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Reverse-Sleeper Teams?

By weeble5672 | View all Posts
Posted Wednesday, September 23, 2009 05:15 PM

8 comments

So we all have heard everyone's sleeper teams and conference standings predictions.

I'm curious to hear what "good" team(s) people think might not do as well as expected. I call them "The Reverse-Sleeper" Team.

PLEASE...This is not a thread to mock predictions as I don't really think there are any right or wrong answers. Not to mention that people are obviously going out on a limb with predictions like these.

I'll start things out...

WEST

Chicago: Remember the young and promising team the Oilers had in 2005-06? Remember how they surprised many and made it to the Cup finals? Remember how they finished 12th in the West the following season? I'm not saying they miss the playoffs, but perhaps they don't finish in the top 4 like everyone seems to think.

Calgary: Kipper needs to play less than 76 games this season. That much is evident by the quick exit they made in last season's playoffs. Pretty decent up the middle with Jokinen, Conroy and Langkow. But there's a huge drop off on either wing after Iginla. Looks like a one-line team to me.

EAST

Philadelphia: Very strong team up front and on the blueline. Just not so sure about the goaltending tandem of Boucher and Emery.

New Jersey: A lot rests on Brodeur's 37 year-old shoulders. Quite an older team with guys like Brodeur (37), Pandolfo (34), Langenbrunner (34), Rolston (36) andShanahan (40).

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happycap says:

09/23/09 06:04PM

Its been like a broken record, I know. But, the reason I asked is this: a team that SO consistently kicks ass in the reg and then fades so quickly in the playoffs cannot continue this pattern in perpetuity IMO - I mean, site the case...I know of no team that followed that pattern for more than two seasons consecutively...

NO - It says here that one of two things has to happen soon - either they begin to perform at a much lower level (thus lowering expectations) in the reg, or they begin to live up to the high expectations their reg promises... in my view it is a complete misnomer to assume that this BIZARRE cycle can continue year in year out in perpetuity... your response suggested that, so I had to ask if you had a concrete reason for assuming it would continue... it is highly irregular and cannot continue this way.

Previously, I have opined that Heatley could be the key to an alteration in path either way... let's see

looch17 says:

09/24/09 12:35AM

I think that anyone who thinks Boston will finish less than 3rd isn't thinking straight, they will win that division, giving them 3rd at worst. Ya they lost kessel but still have 3 very good centres and 4 potential 20-30 goal scorers in Wheeler, Kobasew, Ryder and Sturm on the wing. Not to mention an up and coming tender in Rask who can pick up the pieces if Thomas falters, as well as a very solid defensive core led by Chara. The System Julien plays allows them to win games without kessels 36 goals. Just an opinion but seems logical to me.

weeble5672 says:

09/24/09 12:39AM

coughcoughhomercoughcough

FrozenTundra says:

09/24/09 01:10AM

Agreed. SJ should do well with this Heatly trade, but I think Karma always plays a role. Just think the hockey gods send some injuries the Sharks way this year. (non life threatening of course).

You asked for a reverse sleeper and imo Bos was an easy one. In the West the top 4 were SJ, Det, Van and Chi and Chi was already mentioned, Van did a good job this year to be just as good or better and Det is well Det. I was gonna say St.L won't make the playoffs, but I thought it wasn't very bold considering if they do make it, it'll be in the #7 or 8 spot.

FrozenTundra says:

09/24/09 01:13AM

Boston overachieved last year my friend. They do have a solid team, but they played above their heads. Rask will be decent if called upon but he doesn't impress me (yet). Bos will be fortunate to finish in the top 5. I'll eat my words if they prove me wrong.

Season start yet?

bahjay says:

09/24/09 04:26AM

The Rangers look like a good candidate to fall out of the top 8 in the East. Only a matter of time until Gaborik gets hurt and they are going to be depending on a lot of young unprovens on the back end for depth behind a less than menacing top 4 of Redden, Girardi, Roszival and Staal.

looch17 says:

09/24/09 11:38AM

Thanks Weeble, lol, I may have a slight homer bias, but also know a lot more ablout the team than some people who just see kessel leaving and none of the other stuff that is going on making this team just as strong last year. Not to mention those draft picks they just received from the leafs could be used to land a big rental player come deadline time. but like i said, just an opinion. Only time will tell. I Do agree with your two eastern conference sleeper picks though Phillies season is dependent pretty much on how well emery plays.

looch17 says:

09/24/09 11:50AM

I agree they did overachieve to an extent, but i am just curious as to which team you believe will win that division if the bruins will not?

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User:	weeble5672
Joined:	December 2007
Location:	Ontario
Team:	Toronto Maple Leafs
Occupation:	Accounting/Finance

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