NHL 2011-2012 Season Preview

Wlth NHL training camps now open, the 2011-12 season is quickly coming upon us. In fact, exibition games starts this week. For those hockey fans who wait with anticipation for the season to start, here is preview of what may happen during the season. This article will touch on three major off-ice issues that may crop up during the season and predictions on how some teams will may do on the ice this year.
1. The one major issue that will be on everybody’s mind this year is head injuries. With Penguin’s superstar, Sidney Crosby, still uncertain whether he be able to start the season or not, and Boston’s Marc Savard leaning very close to retirement it seems the issue of head injuries will not go away soon. The question is whether another big star might go down with a bad concussion this season due to a nasty head shot and how it will impact the league? Will there be stiffer penalties for hitting from behind? There’s been some debate over the past few years that bringing in the no touch icing rule could help prevent these types of injuries.
2. Fighting in hockey will probably be a another debate over the course of the season. Some people will say fighting doesn’t belong in hockey no more. Others will say fighting needs to be in hockey to protect the star players like Steven Stamkos, Crosby, and Alex Ovechkin.
3. Will this be the last full season of NHL hockey for a while? The current collective bargaining agreement expires sometime next summer, which means the NHL Players Association and owners will have to come together to come up with a new CBA. The two sticking points most likely will be the salary cap and revenue sharing. The owners have not been in favour of revenue sharing the last few years and the players are not happy with the salary cap. If these issues are not resolve by next September, the 2012-13 season could be in jeopardy.
Teams to keep a eye on this season.
Washington Capitals– You can be sure that they will be a team to contend with. The Capitals have a fairly good offense with the likes of Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, Alexander Semin and newcomer Garrett Mitchell. The Caps also beefed up their defense a bit over the off-season by acquiring Roman Hamrlik from Montreal, who is 6 ft 2, 207 lbs. Mike Green will also be a scoring threat along the blueline. The only question for Washington is goaltending. Tomas Vokoun had a record of 22-28 last year with the Panthers last year, which could be a concern. The good news for Vokoun is that he had a 2.55 goals against average last year.
Pittsburgh Penguins- If Crosby comes back 100% healthy, the Pens will be a contender this season, if not, it may be a long winter for Pittsburgh.
Boston Bruins– Look for them to make another run for the cup this year. If goaltender,Tim Thomas plays the way he played last year in the play-offs, look out for Boston.
Philadelphia Flyers– They may not have the offense they’ve had over the past few years, but their defense and goaltending looks sharp on paper anyway.
Tampa Bay Lightning – With Steven Stamkos centering the first line and Vincent Levalier centering the second line, the Lightning could be a Stanley Cup contender by the end of the season.
New York Rangers– By getting Brad Richards in the off-season, the Rangers may have found the last piece of the puzzle to put them back into the play-offs this year.
Toronto Maple Leafs – The only way the Leafs will make the play-offs is if certain things happen.
– Goaltender, James Reimer must play the same way he played at the end last season.
– Phil Kessel has to score early in the season and keep going.
– Mikhail Grabovski and Nikolai Kulemin have to score 20 or more goals.
– Defenseman, Dion Phaneuf has to get more physical on the ice.
– Newcomer,Tim Connolly has to do what he does best, rack up points.
– Most importantly, the Leafs have to stay healthy. Injuries have plague them the last few years.
New Jersey Devils – They have no where to go, but up.
Winnipeg Jets – They probably won’t make much of inpact in the standings, but to Jets fans they’re number one.
Ottawa Senators – After missing the play-offs last year, they did some rebuilding this summer and may make a effort to get into the post season.
Vancouver Canucks – With the Sedin twins, Ryan Kessler providing the offense and Roberto Luongo between the pipes, the Canucks will most likely be a contender. Whether they will repeat the success they had last season remains to be seen.
San Jose Sharks – Despite losing Dany Heatley, the Sharks are still a scoring threat with Joe Thornton and Logan Couture.
Chicago Blackhawks – If Corey Crawford wins over 30 games like he did last season, if team captain, Jonathan Toews and the rest of the Blackhawks play like they did during the cup winning year in 2009-10, the may see themselves in the Western Conference Final this year.
Los Angeles Kings – Look out for this team to rise to the top this year with new additions like Simon Gagne, Mike Richards, along with last year`s King`s star, Anze Kopitar providing the offense and Jonathan Quick between the pipes.
Detroit Red Wings – On paper they don`t look much like a contender, but the Red Wings have a history of surprising people over the course of the season. Don`t count them out. If they do make the play-offs, it will be 21st straight year that the Red wings made it to the post season.
Minnesota Wild – In a article by the Associated Press this week, the Wild believe they have a good team this year. With two new addiitions to the squad (Heatley and Devin Setoguehi), they could be right.
Columbus Blue Jackets – Finally, this may be the dark horse of the NHL this season. Getting Jeff Carter and Vinny Prospal in the off-season was smart. It adds more offense and may take some of the pressure off Rick Nash. The only concern for the Blue Jackets in goaltending. Steve Mason must have a better season than he did last year in order for the team to be successful.
Here is my predictions of how the standings may look at the end of the regular season
Eastern Conference
1. Boston
2. Washington
3. Tampa Bay
4. New York Rangers
5. Philadelphia
6. Montreal
7. Pittsburgh
8. Toronto
9. Ottawa
10. Buffalo
11. New York Islanders
12. Carolina
13.New Jersey
14. Florida
15. Wiinnipeg
Western Conference
1. San Jose
2. Los Angeles
3. Vancouver
4. Chicago
5. Detroit
6. Calgary
7. Minnisotaview
8. Colorado
9. Columbus
10. Anaheim
11. St. Louis
12. Nashville
13. Dallas
14. Phoenix
15. Edmonton
Well, there you have it folks. Your NHL preview for this year. Enjoy the hockey.


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