Website: http://www.nhl.com

Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008%E2%80%9309_NHL_season

Schedules: http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app?service=page&am...bseasonSchedule

With training camps approaching fast, I thought I'd make this thread.

The opening season game will be held in Prague, CZ (Tampa bay Lightning vs New York Rangers). The second game of the day will be held in Stockholm, SE (Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Ottawa Senators). This is a move to increase the NHL's presence world wide.

The Winter Classic will be held on January 1st, 2009 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, IL.

It's been a very busy trading year for many teams, I can't wait to see how this season pans out!

Fearless Prediction:

Toronto will suck.

Hahaahaha I can agree with that statement as I am a lightning fan

I miss the late 90's to pre-lockout era. That was when I was excited to see the Blue and White.

Whats the deal with Sundin?

Hopefully he will retire. It's not that I don't like him but he'll be good enough to get us into 9th or 10th place (again). I'd rather just come last for a few years and get it over with. At least then we'd have some picks.

9th spot is the ultimate loser spot. You miss the playoffs and you get a mediocre pick.

They should have thrown that last 20 games of the season to get the top draft seed *cough* just like the lightning!

Nothing like winning home games then throwing every away game in the 3rd period. At least we got Stamkos. You guys should see the billboards and signs around Tampa, tons of "Seen Stamkos" and lightning advertising.

yeah.. Tampa practically tanked the last few games.. oh well they'd be pretty interesting to watch this season, assuming Stamkos is in the line up. Leafs-wise.. there's a press conference tommorow regarding Mats Sundin around 11am. So I don't really know what would happen. But this year for the leafs, they are pretty much cleaned of the old and in with the new. The oldest guys I'd say is Kaberle and Blake. So it's not too bad age wise. Talent wise? no idea till the season starts.

Being a Leafs fan this is a year where I hope they suck really bad. #1 in next years draft will be a franchise player. I can only hope management doesn't try to win this year.

Naw dudes...this year is the year for the Leafs. I know it!

[/obligatory]

Yay I can't wait for this season! It's seemed like an eternity since I saw the Canucks play. I just hope we make the playoffs this year

+1

We need Tavares or at least a top 5 pick for the next couple seasons.

I have a strong feeling that Sundin will retire, I think he would have taken one of the many offers on the table already if he was going to play. I guess time will tell though..

I agree

hmmm even though you guys may think Sundin might retire.. how bout Chelios? lmao..

Chelios signed a 1 year contract with Detroit I believe, or is about to.

I really hope Sundin comes to Vancouver for one year. I'm sure that we could easily get into the playoffs with a core consisting of two of the best players in the game. Luongo and Sundin. I'd imagine that having Sundin in the locker room would benefit the Sedin twins with there consistency and there game in general.

With Joseph back I wouldn't exactly say the Leafs are a last placed team. This team is very similiar to the team that used to have a deep drive into the playoffs year after year - that is if Sundin returns to Toronto, if not they probably won't come close to the post-season picture. Which would be odd because it's clear Toronto didn't want him before (think trading deadline), and were willing to trade him for players.

Team to watch out this year could be Vancouver. We've made a couple of moves and if Sundin comes here, the Canucks will be a team not to mess with. Luongo has to be great all year considering he didn't play so well late last year, and I'm sure he will be back to 100% form.

I really hope he comes to Vancouver too, and I thought he would at one point, but now I don't think he will.

It could be that he doesn't want to play in the West coast and the travel schedule is too much. In the East it's a cakewalk, you could drive your family car to a lot of their games. The other reason I believe is that the West is very physical and you have a war every night. He's used to flying down the ice without as much contact, he is pretty old maybe he worries that he could get hurt in the West.

It's all speculation but I'm sure he's at least thought about those factors, even if he says he hasn't starting thinking about the offers when he speaks to the press.

Yeah, from a hockey standpoint he would I think be better of playing for Vancouver then Toronto. He would actually have a supporting lineup that has a legitimate chance to make a run into the playoffs, while in Toronto he would be playing for a team about to go through a rebuilding phase.

I can see him playing in a city like Detroit, especially with there luring swede lineup he'd fit right in there too. I don't think Sundin will play in Montreal, it just wouldn't make sense. It's obviously not the money he wants, so all the teams are at a pretty much level battle field to acquire him.

I think Gillis made a great move in offering him such a great deal. If he were to come, it would in my opinion be very similar to when the Canucks acquired Luongo and became a better team in every aspect.

I just hope he doesn't drag it on into the season like Selanne or Neidermayer (sp?) did.

GO HABS! It is nice to finally be coming off a great season, although their playoffs left a lot to be desired. With the additions of Laraque and Tanguay I am pretty pumped though. Sundin could be good too, but i won't be dissapointed when it doesn't happen.

Sundin will not be in Vancouver. With his family established in the east, along with the way he refused to be traded last trading deadline, it would be difficult to see him elsewhere, and a slap in the face to Leafs fans. I know, the Vancouver media has whipped everyone into a frenzy guaranteeing it, but Vancouver is still as much a longshot as Montreal. He'll either return to Toronto, or retire. More likely, he may retire and decide to come back to Toronto. It's obviously not about the money, or else he would be in Vancouver already.

Vancouver isn't looking that great, either. Other than Demitra (who may likely be a bust), the only thing the team has done this summer is assemble the greatest team of checking centres ever seen. They have little offence. The Sedins are nice, but they do not make a premier first line. A good one, but not among the best. From there, it drops off immediately for forwards. You will see many defensive games in Vancouver. Luongo is a great goaltender, and the defence is pretty good, but the team is worse off from last year, when they did poorly.

I actually think we're better off than last year, now that we can have a proper captain. A Canadian one (I'm sure they will give the 'C' to Willie Mitchell)

I think the C belongs on a player like Ohlund. He's been a rock solid wall back there for so long and it's time he was rewarded. If Sundin comes here I'm sure he will be the captain.

Indeed we got a pretty good team we don't care if he join us or not we can win without him but of course it will be another good asset.
This Year is "The Year" for Montreal
Go Habs Go !can't wait to see them in action !

Go Sharks!

Lets go avs! Glad we got super joe back for one more year.

i am going to the habs vs nucks game Atmosphere in GM place is going to be amazing. Canuck fans are not going to know what hit them...

hmmm hey guys just thought of an idea.. we could have a Neogathering for a game at the ACC sometime? It could possibly work! And obviously Leafs vs Habs games are pretty much brutal.. but it's always fun!.

You guys can then sit on different sides of the rink, then maybe after the game have a chat hehe

Leafs and Habs fans don't get along lol

Lets go Flames!
Going to go to a flames game this year. Been a few years since I last went to one. Just have to figure out who I want to see them play against. Maybe the Avs. Usually good games. Just as long as the Flames don't loss to them...

I can't believe the Flames have Bertuzzi on their roster. I thought hell would freeze over by that time..

I really like the Sharks this year. Unlike in years past, their defense this year looks promising. Sharks were always a good team but on paper they didn't have any real standouts in any single position outside of Thornton and maybe Nabokov.

Boyle and Blake should be good additions. The only real question mark in SJ is their offense. If Michalek and Cheechoo can take it to the next level, Marleau plays like Marleau should and we see some much needed depth in Pavelski, I think they'll be legitimate contenders and not just playoff fodder.

Montreal picked up Lang and as expected is out of the Sundin running. Another good grab, but nothing to throw a party over. That said, it is another 20 goal scorer to add to the roster and that is nothing to be dissapointed about.

I think everybody is out of the Sundin running now.. lol

Hockey camp started for the TBL yesterday THE EXCITEMENT IS BUILDING UP

Yeah and you guys signed Meszaros who is a good defencemen too. The lightning have a lot of firepower this year..

too bad their goaltending is **** and their defense is less then stellar...

Isn't this the time of year that Leafs fans say that this year we're going to go all the way?

/me hides now.

As I've said before, my hope for this season is a high draft pick. I think I'll get my wish. Sure, I'd be happy if they make the playoffs but either get in or come last. DO NOT COME IN 9TH or 10TH PLACE!!! (again)

Yeah I know that, I just didn't elaborate on it

@Fred, well at least you guys don't have to worry about McCabe this year hehe

I hope, as part of the trade deal, we're including the goat horns.

Yes but after seeing training camp I can say that Meszaros and Mihalik are pretty solid. Kolzig isn't doing to bad either, hes adapting to the team pretty well.

Smith is a good goalie. Tampa's defense is weak though. Very weak.

As good as Meszaros and Carle are, they're nothing to write home about.

bump!

The lightning were victorious vs the best team in Berlin today !

i would hope that an NHL team could be a team from europe

we traded tarnasky to free up our roster.... so many forwards. Oulette is on waivers as well.

Khabibulin has been placed on waivers now, wonder where he's gonna end up.

Canucks name Luongo captain wtf!! Now no one wears a C, that's ridiculous.

I hate Mike Gillis

Very entertaining game in the Habs vs. Detroit tonight. Number 67 was looking pretty impressive!

great goaltending, great pace, great plays...

just like the announcers said... the game felt like a regular season game

Even though they say otherwise, I still think they did it because they are worried he might want to leave as Gillis has done absolutely nothing for your team in the off season.

price's save was sick!