NHL: Highflying and Free Falling

*Photo: Sidney Crosby (2005 1st Overall Draft Pick by Pittsburgh)

After a season long layoff, the time to skate is now here, as teams continue to make deals and continue to acquire the players who they believe will help them be crowned 2006 NHL STANLEY CUPS CHAMPIONS. Let’s first take a look two teams I believe that have done he top jobs this summer and then we will take a look at a team who I am very disappointed in.

HIGH FLYING

Pittsburgh Penguins

Obviously, having the 1st overall draft pick and choosing “PRINCE of HOCKEY,” Sidney Crosby can only help. But what else has Pittsburgh management done since the draft? August 8th , they signed Winger Ziggy Palffy who because of his speed, agility, and ability to quickly scan the ice will benefit greatly from the new rule changes. Pittsburgh management, also went out and got Winger John LeClair who was a huge asset to the Flyers of Philadel. They didn’t stop there either, they also brought in one of the MOST UNDERRATED defensive players in he NHL 6'2", 215 pounder Sergei Gonchar. Pittsburgh has put themselves in great position as long as everyone can mesh together well.

Other top players Pittsburgh fans will see as of press time are: Mark Recchi, Enforcer Andre Roy, Lyle Odelein, and Jocelyn Thibault.

Preseason Record as of press time: 0 and 5

Ottawa Senators

The Senators are one of those strange teams that you never really what Owner Eugene Melnyk is thinking. This summer and fall however, Melnyk has pulled the right strings and signed a team who’s chemistry is top notch at this point.

The re-signing of Winger Martin Havlat was a solid base for this ownership group, then they moved in for some of the bigger cards by picking up Dany Heatley (ATL), re-signing Ray Emery, picking up Dominik Hasek, and re-signing Jason Spezza. This will be a team led by the younger up and coming stars in the NHL, but they will have a great season and you can quote me on this THEY WILL BE IN THE 2nd round of the playoffs.

Preseason Record as of press time: 4 and 0

FREE FALLING

St. LOUIS BLUES

(UNDER THE SHEBOYGAN EFFINGHAM BUS as Seth and Bone of MLB would say and you can hear their show from 3-6 p.m. EST on (Official Site: MLB RADIO)

Let me start by saying I have a great deal of respect for some of the people within the Front Office of this franchise. Now, St. Louis has always been a town that has had they ability to bring great athletes into the city. What happened this year though? I have no idea, so let’s try and sort things out. I believe it started when they traded Superstar Chris Pronger to Edmonton for up and coming Defensive Star Eric Brewer, and defensive players Jeff Woywitka and Doug Lynch. Eric Brewer is a good pickup BUT still, there is no way possible he replaces a guy like Chris Pronger and at the time, they had to off had some idea that Al MacInnis was going to retire or was at least thinking about it.

Goaltenders: Chris Osgood is gone and right now Patrick Lalime may be the only hope between the pipes.

Other issue: NHL Top player Keith Tkachuk has been suspended for not making weight and may be having an appeal on his behalf by the NHLPA.

I have a hard time saying this but 2006 will be the 26th season in a row that the Blues will fail to hoist Lord Stanley’s Cup. For the fans sake in St. Louis, let us pray that they don’t have to fall victim to the Stars, Red Wings, Avalanche in the playoffs or suffer the embracement of a Conference Quarterfinal loss to a team like San Jose (ie. 03-04).

Preseason Record as of press time: 2 and 1

Official Site: National Hockey League (NHL)