Kukla's Korner Hockey

Kukla's Korner Hockey

Friday Afternoon Hockey Talk

09/19/2014 at 1:59pm EDT

Katie Strang of ESPN held an online chat today...

Who will win the Connor McDavid sweepstakes and finish at the bottom this year?

Katie Strang I don't think it will be Buffalo. That team made significant strides. Don't see it being Calgary or Buffalo, either. Both teams have talented youngsters and solidified their goaltending. I'm really not sold on Ottawa this year, but that would be a pretty precipitous decline. Edmonton, perhaps? Shoot, even Arizona could really take a tumble if Mike Smith has a bad year.

Rebound year for Letang - is he arguably the most important piece for Pitt to make a deep run?

Katie Strang His performance is key, especially with the loss of Matt Niskanen and Brooks Orpik, but he'll have help along the blue line from Paul Martin and Christian Ehrhoff. Two most important pieces? Crosby, duh. And Marc-Andre Fleury. Quite the test with him entering the last year of his contract without an extension. Has to prove himself to earn that.

The most important question tonight:Who will win Lord Stanley?

Katie Strang Hard to pick against Chicago, but I like the Lightning as my sleeper team in the East.

much more

Create an Account

In order to leave a comment, please create an account.

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 [email protected]