Several years ago, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman pushed very hard to level the playing field for all teams in the NHL. Imposing restrictions that stripped teams of the ability to sign a handful of big names at once would give all small market teams an equal shot. Great idea in theory, but now he deals with another issue. Players are willing to sign smaller contracts for the chance to play on a great team. The five teams listed below have all enjoyed the perks of this trend.
1. Pittsburgh Penguins - Having won the Stanley Cup, the Penguins are the team to beat in 2010. Malkin and Crosby are legitimately two of the five best players in the NHL, and both are young with extremely bright futures. This is one of the best duos in recent NHL memory (arguably on the same level as Jagr and Lemiux), and any team with two players of this caliber will always be near the top. A well-rounded roster beneath them makes the Penguins the best in the NHL for now.
2. Detroit Red Wings - Same team as least year. An incredibly talented team, and a team that is happy to play for its coach. Such a loyal team is hard to find in the NHL, and the Detroit Red Wings seem to be a fixture in any conversation about the best hockey teams around.
3. Philadelphia Flyers - An extremely talented roster (i.e. Richards, Gagne, Carter) rounds out a team that seems to improve a little more with each season. I predict that this will be the Flyers' breakout year, and newly acquired Pronger will give the team a further boost. The loss of Osgood may hurt the team a bit though.
4. CALGARY FLAMES - Much like the Flyers, they are ready to make that next step to the elite level. The team has always been very good, but injuries and poor playoff performances have kept them out of the the limelight. With Keenan gone, and a Sutter behind the bench again, this will be a much different team in 2009/2010. The addition of Bouwmeester, and a healthy Regehr and Phaneuf back stopped by 45 games won by Kiprusoffit is going to tough to score. Not to mention overall ridiculous play of Iginla, but that goes without saying.
5. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS - They still may be a year away, but with Toews and Kane in their contract year, the future might be now. This new look Hawks team is very fast and very deep. With Campbell, Seabrook, Barker and Keith on the D, they are as good as anyone player for player in the league. I hate to say it, but once again the issue could be in net. Can Huet find his form and take them deep into the playoffs.
Some of you are saying "What about the.....Bruins, Rangers, Canadians, Sharks, Capitals?".
I think these are all good teams and they'll most likely finish with winning records, but I don't see signs of improvement or growth in any of these settings. I expect them all to take a slight hit next season.
1. Pittsburgh Penguins - Having won the Stanley Cup, the Penguins are the team to beat in 2010. Malkin and Crosby are legitimately two of the five best players in the NHL, and both are young with extremely bright futures. This is one of the best duos in recent NHL memory (arguably on the same level as Jagr and Lemiux), and any team with two players of this caliber will always be near the top. A well-rounded roster beneath them makes the Penguins the best in the NHL for now.
2. Detroit Red Wings - Same team as least year. An incredibly talented team, and a team that is happy to play for its coach. Such a loyal team is hard to find in the NHL, and the Detroit Red Wings seem to be a fixture in any conversation about the best hockey teams around.
3. Philadelphia Flyers - An extremely talented roster (i.e. Richards, Gagne, Carter) rounds out a team that seems to improve a little more with each season. I predict that this will be the Flyers' breakout year, and newly acquired Pronger will give the team a further boost. The loss of Osgood may hurt the team a bit though.
4. CALGARY FLAMES - Much like the Flyers, they are ready to make that next step to the elite level. The team has always been very good, but injuries and poor playoff performances have kept them out of the the limelight. With Keenan gone, and a Sutter behind the bench again, this will be a much different team in 2009/2010. The addition of Bouwmeester, and a healthy Regehr and Phaneuf back stopped by 45 games won by Kiprusoffit is going to tough to score. Not to mention overall ridiculous play of Iginla, but that goes without saying.
5. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS - They still may be a year away, but with Toews and Kane in their contract year, the future might be now. This new look Hawks team is very fast and very deep. With Campbell, Seabrook, Barker and Keith on the D, they are as good as anyone player for player in the league. I hate to say it, but once again the issue could be in net. Can Huet find his form and take them deep into the playoffs.
Some of you are saying "What about the.....Bruins, Rangers, Canadians, Sharks, Capitals?".
I think these are all good teams and they'll most likely finish with winning records, but I don't see signs of improvement or growth in any of these settings. I expect them all to take a slight hit next season.
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