NHL

By Mike Brophy

SPORTSNET.CA

Finally, the day we have all been waiting for - the opening of training camp.

I don't know about you, but the start of each season gets me wondering about lots of things.

Like:

Can the Detroit Red Wings become the first team to repeat as Stanley Cup champions since they did it in 1997 and 1998? (Yes…it has to happen sometime)

How long until new Dallas Star Sean Avery says something outrageous? (Within a week)

Can the Montreal Canadiens win their first Cup since 1993 in this, their 100th anniversary? (Yes, but don't bet the farm on it)

Will Brian Burke finish the season as GM of the Anaheim Ducks? (Yes, the Ducks will contend for the Cup and he's not going anywhere until the season concludes…then he joins the Toronto Maple Leafs)

Can the Pittsburgh Penguins get back to the Stanley Cup final? (Never say no to a team with Sidney Crosby, but the Stanley Cup hangover coupled with the loss of some key personnel makes it highly unlikely)

Who will be the first coach to be fired? (Andy Murray is an excellent coach, but I don't like his chances with the woefully bad Blues)

Can the Columbus Blue Jackets make the playoffs for the first time? (No)

Will Alexander Radulov return to the Nashville Predators? (Yes, and sooner rather than later)

Which player will take the biggest leap forward toward becoming a bona fide star? (Anze Kopitar of the Los Angeles Kings - a future top 10 scorer. If you live on the east coast, stay up late one night and watch this kid)

Whose game will take a hit? (Mark Recchi brings some veteran leadership to the Tampa Bay Lightning, but he won't get the quality ice time to allow him to hit 48 points like he did last season)

Can the Chicago Blackhawks take the anticipated next step? (This is not the no-brainer many think it is. The Hawks went from 71 points two years ago to 88 last year. Don't count on another 17 point leap)

Will Todd Bertuzzi prove to be a good addition to the Calgary Flames? (Coach Mike Keenan will give Big Bert every opportunity to succeed as a secondary scorer and he'll score 20 goals)

How many shots will Jason Blake direct into the belly pad of opposing goalies? (Not half as many as last season when 317 of his 332 shots hit the logo)

Who is the first GM to lose his job? (If the Atlanta Thrashers stumble out of the gate, and there is every chance of that happening, Don Waddell takes the hit)

Can the Vancouver Canucks bounce back to make the playoffs? (It is going to be tough, even with the best goalie in the league. That said, I believe GM Mike Gillis will build this team into a contender quicker than many anticipate…and it may be without the Sedin twins)

Who will be the NHL's coach of the year? (Terry Murray of the Los Angeles Kings. Don't laugh)

Who will be the first player suspended? (Derek Boogaard of the Wild for an altercation during a pre-game warm-up)

Who will emerge as the best free agent signing from the off-season? (Avery…he may be controversial, but he is an impact player still on the rise)

Who was the worst free agent signing? (Doug Weight of the Islanders…great guy, but he's done)

Who should replace Mats Sundin as captain of the Maple Leafs? (Nobody…and PLEASE don't use alternating captains like Minnesota and Buffalo. That is minor peewee stuff and only indicates your team lacks a bona fide leader)

Who will be the NHL's comeback player of the year? (Sheldon Souray of the Oilers)

Which team takes the biggest drop? (Count on the Colorado Avalanche dropping by 15-20 points)

Which team will grab the most headlines? (That's easy…Tampa Bay. They have maverick owners, lots of scoring and no defence)

Who gets the first pick in the 2009 NHL entry draft? (The Islanders will finish 30th, but with their luck, they'll lose the lottery allowing Atlanta to pick John Tavares)

Can Wayne Gretzky guide the Phoenix Coyotes into the playoffs? (Yes, based on the play of goalie Ilja Bryzgalov)

Who will lead the NHL in goal-scoring to win the Rocket Richard Trophy? (Make it two years in a row for Alexander Ovechkin)

Who will lead the league in scoring? (A healthy Sidney Crosby reclaims the Art Ross Trophy)

Who will win the Vezina Trophy as the league's best goalie? (Evgeni Nabokov of the San Jose Sharks)