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Rambo2305
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
546 Posts |
 Posted - 07/07/2009 : 05:36:06
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Poll Question:
Which non-playoff team from 08/09 will have the best turnaround in 09/10?
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Edited by - Rambo2305 on 07/07/2009 05:36:18
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Rambo2305
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
546 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2009 : 05:39:48
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Not being a bias Leafs' fan, but looking at the defense core that has been put together, and the added size and toughness, this will be a fun team to watch in the playoffs :)
Throw in the possible deal for Phil Kessel from Boston and Jonas "The Monster" Gustavsson suspected to be coming in to play behind Toskala, been a good off season so far, and can get alot better.
"Most people spend time and energy going around problems, rather than trying to solve them" - Henry Ford |
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brentrock2
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
571 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2009 : 06:08:26
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I picked L.A. because they just got a good player Ryan Smythe. Now with Kopitar, Brown and Smythe,they are a fairly good team.
HABS RULE!!
brentrock2 |
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Guest8241
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Posted - 07/07/2009 : 08:13:10
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| Leafs....just look at their goalies and d-men!!! |
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Guest8241
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Posted - 07/07/2009 : 08:13:47
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| p.s....referring to the monster signing of "THE MONSTER"!!! |
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Rambo2305
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
546 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2009 : 08:48:11
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Posted this in another topic, but it should be here too...
With the signing of Gustavsson, we're set in net. Toskala will have a bounce back year winning 30+ games. Gustavsson, he'll be playing for a long term deal and will win 10-20. So is it crazy to say the Buds can win 40-45 games? Maybe more?
Are D is as good as they get. Not many teams can compare. Losing Kaberle would hurt, not too bad, but we'd lose an offensive anchor on the back end.
Look for Burke to keep Kabby, we've got enough young talent up front to develop, we were 10th in goals for last year. Now that we have toughness to protect the smaller scorers, look for them to strive.
We may not be the best team on paper, but it's what you do on the ice that counts (Ottawa last year for example).
Not just because I'm a Leafs fan, but this team is not "being rebuilt"...it's almost done.
I don't care who you cheer for, what city you call home etc. You'll admit that the Leafs, correction, Burke, has waved his magic wand and put together a playoff team. Now, whether or not this team can take it a step further, we'll see come October.
P.S. If you still criticize, it's ok, we all know that once you turn off your computer, you'll actually think and realize that this team is well on it's way....don't need to say where they're going.
GO LEAFS GO!
"Most people spend time and energy going around problems, rather than trying to solve them" - Henry Ford |
Edited by - Rambo2305 on 07/07/2009 08:48:24 |
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n/a
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4809 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2009 : 10:34:52
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Leafs with the best turnaround? A contender for it, yeah, - but probably not.
I would say let's not get ahead of ourselves yet, Rambo. I appreciate your enthusiasm, and don't get me wrong, with all these signings I am so, so pumped and excited for the future right now. But let's temper our enthusiasm with some reality, shall we?
1) We are not "set" in net - The Monster is unproven, and Toskala is coming off some mysterious injuries. Yes, hopefully Toskala can bounce back, and hopefully the Monster becomes a star goalie of the future . . . but we really won't know much at all until around the middle of next season at least.
2) Yes, we do have a really nice defence . . . on paper, right now. We'll see how they gel, who gets injured, and if anyone else gets dealt. Other than that, like I said, I am for the first time excited by our defence . . . I can't even believe I said that!
3) I still think it'll take at least another year and a half before this team is fully a "Burke Team", and we should at the very least be very competetive at that time. But yes, I agree, the building blocks look very solid and have loads of promise!
"Take off, eh?" - Bob and Doug |
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n/a
deleted
4809 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2009 : 10:43:59
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Oh, and btw, my answer (before finding out about Beauchemin, which wouldn't change my answer yet) is Tampa Bay.
They already have the talent on that team, even last year they weren't so far away from a playoff team other than defence and better coaching and a better dressing room. So - weaker division (only contender is Washington), more talent than almost any other non-playoff team (except maybe for Colorado, but they are in the toughest division), and they have added some very good pieces in Hedman, Ohlund, and Walker . . . it even trumps the Leafs I think for the defence with the biggest turnabout.
"Take off, eh?" - Bob and Doug |
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PhillyFan12
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
399 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2009 : 11:32:41
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Well it was down to 2 teams,Ottawa with Spezza, Heatley(maybe),Alfredson, and Kovalev,or Buffalo with Roy, Vanek,Pominville,and Connoly.But i just picked Buffalo because they have good dmen but lost there best,and forwards and a good goalie Ryan Miller.
PhillyFan12
Philly Rules!!! |
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Rambo2305
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
546 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2009 : 11:57:42
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quote:
Originally posted by PhillyFan12
Well it was down to 2 teams,Ottawa with Spezza, Heatley(maybe),Alfredson, and Kovalev,or Buffalo with Roy, Vanek,Pominville,and Connoly.But i just picked Buffalo because they have good dmen but lost there best,and forwards and a good goalie Ryan Miller.
PhillyFan12
Philly Rules!!!
Dressing room issues in Ottawa, no goalie, way below average defense, there won't be playoff hockey in Ottawa next year :)
As for Buffalo, that's the same thing they said last year...oh yea, they missed the playoffs :S lol
"Most people spend time and energy going around problems, rather than trying to solve them" - Henry Ford |
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Beans15
Moderator
Canada
8286 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2009 : 13:00:32
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I like the moves Burke has made with the Leafs as well, as difficult as that is for me to say. But, I don't see them making huge improvements this year. I do think they will improve, but not to the degree that some fans are pegging. Honestly, the playoffs is still a stretch goal. Improving on last seasons performance, getting some consistancy, and developing young talent is more reasonable. If they make the playoffs, it's bonus.
I really like the moves that Chicago has made. I think Hossa will bring that team over the top. I also like Philly making their defense strong with a team that already had firepower up front. Still a question mark in net. Same as Washington, who also have a question in goal.
It will be an interesting season. I really think it's an overall 'changing of the guard" season. Those teams who have been strong for a while will not be so strong and those who were weak will be near the top. |
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Guest9262
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Posted - 07/07/2009 : 13:21:15
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A lot of those teams did improve significantly. And some of those will really push for a playoffs spot.
A team that didn't do much but I think will be good this season is Dallas. They have all the ingredients. Last year they had a hard time with Avery and when he finally left, Brendan Morrow, Brad Richards and Sergei Zubov all went down with season ending injury. But the question is if they will be able to find a good powerplay quarterback to replace Zubov.
Ottawa with the acquisition of Pascal Leclaire, and if they can put their confidence back up should be a team to watch.
Tampa Bay, Los Angeles and Toronto are taking steps in the right direction but it will take some time before seeing them as contenders. They might make the playoffs if everything goes in the right direction (like St Louis or Columbus last year) |
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leafsfan_101
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
1530 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2009 : 18:26:39
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Los Angeles made only one signing this offseason, signing Rob Scuderi to a 4 year $13.6 million dollar deal. They also traded for Ryan Smyth. They are the most improved team simply by these two moves. Why? I'll tell you.
The Kings defense is arguably the most underrated defense in the league. Doughty, Preissing, Greene, Jack Johnson (when he re-signs), Sean O'Donnell and, now, Rob Scuderi, form one of the toughest and most skilled defenses in the league. They have everything from skill to speed to toughness, to, as Brian Burke would say, Truckulation. Their defense is one of the best in the league. Watch for them to be a force.
Their offense is where they really shine through. Youngsters like Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown, Alexander Frolov and Oscar Moller are not only a bright future, but a dangerous present. Add in a mix of leadership and skill like Michael Handzus, Jarret Stoll and Ryan Smyth and their top six forwards are possibly in the top 10 right now in the NHL.
Their goaltending situation is also good, with rising stars Jonathon Quick and Jonathon Bernier. Someone is due for a breakout year next season. Plus, add in a now mature Thomas Hickey, who will have a shot at cracking the lineup, and this squad will be a serious contender.
Good Job Dean Lombardi. You made a hell of a team that will only get better! |
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Porkchop73
PickupHockey Pro
640 Posts |
Posted - 07/08/2009 : 05:13:22
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Well leafsfan_101, I also say L.A. and you pretty much covered it and then some. I like the mix of veteran leadership and young guns on Kings squad. If Johnson resigns they have two of the best futue D studs with Doughty and Johnson. And as pointed out, add Hickey in there in the short future and this team is going places.
If you look at how LA has built this team, it is very much like the Red Wings in style. Give some more development time and LA is back up challenging the top teams again.
But for next year I think they are most likely to have a better turnaround season then the rest from the list. |
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Guest9500
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Posted - 07/08/2009 : 09:58:05
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| Ottawa with Kovalev and Leclaire (and based on the fact that they were already the second best team in 2009 based on their record) |
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Guest9235
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Posted - 07/10/2009 : 01:52:34
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I beleive it will be either Colorado, LA, or Dallas with the big turn around. Dallas has almost everything it needs, guys just had bad seasons, were injured, and the whole sean avery thing. LA is a good young team and just added leadership in Smyth, it will be interesting. And Tampa added some much needed d, and if Vinny can get playing the way he did when Tampa won the cup, They will be a force. Although im not too sure about their goaltending.
As for the people who beleive in Toronto, dont get your hopes up to soon. You are relying on many things like Gustavvson being an instant success, or Toskala having a bounceback year. Also, with Komisarek, he wasnt himself ever since the Lucic incedent. He should be back to his normal self, but you never know. Also, if Kaberle leaves, it leaves a big hole offensivly on their backend, so Kaberle might not leave, and Toronto might not land a good prospect or top 6 forward. |
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Guest9235
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Posted - 07/10/2009 : 01:54:38
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quote:
Originally posted by slozo
Oh, and btw, my answer (before finding out about Beauchemin, which wouldn't change my answer yet) is Tampa Bay.
They already have the talent on that team, even last year they weren't so far away from a playoff team other than defence and better coaching and a better dressing room. So - weaker division (only contender is Washington), more talent than almost any other non-playoff team (except maybe for Colorado, but they are in the toughest division), and they have added some very good pieces in Hedman, Ohlund, and Walker . . . it even trumps the Leafs I think for the defence with the biggest turnabout.
"Take off, eh?" - Bob and Doug
Washington is not the only contender. You forgetting about Carolina, they did make the conference finals you know. |
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4809 Posts |
Posted - 07/10/2009 : 04:50:02
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I didn't forget about Carolina - I don't consider them a contender for next year, despite their improbable run this last playoffs.
"Take off, eh?" - Bob and Doug |
Edited by - n/a on 07/10/2009 04:51:05 |
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Guest8241
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Posted - 07/10/2009 : 04:54:40
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| Look at Carolina's track record...good year, bad year, good year, bad year etc. lol |
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Rambo2305
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
546 Posts |
Posted - 07/10/2009 : 05:03:13
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quote:
Originally posted by slozo
Oh, and btw, my answer (before finding out about Beauchemin, which wouldn't change my answer yet) is Tampa Bay.
They already have the talent on that team, even last year they weren't so far away from a playoff team other than defence and better coaching and a better dressing room. So - weaker division (only contender is Washington), more talent than almost any other non-playoff team (except maybe for Colorado, but they are in the toughest division), and they have added some very good pieces in Hedman, Ohlund, and Walker . . . it even trumps the Leafs I think for the defence with the biggest turnabout.
"Take off, eh?" - Bob and Doug
Still don't think T-Bay can stop the Capitals, look for the Caps to take that division again.
"Most people spend time and energy going around problems, rather than trying to solve them" - Henry Ford |
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Guest4948
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Posted - 07/10/2009 : 07:41:47
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| Guest 9235..... Good points on a couple teams there, but personally, i don't think Colorado is capable of much this year! I look for them to get another top 3 pick in the draft next year. |
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Axey
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
877 Posts |
Posted - 07/10/2009 : 08:46:14
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Edmonton. With the coaching changes this team will be well on its way, that team has way to much talent to be where they finished in the standings last year. Hopefully the Heatley situation didn't upset the players that were involved.
MacT really just had an ego problem and they really needed to get rid of him, they will improve vastly this year.
LA, beautiful.. this team is well on the rise as I have said at the start of last year, I predict they will make the playoffs this year and become a serious cup contender the year after (pending trades and FA's). |
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Guest9235
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Posted - 07/13/2009 : 01:39:55
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I beleive Cloroado may have a turnaround year. They lost big upfront in Smyth and Sakic(even though he was injured most of the year he was the captain). They did get a good defensmen in Quincy, and a great young goaltender Anderson and also Duschene if hes ready. Goaltending and injuries were a big problem for them last year, so as long as Anderson plays as good as he did in Florida, and they stay Healthy, The Avs may make the playoffs.
Also, banking on a pattern for Carolina may not be the smartest idea if betting, you never know. I dont beleive they will win the division, but i think they will make the playoffs
This is Guest9235 btw. I finally made an account |
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Kirby
Top Prospect
Canada
66 Posts |
Posted - 07/13/2009 : 01:50:24
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quote:
Originally posted by Guest9235
I beleive Cloroado may have a turnaround year. They lost big upfront in Smyth and Sakic(even though he was injured most of the year he was the captain). They did get a good defensmen in Quincy, and a great young goaltender Anderson and also Duschene if hes ready. Goaltending and injuries were a big problem for them last year, so as long as Anderson plays as good as he did in Florida, and they stay Healthy, The Avs may make the playoffs.
Also, banking on a pattern for Carolina may not be the smartest idea if betting, you never know. I dont beleive they will win the division, but i think they will make the playoffs
This is Guest9235 btw. I finally made an account
Whoops I failed on that one
I skate where the puck is going to be, not where it has been.-Wayne Gretzky |
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n/a
deleted
4809 Posts |
Posted - 07/13/2009 : 04:31:45
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I think it's important to remember two things when trying to determine the best turnaround season - how bad they were last year (the lower the finish, the more potential for improvement) and how tough their division is.
I think people are forgetting that as bad as Colorado was last year, and as good as they could be, they are still in the same division with what looks to be one of the best teams on paper in Calgary, a very solid Vancouver team, and two scrappy teams that always seem to be in the mix in Minnesota and Edmonton - the first team can beat you down physically, the second can outskate you.
And then there is the Sakic retirement . . . gone is the leader of yesterday, with no gimme replacement (I am guessing it will be Smyth). Again, they will miss that until they find their new identity. And, the whole "we don't have a proven #1 goalie" thing.
I am predicting another bad year for the Avalanche, only a bit better than last year.
"Take off, eh?" - Bob and Doug |
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Porkchop73
PickupHockey Pro
640 Posts |
Posted - 07/13/2009 : 04:44:23
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quote:
Originally posted by slozo
I think it's important to remember two things when trying to determine the best turnaround season - how bad they were last year (the lower the finish, the more potential for improvement) and how tough their division is.
I think people are forgetting that as bad as Colorado was last year, and as good as they could be, they are still in the same division with what looks to be one of the best teams on paper in Calgary, a very solid Vancouver team, and two scrappy teams that always seem to be in the mix in Minnesota and Edmonton - the first team can beat you down physically, the second can outskate you.
And then there is the Sakic retirement . . . gone is the leader of yesterday, with no gimme replacement (I am guessing it will be Smyth). Again, they will miss that until they find their new identity. And, the whole "we don't have a proven #1 goalie" thing.
I am predicting another bad year for the Avalanche, only a bit better than last year.
"Take off, eh?" - Bob and Doug
Slozo, Smyth signed in LA, but I also think the Aves are heading down a terrible path next year. They are missing two key pieces of a successfull hockey team; Leadership and depth. They have run dry in their talent pool. It is looking like a rebuild plan for them. Starting with the Duschene kid. Aves fans better develop some patience! |
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Alex116
PickupHockey Legend
6113 Posts |
Posted - 07/13/2009 : 06:51:45
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| Not much faith here for Colorado....making the playoffs would shock me! Gonna be a few years before they're back in the mix IMO. |
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4809 Posts |
Posted - 07/13/2009 : 07:31:45
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Oh yeah, I forgot about Smyth signing with LA in all the free agent flurry . . .
. . . Colorado is doomed. Well, they had a good long run with that inherited Quebec team . . . now let's see how they do on their own, with none of the players left from that time.
"Take off, eh?" - Bob and Doug |
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Rambo2305
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
546 Posts |
Posted - 07/13/2009 : 08:45:17
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In Colorado, either Stastny, Heiduk or Wolski will be named Captain, but not until mid-season. Goaltending, still not good, but not bad. Coaching...meh. Like Porkchop said, little depth. After their top line, it's a team with little offensive upside. Even their defence can be considered "below average". In that conference, hell, that division, gunna be a tough year for the Avs. Hopefully Duchene can net 100 points for them.. **cough-cough**
"Most people spend time and energy going around problems, rather than trying to solve them" - Henry Ford |
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MSC
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
601 Posts |
Posted - 07/13/2009 : 13:59:41
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| Dallas has all the pieces in place to potentially contend for the cup. If the guys they have now have seasons like they should they'll be quite competitive. They have a top notch goalie coming off an off season and a few key players coming back from injury. Combine that with the expected improvement of Neal and a few of their other young guys and I'm positive you'll see them back in the playoffs. |
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Guest7281
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Posted - 07/13/2009 : 14:38:13
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quote:
Originally posted by slozo
Oh yeah, I forgot about Smyth signing with LA in all the free agent flurry . . .
. . . Colorado is doomed. Well, they had a good long run with that inherited Quebec team . . . now let's see how they do on their own, with none of the players left from that time.
"Take off, eh?" - Bob and Doug
Smyth was traded, he wasn't a free agent. |
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brentrock2
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
571 Posts |
Posted - 07/14/2009 : 03:59:04
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Toronto I think will really do great in the 09-10 season, same for L.A,either 2 of these teams will have the biggest turnaround in 09-10 season of my opinion.
HABS RULE!!
brentrock2 |
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Topic |
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Biggest turnaround in 2009-2010? 
