Western Conference Predictions

Everyone is doing these stupid predictions on NHL.com and making their team in the top 3 of their respective conference.  It's actually pretty pathetic because a lot of these predictions are flat out wrong and make no sense whatsoever.  And what's even funnier is where a lot of these people put the Devils.  About 90% of them have NJ in the bottom 3rd of the conference.  That looks familiar.  Just like every OTHER prediction over the last few years.  I figured let's look at this from a reasonable standpoint.  No one in their right frame of mind would ever put the Leafs in 1st place.  Let's take a legit unbiased look into the predictions of the 2012-13 NHL standings.  Next to their name is a short reason why I think they will finish where they will and where they finished last year.

Western Conference:
1st- Nashville Predators (4th.  Pekka Rinne will have a perfect year)
2nd- Vancouver Canucks (1st.  They will drop but not much as Schnieder and the Sedins puts up amazing numbers)
3rd- Dallas Stars (10th. It's their time to get back in.  Jagr will have a mediocre year but his veteran leadership will push the team)
4th- Chicago Blackhawks (6th. Getting eliminated in the first round last year sparks the team to play better than ever)
5th- Los Angeles Kings (8th. Their Twitter account will cry foul until they were just given a playoff spot)
6th- Colorado Avalanche (11th. Remember when the Avs were amazing? They will rise again!)
7th- Detroit Red Wings (5th. Losing their captain will almost spell doom for the playoff streak until the final week of the season)
8th- San Jose Sharks (7th. They will just barely swim into the playoffs.  I should write for NHL.com.  My puns are better than theirs!)
9th- St Louis Blues (2nd. I really don't see this team repeating it's miracle run from last year.  Their division is just too tough)
10th- Minnesota Wild (12th.  Zach will be too occupied with his Mom's nuggets and his Shrek coloring book to make enough of an impact to help this team.  Don't know what I'm talking about, go through my older posts)
11th- Calgary Flames (9th.  I feel bad for Iginla.  He is on a team of misfits who will never the 1989 mountain ever again)
12th- Anaheim Ducks (Goldberg just isn't the goalie he used to be and Fulton shot only hits the net 1 out of 5!)
13th Phoenix Coyotes (3rd. Shane Doan will retire or move on to another team.  They will be nothing without their captain.  Not to mention losing "The Wizard" Ray Whitney)
14th Edmonton Oilers (14th. Edmonton needs to wake up and realize scoring isn't their issue, it's defense! They keep using 1st picks on great scorers without building any real depth on the back end. Until they do that they will forever be in the cellar!)
15th Columbus Blue Jackets (15th. They lost Rick Nash.  They may actually be the first NHL team to be so horrible they end up in 31st place in the NHL just because the NHL feels 30th is too nice of a number)

Tune in next time as we looks at the East!

THERE'S NO END TO THE POSSIBILITIES!!!

Since there's really nothing happening in the world of hockey I decided a post of some kind was needed.  So I thought of what city might make a good locale for an expansion team.  Here's a list of cities I feel deserve a hockey team.

Seattle- This in my opinion more than any other city needs one.  It would be a great hockey market with the Canucks just a hop, skip, and jump north.  The teams there now are a joke.  The Mariners and Seahawks are without a championship in either of their sports.  They have a soccer team but the MLS is about as exciting as the WNBA.
Team name- Seattle Generals

Quebec City- They have been dying for a team.  The supporters of the Nordiques have made their presence felt by showing up to other teams games and selling out full sections.  They did this to the Rock in 2011.  Luckily they also cheer for that arena's home team during the game.  Kinda weird to think that people donning blue jerseys were cheering for the Devils at the Prudential Center.
Team name- Quebec Nordiques

Las Vegas- Hell, we have one team in the desert.  Why not another?  They would even have a star player playing for them.  The moment Jaromir Jagr realizes Vegas has a team he would demand a trade that day.
Team name- Las Vegas Jackpot

Kansas City- This city would work because they already have the arena.  Yes it's old.  Yes it's known to be haunted by Owen Hart.  But they at least have an arena.  The Islanders can't even say that.  Just don't make the mistake of calling your team the Scouts.  2 years with that ridiculous logo and color scheme are enough.  And besides, who wants to associate yourself with a team who won 27 games in their history?  I sure as hell don't.
Team name- Kansas City Cougars

Wild Card-
Anchorage- I think it's time.  Alaska needs a sports team.  No sport would do well in Alaska other than ice hockey.  Scott Gomez and Brandon Dubinsky would beg to be traded to these teams.  The GM of Anchorage would look at Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin and laugh for even the thought that Anchorage would want Gomer.  Dubi would be hailed as a hometown hero, scoring 40 goals in his first year then magically get reduced to 3 the following.

Was signing Bobby Butler a good move?

The answer? Yes, it was.  Adding a bit of depth to our youth is important in keeping the tradition of the Devils alive.  The tradition of defying the odds and winning.  "In Lou We Trust" is not just a little slogan for us to rally behind.  It's the honest truth.  We would trust this guy with our lives if needed.  So you know there is a huge reason why he does the things he does.  People sneered when he picked up Steve Bernier and Ryan Carter.  Just asking, "Why?  Why waste the money?  These guys were put on waivers for a reason!"  Well the 4th line that consisted of Carter, Bernier, and Gionta tore apart the playoffs.

So if Lou's random pickups are any indication it's that he still knows what he's doing.  Bobby Butler was once an AHL All-Star Game MVP.  He then played 36 games in Ottawa before getting sent back to Binghamton  where he led his team to a Calder Cup victory.  22 goals in 47 games in the AHL is a hell of a season.  10 in 36 in the NHL is just as good if not better.  However this past season he spent entirely in Ottawa he fell into a sophomore slump, scoring only 6 goals in 56 games.  On July 27th he was put on waivers by the Sens and his contract was bought out.  Then Lou stepped in and did what he does best.

It remains to be seen whether Butler will spend the 2012-13 season in Jersey or in Albany.  He signed a tow-way contract so most likely he will be in upstate NY for a while and if any injuries come about he will be the guy who fills their skates.  With Mattias Tedenby most likely making opening night's lineup, I see this as the most probably outcome.

Here are a few of his highlights:

I do not own this video.  It was taken from YouTube.  Credit for this video goes to dmarc023