LCS Hockey - 1998-99 Season Preview

1998-99 Season Preview Lead
by Michael Dell, editor-in-chief

The annual season preview issue is normally a highlight of the LCS Hockey calendar. Packed solid with obscure references and degrading insults, the season preview routinely delivers laughs and lawsuits by the bushel.

Unfortunately, this year's edition has been hampered by circumstances beyond our control... namely a broken right thumb to yours truly. What can I say? Bookies ain't no joke. When they say they want their money now, they want their money now.

The injury rendered me a one-handed typist at just the wrong time. Composing 27 in-depth team reports in limited time without the use of my right hand made the prospects of this issue ever making anything close to the deadline extremely slim. With no other options at my disposal, I was forced to construct extremely frail reports that only touch on the factor's influencing each team's upcoming season. Is it good? No. Is it done? Yes.

Here's how LCS Hockey sees the 1998-99 results shaping up. And remember, this is only an exhibition. This is not a competition. So please, as always, no wagering. The * denotes playoff teams.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Atlantic Division
1. Philadelphia Flyers *
2. New Jersey Devils *
3. New York Rangers *
4. New York Islanders
5. Pittsburgh Penguins

Northeastern Division
1. Buffalo Sabres *
2. Boston Bruins *
3. Montreal Canadiens *
4. Ottawa Senators
5. Toronto Maple Leafs

Southeastern Division
1. Carolina Hurricanes *
2. Washington Capitals *
3. Tampa Bay Lightning
4. Florida Panthers

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Central Division
1. Detroit Red Wings *
2. Chicago Blackhawks *
3. St. Louis Blues *
4. Nashville Predators

Northwestern Division
1. Colorado Avalanche *
2. Vancouver Canucks
3. Edmonton Oilers
4. Calgary Flames

Pacific Division
1. Dallas Stars *
2. Los Angeles Kings *
3. Anaheim Mighty Ducks *
4. Phoenix Coyotes *
5. San Jose Sharks

When looking at those projections, keep one thing in mind: pretty much every team in the NHL sucks. The only clubs with true Cup aspirations are Dallas, Colorado, Detroit, and Philadelphia. You can also expect Carolina and Anaheim to be vastly improved, while Pittsburgh and St. Louis take serious dives.

I'd usually write more stuff here, but my thumb really hurts. So just pretend I wrote something funny, laugh hysterically, and then move on to the rest of the issue.

Thank you.