting Knuble on a line with Ovie & Semin would boost hopes for a cup in Washington, everyone would agree.
CAR - After a stunning blowout in the finals, Carolina looks to reclaim its spot and crush the competition
TBL - Mike Smith won't help the severely lacking Lightning; it'll take their new draft pick & more to get them back to the cup.
FLA - If adding former Brodeur replacement Scott Clemmenson will replace Bouwmeester, think otherwise. Still, Florida hopes to clinch 8th. Maybe.
ATL - Even their draft pick won't help the rather large absence felt in the Thrashers' goal, expect nothing.

[Rankings]

1.Blackhawks
2.Penguins
3.Flyers
4.Sharks
5.Bruins
6.Canucks
7.Capitals
8.Flames
9.Rangers
10.Canadiens
11.Devils
12.Red Wings
13.Blues
14.Hurricanes
15.Stars
16.Blue Jackets
17.Maple Leafs
18.Ducks
19.Panthers
20.Sabres
21.Oilers
22.Kings
23.Wild
24.Thrashers
25.Senators
26.Predators
27.Islanders
28.Lightning
29.Avalanche
30.Coyotes

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