that anything can happen in a 7 game tournament. One game and you're out of the medals.
- prock

Exactly.

Canada isn't the far and away super power anymore. The rest of the world has caught up.

So many Canadians are in serious denial about this

Outside of PGh and Bos I don't see any other team as guarenteed to be there. The short season adds all kinds of crazy variance. The Leafs can be a suprise team and I think they will be. Their defense on paper looks horrible, but Frason and Holzer have been steady and Kostka has been very good. Franson has been a pleasant suprise and Dion and Liles are solid as always.
- Aquaman_2400

Isnt it suppose to be the opposite? Our defense looks good on paper but the defense are not playing how they should be

Outside of PGh and Bos I don't see any other team as guarenteed to be there. The short season adds all kinds of crazy variance. The Leafs can be a suprise team and I think they will be. Their defense on paper looks horrible, but Frason and Holzer have been steady and Kostka has been very good. Franson has been a pleasant suprise and Dion and Liles are solid as always.
- Aquaman_2400

The reason that I say that, is the inter-divisional play. The Rangers/Pens and Devils, will just win out over the Islanders and Flyers. The Flyers buried themselves early and will be hard pressed to make it up the standings, when the top teams are playing each other, every second game. Same goes for the Northeast. Bruins are in a class of their own and the Sens are solid. There is very little to chose from, between the Leafs, Sabres and Habs. What will decide who gets in, will be the head to head games. We are currently 1 - 1 against the Sabres. We are 1 - 0 against the Habs. If we can win the season series with these two teams and at worse, tie them, we have a legitimate shot at getting in. The southeast is just too volatile to see more then two teams getting in. Probably Tampa and Carolina. Florida/Winnipeg and the Capitals have lost too many games, outside of their division.

Exactly.

Canada isn't the far and away super power anymore. The rest of the world has caught up.

So many Canadians are in serious denial about this
- Dozzer

y

I agree with you, but Rielly will be in the NHL sooner than later. He is just too good. Gardner is good, but Rielly is on another level.
- Aquaman_2400

We haven't seen him play even one pro game yet.

High ceiling, but there is nothing to it but speculation when it comes to his transition to the pro game

We haven't seen him play even one pro game yet.

High ceiling, but there is nothing to it but speculation when it comes to his transition to the pro game
- Dozzer

He is the next Scott Niedermayer and Gardiner is the next Lidstrom

No you didnt.

He was actually really good on the habs
- Mapleleafs_91

no, not really, pylon with the Habs too !

they didn't resign him before the FA period because... he's a pylon !

Exactly.

Canada isn't the far and away super power anymore. The rest of the world has caught up.

So many Canadians are in serious denial about this
- Dozzer

It's cyclical. Right now, Sweden and the U.S. have some good players. Russia is allot like Canada. They have their times of dominance. Sure, other teams could get lucky and challenge, but Canada will become dominant again, once a few of our younger and elite talent get to the Olympics. Last time, no Stamkos or Tavares. There's lots of talent to choose from. Hopefully, we'll have a 40% turnover, since the last Olympics, so it'll keep us hungry.

no, not really, pylon with the Habs too !

they didn't resign him before the FA period because... he's a pylon !
- Rimland

- Mapleleafs_91

Nice threads Dion.......you do have taste in clothes.

Nice threads Dion.......you do have taste in clothes.
- PrinceLH

Dion is a G

Isnt it suppose to be the opposite? Our defense looks good on paper but the defense are not playing how they should be
- Mapleleafs_91

Its a shame. The defense really does look good on paper, but then you put them on ice instead and they suck

It's cyclical. Right now, Sweden and the U.S. have some good players. Russia is allot like Canada. They have their times of dominance. Sure, other teams could get lucky and challenge, but Canada will become dominant again, once a few of our younger and elite talent get to the Olympics. Last time, no Stamkos or Tavares. There's lots of talent to choose from. Hopefully, we'll have a 40% turnover, since the last Olympics, so it'll keep us hungry.
- PrinceLH

Yup but there are young stars for the other countries as well.

Look at Russia's future for example

Canada will never again dominate the way they once did.. Those days are long gone.

no, not really, pylon with the Habs too !

they didn't resign him before the FA period because... he's a pylon !
- Rimland

Please see first couple of pages of the thread RE: trolling.

Have a good day!

He is the next Scott Niedermayer and Gardiner is the next Lidstrom
- Mapleleafs_91

And this is exactly why the leafs can't rush prospects lol

Time for a break. UG, I mean 2 - 4 - Truth, I mean UG, I mean 2 - 4 - truth must have got a furlough. Usually he's here to bring us down.

Not feeling a win tonight Luckily, I'm terrible at predicting games.

Please see first couple of pages of the thread RE: trolling.

Have a good day!
- lumlums

But Komi is a pylon lol

Not feeling a win tonight Luckily, I'm terrible at predicting games.
- Ron Guillet

I don't think the Habs will hang with the Leafs tonight...

I don't think the Habs will hang with the Leafs tonight...
- Flyfreaky

They're scared

Dion is a G
- Mapleleafs_91

I thought these jokes were bannable.

But Komi is a pylon lol
- Dozzer

Come on, he's a little more mobile than a pylon...More like a buoy...

I thought these jokes were bannable.
- AdamFrench

How exactly is that bannable?

I don't think the Habs will hang with the Leafs tonight...
- Flyfreaky

Leafs usually get up for the games in Montreal. Their fanbase shows up in force, just like Ottawa, because they can't get into the ACC, due to the suits. It's a home game.....don'tcha know????