www.luntacunt.fora.pl

cheapbag214s

NHL Western Conference preview
But the Vancouver Canucks defenceman is confident his team's veteran core will spark success following a lockout that threatened to cancel an NHL season for any second time,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych],[link widoczny dla zalogowanych].
"A large amount of us weren't playing over in the ecu leagues and over in the AHL," Bieksa said. "So we have to use our experience and brains from the bat when, maybe,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], our legs aren't there. Therefore it is bound to help."
The Canucks, the top regular-season club the past two seasons,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], again rate as the team to conquer in the Western Conference. While other squads attempt to introduce significant changes throughout a brief training camp,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], Vancouver has fewer on-ice worries.
Here's a look at the Western Conference in the predicted order of finish.
Breakdown: The Canucks have become noted for slow starts but additionally possess the advantages of an experienced lineup, familiar playing system and proven coach for a shortened season. The most important challenge is to locate an adequate replacement injured centre Ryan Kesler about the second line. The anticipated Roberto Luongo trade may help resolve that issue. Luongo's presence at training camp poses a possible distraction. But when he's still around at the beginning of the growing season, it shouldn't affect the win-loss column significantly, unless new No. 1 goaltender Cory Schneider struggles. As with all teams,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], fitness is going to be a problem following the lockout-induced layoff. But superfit Daniel and Henrik Sedin will not give coach Alain Vigneault any cause for concern. They should be up to date quickly,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], capable of carrying their teammates because they often do.
Breakdown: The Red Wings definitely will not look the same,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], especially on defence. Former captain Nick Lidstrom retired in May,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], and also the Wings lost fellow defenceman Brad Stuart (San Jose) to free agency. New inclusions in the blue-line brigade include former Toronto Maple Leaf and St.,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], Louis Blue Carlo Colaiacovo and Brendan Smith, a second-year pro that has excelled within the minors after playing 14 games with Detroit as a rookie. Up front, the Wings need to make do without newly retired winger Tomas Holmstrom and centre Jiri Hudler, who signed with the Calgary Flames as a free agent in July. But Detroit always finds a way to win.
Breakdown: The usual Stanley Cup hangover continues to be compounded by the 113-day lockout and an problems for top centre Anze Kopitar. He hurt his right knee while playing in Switzerland throughout the lockout and it is expected to be out three to four weeks. There is little buzz off the ice after the Kings won their first-ever Stanley Cup,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych],[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], and there likely won't be much excitement on it until Kopitar returns. A key part of their offensive core - Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle and rookie defenceman Justin Schultz - played with the AHL's Oklahoma City Barons, a team that deploys the same system as the Oilers in NHL-sized rinks. Most veterans using their company clubs were scattered across Europe,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych],[link widoczny dla zalogowanych],[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], playing on a bigger ice surface,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych],[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], while some had to settle for playing shinny with teammates or fellow NHLers who happened to reside in the same location. Nugent-Hopkins also captained Canada at the world junior championship. Meanwhile,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], other players toiled in Europe.
Breakdown: Coach Todd McLellan has trouble motivating the Sharks the way he accustomed to. Following a slow start last season, San Jose struggled to get involved with the playoffs after which bowed in the opening round. Veterans Joe Thornton, who averaged much better than a place a game title in Switzerland throughout the lockout, Patrick Marleau and Dany Heatley will face pressure to produce early. The Sharks will require offensive help from the likes of Logan Couture and Joe Pavelski along with a solid showing from goaltender Antti Niemi.
Breakdown: Many observers expect the Wild to leap in the standings after luring winger Zach Parise from New Jersey and defenceman Ryan Suter from Nashville. After years of frugality,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych],[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], Minnesota signed the unrestricted free agents to identical 13-year, $98-million contracts, testing the idea on the market a championship-calibre team. But coach Mike Yeo can also be introducing a culture change and continuing to develop an offence-oriented system inside a limited number of games. Such efforts can take a complete season, if not longer.
Breakdown: Captain Jarome Iginla's future will be the biggest question surrounding the Flames. He's entering the ultimate year of his contract, and subsequently one likely would be the last of his career. GM Jay Feaster have to research be it in the franchise's best interests to re-sign Iginla, 35,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], or trade him and use the proceeds to further a rebuilding process that is far from over. Development-wise,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], the Flames can't afford to allow him play out the ultimate year of his pact and be an unrestricted free agent.
Breakdown: The Blue Jackets will attempt to sit in life without Rick Nash. The first kind captain was traded towards the New York Rangers inside a summer deal that didn't see big names head to Ohio. Umberger (40 points in 2011-12 while earning $4.6 million), Brandon Dubinsky (34 points in 77 games using the Rangers) and Artem Anisimov, who also was acquired in the big trade carrying out a 36-point season within the The big apple. Tim Erixon,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], another area of the cope with Ny, will try that can strengthen a wonky defence and support suspect goaltending that saw the Jackets surrender 60 more goals than they scored s season. Sergei Bobrovsky,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], acquired in a draft-day trade from Philadelphia in June,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], is anticipated to challenge incumbent Steve Mason for the starting goaltender duties.