Training camp has started, which means the hockey season is just around the corner. Boy that was a fast summer, because aside from a flurry of activity around July 1st, there wasn’t much happening. How’s this season going to shape up? Here are some thoughts.

The Leafs will still be mediocre. They haven’t settled on a starting goaltender and they haven’t settled on a GM. Those are two of the three most important single-person roles in the organization. We signed Jason Blake, a 40-goal scorer last year for the Islanders. The Leafs have a habit of signing players who never end up playing to their potential once they play in Toronto, I think this will be another example of that. But at least Blake will play which may be more than can be said for Mark Bell.

I don’t think the Leafs are a sure bet to make the playoffs, maybe they’ll squeak in. The power has definitely shifted in the East. Ottawa continues to be strong, but Buffalo has fallen a lot. The Rangers are also much stronger at the expense of the Devils (although they seem to do well regardless) and I think the Penguins and Flyers will continue to get better. I think the top 8 in the East will be: NYR, Ottawa, TB, Buffalo, Pens, Atlanta, Carolina, and Toronto.

In the West, the top 8 should be: Ducks, Red Wings, Sharks, Avs, Vancouver, Calgary, Stars, and the Wild. I have no idea what happens out West so who knows what really will happen.

Posted by Kevin in Blogs Tags: hockey