2010-11 NHL Season Predictions

The hockey season is upon us... time to predict who finishes where.

Eastern Conference
1. Washington Capitals
2. Pittsburgh Penguins
3. Boston Bruins
4. New Jersey Devils
5. Ottawa Senators
6. Philadelphia Flyers
7. Tampa Bay Lightning
8. Montréal Canadiens
9. New York Rangers
10. Atlanta Thrashers
11. Buffalo Sabres
12. Toronto Maple Leafs
13. New York Islanders
14. Carolina Hurricanes
15. Florida Panthers

Western Conference
1. San Jose Sharks
2. Detroit Red Wings
3. Vancouver Canucks
4. Los Angeles Kings
5. Chicago Blackhawks
6. Minnesota Wild
7. St-Louis Blues
8. Calgary Flames
9. Colorado Avalanche
10. Phoenix Coyotes
11. Nashville Predators
12. Dallas Stars
13. Edmonton Oilers
14. Anaheim Ducks
15. Columbus Blue Jackets

Stanley Cup: Vancouver Canucks
Finalist: Ottawa Senators
Hart: Alexander Ovechkin
Art Ross: Evgeny Malkin
Maurice Richard:Alexander Ovechkin
Vezina: Roberto Luongo
Norris: Nicklas Lidstrom
Calder: P.K. Subban
Jack Adams: Guy Boucher

This could very well be the year the Stanley Cup returns to Canada. As a matter of fact, I see the Sens and Habs finishing in the Eastern Finals pitted one against the other, and the Sens prevailing only because by playing dirty, they will have injured one of the Habs' best players, possibly Andrei Markov or Mike Cammalleri.

I also see the Canadiens struggling to even make the playoffs - again - and ending in a 3-way tie for last spot with the Rangers and Thrashers.

In the West, I put the Flames in 8th, but that's more wishful thinking and going against the grain. They're my dark horse pick, for sure, especially since i put them ahead of the Avs, my former favourite team.

I think Nicklas Lidstrom will retire with a bang by regaining the Norris trophy over Duncan Keith and Drew Doughty, and Alexander Ovechkin dominate the NHL scoreboard with very little pity for his adversaries. He might lose the Art Ross by a point to Gino Malkin, but there's no way he lets Steven Stamkos and Sidney Crosby get away with the Rocket Richard trophy again this year. Too bad about losing to the Habs in the first round for the second year in a row though: coach Bruce Boudreau won't keep his job through the summer. The Caps will also learn not to hand the nets over to two 22-year old goalies.

Vancouver will win the Cup and only finish third in their conference because of injuries. Roberto Luongo will be back to his normal self, though.