As another NHL season is just underway, hope reigns supreme in Calgary and Vancouver. Meanwhile expectations are much lower in the other four Canadian cities.

 

While the Flames and Canucks should be a lock for post-season play, I suspect one or two of the other Canadian teams will surprisingly flourish, despite notable flaws.

 

Nevertheless, here is my assessment in order of how I see the Canadians ending up in the overall standings this 2009-2010 season:

 

 

 

The Flames are certainly one of the elite teams. New Head Coach, Brent Sutter, is the envy of his colleagues with Jay Bouwmeester added to anchor a defence that includes Robyn Regehr, Dion Phaneuf and Cory Sarich.

 

In 2009-2010, the Flames cannot offer any excuse for a perennial underachieving team that has suffered four consecutive first round playoff exits.

 

Goalie Miikka Kiprusoff should have a more consistent year with Mike Keenan not in charge. Calgary lacks depth at the forward position, but, Jarome Iginla, will still make his surrounding cast better. 

 

With Sutter, Bouwmeester and others, the Flames may lead the league in dull quotes, but this team is built to win------“Now”.

 

 

 

The Canucks will definitely earn more W's than L's. The additions of Mikael Samuelsson, Christian Ehrhoff, and Mathieu Schneider replace the likes of Mats Sundin, Mattias Ohlund, and Taylor Pyatt. (Memo to PG’s Jason Labarbera: Sorry, I know you are also departed, but, with all due respect, your back-up position is not that relevant).

 

General Manager, Mike Gillis, constructed a stable team by signing Robert Luongo, Henrik and Daniel Sedin, and Coach Alain Vigneault to long-term deals.

 

The Canucks’ roster shows no glaring weakness with an ace goalie, perhaps the deepest blue-line in the league and at least two lines that can put the biscuit in the basket. However, Pavol Demitra’s health is a concern.

 

With the Olympics at GM Place, a stretch of 14 consecutive road games is not ideal. However, Gillis should feel enthused about his pending line-up.  

 

The important question surrounding the Canucks (and Calgary) is “are they good enough to win a minimum of two rounds in the playoffs”? To consider this a successful season, the Canucks must be one of the last four teams standing.

 

The Oilers needed a change and with Pat Quinn and sidekick Tom Renney in charge, coaching will not be an issue.

 

New goalie, Nikolai Khabulin, is past his prime and I do not believe is much of an upgrade over
Dwayne Roloson.

 

Ex-PG Cougar Sheldon Souray is a key on defence but his health is a big issue. I am not sure who will score their goals, as Ales Hemsky is more of a playmaker. 

 

However, on a positive note, the Oilers hold an abundance of young players like Sam Gagner and Andrew Gogliano, and if they can have a breakthrough season then Edmonton will challenge for a post-season berth.

 

 

 

The Habs will be interesting to follow because of their roster overhaul.

Where Les Canadien ends up is difficult to predict as they could finish near the top or bottom of the standings. I do not believe there is another team in the NHL one could say that about.

 

Williams Lake’s Carey Price will need to rebound by stopping more pucks. With the departure of Alex Kovalev, Saku Koivu, and many others, new recruits Scott Gomez, Brian Gionta, and Mike Cammalleri will lead the offence.

 

There is obvious concern on defence when Hal Gill is one of the hailed reinforcements. New coach
Jacques Martin will ice a small line-up. He can expect turbulence, just like past regimes, unless the results can silence the critics.

 

 

 

They are still the Maple Leafs, which is great news for all comedy writers.

Improvement is likely for this sad franchise, which has missed the playoffs each of the last four seasons.

The Leafs have size, a physical presence, adequate goaltending with Vesa Toskala, and a quantity (notice how I did not say quality) of bona fide experienced defencemen. Toronto lacks firepower in the forward position. Phil Kessel will help when he returns from injury, but will not be the same without his previous center, Marc Savard.

 

Coach, Ron Wilson, and GM Brian Burke, can certainly entertain fans by putting out sound bites, which is enough to make one believe they are on the right track.

 

Yes, they should be better, but I doubt that they will be a factor.

 

 

 

Dany Heatley is gone and his firepower will be distributed by a committee that includes Alexei Kovalev and ex Sharks Milan Michalek and Jonathan Cheechoo.  

 

I am not sold on the Senators new goalie, Pascal Leclaire.

 

On the blue line, Ottawa has a lot of puck moving defencemen, like Chris Phillips, but I am not sure they have enough bangers.

 

Actually, the best thing coach Cory Clouston and GM Bryan Murray have in their favor is that they have much lower expectations than past years.

 

So, there you have it, a no emotion, no nonsense, and a brutally honest assessment of the six Canadian teams. Why can’t more NHL fans be this way?

 

 

Canadian officials were apologetic over sending body bags to northern reserves saying they should have been sent to the Phoenix Coyotes. Contributor Derek Wilken of Calgary (http://smacksport.blogspot.com/)

 

 

The Chicago Cubs, favored to contend for the NL title, have long been out of the playoff hunt but really, what’s the difference between the 2009 Cubs and the 2008 team that won 97 games? About a week. 
Contributor Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California (www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com)

 

The world's oldest man turned 113 this week. What's amazing is he is still pitching for the Philadelphia Phillies. 

Cam Hutchinson of the Saskatoon Star Phoenix

 

 

 Comedy writer Marc Ragovin of New York

 

 

Southern Illinois guard Ryan Hare has been suspended after being charged with aggravated battery and criminal trespassing in connection with a weekend disturbance. A police spokesman called the incident a Hare-trigger reaction. 

Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California

 

 

A new study found that attractive people are paid an average of $81 more per week than their less attractive co-workers. Donald Trump was not part of the survey. 
Comedy writer Jerry Perishohttp://monologuewriter.blogspot.com/

 

Comedy writer Jim Barach of WCHS-TV in Charleston, W.Va (http://jokesbyjim.blogspot.com/)

 

Ian Hamilton Regina Leader-Post