[Wiegraf]

I figure I might as well talk about what I see happening this year in the NHL. The west looks like it will still go through Colorado, Detroit and Dallas this year--but of those three its a toss-up. The avs have all-star ability at lines 1 and 2 but no real skill from the lower lines and a huge question at goaltending. The Wings have Hasek and perhaps the best defense in the game, but how much longer can Yzerman play like he has and they lost their biggest playmaker (and maybe their biggest problem,) Federov. Dallas is still strong but how will they fare after losing their defensive leader? I think the East is more simple...Devils play boring hockey..Devils win. I hope to god some team will beat the Devils, no matter how...Im tired of the damn neutral zone trap. Its not hockey, at least not hockey thats exciting and enjoyable.

The homer in me is mad tho that the Avs didn't take a run at Cujo, Burke, Khabibulin, or even Felix Potvin. I hope that Aebischer and Sauve are up to the task, because if they're not, we might be too far back to secure a good playoff spot (or even to secure A playoff spot).

That having been said...thank god the NHL's back.