Yeah, I suck Posted October 8, 2002 Share Posted October 8, 2002 Crystal ball by Darren Eliot, CNNSI.com As the 2002-03 campaign commences, let's take a quick overview of potential honors forthcoming. Hart Trophy -- Jose Theodore, Montreal Montreal should be better on the attack, but Theodore's goaltending exploits define this team. The combination should mean an improved season for the Canadiens and another MVP honor for the Habs' netminder. Vezina Trophy -- Nikolai Khabibulin, Tampa Bay Same equation applies in Tampa Bay -- better offense backed by Khabibulin's staunch puck-stopping. If the Bolts ever challenged for the Southeast Division title, Khabibulin likewise would challenge for the Hart. Calder Trophy -- Stanislav Chistov, Anaheim Young talent abounds throughout the NHL. As Dany Heatley proved in Atlanta as last year's recipient, fine individual play sometimes is easier to recognize on a team that struggles. A young player on a developing team gets more quality minutes in offensive situations than a rookie on an established team. In that vein, Chistov in Anaheim edges Alex Frolov in L.A. as the NHL's top freshman. Norris Trophy -- Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit Until someone puts together a monster year on the blue line, Lidstrom's all-around excellence will remain the standard in the league for rearguards. Jack Adams Award -- Lindy Ruff, Buffalo If Ruff gets his young charges to build upon their second-half success of a season ago, a playoff position is possible. If that happens, the honor as the NHL's top bench boss won't be too far behind. Lady Byng Trophy -- Paul Kariya, Anaheim Kariya is looking to rebound from a sub-standard offensive season. With the emphasis on eradicating interference, Kariya should spend most of the season streaking down the left side and racking up points. Selke Award -- Niklas Sundstrom, San Jose Teams blessed with quality personnel on their third lines -- guys who are capable offensively yet play a pivotal defensive role -- are best suited for the run of special-teams play that is likely this season. One of the best third lines in hockey plays for the San Jose Sharks, and Sundstrom is a major contributor on that unit. If he scores 15 goals and continues his defensive excellence, recognition for the unheralded Swede seems appropriate. Art Ross Trophy -- Peter Forsberg, Colorado Forsberg publicly stated that he feels the need to atone for missing the entire regular season last year. With that mindset, assuming an injury-free campaign, Forsberg is primed to pile up the points, especially on the power play, as he and Joe Sakic rekindle the league's top two-man game with the man advantage. Rocket Richard Trophy -- Markus Naslund, Vancouver The Vancouver Canucks have a tandem up front that is emerging as elite in its own right. Behemoth Todd Bertuzzi and silky-smooth sniper Naslund should produce points aplenty, both at even strength and on the power play. After back-to-back 40-goal campaigns, Naslund conceivably could reach the 50-goal plateau this year. Divisional winners Read Darren Eliot's division previews by clicking on each division name. Atlantic: N.Y. Rangers Northeast: Ottawa Southeast: Carolina Central: Detroit Northwest: Colorado Pacific: Los Angeles Conference champions Eastern: Ottawa Western: Colorado Stanley Cup champion Colorado Breakout team -- Montreal If the Habs stay healthy, they should have a fine season. They have veterans who can score and youngsters who are ready to contribute. They have excellent speed up front and mobility on the blue line. Oh, as a reminder, the Canadiens have outstanding goaltending to bring it all together. Breakout player -- Derek Morris, Colorado Derek Morris is entering a situation in Colorado that will define his career. Surrounded by stalwarts Rob Blake and Adam Foote in a winning environment, Morris has a chance to realize his full potential, delivering on the promise shown while apprenticing in Calgary. Disappointing team -- St. Louis The Blues seem to have lost their way. Injuries, age and questions regarding the fit of the supporting cast leave the Blues with as many unknowns as certainties -- hardly the plan considering their sizeable payroll. Disappointing player -- Ed Belfour, Toronto Maybe it isn't Belfour's fault. He has had a stellar career and doesn't deserve to suffer by way of comparison. It is hard to live up to the expectations placed on players in Toronto -- just ask Mats Sundin -- but Curtis Joseph did. Even without a Cup victory for the Leafs, fans and media alike lionized CuJo. Let's just say Trevor Kidd may become vitally important to the Maple Leafs' season. Underrated player -- Daniel Alfredsson, Ottawa Alfredsson competes hard every night. He wades into the high-traffic areas to make plays, and given his slight stature, that is no small feat. His combination of willingness and skill make him a treat to watch. Overrated player -- Jiri Dopita, Edmonton Dopita fizzled in Philly last season after arriving with much fanfare based on his outstanding career in his native Czech Republic. The Oilers feel he has the wherewithal to supply them with much-needed production as their second line center. They're staking a trip to the postseason on Dopita's wobbly knee and aloof approach -- a very tenuous combination indeed. Darren Eliot, a former NHL goaltender, is a hockey analyst for CNNSI.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gomezz23 Posted October 8, 2002 Share Posted October 8, 2002 Darren Eliot is dead rong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gomezz23 Posted October 8, 2002 Share Posted October 8, 2002 hart...forsberg or bertuzzi vezina...nabokov or brodeur calder...nash or wiess norris...rafalski jack adams... Lindy Ruff?? nah Lady Byng Trophy ...naslund or forsberg Selke Award...?? im not sure ?? Art Ross Trophy -- Peter Forsberg, Colorado Rocket Richard Trophy -- Markus Naslund most underrated player--------RAFALSKI or Alfredsson.... the rest im not sure... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yeah, I suck Posted October 8, 2002 Author Share Posted October 8, 2002 There predictions did seem pretty far fetched, but I think he hit this part right on the head... Disappointing player -- Ed Belfour, TorontoMaybe it isn't Belfour's fault. He has had a stellar career and doesn't deserve to suffer by way of comparison. It is hard to live up to the expectations placed on players in Toronto -- just ask Mats Sundin -- but Curtis Joseph did. Even without a Cup victory for the Leafs, fans and media alike lionized CuJo. Let's just say Trevor Kidd may become vitally important to the Maple Leafs' season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge18 Posted October 8, 2002 Share Posted October 8, 2002 Somehow i think we all know that Belfour is just gunna flop with the leafs, he certainly isnt Cujo, and at 37 i really doubt he can recover from the downward spiral his career has taken. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJayDevil Posted October 8, 2002 Share Posted October 8, 2002 Eddie in Tor is a big toss up. I think he might lead the Leafs decently in the regular season but will not have what it takes to bring them a cup, no way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gomezz23 Posted October 8, 2002 Share Posted October 8, 2002 another player like that is turgeon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJayDevil Posted October 8, 2002 Share Posted October 8, 2002 yeah Turg is definitely a toss up. He was pretty terrible last year but this year he is back with his points buddy Scott Young and they were really great together in St. Louis so one would think that they will continue that great performance but sometimes you never know I guess. I think Turg will have a nice rebound year but he isn't going to single handedly bring the Stars to the finals, he's going to need alittle help from Modano and Billme and Turco has to come through like maybe believe/hope he can/will. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gomezz23 Posted October 8, 2002 Share Posted October 8, 2002 yeah i like dallas...im still a big fan of arnott! and i like turco... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z-Man Posted October 8, 2002 Share Posted October 8, 2002 My own crystal ball.... Hart: Sakic Vezina: Roy Calder: Zetterberg Norris: Lidstrom Adams: Greg Gilbert Lady Byng: Sakic Selke: Ricci Art Ross: Sakic Richard: Bondra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redruM Posted October 8, 2002 Share Posted October 8, 2002 And the Magic 8 ball says.... Hart: Forsberg Vezina: Luongo Calder: ????? Norris: Tverdosky Adams: Burns Lady Byng: Sakic Selke: Ricci Art Ross: Forsberg Richard: Bure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainScotty Posted October 8, 2002 Share Posted October 8, 2002 Marty's getting the Vezina this year, I can feel it.... I dont think anyone else on the Devs roster is going to stand out. Its going to be a team thing (hopefully) again this year. Unless the O really cant put the biscuit in the basket, and the D turns into a 3 (or 4 with Z) footrace... which would probably be pretty bad for the team... but it wont happen. Hart: Forsberg Art Ross: Forsberg Richard: Naslund Vez: Brodeur Jennings: San Jose.... or NJ Selke: Yelle? Peca? Byng: Francis, he cant enough of these Calder: Spezza playing this year? Cup: New Jersey Smythe: Brodeur Losers: Rangers, runner up to Flyers, sympathy to Belfour Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unibrow Posted October 8, 2002 Share Posted October 8, 2002 Outrageous goalie picks: If Nabokov plays this year, he gets the Vez. If he doesn't play, Toskala will challenge for the number one spot and have a year just like Nabby's first year and take the Calder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJDF Posted October 8, 2002 Share Posted October 8, 2002 Horrible, horrible, horrible.....there are soooo many people in the sports news media that don't know sh^t! I mean...do some research. GO DEVILS!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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