by Captain's Hockey Team
We’re now finishing our first go around in Where They’re Going. We’ve predicted where each team in the Atlantic, Metropolitan and Central are going and now we go through the Pacific. It’s not an accident that we’re choosing to go through the Pacific last, with the exception of the Coyotes, it’s been pretty clear for a while which teams here were making the playoffs, but that won’t stop us from judging them, whether they’re going to the rink or the golf course.
Anaheim Ducks:
Where They’re Going: Disneyland, except not in the way they want
Why?: This Anaheim team just isn’t doing it for us. They’ve had all kinds of regular season success but their goaltending isn’t as good as some of the other Western powerhouses and despite their success we just haven’t seen their defence come through in the playoffs. There is absolutely a chance that we’re going to be proven wrong in the next couple weeks but we’ll believe it when they see it. The only reason Anaheim is going to Disneyland is because it’s next door.
San Jose Sharks:
Where They’re Going: One more year of one more year
Why?: Is this the last year that the Sharks can make a serious run at the cup? NO, IT IS NOT, it can’t always be the last year that the Sharks can compete in. Every year people talk about how San Jose needs to put it together this year because it’ll be their last, but then the next year they do just as well. We don’t see any reason to believe that the trend will change, San Jose is strong all around at every position and is poised to make another serious run this year. Mostly likely next year they’ll do the same again.
Los Angeles Kings:
Where They’re Going: Recent history
Why?: Feels like the Kings play the Sharks in the playoffs a lot. Well this year they’re going at it again in the first round and it’ll be another close matchup. Los Angeles matches up well against the Sharks, both teams are ripe with talent, but we give the edge to San Jose. It was tough to do but we like San Jose based on their ability to put the puck in the net this season, something the Kings have had some trouble with. So to us the Kings are going to relive recent history from 2011 not 2013.
Phoenix/Arizona Coyotes:
Where They’re Going: The Phoenix Glendale Area
Why?: Maybe the NHL sees something the fans don’t, there has to be a reason they made sure this franchise stays put. Our theory is that they’ve been successful, and success leads to fans, fans lead to money and money leads to a happy league. The team has been pretty good lately; they were close to making the playoffs this year after being in the show the past couple of years. We think the Coyotes will keep the ship straight and just follow the path they’re on. The team will improve and potentially turn into a Tampa Bay situation, a southern team with a strong local fan base.
Vancouver Canucks:
Where They’re Going: To the octagon to watch Tortorella take on Hartley
Why?: An all-out fist fight between their coach and Calgary’s seems like the only logical next step in their feud, Tortorella tried to start the fight early but Hartley made sure to save his punches for the main event… but wait what’s this? Brian Burke just tagged in and has got Tortorella around the neck with his undone tie! Sure would be more interesting than a typical rebuild in Vancouver, which seem inevitable at this point. We wouldn’t bet on Ryan Kesler being around too much longer.
Calgary Flames:
Where They’re Going: Hopefully not on a GM search
Why?: The Flames are a long way away from competing for the cup again and while interim GM Brian Burke claims that he will find a replacement, if he does it could get pretty boring in Calgary the next couple years. Sure they have a young hard working team that competes every night, but everything is a little better when Brian Burke is a GM in the league. Who’s going to start fights with other executives, Garth Snow? I don’t think so.
Edmonton Oilers:
Where They’re Going: Kootenay, Barrie and Kingston
Why?: You may have noticed that this is the same place that we said Buffalo is going a month ago. They’re going the same place because both teams are in a similar place right now. It seems that Edmonton is further along in their rebuild but they’re still in the bottom 3 of the league. Edmonton will be joining Buffalo in looking at Aaron Ekblad in Barrie, Sam Reinhart in Kootenay and we added Kingston this time for Sam Bennett who’s been making waves in the upcoming draft.
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