What To Expect in 2010

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The National Hockey League's 2009-2010 regular season has arrived. Last week on "The Parris and Burwell Show" (M-F, 9AM-12PM, 101 ESPN/101.1 FM) I was asked, on virtually no notice, to pick the following: number of points for the Blues this season, Blues' leading goal scorer (and how many), place in which the Blues finish in the Western Conference, Conference Champions and ultimate Stanley Cup winner.

My answers were as follows. David Backes will follow a 31 goal campaign (just two behind Brad Boyes for the team lead) by breaking through the 40-goal barrier. Andy Murray's team will total 101 points and finish fourth in the West and second behind Detroit in the Central. San Jose and Pittsburgh win the West and East, respectively and meet in the Stanley Cup Finals. The Sharks raise the silver in June as Dany Heatley makes a big impact with a contending team.

In "The Ice Report" segment, in which I answered the questions with my prognostications, I noted that it has been brought to my attention that my predictions aren't always perfect. I still recall our fearless leader, Bam Bam Barrett, texting me immediately following Pittsburgh's Cup clinching victory over Detrot, with "I'm glad you stink at predictions". Earlier in the day on 101 ESPN I had picked the Red Wings to win 3-2 in regulation as they were playing at home. We were carrying the Penguins feed of the game and Barrett wanted the call of the winners' broadcast team.

In the West I find it really interesting that publications are still so bullish about the Blackhawks. They can't be the same team without leading scorer Martin Havlat (now in Minnesota) and netminder Nikolai Khabibulin. Sure they added Marian Hossa (who's out until November or December with a shoulder injury) and other useful parts but is Cristobal Huet going to be able to be a difference maker for Chicago? Ironically I can see the 'Hawks and Wild battling for the last playoff spot or two in the West.

In the East, Pittsburgh is the back-to-back reigning champion. Last season they were 10th in the conference in February before replacing head coach Michael Terrien with assistant Dan Bylsma. The Pens have to play with more consistancy this year during the regular season to repeat.

What's really tough to project is who the 16 teams are that eventually make the playoffs. If you recall, much was up in the air entering the last night last regular season. Taking a stab before the first official puck dropped to the ice, I came up with the following:

WEST: 1. SAN JOSE, 2. DETROIT, 3. VANCOUVER, 4. ST. LOUIS, 5. CALGARY, 6. ANAHEIM, 7. COLUMBUS AND 8. MINNESOTA...MISSING THE CUT 9. EDMONTON AND 10. CHICAGO

EAST: 1. BOSTON, 2. NEW JERSEY, 3. WASHINGTON, 4. PITTSBURGH, 5. NYRANGERS, 6. MONTREAL, 7. PHILADELPHIA AND 8. TORONTO...MISSING THE CUT 9. CAROLINA AND 10. FLORIDA

TPC