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Beans15
Moderator
Canada
8286 Posts |
 Posted - 09/14/2008 : 09:11:04
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In today's Edmonton Sun, Bruce Garroich wrote a two page spread that included the top 30 power ranking. Here it is. What do you think??
Power Rankings:
1) Detroit - Wings look untouchabe-again.
2) San Jose - Time for talk to turn to action
3) Anaheim - Still a force to be reckoned with.
4) Montreal - Habs won't be a surprise this year.
5) Pittsburgh - The young guns should be firing.
6) Washington - Alex Ovechkin only gets better.
7) Dallas - The Stars are always contenders
8) Philadelphia - Set up for a strong future.
9) NY Rangers - They've made positive changes
10) Ottawa - Still plenty of offensive fire power up front.
11) New Jersey - Martin Brodeur can go a long way.
12) Minnesota - Not exciting, but consistent
13) Chicago - Might surprise with a playoff birth.
14) Calgary - Jerome Iginla is the key
15) Carolina - Will find a way to bounce back
16) Boston - Claude Julian has a hard-working team
17) Phoenix - They'll push for a play-off spot again
18) Tampa Bay - Will changes bring success??
19) Nashville - This ranking will get better
20) Edmonton - Oilers have a lot to prove
21) Buffalo - Not sure they will succeed this year.
22) Colorado - This team could take a shocking fall.
23) Florida - Are Jacques Martin's changes enough?
24) St. Louis - Paul Kariya has to be dominant again.
25) Islanders - Coach Scott Gordon has a big task.
26) Atlanta - Thrashers didn't do a lot to improve.
27) Toronto - The Leafs are going to fall fast.
28) Los Angeles - GM Dean Lombardi deserves better
29) Vancouver - Mike Gillis is all talk, no action.
30) Columbus - Haven't made necessary improvements.
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Leafs Rock Planet
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
902 Posts |
Posted - 09/14/2008 : 09:40:14
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I think Toronto is at a perfect spot.
Montreal is way too high. I really think that they got lucky last season and I dont see them as 4th best going into this season.
Detroit, San Jose Ottawa are all at pretty good spots.
Here would be my list.
1)Detroit
2)San Jose
3)Pittsburgh
4)Anaheim
5)Dallas
6)NY Rangers
7)Philadelphia
8)Washington
9)New Jersey
10)Montreal
11)Ottawa
12)Tampa Bay
13)Calgary
14)Edmonton
15)Boston
16)Chicago
17)Minnesota
18)Phoenix
19)Colorado
20)Nashville
21)Carolina
22)Buffalo
23)Flo-rida (the young guys might get it)
24)St.Louis
25)Islanders
26)Vancouver
27)Toronto
28)L.A
29)Columbus
30)Atlanta
1-10 great
10-20 good
20-30 not good
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Pasty7
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
2312 Posts |
Posted - 09/14/2008 : 10:00:42
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quote:
Originally posted by Leafs Rock Planet
I think Toronto is at a perfect spot.
Montreal is way too high. I really think that they got lucky last season and I dont see them as 4th best going into this season.
Detroit, San Jose Ottawa are all at pretty good spots.
Here would be my list.
1)Detroit
2)San Jose
3)Pittsburgh
4)Anaheim
5)Dallas
6)NY Rangers
7)Philadelphia
8)Washington
9)New Jersey
10)Montreal
11)Ottawa
12)Tampa Bay
13)Calgary
14)Edmonton
15)Boston
16)Chicago
17)Minnesota
18)Phoenix
19)Colorado
20)Nashville
21)Carolina
22)Buffalo
23)Flo-rida (the young guys might get it)
24)St.Louis
25)Islanders
26)Vancouver
27)Toronto
28)L.A
29)Columbus
30)Atlanta
1-10 great
10-20 good
20-30 not good
on paper montreal has the best team in the east there eam has one roster flaw..... Carey Price...... if he plays well they are easily a 100 point team
Pasty |
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99pickles
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
671 Posts |
Posted - 09/14/2008 : 11:25:32
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Why am I the only person that sees a big season from both Tampa and Chicago?
It seems that prognosticators are afraid to make brave-ish picks. Last year was a great example, with Philly. I thought I was being bold by predicting Philly in the 9th spot and they exceeded that.
And the same goes for Edmonton this season - they, too, have vastly improved and should make a serious run at the division title.
(edited for spelling error) |
Edited by - 99pickles on 09/14/2008 11:26:53 |
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99pickles
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
671 Posts |
Posted - 09/14/2008 : 12:14:47
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Here is my quick version of the rankings. I did mine by conference though (I just find it more easily digest-able that way)
East
1- Montreal (Div. winner, gets first seed)
2- NY Rangers (DIv winner getting 2nd seed)
3- Tampa Bay (Div. winner w/ 3 seed even though I believe them to be better than the other 2 Div winners)
4- Ottawa (return to form)
5- Pittsburgh (lost many spare parts and good depth players since last mid-season)
6- Carolina (less injuries to forwards and vastly improved D means a return to post-season)
7- Washington (had to finish last season 15-2 just to squeak into playoffs)
8- New Jersey (some offensive improvement in off-season should put them into post-season again, barely)
9- Philly (someone has to miss out - it's either Philly or Washington)
10- Boston (Kessel and Bergeron have to provide what's needed to get this team into postseason)
11- Buffalo (decent team but on the outside looking in)
12 - NYI (Streit not enough to get them into playoff contention...Weight either)
13- Florida (not the right age of hockey to go all-defense; pop-gun offense)
14- Atlanta (haven't improved at all)
15- Toronto (they're doomed; plus WIlson's "step backwards" comment tells us what they're going for)
West
1- Detroit (a minor Stanley Cup hangover will only close the gap between them and 2nd)
2- Dallas (always better than pre-season rankings ever give them)
3- Edmonton (wins another close 'Smythe' didvision battle)
4- San Jose (they may even slide further)
5- Chicago (this is finally the year they've been waiting for)
6- Calgary (they also might be lower than this)
7- Anaheim (a full season from Neidermayer should get them in)
8- Phoenix (Jokkinen helps put them over the hump)
9- Colorado (it's either Avs or Flames in this spot)
10- Minnesota (more D and less scoring is a dangerous combo these days)
11- Columbus (Umberger and Hitchcock make a difference, but still no postseason)
12- Vancouver (D injuries and lack of scoring depth an annual occurrence)
13- Nashville (Ellis can't be losing 10-15lbs per game and be effective all season and Rinne not ready yet...goalie crisis will ensue)
14- LA (carbon copy of Chicago a season or two ago - young & entertaining)
15- St Louis (underwhelming team, could be a long year)
Now that the NHL has gone back to a league-wide schedule, expect the teams to be spread a little further apart points-wise again. |
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pensfan17
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
330 Posts |
Posted - 09/14/2008 : 16:55:10
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Here's my picks:
EAST
1. Pittsburgh (they still got it)
2. Washington (AO will lead the Caps, Jose will do just fine)
3.Buffalo(surprise pick, but i think they have the components to overthrow les Candiens)
4. Philly (basically the same team that went to the Conference Finals)
5. Montreal (overrated in my opinion, still a very good team though)
6. Tampa Bay (amazing offence, just needsD to hold up and a good year from Smith)
7. NY Rangers (Losing Jagr hurts, but they have a great back six, and King Henrik
8. New Jersey (they'll find a way)
9. Carolina (1 or 2 points out, I sense injuies will be the reason)
10. Ottawa (need a goalie and depth, plus I hate them)
11. Boston (hard work will not be enough this year)
12. Toronto (bad, but not the worst, especially if Sundin returns)
13. Florida (Very good defence, but big lack of scoring)
14. NY Islanders (still terrible)
15. Atlanta (unless Lehtonen has a breakthrough year, expect Tavares or Hedman in a Thrashers uni)
WEST
1. Detroit (obviously)
2. San Jose (I could see them beating Detroit in the conference finals)
3. Calgary (sixth in the conference)
4. Dallas (right behind the sharks)
5. Chicago (this is going to be a great year for them)
6. Anaheim (still good, but on the decline)
7. Edmonton (needs garon or roloson to step up)
8. Phoenix (great young forwards and solid goaltending)
9. Minnesota (lack of scoring and an unhappy Gaborik is gonna hurt)
10. Nashville (phoenix and chicago will bump em out)
11. Columbus (need a couple years, and a healthy Leclaire)
12. Colorado (Raycroft and Budaj won't get it done)
13. St. Louis (decent team, not good enough)
14. Vancouver (aka. Luongo)
15. Los Angeles (yet again) |
Edited by - pensfan17 on 09/15/2008 17:10:59 |
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Guest0001
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Posted - 09/15/2008 : 15:03:53
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quote:
Originally posted by pensfan17
Here's my picks:
EAST
1. Pittsburgh (they still got it)
2. Washington (AO will lead the Caps, Jose will do just fine)
3.Buffalo(surprise pick, but it they they have the components to overthrow les Candiens)
4. Philly (basically the same team that went to the Conference Finals)
5. Montreal (overrated in my opinion, still a very good team though)
6. Tampa Bay (amazing offence, just needsD to hold up and a good year from Smith)
7. NY Rangers (Losing Jagr hurts, but they have a great back six, and King Henrik
8. New Jersey (they'll find a way)
9. Carolina (1 or 2 points out, I sense injuies will be the reason)
10. Ottawa (need a goalie and depth, plus I hate them)
11. Boston (hard work will not be enough this year)
12. Toronto (bad, but not the worst, especially if Sundin returns)
13. Florida (Very good defence, but big lack of scoring)
14. NY Islanders (still terrible)
15. Atlanta (unless Lehtonen has a breakthrough year, expect Tavares or Hedman in a Thrashers uni)
WEST
1. Detroit (obviously)
2. San Jose (I could see them beating Detroit in the conference finals)
3. Calgary (sixth in the conference)
4. Dallas (right behind the sharks)
5. Chicago (this is going to be a great year for them)
6. Anaheim (still good, but on the decline)
7. Edmonton (needs garon or roloson to step up)
8. Phoenix (great young forwards and solid goaltending)
9. Minnesota (lack of scoring and an unhappy Gaborik is gonna hurt)
10. Nashville (phoenix and chicago will bump em out)
11. Columbus (need a couple years, and a healthy Leclaire)
12. Colorado (Raycroft and Budaj won't get it done)
13. St. Louis (decent team, not good enough)
14. Vancouver (aka. Luongo)
15. Los Angeles (yet again)
the only team in the north east that will overthrough the habs are the bruins |
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pensfan17
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
330 Posts |
Posted - 09/15/2008 : 17:59:12
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quote:
Originally posted by Guest0001
[the only team in the north east that will overthrough the habs are the bruins
I really believe Buffalo is going to be dangerous this year. Possible starting lineup:
Vanek Roy Pomminville
Afinogenov Connoly Kotalik
Paille Hecht Stafford
Peters Mair Gaustad
Tons of potential in this forward group, Vanek scored 40 goals acouple years ago, Roy and Pomminville are really on the rise. Afinogenov and Connoly both have a lot of talent, they just need to stay healthy. Hecht, a veteran center capable of 20 goals-50points, between Paille and Stafford, who both could very well score at least 20 goals. Paille had 19 last year and Stafford had 16 in 64 games. A good grinding 4th line as well. I see 8 possible twenty goal scorers, two that could produce 40 (vanek and roy). Basically I,m saying Buffalo will score a lot of goals and I strongly believe their offence is better than both the Habs and the Bruins.
Rivet Spacek
Lydman Tallinder
Numminen Paetsch
Solid defence here, nothing spectacular, but they don't need to be with the explosive offence and Ryan Miller in the net. The only difference between Buffalo's defence compared to Montreal and Boston is the lack of an All-Star (Markov and Big Z).
Goaltending is what I believe will put the Sabres over the edge. Despite what all you Carey Price fanatics think, I am not completely convinced he is that good after his great half-season and then a sub par postseason. But what about his .920 SV%, or his 2.56 GAA?-both better than Miller. Well you know who had even better stats in about the same amount of games... Ty Conklin. Any takers on a Conklin for Miller deal? Miller has been very consistent over the last few years.
As for the Bruins, Buffalo has superior offence as well as a more proven goalie (same deal with Thomas as Price except Tim had a better playoffs). Boston's defence is slightly better than Buffalo's, but it won't put them over the edge.
In conclusion Buffalo for Northeast division winners! |
Edited by - pensfan17 on 09/15/2008 17:59:52 |
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Axey
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
877 Posts |
Posted - 09/15/2008 : 20:27:44
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I think Calgary will be ahead of Minnesota in the end in response to the list.
As for Buffalo, they don't scare me. As long as Price is himself then there is no problems.
Chicago Blackhawks GM |
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n/a
deleted
4809 Posts |
Posted - 09/24/2008 : 09:12:19
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Right off the top, I totally disagree with most of the top 5:
1)Detroit - this is correct!
2) San Jose - AGAIN?!? How many times must hockey pundits pick San Jose in the top three, before they learn? I'd put them in the top ten, barely.
3) Anaheim - debateable, but cloe enough. I rank them a bit lower.
4) Montreal - ARE YOU SERIOUS?!? No way in hell is Montreal even close to better than Pittsburgh, especially after Fleury proved he IS all that in the playoffs. I'd rank them about 6-7 spots lower.
5) Pittsburgh - How they could rank below the 4 teams above them is beyond me . . . clearly the 2nd ranked team in my opinion.
I could go on, but . . . Washington in 6th?!? Calgary way down in 14th?!? Yikes. At least he ranked his home team about right . . .
"Take off, eh?" - Bob and Doug |
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Canucks Man
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
1547 Posts |
Posted - 10/03/2008 : 10:01:50
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quote:
Originally posted by slozo
Right off the top, I totally disagree with most of the top 5:
1)Detroit - this is correct!
2) San Jose - AGAIN?!? How many times must hockey pundits pick San Jose in the top three, before they learn? I'd put them in the top ten, barely.
3) Anaheim - debateable, but cloe enough. I rank them a bit lower.
4) Montreal - ARE YOU SERIOUS?!? No way in hell is Montreal even close to better than Pittsburgh, especially after Fleury proved he IS all that in the playoffs. I'd rank them about 6-7 spots lower.
5) Pittsburgh - How they could rank below the 4 teams above them is beyond me . . . clearly the 2nd ranked team in my opinion.
I could go on, but . . . Washington in 6th?!? Calgary way down in 14th?!? Yikes. At least he ranked his home team about right . . .
"Take off, eh?" - Bob and Doug
Pittsburgh is not going to be good, they lost there 2 top D for half the year and they are going to struggle until one of them comes back.
CANUCKS RULE!!!
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Guest4894
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Posted - 10/03/2008 : 11:20:35
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| I know its only pre-season, but the Canucks are UNDEFEATED. As a Canucks fan, i'm aware that the have a dreadful offence but somehow they're winning games. Just saying thats gotta be an indication of a higher spot that 29th overall. |
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Guest4803
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Posted - 10/03/2008 : 14:47:55
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| Toronto ahead of Vancouver? common now even the laughs fans no better then to think that. |
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Guest0053
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Posted - 10/03/2008 : 15:30:26
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Montreal easily justifies their ranking. just look at there lineup and all of the potantial 20 goal scorers. Defence there solid, and price is a year older and ready.
A. Kostitsyn - plekanec - kovalev
tanguay - koivu - latendresse
S. kostitsyn - lang - higgins
laraque - lapierre - begin
(8 of them are gonna be 20 goal scorers and S.Kostitsyn could easily be the 9th)
komisarek - markov
hamrlik - o'byrne
gorges - bouillon
(most underrated defence/ gorges and bouillon are 1 of the best 3rd pair in nhl)
price
halak
(great young goaltending/ halak could be #1 on alot of teams)
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Canucks Man
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
1547 Posts |
Posted - 10/03/2008 : 17:14:44
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quote:
Originally posted by Guest0053
(great young goaltending/ halak could be #1 on alot of teams)
Could you name the "Alot" of teams for me please, because I cannot see "Alot".
CANUCKS RULE!!!
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Canucks Man
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
1547 Posts |
Posted - 10/03/2008 : 17:15:43
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quote:
Originally posted by Guest4894
I know its only pre-season, but the Canucks are UNDEFEATED. As a Canucks fan, i'm aware that the have a dreadful offence but somehow they're winning games. Just saying thats gotta be an indication of a higher spot that 29th overall.
Completly agree I was just about to write something along those lines.
CANUCKS RULE!!!
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Guest1492
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Posted - 10/04/2008 : 01:28:13
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Eh Hm.. those who have little faith in the Blackhawks are foolish ;)
This is the year.. And I can't wait for it.
Theres chemistry on that team now, they all play amazing together, finally have the kinks figured out! All the young players bring a nice punch to the fight.
Ready for the playoffs (first time since I was 15 ha)
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Guest0053
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Posted - 10/05/2008 : 13:36:13
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List of teams Halak would be #1 goaltender on:
boston
ottawa
tampa bay
washington
atlanta
nashville
detroit
st-louis
edmonton
colorado
los angeles
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pensfan17
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
330 Posts |
Posted - 10/05/2008 : 14:22:21
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Boston - Tim Thomas is better
Ottawa - yes
Tampa - Smith is better
Washington - Theodore is more proven
Atlanta - I think Lehtonen starts
Nashville - Ellis is better
Detroit - are you serious, maybe would start in Grand Rapids
St. Louis - both Legace and Mason are ahead of him
Edmonton - possibly
Colorado - yes
Los Angeles - yes |
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Axey
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
877 Posts |
Posted - 10/05/2008 : 21:27:48
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quote:
Originally posted by pensfan17
Boston - Tim Thomas is better
Ottawa - yes
Tampa - Smith is better
Washington - Theodore is more proven
Atlanta - I think Lehtonen starts
Nashville - Ellis is better
Detroit - are you serious, maybe would start in Grand Rapids
St. Louis - both Legace and Mason are ahead of him
Edmonton - possibly
Colorado - yes
Los Angeles - yes
Thomas is better 'some days', and others he is not, overrall id say yes
Smith is not better
He would run Theo outta Washington eventually
I think Pavelic is better then both but I think it would be close maybe a split?
Ellis is most certainly better
Osgood is on a high right now, and the name in Detriot is bigger then Halak will ever be, so no chance in Detriot. He would definitely give Conklin a run for his money.
Legace is brutal, but Mason is better I'd say
I cant see him starting in Edmonton
Colarado, yes
LA - for now, until there goalies mature an easily send him packing
Id give him a shot at taking out Bryzgalov too in Phoenix
Chicago Blackhawks GM
Jesus didn't tap. |
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Guest8815
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Posted - 10/05/2008 : 21:34:42
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| Why would Boston bring in Halak when in a year or less Rask will take over full time? |
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Canucks Man
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
1547 Posts |
Posted - 10/05/2008 : 22:56:03
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quote:
Originally posted by Guest8815
Why would Boston bring in Halak when in a year or less Rask will take over full time?
And they already have Fernandez and Thomas.
CANUCKS RULE!!!
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Beans15
Moderator
Canada
8286 Posts |
Posted - 10/06/2008 : 06:48:56
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quote:
Originally posted by Canucks Man
quote:
Originally posted by Guest4894
I know its only pre-season, but the Canucks are UNDEFEATED. As a Canucks fan, i'm aware that the have a dreadful offence but somehow they're winning games. Just saying thats gotta be an indication of a higher spot that 29th overall.
Completly agree I was just about to write something along those lines.
CANUCKS RULE!!!
The preseason means absolutely nothing. It's the NHL's farm teams playing against each other for a couple of weeks with a half dozen starters sprinkled in. I don't think there has been a single pre-season game that had any teams starters all in the line-up.
It means nothing. We'll see where the Canucks are in the standings one month from now. |
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Pre-Season Power Rankings 
