Habster:

The Hockey News has come out with their “incredibly reliable”(Not!) annual NHL rankings/predictions for the 2008-09 season. We have to remember THN also predicted the Canadiens would finish 13th in the Eastern conference last season and they ended up winning the Eastern conference title with 104 points.

I have posted THN predictions below as the article is only available through a subscription to the THN magazine.

As usual, there are some debatable selections in both conferences. I find it hard to believe the Boston Bruins and Buffalo Sabres will finish as low as 10th and 11th respectively. I also think Carolina will finish higher than the Rangers and the Devils in the standings with the Rangers missing the playoffs.

I tend to agree with most of THN’s Western conference predictions with the exception of Dallas and San Jose being a toss up for the Pacific division title and the #2 spot in the conference. I’m also surprised at Colorado being ranked as low as #14.

THN East Conference predictions:

1. Montreal
2. Pittsburgh
3. Washington
4. Philadelphia
5. Ottawa
6. Rangers
7. New Jersey
8. Carolina
9. Tampa Bay
10. Boston
11. Buffalo
12. Florida
13. Atlanta
14. Toronto
15. Islanders

THN Western Conference predictions:

1. Detroit
2. San Jose
3. Minnesota
4. Dallas
5. Anaheim
6. Edmonton
7. Chicago
8. Calgary
9. Nashville
10. Phoenix
11. Vancouver
12. Columbus
13. Los Angeles
14. Colorado
15. St. Louis