2013 Stanley Cup Predictions

It's Game On in the NHL, and that means we all try and pick who we think will win the Stanley Cup.  With a shortened season, only 48 games per team, a lengthy streak of some sort could make or break your season. It would be pretty easy to ride a hot goalie right into the playoffs and once you are at the dance, anything can happen on any given night.  That's why I believe that the New York Rangers will win the Stanley Cup. 

This season you might see a few goalies that will play upwards of 42+ games.  One goalie that I have in mind is Henrik Lundqvist.  He is a workhorse, in 7 seasons Lundqvist has started 70+ games on 4 occasions. I think Lundqvist will play 42+ games this year.  

For the last 3 years Lundqvist is getting better.  That is 

probably because the team around him is getting better as well, but I think this is going to be a big year for Lundqvist.

Also expect some big things from Rick Nash this year.  Rick Nash did well for himself in Columbus, but there he had the pressure of being the entire offence for the team.  Now that he isn't being reliable upon as the number 1 source of offence, that will take some pressure off and allow him to do what he does, score big goals. 

So there you have it.  My pick for the Stanley Cup!  

Bye Bye Burke

So by now I am sure all 8 of my readers have heard the Brian Burke has been relieved of his duties today by MLSE today causing quite a stir on Twitter.

Dave Nonis will take over as the GM and Senior VP of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

A lot of people were saying that Burke got fired because he didn't want Luongo, and a lot of people were saying he got fired because he wanted Luongo.  As dumb as a corporation, such as Bell/Rogers, is when it comes to sports, I highly doubt that they would fire the GM because of him wanting or not wanting a specific player.  It probably has more to do with them being the new owners and and not wanting Burke there or possibly a disagreement on something on a bigger scale..

I liked Burke.  Any time he spoke, you knew he was being sincere.  He was the hard worker that liked "truculence" and didn't take anyone's guff.  I thought them firing him was a bit premature.  He has only had 3 and a half seasons running the team and has really did a good job restocking the farm system, considering what he was given to start with.

I'll always be thankful to burkie for giving me the opportunity to play in TO...as well as his tireless efforts in the community. #respect
— John-Michael Liles (@hoosierjm26) January 9, 2013

This changes absolutely nothing for our players. We are focused- ready to go for day 1 of camp and that will not change.
— Joffrey Lupul (@JLupul) January 9, 2013

The Leafs record while under Burke was an unimpressive one to say the least.  The were 128-135-42.

I do have to say I am going to miss press conferences where Burke looks like this.

COLIN MCCONNELL/TORONTO STAR

The crappy part of all this is there is a possibility that Kessel could be on his way out now.   Burke was a big supporter of Kessel.  Even when the critics, and there are a lot of them, that claimed, and still do, that he over paid for Kessel.  Ok, maybe two 1sts (Tyler Seguin and Dougie Hamilton) and a second rounder (Jared Knight) was a little over payment, but none the less, Kessel is the real deal and was top 6 in points in the NHL last year.

All this being said, getting rid of Burke was the inevitable thing to do, but the timing is just completely wrong. You don't do it at the beginning of a season.

It was a long 9 years when the Teachers Pension Plan owned the Leafs, why do I think then next 9 years are going to be any better?

Oh did you know that Bell owns 28% of the Leafs and 18% of the Montreal Canadiens?

Game on!

It's over!  The lockout is over!  My how quick everyone's attitude has changed in the last 12 hours.  Okay, maybe not everyone's, but a lot of people's attitude has changed since the announcement was made.

A 10 year deal is fantastic, but there is a catch.  There is an opt out at year 8, available to both the owners and the players.  Either side may decline the opt out, but we'll talk about that when that time comes.

First things first.  Roberto Luongo is heavily rumoured to be heading to The Leafs.  This is an alright idea if the Leafs want to make the playoffs, but a terrible idea if they want to actually contend for a Stanley Cup Championship.   We all have seen what Luongo does when he is under pressure.

The NHL will probably be looking at a 48 game season.  Here is what the NHL looked like after 48 games last season.

NHL sends memo to clubs indicating no camps before Saturday (and may not open until Monday), 48-game season to begin Jan. 19
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) January 7, 2013

After the 1st 48 games last year the playoffs were set.  In fact only one team manage to sneak in after the 48 game mark and that was the Coyotes.  They went on that magical run to the West final on the back of goaltender Mike Smith.

Also through 48 games, this is what Kessel and Lupul's point totals were.

Player	Goals	Assists	Points
Kessel	26	25	51
Lupul	20	32	52

When it is all said and one and the deal it ratified by the ownership and the union, I'll be pumped and ready to watch NHL hockey once again.  Along with my son, who at only 10 months, his eyes are glued to the TV when hockey is on, just the way I like it.