Update: As Broken by Josh Rimer during the HockeyBuzzCast, HBO's 24/7 has been cancelled.
Today is tough day for many. My heart and prayers go out to all who lost someone thirteen years ago today...it never feels like it gets any easier. Time heals some wounds. not all.
In an attempt to try and find something positive to talk about I thought it would be fun to do a blog entirely based on positive thoughts. Players and Teams and Coaches who we think will be the most improved. We talked about some of these categories on the Podcast yesterday, but here is my complete list. The rules of this game are simple. You can't use the same player or team twice, and for those of you who want to go hardcore, like we did on the podcast, you can't use players on your favorite team in an answer...
For definition of "Most Improved" I am just using specific stats. So yes, a player who was injured last year but could play more games this year is allowed and a way of "gaming the system.".. Of course players who missed a lot of games last year are possibly injuries waiting to happen again...so.
I will first give you my list then a template which you can copy and paste into the comment thread for your entry. You can put an entry up (or edit your entry) right up until the puck drops and the regular season is under way.
I will come up with some prizes for the end of season winners...2 tickets to your home team next year for the grand prize winners, Hockeybuzz T-Shirts to the top ten...
Here is the template
The Most Improved: 1. Goal scorer: 2. Playmaker: 3. Defenseman: 4. Rookie pts: 5. Points from a player under 30 years old: 6. Points from a player over 30 years old: 7. Points from a player on a new team: 8. Goalie wins: 10. Returning coach old points: 11. New coach new points: 12. Points by an Eastern Conference team: 13. Points by an Western Conference team:
My picks.
Goal scorer: Jeff Carter. 27 Goals Last Year was fine. but I have a feeling after watching him play in the playoffs that we are about to see another level…He could get 45.
2. Playmaker: Mikko Koivu. He is just getting better and better and the addition of Vanek could really work with Mikko. He did put up 43 Assists in only 65 games without a sniper last year.
3. Defenseman: Tyson Barrie. He will play every power play and and key moment on a team that is LOADED with scoring. Love him to increase from 38 to 60 points
4. Rookie pts: Jonathan Drouin. Easy pick here, but he is such the perfect compliment to Stamkos. He is a younger version of St. Louis. Insanely creative and entertaining.
5. Points from a player under 30 years old: Nathan McKinnon, OK I will not be alone on this pick, but I am so high on Mackinnon, I see him as a top 5 scorer in the NHL…between 90-100 points.
6. Points from a player over 30 years old: Mike Ribeiro. He will be the top line center playing on a Laviolette high offense team. Neil will benefit greatly from one of the best passers in the NHL in small spaces.
7. Points from a player on a new team: I would go Ribeiro again, but since the rules state you can’t repeat I am going to go with Jarome Iginla in Colorado. As you can see I am predicting the Avalanche score PLENTY of points this season.
8. Goalie wins: Pekka Rinne. He will play 9 of 10 games and if he stays healthy will greatly increase his win totals of 10 from last year.
10. Returning coach old points: Daryl Sutter: The Kings could gain 15 points on their 100 total from last year.
11. New coach new wins: Gerrard Gallant: The Perfect fit for the Pathers right now.
12. Points by an Eastern Conference team: Toronto Maple Leafs. They still might miss the playoffs, but I see them at least 10 points better than last year. If not more. I really feel many of the teams in the east will come very close to their totals last year.
13. Points by an Western Conference team: Dallas. At least 105 points. Up from their 91point season
What do you think? Copy and Paste Below>> The Most Improved: 1. Goal scorer: 2. Playmaker: 3. Defenseman: 4. Rookie pts: 5. Points from a player under 30 years old: 6. Points from a player over 30 years old: 7. Points from a player on a new team: 8. Goalie wins: 10. Returning coach old points: 11. New coach new points: 12. Points by an Eastern Conference team: 13. Points by an Western Conference team:
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