Coach Therrien

PK Subban

Brian Gionta

Carey Price

Coach Capuano

Travis Hamonic

John Tavares

Coach Muller

Tuomo Ruutu

Coach Cooper

Martin St. Louis

Steven Stamkos

Coach Dineen

Quinton Howden

Tomas Fleischmann

Coach Rolston

Christian Ehrhoff

Thomas Vanek

Coach Laviolette

Scott Hartnell

Luke Schenn

Steve Mason

Coach Kirk Muller

Eric Staal

Assistant Coach Lacroix

Martin St. Louis

Steven Stamkos

Coach Oates

Troy Brouwer

Brooks Laich

Mike Ribeiro

——————

The Winnipeg Jets, in association with the Credit Union Centre, are pleased to announce they will face the Boston Bruins in a National hockey League preseason game at the Credit Union Centre in Saskatoon, SK on September 27, 2013. This game is the rescheduled match-up from the 2012 exhibition schedule. It will be one of two pre-season games taking place in Saskatoon with the Ottawa Senators facing off against the Calgary Flames on September 16, 2013.

“The Winnipeg Jets look forward to visiting Saskatoon and playing an original six opponent in the Boston Bruins” said Kevin Cheveldayoff General Manager of the Winnipeg Jets. “We hope to have lots of support from Jets fans throughout Saskatchewan and are excited to play in Saskatoon.”

The Saskatoon Blades season ticket holders will have the first opportunity to purchase tickets followed by Mastercard Memorial Cup package holders in a pre-sale where fans can buy an NHL Game Ticket with a Blades ticket prior to the Wednesday, March 27th 10:00am general public on-sale. Ticket prices are $42.50 to $92.50 (plus service charges) and are available through all Ticketmaster outlets, on-line at Ticketmaster.ca, by calling 938-7800 or 1-800-970-7328.

The remainder of the Winnipeg Jets 2013 Preseason schedule will be announced at a later date.

Via Sports Road Trips

Coach Oates

Alexander Ovechkin

Nicklas Backstrom

Troy Brouwer

Coach Julien

Tuukka Rask

Brad Marchand

Shawn Thornton

Johnny Boychuk

When: Sunday, March 17, 2013

Time: 4:00 p.m. CST

Where: Scotiabank Place, Ottawa, Ontario

Records: Winnipeg Jets (15-11-2 – 3rd in East), Ottawa Senators (14-8-6 – 5th in East)

Television/Radio: TSN-JETS, SNET-E,  TVA/ TSN 1290

The Story: It’s Sunday. It’s St. Patrick’s Day and the Winnipeg Jets are in 3rd place in the Eastern Conference with 20 games left to play in the 2012’13 regular season.

Winnipeg defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-4 in the shootout Saturday night and are now atop the Southeast Division with 32 points, one point ahead of the Carolina Hurricanes, who lost 4-1 to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday.

Winnipeg has won five of their last six games and have definitely got a swagger in their step. The Jets have won seven of their last 10 road games and eight of their last 11 games overall. The Jets meet an Ottawa Senators team this afternoon that defeated the Buffalo Sabres 4-3 last night in overtime and is still holding down 5th place in the East.

Expect a low scoring, tight game as the Ottawa Senators play a tight checking style of hockey that relies on quick transitions out of their own zone and stellar goaltending.

Winnipeg must continue to get production from it’s top guns and there is no reason to believe that won’t happen. The number 1 line of Andrew Ladd-Bryan Little-Blake Wheeler continues to be a force on a nightly basis and has turned into an unbelievably reliable line for Jets Head Coach Claude Noel.

There are no line up changes expected for the Winnipeg Jets today which means forward Alexander Burmistrov will be a healthy scratch for the fourth straight game.

This is the third and final meeting of the season between the Senators and Jets this year with the season series tied at one game apiece.

Ondrej Pavelec is expected to get the start in goal for the Winnipeg Jets.

Follow @IllegalCurve on Twitter leading up to today’s game.

Projected Jets line combinations (subject to change before game time):

Goalie:

Ondrej Pavelec

Forwards:

1st: Andrew Ladd- Bryan Little- Blake Wheeler

2nd:  Evander Kane-Nikolai Antropov- Kyle Wellwood

3rd:  James Wright– Olli Jokinen- Antti Miettinen

4th:  Eric Tangradi- Patrice Cormier - Chris Thorburn

Defence:

Ron Hainsey- Zach Bogosian

Dustin Byfuglien- Grant Clitsome

Derek Meech- Mark Stuart

Offensive Leaders:

Ottawa Senators: Kyle Turris (7 goals, 11 assists, 18 points), Sergei Gonchar (1 goal, 14 assists, 15 points), Daniel Alfredsson (6 goals, 9 assists, 15 points)

Winnipeg Jets: Andrew Ladd (14 goals, 14 assists, 28 points), Blake Wheeler (12 goals, 12 assists, 24 points) Evander Kane (11 goals, 9 assists, 20 points).

Injury Report:

Ottawa Senators: Mike Lundin (concussion), Milan Michalek (knee), Craig Anderson (ankle), Jason Spezza (back), Erik Karlsson (achilles), Jared Cowen (hip)

Winnipeg Jets: Tobias Enstrom (shoulder, week to week), Zach Redmond (leg), Anthony Peluso (hand), Jim Slater (upper body)

Who’s Next:  After today’s game, the Jets return home for four straight games: Tuesday, March 19th vs. Boston (7:00 p.m. CST), Thursday, March 21st vs. Washington (7:00 p.m. CST), Friday, March 22nd vs. Washington (6:00 p.m. CST) and Sunday, March 24th against Tampa Bay (7:00 p.m. CST)

Coach Tortorella

Hendrik Lundqvist

Ryan Callahan

Coach Carlyle

James Reimer

Game Stories:

Winnipeg Free Press:  Jets earn point in OT loss to Devils.

Winnipeg Sun:  Jets fall 3-2 to Devils in shootout.

Globe and Mail:  Elias’ lone shootout goal helps Devils dump Jets.

NHL.com:  Devils top Jets 3-2 in shootout.

Jets site:  Jets fall to Devils.

The Record:  Devils top Jets, 3-2, in shootout at The Rock.

Star-Ledger:  Patrik Elias goal gives Devils 3-2 shootout win over Winnipeg Jets.

Coach Noel Quotes:

- “how we start like that is unbelievable. To come out like that. Its unbelievable”.

-  “you can’t expect to play that way as a group and expect to get the points”.

-  “we didn’t come out a little flat. We came out a lot flat”.

Player Quotes:

-  Ondrej Pavelec: “It’s kind of a miracle that we stayed in after first period.  That was one of the worst periods we’ve played this year”.

- Andrew Ladd: “We’ve got to start playing better.  Like I said, 1.5 good games out of those 4 isn’t good enough.  This is the time of year when you need to start having your best every night and having your best players showing up”.

- Kyle Wellwood:

Video Highlights:

NHL.com 3 Stars

1.  Evander Kane

2.  Ryan Carter

3.  Mark Stuart

When: Friday, March 8, 2013

Time: 6:30 p.m. CST

Where: BB & T Center, Sunrise, Florida

Records: Winnipeg Jets (11-11-1 – 9th in East), Florida Panthers (7-12-5 – 15th in East)

Television/Radio:  TSN-JETS, FS-F/ TSN 1290

The Story: For the Winnipeg Jets, revenge might be a dish best served in Florida.

The Jets continue their four game road trip tonight with their second game in four nights against the Florida Panthers, who defeated the Jets 4-1 on Tuesday night. Winnipeg bounced back from that ugly loss and defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 Thursday night to get back up to the .500 mark for the second time in the last week.

Last night’s victory was significant for Winnipeg not only because it snapped a two-game losing streak but because of the individuals who played a key part in the win. Backup goaltender Al Montoya was given his first start since February 12th (Philadelphia Flyers) and the move paid huge dividends. Montoya was excellent against the high-octane Lightning, stopping 28 of 29 shots and improving to a perfect 3-0 record on the season. Montoya looked confident and made several key saves in the first two periods which allowed Winnipeg to maintain a one goal lead for the majority of the game.  Winnipeg’s first goal of the night was scored by winger Eric Tangradi, acquired earlier in the season from Pittsburgh. It was Tangradi’s first goal of the year and was assisted by Kyle Wellwood, a player who has been in Claude Noel’s doghouse for most of the season.  The fact that Tangradi and Wellwood have been such key players for the Jets has been crucial because of the recent struggles of Evander Kane and Olli Jokinen.

Florida enters tonight’s game on the heels of a humiliating 7-1 loss to the Washington Capitals last night. Rookie goaltender Jacob Markstrom was pulled after allowing two goals on two shots and the Panthers had no answer for Washington’s attack, led by Russian sniper Alexander Ovechkin, who had a goal and two assists in the game.

Depending on which way you want to look at it, the Jets will once again have an opportunity to take points off an inferior opponent tonight. Despite Tuesday’s result, the Jets are a better team than the Panthers this season, especially with all of the injuries Florida is currently dealing with (The Panthers currently have six regulars out of the line-up). If Winnipeg can put together anything resembling last night’s solid effort, they will have a very good shot at winning tonight’s hockey game.

Tonight’s game is the fourth of five meetings between the Jets and Panthers this year. The fifth and final meeting of the season between the two teams will be on Thursday, April 11th (7:00 p.m. CST) in Winnipeg.

Follow @IllegalCurve on Twitter leading up to today’s game.

Projected Jets line combinations (subject to change before game time):

Goalie:

Ondrej Pavelec

Forwards:

1st: Andrew Ladd- Bryan Little- Blake Wheeler

2nd:  Evander Kane-Nikolai Antropov- Alexander Burmistrov

3rd:  James Wright– Olli Jokinen- Antti Miettinen

4th:  Eric Tangradi- Jim Slater - Kyle Wellwood

Defence:

Ron Hainsey- Zach Bogosian

Dustin Byfuglien- Grant Clitsome

Paul Postma- Mark Stuart

Offensive Leaders:

Florida Panthers: Tomas Fleischmann (5 goals, 12 assists, 17 points), Brian Campbell (6 goals, 10 assists, 16 points), Jonathan Huberdeau (11 goals, 5 assists, 16 points)

Winnipeg Jets: Andrew Ladd (12 goals, 10 assists, 22 points), Evander Kane (9 goals, 9 assists, 18 points),  Blake Wheeler (7 goals, 10 assists, 17 points)

Injury Report:

Florida Panthers: Stephen Weiss (wrist, out for rest of season), Dmitry Kulikov (upper body), Jose Theodore (groin), Mike Weaver (lower body),  Scottie Upshall (ankle), Kris Versteeg (chest), Ed Jovanovski (knee)

Winnipeg Jets: Anthony Peluso (hand), Tobias Enstrom (shoulder), Zach Redmond (leg)

Who’s Next:  The Jets wrap up their four game road trip up on Sunday, March 10th against the New Jersey Devils (6:00 p.m. CST). Next week, the Jets have two games at home, Tuesday, March 12th against the Toronto Maple Leafs (7:00 p.m. CST) and Thursday, March 14th against the New York Rangers (7:00 p.m. CST).

When: Thursday, March 7, 2013

Time: 6:30 p.m. CST

Where: Tampa Bay Times Forum, Tampa Bay,Florida

Records: Winnipeg Jets (10-11-1 – 10th in East), Tampa Bay Lightning (10-12-1 – 11th in East)

Television/Radio: TSN-JETS, SUN/ TSN 1290

The Story: The Winnipeg Jets will be looking to stop a two game losing skid as they continue their trip through Del Boca Vista country tonight against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Jets lost 4-1 to the Florida Panthers Tuesday night, in a pretty laissez-faire contest.  They needed to show that they could take it to the next level against an opponent, especially a division rival, and failed to do so. Coach Claude Noel was understandably upset after Tuesday’s game and you can bet he will have his troops ready for battle tonight against a Bolts team coming off a big victory over the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday.

Today’s game is the second of four meetings between the Jets and Lightning this year. The two teams will meet next in Winnipeg on Sunday, March 24th (7:00 p.m. CST). The fourth and final meeting of the season is in Winnipeg on Tuesday, April 16th (7:00 p.m. CST).

Follow @IllegalCurve on Twitter leading up to tonight’s game.

Projected Jets line combinations (According to Gary Lawless of the Winnipeg Free Press):

Goalie:

Al Montoya

Forwards:

1st: Andrew Ladd- Bryan Little- Blake Wheeler

2nd:  Evander Kane-Olli Jokinen- Alexander Burmistrov

3rd:  James Wright–Nikolai Antropov – Antti Miettinen

4th:  Eric Tangradi- Jim Slater - Kyle Wellwood

Defence:

Ron Hainsey- Zach Bogosian

Dustin Byfuglien- Grant Clitsome

Paul Postma- Mark Stuart

Offensive Leaders:

Tampa Bay Lightning: Steven Stamkos (17 goals, 17 assists, 34 points), Martin St. Louis (6 goals, 24 assists, 30 points), Teddy Purcell (4 goals, 17 assists, 21 points).

Winnipeg Jets: Andrew Ladd (12 goals, 9 assists, 21 points), Evander Kane (9 goals, 9 assists, 18 points), Blake Wheeler (7 goals, 10 assists, 17 points).

Injury Report:

Tampa Bay Lightning: Benoit Pouliot (upper body), Ryan Malone (lower body), Mathieu Garon (lower body)

Winnipeg Jets:  Tobias Enstrom (shoulder) and Zach Redmond (leg)

Who’s Next: After tonight’s game, the Jets head back to play Florida Panthers on Friday, March 8th (6:30 p.m.) in a back-to-back.  They finish off the road trip with a quick trip up to New Jersey on Sunday, March 10th (6:00 p.m.)

Host Michael Remis (filling in for Drew Mindell) and Analyst Richard Pollock break down the Jets play against the Capitals.

Coach Oates

Braden Holtby

Eric Fehr

Host Drew Mindell and Analyst Richard Pollock break down the Jets play against the Devils.

Coach DeBoer

Johan Hedberg

David Clarkson

Coach Claude Julien

Brad Marchand

Tyler Seguin

Zdeno Chara

Daniel Paille

Jay Pandolfo

Host Drew Mindell and Analyst Richard Pollock break down the Jets play against the Penguins.

Coach Bylsma

James Neal

Coach Laviolette

Claude Giroux

Ilya Bryzgalov

Jakub Voracek

James Reimer

Coach Randy Carlyle

Phil Kessel

Tyler Bozak

Matt Frattin

Jonathan Huberdeau

Coach Kevin Dineen

Evgeni Nabokov

Coach Jack Capuano

Ken Holland – The increase in scoring coming out of this seasons lockout.  The similarities of the retirements of Yzerman and Lidstrom and how they effected the team.  How the recently retired Tomas Holmstrom was such an effective player.  Taking the time to fully develop a player.  The evolution of Mike Babcock as a coach.  Lengthening overtime.  Playing games outside of their own time zone.

Sidney Crosby

Coach Dan Bylsma

Central Division

St. Louis Blues

Last season: Place in NHL 3^rd, Goals for rank 21^st, Goals against 1^st, Power play 19^th, Penalty kill 7^th, Face-offs 14^th.

Additions: Wade Redden, Jeff Woywitka

Subtractions: BJ Crombeen,

Drew: The big addition will be Vladimir Tarsenko who is their 2010 first rounder.

Ezzy: They don’t have any superstars, but are so strong at every position. They are like the Boston Bruins of the Western Conference. I think they are going to be a top 4 team in the West for sure.

Richard: I really like this team; they have depth, speed, size. I think this team wins the division.

Nashville Predators

Last season: Place in NHL 5^th, Goals for rank 8^th, Goals against 8^th, Power play 1^st, Penalty kill 10^th, Face-offs 22^nd.

Additions: Chris Mason, Scott Hannan

Subtractions: Ryan Suter, Alex Radulov, Anders Lindback, Andrei Kostitsyn, Francois Boullion

Drew: How far is the drop for the Nashville Predators?

Ezzy: Shea Weber wins the Norris Trophy finally this year. The Nashville Predators are still good defensively, I just don’t think they have enough firepower to make up for the loss of Ryan Suter. I think they are going to miss the playoffs this year.

Richard: They lost a lot of offense. But in determining whether or not they can be a playoff team, they were top ten in every category last year except for face-offs. The truth of the matter is, if they drop down to the middle of the pack, they could still make the playoffs. I don’t think the West is as good as it was last year. Nashville is a team where if they bet against you, they’ll end up making it.

Chicago Blackhawks

Last season: Place in NHL 10^th, Goals for rank 5^th Goals against 22^nd, Power play 26^th, Penalty kill 27^th, Face-offs 12^th.

Additions: Sheldon Brookbank

Subtractions: Sami Lepisto

Ezzy: The Hawks are a number one goaltender away from being a Stanley Cup Winner. Bold prediction: The Blackhawks will acquire a goaltender.

Richard: I think the Hawks are an aimless team, what has Stan Bowman done to make this team productive? It’s a hodgepodge of talent, how do they fill out the bottom of the roster? What about the goaltending? I think Quenneville will be the first coach to get fired this season. I think the Blackhawks miss the playoffs.

Detroit Red Wings

Last season: Place in NHL 8^th, Goals for rank 7^th, Goals against 7^th, Power play 22^nd, Penalty kill 18^th, Face-offs 6^th.

Additions: Jonas Gustavsson, Mikael Samuelsson, Damien Brunner,

Subtractions: Nik Lidstrom, Jiri Hudler, Brad Stuart

Richard: I think Detroit makes the playoffs.

Columbus Blue Jackets

Last season: Place in NHL 30^th, Goals for rank 26^th, Goals against rank 28^th, Power play 24^th, Penalty Kill 30^th, Face-offs 9^th.

Additions: Artem Anisimov, Adrian Aucoin, Sergei Bobrovsky, Brandon Dubinsky, Tim Erixon, Nick Foligno

Subtractions: Rick Nash, Mark Methot, Curtis Sanford

Ezzy: The Columbus Blue Jackets won’t make the playoffs this year, everyone is picking them last. It’s a transition year. I can’t go against the grain; I think they’ll be one of the bottom teams.

Richard: They will be harder to beat this year, overall they are better, I think Columbus will surprise some teams and are making progress, but they won’t make the playoffs.

Northwest Division

Vancouver Canucks

Last season: Place in NHL 1^st, Goals for rank 5^th, Goals against rank 4^th, Power play 4^th, Penalty kill 6^th, Face-offs 3^rd.

Additions: Jason Garrison

Subtractions: Sami Pahlsson, Marc-Andre Gagnani, Aaron Rome

Drew: The Northwest was probably the worst and most top heavy division last year; looking at the Vancouver Canucks roster, is there any way they can replicate being the first overall team this year?

Ezzy: The injury to Ryan Kesler is a huge concern because they don’t know when he is coming back. If he comes back in March, will the Canucks even make the playoffs? The second line is such a huge drop off, their elite status is in question and it concerns me that they haven’t done much to improve. I think the Canucks take a step back this year.

Richard: There are some serious question marks after the first line, but you look at their defense, it’s a pretty darn good top four and their goaltending is solid. I don’t think the window has closed on them, but it’s closing. It’s highly dependent on if Alain Vingeault adjusts his style of play.

Calgary Flames

Last season: Place in NHL 18^th, Goals for rank 24^th, Goals against 13^th, Power play 13^th, Penalty kill 9^th, Face-offs 30^th.

Additions: Roman Cervenka, Jiri Hudler, Dennis Wideman

Subtractions: Scott Hannan, David Moss, Olli Jokinen

Drew: Is this the same Calgary Flames where they are fighting tooth and nail to get to the 8^th seed in the playoffs and fall short.

Richard: I like the Bob Hartley hire, I don’t like the contracts they gave out, but I like the players they acquired. They will coach offense for the first time in a while. The issue I have is that the strength of successful franchises is at the centre position. They finished 30^th in face-offs last year because they have a number of players (i.e. Tanguay) playing out of position. They’re probably back to a similar situation from years past.

Ezra: I don’t think that their secondary scoring is good enough. Again, they will be in that 9^th or 10^th position.

Colorado Avalanche

Last season: Place in NHL 20^th, Goals for rank 24^th, Goals against rank 15^th, Power play 9^th, Penalty kill 12^th, Face-offs 5^th.

Additions: John Mitchell, PA Parenteau, Greg Zanon

Subtractions: Peter Mueller, Jay McClement

Drew: Colorado is still not quite at a playoff team level, but are they on their way up?

Ezzy: The Colorado Avalanche are a team that has tons of skill, I think they will be better this year. It will be tough for them to make the playoffs, but they have tons of young offensive talent. They will be better than last year, but still out of a playoff spot.

Richard: Their season will hinge on whether or not a guy like Matt Duchene can take the next step. Their goaltending holds them back.

Minnesota Wild

Last season: Place in NHL 24^th, Goals for rank 30^th, Goals against 13^th, Power play 27^th, Penalty kill 15^th, Face-offs 8^th.

Additions: Zach Parise, Ryan Suter, Zenon Kenopka, Torrey Mitchell

Subtractions: Erik Christensen, Guillaume Latandresse, Mike Lundin

Drew: Will Suter and Parise be enough to propel them into a playoff spot?

Richard: Last season they were 30^th in goals for. I definitely see improvement for the Wild, but the question is; how much improvement?

Ezzy: When you add superstars Zach Parise and Ryan Suter, they will obviously get better. They were the best team in the NHL last season until they came to Winnipeg. They are a bottom playoff team, or just outside with Calgary. It’s tough not to pick them for a drastic improvement after the additions of Suter and Parise.

Edmonton Oilers

Last season: Place in NHL 29^th, Goals for rank 19^th, Goals against 23^rd, Power play 3^rd, Penalty killing 14^th, Face-offs 27^th.

Additions: Justin Schultz, Nail Yakupov

Subtractions: None

Drew: Are they youthful enough to get into the playoffs?

Richard: They have speed, youth and energy in a shortened season. I see this team being able to threaten to win the division, they will make the playoffs. Bold prediction: Who’s to say Hall won’t score 40 goals (or the pro-rated equivalent for the shortened season).

Ezzy: Because they have so much offensive talent, they will make the playoffs. It’s not time to order the Stanley Cup rings yet, but two or three years from now, I wouldn’t be surprised if they were lifting the Stanley Cup.

Pacific Division

Phoenix Coyotes

Last season: Place in NHL 11^th, Goals for rank 18^th, Goals against 5^th, Power play 29^th, Penalty kill 8^th, Face-offs 15^th.

Additions: Zybanek Michalek, David Moss, Steve Sullivan

Subtractions: Ray Whitney, Adrian Aucoin, Taylor Pyatt

Drew: Much like the Nashville Predators, each year people are wondering when the Coyotes will take a step back; is this the year they take a step backwards?

Richard: Their bread is buttered on the defensive side of the puck–can Mike Smith keep it up?. With Sean Burke mentoring him, and Dave Tippett being the best coach in the league, I don’t see how you can go against them.

Ezzy: My bread is buttered by peanut butter.

San Jose Sharks

Last season: Place in NHL 12^th, Goals for rank 13^th, Goals against 8^th, Power play 2^nd, Penalty kill 29^th, Face-offs 2^nd.

Additions: Brad Stuart, Adam Burish

Subtractions: Torrey Mitchell, Daniel Winnik

Drew: Every year, people say the San Jose Sharks should do better than they do in the playoffs–is this the year they take the next step in the playoffs?

Richard: I like the team top to bottom, but Thornton has proven year after year that he can’t do it in the playoffs. Larry Robinson should go a long way and is probably their biggest offseason addition. The issue is, can they win when it matters most? I think they’ve missed their chance.

Ezzy: I still think they will make the playoffs, but it comes down to Thornton, Marleau and Pavelski along with Logan Couture. In a shortened season, teams that didn’t make that many changes are at an advantage, San Jose is such a good veteran team, they’ll make the playoffs, but will fall short as they have continued to do year after year.

Los Angeles Kings

Last season: Place in NHL 13^th, Goals for rank 29^th, Goals against 2^nd, Power play 17^th, Penalty kill 4^th, Face-offs 7^th.

Drew: Is it possible that the LA Kings are better this year than last year because they’ll get a full season out of Jeff Carter?

Ezzy: It will be difficult for LA to repeat, but the big additions they made were at the end of last season. They are a top team; I have them winning the division.

Richard: “They are strong up the middle, with great defensemen and goaltending. I don’t see any reason why they don’t continue their success.”

Dallas Stars

Last season: Place in NHL 18^th, Goals for 22^nd, Goals against 15^th, Power play 30^th, Penalty kill 13^th, Face-offs 20^th.

Additions: Derek Roy, Ray Whitney, Jaromir Jagr, Aaron Rome, Cody Eakin

Subtractions: Mike Ribeiro, Steve Ott, Sheldon Souray, Adam Pardy, Adam Burish, Jamie Benn?

Drew: With all of their offseason moves, are the Dallas Stars a playoff team?

Ezzy: Jagr and Whitney had good years last year, but they were acquired to sell tickets. I don’t think they have enough talent offensively, especially without Benn.

Richard: I think they do make the playoffs. Last year they were short on offensive talent, their top two lines if Benn is signed are solid. Combined with goaltending, I like this Dallas squad; I think they make the playoffs.

Anaheim Ducks

Last season: Place in NHl 26^th, Goals for rank 23^rd, Goals against 19^th, Power play 21^st, Penalty kill 16^th, Face-offs 28^th.

Additions: Sheldon Souray, Bryan Allen, Daniel Winnik, Brad Staubitz

Subtractions: Lubomir Visnovsky, Sheldon Brookbank, George Parros

Drew: Any reason you see any improvement from the Ducks?

Richard: It can’t get any worse, especially with Getzlaf and Perry. I don’t see them as a playoff team, but they will be more competitive than last year.

Ezzy: They aren’t going to make the playoffs, the question will be will they trade Getzlaf and/or Perry, this year’s Parise and Suter.

Atlantic Division

New York Rangers

Last season: Place in NHL 2^nd, Goals for Rank: 11^th, Goals against Rank: 3^rd, Power Play 23^rd, Penalty Kill 5^th, Face offs 18^th.

Off-season acquisitions: Rick Nash, Taylor Pyatt, Arron Asham

Subtractions: Artem Anisimov, Brandon Dubinsky, Tim Erixon, Ruslan Fedotenko, Brandon Prust

Richard: I personally think the Rangers are the best team in the Eastern Conference this year. Credit to Glen Sather because Staal, Girardi, McDonagh and Del Zotto are the top four defensemen, and only one of them is making over $3 million. Each of them is under $4 million.

Ezzy: You’ve got a great team, the best team. They have the same goalie, same defense, as a group they are amazing defensively. Adding Rick Nash should improve the power play, while still playing the same defensive, shot blocking, “controversial” style.

Bold prediction: Rick Nash may be able to exceed the goals of all of the subtractions combined

Pittsburgh Penguins

Place in NHL: 2^nd, Goals for rank: 11^th, Goals against rank 3^rd, Power play 23^rd, Penalty Killing 5^th, Face offs 13^th.

Additions: Brandon Sutter, Tanner Glass, Thomas Vokoun

Subtractions: Jordan Staal, Steve Sullivan, Zybanek Michalek

Ezzy: I see them picking up a depth defenseman at the deadline. Their defense isn’t as good as it was, three or four years ago, but good enough to get them into the playoffs as the 4^th or 5^th seed.

Richard: Niskanen and Engelland can’t compete with the opposition that they will be matched up against. The young players need to take a step forward because the veterans they had last season didn’t provide much value.

Philadelphia Flyers

Last season: Place in NHL 6^th, Goals for rank 2^nd, Goals against rank 20^th, Power play 6^th, Penalty Kill 17^th, Face offs 24^th.

Additions: Luke Schenn

Subtractions: Sergei Bobrovsky, Matt Carle, Jaromir Jagr, Pavel Kubina, James Van Riemsdyk

Ezzy: The defense is weaker than it was a year or two ago, but they will still be a top team.

Richard: The loss of Pronger will hurt, but Philadelphia played the majority of last season without him. The top nine forwards are great, the question is, will Bryzgalov be able to make up for the defensive deficiencies. They aren’t in the same class as Boston, New York Rangers, and Pittsburgh.

New Jersey Devils

Last season: Place in NHL 8^th, Goals for rank 8^th, Goals against rank 8^th, Power play 14^th, Penalty Kill 1^st, Face offs 29^th.

Additions: Krys Barch

Subtractions: Zach Parise, Alexei Ponikarovsky, Petr Sykora, Matt Taromina, Eric Boulton

Ezzy: The Devils have taken a step back from last season. Zach Parise will be too big of a loss for them. They won’t make the playoffs this year because of the lack of offense and they will run into an injury or two.

Richard: You can’t lose the skill of a Zach Parise, not replace it, and think that it won’t become a problem. Brodeur won’t be able to play as well as he did last year. The Henrique injury is debilitating in a shortened season.

New York Islanders

Last season: Place in NHL 27th, Goals for rank 28th, Goals against 27th, Power play 8th, Penalty kill 22nd, Face-offs 26th.

Additions: Brad Boyes, Eric Boulton, Lubomir Visnovsky?, Matt Carkner

Subtractions: Mark Eaton, Milan Jurcina, Al Montoya, Jay Pandalfo, PA Parenteau, Steve Staios

Drew: I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Islanders finish ahead of the Devils.

Richard: They have a nice base, but this is not the year. Hopefully they trade Nabakov for some type of an asset. Last year they were bottom third in every significant category we’ve discussed except for power play.

Ezzy: I’m not confident in Nabakov or Dipietro, and have them finishing in the bottom of the division.

Northeast Division

Boston Bruins

Last season: Place in NHL 7^th, Goals for rank 3^rd, Goals against 6^th Power play 15^th, Penalty Kill 11^th, Faceoffs 1^st.

Additions: Garnet Exelby

Subtractions: Joe Corvo, Benoit Pouliot, Greg Zanon

Drew: Was last year’s defeat in the playoffs an aberration, or are they poised to make a run in the playoffs?

Richard: It was an aberration, looking at their lineup 1 through 12, I don’t know if you have a better 1 through 12 in the East. The teams that win have strength up the middle, Krejci, Bergeron, Seguin, Greg Campbell, Chris Kelly, they are strong up the middle. They are solid defensively, with great goaltending and a good coach.

Ezzy: Tukka Rask is an excellent goaltender and has a lot to prove in the last year of his contract. They didn’t make any offseason moves, but they re-signed key pieces in Marchand, Lucic, Kelly. Five on five, they may be the best team in the NHL.

Ottawa Senators

Last season: Place in NHL 16^th, Goals for 4^th, Goals against 24^th, Power play 11^th, Penalty Kill 20^th, Face-offs 16^th.

Additions: Guillaume Latandresse, Mike Lundin, Mark Methot

Subtractions: Nick Foligno, Bobby Butler, Nikita Filatov, Filip Kuba, Zenon Konopka

Drew: Is the arrow still pointing up for the Senators, how high can they go after last year?

Ezzy: They overachieved last year, and many teams in the East have gotten better. The future looks bright in Ottawa, but I don’t have them as a playoff team.

Richard: They’re interesting and hard to predict because they surprised everyone last year. If you are able to play two netminders in a shortened season, that may be a benefit. I do worry about their back end, the Jared Cowen injury is massive, how do they replace him? Gonchar and Phillips are getting older. Their defense costs them in sustaining what they did last year.

Buffalo Sabres

Last season: Place in NHL 19^th, Goals for 17^th, Goals against 18^th, Power play 16^th, Penalty Kill 19^th, Face-offs 19^th.

Additions: Steve Ott, Adam Pardy, John Scott

Subtractions: Brad Boyes, Derek Roy

Richard: Why would they sign Adam Pardy who is now buried in the minors, and John Scott, who is slower than Adam Pardy?!?!  Cody Hodgson is the key, I love Tyler Ennis, he is my breakout pick of the year. This is a skilled roster, with Ryan Miller in goal, you can’t help but think they will be better. How is this not a playoff team, top to bottom?

Ezzy: I have the Sabres making the playoffs, they finished 9^th last season, and underachieved big time. Ryan Miller went in a 19-3-2 run last season, he is one of the top 3 goaltenders in the NHL. Grigorenko will be a top rookie, the Sabres will have a bounce back year, they underachieved way too much (last season).

Toronto Maple Leafs

Last season: Place in NHL 25^th, Goals for 10^th, Goals against 29^th, Power play 10^th, Penalty Kill 28^th, Face-offs 4^th

Additions: James Van Riemsdyk, Jay McClement, Keith Aucoin (who has been since claimed on waivers)

Subtractions: Colby Armstrong, Jonas Gustavsson, Luke Schenn

Richard: You look at the Leafs, and there is nothing there to inspire confidence. You’d like to see improvement from Kadri, and maybe they’ll be able to get some assets for their veterans. Randy Carlyle should improve the team defensively. Their goaltending will be better because Carlyle is putting in a defensive system. Top to bottom, this roster is awful!

Ezzy: I like the decision of returning first round draft pick Morgan Reilly to the OHL. They’re not going to score enough goals, James Reimer and Ben Scrievens will struggle with the defense group that they have. The Leafs will be better than last year, but I still have them at 12^th or 13^th in the Eastern Conference.

Montreal Canadiens

Last season: Place in NHL 29^th, Goals for rank 19^th, Goals against 11^th, Power play 28^th, Penalty Kill 2^nd, Face offs 25^th.

Additions: Colby Armstrong, Francois Boullion, Brandon Prust, Cedrick Desjardins

Subtractions: Matthieu Darche, Brad Staubitz, Andreas Engqvist, PK Subban?

Drew: Without PK Subban, they have no chance.

Richard: They could be a pleasant surprise if everything falls into place.

Ezzy: I think the Montreal Canadiens will be better than last year. PK Subban concerns me because he wanted the same amount of years as Drew Doughty (seven). We don’t know when he will sign, but the Habs are going to improve (over last season), but I don’t think they’ll make the playoffs. Alex Galchenyuk will be a top rookie in the NHL this year.

Southeast Division (less the Jets)

Florida Panthers

Last season: Place in NHL 14^th, Goals for rank 27^th, Goals against 12^th, Power play 7^th, Penalty kill 25^th, Face offs 11^th.

Additions: Filip Kuba, Peter Mueller, George Parros, Casey Wellman, Alex Kovalev

Subtractions: Jason Garrison, Mikael Samuelsson, Wojtek Wolski

Ezzy: I look at the team, and it doesn’t slap me in the face and say, “this is a really good team like the Bruins or Flyers.” It’s a good team, they’ll be competitive, but they overachieved last year, and I don’t think they can replicate it. I don’t think they make the playoffs.

Richard: I think a lot of their season is dependent on the second line. It has Peter Mueller, who has a concussion history, but there is no question about his skill level, Jonathan Huberdeau and Alexei Kovalev. Their season is very much dependent on their second line, if they can provide enough offense. Second line and goaltending is the key to me. I don’t think they make the playoffs either, but this division is a total crapshoot.

Washington Capitals

Last season: Place in NHL 15^th, Goals for rank 14^th, Goals against 21^st, Power play 18^th, Penalty kill 21^st, Face offs 17^th.

Additions: Mike Ribeiro, Wojtek Wolski

Subtractions: Alex Semin, Jeff Halpern, Dennis Wideman, Tomas Vokoun, Cody Eakin

Drew: Do the Capitals regain the Southeast division title?

Richard: I think they do. New Head Coach Adam Oates is the key here. I think this division is up for grabs. Is Backstrom healthy? Does Ovechkin regain his old form? Because then, Ribeiro can anchor the second line and create offense for Wolski and Brouwer. If Oates can get Backstrom and Ovechkin back to their old form, while keeping them healthy, they can take the division. But they could also end up missing the playoffs, this is no shoo-in.

Ezzy: Adam Oates is going to make the Capitals’ special teams better, and open the game up. Alex Ovechkin will get back to the top ten in league scoring. Dale Hunter did good things with the Capitals last season, but Oates will change some things. The penalty kill and power play will get better; I think they will make the playoffs.

Tampa Bay Lightning

Last season: Place in NHL 21^st, Goals for rank 8^th, Goals against 30^th, Power play 25^th, Penalty kill 26^th, Face offs 11^th.

Additions: Matt Carle, Anders Lindback, Sami Salo, Benoit Pouliot

Subtractions: Bruno Gervais

Drew: Can they keep the puck out of their own net? They were dead last in goals against last year.

Richard: I like the moves they have made; they haven’t lost any significant pieces. Lindback is the key, but the defense looks a lot deeper. This is a tough division; it’s not the SouthLeast anymore. I think Guy Boucher is the best coach in the division.

Ezzy: The Lightning will be back in the playoffs. I think Sami Salo is a bigger addition than Matt Carle. The forward group is exactly the same (aside from Pouliot), the defense is improved.

Carolina Hurricanes

Last Season: Place in NHL 23^rd, Goals for rank 16^th, Goals against 25^th, Power play 20^th, Penalty kill 23^rd, Face offs 10^th.

Additions: Alex Semin, Jordan Staal, Joe Corvo, Marc-Andre Gragnani

Subtractions: Bryan Allen, Brandon Sutter

Drew: They are a sexy pick to make a big leap, do they have it in them?

Richard: I don’t think so, I think they are weak on the wings, and I think their defense is overrated. Joe Corvo is not a top four defenseman. They are great up the middle, but weak on the wings. I don’t think they will be an easy team to play against, but this is not a playoff team.

Ezzy: This is one area where we disagree most, I have them winning the Division (as does Drew). Cam Ward is a top five goaltender in the NHL, they are excellent up the middle. The reason I differ with Richy is I think that certain forwards will be adequate on the wings playing with the Staal brothers. They are a team on the up for sure.

Listen to the post game thoughts from the following:

Coach Paul MacLean

Teddy Purcell

Steven Stamkos

Henrik Lundqvist

Ryan Callahan

Brian Boyle

Coach Tortorella

Daniel Alfredsson

Coach MacLean

The Canes were rowdy following a comeback victory over the Jets.  So much so that they were chanting “Jordan’s better” at Eric Staal in response to the Jets fans derisive chant.  You can faintly hear it at the beginning of the Staal audio.  Eric also said “Jordan’s good, but I’m not sure he’s better”.

Eric Staal

Cam Ward

Coach Muller

Tonight’s audio is pure gold.  Laich responds to Ezzy’s question about a developing rivalry with a comment about not liking the Jets and having a long memory.  Ovechkin’s response to the Crosby’s better chant is classic Ovie.  Brouwer gives the crowd some kudos.  Is anyone else wanting to jump to next Friday?

Karl Alzner

Alex Ovechkin

Brooks Laich

Troy Brouwer

Coach Hunter