Kukla's Korner Hockey
Finishing Last
by Paul on 08/07/12 at 04:18 PM ET
Comments (3)
from The Hockey News,
Starting today, we’ll unveil our predictions for the 15th-ranked teams in each conference, as well as short explanations of our rationale for the decision. Each day thereafter – excluding weekends – the next two teams will be posted online, until we get to the top two from each conference.
15 NEW YORK ISLANDERS
Why: Eventually this team is going to take a step forward and it’s probably going to come out of nowhere to surprise everyone. That’s the general feeling around this team and though a few THN staffers feel the Isles are on the cusp of moving on up, it always comes back to the fact they’re stuck in the difficult Atlantic Division….
15 COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS
Why: More accurately, the explanation here should be preceeded by “why not?” The Blue Jackets traded away their only star and didn’t inspire any fans with the return; Steve Mason and Sergei Bobrovsky don’t provide any more security as a tandem than Mason did alone; and the depth of talent on this team is lacking….
more on each team…
Filed in: NHL Teams, Columbus Blue Jackets, New York Islanders, | KK Hockey | Permalink
Comments
I think a lot of people are betting against the Jackets but I doubt they finish last in the conference. Wiz Jack and Fedor were solid the ass end of last year. They’re getting 2 Rangers with relatively good work ethic, Vinny Prospal has been a huge glue guy in the locker room. I think is actually the year that Columbus forms an identity.
Wouldn’t be surprised to see either Calgary or Edmonton down there.. possibly Anaheim. No one in net there either, shitty defenses either not strong at center or not experienced at center all the way down the middle w/ exception of Anaheim who’s star center is mired in a slump.
Parity makes it so close picking first or last out the gate is pure luck if you get it right.
Posted by HockeytownOverhaul on 08/07/12 at 05:17 PM ET
Columbus has no goaltending and no centers. They’ll be lucky to finish 13th.
Posted by Heaton on 08/07/12 at 07:19 PM ET
Add a Comment
Please limit embedded image or media size to 575 pixels wide.
Add your own avatar by joining Kukla's Korner, or logging in and uploading one in your member control panel.
Captchas bug you? Join KK or log in and you won't have to bother.
Most Recent Blog Posts
Zdeno Chara, work in progress? At one time, he most certainly was just that
Senators GM Bryan Murray stirs the trade rumor mill
Gregory Campbell should be good to go fro Boston’s training camp
LeBrun’s Rumblings and TSN’s Insider Trading segment = bomb-droppin’
Spit take: Avalanche plan on skipping Seth Jones, taking a forward
Gretzky talks about the NHL’s future in La Belle Province, knowing nothing about Phoenix’s situation
As you might expect, the forecast in Flyer-land is ‘rumor-y’
Kypreos: Coyotes trying to retain Tippett’s services
NHL’s General Managers to meet on Wednesday, discuss possible rule changes
About Kukla's Korner Hockey
Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.
From breaking news to in-depth stories around the league, KK Hockey is updated with fresh stories all day long and will bring you the latest news as quickly as possible.
Email Paul anytime at pk@kuklaskorner.com
As if being picked for dead last in the East weren’t enough, they had to show a photo of the Islanders in their NY Mets inspired travesty of a third uniform. Ouch!
Posted by hockey1919 from mid-atlantic on 08/07/12 at 04:36 PM ET