NHL Recap: Florida Panthers

Florida Panthers really came on strong in the back half the season. They made a great push for the playoffs and fell a little short. If they can carry that momentum into next season they should definitely make the playoffs.

Panthers are young at forward. Stephen Weiss lead the team in points with 61 followed closely by David Booth at 60 points. Weiss lead the team in assists with 47 and Booth lead team in goals at 31. They had 5 forwards with 40+ points that looks good for next season.

Panthers are young a defense. They lost there big defender with Jay Bouwmeester going to Calgary. The defense will have a lot to prove to be as productive as last year losing Bouwmeester might make them be a non-playoff contender.

Panthers will probably be starting Vokoun in net and have Clemmensen be the back up. Expect the Panthers who almost tasted the playoffs for the first time since 2000 to really push for it this season. Let's see what they can do in the tough southeast division with the Capitals and Canes.

By: Shane Murray

NHL Recap: Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton is an interesting team in the west. Since making the Stanely Cup finals in 06 they haven't been back into the playoffs. They always seem to fall short in the back half of the year. They are in the Northwest which is a very competitive division with the Avalanche, Flames, Canucks, and Wild also being in there.

Edmonton is pretty young at forward. Ales Hemsky is there stud up front finishing the season with 66 points, 23 goals and 43 assists. They got some up and comers that should help them along this season.

Edmonton is middle aged at defense. Sheldon Souray is the big point maker on defense and second in points on the team. He had 53 points, 23 goals and 30 assists. They need the defense to just keep playing well had 4 defensemen with 30 or more points.

Edmonton know has Nikolai Khabibulin in net for them this year. I would imagine that would be there starter anyway. So he can help teach the young goalie some of the tricks of the trade. I don't know if they are ready or not for playoffs this season but it's about time. Though with teams like the Wild, Flames, and Canucks they are going to have a tough time making the playoffs in that division.

By: Shane Murray

NHL Recap: Detroit Red Wings

The Detroit Red Wings seem to be big players in the playoff race and in the presidents trophy competition every year for last decade and a half. They are very good at bringing in a certain kind of talent and being able to lose and older player and bring in younger players from there farm team that can replace him.

Red Wings are middle age for a hockey team at forward. They have some great talent in there forwards with Datsyuk, Draper, Zetterberg, Franzen, and Filppuli to name a few. Datsyuk finish last year with 97 points, 32 goals, and 65 assists and a +34. Which is why he received the Selkie this year again.

Red Wings are middle aged at defense also. They have great defense like Lidstrom, Rafalski, and Ericsson. Rafalski had 59 points last season 10 goals, 49 assists, and +17.

Red Wings are stacked at goalie with Osgood in net. They have made it to the stanely cup finals two years in a row. Falling short in game seven last season is going to leave a bad taste in their mouth especially with it being in Detroit. Look to seem them push into the Stanely Cup finals again.

By:Shane Murray