[Devils-list] power rankings by espn
JM2714@aol.com
JM2714@aol.com
Mon, 3 Sep 2001 20:40:40 EDT
--part1_14a.665cb3.28c57d08_boundary
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
=A0=A0=A0=A0 =20
<A HREF=3D"http://espn.go.com/nhl/s/power/010903.html"> </A><A HREF=3D"http:=
//espn.go.com/nhl/s/power/010903.html">ESPN.com - NHL - It wasn't broke, so=20=
Avs didn't fix it</A> <A HREF=3D"http://espn.go.com/nhl/s/power/010903.html"=
>[Unable to display image]></A>Monday, September 3,=20
2001
It wasn't broke, so Avs didn't fix it
ESPN.com
=20
Rookies report to training camps this week, signalling the end of the 2001=20
offseason. Time sure flies when you're tracking the free agent market.
Here's how ESPN.com's secret formula has the NHL playing out after all the=20
offseason movement, taking into account some major missing pieces. Teams are=
=20
listed with where they finished last season as well as their 2000-01 record.=
=20
We'll toss the league into the hopper again at the start of the season and=20
see if anything changes.
Has the three-month offseason allowed rust to corrode our calculations? Don'=
t=20
answer that. Instead, <A HREF=3D"http://espn.go.com/nhl/s/rankcomments.html"=
>let us know what you think</A> and we'll post the best=20
responses in Rank Comments.
Team 00-01 W-L-T-OL The skinny =20
1. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=3Dcol">Avalanche<=
/A> 1 52-16-10-4 Trite, but true: The Avs did everything they=20
needed to do in the offseason. But can they compensate for Ray Bourque's=20
leadership? =20
2. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=3Ddet">Red Wings<=
/A> 2 49-20-9-4 The Wings have placed a premium on winning=20
the Cup this year or next. =20
3. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=3Dphi">Flyers</A>=
7 43-25-11-3 All the parts are in place. But without some=20
off-ice drama, it will feel like something is missing. =20
4. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=3Dnjd">Devils</A>=
3 48-19-12-3 How are the Devils are going to compensate for=20
Alexander Mogilny's 43 goals, better defense? Ah yes, entertaining hockey in=
=20
the swamp. =20
5. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=3Ddal">Stars</A>=20=
5 48-24-8-2 An upgrade in skill makes the Stars more=20
difficult to shut down. And they'll still outwork any team on any part of th=
e=20
ice. =20
6. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=3Dwas">Capitals</=
A> 10 41-27-10-4 Note to Adam Oates: Remember playing with Cam=20
Neely and Brett Hull? We hear Jaromir Jagr is just as good. Put the hard=20
feelings aside. It could be worse, you could be in Chicago. =20
7. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=3Dstl">Blues</A>=20=
6 43-22-12-5 Maybe Fred Brathwaite will prove skeptics wrong.=20
Maybe Brent Johnson will have a stellar sophomore season. Or maybe not. =20
8. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=3Dtor">Maple Leaf=
s</A> 14 37-29-11-5 For all their offseason acquisitions, the=20
status of Tomas Kaberle looms large for the Leafs. =20
9. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=3Dsan">Sharks</A>=
11 40-27-12-3 Individually, it's no big deal. But the combined=20
absence of Patrick Marleau, Todd Harvey and Mike Rathje will hurt. =20
10. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=3Dott">Senators<=
/A> 4 48-21-9-4 The trading of Alexei Yashin was the first=20
sign that the Senators aren't far away from becoming the Oilers of the East.=
=20
11. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=3Dbuf">Sabres</A=
> 8 46-30-5-1 No Mike Peca, no problem. No Dominik Hasek? Guh. =20
12. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=3Dpit">Penguins<=
/A> 9 42-28-9-3 What are the odds Alexei Kovalev, Martin=20
Straka and Robert Lang can all have career years -- again? =20
13. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=3Dvan">Canucks</=
A> 15 36-28-11-7 Good news: Other than the top four, no other=20
teams in the Western Conference improved much. =20
14. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=3Dlos">Kings</A>=
13 38-28-13-3 No Rob Blake, no Luc Robitaille, no problem?=20
Guess again. =20
15. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=3Dedm">Oilers</A=
> 12 39-28-12-3 From the Master of the Obvious Department: Mike=20
Comrie is not Doug Weight. =20
16. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=3Dbos">Bruins</A=
> 18 36-30-8-8 On paper, the Bruins are improved. But the "ifs"=20
(if Jason Allison doesn't hold out, if Byron Dafoe can stay healthy, if=20
Robbie Ftorek doesn't alienate the team, if Martin Lapointe is worth $5M)=20
could be their downfall. =20
17. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=3Dcar">Hurricane=
s</A> 17 38-32-9-3 Despite their young talent, the Hurricanes=20
needed to get better in the offseason and they didn't. =20
18. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=3Dnyr">Rangers</=
A> 21 33-43-5-1 We're playing the odds here. There is no way=20
the Rangers can be as bad as they were last season. Is there? =20
19. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=3Dpho">Coyotes</=
A> 16 35-27-17-3 Did Sean Burke consult Wayne Gretzky's=20
offseason plan before signing his contract extension? =20
20. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=3Dnas">Predators=
</A> 19 34-36-9-3 Mike Dunham and Tomas Vokoun will do their=20
part, but goalies aren't responsible for scoring goals. =20
21. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=3Dmon">Canadiens=
</A> 24 28-40-8-6 Forget the actual signings, the fact that=20
everyone will start training camp healthy is a big enough offseason=20
acquisition. =20
22. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=3Dnyi">Islanders=
</A> 30 21-51-7-3 Alexei Yashin is good. Mike Peca is good.=20
Rick DiPietro is still just 19 years old. =20
23. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=3Dfla">Panthers<=
/A> 27 22-38-13-9 Val Bure this, Val Bure that. Goalie Roberto=20
Luongo will have more to do with turning the team around. =20
24. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=3Dcgy">Flames</A=
> 20 27-36-15-4 Roman Turek is an exmple of the poor getting=20
richer for a change. But without more offense, the Flames miss the playoffs=20
again. =20
25. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=3Dchi">Blackhawk=
s</A> 22 29-40-8-5 Seldom do we offer sympathy to=20
multimillionaires, but we feel for Tony Amonte and wouldn't blame him for=20
making a beeline toward unrestricted free agency. =20
26. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=3Dana">Mighty Du=
cks</A> 26 25-41-11-5 The bright side: at least they're in the=20
same conference as two second-year expansion teams. =20
27. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=3Dcob">Blue Jack=
ets</A> 23 28-39-9-6 With the addition of rookie Rostislav=20
Klesla and Radim Bicanek, the Jackets will be better on defense.=20
Unfortunately, you've got to score goals to win games. =20
28. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=3Dmin">Wild</A>=20=
25 25-39-13-5 The Wild aren't about to spend money on=20
high-profile free agents. But adding a few cheap goals to the roster wouldn'=
t=20
have hurt. =20
29. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=3Datl">Thrashers=
</A> 28 23-45-12-2 Live by youth, die by youth. It may pay off=20
for them down the round. Or it may not. =20
30. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=3Dtam">Lightning=
</A> 29 24-47-6-5 If Vincent Lecavalier holds out, Nikolai=20
Khabibulin will look at his two-week stint with Team Russia as a vacation.
=20
--part1_14a.665cb3.28c57d08_boundary
Content-Type: text/html; charset="ISO-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
<HTML><FONT FACE=3Darial,helvetica><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=
=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">=A0=A0=A0=A0 =20
<BR></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000ff" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"ve=
rdana" LANG=3D"0"><A HREF=3D"http://espn.go.com/nhl/s/power/010903.html"> </=
A><A HREF=3D"http://espn.go.com/nhl/s/power/010903.html">ESPN.com - NHL - It=
wasn't broke, so Avs didn't fix it</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=
=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"verdana" LANG=3D"0"> <A HREF=3D"http://esp=
n.go.com/nhl/s/power/010903.html"><IMG SRC=3D"http://espn.go.com/i/nhl/prog=
ramming00/pr2.gif" WIDTH=3D"120" HEIGHT=3D"100" BORDER=3D"0"></A></FONT><FON=
T COLOR=3D"#0000ff" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"verdana" LANG=3D"=
0"><U></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"=
verdana" LANG=3D"0"><B></U>Monday, September 3,=20
<BR>2001</B>
<BR>It wasn't broke, so Avs didn't fix it
<BR>ESPN.com
<BR>
<BR> =20
<BR>Rookies report to training camps this week, signalling the end of the 20=
01=20
<BR>offseason. Time sure flies when you're tracking the free agent market.
<BR>Here's how ESPN.com's secret formula has the NHL playing out after all t=
he=20
<BR>offseason movement, taking into account some major missing pieces. Teams=
are=20
<BR>listed with where they finished last season as well as their 2000-01 rec=
ord.=20
<BR>We'll toss the league into the hopper again at the start of the season a=
nd=20
<BR>see if anything changes.
<BR>Has the three-month offseason allowed rust to corrode our calculations?=20=
Don't=20
<BR>answer that. Instead, <A HREF=3D"http://espn.go.com/nhl/s/rankcomments.h=
tml">let us know what you think</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3=20=
FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"verdana" LANG=3D"0"> and we'll post the best=20
<BR>responses in Rank Comments.
<BR>
<BR></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Ar=
ial" LANG=3D"0"><B>Team </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"S=
ANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"></B> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" S=
IZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"><B>00-01 </FONT><FONT=
COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">=
</B> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"=
Arial" LANG=3D"0"><B>W-L-T-OL </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMIL=
Y=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"></B> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#000=
0a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"><B>The skinny <=
/FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial"=20=
LANG=3D"0"></B>=20
<BR>
<BR></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Ar=
ial" LANG=3D"0">1. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=
=3Dcol">Avalanche</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANS=
SERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 F=
AMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#000=
0a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">1 </FONT><FONT=20=
COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">=20=
</FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial=
" LANG=3D"0">52-16-10-4 </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"S=
ANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=
=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">Trite, but true: The Avs=
did everything they=20
<BR>needed to do in the offseason. But can they compensate for Ray Bourque's=
=20
<BR>leadership? </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF=
" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> =20
<BR>
<BR></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Ar=
ial" LANG=3D"0">2. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=
=3Ddet">Red Wings</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANS=
SERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 F=
AMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#000=
0a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">2 </FONT><FONT=20=
COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">=20=
</FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial=
" LANG=3D"0">49-20-9-4 </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SA=
NSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=
=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">The Wings have placed a=20=
premium on winning=20
<BR>the Cup this year or next. </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMI=
LY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">=20
<BR>
<BR></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Ar=
ial" LANG=3D"0">3. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=
=3Dphi">Flyers</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSER=
IF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMI=
LY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0"=
SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">7 </FONT><FONT COL=
OR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </F=
ONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LA=
NG=3D"0">43-25-11-3 </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSS=
ERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FA=
MILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">All the parts are in place. But=
without some=20
<BR>off-ice drama, it will feel like something is missing. </FONT><FONT COL=
OR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">=20
<BR>
<BR></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Ar=
ial" LANG=3D"0">4. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=
=3Dnjd">Devils</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSER=
IF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMI=
LY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0"=
SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">3 </FONT><FONT COL=
OR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </F=
ONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LA=
NG=3D"0">48-19-12-3 </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSS=
ERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FA=
MILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">How are the Devils are going to=
compensate for=20
<BR>Alexander Mogilny's 43 goals, better defense? Ah yes, entertaining hocke=
y in=20
<BR>the swamp. </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF"=
FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">=20
<BR>
<BR></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Ar=
ial" LANG=3D"0">5. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=
=3Ddal">Stars</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERI=
F" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMIL=
Y=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0"=
SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">5 </FONT><FONT COL=
OR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </F=
ONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LA=
NG=3D"0">48-24-8-2 </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSE=
RIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FA=
MILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">An upgrade in skill makes the S=
tars more=20
<BR>difficult to shut down. And they'll still outwork any team on any part o=
f the=20
<BR>ice. </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=
=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> =20
<BR>
<BR></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Ar=
ial" LANG=3D"0">6. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=
=3Dwas">Capitals</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSS=
ERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FA=
MILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#000=
0a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">10 </FONT><FONT=
COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">=
</FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial=
" LANG=3D"0">41-27-10-4 </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"S=
ANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=
=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">Note to Adam Oates: Reme=
mber playing with Cam=20
<BR>Neely and Brett Hull? We hear Jaromir Jagr is just as good. Put the hard=
=20
<BR>feelings aside. It could be worse, you could be in Chicago. </FONT><FONT=
COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">=
=20
<BR>
<BR></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Ar=
ial" LANG=3D"0">7. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=
=3Dstl">Blues</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERI=
F" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMIL=
Y=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0"=
SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">6 </FONT><FONT COL=
OR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </F=
ONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LA=
NG=3D"0">43-22-12-5 </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSS=
ERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FA=
MILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">Maybe Fred Brathwaite will prov=
e skeptics wrong.=20
<BR>Maybe Brent Johnson will have a stellar sophomore season. Or maybe not.=20=
</FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial"=
LANG=3D"0"> =20
<BR>
<BR></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Ar=
ial" LANG=3D"0">8. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=
=3Dtor">Maple Leafs</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SA=
NSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3=
FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#000=
0a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">14 </FONT><FONT=
COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">=
</FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial=
" LANG=3D"0">37-29-11-5 </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"S=
ANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=
=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">For all their offseason=20=
acquisitions, the=20
<BR>status of Tomas Kaberle looms large for the Leafs. </FONT><FONT COLOR=
=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">=20
<BR>
<BR></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Ar=
ial" LANG=3D"0">9. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=
=3Dsan">Sharks</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSER=
IF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMI=
LY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0"=
SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">11 </FONT><FONT CO=
LOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </F=
ONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LA=
NG=3D"0">40-27-12-3 </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSS=
ERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FA=
MILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">Individually, it's no big deal.=
But the combined=20
<BR>absence of Patrick Marleau, Todd Harvey and Mike Rathje will hurt. </FON=
T><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=
=3D"0">=20
<BR>
<BR></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Ar=
ial" LANG=3D"0">10. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=
=3Dott">Senators</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSS=
ERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FA=
MILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000=
a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">4 </FONT><FONT =20=
COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> =20=
</FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial"=
LANG=3D"0">48-21-9-4 </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SAN=
SSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2=
FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">The trading of Alexei Yashin=
was the first=20
<BR>sign that the Senators aren't far away from becoming the Oilers of the E=
ast. </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"A=
rial" LANG=3D"0"> =20
<BR>
<BR></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Ar=
ial" LANG=3D"0">11. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=
=3Dbuf">Sabres</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSER=
IF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMI=
LY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0"=20=
SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">8 </FONT><FONT COLO=
R=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FO=
NT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LAN=
G=3D"0">46-30-5-1 </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSER=
IF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAM=
ILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">No Mike Peca, no problem. No Dom=
inik Hasek? Guh. </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERI=
F" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> =20
<BR>
<BR></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Ar=
ial" LANG=3D"0">12. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=
=3Dpit">Penguins</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSS=
ERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FA=
MILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000=
a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">9 </FONT><FONT =20=
COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> =20=
</FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial"=
LANG=3D"0">42-28-9-3 </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SAN=
SSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2=
FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">What are the odds Alexei Kov=
alev, Martin=20
<BR>Straka and Robert Lang can all have career years -- again? </FONT><FONT=20=
COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">=20
<BR>
<BR></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Ar=
ial" LANG=3D"0">13. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=
=3Dvan">Canucks</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSE=
RIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAM=
ILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000=
a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">15 </FONT><FONT=20=
COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">=20=
</FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial"=
LANG=3D"0">36-28-11-7 </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SA=
NSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2=
FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">Good news: Other than the to=
p four, no other=20
<BR>teams in the Western Conference improved much. </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0=
000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">=20
<BR>
<BR></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Ar=
ial" LANG=3D"0">14. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=
=3Dlos">Kings</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERI=
F" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMIL=
Y=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0"=20=
SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">13 </FONT><FONT COL=
OR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FO=
NT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LAN=
G=3D"0">38-28-13-3 </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSE=
RIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAM=
ILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">No Rob Blake, no Luc Robitaille,=
no problem?=20
<BR>Guess again. </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERI=
F" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> =20
<BR>
<BR></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Ar=
ial" LANG=3D"0">15. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=
=3Dedm">Oilers</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSER=
IF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMI=
LY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0"=20=
SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">12 </FONT><FONT COL=
OR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FO=
NT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LAN=
G=3D"0">39-28-12-3 </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSE=
RIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAM=
ILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">From the Master of the Obvious D=
epartment: Mike=20
<BR>Comrie is not Doug Weight. </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMI=
LY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">=20
<BR>
<BR></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Ar=
ial" LANG=3D"0">16. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=
=3Dbos">Bruins</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSER=
IF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMI=
LY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0"=20=
SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">18 </FONT><FONT COL=
OR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FO=
NT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LAN=
G=3D"0">36-30-8-8 </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSER=
IF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAM=
ILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">On paper, the Bruins are improve=
d. But the "ifs"=20
<BR>(if Jason Allison doesn't hold out, if Byron Dafoe can stay healthy, if=20
<BR>Robbie Ftorek doesn't alienate the team, if Martin Lapointe is worth $5M=
)=20
<BR>could be their downfall. </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=
=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> =20
<BR>
<BR></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Ar=
ial" LANG=3D"0">17. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=
=3Dcar">Hurricanes</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SAN=
SSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3=20=
FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000=
a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">17 </FONT><FONT=20=
COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">=20=
</FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial"=
LANG=3D"0">38-32-9-3 </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SAN=
SSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2=
FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">Despite their young talent,=20=
the Hurricanes=20
<BR>needed to get better in the offseason and they didn't. </FONT><FONT COL=
OR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">=20
<BR>
<BR></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Ar=
ial" LANG=3D"0">18. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=
=3Dnyr">Rangers</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSE=
RIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAM=
ILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000=
a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">21 </FONT><FONT=20=
COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">=20=
</FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial"=
LANG=3D"0">33-43-5-1 </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SAN=
SSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2=
FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">We're playing the odds here.=
There is no way=20
<BR>the Rangers can be as bad as they were last season. Is there? </FONT><FO=
NT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0=
"> =20
<BR>
<BR></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Ar=
ial" LANG=3D"0">19. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=
=3Dpho">Coyotes</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSE=
RIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAM=
ILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000=
a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">16 </FONT><FONT=20=
COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">=20=
</FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial"=
LANG=3D"0">35-27-17-3 </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SA=
NSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2=
FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">Did Sean Burke consult Wayne=
Gretzky's=20
<BR>offseason plan before signing his contract extension? </FONT><FONT COLO=
R=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> =20
<BR>
<BR></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Ar=
ial" LANG=3D"0">20. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=
=3Dnas">Predators</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANS=
SERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 F=
AMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000=
a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">19 </FONT><FONT=20=
COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">=20=
</FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial"=
LANG=3D"0">34-36-9-3 </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SAN=
SSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2=
FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">Mike Dunham and Tomas Vokoun=
will do their=20
<BR>part, but goalies aren't responsible for scoring goals. </FONT><FONT CO=
LOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> =20
<BR>
<BR></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Ar=
ial" LANG=3D"0">21. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=
=3Dmon">Canadiens</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANS=
SERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 F=
AMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000=
a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">24 </FONT><FONT=20=
COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">=20=
</FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial"=
LANG=3D"0">28-40-8-6 </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SAN=
SSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2=
FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">Forget the actual signings,=20=
the fact that=20
<BR>everyone will start training camp healthy is a big enough offseason=20
<BR>acquisition. </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERI=
F" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> =20
<BR>
<BR></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Ar=
ial" LANG=3D"0">22. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=
=3Dnyi">Islanders</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANS=
SERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 F=
AMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000=
a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">30 </FONT><FONT=20=
COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">=20=
</FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial"=
LANG=3D"0">21-51-7-3 </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SAN=
SSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2=
FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">Alexei Yashin is good. Mike=20=
Peca is good.=20
<BR>Rick DiPietro is still just 19 years old. </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0=
" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> =20
<BR>
<BR></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Ar=
ial" LANG=3D"0">23. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=
=3Dfla">Panthers</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSS=
ERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FA=
MILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000=
a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">27 </FONT><FONT=20=
COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">=20=
</FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial"=
LANG=3D"0">22-38-13-9 </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SA=
NSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2=
FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">Val Bure this, Val Bure that=
. Goalie Roberto=20
<BR>Luongo will have more to do with turning the team around. </FONT><FONT =20=
COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> =20
<BR>
<BR></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Ar=
ial" LANG=3D"0">24. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=
=3Dcgy">Flames</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSER=
IF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMI=
LY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0"=20=
SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">20 </FONT><FONT COL=
OR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FO=
NT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LAN=
G=3D"0">27-36-15-4 </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSE=
RIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAM=
ILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">Roman Turek is an exmple of the=20=
poor getting=20
<BR>richer for a change. But without more offense, the Flames miss the playo=
ffs=20
<BR>again. </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FAC=
E=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">=20
<BR>
<BR></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Ar=
ial" LANG=3D"0">25. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=
=3Dchi">Blackhawks</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SAN=
SSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3=20=
FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000=
a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">22 </FONT><FONT=20=
COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">=20=
</FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial"=
LANG=3D"0">29-40-8-5 </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SAN=
SSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2=
FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">Seldom do we offer sympathy=20=
to=20
<BR>multimillionaires, but we feel for Tony Amonte and wouldn't blame him fo=
r=20
<BR>making a beeline toward unrestricted free agency. </FONT><FONT COLOR=
=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> =20
<BR>
<BR></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Ar=
ial" LANG=3D"0">26. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=
=3Dana">Mighty Ducks</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"S=
ANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=
=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=
=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">26 </FO=
NT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LAN=
G=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=
=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">25-41-11-5 </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FA=
MILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0=
" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">The bright side: a=
t least they're in the=20
<BR>same conference as two second-year expansion teams. </FONT><FONT COLOR=
=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> =20
<BR>
<BR></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Ar=
ial" LANG=3D"0">27. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=
=3Dcob">Blue Jackets</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"S=
ANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=
=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=
=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">23 </FO=
NT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LAN=
G=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=
=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">28-39-9-6 </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAM=
ILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0=
" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">With the addition=20=
of rookie Rostislav=20
<BR>Klesla and Radim Bicanek, the Jackets will be better on defense.=20
<BR>Unfortunately, you've got to score goals to win games. </FONT><FONT COL=
OR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">=20
<BR>
<BR></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Ar=
ial" LANG=3D"0">28. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=
=3Dmin">Wild</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF=
" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=
=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0"=20=
SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">25 </FONT><FONT COL=
OR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FO=
NT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LAN=
G=3D"0">25-39-13-5 </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSE=
RIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAM=
ILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">The Wild aren't about to spend m=
oney on=20
<BR>high-profile free agents. But adding a few cheap goals to the roster wou=
ldn't=20
<BR>have hurt. </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF"=
FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">=20
<BR>
<BR></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Ar=
ial" LANG=3D"0">29. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=
=3Datl">Thrashers</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANS=
SERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 F=
AMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000=
a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">28 </FONT><FONT=20=
COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">=20=
</FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial"=
LANG=3D"0">23-45-12-2 </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SA=
NSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2=
FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">Live by youth, die by youth.=
It may pay off=20
<BR>for them down the round. Or it may not. </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0"=20=
SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> =20
<BR>
<BR></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Ar=
ial" LANG=3D"0">30. <A HREF=3D"http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=
=3Dtam">Lightning</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANS=
SERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 F=
AMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000=
a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">29 </FONT><FONT=20=
COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">=20=
</FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial"=
LANG=3D"0">24-47-6-5 </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SAN=
SSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"> </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D2=
FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">If Vincent Lecavalier holds=20=
out, Nikolai=20
<BR>Khabibulin will look at his two-week stint with Team Russia as a vacatio=
n.</FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D1 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"verd=
ana" LANG=3D"0">
<BR></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000a0" SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Ar=
ial" LANG=3D"0">
<BR> </FONT> </HTML>
--part1_14a.665cb3.28c57d08_boundary--