Ducks and Lightning

I just don't think LA has the consistency in the regular season to finish at the top. They seem to have trouble maintaining the high level of intensity that makes them champions throughout the regular season.
- RonPielep

totally agreed. that defensive, physical syle they ply is just too tough to maintain over 82 games.

also; quick's numbers might be a little inflated behind that style and defence, but he aint overrated. he can be an absolute wall in big moments.
elite in every sense of the word

As exciting as it is to be a Bolts fan, this will not be the year they get to the Cup finals. However i am expecting them to get to the East finals only to bow out to the Big Bad Bruins.

Bruins vs. Hawks....Stanley Cup Finals.

As exciting as it is to be a Bolts fan, this will not be the year they get to the Cup finals. However i am expecting them to get to the East finals only to bow out to the Big Bad Bruins.

Bruins vs. Hawks....Stanley Cup Finals.
- TheConsiglierre

Ottawa vs. Anaheim finals.

Ottawa vs. Anaheim finals.
- TheCalSen

- TheConsiglierre

Ottawa vs. Arizona finals

What Tampa did last season, was exactly what Ottawa did the season prior.
- TheCalSen

Trading away a future vezina winner and letting their all time points leader walk for nothing?

you are thinking of the leafs from a few years ago.

Tampa did quite the opposite.

Trading away a future vezina winner and letting their all time points leader walk for nothing?

you are thinking of the leafs from a few years ago.

Tampa did quite the opposite.
- Tumbleweed

Ben Bishop is going to win a Vezina? Lol.

Also obvious Sens homer is obvious, we'll be happy with a wild card spot if we get one

Ben Bishop is going to win a Vezina? Lol.

Also obvious Sens homer is obvious, we'll be happy with a wild card spot if we get one
- Mr_Clean

Don't tell Tampa fans that. I don't usually wish I'll against a non rival nothing team like Tampa, but their fans are starting to get a bit too cocky predicting the Stanley Cup finals, Vezina for Bishop, etc....might end up eating a toilet bowl full of humble pie this year.

Don't tell Tampa fans that. I don't usually wish I'll against a non rival nothing team like Tampa, but their fans are starting to get a bit too cocky predicting the Stanley Cup finals, Vezina for Bishop, etc....might end up eating a toilet bowl full of humble pie this year.
- Jeropotato

Everyone gets excited before the season but reality will set in. The team is better than last year but let's see what the season brings before buying playoff tickets

Blog's about regular season conference winners, which is kind of moot to be honest.

Ben Bishop is going to win a Vezina? Lol.

Also obvious Sens homer is obvious, we'll be happy with a wild card spot if we get one
- Mr_Clean

Right, the guy who finished 3rd in voting last year has no chance.

Everyone gets excited before the season but reality will set in. The team is better than last year but let's see what the season brings before buying playoff tickets
- tpd11

If there was one fanbase that should be excited, it's Tampa fans.

Bolts have a true #1 C who is still getting better and who is probably an early favourite for the Hart and Rocket trophies.

They have a true #1 D-man who is still getting better and who could have a strong shot at the Norris.

They have a monster goalie who could be a strong candidate for the Vezina again this year.

They have improved depth at forward, d and goaltending.

They have the probably the best prospect in hockey to go along with some good young players who should be getting better.

Yeah, I’d be excited if I was a TB fan.

Don't tell Tampa fans that. I don't usually wish I'll against a non rival nothing team like Tampa, but their fans are starting to get a bit too cocky predicting the Stanley Cup finals, Vezina for Bishop, etc....might end up eating a toilet bowl full of humble pie this year.
- Jeropotato

"Nothing team" lol... Oilers. What a joke.


But, away from the trolling for a moment, no...Tampa is not going all the way this year. No, we aren't winning the conference or the division. This is year 2 post-rebuild. Last year showed we were further ahead of schedule than we though, but considering our dud of a playoff series against MTL, we still have lots of work to do.

That said, I do believe TB is a stronger team than last year because:

1) Far better D-corps (Stralman and Garrison are a huge upgrade over Salo and ... whoever). Hedman has another season of experience and growth.
2) Better bottom 6. (Boyle and Morrow on the 4th line could be nice... though I still might have preferred to keep Thompson).
3) Drouin. No, he won't pot 50, but I bet he'll have a decent year.
4) Hopefully a full season of Stammer with the kids knowing what it takes to play at the NHL level.
5) A full season under Cooper's belt, he's a guy that evolves.
6) Far better goaltending depth: Bishop, Nabokov with Gudlevskis and (finally) Vasilevsky waiting in the wings.
7) Many teams in the conference got weaker.

Blackhawks / Ducks
Bruins / Lightning / Penguins

Too close for me to say , Dallas could also get up there I think

Don't tell Tampa fans that. I don't usually wish I'll against a non rival nothing team like Tampa, but their fans are starting to get a bit too cocky predicting the Stanley Cup finals, Vezina for Bishop, etc....might end up eating a toilet bowl full of humble pie this year.
- Jeropotato

Lol, we have valid reasons to make those predicitons.. something you wish you could do with the Oilers

Don't tell Tampa fans that. I don't usually wish I'll against a non rival nothing team like Tampa, but their fans are starting to get a bit too cocky predicting the Stanley Cup finals, Vezina for Bishop, etc....might end up eating a toilet bowl full of humble pie this year.
- Jeropotato

Its almost like Tampa got all the fans who used to cheer for Vancouver.

Tampa I think will win the east. Boston is old. rangers are old and have all the lightning castoffs now lol.

I think will be the top 8 in the east. I think columbus is going to surprise some people. they are a total pain to play against and really should have beat the pens last year.
- boltsfan48

Where is this Boston is old crap coming from?
Yes, Chara is old, but other than him who are we all referring too?
Our top six average age is 26.8 with no player older than 29, Bergy and Loui. Our fowards group have Kelly at 33, Paille and Campbell at 30......other than that.....dosent seem "old" to me.

And I don't know if you realize it, but we have a dozen D men that are NHL ready fighting for spots, so.......a few older guys isn't the end of the world.

I don't know if you know this but....We have been tops in the NHL in D for a decade and top five in GF for at least half that time.
FYI you will be hearing about Chara's replacement all year this year as Douigie has a breakout year.

Tampa a signs a few guys and all of a sudden.....BOOM....instant success.
It feels like Tampa is going to be the "experts" sexy pick this year.
Just like Ottawa last year, Buffalo a couple years ago......

Pitt, Bos, Caps and Tampa will fight for tops in the east.
It is almost always these four teams.....seriously. But I think Tampa is the underdog of the four.
And the Caps will be a top team in the east and get bounced in the first round and the talk of what to do with OVI will continue.

"Nothing team" lol... Oilers. What a joke.


But, away from the trolling for a moment, no...Tampa is not going all the way this year. No, we aren't winning the conference or the division. This is year 2 post-rebuild. Last year showed we were further ahead of schedule than we though, but considering our dud of a playoff series against MTL, we still have lots of work to do.

That said, I do believe TB is a stronger team than last year because:

1) Far better D-corps (Stralman and Garrison are a huge upgrade over Salo and ... whoever). Hedman has another season of experience and growth.
2) Better bottom 6. (Boyle and Morrow on the 4th line could be nice... though I still might have preferred to keep Thompson).
3) Drouin. No, he won't pot 50, but I bet he'll have a decent year.
4) Hopefully a full season of Stammer with the kids knowing what it takes to play at the NHL level.
5) A full season under Cooper's belt, he's a guy that evolves.
6) Far better goaltending depth: Bishop, Nabokov with Gudlevskis and (finally) Vasilevsky waiting in the wings.
7) Many teams in the conference got weaker.
- OzBolts

In respects to the Oilers fan base, Tampa is a nothing team. Sorry, why should we hate the lightning? They are not geographical or divisional rivals , they are not one of those teams that took one of our key players in free agency. We have no reason to like or dislike the Tampa Bay lightning. Sorry to disappoint .

But I suppose I know nothing seeing as how the Oilers are not a good team yet, it limits what I should Opine about teams that are better than mine?

Where is this Boston is old crap coming from?
Yes, Chara is old, but other than him who are we all referring too?
Our top six average age is 26.8 with no player older than 29, Bergy and Loui. Our fowards group have Kelly at 33, Paille and Campbell at 30......other than that.....dosent seem "old" to me.

And I don't know if you realize it, but we have a dozen D men that are NHL ready fighting for spots, so.......a few older guys isn't the end of the world.

I don't know if you know this but....We have been tops in the NHL in D for a decade and top five in GF for at least half that time.
FYI you will be hearing about Chara's replacement all year this year as Douigie has a breakout year.

Tampa a signs a few guys and all of a sudden.....BOOM....instant success.
It feels like Tampa is going to be the "experts" sexy pick this year.
Just like Ottawa last year, Buffalo a couple years ago......

Pitt, Bos, Caps and Tampa will fight for tops in the east.
It is almost always these four teams.....seriously. But I think Tampa is the underdog of the four.
And the Caps will be a top team in the east and get bounced in the first round and the talk of what to do with OVI will continue.
- JIwasinskiJr

Yes to Pittsburgh
Yes to Boston
Yes to Tampa Bay
No ((frank)ing way) to Washington

Most likely, the standings will be similiar to last season.

Lol, we have valid reasons to make those predicitons.. something you wish you could do with the Oilers
- RileyB77

Again, what does my being an Oilers fan have to do with it?

Yes to Pittsburgh
Yes to Boston
Yes to Tampa Bay
No ((frank)ing way) to Washington

Most likely, the standings will be similiar to last season.
- Artyukhin76

I hope your right about Washington, i do.

But for the last ten yeas or so, since Crosby and OVI entered the league, it's always those two teams near the top scoring a million goals and then getting to the playoffs and shooting blanks.

Pitt won the Cups a few years back, but I think the NHL has changed since then with the style needed to go all the way, AND WIN.

If the Caps don't perform well this year I think poop will hit the fan in DC.

In respects to the Oilers fan base, Tampa is a nothing team. Sorry, why should we hate the lightning? They are not geographical or divisional rivals , they are not one of those teams that took one of our key players in free agency. We have no reason to like or dislike the Tampa Bay lightning. Sorry to disappoint .

But I suppose I know nothing seeing as how the Oilers are not a good team yet, it limits what I should Opine about teams that are better than mine?
- Jeropotato

Oh come on, don't get butt-hurt over a little trolling .

I've said on this site many times before that I feel bad for Oilers fans. They are passionate, knowledgeable and have a great history. Even now, there's some incredible young players in the system... I just don't believe your current management team knows what they're doing. And, much like the Leafs faithful, I feel that you deserve better than that.


There, bros?

Oh come on, don't get butt-hurt over a little trolling .

I've said on this site many times before that I feel bad for Oilers fans. They are passionate, knowledgeable and have a great history. Even now, there's some incredible young players in the system... I just don't believe your current management team knows what they're doing. And, much like the Leafs faithful, I feel that you deserve better than that.


There, bros?
- OzBolts

That's cool, thanks.
Do you think the General Manager should be fired for doing nothing in the way of even attempting to add quality forwards or upgrading our defense? Or because he drafted too many of the same or similar player? I'm not sure I get what your saying here?
I'm always curious to hear from fans of other teams what Oilers management should be doing.

Where is this Boston is old crap coming from?
Yes, Chara is old, but other than him who are we all referring too?
Our top six average age is 26.8 with no player older than 29, Bergy and Loui. Our fowards group have Kelly at 33, Paille and Campbell at 30......other than that.....dosent seem "old" to me.

And I don't know if you realize it, but we have a dozen D men that are NHL ready fighting for spots, so.......a few older guys isn't the end of the world.

I don't know if you know this but....We have been tops in the NHL in D for a decade and top five in GF for at least half that time.
FYI you will be hearing about Chara's replacement all year this year as Douigie has a breakout year.

Tampa a signs a few guys and all of a sudden.....BOOM....instant success.
It feels like Tampa is going to be the "experts" sexy pick this year.
Just like Ottawa last year, Buffalo a couple years ago......

Pitt, Bos, Caps and Tampa will fight for tops in the east.
It is almost always these four teams.....seriously. But I think Tampa is the underdog of the four.
And the Caps will be a top team in the east and get bounced in the first round and the talk of what to do with OVI will continue.
- JIwasinskiJr

it's typical hb. someone invents a myth, and then it becomes fact somehow.

either way, the B's will unequivocally be elite again this year.
and certainly better than the bolts until proven otherwise

Oh come on, don't get butt-hurt over a little trolling .

I've said on this site many times before that I feel bad for Oilers fans. They are passionate, knowledgeable and have a great history. Even now, there's some incredible young players in the system... I just don't believe your current management team knows what they're doing. And, much like the Leafs faithful, I feel that you deserve better than that.


There, bros?
- OzBolts

you realize mact hasn't been there for the whole rebuild, yes?
you don't think he had a decent offseason?
you realize the massive turnover he's done since taking the job, no?

what major missteps has he taken since taking the job just over a year ago?