The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
This week I asked my panel to spout out their views on Canada's NHL teams. How they think they will do and if they make the playoffs. Brent Lethbridge: People stop me at hockey games, on the street and call me at home and ask me what makes me a sports expert. Frankly I don't know why or really care. I suppose its because I have a big mouth and an opinion on everything. That and I will always put my name beside my point of view. So if that makes me a sports expert, so be it and here is my call on the Canadian NHL teams from West to East. Vancouver: Forget about it. (Todd) Bertuzzi's gone and (Roberto) Luongo is in. That in itself was good, but without (Ed) Jovanovski on the back end and Anson Carter up front, it's a little thin. The writing was on the wall when GM (Brian) Burke left. The Sedin twins will sink back into obscurity in some Swedish Elite league next year. The team is no better than last year when they failed to make the post-season. Goaltending was not the only problem, they missed Eddie, they couldn't win without him. (Editor's note: Mr. Lethbridge is definitely not an expert when it comes to the Canucks.) Calgary: They are better. Alex Tanguay brings some much needed scoring, and Jeff Friesen could be a real sleeper on this one. The defence and goaltending are for real.. I predict they go a long way this year. Edmonton: Sorry Oiler fans, I know it sucks but without (Chris) Pronger, it's just missing the playoffs again. I mean they only made it by the skin of their teeth last year. Toronto: Like anybody cares. Until John Ferguson Jr. is fired as manager of the team, they will miss the playoffs again. Ottawa: I feel they are a better team without (Zdeno) Chara. Scoring is not a problem as usual, but goaltending, well, (Martin) Gerber and (Ray) Emery. I don't know. They will make the playoffs, but if they go out early it will be a goaltending issue...as usual. Montreal: A sentimental favourite, but again no proven goalies. I think puck stoppers are huge these days. If you do not have a premium goalie, it's really tough in today's offensive game. Which Canadian teams will make the playoffs? Well how about the Flames, the Senators and uhm...maybe the Canucks. The Leafs, the Canadiens and the Oilers, well.... it's sad but I doubt it. Tanner Brough: First of all I'll start with the Stanley Cup runners-up. The Edmonton Oilers will not make the playoffs this year. They were overachievers and this year everyone will see why. The next time you hear of Fernando Pisani, he'll be taking your order at your favourite Italian restaurant. The Ottawa Senators I hope will lose their captain Daniel Alfredsson for the season as a result of a DIRTY hit from Darcy Tucker. I think Ottawa will still be near the top of the standings come the end of the season, but man I hate Alfredsson. Vancouver should improve from their 9th place finish last year, but have lost the best power forward in the game in Bertuzzi, but have gained one of the best goalies in the game in Luongo. The Flames will look unstoppable this year. They finally got a player to complement (Jarome) Iginla. Tanguay and Jarome are gonna ripe up the West this year, along with Kipper (Miikka Kiprusoff) shutting down opponents. That just leaves the Canadiens, and the Leafs. We all know what a joke the Habs are, and I can't wait till Cristobal Huet shows his true "funnel" form. The Leafs of course are gonna win the Cup, and I can't wait to see how many Oiler fans of 2006, turn into Leaf fans in 2007. GO LEAFS GO.
