The NHL regular season is finally here. Even before the regular season started, a lot of tension is building up between teams; especially Buffalo and Toronto. This season consists of realigned divisions, with Winnipeg moving west, and Columbus and Detroit moving east.

It will be interesting to see how teams like Winnipeg and Columbus will perform after just missing out on a playoff spot last season, and now switching conferences.

This season is an Olympic season, so players will be pushing for a spot on the Olympic rosters of their respective countries.

Chat about everything NHL here. You can also chat about hockey from other countries and levels as well.

I was just about to make a thread like this! You beat me to it!

I am predicting that the Islanders will make it to the playoffs, but it really depends on whether or not Evgeni Nabokov is good enough in net.

I think that the Rangers will fall short of a playoff spot, and so will the Devils.

I do not think that the Blackhawks will repeat as Stanley Cup Champions.

Those are some pretty bold predictions.

Based on the players the rangers have, everyone expects the rangers to make the playoffs. NJ is a bit of a different story, but can never be counted out.

I saw Patcheoretty get injured last night, and Parros is out indefinitely to, so that hurts Montreals chances, but that Gallagher, Galchenyuk, Eller line is going to be one of the best 3rd lines in the nhl this season. If Patcheoretty gets taken out of the lineup, I dont think that line should be broken up.

Grabovski had 3 goals and an assist, which is a solid debut for any player; never mind it happening against the defending stanley up champs.

Jets and oilers had a close game with Trouba scoring his first career nhl goal, and Schieffle scoring twice. Both look primed to have big impacts this season.

I watched the Rangers match and it wa a bit dissapointing. In school today, we went over the fight that took place earlier. I don't really know who it was but the teacher took a poll to see how many people agreed that the guys actions were okay or not. Did you hear about the fight?

I'm not a huge hockey fan, but I do follow it although to a lesser extent than the other three major team sports. How do you guys think the Canucks will do this year? I hope they can at least make a decent run in the playoffs this time.

Chewedmint : A fellow Canuck enthusiast, perhaps? I think that, with the Canucks new head coach, we'll definitely make the playoffs. I'll have to watch a couple games before predicting anything else though. Definitely hoping for a Stanley Cup back in Vancouver. I'll be satisfied with the Canucks only advancing to the 2nd round or so, as this is a transition year.

I'm really disappointed with the Canucks performance in their opener though. :/

Luongo has a history of starting off slow and working his way into seasons.

I, along with tgags agree that the Islanders will make it to the play offs. Evgeni Nabokov is a amazing hockey player and I instill my faith in him sports wise.

Well, the Wings are 2-1 now. The first game was a mostly fast paced game for us, with us taking the lead, and keeping it throughout the game. And the second one was a dirty and gritty game, where we had to come from behind. So glad to see us win in games in these two different ways. Unfortunately, we played pretty bad yesterday. It seemed like the whole game was in our zone, and only one true defensive defense man, that isn't gonna work.

The Metropolitan division really could go in any order, although it seems like Pittsburgh will likely take the top spot again in the division.

If Ward and Bobrovsky play up to their abilities, then both of their teams could find themselves in a playoff spot.

bobq : No way. Islanders will have an amazing year this year, as long as Nabby stays consistent. I am certain that the Islanders will at least make a playoff spot, but I think they will finish first or second in the division. They will do what the Pirates did this year in baseball.

Well Selanne played his last game in Winnipeg last night. He got a standing ovation and was named the games first star. The league will be a little more empty when Selanne retires. Hopefully he becomes a part of the staff on Anaheim or maybe the jets.

The Flyers fired their head coach three games into the season after starting 0-3-0. Good move or bad move?

Personally, I don't think it's the coaches fault for the bad start. The Flyers just aren't a good team. The expectations for this team are too high.

Vanek was traded to the Islanders for Moulson, 1st and 2nd round pick.

Sedins resigned in Vancouver for 4 years.

Downie was traded to the plyers for Talbot.

Varlomov was arrested for 2nd degree kidnapping and 3rd degree assault. He has since continued to play for the avs.

Stamkos just broke his leg! That's really going to screw over Tampa Bay's chances at keeping this run going. They've been doing really well so far but losing your best player can't help.

geeogree :

This is devastating news for tampa. They are a great team, but without the constant scoring presence of Stamkos, the team will likely fall off. This is also detrimental to team Canada at this year's olympics, and also St.Louis's chance of cracking the final roster.

His injury is believed to take 3-6 months until it is fully healed. Just a really ugly situation overall.

well, detrimental might be a bit of an exaggeration. I'm not saying I want to lose a 50 goal scorer off the team but Canada is deep every year and there are plenty of great players that can fill his spot. Unfortunate but not the end of the world.

   The two games today were absolutely amazing. I can't believe how much I enjoyed watching them. From seeing the Russian Five all starting the game, to the Bob Probert jersey, to just seeing Steve Yzerman back on the ice in a Red Wings uniform again. Some other great things included the Chelli Celli, the Homer shootout goal, and Jiri Fisher back for the first time since he collapsed years ago, and his career ended early. And the Detroit tv station had both Detroit goalies mic'ed up, and listening to them throughout the game was awesome. Hopefully tomorrow goes just as well. Can't wait for it.
   Also, the Leafs signed Dion Phaneuf to a seven year extension for about $7 million a year. Like most players, it seems like a lot of money. The Leafs have also selected Bernier to start the game tomorrow, while the Wings will probably stick with Howard, even though he let in 5 goals last night. I've defended Howard in the past, but I really don't think he gives us the best chance of winning the game.

   Well, this thread is dead.... the trade deadline came and went without any activity here. Well, some big trades include St. Louis going to the Rangers for Callahan and two draft picks. Luongo was moved to Florida, and then Tim Thomas was traded to the Stars for Dan Ellis. Gaborik was traded from the Blue Jackets to the Kings for Matt Frattin and two draft picks.
Alex Hemskey went to the Senators for two draft picks, and Ruutu was traded to Carolina from the Devils for a conditional draft pick and Loktionov. Thomas Vanek was also traded to the Canadiens along with a 5th round draft pick for Collberg and a second round draft pick. The final trade involved David Legwand going to Detroit for Patrick Eaves, Jarkrok, and a draft pick.

   Moving on to something else, Lidstrom's number 5 was retired tonight, and it was really cool to see. Always consistent, and one of the best defense the game has ever seen. Luckily, it took my mind off the fact that the wings have been great at giving up goals with less than a minute left to either lose the game, or to send it into overtime. I doubt we will be able to do much as far as the cup goes, but with so much raw talent, I think we should at least make it into the playoffs, and should have some great players for the years ahead.

lol patar, the leafs have been famous for letting goals in with a minute left in the game to lose or tie it... this has been going on since I became a leafs fan, and possibly before then. The could just never close it out when they had the chance. The leafs have been missing those key goals when they really needed it for a really long time now so if it is happening just for this season to the wings... be grateful youre not a leafs fan.

Indirectly Garth Snow traded Tomas Vanek and a first round pick to Buffalo and Montreal for a prospect and a 5th round pick. He is just the worst GM in the league, and it is such a joke how the guy still has a job. I feel badly for the Islanders fans and the players on that team, because the decisions that are made my the team's GM are just painfully stupid.

Stamkos was named captain of the lightning tonight, since Marty was traded to the rangers. Tonight was his first game back from his injury, and unfortunately, his team lost to Buffalo 3-1. It will be interestign to see just how good Stamkos is with no Marty to play on his line, although Calahan is no slouch.