So the season has started with 4 games in Europe, Rangers V Lightning and Penquins V Sens. Rangers took both games against Tampa and Penquins beating the Sens in overtime and then the Sens beat Penquins in regulation.

Tonight is the start of the NHL 08/09 season proper in Nth America with

Leafs v Wings
Bruins v Avs
Flames V Canucks
Ducks V Sharks

Think the Wings are still the team to beat this season, be interesting to see how the Leafs get on tonight as made big changes to their roster and Cujo has returned to guard the net.

Hope my team the Hawks can build from the last season and make a real go of the season from the off and make the play offs, time will tell.

Been looking forward to the start of the season for some time now.

I think you are right about the wings, they will be a force again. But my tip for lord Stanley's cup is Montreal, and as a leafs fan that hurts me to say it.

I would imagine that Vesa will still be the starting goalie for the leafs, with cujo backing up. It does not really matter who is inbetween the pipes each night, it is going to be a long, long season for the leafs.

Must admitt to having a soft spot for the blackhawks and would count them as my second team, so I hope they carry on their improvement of recent seasons.

Leafs are my fave Canadian Team and second team as the other half has always supported the Leafs.

Don't think Sundin has helped the Leafs either in the off season by taking the pee a little by apparently not being able make his mind up. He should have made his mind up not too long after the season finished giving the Leafs a good chance with the FA's. Think now Paul Maurice has been replaced by Ron Wilson think the Leafs will fair better than before but still gonna be an uphill season for them.

I think you need a rethink about your fav Canadian team. The Leafs don't deserve your support. They people running that club have been shafting their fans for years. They're not interested in winning, just as long as the money keeps rolling in, which it will because Torontonians are fecking clueless.

...Go Leafs Go

I've been a Hawks fan for over 15 years and I think this the first time since the mid 1990's that they have a team that could challenge for the cup but I think it will be another couple of years till we're raising Lord Stanley.

This season i'm going for the Rangers to beat the Sharks in the finals.

Habs and Wings in the finals, with the Habs winning me thinks

Go Bruins

My other half's stepdad was training Shawn Thornton for a while this summer. He's a former boxer so you can guess what type of training it was.

I will be at the Avs tonight.

I suppose that could be said of a lot of sports clubs the world over. We have had it time and time again at our beloved Hull FC, but we still support the players if not the management.

When you get the jugernaut that is the maple leafs though, it is almost criminal that they have not won the cup in over 40 years. It could be worse though, what about Chicago cubs fans ( that will be me then) , their owners have been shafting them for years, although things have improved the past couple of years. Now 100 years and counting without a world series, but at least the bank balance keeps growing.

Go Buffalo! Though I hardly follow the NHL these days unfortunately.

Will be interesting to see how the Blueshirts get on this season without JJ.

Sather made a great acquisition in Markus Naslund, and good to see Drury given the nod for captain this season.

Only three things that trouble me about this coming season. Firstly, we are pretty light in defense. With six on the roster, it only stretches to two guys on SC1, SC2 and the CHK lines.

Secondly, we really need to work on our indiscipline this season. Time after time, we've been in with a shout with games but then give away stupid penalties and the game goes away from us.

And finally, I can't believe we still haven't re-signed Shanny up from unrestricted. He had 46 points in 73 games last season, which is okay, but his work rate is immense.

First game up against the Hawks at MSG and then the following day have to take a trip to Philly.

Leafs 3-2 Red Wings

Difference with the Cubbies is you can't accuse those in charge of not even trying to put a winning side together. Those incontrol of the Leafs don't want to relinquish it and this is what's holding them back. They like the power too much and so any GM they bring in will effectively have his hands tied from day one. Same can be said of the manager to a certain extent.

Also, the fans do nothing to protest this. We've had plenty of vocal protests at FC over the years when we've been unhappy about the way the club is being run. The Leafs fans just sit and take it. TBH they deserve all they get.

Good win last night though - I am awaiting mass hysteria from the local media.