kms2's 2007-2008 Predictions

Hey Ladies! Let's get some predictions out there for how we think each team will fair during the 2007-2008 season.

Last year I wrote a post about my predictions for each conference. The only reason I wrote it was to prove to the BF that making predictions before the season starts it ludicrous. I doubt I proved anything but my lack of ability to correctly predict the outcome of the season. Before the '06-'07 season began I was filled with rage because every hockey analyst had his head stuck so far up Anaheim's ass and all they could talk about was the Ducks winning the Cup. I wanted the Ducks to prove everyone wrong and they even told Detroit they were giving them the series but Detroit kept insisting they have enough Cups and that they no longer wanted to play. Detroit even proved their point by sending Liljas out on the ice who coughed up the puck to Selanne. "Utter bullshit!!" I yelled at the TV. "Isn't it obvious that Detroit is throwing the game!!" I tried to argue with no one else in the room. And then along came Ottawa. I thought for sure they would want to win the Cup. But for some reason they threw that series, too! I'm convinced that the entire hockey community was in on the secret; everyone had set bets at the beginning of the season, betting that Anaheim would win the Cup. With Niedermayer and Pronger to provide great defense, and Selanne and Giguere at the top of their games, the Ducks seemed like an easy pick at the beginning of the season and everyone wanted to reap the benefits. "But not this year!!!" I proclaim. A conspiracy can't possibly be successfully executed two years in a row, right??

Despite the loss of Pennersquee, Pahlsson's hernia surgery, Giguere's surgery, and the possible retirement of Selanne and Niedermeyer, Anaheim still seems to be the frontrunner in the minds of hockey analysts. But I think things will be much different this season. I don't think that any team has garnered much attention in the off-season to already be declared the 2008 Cup Champions. So who do I think will win the Cup this season?

For no real reason other than a gut feeling, Calgary is at the top of my list. I also like Carolina. It's like these teams speak to me and I have to listen. (Did anyone watch the Property Ladder or Flip This House episode where the Jamaican lady was flipping a house for the first time so that she could quit her desk job and pursue her dream to become a healer? She kept saying the house was speaking to her so she made all these stupid, unnecessary, and outlandish changes to the house that did nothing but put her in debt. That episode was awesome!) Carolina may seem like crazy pick but I think the team will bounce back from their disappointing season as defending Cup champions.

I also think that Pittsburgh has a good young team but goaltending could be their weakest position. Vancouver seems fairly solid, especially with Luongo bringing up the D. San Jose also seems like a solid team but they'll have to fight the JR curse. Also, I would just die if another California team won the Cup before the Kings. I really wanted to give explanations for why I placed teams to finish in certain positions but I just haven't had the energy to do the research and coherently explain my reasons. Alas, you're stuck with just lists and a couple sentences. Call me a retard, an idiot, or a dreamer. Whatever. I figure I should actually do a good job at the job I get paid to do and, therefore, my blog doesn't get nearly enough attention that I should give it.

Here are my predictions for how each team will rank at the end of the regular season within their respective Divisions and which teams I think will qualify for the playoffs.

Western Conference Predictions
Northwest
1. Calgary
2. Vancouver
3. Colorado
4. Minnesota
5. Edmonton

Central
1. Detroit
2. St. Louis
3. Chicago
4. Nashville
5. Columbus

Pacific
1. San Jose
2. Anaheim
3. Dallas
4. Los Angeles
5. Phoenix

Playoff Qualifiers (in no particular order):
Calgary
Vancouver
Colorado
Detroit
St. Louis
San Jose
Anaheim
Dallas

Eastern Conference Predictions
Atlantic
1.NY Rangers
2. Pittsburgh
3. New Jersey
4. Philadelphia
5. NY Islanders

Northeast
1. Ottawa
2. Toronto
3. Buffalo
4. Boston
5. Montreal

Southeast
1. Carolina
2. Tampa Bay
3. Atlanta
4. Washington
5. Florida

Playoff Qualifiers (in no particular order):
Carolina
Tampa Bay
Ottawa
Toronto
Buffalo
NY Rangers
Pittsburgh
New Jersey

Stanley Cup Finals:
Calgary Flames v. Carolina Hurricanes

2008 Cup Champions:
Calgary Flames

It pains me to leave the Kings off the playoff qualifying list but I just don't see Anaheim, San Jose, or Dallas sucking as bad as the Kings. I think it's fair to say that Edmonton will be the bottom feeders of the West. Like I said earlier, I like Calgary's team a lot. Once again, I apologize for my lack of explanations for why I picked these teams, but do your best to guess why I picked them and leave your hate mail in the comments.

What are your predictions?

x-posted to Purple Crushed Velvet