Season Preview & Fearless Predictions

Friends, we've waited too long for this day to come, but it is finally nearly upon us. Tomorrow night: NHL hockey. The League opens with a full slate of games featuring superstars in new places, highly-anticipated rookies getting ready to leave their marks on the sport, and optimism about rules designed to let the game's best players flash their skill and athleticism. But first, some predictions, beginning with the standings (click on team for Japers' Rink's Team Preview) and wrapping up with awards:

Eastern Conference

1. Ottawa Senators
2. Boston Bruins
3. Philadelphia Flyers
4. Tampa Bay Lightning
5. Montreal Canadiens
6. New Jersey Devils
7. Pittsburgh Penguins
8. Florida Panthers
9. Toronto Maple Leafs
10. Atlanta Thrashers
    
11. Buffalo Sabres
    
12. New York Islanders
13. Carolina Hurricanes
    
14. New York Rangers
15. Washington Capitals

Western Conference

1. San Jose Sharks
2. Detroit Red Wings
3. Calgary Flames
   
4. Vancouver Canucks
5. Nashville Predators
6. Colorado Avalanche
7. Dallas Stars
8. Los Angeles Kings
9. Edmonton Oilers
10. Anaheim Mighty Ducks
11. Phoenix Coyotes
    
12. Columbus Blue Jackets
13. Chicago Blackhawks
14. Minnesota Wild
15. St. Louis Blues

Stanley Cup Champion

• Conventional Wisdom: Calgary Flames
  
• Our Pick: Ottawa Senators

Hart Trophy (Most Valuable Player)

• Conventional Wisdom: Jarome Iginla
  
• Our Pick: Joe Thornton

Art Ross Trophy (Top Point Scorer)

• Conventional Wisdom: Markus Naslund
  
• Our Pick: Joe Thornton

Norris Trophy (Top Defenseman)

• Conventional Wisdom: Scott Niedermayer
  
• Our Pick: Chris Pronger

Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy (Top Goalscorer)

• Conventional Wisdom: Jarome Iginla
• Our Pick: Jaromir Jagr

Vezina Trophy (Top Goaltender)

• Conventional Wisdom: Miikka Kiprusoff
  
• Our Pick: Evgeni Nabokov
  

Jack Adams Trophy (Coach of the Year)

• Conventional Wisdom: Darryl Sutter (Calgary)
  
• Our Pick: Ron Wilson (San Jose)
  

Calder Trophy (Rookie of the Year)

• Conventional Wisdom: Sidney Crosby
  
• Our Pick: Kari Lehtonen