NHL Preview: Central Division
Inside Report The Detroit Red Wings are clearly the class of the Central Division. Times won’t be as easy for the Wings as the Chicago Blackhawks are on the rise and the Nashville Predators are always a tough out for the Wings but they will run away with the division by at least 15 points 1. Detroit Red Wings (54-21-7) 2007-2008 Stanley Cup Champions In the salary cap era it is difficult for a Stanley Cup winner to field the same team the following season. The Detroit Red Wings have not only found a way to bring everyone back but they have a found a way to get even better with the addition of prize acquisition Marian Hossa. Hossa who
NHL Preview: Northwest division
Inside Report While every team in this division took a step backward, the Oilers got much better. 1. Edmonton Oilers (41-35-6) The Oilers head into the 08-09 campaign with a better squad than they had in 2005-2006 when they made the Stanley Cup finals. Kevin Lowe stayed away from RFA sheets this summer and focused on the trade market. Lowe first brought in winger Erik Cole from the Carolina Hurricanes. Cole a potential 30-35 goal scorer will play on a line with Shawn Horcoff and Ales Hemsky. Lowe also bolstered his blue line trading for Kings defensemen Lubomir Visnovsky and added depth with the addition of Gilbert Brule. Visnovsky will team with D Sheldon Souray who missed the majority of
NHL Preview: Pacific Division
Pacific Division Inside Report: The Pacific division fields three Stanley cup contenders in the Dallas Stars, Anaheim Ducks, and San Jose Sharks. The Stars are the most complete team, while the Sharks are the most talented team and the Ducks have the Stanley Cup experience. The Coyotes are going to be better and will push for a playoff spot while the Kings are going to be playing for a top 4 pick 1. Dallas Stars (45-30-7) The Stars are a team that doesn’t have many weaknesses. They are strong down the middle, strong on the blue line and strong between the pipes. They have the perfect makeup to knock off the Detroit Red Wings. The Stars made a key addition
Penguins re-assign Janne Pesonen
Forward Janne Pesonen has been assigned to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League (AHL). The 24-man roster includes 14 forwards, seven defensemen and three goaltenders. The roster includes forwards, Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Jordan Staal, Petr Sykora, Miroslav Satan, Ruslan Fedotekno, Matt Cooke, Max Talbot, Tyler Kennedy, Pascal Dupuis, Eric Godard, Jeff Taffe, Bill Thomas and Paul Bissonnette; defensemen Brooks Orpik, Rob Scuderi, Hal Gill, Mark Eaton, Darryl Sydor, Kris Letang and Alex Goligoski; and goaltenders Marc-Andre Fleury, Dany Sabourin and John Curry.
NHL: Sykora out for season opener?
Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Michel Therrien has announced Petr Sykora will miss the Penguins season opener due to a sore groin. Sykora was held out of practice and has been ruled day-to-day Source: Pittsburgh Penguins
The Latest Steelers Buzz
Ben Roethlisberger is calling for the no-huddle offense early and often. Ben is also calling for the Steelers to run quicker and shorter routes. Most notably Santonio Holmes. The Steelers have Holmes running too many deep routes but that may change with the no huddle offense. Look for Holmes to be Roethisberger’s primary target on quick slants and quick outs. The Steelers need to get him involved in the offense more on short quick throws and let him use his playmaking ability for gaining yards after the catch Gary Russell is expected to get 6-8 touches Sunday night. Sean McHugh will see some time at fullback. Mewelde Moore may have his biggest impact in the passing game against the Jaguars.
NHL: Sens Fisher could miss opener vs Pittsburgh
Ottawa Senators forward Mike Fisher (23 goals – 24 assists – 47 points) could be held out of the Senators season opener this Saturday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Fisher suffered a groin injury in Thursday’s preseason game against the Frolunda Indians. Source Ottawa Sun
TOR, FLA & CAL in talks with Pittsburgh?
Team‚Äôs looking to unload defenseman have placed calls to the Penguins to gauge trade interest. The Penguins have their eye on one particular player. Who could that be? Plus three teams have shown “mild” interest in Ryan Stone. Could a minor trade be in the works? Read more for the latest Updated: 11:25 a.m.
Pitt upsets #10 South Florida
Pitt 26 РSouth Florida 21 The Pitt Panthers did it again upsetting another top 10 team in a prime time matchup. Defensively the Panthers limited quarterback Matt Grothe and the Panthers got a strong performance from running back LeSean McCoy (28 ATT – 142 YDS – 2TD). McCoy made key runs late in the game to keep the chains moving and quarterback Bill Stull managed the game well. Stull was efficient and halted South Florida’s early momentum when he connected with wide receiver Jonathan Baldwin for a 52 yard touchdown pass. The Panthers at 4-1 move to first place in the Big East. Full analysis in the morning
Rushing Contest: Win Two Tickets to a Penguins – Thrashers Game
Contest: Predict how many rushing yards the Steelers will have this Sunday against Jacksonville Contest Winner: Wins two tickets in Section C20 Row D Game: Tuesday January 6th Pittsburgh Penguins vs Atlanta Thrashers Rules Inside Access Members only All entries must be received by Sunday, October 5th, 2008 (12:00 p.m.) Email Predictions to insider.customerservice@gmail.com Tiebreaker: How many sacks the Jacksonville Jaguars will have? Tiebreaker 2: How many passing yards will Ben Roethlisberger have? All entries should have the following 1. Name – 2. Inside Access User Name – 3. Rushing yards prediction (54) 4. Tiebreaker Sacks – (3) 5. Tiebreaker passing yards (189) If no one predicts the exact number of rushing yards, the winner of the tickets will go