| Writer |
Team |
Stanley Cup champion |
| Michael Farber |
 |
The 2008 template is the 2007 final. While Ottawa looked invincible in blowing through the Eastern Conference, the Senators ran into a more physically dominant team in the final. San Jose is the 2007-08 version of the still formidable Ducks.
|
| Allan Muir |
 |
Veteran warriors like Chris Drury and Brendan Shanahan, and the goaltending of Hendrik Lundqvist, will give the NHL offices the championship they failed to properly market 14 years ago.
|
| Darren Eliot |
 |
The Stanley Cup returns to Canada for the first time since 1993, as Anton Volchenkov shuts down Joe Thornton and Dany Heatley and brings the Conn Smythe Trophy to the bargaining table in his protracted contract negotiations. |
| Scott Wraight |
 |
Sure. They've got Sidney Crosby, Jordan Staal and Evgeni Malkin. But the biggest reason this club will hoist Lord Stanley is 22-year-old netminder Marc-Andre Fleury, who'll build on last year's breakout performance.
|
| John Ondrasik |
 |
Grit and goaltending with a dash of Pronger is the recipe for repeat. |
| WRITER |
TEAM |
EASTERN CHAMPION |
| Michael Farber |
|
Back in the bad ? and I mean really bad ? old Rangers days, the team would spend gobs of money on fading free agents with big names and hoped they blended. The organization suffered. This time they have added the right high-priced ingredients. If the defense holds and either Scott Gomez or Chris Drury can replicate Michael Nylander?s chemistry with Jaromir Jagr, the Rangers should surpass Ottawa.
|
| Allan Muir |
|
The Blueshirts are a tantalizing mix of skill, grit and elite goaltending stirred by the experienced hands of Tom Renney. Don't worry too much about that blueline. Slats will pull the trigger on a deal to bolster their weak link and put them over the top. |
| Darren Eliot |
|
Ottawa gets back with a shot at winning it all after ousting the Penguins in the ECF in a lively, high-scoring affair in which Ray Emery's mettle proves stronger than that of Marc-Andre Fleury. |
| Scott Wraight |
|
A year of playoff experience will work wonders for the Baby Pens, who have as much talent as any team in the league. |
| John Ondrasik |
|
I picked them last year, so they owe me.
|
| WRITER |
TEAM |
WESTERN CHAMPION |
| Michael Farber |
|
After beating their heads against the wall, and beating themselves, in the past three playoffs, San Jose seems ready. The team has a glut of young talent ? winger Milan Michalek, defensemen Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Matt Carle, center Joe Pavelski ? to share the load with established stars like Joe Thornton and a more relaxed Patrick Marleau. The question is defense, but veteran Craig Rivet adds dependability to the blueline.
|
| Allan Muir |
 |
Scoring depth? Check. A defense that boasts skill and physical play? Check. Championship-caliber goaltending? Alright, two out of three ain't bad. Just don't discount the Avs' chances because of Peter Budaj. Three of the past four Cup finalists have been backstopped by Ray Emery, Dwayme Roloson and Cam Ward, none of whom are working on their Hall of Fame speeches just yet. And if Budaj is deemed insufficient, odds are there''ll be an upgrade available on the trade market at some point.
|
| Darren Eliot |
|
The Sharks put it all together and vanquish the Red Wings in the WCF. The Wings find themselves in penalty trouble throughout and can't find an answer for the Thornton-to-Cheechoo combination. |
| Scott Wraight |
|
I could've taken the easy road and gone with the defending champ Ducks, but that's no fun. After another postseason bummer, the boys from San Jose are ready to take the next step.
|
| John Ondrasik |
|
The Red Wings, who are becoming the Atlanta Braves of the NHL, look tempting, but the defending champions are the defending champions. |
| WRITER |
PLAYER |
HART TROPHY |
| Michael Farber |
 |
Joe Thornton. If the Sharks are as dominant as I expect, and his point total rivals Crosby?s, he should nip Crosby for the award.
|
| Allan Muir |
 |
Sidney Crosby. I'm sure Roberto Luongo will make it close, but Sid's impact on the league, not just the Pens, will be impossible to ignore. |
| Darren Eliot |
|
This is Sidney Crosby's personal award for the foreseeable future. The Kid has another banner season and proves capable of wearing the "C" as well. |
| Scott Wraight |
|
Sidney Crosby. Yeah, notching 130 points and leading your team to the Stanley Cup usually gets you the Hart Trophy. And I don't think it'll be a close call. Sorry, Joe Thornton and Jarome Iginla.
|
| John Ondrasik |
 |
Can you imagine the Flames without the magician? |
| WRITER |
PLAYER |
ART ROSS TROPHY |
| Michael Farber |
|
Sidney Crosby. He has the vision to create points and now has more talented potential wingers ? hello, Petr Sykora - to boost his totals. He should reach 40 goals for the first time and is capable of more than 90 assists.
|
| Allan Muir |
|
Sidney Crosby He'd have to miss at least three weeks of action for anyone else to have a chance. A healthy Crosby -- and let's all pray for that -- runs away with it by at least 15 points.
|
| Darren Eliot |
|
Joe Thornton squeaks past Sid the Kid and wins the scoring title, but because of the great season in goal by teammate Evgeni Nabokov, the Hart Trophy eludes him. |
| Scott Wraight |
|
Sidney Crosby. Sid the Kid took home this award last season by pocketing 120 points. Heh. I don't see any reason the 20-year-old can't break the 130 barrier.
|
| John Ondrasik |
|
Sid The Kid. Time to start racking up postseason numbers... |
