bxdevilsom

There's too much unknowns on all these teams

Are the Devils a remodel of the 1995 squad ... lots of role players and guys willing to play the system?

Can the Rangers fit all those egos on the ice and gel as a team?

Does Pittsburgh have a defense and goalie that can match the offensive firepower?

Is Briere and Biron the saving grace for Philly?

Right now, for me, it's a three-tier division

Pens/Devils
I think the Pens are the team to fear in the future ... right now they are a year or two away from dominance, but they have the personnel to prove me wrong
Devils are going to surprise a few people. They are always written off, but I think the sum of their parts is going to be a solid team. I think a new respected coach gives them a bit of an edge because I think we are going to see accountability plus the Devils are always a team that can absorb loss of personnel (sans Captain Scotty, of course)

Rangers/Philly
Rangers look great on paper ... the questions are matters of chemistry and egos. Also I think Sather is going for broke this year, which has added the now or never pressure. For players like Shanny and Jagr, that works. If there are injuries or something happens to Lundy, I can the Rangers missing the playoffs and the Flyers sneaking in. But right now I would put the Rangers third in the division. But ...
Philly added some key pieces and I think they will be way better than expected. And could easily finish third in the division. A lot of the Bobby Clarke mistakes are gone, but I think they still need a few more pieces before they move up.

Islanders

And this could all change once the teams get on the ice for camp  

gotta agree, a lot of peole make good points, the pens will be tough, but they're still young and the rags do lack chemistry. we have some changes, so it may take some time to adjust, but we still have a core, plus the greatest goaltender, so i know we'll be in it as usual. the isles, meh. not worried about them. so it will be a close division coming down to defense and experience.

read the ticker while watching the yankees game yesterday. great news. we need him and his speed. if gionta stays healthy and has good season like he did two years ago, with parise scoring we should be in good shape.  thanks Lou.     

yeah like that too. in jersey. similar to last year, lots of the same teams, not till feb we seem to play some diff teams out by the west coast. will have to take some time to look at the schedule some more and figure out the tough periods, but is it me is does it seem strange we're starting with so many away games?

ok, nevermind on that question about the road trip, just read the other thread and it makes sense that it's because they have to finish the arena.

Nice, last game is at home versus the Rangers, could be a big game.  Also the game before is against the Flyers, that could be big as well.  Good way to end the year.

yeah like that too. in jersey. similar to last year, lots of the same teams, not till feb we seem to play some diff teams out by the west coast. will have to take some time to look at the schedule some more and figure out the tough periods, but is it me is does it seem strange we're starting with so many away games?

looks good, very easy to navigate. haven't been around, i wasn't aware of the people we got. feeling much better now that i see we got Zubrus and weekes. but yeah, the new site really stands out. lots of options to check out.