The Vancouver Canucks and Atlanta Thrashers were the best two teams not to make the playoffs last season.
Goaltending failed them.
One team traded for a star goalie, the other got their starter back from injury.
These two teams have a better shot at the Cup in the upcoming season than some of those polled. (Oilers? without Pronger, Peca? Wild? no better chance. Predators? no better chance, less than Thrashers imo)
The Vancouver Canucks and Atlanta Thrashers were the best two teams not to make the playoffs last season.
Goaltending failed them.
One team traded for a star goalie, the other got their starter back from injury.
These two teams have a better shot at the Cup in the upcoming season than some of those polled. (Oilers? without Pronger, Peca? Wild? no better chance. Predators? no better chance, less than Thrashers imo)
I agree that goaltending was a big issue with both of the clubs you mentioned, and expect at least the Thrashers to make a push for the playoffs this year. I fail to see how you think the Nashville Predators, a team who finished 4th in the west, with more points than 3rd place Calgary, picked up Jason Arnott, picked up JP Dumont, have a now 1 year older young, yet rock solid defence corps isnt anything but a cup favorite? Thats ludicrus if you ask me.
To go along with another claim you made that i disagree with; the Wild in my opinion will return to the playoffs again next year. They were a solid team last year and now boast demitra, jonsson, and parrish as additions. Throw in potential sensational rookies Pouliot and Voloshenko and you've got a very balanced team. There defensive style will keep them in games and they have more than enough fire power to win alot of games 2-1 or 3-2 in the new NHL. Fernandez is a number 1, roloson isnt.
I dont think Vancouver or Edmonton stand a chance in winning the cup mind you. Edmontons offence will be top 10 in the league and vancouvers might be too, but both have terrible defences... Vancouver however has a stud goalie, they will be a bit of a wildcard.
the Wild in my opinion will return to the playoffs again next year. They were a solid team last year and now boast demitra, jonsson, and parrish as additions.
Jonsson?! If that's Kenny Jonsson then dang they will at least make the playoffs. Kenny Jonsson was great as a NYI but returned to Europe for personal (and perhaps contract) reasons.